UniLife Magazine 20.02 by Verse Magazine

MAGAZINE Issue 20.02 - March 2012 | www.unilifemagazine.com.au

Contents Issue 20.02

Editorial 01 When Did Violence Against Women Become Sexy?

A Sticky Situation 05 Hipster-Bogan-Biddy? 08 Ghana Internship 10 Grand Academy of Lagado

March - April Calendar Dates

Ten Days Waiting 18 CMAX Centre 20 Psychology of The Awkward Nod

The Trouble with Timeline 24 Fashion Trend Terminology 26 Aussie Travellers Ruining Aussie Reputation

Creative Writing 30 Graduate Profile 31 UN Society 32

Cover art by Leah Zahorujko Visit www.unilifemagazine.com.au Follow us on Facebook or Twitter @unilifemagazine UniLife Magazine is an affiliate of UniLife Inc. Published 19/03/2012

Editorial

hat a massive few weeks it’s been! Uni has barely begun and we’ve already had Welcome Week, O-Week and U-Week, not to mention the Grand Academy of Lagado, World’s Biggest Pub Crawl and all the other events on campus. It was great meeting so many of you while we handed out mags and got your feedback, and we encourage you guys to take an interest in your student magazine and contribute to unilife.magazine@unisa.edu. au. Anyone can do so – you certainly don’t have to be studying journalism to share your opinion! As you settle in to the student lifestyle and find yourself flooded with assignments, don’t stress. Remember to still have fun at uni and engage with the many clubs and events happening. Plus don’t forget to branch out from your high school friends and say hi to your classmates. They’re probably just as keen to make new pals as you are. Now onto the heavier stuff… You may have heard that every uni student this year has to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) of approximately $260. It was introduced last year when the Federal Government passed a Bill stating they wanted to provide better support for students who are struggling to continue with their studies by improving student services. UniSA students will pay this fee to UniSA (not UniLife, the student owned association) in Study Period 5. The reason we bring it up

now is there will be discussion where the money will be allocated in the next couple of weeks, and UniLife and its magazine wish for you to get your voice out there and say how you would like your money spent. Please look on the UniLife Magazine website for a full discussion on the subject with your Voice Coordinator. Or you can send your opinions to ssaf@unisa.edu.au. You’re the ones paying for it, so submit your ideas on where you would like your money to go. That’s it for now…see you around campus! Till next time, Cat, Tom, Sam and Sean.

Many thanks to: Our writers, illustrators and photographer Genevieve Brandenburg. Also thanks to our sub-editors: Laura Pietrobon, Lucy Ahern, Marty McCarthy, Sionnie Kelly.

FEATURE

WRITER: VANESSA KIDD ARTIST: LEAH ZAHORUJKO

When Did Violence Against Women Become Sexy?

am not what you would consider a strong feminist. I have no problem with strip clubs, the Playboy Mansion or men’s magazines (not that I’ve seen many). I can even handle the odd sexist joke, within reason. But what I do have a problem with is violence against women. In fact, I have a problem with violence against anyone, especially when mainstream advertising endorses it. I was first introduced to this issue by author and women’s rights advocate Melinda Tankard Reist. In her article, Violence against women is endemic to our sick culture, she shone light on the prevalence of this concern in contemporary mass media. After reading this, I realised how ‘endemic’ the problem really is. T-shirts promoting violence against women adorn the shelves of many well-known clothing stores with the government and regulatory bodies doing nothing to stop their sale. Shirts loudly proclaiming, ‘It’s not rape, its surprise sex’ and ‘It’s not rape if you yell surprise’ are common finds in a variety of Australian stores. Roger David sells tees with images of half-naked, bound women. City Beach features one depicting a woman with a black eye crying next to the slogan, ‘It’s only illegal if you get caught’. Another design, common among youth skate stores, is of the same black-eyed woman alongside the slogan, ‘Bitches get stitches’. But in my opinion, one of the worst designs is an American-made t-shirt sold in surf and skate stores across Australia. It depicts a bound women, splattered with blood, lying next to the slogan ‘Relax it’s just sex’.

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In fact, images such as these are used so frequently the phenomenon is now known as the ‘porn t-shirt’ trend. Although worrying for many reasons, the fad is most concerning because of the typical customer’s age. Many of these t-shirts are found in youth stores, hence so many young men don them with pride. What are we teaching these young boys? That it is cool to beat up women? That sexual violence is fashionable? Conversely, what are we teaching young women? That being a sex object for men to do with what they please is acceptable? That they need to ‘lighten up’ and see the funny side? But in reality, it’s neither ‘cool’ nor amusing. Even some of fashion’s biggest names use sexual violence to boost sales. Calvin Klein and Dolce and Gabbana have crafted billboard campaigns strongly alluding to gang rape and sexual assault. And not to mention the television advertisements from both companies that can only be considered ‘soft porn’.

FEATURE

“Sexual violence is used as a marketing tool across many different comapnies and industries.” However, this issue extends far beyond clothing. Sexual violence is used as a marketing tool across many different companies and industries. The film industry is renowned for its themes of violence directed towards women. Of course, a film has every right to depict violence if appropriately classified. But when it’s used to entice more viewers on a website (take SBS’s depiction of a woman kneeling by a toilet, drenched in blood, her lower limbs mangled), it seems unnecessary and is frankly quite disturbing. Equally distressing is the growing number of Facebook groups promoting aggression and hostility towards women. Reist details a number of examples in her article, including ‘I like my women how I like my Scotch, 10 years old and locked in my basement’ and ‘I know a silly little bitch that needs a good slap’. Some think by placing higher restrictions on this type of advertising, the government will be removing individual freedom of speech and expression. One could even say an act

of violence towards another is a display of freedom of expression, but I consider such behaviour unjustifiable. I argue that by allowing it to continue, society is essentially saying that violence towards women, indeed anyone, is acceptable. By normalising this behaviour, we are producing a desensitised generation; a generation that eroticises sexual violence and trivialises the experiences of real victims of crime. Alison Grundy, a psychologist for victims of sexual violence, sums this up: “If we continue to subject future generations of young men to great barrages of aggressive, misogynist, over-sexualised and violent imagery in pornography, movies, computer games and advertising, we will continue to see the rates of sexual violence against women and children that continue unabated today. Or worse.”

FEATURE

WRITER: AMELIA SKACZKOWSKI ARTIST: ROHAN CHEONG

A Sticky Situation

Ever wanted to know about the wonderful world of dancing, sweating and pole-chaffing? Well buckle up, because ex-stripper Kayla is going to give you a head-to-toe insight into the glamorous world of clothing removal.

o what do you need to do to secure a dirty wad of twenties in your future? Perhaps the first step is a kickin’ stage name.

Unlike Kayla, the majority of people don’t have life-long aspirations of stripping, and most girls start out as waitresses.

“I didn’t have a stage name,” Kayla said, “but other girls in the club did, and some of them were really funny.”

“While we could earn around a grand a night, the hospitality people in the club would get $80, plus tips.

Your nom-de-plume should be intriguing and naturally classy. Names that fall into the categories of fruit, cars and gemstones are apparently all winners.

“Consequently, there’s a pretty quick turnover rate for waitresses.”

“You’d get some really funny, clever names, and you’d also get some dodgy ones. “Some of the girls were really picky about being recognized outside of work, so they’d use a stage name. “Other girls were just picky in general – one girl would only dance for guys she knew were under the age of 23 because she didn’t want her body next to old stuff, but she was hot so she could afford to do that.”

So, what did a typical night involve I hear you say? Well listen up, because I’m about to give you the low-down. “You’d get in for about 8.30pm, do your hair and makeup and be on the boards by 9pm sharp. “If you were working Thursday-Saturday you’d be going the whole night, without a break, until around 5am.

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“...there was no training, they basically just patted me on the back and said go talk to someone.”

“You were constantly rotated though, so you’d spend about 30 minutes on the podium and then you’d go out into the crowd and do lap dances, or go out the back and do a private dance.” If you’re anything like me you’d assume there’d be some training involved before they saddled you up, but alas no, you’re sent out there to free-fall. “Where I worked there was no training, they basically just patted me on the back and said go talk to someone. “It was a bit daunting, learning on the job like that. But you learn bloody quickly, and to be honest if I ever got really desperate I just did the chicken dance.” Kayla said that she didn’t just learn how to dance, but how to deal with clients as well.

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“You get heckled a lot, like all the time. “I’m not a heavy girl, but I was larger than the others and on one of my first nights the guy I was grinding said it was nice they let bigger girls in. “Most of the time I’d just keep my cool and be like, ‘Yeah whatever, you’re a wanker’. “But every now and then you’d get called a slut or whore and I’d just go ballistic – they’re the ones paying me to dance!

“I was like, ‘Well if you didn’t want someone dancing with him, why did you bring him here? Idiot’.” Jessica Beal did it in Flashdance, Natalie Portman’s gone there and Jessica Alba’s taken her gear off. So if stripping’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me. For more details and an in-your-face account of the industry, visit your local club.

“I have to say that the girls were worse than the guys; we shared a bathroom with the female customers and they were just really crude. “One night I did a dance for this guy and his girlfriend was sitting next to him, and because she didn’t want me stripping on him she got really nasty and started picking out my physical flaws to my face!

FASHION

WRITER: LUCY AHERN ARTIST: LISA DAVIDSON

Hipster-Bogan-Biddy?

somewhat baulked when asked to write a ‘how-to-spot’ story on youth subcultures for fear of two things: hypocrisy and lynch mobs. My over-imaginative (and evidently, rather stereotypical) mind conjured up distinctive-uniformed armies, pounding at my door and baying for my blood. Flanny-wearing bogans would throw empty Bundy cans at my house accompanied by Bliss n Eso blasting from their Commodores. Hipsters would hurl metaphorical pitchforks from their fixies. Denim-shorted biddies with pale pink lipstick as war paint would chase me down the street in teetering high-heels, holding Le Tan bottles threateningly before quickly getting distracted by a sale at Supre. I would be left sticky, punctured and orange. See, I can’t even conjure a politically correct mob. And now for the double standards part. I am certainly guilty of labelling people, judging them swiftly and solely on what they’re wearing, where they shop and what music they listen to. And almost certainly, so are you.

FASHION

On Australia Day, my friend labelled me a hipster. Literally labelled. That innocent baby blue Brother gadget, normally reserved for lunchboxes and school camps, spat out a 5mm sticker summary of my personality. This was then attached to my chest and for the rest of the day remained as a badge of shame constantly reminding me that I could be reduced to a single word. Admittedly, I do like op-shop clothes, Bon Iver and guys with beards (but so does Ke$ha). I own wayfarers and American Apparel attire, enjoy Bukowski and am guilty of saying ‘I had/knew/ liked that before they were cool’. But I have also shopped at Supre, worn ugg boots WITH trackpants OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE and enjoy Lady Gaga. I’ve gotten drunk on expensive cider at Laneway, and I’ve gotten drunk on cans of Smirnoff Ice at Parklife. I’ve also got a penchant for 80s teen movies, rockabilly tattoos, know all the words to Eminem’s Lose Yourself, Stan and The Way I Am, and have most of my head shaved. So I feel like the ‘hipster’ label didn’t quite encompass it all. Hipster-lesbian-bogan-biddy, perhaps? But it’s a bit hard to fit all that on a sticky label, isn’t it? So that’s why we do it. I know what I say probably won’t stick, and I don’t expect anyone to stop dividing society into neat little packs of people – it’s easier that way, I get it. But I’m going to get my early-twenties idealist on and give it a shot (and ask you to do the same too). Just try and take a second look next time and give the imagination a work out – try it just once for me, the Frankensteinian hodge-podge of genres and taste? Maybe that slightly orange girl with extensions is a classical pianist who loves Jane Austin. Or maybe that moustached boy in Cibo just wants to trade his boat shoes for footy boots and the macchiato for a VB. Maybe.

TRAVEL

WRITER: JEMMA PIETRUS

Ghana Internship

Sometimes there are experiences that you know will benefit you long after their end date, the memories lasting much longer than the trip itself. My two-month trip in Ghana over the past summer was one of these times.

“It has not only been beneficial for my journalism studies, it has also opened my eyes to a whole new world...”

n November 2011, I set off on an African adventure to take part in a two-month journalism internship at the state-owned newspaper, The Ghanaian Times. Though I did not arrange this through the Hawke Ambassador Program, such trips can easily be arranged regardless and I would recommend them for all students. Upon arrival I was greeted by the humidity and heat of the Ghanaian air. Within hours I had the chance to taste the spices, flavours and consistencies of Ghanaian food that were previously foreign to me. During my first week I was continually greeted with smiles. Whether it was the children on the street, market sellers, or my colleagues in the office, the phrase “Obruni ati sen?” – “Foreigner, how are you?” was heard on a daily basis.

At work I was given opportunities I had never been given before. I worked four days a week in the office, going out on assignments, writing stories and chatting with staff. I also took part once a week in an outreach program at a local high school. The program was run under an organisation called ‘Voices of the World’, providing high school students with an opportunity to learn about the world of media and to express themselves and their stories. Writing this piece after eight weeks in Ghana life has made me comprehend how much I have truly grown. On day one I was enthralled, intrigued, excited and admittedly a little scared about the experiences that were to come. Now, looking back and helping other volunteers has made me almost feel like a local. I now understand the customs of everyday life; something on day one I never thought possible. My weekends were also filled with travel as I saw the wonders this country has to offer. Many times I was greeted by moments where I was frozen by serenity. The moments where no pictures could truly capture the beauty I was seeing first hand.

TRAVEL

Ghana is a relatively unknown tourist destination in comparison to its more popular east African counterparts, especially in Australia. However, now that my trip has come to a close, my only regret is not having a longer volunteer experience. I have swum under waterfalls, slept in tree houses, basked under the warm sun, partied on the beach to traditional music for Christmas and eaten food with my hands. I have come to learn a few Ghanaian dance moves (rather abysmally, may I add) and I have made friends from all over the world. I lived with Americans, Dutch, Danish, Italian, English and Japanese, as well as fellow Aussies during my homestay.

Not to mention my local friends who, thanks to Facebook, I will now be able to keep in touch with. Though there were times, naturally, when homesickness occurred, this usually left me as quickly as it came. This past summer has been one I will remember for a long time. It has not only been beneficial for my journalism studies, it has also opened my eyes to a whole new world; a world far removed from little old Adelaide. This experience is one I would, without a doubt, recommend to all those looking for a little adventure, a little fun, some hard work and an eye-opening trip â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a trip that will stay with them long after the plane ride home.

EVENTS

Aftermath: The Grand Academy

WRITER: CATHERINE MOORE PHOTOS: GENEVIEVE BRANDENBURG

alking through the yellow gates to criss-crossed lights illuminating steam-punk imagery and design inspired by Gulliver’s Travels, the Grand Academy of Lagado located at City West Campus really was a feast of the senses.

“It’s awesome. Totally blown away. I wish I was back here studying; it makes me feel like coming back and enrolling.”

Great banners of strange line art billowed from the railings, and cardboard cut-outs of steam-punk inventions covered the east wall of the City West courtyard inviting participants to take silly photos. (Well I’m not sure on the majority, but I certainly did, although they will never see the light of day.) As I walked inside the walled area of the Student Lounge it reminded me of a Mexican drug den with all its palms and cardboard chairs, with All Night Girls performing their smooth indie pop to an energetic audience. The Grand Academy of Lagado was a threeweek event featuring comedy, cabaret, theatre and music, and I attended the World’s Biggest Pub Crawl launch as part of it. Admittedly I missed The Grand Academy of Lagado’s opening night (I was in a Fringe play of my own), but I heard it was a spectacular event with more than 2000 people attending the tantalising soiree of entertainment, food and drink.

Rachael, a UniSA student from Ceduna, brought her friends along to the event. “It’s pretty cool. It’s a great atmosphere…we’re just sitting back, talking and having fun,” she said. Atendee Rob Pickering agrees. “It’s awesome. Totally blown away. I wish I was back here studying; it makes me feel like coming back and enrolling. The music is great.” International student Jennifer Markham said it was the “best pub crawl outside of the United States” she had ever been to. Even St John Ambulance volunteers Adam Gregus, Kathy Doult, Darrel Zeuner, Martyn Hollands and Sam Maddock were impressed at how the night went. “It’s the best event I’ve been to. The staff have been nice and everyone’s well behaved and people are drinking reasonably,” Kathy said. By the release of this issue, though, the Grand Academy of Lagado will have come to a close, so what can students expect from the venue in the future? UniLife said it wants ‘The Academy Live’ to continue because it’s been a wonderful success so far.

“Monday to Thursday we want people to come in and have fun, have a beer, watch some TV, play some pool, listen to some tunes – to have a place in which to be on campus and be comfortable and have a good time,” UniLife Clubs and Off-Campus Events Manager Andrew Hassam said. “On Fridays we’d like to have a pub in relationship with Soundpond who are providing us with DJs which we’ll upgrade to full bands when we’ve got a few.” Andrew is hoping media and arts students get on board in showcasing their musical and artistic talents throughout the year via The Academy. “We love it that we’ve got so many wonderful, dedicated students that can provide us with live, acoustic, loud bands, and have them perform on a regular basis. “But the main idea is that we need to get the university students coming to their bar and they can come in any time that they want and have a good time.” The Academy is open to students Monday-Wednesday from 12-8pm, and on Fridays from 12-late with special performances on Saturday in the future. You can see more Lagado pictures at unilife.edu.au.

CALENDAR

March/April 2012 M.

19 (March)

twenty one

- Mawson Lakes SSAF open forum 1-3pm (MC1-02)

- City West SSAF open forum 10-12pm (RR5-09)

- UniSA Careers Expo 11am-3pm

- USALSA Sta Students Lawn Bowls ($20)

- Hawaii - A voice for sovereignty film Magill, 5pm (B1-55)

eleven

- Acoustic Live @ The Academy every Wednesday

seventeen

Remember to check unilifem Also grab the new wallplan

CALENDAR

twenty five

01 (April)

- MedRad Pub Crawl 8pm ($20)

- Amazing Panda Race 2.0 Vic Square (9:30am)

aff Night

08 - Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival

fifteen

magazine.com.au/calendar for an up-to-date calendar of events! nner at all UniLife campus offices.

Couch: Samuel Perry, Nicole Muir, Braden Snidr; Floor: Jordan D’sena, Vaughan Scott-Hoy

Ten Days Waiting

he sounds of a guitar being strummed greeted me as I walked up the driveway towards my first interview with newly formed UniSA band Ten Days Waiting.

Standing in the yard was a bus (creatively turned recording booth), where I met with band members Sam, Nicole and Vaughan. The final two band members, Braden and Jordan, arrived later to make the atmosphere akin to chillin’ with some cool friends at the end of a long day. Getting together at the end of last year, the band is still pretty fresh and raw. By chance they all happened to be enrolled in UniSA’s Music Theatre course last year, and that’s when their roots started forming. I happened to attend the final performance for students in that course and enjoyed a preview of Ten Days Waiting while in their infant stage. One major positive they already have going for them is talent – a whole bus load of it. Any group can get together, mix a few tracks and call themselves a band, but few can truly be one. Ten Days Waiting isn’t your typical ‘garage band’.

MUSIC

WRITER: JESSICA EFSEAFF

“Any group can get together, mix a few tracks and call themselves a band, but few can truly be one. Ten Days Waiting isn’t your typical ‘garage band’.”

Songs are co-written and composed by the entire band. One song in particular, White Noise, stemmed from an unhappy turn of events during a performance last year where their equipment was unplugged mid-act. Apparently anything louder than jazz is just too much for some outdoor events, packed with large groups of teenagers. On the plus side, the song is rather catchy and bound to get people at least tapping their feet along to the beat, with an easy chorus to sing along to by the end. When asked what genre they classified themselves as, there was a bit of awkward and nervous laughter as they don’t really categorise their music as one particular style. It’s a bit of punk, rock, metal, acoustic, indie, alternative...the list goes on. At a recent gig they were told that it’s like a washing machine of sounds, in a good way.

or finals for the National Campus Band Competition last year, you may have already. They made it through to the state finals, only narrowly missing out on flying to Melbourne for the finale in October. For those unaware, it’s the largest live band competition in the southern hemisphere with up to 400 bands from more than 40 institutions battling it out for uni supremacy. You’ve probably heard of some of the previous winners and entrants: Eskimo Joe, The Vines, Jebediah, George, Grinspoon, Waikiki, Frenzal Rhomb, 78 Saab, Augie March and The Vasco Era, just to name a few! Ten Days Waiting have just finished playing at The Grand Academy of Lagado, but they’re already planning their next move. Perhaps you’ll see them ripping it up at Fuse Festival 2013. Whatever the case, keep an eye (and ear) on these guys.

So where can you see Ten Days Waiting perform? If you attended any of the heats

FEATURE

WRITER: NADIA BOSCAINI ARTIST: LISA DAVIDSON

CMAX Centre

ired of being strapped for cash? CMAX is a clinical research facility based in Adelaide that pays people to participate in medical trials. And they’re looking for applicants.

“Anyone who has the time and passes the medical screening examination is a perfect candidate for clinical trials, including students.”

CMAX General Manager Jane Kelly said applicants can be found anywhere in the community and will be paid for their involvement. “Anyone who has the time and passes the medical screening examination is a perfect candidate for clinical trials, including students,” Ms Kelly said. “As there is no medical benefit and study participants have to give their time and follow specified study restrictions, study participants are financially reimbursed for their time and inconvenience.” What could be better than getting paid for assisting in a potential medical breakthrough? For any students who may be worried about participating in a clinical trial, Ms Kelly said each trial has guidelines to determine who can take part and how to ensure the safety of the participants. “There is very strict eligibility criteria which every potential participant needs to pass in order to be enrolled in a clinical trial,” she said. “All studies need to have a thorough safety risk assessment and be scientifically robust. “All information concerning the details of the clinical trial, including any known or anticipated side-effects and laboratory or animal results, are outlined…and informed consent from each study participant is required prior to participation.”

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Ms Kelly said that while strict medical screening and guidelines are in place to keep participants safe, there are still some risks involved. “There are risks associated with participating in any clinical trial, whether it is potentially a brand new medicine treatment or a marketed medicine that has been available for years,” she said. But some may still be wondering if they should participate in a clinical trial. Ms Kelly said while there are no immediate benefits to the participants in early phases, clinical trials still have many future benefits. “The benefit is knowing that participants are assisting in the development of investigational medicines, which one day may be marketed as a treatment for a disease or illness,” she said. “This is because new medicines and treatments cannot be developed without certain human clinical trials having been undertaken.” Why not assist in being a part of a medical breakthrough and receive some cash for your efforts? For information on upcoming trials visit www.cmax.com.au or contact CMAX on 1800 150 433.

FEATURE

Psychology of the Awkward Nod

o here’s the deal. You’re in the middle of your Contending Theoretical Perspectives class and your tutor starts talking about Communitarianism. Your gazes lock. You panic. You didn’t do your readings. Suddenly, you feel a tingling sensation spread throughout your neck, then your palms. You begin to sweat, your pupils dilate and then, before you know it, your head is slowly moving upwards and downwards while a serene smile spreads across your face. You pause. ‘Did I go too far?’ ‘Was the smile too fake?’ Your tutor continues his speech. You decide to switch things up a bit and furrow your brow. Your face reads ‘Hmmm, interesting,’ while your mind asks ‘LOL what?’ Your tutor smiles before shifting his gaze to another unsuspecting student. It’s over in a flash. You pause once more, realising what you’ve done. You’ve successfully executed an awkward nod. You’ve beaten the system, you coy bastard, you. You exhale and mentally pat yourself on the back, then freeze as your tutor reminds the class the Communitarianism test begins in five minutes.

Short term gains aside, the awkward nod is a double-edged sword. It’s a game where no one wins; a long walk off a short jetty, a deal with the devil. The nod can, temporarily, feign understanding, compassion or even acceptance. But in the end, you’re doomed. For such a disastrous social action, it’s surprising to find the majority of society has experienced the awkward nod.

FEATURE

WRITER: SAMUEL SMITH ARTIST: ROHAN CHEONG

Perhaps you do it. Perhaps your significant other does it. Perhaps your pet does it. The origins of the awkward nod are still being debated, however many experts (my friends included) agree it stems from fear. Fear of not getting what one wants, fear of not understanding, fear of social situations, or fear of embarrassing oneself. Common places to view the awkward nod in action are university classes, first dates, retirement villages, beauty pageants, and therapy sessions. For your convenience, here are a few common awkward nods to look out for: The ‘I don’t really get it, but I kind of get the general gist of what you’re saying’ nod. This nod usually stems from an innocent misunderstanding or a simple lack of clarity. It’s easily the most common of the nods and consequently the simplest to execute. While your nonsensical speaker is speaking their nonsense, wait for a pause, or even better, a moment of eye contact. Then simply nod your head two times in succession, ensuring that your movements are succinct, yet subtle. For maximum effectiveness, pair the nod with a furrowed brow or, even better, a squint of understanding. The ‘I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening because I don’t really like you’ nod. This nod does two things. It shares the initial purpose of the previous nod while also giving off an unmistakable ‘fuck you’ vibe. Avoid using this nod on a whim, as a run in with a nod of this variety could lead to lifelong grudges, family breakdown, death threats and/or assassination attempts.

To execute, wait until the speaker is just about to reach the climax of their ill-conceived banter, then begin moving your head backwards and forwards in a fluid, calculated and incredibly drawn out fashion. Make sure you use your neck’s full axis of movement. For maximum effectiveness, lock eyes with your speaker and grin manically. The ‘Yeah no idea buddy’ nod. You don’t know and, quite frankly, you don’t care. You’re never gonna see this guy again anyway, so why the hell does it matter? This nod is the most creative and artistically beautiful of the nod family. Don’t know what to do? Who cares? The ‘yeah no idea buddy’ nod can take any form your heart desires. Feeling angry? Shake your head violently while frowning. Feeling calm? Stare into the speaker’s soul while bobbing your head from side to side, eventually lulling off to sleep. It’s a free country, do whatever the hell you want. There is no denying that the mystical and magical world of nodding is a vast and endless sea, yet due to an annoying concept called ‘word limits’, our journey must draw to a close. If in your travels you encounter an awkward nod that captures your attention, please do not hesitate to share it with us (and our readers) at www.unilifemagazine.com.au. So till next time, keep your neck muscles taut, your anxiety levels high, and if all else fails… keep on nodding.

FEATURE

The Trouble With Timeline

ecently, the familiar world of Facebook has transformed into what some have labelled ‘Fakebook’, with users raising serious privacy concerns over the new Timeline feature. Australian Privacy Foundation Vice-Chair David Vaile said many users are seduced by Facebook’s promises, thinking they are in control of their privacy despite the fact the company has “reduced the protections dramatically for the last five years.” David said the social networking giant should adopt a more cautious approach. “Facebook does exactly the opposite, so they are behaving like a naughty teenager,” he said. However, many users see the site as an outlet for their stress and anxiety; to them, Facebook offers a small escape from reality. Self-confessed Facebook fanatic and UniSA student Emma Young said there are plenty of incentives to keep logging in. “Not only is it a good way to pass time while you’re on the bus to uni, or a handy tool to see what your friends did on the weekend, you can also upload photos and post statuses to keep everyone else involved in your life,” the second-year Visual Arts student said.

“It makes you feel included in your own little internet world and loved when someone likes or comments on your material.” So what does Timeline have in store for us? The new feature shows our whole history on the site, acting as a biographer by digging up past photos and statuses that we may have thought were buried for good. David said Timeline will add to the intrinsic problems of Facebook’s current dangerous and disrespectful business model. “The Timeline is trawling through your past and through what other people have put online about your past. It adds fuel to the fire at just the right moment.” Emma has a different viewpoint: “If you posted things in the past, then you didn’t mind people seeing them then, therefore it shouldn’t bother you now. And there’s always the option to delete or un-tag past posts.” But is Facebook really a way for us to keep in contact, or merely a popularity contest of who has the most friends?

FEATURE

WRITER: SARAH SPENCER

“It seems as though it is expected that Facebook is just a phase that will pass, but it has become a part of so many people’s lives, young and old, and they use it for different reasons,” Emma said. David dismissed the notion that having hundreds of friends makes someone popular. “Having 500 friends isn’t the answer to everything…most of them aren’t (real-life) friends and quite a few of them aren’t even human.” He explained that on Facebook you can behave as if the paparazzi are interested in every little thing you do. “Facebook is an extremely successful marketer of the idea that self-exposure is good. They encourage people to think this is some sort of nowhere land, the traditional fantasy idea of cyberspace, where the world can’t get you; when the absolute opposite is the truth.” However, Emma said: “For me, it is definitely a way to keep in touch with friends from all walks of life who I may not see very often. Although, it does seem that the younger generation do pride themselves on having many hundreds of friends.”

“So unless another, more advanced option becomes available, I can’t see Facebook dying off any time soon.” Research analyst Foad Fadaghi, from Australian technology company Telsyte, agreed that as a society we are preachers of social services; humans now crave its brand of interactivity. “Social networking is not going to go away. It has been around a lot longer than Facebook has been around, but Facebook currently does it better than anyone else,” he said. Whether people care enough about their online security to challenge Facebook and its Timeline remains to be seen. So the real question is: will Facebook suffer Myspace’s fate, or will we forever be slaves to notifications?

With more than 800 million people joining the cyber world of Facebook, it has become unclear how these security issues will be addressed and what the future holds.

FASHION

Fashion Trend Terminology

here can be great confusion caused by the variety of terms used by magazines, newspapers, blogs and websites discussing fashion. The all-encompassing ‘fashion’ is used interchangeably with expressions such as ‘style’, ‘trend’ and ‘design’. To fully understand fashion trends, we must clearly define these terms.

WRITER: BRIONY PEARCE PHOTO: KYM ROBERTSON

A trend is a general direction or movement in which something is developing or changing. You may have read, ‘There is a trend towards soft pastel colours this season’. This means designers, such as Karl Lagerfeld or Marc Jacobs, have presented clothing in soft pastel colours on the runway, and retailers, e.g. fast fashion giants Topshop and Zara, are displaying clothing in these tones. Accordingly, fashion forward consumers and appropriately named ‘trendsetters’ like Julia Restoin- Roitfeld and Diane Kruger are wearing pastel attire or accessories. Legendary designer Azzedine Alaïahas contributed to Third Wave Feminism through his clever style combinations and ability to create new trends. The masculine houndstooth print paired with the traditionally feminine full-

FASHION

“The objectification of the female body was subversively transformed into an expression of confidence and control, sexuality now defined by strength and power.” length gloves, bra and mini-skirt in his Spring/ Summer 1991 collection sent waves through the fashion pack at the time. The objectification of the female body was subversively transformed into an expression of confidence and control, sexuality now defined by strength and power. A style is a distinctive appearance, design or arrangement. Styles are everywhere. There are styles of architecture, martial arts, politics, food, painting and literature. Famous fashion icons, like Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardod or Kate Moss, have all constructed their own signature styles. Then there are specific clothing styles: classic, bohemian, minimal, high fashion, street or eclectic. Even pants have separate categories; cigarette, flared, palazzo or capri. A design is a unique combination of components – silhouette, construction, fabric and details that distinguishes a fashion object from other fashion objects in the same category.

For instance, some of the design components of the ‘classic’ style, typified by a sense of good taste and timelessness, are a boyish blazer, a crisp white shirt and a perfectly cut trench coat. A fashion is a style of product or behaviour that is temporarily adopted by a large proportion of members of a social group; the term is often associated with clothing. Victoria Beckham’s short, asymmetrical “Pob” bob was copied by millions of women. Skinny jeans became popular in the mid-2000s following boot-cut jeans in the early 2000s. An example of fashion in behaviour is the widespread ritual use of social networking site Facebook. Fashion can be subversive, creative, nonconformist and inexpensive. To interpret the spirit of the world and stay true to yourself, have your point of view but evolve it.

FEATURE

Aussie Travellers Ruining Aussie Reputation

“

When I was in Dublin I pissed all over that statue of Molly Malone,” James from the Gold Coast once told me at a hostel in Estonia. He thought it was hilarious.

I spent all of last year travelling, and like many Australians abroad I did enjoy the odd foreign beer and a night out. And yes, at times I did get drunk. But unlike Gold Coast James I didn’t desecrate any national icons and then brag about it to every traveller I met.

If you have ever participated in a Van Tour or the 100 Club, you’ll probably be on the defensive as you read this. Van Tour involves 70 to100 spray-painted vans full of Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans convoying across Europe. The unofficial beginning of the tour is during the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and ends at Oktoberfest in Munich. Normal rules include consistent drinking, getting obscure haircuts and using handheld excretion devices such as the “she-wee” or the “shit-box” so you don’t have to leave the van for toilet breaks.

Every now and then an Australian commentator (normally a freelance backpacker) will question the increasingly bad alcohol-fueled behaviour of young Australians overseas, and time and time again the response is overwhelmingly negative. It’s not because the commentator is necessarily wrong, but because to criticise an accepted Australian pastime immediately results in accusations of being “un-Australian”.

The vans stop at various festivals and party destinations across Europe, before terminating in Munich for the 100 Club celebration. During this event, participants drink 100 shots of beer in 100 minutes. With rules such as “judges can put anything in beer bongs” it is not uncommon for participants to consume rotten food or their own urine. Unsurprisingly, cases of Hepatitis C were reported during the 2009 contest.

Europe is a playground for many young Australians. It’s no surprise, really – Australia is a nanny state compared to the liberalism of Europe, where drinking on the street doesn’t result in hefty fines and travellers can find cheap prostitutes in Eastern Europe or legalised marijuana in Amsterdam. So it’s no wonder young Australians feel they can let their hair down.

I stress only a select few Australians participate in this. Nonetheless a documentary that aired in Germany in 2009 of the event prompted some highly negative responses from insulted Germans. How can you blame foreigners for generalising when some Australians actually behave like this?

Gold Coast James was a genuine idiot.

But how far?

And it’s not just Europe. Asia, with its cheap flights, alcohol and accommodation is another loose destination for Australians. Only what many Australians often forget is that Asian cultures are incredibly respectful (and therefore more sensitive) compared to ours.

FEATURE

WRITER: MARTY MCCARTHY ARTIST: ROHAN CHEONG

Remember Annice Smoel? She was jailed for four nights in a Thailand prison for allegedly stealing a bar mat, fleeing police and accused by authorities of being loud, obnoxious and arrogant. It’s incidents like these that leave foreigners with a bad impression of Australians, especially when they make the headlines. However, I don’t believe big acts of misbehavior are the problem. It is the little ones that eat away at our image over time. Each year, on average 1000 Aussies are arrested abroad, mostly for minor drinking offences. I met an Australian who urinated in a fountain in Krakow while drunk and still found it funny the next day. In Estonia I met a man from Sydney who had to get off the bus on the way from Krakow to Auschwitz because he had to throw up (he then passed out in a paddock and was woken up by an old lady spitting on him). At a hostel in Austria I saw an Australian who refused to put clothes on and punch a Dutch man who was trying to help him to his room. I also heard a story about four Australian women who had been jailed overnight in Santorini, Greece for stealing a flag. Alcohol-fueled behaviour is one thing; drug use is even more irritating. I reserve a profound disgust for the backpackers I met in South America who bought and used cocaine (which to be fair, were not just Australians). Call me no fun, but when you think about the 50,000 people killed in Mexico alone over cocaine-related violence in the last five years it’s disgusting to think fellow Australian tourists are condoning this. I’m not suggesting people shouldn’t travel to party and I’m certainly not saying people shouldn’t have fun while overseas, I’m just saying to be mindful of the country you’re representing. And don’t urinate on anything that’s not designed for it. If there’s any advice I can give to those who feel the same it’s this: go to Iran. Alcohol is illegal there.

CREATIVE WRITING

Canvas

WRITER: GLENDA GRANDE

A new canvas sits on the stand before me, I shift over; why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you move in a little? With a brush in hand, dip into your palette What we paint will be a brand new future. Our visions, different yet seemingly coincide; If I paint a flower, how will you percieve it? For everything is not always as it appears, Nor will it always as what someone says. If you search within your heart, deep within, I guarantee that you will find the truth. Let our visions interwine, let the paint mix, Create a world of new colours unintentionally. This masterpiece, belonging to you and I alone, Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll share it with the world, touching hearts; Perhaps we can all unite together under the sky. This canvas may be blank for now, but remember, If we move forward with passion without deter, Someday, the vision of our hearts will be reflected There is no greater expression than from within. Together, we shall paint our futures in colour.

GRADUATE PROFILE

Patrick Keane Secondary school teacher

WRITER: CAMRON SLESSOR

atrick Keane, 22, completed his Bachelor of Applied Science (Human movement and Health studies) and Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary) at City East and Mawson Lakes campus in 2011. After graduating, Patrick was hired almost immediately in Booleroo, rural South Australia, teaching science and mathematics at the Booleroo Centre District School. There is fierce competition for students like Patrick with around 150 people on the job hunt at the end of 2011. “I was very lucky to land a job so soon, but during my studies I received the country teaching scholarship which meant I had to teach in the country for a minimum of two years after graduating,” Patrick said. “I will see where I’m at in two years and maybe try working back in the city.”

Although many people who move to rural areas for work take time to adjust to their new lifestyle, Patrick found the transition easy. “I was brought up in the country so it wasn’t a massive transition. I’m actually closer to home now,” he said. Patrick found adjusting to his new life in Booleroo even easier through his involvement in sport and coaching, which he has been able to incorporate into his professional life. “Along with teaching, I also coach a tennis team and am heavily involved in soccer,” he said. The year ahead looks bright for Patrick, with school already well underway for the year and many opportunities for him to return to the city to teach in the future. “I would definitely recommend this course of study,” he said. “It’s fun, keeps you fit and involved in sport and physical education, and there is plenty of work in rural South Australia for graduates.” For more information, visit www.unisa.edu.au/eas/study/education-at-uni-sa.asp.

CLUB PROFILE WRITER: EMMA MANSER

UN Society

magine yourself sitting at a long table with one of those cool little desk signs in front of you, reading “Australia”, having a casual chat to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon about the state of international affairs. The United Nations Society has more than 80 members from UniSA campuses and they’re always looking for more. And the best part – no knowledge of the UN is necessary. The Society’s main focus is to provide students with a greater understanding of the UN and its inner workings. UN Society President Alana James says the group is a great opportunity for students to learn about global issues while having lots of fun. “You meet lots of different people, (it’s) a great experience where you can learn about international issues...and just get a new perspective,” she said. “In the conferences, you have to follow your country’s viewpoint, so it often means getting out of your comfort zone and advocating something you don’t necessarily believe in.

“Because of this, it uses all those skills you need in debating and discussion.” You will come away from the experience with much more than just an increased knowledge of the UN. Involvement in the society will also provide students with the opportunity to improve their public speaking and to network with other delegates. “You learn lots about negotiation and the different ways of making your point, whether it be through conversation, one on one, or trying to convince people in a friendlier circumstance,” Alana said. “You also improve your research skills. Because you have to stand up and speak for one minute, you really have to hone in on what your central point is. You’re using editing skills, (along with) networking skills and communication skills, while gaining confidence and speaking publically.” The UN Society runs heaps of events throughout the year for students to participate in, including debates, a quiz night and the annual South Australian Model United Nations Conference (SAMUNC) held annually in September. If you would like to know more or sign up to the UN Society, visit unilife.edu.au/Clubs.