The Trinity Inquirer - July 2023

THE TRINITY INQUIRER

The Trinity Inquirer

Founded August 27th, 2020

Contents:

- $31 Watermelons at Woolies - NewsPage 1&2

- The Place of Monarchy in SocietyOpinion - Pages 3&4

- The Individual vs Society - Big Questions - Page 5

- Art Club - Clubs & Societies - Page 6

- To Orbit and Beyond - Opinion - Pages 7&8

- Challenge Yourself - CompetitionsPage 9

- Greek Philosopher WordsearchPuzzles - Page 10

Contributors:

Rob Zhang, Samuel Shaw, Charlie Sheldrick, Edward Peng, James Egan, Mrs Angela Kotsiras, Lucas van den Berg, Alastair Murphy

On a frosty evening in late May, I stumbled into the local Woolies at Camberwell Junction to do my weekly grocery run. I was dying after my gym workout and was looking to quench my thirst with the remaining $10 left. Maybe watermelons will do, I thought to myself. When I saw the shining, yellow price tag of $30.80 underneath the watermelons, I almost fell to the ground like Mr White from Breaking Bad (That is fifth season, episode 14 for you Breaking Bad fans).

In recent times, it is not a secret that Australia has struggled to fight its war against inflation. The notorious $11 iceberg lettuce ‘scandal’ of 2022 which even saw the involvement of Queensland police might ring a bell or two, but in case you have not realized, Australia’s CPI (a common indicator for rates of inflation) is rising at an all-time high of 6.8%. If you are not familiar with the term inflation, it just means how fast the price of goods and services are rising in Australia, and if you do not think a

‘measly’ 6.8% is that bad, the last time Australia suffered such high rates of inflation was in the late 80s to early 90s.

I sound a lot like a boomer, but given that our parents are still paying for your food, school fees and necessities, we are quite out-of-touch with just how much inflation affects our spending decisions. Examining root causes of social economic issues around us is not only imperative for learning, but it is also an interesting matter.

In neo-classical economics, prices are set by two things: supply and demand. To put it simply, when there is an excess want for something, or a fall in the supply of it, the price for it goes up. This is quite easy to imagine – If there is only one person wanting to buy a house, it would sell at a lower price. If there were multiple people bidding for it at an auction, you would expect the price for it to go up. This is an increase in demand.

Conversely, if there are lots of houses for people to buy, houses would be pretty-cheap, but if there was only one house in the entirety of Melbourne, you would expect it to sell for somewhere in the high millions.

This is a decrease in supply.

Now let’s take a deeper dive into the reasons behind Australia’s recent inflation.

The Russian economy relies largely on energy exports. Its crude oil export reached 10.5 million barrels per day in 2021, making up to 14% of the world’s total supply. When Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Australia, along with many other Western nations, imposed a 35% tariff (tax on imports) on all Russian energy imports, making energy resources more expensive to purchase from overseas. Energy prices are a critical factor in the total level of aggregate supply in an economy. Energy imports

$31 Watermelons at Woolies

such as natural gas and crude oil are used to power machines and are needed to power vehicles to transport goods and services - wagons to transport fresh produce from farmers to supermarkets... cars to transport people between locations... the list goes on. When the cost of production to supply goods and services to the markets increases, producers are more likely to increase the prices of goods and services sold (so they retain profits). Obviously, this causes inflation as the general price levels of goods and services rise.

Apart from energy prices undergoing inflation, a close reader of economics might also observe a surge in cost of services as well. Indeed, in the March Quarter, the largest contributor of inflation was medical and emergency services. How did this happen? Along with increased fuel and electricity prices needed to operate hospitals and ambulances, Australia’s aging population also drives the increase in price. The number of deaths has surpassed the number of births in recent years, reflecting an ageing population. As we discussed previously, an increase in demand also drives prices.

Furthermore, low unemployment has also driven up aggregate demand across the country. Australia’s unemployment rates reached a 30-year historical low in 2022, a mere 3.5% after businesses start to recover in the post COVID era. Low unemployment means that more people are receiving higher wages compared to lowly social welfare payments, incentivizing spending, and hence driving aggregate demand up.

With an unprecedented 7.8% inflation in the December quarter of 2022, prices are rising like never before. So, I guess the question is, when will prices go down and how are we addressing the issue?

If you’re an avid news reader, then you might remember seeing the term ‘cash rate hikes’ in the news somewhere. The RBA has raised cash rates to a high of 4.1%, a record high since the early 2010s. Cash rate hikes raise the cost of overnight loans between the Reserve Bank of Australia and other banks, which essentially raises interest rates as well. When interest rates go up, it means that the cost of borrowing is higher and there is greater return on investments. This helps reduce aggregate spending in the economy, as people see saving money as a more lucrative option to spending.

Furthermore, the recent 2023-24 budget also delivered cost-of-living reliefs aimed to help consumers cope with inflation. The Federal Government is partnering with state and territory governments to deliver $3 billion of electricity bill relief for households and small businesses, with $500 eligible for certain households. Additionally, a temporary price cap on wholesale gas contracts has also been implemented to prevent the skyrocketing gas prices.

With inflation slowing to a 7.0% in March quarter, the RBA estimates that inflation will return to an acceptable 3% in Mid-2025. Hopefully, this means that there will be no more $30.80 watermelons in Woolies the next time I visit the gym. Until then however, it looks like $31 watermelons, among other inflated groceries, will stay around for a while.

- Rob Zhang

The Place of Monarchy in Society

Opinion

The recent coronation of our King was a matter of great pomp and ceremony. But his investment with symbols of a power that he does not actually hold has led many to wonder about the point of this system, and has called into question monarchy’s place in society.

For the overwhelming majority of civilisations throughout history, the answer to this question has been that monarchy is the best way for a nation to be ruled. After the rise of republicanism and democracy since the Enlightenment, however, it is now often dismissed as a ridiculous and unrepresentative system.

By our records, the first people to see this were the Athenians, who, around 1068 BC, abolished the monarchy, which was eventually reformed into a more democratic system. The system of monarchy was also abolished in antiquity in Rome, where in 509 BC the king Tarquin the Proud was overthrown and the Roman Republic was born.

However, these two nations were by far a part of the minority, as they remained until only the last century. There has historically always been a large amount of support for monarchy, and this is reflected through the writings of countless individuals.

In Plato’s Republic, for example, he argued against democracy, on the basis that experts and incompetents are given equal say. Plato instead advocated for a philosopher, whose role it is to be wise, and to think carefully about everything, to be given monarchical power. He believed that such a wise and just ruler would provide the best judgements and create the most socially cohesive society possible.

It is easy to dismiss Plato as idealistic and disconnected from the reality of modern society, but he highlights the underlying debate surrounding monarchy’s place in the modern world: Can an hereditary monarch possess the wisdom, judgement, and moral character necessary to govern a nation effectively?

It is crucial to acknowledge that modern constitutional monarchies have adapted to address such concerns. They have, for the most part, evolved into symbolic figures, acting as a unifying force rather than holding substantial political power. Constitutional monarchies operate within democratic systems, where elected representatives handle day-to-day governance and policy-making. The monarch’s role is primarily ceremonial, representing the nation, fostering national pride, and serving as a symbol of continuity.

In countries like the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark, where constitutional monarchies thrive, the monarch’s role is largely non-political, with limited influence over the legislative process. Instead, they engage in diplomatic activities, support charitable causes, and act as a symbol of national unity. This modified form of monarchy allows the institution to coexist with democratic values, fostering stability and a sense of tradition without compromising the principles of meritocracy and equal opportunity.

Furthermore, this sense of tradition, and the historical and cultural significance of monarchies, cannot be overlooked. Monarchies often represent a nation’s identity, heritage, and traditions. They preserve historical narratives, providing a sense of connection to the past. This cultural aspect is particularly relevant for countries with rich historical backgrounds, as it helps maintain a collective national memory and contributes to tourism and cultural industries.

Monarchs also often act as ambassadors and promote their country’s interests abroad. Their position as non-partisan and neutral figureheads allows them to engage in diplomatic efforts to foster international relationships.

However, it is not only figurehead monarchs that can be good for a country. The principal benefit of an hereditary monarch with actual power is that they are raised to do their job. Monarchs are brought up with

The Place of Monarchy in Society

Opinion

the knowledge and expectation that they will one day rule. As a result, they are trained from birth how to govern effectively and fairly. In addition, they do not need to worry about making popular decisions; they can make decisions that are good for the country as a whole, even if not all the people like them. By contrast, elected politicians are often concerned primarily with re-election, and so make decisions that are popular, even if they are not the best decisions.

It is nevertheless important to address the many criticisms raised against monarchy. The hereditary nature of the institution raises concerns about meritocracy and equal opportunity. In a society that values fairness and equal chances, the idea of inherited privilege can be seen as incompatible with modern principles. However, similar issues are present in all systems of government. For example, in a system of democracy such as our own, it is more often good orators, who can smooth-talk the people into supporting them, that are elected, rather than good policy-makers, who know what is best for the country as a whole; and in systems of bureaucracy, social connections are often more important than personal merits in deciding on who to hire.

The cost associated with maintaining a monarchy is another contentious issue. Many people object to taxpayers’ money being used to fund a person who did not do anything to earn their role. What many do not know is that the Australian government does not pay any taxes to the King. The King is supported monetarily by the Sovereign Grant, which is paid by the British government and is equal to 25% of the net surplus of the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate is land that the King owns, and its profits all go to the government except the 25% that is given back. In addition, the monarch is not required to pay any tax, but they have voluntarily paid all the taxes of a regular citizen since 1992. This means that in terms of finances, the King functions simply as an extremely rich citizen, but that he pays most of one part of his income to the British government.

The portion of Australian taxes that are often cited as going to the monarch are used for the maintenance of official residences, security, travel expenses, staff salaries, and operational costs, in relation to the governors, governors-general, and certain other high-ranking officials. It should be noted that these costs would not disappear with a presidential or otherwise republican system. Rather, the funds now allocated to the governor-general would go to the president, and would similarly change for the other officials.

In addition, the costs associated with transitioning to a republican system are greater than one might think. Expenses for things such as campaigns and referenda, modifying the electoral framework, administrative changes such as redefining the roles and responsibilities of government agencies, reviewing and revising existing laws and policies to align with the new system, and public education, would all contribute to an enormous price for what would make essentially no difference, as, in both the current system and most proposals for a new system, the monarch or president has no effective power. The public funds and expenditure would also continue at the same rate.

The place of monarchy in modern society is a complicated and multifaceted issue that remains a subject of debate. Constitutional monarchies have adapted to become symbolic figures within democratic systems. Although concerns about inherited privilege and costs exist, the merits of stability, cultural significance, and the training of monarchs should not be overlooked. The decision to support or oppose the monarchy should consider factors such as historical significance, cultural identity, and the balance between tradition and democratic principles. Ultimately, monarchy can still hold a valid place in modern society as both a unifying symbolic institution, and as a functional decision-making one.

- Samuel Shaw

The Individual vs Society

Big Questions

As someone who too often turns to others for unnecessary approval and guidance, the delicate and seemingly fragile relationship between an individual and society as a whole has been a question I’ve often pondered but never answered. Society has always been viewed as some mysterious invisible entity, often talked about but never seen. By definition, society is a group of people living together and interacting with each other. Trinity would be one such example of a society. But society is nothing without the collaboration and like-mindedness of the people part of said group. Without the individual, there would be no society, no collaboration, no generally accepted views, or ideals. Society is a biproduct of individuals united under a common goal.

Just because society is a collaboration does not mean the collaborators are uniform. Without diversity, society would be severely less effective as an ideal, or perhaps would be rendered useless entirely. The unique perspectives of each member of a society, combined with individual talents and experiences bolsters the effectiveness of society tenfold. But uniformity in society must exist in some shape or form. Individuals in society share goals, aspirations, and of course general acceptance and agreement of legal and political systems. Society also gives back to the individual. Society provides a framework about which the individual can construct their identity, guided by the perspectives, experiences, and ideals of the people around them. Society establishes norms, roles, and expectations that change how individuals perceive themselves within society.

While society is a powerful force, the individual is certainly not lacking the ability to change. Society moulds people, but throughout history people have changed or broken the mould entirely. Visionaries, artists, thinkers, and leaders have challenged the status quo, inspiring social change. Their actions, bravery and ideals have challenged corrupt or wrong norms, starting ripples of change, influencing generations to come, and reshaping how people see their lives. But society’s shaping of the individual is a delicate balance. Embracing individuality allows for personal growth, self-expression, and innovation. But the individual must recognise their responsibilities in order to contribute effectively to society. Cooperation and empathy create a sense of belonging for the individual and allows society to run smoothly. By upholding established norms, the individual contributes to society while keeping their unique identity.

But society is not without its challenges. Conformity and so called ‘peer pressure’ can decrease or even halt individuality and hinder personal growth. However, history has proved that individuals will always be willing to grit their teeth and pursue their personal identities. Through the continuous sharing of contrasting viewpoints and the sheer power of human adaptation, societies grow and improve, allowing for a thriving relationship.

Think of this perceived ‘relationship’ as a kind of dance. Each influences, guides, and shapes the other. By understanding this balance between growth as an individual, and norms put in place by society, we can all contribute to a future where both sides flourish. Keeping individuality alive and keeping our minds wide open is more than crucial if we are to continue growing as a species, but equally having rules and guidelines in place is critical as it helps to guide individuals and creates collective progress and harmony. So, perhaps the best we can do is to remember to always keep in mind our rights as an individual, and freedom to explore all walks of life, but patch some holes in society and contribute to the future of this wild world in which we live.

- Charlie Sheldrick

Art Club

Clubs & Societies

Edward: Hello everyone, welcome back to the second rendition of the Clubs and Societies Section this year for the Trinity Inquirer Edition 10. My name is Edward Peng and today, I am joined by James Egan, leader of the Art Club. James how are you?

James: I’m good thanks. How are you?

Edward: That’s great. I’m good. Well, let’s get straight into the questions. A lot of people have a clear passion for art, could you tell us a bit about what the art club is and what you do?

James: Yep, the club was started this year by our captains – David and I - with Mr Rothnie. The initial vision of the club was for it to be a place for boys who are artistically inclined to come do their work, get help with their work, or even work on fun projects helped by us. Currently we’ve got a lot of older members, so it’s acted as a hub and space that allows us to do our work, but we have a vision for younger members where we would create T-shirts using vector-based image designs and then use a printing press to get them onto clothes.

Edward: Oh yeah that’s great to hear how you’re trying to implement different ways to get younger boys to join the club . So, I did a bit of research on your art club page on myTGS, and found that your club’s aim is ‘To bring different visual perspectives together, creating a space of innovation and inspiration’. Could you tell us about the vision behind this?

James: Well for me and David, I do Art and David does Vis Com, so we have very different styles which is what I think makes the club so great. We can collaborate together, and together we have a very broad skillset that can help a lot of people.

Edward: Oh, it’s amazing how well you and David have gelled together to make this club! Moving on, again, on the myTGS page of your art club, your mission statement is “to invigorate the artistic beast inside everyone.” Could you perhaps elaborate on that?

James: Yeah, we really want people to find the passion for art that we have ourselves. It’s such a great creative space and a really good outlet and I just hope everyone can enjoy that, and possibly find it through the art club.

Edward: That’s good to hear! Obviously, the club is relatively new, you said the club started this year, so where do you see the club in the future?

James: Yeah, currently we have a lot of older members so I’d love to see a lot of younger members and see this club be a generational space between the young and old where they can all collaboratively work together and have fun.

Edward: Are there any requirements to join the club? How would you join, where is it, who should you contact and why should you join?

James: There are no requirements to join the club, it doesn’t matter if you do any art or visual subjects - everyone is welcome to come. It’s held in CY14 on Thursday lunchtimes, David Luo, Mr Rothnie, and I along with a few other Year 12s are usually in there.

Edward: Well, James, that brings us to the end of the interview. It has been a pleasure interviewing you today and I hope the success of the Art Club continues!

- Edward Peng (Clubs & Societies Editor) & James Egan

Opinion To Orbit and Beyond

SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Blue Origin, Relativity, Stoke Space

The number of commercial space companies that have been established in recent years has skyrocketed, as interest in space soars. So, what’s all the fuss about? What do these companies actually do, and what are we to do once we escape the confines of Earth?

One category of these new space companies is essentially space tourism, which only really includes Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and SpaceX. This category has often been called a waste of money and resources, being unnecessary, and largely an experience for the rich or elite, but while the benefits to society more broadly are generally dubious, any spaceflight can push the space industry further, or contribute to science. Inspiration 4 was one such “space tourism” flight, marking the first all-civilian mission to orbit which was operated by SpaceX, with the crew of four (one of whom was chosen by lottery) conducting micro-gravity experiments while in orbit for two days. I’ll leave the value of space tourism up to you, but I’ll certainly be watching the #dearMoon mission when it happens, in which a crew of nine people will be going around the moon in the (hopefully) near future!

The majority of the new space companies are simply space launch services, think SpaceX, Rocketlab, Virgin Orbit, the list goes on - their primary goal is to launch satellites into orbit, for a profit. Their independent status from government agencies, often associated with red tape, allows these companies to operate faster and more cheaply, and their commercial nature means that they are directly in competition with their fellow commercial launch providers. This competition drives companies to find their own niche in the market, as well as provide cheap, efficient, and reliable launch capabilities, spurring on innovation.

And innovate they have.

We’ve seen Rocket Lab, a New Zealand company, successfully operate in the small satellite niche, with Electron, a carbon-fibre rocket which uses electricpump-fed engines, a first for orbital rockets. Similarly, Firefly Aerospace is pioneering a carbon-fibre rocket with a combustion tap-off cycle engine, also a first in orbit. Some crazier launch systems are also out there, with Virgin Orbit launching a rocket off a Boeing 747 mid-flight, and Relativity Space planning to use a fully 3D printed rocket to go to orbit. Stoke Space is another company yet to launch, but is planning to use a radical 100% reusable design, integrating a heat shield and aerospike-esque upper stage engine, not to mention their ambitions to also develop a full-flow staged combustion engine, basically the holy grail of rocket motors. Astra Space builds hall effect thrusters for satellites, while also attempting launches, one of which quite literally went sideways…

(There are some links on the back page if you’d like to have a watch, plus links to find out more about the above companies/designs.)

Now for the main course, SpaceX. SpaceX really does it all. They’ve developed the Falcon 9 rocket, with reusable boosters, the Raptor engine (using the coveted full-flow staged combustion cycle), are building their own satellite constellation, Starlink, not to mention their development of Starship, the most powerful rocket to have ever flown. And what they’re doing with all this technology is also incredible – they’ve shuttled astronauts to the ISS, run the aforementioned Inspiration 4 mission, and have the ultimate aspiration to use Starship to go to Mars, making humans an interplanetary species.

To Orbit and Beyond Opinion

If humankind is to step beyond earth, it raises the question of how a space faring society will function.

If we are to go to Mars, who has the right to land on this plot of land or that? Are they allowed to claim territory? What happens if places with valuable resources are found, who gets to land there and what is the limit of extracting said resources? How will conflicts between countries, or even companies, be resolved?

It would no doubt be too optimistic to simply trust entities to self-regulate, if they can’t even manage to on Earth – the apparently inherent greed and self-interest always seems to win out.

Despite the enormity of space and foreign planets, us humans have already managed to severely damage our home planet, so we must be extremely careful in what could potentially be even more fragile systems, to ensure they can remain unspoilt.

Some central government based on Earth may be practical while there are only small numbers of humans, say, on Mars, but we begin to run into fundamental constraints of the universe, like the speed of light – it can take up to 20 minutes for a signal to go one-way between Mars and the Earth depending on their relative positions. This would undoubtedly make things like a court case extremely difficult to conduct from the other side of the solar system. So, while it may sound like some fantasy, and if it does ever occur is sure to be in the distant future, we might need some independent Martian government to regulate the happenings of the planet.

Even closer to Earth, in Low Earth Orbit, we already have trouble with regulation. Alarmingly similar to how plastics have proliferated through the seas, despite its vastness, space junk has spread in orbit, with many defunct satellites remaining in orbit, and more alarmingly, many thousands of pieces of smaller waste are whizzing round at several kilometres per second. This situation is not only dangerous as it is, but has the potential to trigger a scenario known as Kessler Syndrome, essentially a domino effect of satellite collisions, creating more and more space debris and in turn, more collisions. This could have the consequence of crippling the many satellite-based systems we rely on, like GPS and communications, and even make it unsafe for human flight out of Earth’s orbit.

Fittingly, just weeks ago, King Charles III released the seal of the Astra Carta, named after the historic Magna Carta, a document which will outline guidelines for sustainable and responsible space exploration, to “care for the infinite wonders of the universe,” or in the King’s words, avoid space becoming another “Wild West.” A key idea is for a unified humanity to explore space, disregarding international tensions or competing interests among separate groups of people. The mandate is yet to be released, but I will be interested to see how they plan to tackle the problems of regulating the impact of humans on the expanse of the universe.

- Alastair Murphy

Challenge Yourself Competitions & Challenges

The Australian Informatics Olympiad (AIO)

Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) Challenge

This challenge involves completing a 9 step STEM design sprint based on challenges facing NASA’s Artemis and the Australian space industry. AVA teams will choose from a set of five scenarios and design a solution presented in the form of either a 90-second video pitch or poster. A number of teams will then be selected to pitch their ideas at the Young Space Explorers event in December in Sydney!

More information about this challenge can be found at the following link: https://avachallenge. org/

The AIO is a national computer programming competition. Students write short computer

programs to solve four problems that vary in difficulty. The competition is focused on problem solving through programming skills.

Students with strong performance at the AIO may be invited to participate in special mentoring and participate in exclusive events.

More information can be found at the following link: https://www.amt.edu.au/olympiad-programs

Ampersand is the name of Trinity Grammar’s literary magazine-a compilation of the best writing produced by students during the year.

You may enter any writing that you have written, not only as part of the English course, and also writing that may have been entered in another writing competition or done in other subjects or even in your spare time!

More information can be found on the School’s MyTGS.

17th BrainSTEM Innovation ChallengeMentorship PROGRAM (Aug-Nov 2023)

Open to students in Year 9/10, this team based 12-week mentoring program is suited for students interested in a practical STEM learning experience alongside a STEM mentor and their peers. Students meet with their mentors once a week. Mentors are scientists from metropolitan Universities and Institutions.

Teams can be up to 4 students.

Entries close on Tuesday 18 July.

If you would like to be involved in any of the above competitions, please email Mrs Angela Kotsiras at KotsirasA@trinity.vic.edu.au, to assist you with registration, resources and mentors.

Entries close Friday 13 October PAGE 9

Greek Philosopher Wordsearch

Puzzles

You know the instructions!

Find the following greek philosophers in the grid:

• Socrates

• Democritus

• Diogenes

• Plotinus

• Xenophon

• Plutarch

• Aristotle

• Pythagoras

• Porphyry

• Epicurus

• Theano

• Sosipatra

• Hypatia

• Leontion

• Aetius

• Aristippus

Want to Write for the Inquirer?

We’d love this magazine to truly reflect the thoughts and ponderings of the inquiring minds of students across the school, and the depth of intellectual and cultural life here at Trinity. With this in mind, we are keen to accept Op-Eds, letters, freelance pitches/articles or even feature story content suggestions from any and all students. (That means you!)

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please reach out to us at 615152@trinity.vic.edu.au (Lucas van den Berg) or 614070@trinity.vic.edu.au (Alastair Murphy).

Links and Sources:

Links from Pages 7&8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfjO7VCyjPM; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ krgcofiM6M; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otmjA8IcWfE; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agqxJw5ISdk; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY8nbSwjtEY;

Image Sources:

Front Cover: Image edited from https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/~csk/hat/ Aperiodic Monotile; Page 1: https://www. theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2023/may/03/this-latest-interest-rates-rise-suggests-the-rba-boardis-completely-lost-to-logic; Page 7: https://www.sustainable-markets.org/news/the-launch-of-the-astra-carta/; https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/05/tech/relativity-rocket-space-feature-factory-scn/index.html; https:// aviationweek.com/defense-space/space/gallery-starship-flight-test-meets-promise-excitement-guaranteed; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome ; Page 10: Wordsearch generated using https://www.dictionary. com/e/word-search-maker/