CONTENTS Editor's Note ..................................................................................
3
Exploring Femininity: Why You should Change your Perception of Power ...................................................
4
Modern Superheroes ............................................................... 6 Mass-media’s masculinization of Power: A Gendered Analysis of Silicon Valley .......................... 10 Mirrors - A reflection ................................................................
12
A Blue Petal in Coffee .............................................................. 15 Never Let Me Go: The Humanity in STEM and how it impacts power dynamics of contemporary society ................ 20 Bee a Woman in Tech: A Collection ............................. 24 Distilling Power ........................................................................... 26 Games ................................................................................................ 28 WIT Willow Comic: Willow and the Looming Interview ............................... 30 WIT Subcom: What makes you feel powerful?...... 31 [CSESoc x WIT] Art & Writing Competition ............. 34 Taking Power in Your Life ..................................................... 40
Editors’ Note
What faces come to mind when you think of the word, ‘power’? According to Forbes, the world’s most powerful people consist of political figures, big business entrepreneurs and religious icons, largely male, and almost all aged over sixty. In the media, we are often overwhelmed with a single image of power: a business suit, a corporate or political career, and a high-flying salary. Money, fame and control. But perhaps power is more than luxury brands or political influence. Perhaps power is not external, but internal. In this year’s WIT Magazine, we explore the theme power from novel perspectives, coloured by experience and imagination. From prose and poetry to digital art, you will be sure to find words that resonate, and ideas to inspire. So in this magazine, we hope to challenge you: what role does power play in your life, and how can you shape it to your advantage? How can you use power to help others and uplift them? What kind of power will give you fulfilment? Because power isn’t an unreachable pipe-dream, it is already in your hands. With that, we welcome you to WIT’s 2022 Magazine, and wish you the best of luck in your journey to find your own power.
Chelsea Chaffey
&
Yuhan Zhou
Publications Co-Directors
2022
EXPLORING FEMININITY:
Why You Should Change Your Perception of POWER When we think of the word ‘power’, most of us have the same image in our mind. A person, usually a old, white, man, in a high position that has the ability to control decisions and other people. A king, a CEO, a politician. On that scale, your average university student doesn’t seem to wield much power at all. But what makes all the aforementioned figures powerful? Is it their gender? Their inheritance? Or simply their ability to have absolute confidence in themselves? How can we, in our careers and everyday life, empower ourselves? Power, in common terms, is almost synonymous with masculinity. Even when we direct the lense to ‘female power’, the figure that comes to mind would be a nononsense, masculine woman often wearing a business suit. Feminine power can be defined as power that stems from traditionally-feminine traits. Due to societal pressures, these traits are often avoided in professional settings. This comes from a (perfectly reasonable) fear of being seen as too soft, weak or emotional. However, femininity exists in everyone, whether you are male or female and just like masculinity, these traits can be used to your advantage. Traditionally-feminine traits include empathy, intuition, charm and style. All of these allow a person to wield power and create influence. Building connections through and extending kindness are key factors to building good leadership skills. Charm and style are often villainised - think of the female characters like Regina George from Mean Girls - and yet, they help prove that a little charm goes a long way in building one’s self confidence and allowing you to influence the impression you make on others. When we think of the word ‘power’, most of us have the same image in our mind. A person, usually a old, white, man, in a high position that has the ability to control decisions and other people. A king, a CEO, a politician. On that scale, your average university student doesn’t seem to wield much power at all. But what makes all the aforementioned figures powerful? Is it their gender? Their inheritance? Or simply their ability to have absolute confidence in themselves? How can we, in our careers and everyday life, empower ourselves?
EXPLORING FEMININITY: WHY YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION OF POWER
Finally, let’s take a look at power in tech. Though there’s no doubt that people like Mark Zuckerbeg and Elon Musk are very powerful, the average tech worker also wields power in their workplace. A key aspect of the tech industry is leadership. Whether you own the company or a simple intern, the ability to speak your mind and collaborate with others is important. Technology is also all about problem solving and gaining experiences. Debugging is arguably the most important part of coding. Nothing will work in the first go but having the power to keep trying whilst retaining a clear mind is what defines success. These skills are key to empowerment outside the workplace as well; being able to bounce back from adversity and have strong leadership skills can affect your day to day life immensely. As an industry that is intertwined in many places, it's easy to find empowered people everywhere from the determined women making their way in the male-dominated field, to the sleep-deprived university student striving towards their goals.
Power is an experience that is very personal yet wholly collective. A housewife embodying traditionally feminie traits wields power in a very different way from a businesswoman who may rely on a balance of both masculine and feminine traits, yet both are equally empowered. It may not seem easy, at times, to feel empowered but the most important aspect of power is to understand we all have the ability to feel empowered. How we do it and what we do with it is something we each have to learn for ourselves.
written by Nabiha Rajput
MODERN SUPERHEROES
BY AARYA NAIR
MODERN SUPERHEROES BY AARYA NAIR
MODERN SUPERHEROES BY AARYA NAIR
MODERN SUPERHEROES BY AARYA NAIR
Mass-Media’s Masculinization of Power A gendered analysis of Silicon Valley By Kara McKinney The absence of women in tech is not an undiscovered or overlooked issue - countless initiatives exist within most multinationals to address the lack of women in tech, studies ask why women so often chose non-STEM degrees, schools teach girls from an early age to code and tell them to pursue their interests. The very beginnings of computers and programming involved countless women, and so much of the technology we use today is inspired by the ideas and work of such women - but where are they? It is a well accepted fact that media representation directly impacts beliefs - and goals. The exponential increase in reliance on technology that occurred throughout the beginning of the 21st century has brought with it an increase in tech jobs - and a definite romanticisation of working in the field. Startup founders flood the internet with their speeches, teenagers see the Elon Musks and Mark Zuckerburgs of the world and decide - I’m going to be just like them. The world’s increasing interest in technology as a field has also led to the production of mass media concerning the field, namely the HBO sitcom ‘Silicon Valley’. Now, television involving ‘geeks’ who lack social skills and the ability to talk to the opposite gender are in no way new, but Silicon Valley managed to do something even The Big Bang Theory couldn’t - have a core cast made up entirely of men. When the television show that in many ways popularised tech as a career barely passes the Bechdel test, is it any question that women find themselves underrepresented and underappreciated? For those unfamiliar with the show, Silicon Valley is essentially a sitcom about a group of men trying to get their startup off the
ground (very oversimplified). Each season of the six season run was met with critical acclaim - and for good reason. Despite the show’s problems, it would be hard to admit that it is not hilarious. Unfortunately, the writers (shockingly, mostly white males), believe a group of startup founders must be all male. The female developers that do exist in the show act only to further the plot points of the male leads, acting as their girlfriends or colleagues. The single recurring female character, an associate at a venture capital firm, exists largely to help the group of boys secure funding and, essentially, act as their mother, skillfully fixing any issues with little recognition. It is as if women are entirely removed from the race for success, suggesting only men are entitled to power. When criticised on the blatant lack of women in the show, the creators commented “we're not a social justice show and we're not here to right the wrongs of society”, suggesting they were simply portraying the tech industry as it is. Unfortunately, this is the catch-22 of representation, especially in popular media. Executives suggest it would be ‘untrue’ to create media with overrepresentation of minority groups. When minorities fail to see themselves represented in these careers, they feel as though they don’t belong and look towards other paths. Those who take the leap often face extreme imposter syndrome, among other more sinister external attitudes. The attitude the Silicon Valley creators took is dangerous and blatantly misogynistic, and if the sitcom is popularised in later years, as is so common with sitcoms (just look at the enduring love people have for The Office and Friends), it will undoubtedly reinforce the idea that women they do not belong in the tech space. So, is there still space for a show such as Silicon Valley that satirised working in tech, yet suggests women don’t exist in the industry? A show that, instead of apologising for its blatant misogyny, suggests including even one recurring female engineer would make it an untrue depiction of working in tech? Obviously, critics believe there is, as do the majority of its male audience. Ultimately, the absence of women in tech cannot be blamed on one television show - but it is undeniable that the show has perpetuated the ideas that keep women out of the play for power in tech.
Mirrors - A reflection
By Kristy Lam
Waking up “Waking up begins with saying am and now. That which has awoken then lies for a while staring up at the ceiling and down into itself until it has recognised I, and therefrom deduced I am, I am now.” - Christopher Isherwood
The chain of intricate biological mechanisms that occurs once you wake up - the activation of your brain stem, the rise in your blood pressure, the increase in norepinephrine and orexin levels - all culminate towards one ultimate goal. To allow yourself to be present. This notion may seem incredibly unpoetic, but novelist Isherwood reinforced how such emotionally-void actions are what ironically allow us to ‘humanise’ ourselves as we start our day. You might then peer outside the window to examine what pleasantries the world will bestow upon you today. You may be welcomed by an array of glistening skyscrapers that shoot up like plants from the earth, a vision likened to a canvas erratically smeared with monotonous shades of tan and grey - not a particularly enthralling sight. The typical routine that will follow afterwards would be you forcing yourself out of the soft embrace of your blankets as you begrudgingly shuffle your way towards the bathroom. By this time, the veil of sleep that had initially surrounded you should be beginning to dissipate. You might start to think to yourself - What’s on my schedule today? The bathroom seemed like a canvas sloppily smeared with various cool hues of blue, with the exception of the subtle glint of the mirror that reflected skewers of the morning sunlight - further influencing the biological aspects of your body to rev into action. Despite knowing the objectives of the day that you want to achieve, this is almost completely useless information unless one has greater clarity as to why they want to execute such goals. You lift your head. This will most likely be the first time each day in which you would have glimpsed a physical vessel dazed from sleep - stitched by various sinewy fibres and compacted together by a layer of skin. The very body that you will have for the rest of your life.
Physical Mirrors Mirrors are an incredibly interesting piece of human craftsmanship. Not only do they allow one to view themselves in a holistic manner, but they also can pave an avenue through which one can scrutinise and fret over the micro elements of their physical being.
Seeing your reflection in the mirror as you go about addressing your hygiene is something that is a common and overlooked aspect of how we start our day. Seeing your physical being is what allows you to be further grounded in reality. It is a mechanism that is paramount in allowing you to solidify the gravity of your existence and the thoughts that you possess.
Although it is an ever-changing canvas that is a double-edged sword at its core, mirrors really can be an impetus towards allowing one to realise, admit, and thus be proactive in addressing their flaws whilst also bringing to light the intriguing uniqueness that everyone possesses. Alternatively one should, rather than viewing mirrors as a tool of selfdeprecation, utilise them as a source of empowerment and self-improvement. Mirrors are a source of power.
Technology and ‘Mirror Neurons’ Our biological mirrors There may be some days that start off quite badly. You might be seeing angry splashes of red everywhere you go. Mirrors then won’t be of much help. Sometimes you may need the support of others as well to reach your goals. Over 56.7% of the world's population uses the Internet. The world is increasingly becoming more technologically dominated, with the Internet acting as a versatile channel that allows the communication of various ideas, opinions and information. You might proceed to go on your phone in the morning after finishing up your hygiene routine. Scrolling through Instagram or sending a friend an impromptu text message might be something that was not initially on the agenda. As inherently social creatures, we leak our emotional state to others and in turn also receive external emotional outputs from them. This is because we share “mirror neurons” which allows spontaneous and unconscious emotional imitation. This is key in fostering both intuition and empathy, where both of these ingredients are imperative towards being able to not only empower others, but also ourselves too. Utilising technology is one way in which this can be achieved. This may take the form of a morning Facetime call with one of your best friends or maybe a quick phone call with a respected co-worker. The existence of “mirror neurons'', in tandem with the flexibility that technology provides, has heightened our accessibility and receptiveness to external emotional output. When taking the time to understand and diligently listen to others, we are actively attempting to utilise these empathetic “mirror neurons” to reciprocate and exchange altruism. Interestingly, by doing so we are also unconsciously undergoing a process of internal change ourselves since we will consequently be increasing our emotional receptiveness. Hence, there is an inherent connection between our processes of execution and observation. For these processes to be carried out effectively, self-empowerment and empowering others must be facilitated. After all, how we perform such actions and why we do so are reflected by our self-confidence and compassion for others - the workings of “mirror neurons” in action.
A Blue Petal in Coffee By Nabiha Rajput The cafe wasn’t hard to find. The storefront boasted an eye-catching pastel pink exterior, fairy lights illuminating the elegantly cursive name, ‘Her’s. Within the cafe’ every available surface was covered with flowers. Millions of them, in impossible colours and strange shapes. Their scent, along with the smell of freshly baked goods, created a unique aroma that the place was known for. Nestled amongst the assortment of people and drinks alike, between the vivid blue amsonias and purple irises were three women. One was pressed and pristine, wearing a grey suit and a nude hijab, her perfectly manicured hands wrapped around a cup of takeaway coffee. The second, in contrast, wore a flowery dress, her hair a mess and getting messier still with the squirming baby in her lap. The final was the youngest, the blue mascara over her eyes matching the tattoos that ran over her bare arms and back. Her hands were stained with paint, creating a tiny world on her fingertips. Even with the obvious barriers of clique, the women were leaning over the table chatting as if they were best of friends. Individually, one’s eyes would pass over them, barely sparing a glance. But it was the sum of their parts - the strange picture they painted on the table together - that drew people in. “No matter what I come up with, my professor hates it,” the artist was saying. “Not fresh enough apparently. Whatever the hell that means.” The mother giggled politely, bouncing her baby up and down on her lap. The businesswoman took a sip of her coffee, somehow avoiding staining her bold lipstick on the cup. “Perhap you should stop trying to take ideas and start receiving them.” “I’m very slow if you can't tell.” The artist leaned forward, “Explain, please?”
This prompted an amused quirk of red lips and the businesswoman nodded, “It seems when it comes to academics, whether it be art or tech, the general idea is to be apathetic. Study to ensure good grades. Present yourself in a way that makes you marketable.” Both the artist and mother nodded in agreement. "Perhaps you should stop trying to take ideas and start receiving them.” “I’m very slow if you can't tell.” The artist leaned forward, “Explain, please?” This prompted an amused quirk of red lips and the businesswoman nodded, “It seems when it comes to academics, whether it be art or tech, the general idea is to be apathetic. Study to ensure good grades. Present yourself in a way that makes you marketable.” Both the artist and mother nodded in agreement. “Perhaps, instead you should do the opposite. Allow yourself to feel things, create ideas based on your emotions and moods. Be on the receiving end for once.” The artist drummed her rainbow fingers on the table. “You sound like my professor.” “A smart man.” “Woman.” “Ah, my apologies.” Her mouth formed a full smile this time. “You’d think I’d know better than to assume.” “Nope, unfortunately-yikes!” The artist startled, righting an upturned cup. “How did that even tip over? Oh, your sleeve!” The white of the mother’s dress was quickly seeping through with a murky brown colour. She sighed as she dabbed the coffee-stained cloth with a tissue. Her baby, the cause of the commotion, snuggled into her mother’s chest contentedly. “It’s no problem. I should have known better than to wear white.”
“No, but it's such a lovely design-” The artist said. “Here, give her to me and you can go wash it out.” “No need.” She lowered her baby into the stroller, the child finally asleep. The artist frowned and looked like she was about to say something when they were interrupted by a waitress arriving at their table. She was balancing two plates in one hand and her other hurriedly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her messy bun. “Hello! What can I get you?” “I called you almost ten minutes ago.” The businesswoman raised an eyebrow and the waitress flushed. “A refill of my coffee and napkins.” “Of course. Anything else?” “Please take a break if you need to, dear.” The mother added. “ Rush hour is tough.” The businesswoman eyed the mother in confusion but her attention was on the waitress, whose eyes widened slightly. “Oh, um…thank you.” The waitress left the table, heading towards the kitchen. The businesswoman's eyes followed her, mouth pressed in a thin line, deep in thought. Her steps seemed lighter somehow. “Ugh, but I still don’t get this whole receiving thing!” The artist groaned. “The last thing I need is for people to think I’m overly emotional. My ex-boyfriend said the same thing when I got my tattoos.” “Well he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” The mother grasped her hands lightly. “You look absolutely radiant.” The artist paused in her ranting, feeling the rough texture of the mother’s palm against hers before she looked up at her. “So do you.”
The mother blinked in surprise, before she blushed lightly, “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I’m way past the age where I should be caring about my looks.” “No way! A girl’s appearance is the way she expresses herself. It's how you show the world who you are!” The mother smiled, “You do look like an artwork.” “Picasso’s Blue Period.” The artist said proudly. “And you are a garden waiting to bloom. Never underestimate the power of a good makeover.” The businesswoman drew her eyes back to the table, “Or a good pair of heels.” She nodded at the mother. “What you said to that waitress was lovely, it looked like it made her day. I would never have thought of doing that.” “Kindness isn’t often repaid.” The mother said in understanding. “But there’s a beauty in still giving it.” The businesswoman hid her smile behind another sip of coffee as the artist lifted her own forgotten cup in agreement. Her eyes quickly closed on something floating in her drink. “There’s something in my…” She trailed off as she looked up at her companions, eyes widening as she took in the scene before her. “Oh my god that’s it!” She stood up, scraping her chair loud enough that now a few dozen people were looking at her too. The mother stared at her in confusion as she began gathering her things but the businesswoman smiled knowingly. “I take it you’ll be starting the project now?” “Yeah! I just need to go home and lay out the design plan while it’s still fresh. Maybe send it out to my professor. I’ll also need paints and oh!”
She turned around, bag on her shoulder and already halfway out the cafe’ door. The sunlight hit her back and for a moment, she seemed ethereal. A bundle of dreams, art and passion threatening to burst out of her. All in a perfect shade of blue. “Thank you so much! You guys were a big help!” And just as fast, she was gone. “Well, I’m not entirely sure I did anything, but I’m happy for her.” The mother’s phone began to ring. “And that will be my husband. Thought we might go shopping today, the little one needs new clothes.” And some for you as well?” The businesswoman winked. “She wasn’t wrong. Taking pride in how you look doesn’t make you frivolous. It makes you more confident.” The mother hesitated, hands on the stroller. “There is this one boutique with a sale…” She smiled, part mischievously part bashfully and there was no one more beautiful in the room than her. She looked like she belonged on the shelf, right next to the blooms. With a final wave, she also disappeared from the cafe. The businesswoman, the final occupant, tipped her takeaway cup towards the door, as if toasting the women who had passed through it. After finishing what was left of her drink, she checked her phone, noticing a message from her intern. She waited for the familiar rush of frustration to rise in her, but none came. Instead she felt calm, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Texting with one hand, she left the table. A month later, the cafe would have a new floral addition to their decor. However, this flower was made of baby blue paint, resting in the centre of an empty takeaway coffee cup. Critics described it as beautiful, comforting, emotional. But it was a regular waitress who described it best. “It's powerful.”
Never Let Me Go:
The Humanity in STEM and dynamics of contem by Nusaibah Bari
“I'm not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practising an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
As the STEM fields are growing in job demand and becoming very much the so-called “way to the future”, although overlooked, so is the Arts. By arts, I refer not only to the creative expression of artists through music and visual media but to the humanities, the inspection of commerce, the commentary on society and human life. While the singular core ethics course within the computer science degree at UNSW is often met with a groan of boredom or indifference by some, it is a small thread, which, when pulled, reveals beyond the course, the necessity of human minds in our increasingly automated world. While WIT’s focus is to promote the presence of women in STEM, our higher message sits alongside the idea that diversity is the crucial building block for a successful team. This extends beyond the diversity in gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, and nationality to encompass diversity of thought and ideas, revealing to us critical solutions we alone or with people too similar to ourselves, might have missed.
With the recent funding cuts to humanities focused degrees, there is an air of dissatisfaction surrounding the future of the arts as well as an egotistical foundation which once viewed the arts as inferior to STEM. Although historically even the humanities were a male dominated field, the onset of the Great Wars alongside a depletion in the culture of patriarchy saw a concession which attuned women to more feminine roles of caretaker and nurturing while the model male figure was one capable instead if decisionmaking and problem solving, making relative a stark gender gap in the way workforces became approached. As we move forward, it however becomes apparent the need for diverse skills and groups is needed in both sexes.
how it impacts power mporary society In his novel “Never Let Me Go”, nobel prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro explores this disparity of humanity in stem and how humanising literature can be for breaking down human boundaries. SPOILER ALERT: The novel is focused on the story of what would seem a 60s British boarding school known as Hailsham. The narrator, Ruth, describes herself as a “carer”, initially completing the normal descriptions of tasks we’d assign to a carer in visiting hospitals, reading to sick patients, comforting people as they undergo seemingly difficult medical treatments. As the story progresses it is revealed to readers that the central characters, the students of Hailsham and these patients that Ruth sees are clones, bred for the use of their organs. In her article “Writing with care: Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go”, Anne Whitehead argues that the deviation of acquiring humanities based skills and that of stem focused skills are diverging; that the necessity for a more humanity focused approach to disciplines such as medicine. The article follows that Ishiguro creates a world focused on exposing the humanity required in dealing with humans - that although as we promote advancement in society, innovation through mathematics and science, in order to create a sustainable society, there needs to be emphasis on the human conditions of empathy and compassion, which only at times literature and the arts can provide.
“As we got older, we went on talking about the Gallery. If you wanted to praise someone’s work, you’d say: “That’s good enough for the Gallery.” And after we discovered irony, whenever we came across any laughably bad work, we’d go: “Oh yes! Straight to the Gallery with that one!”
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
The students of Hailsham, throughout the novel are tasked with various artistic endeavours, throughout the year. Initially to the reader this seems just as plain as the textualization of an ordinary creative arts focused school. There is little reference to the units of family outside the school, but almost as if there is no need for explanations. The way Ishiguro thus slides the audience into the notion of normalcy catches them not off guard but in awe of the emphasised humanity of the protagonists we later come to regard as clones.
“We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls. Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
The notion of the “Gallery” within the story seems as normal as any artwork of students being taken for exhibit, however it is revealed later in the novel that the artwork is taken to exhibit their relative humanity to the rest of the world. But even as these exchanges happen with the outside world, Hailsham (the school) as a concept fades within the literary world with Ishiguro reinforcing that the society refused to return to a world of turmoil when solutions were present at their hands. Similarly notes in history can be made with the examples of the human experiments across World War 2 which oftentimes allowed disturbingly vile cruelties to escape prosecution. In its foremost touching scene, Ishiguro showcases that a teacher from the school recognised the humanity the students (i.e. clones) possessed:
“When I watched you dancing that day, I saw something else. I saw a new world coming rapidly. More scientific, efficient, yes. More cures for the old sicknesses. Very good. But a harsh, cruel world. And I saw a little girl, her eyes tightly closed, holding to her breast the old kind world, one that she knew in her heart could not remain, and she was holding it and pleading, never to let her go. That is what I saw. It wasn’t really you, what you were doing, I know that. But I saw you and it broke my heart. And I’ve never forgotten.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
Although the novel concludes with the end of a love story, its substance relegated to the realisation that the humanising qualities of life are present in the output we make, Whitehead commentates on the idea of how humanities focuses on stem fields; teaching those within the stem fields to reach within and appreciate the arts, prepares them most successfully for the world ahead. In conclusion, in diminishing the power barrier of viewing either the STEM or Arts as superior or inferior, we can accommodate diverse teams in our communities. In embracing diversity of thought, expression and discipline, we ultimately break down patriarchal stereotypes and gender barriers in our crucial problem solving spaces.
“Your great power lies not on the surface, but deep within your being.” -Roger McDonald
Bee a Woman in Tech: A Collection By Yuhan Zhou - Publications Co-Director Below the B-Hive In the season of learning, fig trees grow, No flowers, no bees, just plain green leaves. Under the canopy a seedling sprouts, Sparse love, sparse light, how I ever might Be tall and strong like the trees I sprout among. In comes dawn and out comes dusk, Trapped in the dark, the seedlings ask, “Will I survive, will I thrive? Am I good enough?” Some learn, some play, some humbled by ant mill runs, Interviews and resumes are needed to join this fun. Woven strands of light cascade, Onto leaves and zestful bees. “ WIT, WIT, WIT- ”, they synchronise, “Collective, protective, affiliated too!” But with shallow roots and unripe fruit, I’d be nothing but a powerless crew.
Dear Coding You were a stranger by the app store, Foreign and exotic. To approach and to understand you, Was a test of talent and knowledge. You’re the Frankenstein in my life, My dream, my nightmare, my sweet wife. No day pass by without me surrendering No night goes by without me thinking For the times you gladly haunt me awake, Your lascivious red against a twilight base. You’ll always keep me in a loop of love, The thrill, the excitement of each errorless run. But I know our code, in the language of love Will eventually have a bug, Fixable, sure, but Only by deleting you. Flashback to When we were just strangers, O’ how I yearned to know about you, Your language, your logic, your syntax, every drop of that morning dew.
But maybe I am inexperienced, An amateur in this language of love. The more I write, There seems to be more bugs. I can delete and rewrite, You’re all that excites. From my petals to my roots. You’re the reason I’d bear fruit.
In the B-Hive - The power of a colony In comes dawn and out comes dusk, Nabiha and Kristy collect pollen fast. Kara, Aarya and Nusaibah too, Collecting with Chelsea through every morning dew. As a little seedling, Wind shuffles me along, Joining WIT Gang, Where my values belong, Even without antennae, I know who is who. Even without wings, I can collect pollen for the crew. I know I’m a seedling, But this B-hive has no doors. A seedling can be a peony, Plum, primrose or lily. Youth is all, But everlasting. So why ground yourself? Don’t wither, but thrive. Applications take nothing, But a mere few minutes. WIT is an opportunity, A colony and a ticket. Unlock the power latent Within your mind. Just Reach out, and beautiful things may grow true.
Distilling Power
Chelsea Chaffey
Women in Power
Across 4. This mathematician contributed to the success of America's first manned space flight 6. Known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott
Down 1. Australia's first female prime minister 2. This now-billionaire created an Australian design software maker 3. America's first female VP
7. One of the most important figures in modern literature, known for her autobiography 9. This women freed hundreds of slaves in the civil war and fought for the female vote 10. A pioneer of first wave feminism
5. This women is often credited as the world's first programmer 8. One of the world's most esteemed female artists 11. an American justice who fought for women's rights across the country
Maze
Willow wants to find the computer room to practice her coding, but she’s not sure which way to go. Can you help Willow power her way across the maze of hallways?
Where's Willow!?
WILLOW AND THE LOOMING INTERVIEW
What makes you feel
POWERFUL?
“When you're able to trust in your own knowledge and experiences to guide you through life's obstacles. Mind over matter!”
"My individuality as a person."
“Will(ow)!”
Jane Wang
Kaniz Kader
Gabriella Graciany Gandi
CO-PRESIDENT
EXTERNALS SUBCOMMITTEE
COMPETITIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
"I feel powerful when I learn. Learning about my rights, the world around me, and being aware makes me feel more in control of myself, and therefore more powerful.”
“I feel the most powerful when I accomplish my goals; I feel capable and confident to succeed in anything I put my mind to.”
Anna Sharma
Kate Juyeon Oh
EXTERNALS SUBCOMMITTEE
IT SUBCOMMITTEE
“I feel powerful when I am in control of myself, whether that be through my actions, my emotions or the way that I am perceived. By knowing that I've acted to the best of my abilities, or am able to reign in my emotions when I feel anger or frustration, or even being able to express myself through the clothes that I wear, these are some of the things that make me feel most powerful. "
Charlotte Fang Hendro EXTERNALS SUBCOMMITTEE
“Being authentic to who I am, without compromise. There is something a little exhilarating about walking through a crowd, almost silently daring others to judge...that leap of courage definitely makes me feel powerful.”
“Having the ability to make my own decisions independently and not having to depend on anyone emotionally or financially.”
“Pushing myself beyond my comfort zone and when hard work pays off!”
Chelsea Chaffey
Tanisha Dasmohapatra
Emily Chang
PUBLICATIONS CO-DIRECTOR
EXTERNALS CO-DIRECTOR
HR DIRECTOR
“Being comfortable with myself and feeling motivated to achieve a goal.”
“The saying knowledge is power rings true, as the ability to learn and acquire new information and skills broadens my perspective. It is that power, when harnessed towards something positive, that creates change in our world.”
“A perfectly pinned-down hijab, eyeliner and my amazing friends by my side!”
Grace Kan
Abarna Ravindran
Nabiha Rajput
MARKETING SUBCOMMITTEE
HR SUBCOMMITTEE
PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
“Being surrounded by supportive and like-minded individuals.”
“I feel most powerful when I am doing the things that I love.”
“I feel powerful when I'm able to showcase my skills or knowledge to others."
Kanishka Sureshalingam
Alice Shang
Sehej Panesar
EXTERNALS SUBCOMMITTEE
EXTERNALS SUBCOMMITTEE
CAREERS SUBCOMMITTEE
“I feel most powerful when I trust my strengths and learn from my faults. Personal growth is what makes you feel not only powerful but valued in life.”
“Constantly learning and growing 😎💪”
“I feel most powerful when I don't procrastinate :)"
Elissa Luong
Emily Dang
Edison Hien
HR SUBCOMMITTEE
GENERAL SECRETARY
IT SUBCOMMITTEE
“Reflecting back and seeing my growth."
“The quote ‘If there is a will, there is a way’.”
“Knowing that my efforts can either accumulate to a life with regrets or a life with pride.”
Brianna Kim
Neysa Njo
Yuhan Zhou
CAREERS CO-DIRECTOR
MARKETING SUBCOMMITTEE
PUBLICATIONS CO-DIRECTOR
xoxo, wit 2022 team
[CSESoc x WIT]
Art & Writing Competition Words and images have the incredible power to bring vivid experiences to life. This year with CSESoc, we co-hosted our inaugural Art & Writing Competition with CSESoc to the theme of Hydra. Read the winning entries in the categories of Poetry, Digital Art and Short Story.
Hydra by Lesley L Short Story Winner It starts the way all these things start - a message, a confession. A lengthy speech with names of people you both know, a face among a flood of others - an admission of sins of others and their own, all signed with “but don’t tell anyone.” Perhaps the man in the sky was right. It was better to have not bitten the apple, because what you don’t know can’t hurt you. But there’s a special burden in words, the way that hearing something you shouldn’t weighs heavy on your heart and you spend the next week feeling like everything in your world moved to the left by an inch. A barely perceptible shift in the way you live because you realise that nothing will be the same, and that you can’t ever go back to where you were before. (You curse yourself, for your curiosity, the innate instinct to horde information, and remind yourself that bliss and ignorance are words that come hand in hand.) By knowing, people, words, actions and events are bought into your existence. They are given a form, made tangible, cobbled together with fragments of things you think you know to be true. If you’re the lucky bastard to graced with the weight of them, then what harm is a few more people? It’s easy to talk. That’s what we evolved to do after all, our mandibles morphing to the shapes of sounds and eventually words, the complex transmittance of the static in our brain box. What we hear is parroted to other ears and it repeats on and on and on. This pesky evolutionary splint grows the web and each of us falls inexplicably into its pull. Cut off a head and two grow in its place. The whole affair billows past its size, each person a fractal spiralling further and further away from me.
Never-Winning Tic-Tac-Toe
by Ke Nie Digital Art Winner
Hidora by Jo Wu Digital Art Winner
The Knight in Shining Armour by Harry Wu Poetry Winner Prologue APPLICANT 5617213 Name: Eliza Wang Gender: Female Type: International Country: China IELTS Composite: 6.5 Expected Profit Upon Graduation: $72700 Recommendation: ACCEPT I She huddles near her desk at 2am staring at her sunlight through a screen. The glare of Google Translate shrouds her face her bloodshot eyes, taut skin, budget caffeine. She's stopped going to lectures. Her professors make sounds she cannot decipher into meaning that float past her like bubbles she cannot reach before popping. She plays a Tetris game where pieces fall too quickly. She always loses. Overwhelmed by gaps she can't fill that swell like assignments she can't complete. She is chained to the Village surrounded by concrete jungle. She cannot escape, only pace with the sloven futility of a tiger resigned to captivity. University is a hydra. For every project she submits, two more arise. She can't keep pace, she just survives But she dares not dream her workload to be lighter. Half past - she's lost focus. Ctrl C, Ctrl V, rewind. So she beats on, boat against the current, Borne back ceaselessly into the past. Letters regroup into Chinese words blur into noise. Fatigue seeps like liquor inside her. She'll work on it tomorrow. ... She drifts into anxious sleep.
他妈的 II
Her tutor is a repairman for broken English. "Please fill MyExperience!" He ventures. She blinks at her screen. He sounds pleading. She types a quick yes before leaving. He slumps in his chair. Casualised, he needs better feedback, a few more "strongly agrees." They're just hard to earn when teaching through Teams.
University is a hydra. He handles a conveyer belt packed forever denser more and more icons smother his screen as they jostle desperately for space. For each he meets, two more arrive. He hates choosing who gets to thrive. He steals a sullen glance outside his window before another joins his online stall. New name, same faceless photo. He can't distinguish between them anymore. III Her mother freezes like marble statue when she confronts the figures on the invoice. Paper turns to stone in her hand. Another victim of Medusa, chiselled into a mockery of Midas. The weight of dreams too heavy drags her breaths from her throat they drown in her heart to re-emerge as lifeless sighs. "We'll be alright," her husband whispers, but he does not meet her eye. They know they must sustain their sacrifice. University is a hydra. Whatever bill they pay, two more arrive. They try to keep up, try to comply but dare not wish their burden to be lighter. Their son dreams of new worlds to explore Just like his sister. Mum kisses him goodnight the way wives kiss their husbands before they leave for war. She whispers sorry in the silence of his shallow breaths, knowing his dawn will be a little dimmer. IV Inside the discreet concrete chancellery guarded by a receptionist before it transforms into striking artworks and plush carpets, the Vice-Chancellor indulges a smile when he sees the bar charts stamped on the report. His cufflinks flash like shining armour as he reclines, yet his bloodred tie swallows their light. He lets himself relax. He's earnt his multimillion-dollar salary. The university was a hydra A beast he had to slay Money flowing from a thousand heads Must burn with fire, he lit the way... Thank goodness the knight saved the day.
Taking Power in Your Life Nusaibah Bari If knowledge is power, then an awareness of the knowledge we consume is an inception-style paradox. It’s a concept like, can we really control our thoughts? Do we have power over ourselves and our surroundings?
WIT as a society, in its core mission of promoting diverse spaces within tech, aims at instilling a sense of individual power through community and inclusion. The technological atmosphere, where so many male figures are in positions of power compared to their female counterparts, highlights the need to promote diversity in sex and gender. In taking power in your life, not only is the imbalance of power around us combatted, but an appreciative image of self alongside strong intrapersonal intelligence begins to grow. In moving from high school to university, surrounded by a pandemic, floods, uncertainty in government as well as the whole coming-ofage-saga that comes with the onset of adulthood inundated with a sense of independence from family and friends, many of us, myself included have found ourselves overwhelmed; exhausted and powerless from the draining circumnavigation that goes with existential dread and university life. Personally, I found myself battling the lines of low self esteem and ego, with the sudden realisation that I may after all need help. Societies like WIT, alongside university resources became a beginning to establishing that safety net of self love and connection, eventually pulling us towards our goals. FinancialPowerrrrrroftentimes Power, Financial interchanged with financial freedom is embodied by our ability to feel comfortable in the movement of monetary values around us. Apart from learning about how the industry of capitalist gain that our lives depend on (that was sarcasm by the way, don’t let yourselves become slaves to capitalism people!), some places to start include awareness and education on the possibilities of your financial growth. In establishing a clear understanding of costs and expenses, whether this be through a tracking app or through a separation of bank accounts funding different priorities, you separate yourself from the barriers of unnecessary or overspending. While a second priority and often overlooked (i.e. memed) at times, the possibilities of investing and trading, when done securely with expendable funds- stops from financial stagnation and exists as a way of gaining more financial power in our lives beyond the reaches of certain income sources.
In his newsletters, YouTuber Ali Abadaal, whose works provide key insight into a culture of self help and personal growth, outlines that financial freedom and growth rely on a balance of stability and risk provided through the expanding of income sources whether it be writing a book to merely allow yourself the growth and opportunity while also creating an income where you are not constantly working or through extensive understanding of our economic practices.
Similar to how a HR department keeps workload in check within a company, empowering a business to perform at its best - taking care of our individual health and wellbeing should be similarly prioritised for us to function at our best. Physical health improvement relies heavily on a level of self-love enough to acknowledge changes for yourself such as knowing when to run the extra mile or knowing when to take a rest day. This involves knowing when to say yes and no to opportunities, understanding yourself to know the risks you're willing to take and the risks you shouldn’t. While knowing yourself can be as tangibly evident as exploring your interests, learning about your MBTI personality type or asking your friends what they like or dislike about you- it can also be as intuitive a process as journaling or meditating. As self love and self understanding grows for oneself, it not only becomes easier to make decisions that empower ourselves, but also allow us to function best in our teams. Learning when to take a break includes prioritising your mental health as much as your physical health. While it’s recognised that the average individual should allow themselves exercise at least three times a week, there is limited knowledge of expectations on mental health. Considering mental wellbeing as important as brushing your teeth or making your bed forces you to reconsider perspectives on life, suggesting for most people a wider grasp or focus on their goals and ambitions. Examples of journaling prompts can involve idealising goals for yourself in terms of power, practising gratitude or reflecting on events. Such deviations invigorate journaling to be more than a mundane process of simple recount.
While it is another improvement on wellbeing, communication underpins the relationships that surround us both professionally and personally, with an ability to impact the empowerment or disenchantment we experience. Recently I found myself in relationships, unable to communicate my emotions, becoming overly unemotional or detached. I was watching Season 3 of You on Netflix, a chilling and partially satirical drama which looks through the eyes of a psychopath and a sociopath in their relationship in upper middle class suburban California. While the drama itself is in its own a commentary on appearances and the notion of power, season 3 particularly relevant to the beliefs on surveillance and security- I found myself absorbed in a recurring scene the couple had with a counsellor.
An example of what they found themselves adhering to was phrasing their responses, rather than reactions to statements, through “What I’m hearing is” so as to not only let the other person know that you are attempting to understand them but also to diminish a communication barrier where thoughts and expressions get lost in translations of human politeness. In our everyday lives the assumption of understanding is incredibly misleading. In application of this technique of communication I found myself resolving the issues in personal relationships more thoroughly and with diminished conflict. Thus, in opening yourself up to applying strategies, seeking counselling for our overtly emotional reactions or the recurrence of miscommunication in our lives, we open ourselves to taking back the power that gets diminished in social conflicts. So while the path to self empowerment can steep away beyond the small things we do, it comes back to establishing your own values and knowing yourself enough to realise which priorities will lead you down the road of success. While self help books or life coaches are often in vogue in contemporary culture, the following quote from a segment from the podcast Dear Hank and John showcases this idea well.
Hank Green: “If you want your life to last a long time, never let a routine be established.”
John Green: “Well, that’s not gonna be a path of good health for me, that’s not how I’m gonna do it.”
Hank: “I am gonna do the best I can with the time that I have left.”
Additionally, the media we consume comes down to shaping our context as individuals and consequently directing the kinds of environments we often find ourselves in. The following is a master list of suggested books, podcasts and apps (i.e. sources of media) for such conscious efforts of taking back power in your life.
Mini Master Guide Apps Notion Google Calendar Momentum
Youtube Channels Ali Abadal Linh Truong Blogilates
Books Machiavelli’s The Prince The 48 Laws of Power Thinking Fast and Slow The Art of War Atomic Habits Ikigai
Podcasts Dear Hank and John
UNSW
women in tech
2022
