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RONI
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Your friendly ANU has a swimming pool Coward punch? No. Let’s neighbourhood and you are allowed to use discuss some real issues. flycatcher. it. Maybe. 11 Comment
WORONI 34 Science
Students Ready for the Big O
16 Features
11 FEBRUARY 2 0 1 4 - NO. 1, VOL 66 - WORONI.COM.AU - T: @WORONI - F: WORONI
This year’s O-Week shapes up to be a mammoth affair with big-name acts on the lineup.
CASS Course Cuts and Staff Changes. A series of the College’s most popular lecturers have departed, and most popular courses disestablished.
Andrew Feng
Samantha Bradley
News Correspondent
Print Editor
THERE is no greater sign that the 2014 academic year is about to begin at the ANU than the start of O-week.
to its staff on the 8th of January announcing a series of course cuts 2014.
become acquainted with the campus grounds and to see what opportunities are on offer through the introductory
Courses that have been cut include those previously lectured by Dr Kim Huynh, Dr Michael McKinley, and, Dr Rick Kuhn.
But outside of this, O-week is an
university experience. This can take different forms, as seen by the diverse
-
O-week is an introduction to what student life at the ANU is like. It is a chance to meet new people and to become involved in the university experience.
-
Cameron, Georgia, Shelley and Tom weigh up the pros and cons of Cameron’s choice of headwear. Mate, it’s February.
Student
-
‘It’s gonna [sic] be awesome doing that [Friday concert]. We’re obviGrand Strategy – Peace and Security Through War, Power, Force and
Association experience. This is evident in the type
fer. ‘O-week’s such an important week because it is most students’ biggest expus. And of course [it’s] an awesome to the ANU.’ On top of providing orientation for for returning students to reconnect with
-
it took the form of the ‘Secret Garden
break. In this sense, O-week is a unique range of activities are on offer, from so- student experience. Organised and run toga parties. For ANU
Democracy: Comparative & Theo-
with them.’ [university student] age group.’ the perfect way to start of the new academic year. ‘The Big Bang [event] -
party on Friday night which is seen to es commence the next week. Last year,
The academic administrative changes that were announced
another amazing year - it doesn’t get much better than that.’ John Uhr as Honours Convener.
Focus
University: a how-to guide
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
NEWS // 2
By The Numbers 10 years ago
News Briefs Samantha Bradley
Facebook began in a Harvard dorm
Ethiopians expelled from Saudi Arabia More than 100,000 Ethiopian nationals - women, children, and men - have been forcibly expelled from Saudi Arabia. Violent clashes and widespread riots took place in the Saudi Arabian city of Riyadh in November, killing at least three Ethiopian citizens, as thousands of workers took to the streets to protest against their deportation. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 9 million Migrant workers, many from Eithiopa and neighbouring East African nations.
201.6 billion friend connections have been made
3.4 trillion likes worldwide
Who said what?
A collection of news stories from around the world that weren’t covered by the mainstream media.
Iranian bill to hinder female travel revoked On the 19th of November, 2013, the Iranian Majles (parliament) passed a bill introducing a requirement for single women to obtain a notarized permit from their father, or another male guardian, each time they wish to leave the country. The new requirement angered many women, was widely criticised, and was, subsequently, revoked. However, as it is, married Iranian women, even if they hold a passport, still require their husband’s permission to leave the country.
At least 10 killed in Nepali bus accident A bus, believed to be carrying Hindu pilgims, fell off a mountain road for more than 300 metres, in Eastern Nepal, on the 31st of January. It is believed that at least 10 people were killed. The bus is believed to have been carrying 66 passengers. Roads in Nepal are notoriously dangerous, and it is estimated that that 130 major accidents occur in kathmandu alone, every day. In 2011 UNESCAP
or Clive Palmer
“Cashed-up Looney”
Annika Humphreys VP of ANUSA
“I didn’t give [Mr Ab-
Juan Orlando Hernandez elected as Hondura’s president Honduras’s new president won the 25th of November election with just 35% of the vote. His “law-and-order” ticket struck a chord amongst voters - Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world, with 22 murders a day in a country of just 8.5 million people. However, Hernandez, the 45-year-old lawyer and former head of Congress, is also seen to represent the old-guard political establishment of big landowners and business elites.
since the 1st of January 2008, police accross NSW have possessed the authority to issue on-thespot criminal infringement notices for $150 for the use of offensive language in or near a public space or school.
Woroni is published on the traditional lands of the Ngunnawal people. We pay our respects to their elders past and present.
Editorial Board
Thai Democrats launch legal bid to have disrupted election annulled Thailand’s main oppoosition party, the Democrats, have petitioned a court to annul the recent disrupted national election; a legal challenge that could potentially prolong the deeply divided country’s state of political uncertainty and chaos. Disruptions to the elections included a comprehensive failure to register candidates in 28 electoral districts after protestors blockaded candidate the constituencies. Protestor’s called for a complete overhall of system they deem deeply corrupt.
Editor-in-Chief Fergus Hunter Deputy Editor-in-Chief Areti Metuamate Managing Editor Tara Shenoy Digital Ross Caldwell Print Sam Bradley Print Elena Tjandra Print Lilly Ward Radio Elise Terrell
#FreeAJStaff campaign: journalists accross the world unite in fury Journalists accross the globe are protesting the imprisonment of AlJazeera’s staff in Egypt, the detainment of these journalists continuing into a second month. The campaign has included a series of photos being uploaded to social media by members of the Foreign Correspondent’s Association of East Africa, of which imprisoned AlJazeera correspondent Peter Greste is a member. Many used the hashtag #FreeAJStaff and #JournalismIsNotTerrorism, and gagged their mouths for symbolic
Sub-Editorial Team News Daniel Lynch Comment Ben Stilling Features Alice Zhang Life & Style Beatrice Smith Arts Nina Haysler Science Eleanor Campbell Sport Josh Chu-Tan Radio Seth Robinson Radio Polly Mitton Radio Michael Carton Photos Janis Lejins Design Lauren Cawthron
Pyongyang and Seoul to hold talks on family reunions Millions of Koreans, were separated from their families in the 1950-1953 war, and, South Korea and North Korea are a step closer to resuming reunions for families separated by the Korean War will meet to discuss the matter of reunions. The matter is considered by many to be urgent as, more than sixty years after the war, many of those who experienced the division of their families have passed away, and those who survive are very elderly.
Aus’ human rights watchdog investigates mandatory detention of minors Australia’s human rights watchdog has opened an inquiry into the detention of more than 1,000 minors under conservative policies that have seen all irregular maritime arrivals be taken by boat impact of mandatory detention on the more than 1,000 minors currently being held in immigration facilities; more than 100 of these children being currently on the island of Nauru. The inquiry will examine whether Australia is in breach of its international child protection obligations.
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Volcano kills at least 16 in Sumatra Mount Sinaberg, in Sumatra province had been reportedly “rumbling” for months before a major eruption occurred, killing at least 16 people, on Saturday the 1st of February. Among the dead were a local television journalist, four high school students and, their teacher. The erruption occurred just a day after authorities allowed thousands of villagers who had been evacuated to return to their homes on Mt Sinaberg’s slopes.
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
ANU Catholic Society’s Website Hacked Grammatically stunted home improvement
Samantha Bradley Print Editor THE ANU Catholic Society, from the information available on their website, now offer students ‘Advice For Improving Your Home Made Easy!’ That is, rather than espousing the teachings of Christ and the unimpeachable
...The ANU Catholic Society ostensibly now believes that ‘home advance is the simplest way to access the amount of your home while abacus abundance and style [sic],’ dominion of his holiness Pope Francis, the ANU Catholic Society ostensibly now believes that ‘home advance is the simplest way to access the amount of your home while abacus abundance and style [sic],’ and, furthermore that, ‘there are an array of means that you can advance the best to adapt your home. The tips independent in this commodity should advice you accomplish acute decisions apropos your home advance needs [sic].’ Yes, here at sense of these statements too. Giving away the whole thing as
what must be a “hack,” of some variety, is the fact that the “about” section of the website now reads, ’we reside in a ability which generally commendations what the Catholic Anu cs believes and teaches as puzzling. There would even be some who would attention the Church as the endure breastwork of a benighted obscurantism [sic].’ Ignoring the rest of that passage, “obscurantism,” is generally understood as being the practice of deliberately preventing the facts or full details of a matter becoming known. From this we can deduce that someone has gone to the effort of replacing all of the blurb on the ANU Catholic Society’s website with complete gibberish, because, they must have believed what was initially there to be generally obtuse and irrational anyway. Woroni has no comment on this, only that all ANU organisations should really monitor their media more carefully. Woroni’s efforts to get in touch with the ANU Catholic Society, to notify them of this situation, and to ask for a comment, were unsuccessful. We’ll leave you with some parting words from the website, ‘yet the Catholic Home improvement morality has been the abundant apostle of both acceptance and reason, seeing in them not bitter enemies but a affectionate of accessory twins, the break of whom agency the afterlife of both [sic].’
NEWS //3 Alex is seriously concerned about the state of the leadership in the Australian government, he says, ‘the greatest fault I find in Australian society is that someone like Tony Abbott can be elected based on a series of baseless lies.’
BE OUR PAGE THREE GIRL! EMAIL US, YO! Photo by Ross Caldwell
Big Changes Coming for Student Life The merging of the Division of Residential and Campus Communities and the
Fergus Hunter Editor-in-Chief THE University has released its complete response to one of the recommendations from last year’s review into the Division of Residential and Campus Communities (DRCC). The focus of the document is the proposed merger of DRCC and the Division of Student Services, which was one of the recommendations. In an email to student representatives and staff, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Student Experience, Prof Richard Baker, presented the “Managing Change Document” and announced a consultation period ending on 17 February. The 40-page document addresses all 15 recommendations, already introduced in December’s interim report. The review was conducted last year by a panel that included Dr Paula Newitt, as well as two members from other universities. The merger of DRCC and DSS will
charge of an area in which she doesn’t have much experience. Dr Bull has been expanding her portfolio and taking on more responsibilities since she ber 2011. She has already updated her
including the disestablishment of 10 positions within both divisions, and the establishment of 8 new roles in the “Division of Student Life.” The former Director of Residential and Campus Communities, Luce Andrews, has already The review report that led to this plan left the university. attracted much attention when it was Regarding recommendations 5 and 8, released in November last year. One which concern the disestablishment of both the Director and General Manager of the most controversial and upsetting (especially for the staff in question) was university is a commitment “to work- the recommendation to disestablish the ing with key stakeholders in 2014 to current head and deputy head positions at the halls. After a very strong reaction via a change management proposal in from staff and students alike, it was reaccordance with the University’s enter- jected. Students (living on or off campus) prise agreement provisions.” The reception within the halls’ ad- may not notice any immediate or major ministrations has been generally posi- difference to their daily lives, but this tive, although there is some fear about plan means major overhauls for staff in funds from the residences being redi- the relevant areas. Prof Baker declined to comment, citrected to the student services side of this new division. It has also been ar- ing the need to wait for the conclusion gued that Dr Laura-Anne Bull, Registrar of Student Services, will be taking
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
NEWS // 4
Musical Chairs at the ANU: College Deans
cific, Professor Andrew MacIntyre, who is moving up the ranks to become Deputy Vice Chancellor (International) at RMIT. MacIntyre was appointed dean in 2008 from the position of Director of the Crawford School and has led some major growth in his college over the past 5 years. 2008 is also the same year Professor Toni Makkai was appointed to be Dean of the College of Arts & Social Areti Metuamate Sciences. Makkai, whose name is probably most prominent of all the deans among stuDeputy Editor-in-Chief dents, has been tasked with managing some significant challenges in her college, such as THE Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian Young, the School of Music restructure, merging of has recently announced that the Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Professor John Hosking, is leaving Deans report directly to ANU to become Dean of Science at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Profes- the Vice Chancellor and are sor Hosking, who originally came to ANU appointed to sit at the helm from Auckland in 2011, is one of three college deans (of a total of seven) who will be of their respective college, leaving their posts this year, indicating a sig- managing budgets in the nificant amount of change can be expected hundreds of millions... over the next 12 months. Deans report directly to the Vice Chancellor and are appointed to sit at the helm of their respective college, managing budgets some areas in the arts, and last year there in the hundreds of millions, leading hunwas controversy about a proposal to cut tutodreds of staff and providing academic leadrials in some courses. Makkai, whose current ership of thousands of students. While some contract is until April 2017, is now the longconsider the power exercised by deans has est serving dean and is described by some decreased under the current Vice Chancellor as a tough operator. She and the Dean of the (with more power being given to his increasCollege of Business and Economics, Profesingly influential deputies), the Vice Chansor Jayne Godfrey, are the only women at the cellor has included the deans in his ‘Senior rank of college dean and there is speculation Management Group’, which meets fortnightthat the Vice Chancellor is actively looking ly which is a change from the previous adto add another woman to that level. With ministration. This group is made up of the the departure of two men from the ANU dean deans, the VC, and his ‘Executive team’, a ranks in the next few months, this is much group we will report on next edition. more of a possibility. Widely respected academic, Professor Kiaran Kirk, who last year was voted by ANU students to deliver the Last lecture and is considered a close advisor of the Vice Chancellor, will step up to become dean of one of the two science colleges in April, following the retirement of Professor Andrew Cockburn who will remain on the staff as an academic. Another significant move is the departure of the Dean of the College of Asia & the Pa-
Areti Metuamate has a look at recent staff changes in prominent ANU colleges, as well as the technicalities, responsibilities, and perks of these positions.
Professor Professor Toni Makkai toni makkai Appointed May 2008 Appointed May 2008 Contract expires April 2017 Contract Expires April 2017
College Arts&& Social Social Sciences College ofof Arts Sciences
Professor andrew cockburn
Professor John Hosking
to be replaced by professor kiaran kirk in april
Leaving In May Recuitment Process Starts Soon
College of Arts & Social Sciences
College of biology, medicine & the environment
College of Arts & Social Sciences
Professor Stephen Bottomley
Professor Andrew MacIntyre
Appointed August 2012 Contract Expires January 2018
Leaving in February Replacement not yet appointed
College of Arts & Social College of LawSciences
College of of Arts & Social College Asia & The Sciences Pacific
Professor Jayne Godfrey
Professor Andrew Roberts
Appointed 2011
Appointed August 2012
College of Business & Economics
College of Arts & Social Sciences
College of Arts & Social Sciences
College of Engineering & Computer Science
College of Physical & Mathematical Sciences
ANU Debating Conquers the Worlds ANU Debating’s begins the year at the 2014 Debating World Universities Debating Championships.
Vincent Chiang
Ex-Editor (in the best possible way) ANU Debating capped off a year of success by breaking a team to the Quarter-Finals of the 2014 World Universities Debating Championship (affectionately known as “Worlds”), hosted in Chennai, India. The breaking team, comprised of second year students Thomas Goldie and Yi-An “Yarn” Shih, ranked 11 th in the tournament, ahead of the top teams from Oxford, Yale, Stanford, the London School of Economics, and the National University of Singapore. They were also the 4 th highest ranked Australian team in the tournament. The other ANU team (consisting of Richard Keys and Jacqui Yates) also came tantalisingly close to reaching the finals series, missing out by but one point. Worlds is the largest debating tournament in the world, and is annually hosted across the end of December and the beginning of January. The 2014 championships saw approximately 1000 debaters travel all across the world to India, in order to compete for the World Champion title. ANU Debating sent two teams, as well as six adjudicators, making them amongst the largest contin-
gents at the tournament as a whole. Debating motions at Worlds are often considered the most complex by the international debating community, requiring high levels of expertise. This year, the motions debated centred on a range of issues, including the incarceration of first-time
The 2014 championships saw approximately 1000 debaters travel all across the world to India, in order to compete for the World Champion title.
offenders, the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s impact on small and medium-sized countries, the US funding moderate Madrassas (schools of Islamic study) throughout the Islamic world, and the rise of hookup culture. After three days of preliminary rounds, the top 48 ranking teams then made it through to the finals series, which was where ANU Debating saw tremendous success. The team progressed past the Octo-Finals, on a motion concerning whether or not Japan should shame all of its World War II soldiers (including those who did
not commit war crimes). In the end, they were knocked out in the next round, the Quarter-Finals, but not without enjoying themselves. “Yarn and I had an amazing and rewarding time,” said Mr Goldie. “All the hard work and practice we put in really paid off.” Indeed, rewards also came at the announcement of the final speaker rankings. Mr Goldie and Mr Keys both ranked in the top 50 speakers of the tournament. The other two ANU speakers, Mr Shih and Ms Yates, both ranked in the top 100. Australia was also rewarded as a whole, with five of the tournament’s top ten speakers (and all four of the top four) coming from Australia.
Nevertheless, despite achieving excellence, the Australians did not run away with the crown prize at the end of the day. Ultimately, the tournament was won by a team from Harvard University, arguing for the motion that India should pursue aggressive economic liberalisation. ANU Debating still has much to be proud of, having made Quarter-Finals at Worlds, as well as Semi-Finals at the Australasian Championships. Its next accomplishments, at the Australian Championships to be held at Monash University in Melbourne early this year, remain to be seen.
WORLD// 6
Thirty Days Albert Patajo writes of his
Albert Patajo 30 days. It has been 30 days since I felt the taste of VB in my mouth. 30 days since I last ate a home cooked meal. And, it has been exactly 30 days since I left Australia to begin my exchange semester here at the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill. I’m loving it. UNC is a beautiful university. The buildings resemble colonial America: made with bright red brick, decorated with Neoclassical Greek columns. Studying abroad is never easy, particularly However, I wasn’t prepared for how confronting student life would be here in the US. American college students undertake a 4-year degree program in which they’re required to complete a major and a minor. Double degrees are non-existent here in the States, so most take Others work towards picking majors that will help them enter graduate school. On face value, it seems quite similar to Australia. I quickly learnt that both the pedagogy here in the States and students’ approach to their education is much different to Australia. Class here almost feels like high school: I have constant homework that needs to be turned in each week for grading. Attendance is required for almost all my course, even in courses of 300 or more. One of my courses has an attendance mark
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
WORLD of 20%. That’s 20% just for turning up to class each week. Others require you to complete online quizzes each lecture through clickers or the Internet to show you’re in class. Lectures aren’t recorded either and online notes are almost nonexistent. One of the courses I started with had a seating plan in a lecture theatre of 400 people. I dropped that course after a week. are engaging. Professors are extremely knowledgeable and students are all driven to learn. Laptops in lectures are non-existent because of the distractions they provide. Students in the US have to pay exorbitant tuition fees, unless they’re on a scholarship. The US lacks the CSP/HECS system that works so well in Australia. And, as a result, students take their studies extremely seriously. Libraries are full from day one. Beneath all this is something worrying - the use of Adderall as a ‘study drug’. I’ve only been here a month, so I can’t fully comment on its usage, but I’ve quickly gathered that it is fairly common for college students in the US to take Adderall as a means to help with study. These themselves to succeed academically in hopes that can enter law school, or business school, and, because of this pressure, along with the high cost of tuition, it would seem like students have no choice but to dabble in these methods. I don’t have a solution to this problem. I don’t know how to solve this issue, or if it can even be considered an issue. I’m thankful that the academic culture at ANU hasn’t reached the point where Adderall is a commonality. Don’t change ANU, because you’re perfect the way you are.
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...classes here are engaging. Professors are extremely knowledgeable and students are all driven to learn. BLOW UP THE LECTURE? Is the traditional lecture on the way out? What will the classroom of the future look like? Will the digital world transform the physical world of learning? Will edX and other Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) providers change the face of education forever? Technology is opening up new ways to teach and learn. It is also opening up new ways to understand how we learn. What do you think the future of learning should look like at ANU? Have your say and join us for an open panel discussion.
Featuring panellists Professor Anant Agarwal President of edX and social entrepreneur
Dr Inger Mewburn (The Thesis Whisperer) Director of Research Training at ANU
Dr Paul Francis Astrophysicist and co-leader of the first ANU edX course
Wednesday 26 February 2014, 12.30-2pm Main Theatre, ANU Arts Centre, Union Court Register at bit.ly/1kRF082
Professor Andrew Walker Deputy Dean, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
Mr Cam Wilson ANUSA President
Chaired by ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
WORLD// 7
WORONI’S new World section features articles from travelling and international students.
Fieldnotes from Bangladesh Tara Davda
I spent my summer interning in Bangladesh and India with a series of Microcredit organizations. During my stay in Bangladesh, general elections were scheduled for Janu-
Day 5. Today we learn the location and -
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We ask if he has ever missed a repayment...“Never, in twenty three years.”
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Day 6
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As we leave Dhaka, we watch the landscape change from a dense, tangle of shops jammed into unfinished concrete towers...
return.
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
COMMENT// 8
Saving The World Reg Naulty
Reg Naulty was philosophy tutor at John XX III College in 1969. WHEN I graduated from this university, I felt that it was my job to get out there and save the world. I soon realized, however, that the broad mass of Australians had their own idea on what you had to do to be saved : you had to buy Holdens and Fords and have lots of barbecues. Does that mean that we should save up for Holdens and Fords, and a lifetime`s supply of barbecue sausages, and forget about saving the world? Hell, no. Saving the world makes life more interesting. As soon as you get the smallest reputation as a world saver, people come in from all directions trying to close you down. Sniping at that lot is good fun. They try to close you down just because you annoy them. They`ll tell you that what they`re saying is common sense, but in fact it`s almost always a version of stoic-skepticism, an outlook to which people are prone as they get older. They don`t believe in much, which is what makes them skeptics, and they`re not expecting anything very good to happen, which is why they have to be stoical. The reason they are stoic-skeptics is dead obvious: Holdens, Fords, and barbecues yield limited satisfaction. Stoic- skeptics are best left to comedians. Comedians? Too right. It`s hard to argue them out of their miserable perspective, but they can be laughed out. Does that mean that jokes can save the world? What about all those humourless oldies out there? You have to be smart as well. That`s why we have universities.
Why I hate interships Linsey Hart I’M doing pretty well in life. I completed high school, I’m a student at ANU – one of Australia’s leading universities – and I’m doing the sort of degree that people assume will lead to a decent career” I guess). However, when I look at the job school and getting a degree will pale in comparime want to a) stab my eyeballs with a plastic fork or b) book an appointment with a cardiologist to make sure my heart hasn’t gone black with evil.
But what about internships? you say. Well, I’m glad you asked. Internships seem to be the obvious foot in the door for young grads and soon-tobe grads such as myself. Over a set period usually somewhere between three months and a year, you
Internships seem to be the obvious foot in the door for young grads and soonto-be grads such as myself.
businesses, or NGOs. Who wouldn’t jump at a chance like that? The only problem is if you dig a little deeper,
but expected to work full-time as is the case with your application form looking for the salary, you many NGOs), my salary will be enough for me to pay for rent, food, transport and other necessities as they come up such as medical bills, clothes and from ideologically heavy places like Iran and only” position. tampons.** I saw one internship this week which Saudi Arabia. You`d have to be a comic genius to Now, I’m not the sort of Gen-Yer who assucceed in places like that. sumes they should be paid $70,000 a year upon travel and food costs”. I snorted. Really? WHO exit from university, or that my degree makes me SPENDS ONLY $15 PER DAY ON FOOD AND the holder of all relevant knowledge and all Gen- TRANSPORT IN AUSTRALIA? I know I sound angry, but really, I’m just very Xers and baby boomers should go stick it and/or - disappointed. I would dearly love do an internship mond milk over soy and explain why the Labor with an NGO or other organisation that is making party messed up their political messaging and a positive difference in the world. I would love really why doesn’t someone PAY ME TO DO IT even more to get work experience so that I can FOR THEM?* However, I do expect that when begin my career at some stage in the next couple I am employed full-time (or employed part-time
(read: parents) to support me while I work very hard to earn nothing. Does that mean I miss out? It seems to me as though Gen-Yers are teased by older generations for leaving home later and leaching off their parents, but businesses and organisations are now operating under the assumption that Gen-Yers will leach off their parents and are paying them accordingly. This catch-22 could mean that people like me don’t get the chance to display their skills or compete for positions because we just don’t have the funds. Where is the equal opportunity in that? *Actually, do those Gen-Yers even exist? **Damn you GST on tampons! This author blogs at linseyhart.wordpress.com.
Let the Facts Speak For You Mark Fabian TOO often as students we fervently debate questions as though they were strictly theoretical or normative when in fact they are empirical in nature. We can also be sceptical of the ability of empirical techniques to provide strong answers to some types of questions and dismissive of people who ask for data. This is unfortunate as it leads many of us to hold on to incorrect views for ideological reasons when a little research would reveal them to be invalidated by the evidence. Some examples will help illustrate. Feminist vagina in the picture stands in for the enigma of the feminine.” One could spend hours debating the anecdotal evidence for this claim—hardcore tumblrs for, interviews with models in Playboy against—without reaching a compelling conclusion. What you need is some cold, hard evidence. But surely this claim is not accessible to empirical scrutiny? Comments about culture and sexuality can’t be reduced to numbers! Well, maybe they can, at least in this case. A feasible study would involve rounding up a suitably large and diverse sample of consumers of pornography and asking pornography, are you interested in the model’s personality and biography, or just his/her body?” A few hundred respondents later and you would have some pretty compelling data one way or the other. A longer, richer survey could yield more
detailed information that might lead to more insightful observations than just yes/no answers; for instance, regarding the pornographic preferences of lesbians. Now when you’re discussing the latest controversy over a goon sack on a Thursday night you can’t go running off to conduct an expansive survey. But often you don’t have to – Google can point you in the direction of reputable studies on a wide range of topics in seconds, especially Google scholar. For example, a friend recently suggested the US has a low level of corporate tax. A two minute search of OECD records via Google reveals that the US actually has some of the world’s highest corporate tax rates, at around 40 per cent (though loopholes are plentiful). There are times when anecdotes are more convincing than statistics, and more powerful in a casual discussion because of their ability to articulate larger ideas than the pinpoint questions typically answered by empirics. For example, one of the more convincing arguments in favour of liberalism over socialism is this one offered by Niall Ferguson. After the War, the homogenous German people were split into two groups. The liberal capitalist group produced the class-leading Mercedes Benz; the socialist group produced the Trabant, which can accurately be described as a shit box. Reams of data would be needed to make a similarly compelling argument using statistics. Similarly, some valuable theoretical treatises would be ill-served by the inclusion of statistics.
Foucault’s discourse theory, for example, would just be diluted by the inclusion of data without gaining much in the way of veracity or articulation.
are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics”. Statistics can be deceptive. Some examples include misleading survey questions, not reporting the standard error, not including relevant variables in a regression and selecting a very biased sample. So statistics are imperfect, but something worth keeping in mind. Importantly, empirical data alongside the historical record and the rules of math and logic can be said to constitute ‘facts’. In our student years we spend our energy forming opinions. The most strongly held opinions
are its factual foundations. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. And when the facts change, we seem silly if we don’t change our mind. This author blogs at markfabian.blogspot.com
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
SSAF-irmation for ANU
Cameron Wilson, ANUSA President and previous Editor in Chief of Woroni, talks about ANU’s secret pool. Look careCameron Wilson President of ANUSA DID you know that ANU has a pool? It’s not a pool of water - it’s a pool of money called SSAF or the Students Services and Amenities Fee, and it’s a revival of compulsory student unionism abolished by Howard in 2005. Each university student pays this fee which goes to - you guessed it - services and amenities of a non-academic nature for that year. So in 2014, ANU receives $281 per Equivalent Full Time Student Load (which is higher education lingo meaning each full time student) which will total a pool of roughly $4million, paid in part by you! The university may allocate it as they desire (with some guidelines from an Administrative Guideline Amendment) based on number of categories that are outlined in the Higher Education Support Act. These
interest in matters arising under the higher education providers’ rules”. For more information, the proposed 2014 SSAF allocations are available on the ANU website But this article isn’t about the merits of SSAF which has been argued ad nasuem. Most students are very happy with a tiny fee added to yHECS (which in itself is a pretty decent system) that supports disadvantaged students and drastically improves the student experience. I’m writing this because - shock horror - I believe that students get the best value out of SSAF at ANU compared to anywhere else. d ANU has an annual operating budget of neardly a billion dollars. The SSAF pool was less othan four million dollars in 2013; yet many of the amazing things that make ANU special are funded from SSAF. Orientation Week, emergency welfare funds, cheap gym memberships, one (soon to be two) student spaces, sports clubs, collectives and departments, clubs and societies - all of these are only possible in their current capacity due to the proper administration of SSAF. So what does ANU do that other universities don’t? The university administration has funded student groups who exist to improve the student dexperience. ANU has consistently worked with
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COMMENT // 9
the ANU Students’ Association, PARSA, Woroni and ANU Sport & Rec to help them excel. Importantly, the reasonable funding of ANUSA and PARSA and Woroni shows the university’s commitment to ensuring that the student voice is heard and that their welfare is promoted; both pursuits are costly ventures that would become a second priority if the groups had to focus on It’s also important to consider what would happen if this wasn’t the case: the universities puts this money towards already existing services such as building maintenance. In this scenario, students pay more than ever for the
In the current funding agreement with the University, the four student groups (ANUSA, PARSA, Woroni and Sport & Recreation Association) are part of a “Student Advisory Committee” that discusses the allocation. same services. Further, these essential services then depend upon the unlikely continuation of SSAF into the future. Meanwhile, the student groups are impoverished and can only cater to those well-off students with disposable income (see: not many). Despite Professor Young promising that student groups that they would be the its word on student fees?” 31/3/12, Woroni), from SSAF for uses such as capital expenditure in 2012. However, student groups are rightly receiving more and more of this fee and the student experience on campus has improved accordingly. In the current funding agreement with the University, the four student groups (ANUSA, PARSA, Woroni and Sport & Recreation Asand more of a cohesive attempt to improve the Committee” that discusses the allocation. Each student experience on campus with those who member submits a proposed allocation, and as know students best. Rest assured that ANU is using SSAF as it’s a group lead by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) Richard Baker, we discuss the meant to be used. Since it’s introduction in 2012, the student experience at our university over how students would be best served. This student unionism in 2006. Despite stereotypes other universities as student groups claw at each of irresponsibility of students and criticism other while their University stands back idly waiting for a result (like University of Sydney), tinually trusted students to spend SSAF wisely
and students have not taken this responsibility lightly and have risen to the challenge. As a result, our campus has an incredible vibrancy and an empowered student presence that you won’t
Oh, and for those who are only reading because of the pool comment, don’t hold your breath. We’re scheduled to get a pool… by 2030.
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
COMMENT// 10
Christopher Pyne: “A” is for “Australian” Tara Shenoy Managing Editor
TO educate a young mind is to craft the architecture of its thought processes and to nourish it with the fruit of understanding. However, to apply politics to a human institution is to corrupt it with intention. Currently, Christopher Pyne is spearheading a curriculum review that will disembowel the national curriculum put forward by the Labor party in 2010. Conservative politics is writing history under our noses, gleefully defecating on the joy of knowledge. Kevin Donnelly, former teacher and ex-Liberal Party staffer, is at the vanguard of this project. In 2011, Donnelly criticized the curriculum, arguing that Australian education strives too hard to “embrace Indigenous, environmental and Asian perspectives” and that “aspects of the compulsory history curriculum read more like a cultural-left
Christopher Pyne would have us believe that our history stretches as far back as 300 years. Aboriginal people have left their art on the cave walls and swum in the blue expanse of the oceans for over 50,000 years.
Consider the gaggle of bedfellows we have entrusted with the politics, economics and basic functioning of our democratic futures. Abbott in all the full glory of his budgie-smugglers is rolling in the dust of the monolithic caRouge can effectively be blamed for spawning a culture of illiteracy in Cambodia during its regime. It has always been the victors who write their own history, often at the dismay of their victims. This is a responsibility that will shape the future of a nation and should not be undertaken lightly. Christopher Pyne would have us believe that our history stretches as far back as 300 years. Aboriginal people have left their art on the cave walls and swum in the blue expanse of the oceans for over 50,000 years. Rewriting Australian history to purify the settlers of the blood on their hands is an iron rod too heavy for the grid of deception in construction. No number of nominal land rights bestowed upon the Aboriginal people will ever compensate reconciliation for the mourning. Even now, it should never be in the power of an Anglo-Saxon politician, whose ancestors have undeniably immigrated to this arid land, to then deny the original inhabitants their place in history. Statistically speaking, the trends demonstrate Australia as becoming more secular. Admittedly, we still have the races power, arguably one of our most racist pieces of legislation, entrenched into the Australian Constitution. table result for a nation of immigrants. Programs like the International Baccalaureate are contributing to an internationalization of education. Throughcredited with unraveling of the mysteries of the number zero. Confucian philosophies are still relevant to any existential undertaking. The best kind of education is a multi-faceted enquiry that encompasses this plurality of perspectives. The Australian Education Union (AEU) does not support Christopher Pyne. They have made it abundantly clear that the pre-review national curriculum was overseen by an independent body and was signed off by every single state and territory minister before implementation. Therefore, Glenn Fowler, the ACT branch secretary of the AEU has questioned the motivation behind the curriculum review. “[I]f they want to catch children falling To politicize the fabric of knowledge stitched into the minds of young Australians is to ensure a homogenous adoption of the Abbott agenda. However, every generation is has greater access to information than the generation before it. Perhaps, we should take an idealistic approach to this gutting of our academic entrails. We should have faith in the children we brainwash into upholding the same xenophobic values that have perpetuated resentment Google. Whatever helps us sleep at night.
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
COMMENT // 11
SPIR-alling down the toilet. CASS kills student’s dreams. Jason Andrews
Jason Andrews graduated from the School of Politics and International Relations in 2012 and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies at the University of New South Wales Canberra. He is also a member of the ANU Education Action Group. STUDENTS starting or continuing studies in the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR) should be deeply concerned by recent developments and outstanding issues from last year. In an email on January 8th this year the SPIR Undergraduate that 11 courses in the Political Science and International Relations Majors would be disestablished. The email itself was unambiguous and stated simply that “the following classes have been disestablished”. If so, this means that these courses will not be taught in 2014, and no other SPIR academics – who may desire to do so in future – will be able to teach them either. The courses that were stated to be disestablished are: Pols2081 Religion and Politics in Australia; Pols2083 Contemporary Australian Political Issues; Pols2102 The Political Philosophy of Deception; Pols2103 Australian Democracy: Comparative & Pols2061 Classical Marxism; Pols2076 Frankfurt School and Habermas; Pols2092 Fascism and Antifascism; Pols2115 Revolution!; Pols2097 Strategy 1; and, Pols2098 Strategy 2. As current students may be aware, many of these are not unThe Political Philosophy of Deception – regularly attracts 70-80+
for each course over the past three years are not easy to come by for students, but on the surface it would appear that these courses
Another aspect that stands out about the disestablished courses and these departures are the important perspectives that have been jettisoned with them.
It may be pointed out by SPIR administrators that several of the above courses were taught by Dr. Michael McKinley, Dr. Rick Kuhn and Dr. West – academics who, for differing reasons, left the School last year. The argument being that the academics responsible for these courses have departed and thus the School cannot
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Given the recent swathe of departures from the School, one would expect that SPIR would be in the process of seeking to replenish its depleted staff...
academics who have recently left SPIR, several of whom had been teaching at the ANU for more than 20 years, including: Dr. Jim George (2011), Dr. Ben Wellings (2013), Dr. John Hart (2012), Dr. Renee Jeffrey (2013), Dr. Mike Miller (2013) as well as the former Pols2102 is on the list of courses to be disestablished given that it Head of SPIR, Professor John Ravenhill (2013). This means that was taught in Semester 1 2013 and that, whilst he is currently on parental leave, Dr. Huynh is still a member of the SPIR staff. That in only 3 years – between, Hart, Kuhn, McKinley, George, West and Ravenhill – SPIR has lost over 147 years of departmental a recently taught and popular course can be summarily disesknowledge and teaching experience. tablished while the convening academic is on parental leave is a Given the recent swathe of departures from the School, one deeply troubling proposition. would expect that SPIR would be in the process of seeking to replenish its depleted staff – and they are. Five positions were excused is the apparent lack of effort by SPIR administrators to recently advertised and it is clear that the School is seeking to consult with or even notify SPIR students about the prospective disestablishment of these 11 courses. That SPIR students should be exclusively appoint academics pursuing quantitative approaches – a fact which is evidenced by the selection criteria in the position learning through Woroni – rather than from the School itself – of advertisements. In light of the recent departures, it must be asked courses being targeted for disestablishment more than a month why SPIR administrators appear to have no interest in hiring acaafter the School apparently disestablished them is simply outrademics capable and willing to teach and research critical perspecgeous. Consequently, students must wonder whether or not SPIR tives in politics and international relations. administrators are following due process in disestablishing – or Indeed, a perusal of the courses on offer in the Political Science merely proposing to disestablish – these courses in this authoritarand International Relations majors reveals that there is only a sinian fashion. gle course between both them that focuses on Gender (Dr. Katrina Another aspect that stands out about the disestablished courses and these departures are the important perspectives that have been of courses dealing with the causes and challenges posed by global jettisoned with them. Dr. Rick Kuhn was, and remains, one of climate change – perhaps the most pressing issue facing nations in the 21st Century – let alone a course dealing with the complex brought a unique approach that emphasized the contradictions, enous communities. This, when viewed with the disestablishment paradoxes, inconsistencies and consequences of war, strategy and of recent courses, must provoke students to question whether or politics. not SPIR is becoming a school almost exclusively focused upon These departures bring us to another troubling issue, that is, quantitative and institutional approaches to, and studies of, politics the fact that these are just the latest in a long list of respected
and international relations. Whilst these are just some concerning trends and questions, the substantial changes to the courses on offer in their majors suggests in such matters. Students, however, are not powerless in these situations. Indeed, just last year, speculation that academics in SPIR would be prevented from offering tutorials for later year courses sparked a public dispute between concerned students, staff and administrators of the College of Arts and Social Sciences – the body which governs SPIR. The ANU Education Action Group rallied students in support of academic autonomy and tutorial funding and, by publicly challenging the administrators both in writing and in protest, ultimately led a successful campaign against the cuts to and forced the ANU Chancellery to conduct a formal inquiry into the College. Consequently, I encourage all new and current students in SPIR to make enquiries to the Acting Head of School Ian McAllister (ian.mcallister@anu.edu.au), the Undergraduate Convener Dr. Dean of Education Dr. Royston Gustavson (assocdeaned.cass@ anu.edu.au) to ask them why these courses are being summarily disestablished and why the School has kept its students in the dark about these decisions. Concerned students can also make contact with the ANU Education Action Group either at its stall on Market days at 5pm in the Brian Kenyon Student Space.
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
FEATURES// 12
Puppy love to the rescue of stressed ANU students Sandra Velarde
Sandra Velarde is a PhD candidate at the Crawford School. WHEN I was a little girl, I used to visit my aunties in Lima, Peru, and their dog, “Principe” (Prince), a German Shepherd who was always behind the gate. One day I got too close to him and he bit my hand. After that, every time I heard a dog barking or saw a dog, my heart would pump so hard that I could hear it. “Bit your tongue!” someone told me, dogs will not be able to smell you are nervous. Twenty years later, I moved to a little house in Nairobi, Kenya. It was the perfect abode for me, surrounded by gardens and protected by... four very naughty German Shepherds. I was scared at the beginning, they used to jump on me every
Having dogs around, even if not daily, has been the best way to relax and be in the present throughout my PhD years. morning with their big dirty paws. The oldest of the four, Soja, used to sleep at my door at night. She was a guard dog for the house and she adopted me. I spent so many hours reading out loud Paulo Coelho’s books to her and she would just lie down and listen. She would be there at my door when I was sad or felt lonely, she just looked at me, quietly. I knew I could count on her. A couple of years later I met my husband Pablo in Lima, an amazing down to earth person and a dog trainer. We moved to Canberra so I can study a PhD at the Crawford School at the ANU. While in Kenya, Soja helped me dealing with my fear of dogs. In Canberra, my husband has taught me to relax, to stay calm, to trust dogs and life. After a couple of months I was not worried any more about dogs jumping or misbehaving, I really overcame my fears and became his dog training apprentice.
I have been blessed with the opportunity of being surrounded by dogs for the last three and a half years. Many weekends of training, minding dogs, walking them up and down Mount Majura, taking pictures of them, howling with them at times. So much fun! PhD life went on, hundreds of papers, tens of books, many hours in front of a screen, many ups and downs and frustrations as any other PhD student would have with teaching, marking, the thesis chapters, panel meetings, presentations, came back, there was only one thing that matter: the ball. Dogs have given me so much peace, made me active, up for the morning walk, the afternoon walk, the evening walk. Dogs look at me and ask for the ball, the ball, and the ball please! Carpe diem, that’s it. Rocco, a mongrel like me, is the smartest one; he would even walk on walls for the ball, the precious ball. He has inspired me to be strong and stubborn as I get through the last months of my PhD. I wonder what would have happened to me if I didn’t have dogs around during my PhD. Having dogs around, even if not daily, has been the best way to relax and be in the present throughout my PhD years. Different universities across the developed recognise the calming power of dogs by implementing puppy rooms during exam periods: University of Aberdeen and Saint Andrews in Scotland, Dalhousie, Alberta and Trinity Western in Canada, various US universities. You can even rent a pet at Harvard and Yale for some ‘time alone’. Last year, the Australian National University had a puppy visit from the Australian Capital Territory Rescue and Foster Inc. I was pleased. No doubts playing with a dog is my best stress remedy. What is yours? PS: My husband Pablo and I would be happy to answer any questions about dogs. Contact us through “Pablo’s Dogs - Dog Training Canberra” on Facebook.
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My source of fun during my PhD years, Rocco, the mongrel. Photo by Fuzzy Beast Studio.
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
FEATURES // 13
Carnival Instincts
with his family and meeting lots of people.
Samantha Bradley visits the South Coast’s most popular travelling Carnival and meets the family behind it.
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supporters of the popular “Wharf to Waves” swimming event.
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
FEATURES// 14
Coward punch? Slacktivist Bullshit. Samuel Guthrie KINGS Cross after midnight. You are going to die. In fact, you’d be safer in downtown Alleppo. How do you know this? Well, if you spent even a moment reading any edition of the Sydney Morning Herald over the past two months then you’d know we desperately need a ‘Safer Sydney’. The ex-broadsheet has obsessively stalked the ment into a suite of new legislation and regulations. Caught up in stories of personal grief and righteous outrage, did anyone ever stop to ask what the problem even was to begin with? I would contend that the media and the government missed the point and failed to address the actual problem. So let’s take a look at the problem using evidence rather than sensationalism and promote a ‘Saner Sydney’. Statistics aren’t my favourite thing. They’re cold and sterile, and just like your friend who never laughs, they don’t lie.
Herald swung out at a soft issue, and many others blindly followed. Of course any unnecessary death of an innocent individual is horrible, but isn’t it just as bad if not worse to die on the job? But that would involve reporting complex industry practises and regulations, discussing the economic bogeyman of the moment – unions –, and
crime statistics bureau, issued a mediarelease to counter what they labelled ‘confusion’ in recent media coverage. Their release highlighted a 5% reduction in nondomestic, alcohol-related violent assaults in the suburb of Kings Cross over the last eight years. Huh? A decrease? Could it be that young guys are getting better at punching each other while drunk? According to research published by the National Center for Biotechnology (USA) regarding alcohol related violence in Australia, between 2000 and 2012 there were 90 deaths caused by one punch assaults. In comparison, in the last two years and one month a staggering 406 people have died on the job according to Safe Work Australia. Not only is there no evidence of a spike in alcoholrelated violence, it is actually a statistically
Statistics aren’t my favourite thing. They’re cold and sterile, and just like your friend who never laughs, they don’t lie.
So, what about the alcohol side of this issue? According to the study undertaken by the NCB just over half (49) of the 90 one punch deaths involved an assailant intoxicated by alcohol, while a further 13 involved the use of illicit substances. At the very least one could claim that alcohol is a saults. However, if the argument sustained by the media even had a leg to stand on still, then the next statistic will do away with that. Last year the Australian Bureau of Statistics illustrated that total alcohol consumption is down since the mid-00s and over 20% per capita than it was in the early 1970s. Neither violence nor drinking has spiked recently, so what the hell is this all about!? Struggling in a rapidly changing information and news environment, the
climate: ‘Remember boys, we’re open for business!’ It’s much easier to shift papers when you can write about some drunk tradie who belted an innocent kid out on the town. Dragging the families of Thomas Kelly and Daniel Christie through the mire of a legal misunderstanding doesn’t offer them anything. Not only won’t their assailants face the court under the new legislation, but also by forcing the hand of the and unjust outcomes in the courts are as-
sured. Of those 90 previous one punch assault deaths 26 involved entirely sober individuals, how many will suffer in the face of new mandatory sentencing laws? What we have is not a solution to our problem, but a simplistic solution to a problem we were told we had, neatly packaged in a sixteen-point-plan. There are two separate problems; one is alcohol’s role in Australian society and the other is the inter-relationship between violence and masculinity. We need concerted attention and leadership on these societal rence or quasi-Prohibition. The necessary approach is a long term one, based on a socio-legal framework where the goals are fundamental changes to society; that is, a new relationship to alcohol, and a greater degree of understanding and education regarding Australian masculinity. So pervasive are these problems that most of us can freely admit to at least one or the other and I know for certain that I along with many others have a poor attitude towards alcohol. Change can be achieved, however, but it needs to be a greater one than a newspaper competition or an online petition, but in these doldrum days of slacktivism and half-hearted social outrage, what’s the chance of anything happening?
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
Why don’t we care?
FEATURES // 15
‘We have barely batted an eyelid over these recent government actions, and the government has us exactly where it wants us: in comfortable apathy, occasionally liking a group on Facebook, sharing the rare post from left-wing media and putting our names down on virtual petitions that don’t affect politicians in the slightest.’ Sienna Lake IN the past, wars, injustice and environmental disasters spurred generations into action. The Vietnam War protests, the Civil Rights movement and the anti-whaling movement are all strong examples of large groups of young people mobilising for issues they cared about. However, I think it’s fair to say that our generation has much cebook – may be to blame. Instead of scrolling through the daily news or using our internet or phone data to educate ourselves and gently scrolling through our Newsfeed, hooked on the lives of our ‘friends’, many of whom we probably haven’t spoken to in years. More information is available in the world than ever before, yet we seem to be obsessed with letting our brain cells rot as we currently sitting in or taking a look at what’s actually going on away from the screen. And there’s no better time than the present to start examining the world we live in, as developments that we should not agree with are taking place right in front of our closed eyes. Last year, the Abbott government cut spending to tertiary education, the disability ministry and foreign aid. We no longer have a minister for science. The minister for women, Mr Abbott himself, is surely a joke. 14,000 government jobs have been cut, heavily impacting indigenous and graduate recruitment, for which many ANU students were hoping to apply. Recently, the ABC network has come under harsh criticism from Mr Abbott for not being on Australia’s ‘side’. This coming from the same man who said in March 2013 ‘The important thing is to have a robust free press … and if a certain amount of that involves being disrespectful towards the authority, so be it.’ (Well spoken Mr Abbott, we couldn’t agree with you more.) We have barely batted an eyelid over these recent government actions, and the government has us exactly where it wants us: in sharing the rare post from left-wing media and putting our names down on virtual petitions that don’t affect politicians in the slightest. Unfortunately, it’s time to admit to ourselves: NOTHING IS CHANGING. The spell that social media has cast over us, and has us obsessed with what our acquaintances have been eating or wearing, is dangerous. We can now communicate with almost everyone we know, anywhere in the world, from the comfort of our bed. So why would we possibly want to get up, get dressed and go out to stand up for something? One huge factor in our apparent inability to act or care, especially in the international sphere, perhaps arises from the fact that these days we are constantly subjected to – and are aware of – the horrors that occur in our world to such an extent that we become overwhelmed. Subsequently, we shut off, leading to a pervasive desensitisation towards the tragedies that fall upon those that aren’t Every night, for almost three years now, the Syrian Civil War has appeared on the news. We know about the 1.8 million refugees the government and we recognise President Bashar al-Asaad’s photo, we may even follow him on Instagram (syrianpresidency). Yet, these images of the Syrian people, covered in dust and blood, surrounded by skeletons of buildings that used to be their city, have become faceless and even, dare I say it, ‘old news’. We seem to be incapable of empathising with our fellow human beings, despite being more connected to them than before thanks to the forces of globalisation. Our fellow ‘global villagers’ are left in limbo and forgotten as other stories overtake them on the six o’clock news. Their horrible experiences take place in a completely different world to ours, one in which ‘goodies and baddies,’ as our Prime Minister described it, are left to sort out their own Perhaps that’s the crux of the issue: we cannot empathise because it’s all so alien. But there could be another reason, one that makes us the ‘baddies’ in this situation: we don’t want to care. Looking at horrible war-torn images is hard, and if you let it, it stirs up emotions that make us, simply put, angry and sad. Isn’t it so much easier to base all of our news around people that come from the same socio-economic background as us so that we have a shared understanding of how our world works? Isn’t it 100
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Before we set out trying to tackle these huge problems, we need to look at changing our own attitudes and realising our own potential. policies on marriage equality, asylum seekers, tertiary education, women, taxation, foreign aid, welfare, climate change, equal work for equal pay, indigenous communities, Australians suffering from disabilities, media control, or the decision to not bail out SPC-Ardmona (Australia’s last fruit-packaging company that brings you those delicious Goulburn Valley fruit cups), keep reading. On the 17th of March, we have a chance to voice our discontent. to 3.7 million people in need of food, to the 4 million people disThe March in March is a protest movement happening all around placed in the Philippines following a massive typhoon in November, to the 14,415 asylum seekers that arrived in Australia last year. Australia, ending in Canberra on Monday March 17th at Parliament House. It’s marketed as ‘Australians uniting for a better These human beings are the victims of a world lottery. They were not born in the Western world, and worse, the majority of the ment’. Western world doesn’t even know they exist. Our daily trials and It’s time to show the government, and ourselves, that we are tribulations consist of academic deadlines, alcohol consumption and time management of work and study. We’ve become lazy in front of us, like a dummy used to quiet a crying baby, instead of our comfort zones, and often learning about new issues that crop World guilt as you scroll down through edited photos and pointless statuses? Maybe it’s time to stop being comfortable. Maybe it’s time to stop ignoring the plight of millions of humans from all around the world. The Syrian War is just one example; there are hundreds
human instincts and block out those damned feelings. Before we set out trying to tackle these huge problems, we need to look at changing our own attitudes and realising our own potential. We need to start caring about something, and where better to start than something that directly affects us, that we should theoretically have a say in, and that represents us on an international level: our Government’s policies. If you have ever felt betrayed and angered by the Government’s
country, and we have loud voices. I dare you to show up on the marriage equality and women’s rights. I dare you to get out of bed maybe, you can make a difference (or at least give Tony a bit of a headache and a bad day). It’s time to start caring.
This event is FREE, but for catering purposes please register your attendance at https://parsamorningtea.eventbrite.com.au.
This is a great way to kick off your O-Week, orient yourself on the ANU campus, meet other new postgraduate students, and get some advice about settling into the ANU.
facebook.com/PARSAANU
If you have any queries about the event, please contact your PARSA Social Officer, Laura Parker, at parsa.social@anu.edu.au.
The BBQ is hosted by PARSA Council members, and is a great opportunity to meet new and current ANU Postgraduate Students! Nearby we will also have face-painting, for the young and the young at heart, as well as a jumping castle strictly for the kids.
While FREE this tour is really popular, so please don't forget to RSVP at http://parsascenictour.eventbrite.com.au, so we have enough busses. Don't forget to bring your cameras!
Open to all students, the Bus will stop at key locations around Canberra, such as the Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House, for 10-15 minutes.
Whether you are new to Canberra and would like to see the sights, or, have lived in Canberra for some time and have never found the time – on Friday the 14th February from 10am to 12pm the Postgraduate and Research Student Association will take you on a FREE Scenic Tour of Canberra.
Date: Friday 14th February Time: 10am – 12pm Departure: ANU Burton & Garran Hall bus stop, Daley rd @10am
Canberra Scenic Tour
CANBERRA TOUR
mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/parsanews
If you have any queries about the event, please contact your PARSA Social Officer, Laura Parker, at parsa.social@anu.edu.au
For catering purposes please RSVP at http://parsabbq.eventbrite.com.au! Halal, gluten free and vegetarian options will be available. As an added bonus, Market Day will be taking place in University Avenue if people want to sign up to any of ANU's Clubs and Societies.
twitter.com/PARSAANU
MONDAY
We would like to invite all ANU Postgraduate Students, as well as Undergraduate Students with families, to our FREE Barbecue on Fellows Oval (next to the Chifley Library) on Wednesday 12th February at 12pm.
Date: Wednesday 12th February Time: 12pm – 2pm Location: Fellows Oval (next to the Chifley Library)
Date: Monday 10th February Time: 10am - 12pm Venue: Teatro Vivaldi's, University Avenue
WEDNESDAY
To welcome all the new Masters and PhD students to the Australian National University (ANU), the Postgraduate and Research Students Association (PARSA) would like to invite all new postgraduate students to a Welcome Morning Tea at Teatro Vivaldi's on Monday the 10th February from 10am - 12pm.
Welcome BBQ for Postgraduate Students & ANU Postgraduate students with Families
WELCOME BBQ
Welcome Morning Tea for New Postgraduate Students
MORNING TEA
4 1 0 2 k e e W ‘O’
For catering purposes please RSVP at http://parsacocktaildrinks.eventbrite.com.au
The Postgraduate and Research Students Association (PARSA) would like to welcome all new and returning Postgraduate Students to a Party to celebrate the beginning of the year on Friday the 14th February, from 5pm to 7pm at University House.
Date: Friday 14th February Time: 5pm to 7pm Location: The Drawing Room, University House
Postgraduate Cocktail Party
COCKTAIL PARTY
ook b e Fac ter the n o SA nd en free R A a P a Like SAANU to WIN rftrip R n Su @PA petitio Beach 14 com to our arch 20 et tick on 1st M
FRIDAY
PARSA
FRIDAY
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University: A How-To Guide!
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
FOCUS// 18
Make law school a breeze with this one weird trick...
Mark Fabian overwhelmed by the reading load, the wankers
ing the fundamentals of the course – all the stuff that makes you employable – while the law library crowd try desperately to cram in one more reference to an esoteric judgement they came across in
Now please note, don’t go getting that summary when the exam period starts – that’s a little too close for comfort. Grab it at the start of semester from one of those latter year students who haven’t heard of strategic studying (do thank them properly for it – they are doing you an enormous service). Lectures aren’t very important, but tutorials are. Your summary will allow you to ace them without having to churn through pages of obit and hours of lecturer blather. Will this technique get you a high distinction? Hell no! Didn’t you hear? The law school bell curve is vicious – only 2 per cent of students get a high distinction. For that you need to become The problem lies in the sysone of those creepers who hide books in the law tem, in the “transmission of library to get an edge over the competition. But the law school is bound by the same defacts” style of education that mand-driven funding model as the rest of the university – the more fails, the less dollars in is forced upon us. school pockets. So the credit zone of the curve is mighty fat. Snuggle into that curve and sleep right through your 9am lecture. Your summary will tell really need is a good summary. Now it won’t do you everything you need to know. to get a perfect summary, because those are usually very short and to the point. What you need is The author blogs at markfabian.blogspot.com a diligent summary—something that summarises all the course material into 100 pages or so. You then take this gorgeous summary and turn it ing machine for the exam. In the process, you’ll learn all the important stuff. In the exam, you will get the cheap marks that come from knowoverexcited lecturers, the pyjama wearing Ja’mie impersonators, or the fact that law is dry, boring and just plain sucks? Well don’t worry, with this one weird old tip you’ll be coasting to credits in no time. Throw away the reading brick, the lecture recordings, the textbook and tell all the overenthusiastic law nerds to go back to the library, because all you need to do is get someone else’s summary.
Photo by Ojie Paloma
Make University your Happy Place Ben Gill UNIVERSITY is for many a new stage in life, whether it is the new found independence from moving away from home or the change to being a self-directed learner, knowing that not all classes are compulsory.
It is said that the pursuit of happiness is the source of all unhappiness. If you get to a point where you don’t like what you are studying or where it is taking you don’t be afraid to change.
Your experience at university is a time to experiment, to stretch your comfort zone, to learn to think critically. It is also an opportunity to learn about yourself, who you are and what you want out of life. Entering my 5th year of what was supposed to be a 4-year degree, there are some lessons I have learnt along the way, which may help you with your journey. 1. Don’t compare yourself with others It’s understandable why we compare ourselves
with others; I mean, in many cases our high school experiences are founded on competition. However, as you enter university this idea of competition is no longer necessary and certainly not useful. Your university experience is just that, yours. If you consider the bigger picture in regards to went to school, socio-economic background, support networks etc. you realise that, after all, it is just a number. Your peers that surround you got into the same degree, and are just as capable. It also works in reverse to remind yourself during hard times, that you are just as capable as everyone else. 2. Introduce yourself and ask for help It is strange coming from high school where the teacher calls the role and they at least have a vague sense of who you are, to be sitting in a lecture theatre of over 300 students, and knowing the lecturer hasn’t the faintest idea of your existence. From my experience, introducing yourself to your lecturers and tutors is worthwhile. By making this extra effort and developing a rapport you terial from a sense of accountability, and if you ever need help it goes a long way if they can put a face to your name. Your lecturers and tutors are some of Australia’s and the World’s leading researchers on their topics and, at least from my experience, love to chat about it. You can learn so much from infor-
mal chats and often hear about great opportunities before everyone else. So bottom line, don’t forget they are a valuable resource and generally pretty friendly people. 3. Get involved Now you may have no idea what it is you want to do with your life, or, at the other end of the spectrum, have such a clear vision that you’ve got your 5 and 10 yr plan sorted. In either case, my advice is to get involved in campus life as much as you can. Now, this doesn’t mean going to all the parties and drinking or for-
time you took time for yourself, not just happened to be alone because your friends were busy but planned time for you? With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s almost too easy to lose sight of yourself, but it is in this ‘quiet time’ that you can begin to truly understand yourself. Learning to take time for myself has been a journey rather than just a mindful action. Having worked myself to the point of burnout I can now fully appreciate the value this time has for me. It
like the direction my degree was taking me, and, found the courage to change. can channel your efforts with others, to create It is important to note this is a skill just as much some wonderful things. as a habit, and, while it can be useful if you do it You can meet so many interesting people from outside of your own degree and hear perspec- a consistent practice. For me this time is spent tives from other disciplines. After all, university journaling, for others it may be meditation, drawis place of knowledge exchange so with an open ing, walking or whatever allows you to be present mind you will be amazed from what you can learn in the moment. and what others can learn from you. 5. Don’t be afraid to change It is said that the pursuit of happiness is the Getting involved allows you to broaden your degree beyond what coursework can offer you. It source of all unhappiness. If you get to a point also helps in future interviews to have some lead- where you don’t like what you are studying or ership of community involvement projects to talk where it is taking you don’t be afraid to change. about too. Changing your degree is more common than you would think, and, while it may lengthen your deWe are constantly on the move, going from one gree, being happy in the present is what everyone task to the next and stopping only to sleep. Ask deserves. yourself when was the last time you stopped and were present in the moment? When was the last
Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
FOCUS// 19
How to seduce your tutor
Gary Leigh BESIDES writing “love you” on your eye lids and blinking at your tutor excessively, or fantasising about smashing through the glass attached to a helicopter quick repell rope like a special forces soldier, saving her from an ambush of crappy tutorial excuses, there’s a lot of practical steps you can take to seduce your tutor in this how to guide. The following advice is for “educational” purposes only and can apply anyone. Unbeknownest to us, and usually our prey, we excude a presence, and usually the seductee is quick to form a judgement. This judgement is usually tri-fold; a delicate fusion of ethics, expecations and experience. It’s your job, as the fresh meat, to break through these barriers. But don’t worry, barriers are proven to enhance sexual tension, which will work to your advantage. The entire aim here is to get your tutor to emotionally invest in you. You need to engage their imagination, feelings, and, sexual desires. Not only this, you have to do so in a way which is a crafty and non-forced, a natural expression of love. AKA no sliding hundred dollar bills under their door. As for the steps...
Step 1: Don’t take any chances, if you havn’t already, always dress to sexually impress. Do yourself up good. Utilise all the senses.
It’s your job, as the fresh meat, to break through these barriers. But don’t worry, barriers are proven to enhance sexual tension, which will work to your advantage.
Step 2: sexual orientation. Evaluate how “nice” they are to you. Step 3: them, inject yourself into their after hours time, consultation times and class times. Step 4: Once your tutor has a feel for you, withdraw. Classic hot and cold. If you’ve gotten this far, you are stirring their emotions, time to stir the other way, if you’ve gotten here by being nice, be bad, if you’ve been bad, be nice. Puzzle
and dazzle them. Step 5: Sex and hooking up only happens in a place of relative safety and comfort, so take that into consideration. Whomever has the dominant lead in this budding relationship will have to make the move. is involving sex in a conversation acceptably. Use barriers to test the waters for potency. Build a rapport: this is getting them to like you. However, limit and enhance every face to face interaction you have; manipulate and capitalise on intimate solitary moments. Remember, whomever has the least ethical objection will have to take the lead. However, you should ensure you never do the following... Communicate excessively over e-mail, facebook or wattle messages; communication devices are for setting dates. Find a way to get face time, and not apple face time either. Or get caught. If you are caught, pronounce it, withdraw, and watch how as it now becomes clear; the tutor is forced to process and potentially become stimulated at the prospect. Don’t become too available or too obvious in your interest: push and pull, be hot and cold. Especially don’t get their contact details under some ruse: make
it clear that you want their details to spend out of class time with them. Don’t think becaue the tutors e-mail is in the course guide that you’re gonna score. of cup of tea your tutor likes, you can take that on board in your plotting. Also, don’t forget that no one ever bored their tutor into sleeping with them, or through being a little try hard. One of two things will happen: you’re tutor will the faculty will hear of your exploits and you’ll Either way, tutors are no different from anyone else, don’t pedistalise them, they arn’t big game. Remember, the real catch is you, use this as an excercise to practice your seductive potenecy. As, sooner or later, you will come across some one who really takes your breath away, and, will you be ready?
d t e t u
a g w t
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How to handle rejection
t
e tGary
Leigh
.IF you are seriously consulting this how-to u out there, and that takes guts. However, your attempts at a relationship may have come to a close. Whether you’ve been dating for a few months or a year, walked up to a person and said you’re piece only to be shutdown, ‘or your hooking up spree has run its course. Here are the best tips I can offer you to handle rejection. I call this course, REJ1001: Handling Rejection (From your tutor or anybody). Now, for our Learning Outcomes. Upon successful completion of this how-to, students should be able to: (1) realise validation and completion are things which come from within; (2) critically evaluate where they may have spoiled attraction and remedy this for the next time; (3) understand the common methodologies employed to reject people and why they are used; And, (4) demonstrate an enhanced ability that there are many great loves in life and many, And for some Indicative Assessment: (1) put
yourself out there; (2) get rejected; and, (3) feel self pity and never leave your dorm room (Not really. Don’t do this. ). Our Workload: just this how-to Fees: the agony of rejection. No, not really,
No matter what stage you are in a relationship, you need to be responsible for yourself. You can’t, rely on approval, validation, compliments or fulfillment from another person. being rejected is a natural human fear and experience. It should never be taken overly personally. of themselves. Now, explaining the learning outcomes... 1. Validation and completion. No matter what stage you are in a relationship, you need to be responsible for yourself. You can’t, rely on ap-
from another person. 2. When you critically evaluate where you may have fucked things up, it’s important not to be critical of yourself. Your aim here is to not smash yourself into the pavement with the tremendous weight of failure, but to come to understand that work, or rattling off meme’s not stop doesn’t either. If you have no idea what you’re doing, reach out and ask for help. 3. There are endless ways people can get rejected throughout particular stages of a relationship. For initial contact, it’s generally just pisspoor timing nothing more, nothing less. For the casual hook-up who unexpectedly turned cold, it’s most likely because of simple economics; too much supply lowers demand. For the budding relationship, you’re probably moving too fast. Finally, for the enduring relationship, you may have stopped trying to make your partner fall in love with you over and over again. Most times, rejection occurs when there is not enough initial attraction. There’s just not that into you. It might suck, but you’ll live mate. When attraction is high then begins to wane, you have to be on the ball and pay attention to build that
attraction level up before it plummets too far. The key thing to remember is to not take rejection too personally: pat yourself on the back, you had a 4. Finally, this is when you spread your wings and soar high over the Savannah, seeing that there is endless opportunity for dating, sex and relationships. At this point, you don’t care if it who is really right for you, someone you have chemistry with, but you never turn down a chance to brush up your skills. When the stakes are high, you learn the most valuable lessons; about life and yourself.
Gary Leigh is also a relationship columnist in Woroni’s Life & Style column.
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
FOCUS// 20
How to survive O Week as a Post-grad? for wine. It might be insensitive of me to say this, but I really do not think it is possible to Deputy Editor in Chief be lonely as you settle in to ANU unless you choose to be, because there are so many difTHIS will be my fifth O Week at ANU and ferent groups trying to recruit new members every year has been a really different experiand in most cases they are free or require a ence. When I first came here in 2010 as a small amount to join. During Market Day first year postgrad I told myself that I was (Wednesday of O Week) there are hundreds too old to go to O Week parties and, instead, of stalls on University Avenue and in the should probably accept that fact that O Week Union Court and this is the best time to sign was mainly for undergrads. What actually up for any groups you might be interested happened was that I met a few mates at an in. At the very least come and meet the induction session for my college and before Woroni crew and sign up to get involved in I knew it we were going to different events the paper, or with our radio crew, or with our every day, and I’ll admit that we gatephotography and video team. crashed a few undergrad parties too (in fact, If you live on campus, I recommend that you go to the events hosted by your hall/ PARSA, the student associa- lodge/college as they are often commented on as the best activities for new students tion for postgrads, will host to ANU. It is also the time to start to build a number of events during friendships with people you will be living with for the year because there will probthe week and they will be ably times in the winter when Canberra is so advertised around campus cold that you will probably just want to stay inside all day and it is days like that when and also here in Woroni. the friendships you built during O Week will help keep you sane (and fed – especially if you are sick). Canberra is a great city but winter is usually quite grey and dull and so I’m in my late 20s now and I still do!). having an appreciation for where you live Whatever your interests, there is usually and who you live with can help you to get something happening that caters for your through. needs. If you are interested in the outdoors, PARSA, the student association for postANU has all sorts of clubs and societies that grads, will host a number of events during are keen for new members – from the ANU the week and they will be advertised around Sailing Club to the Bushwalking group, the campus and also here in Woroni. I recomANU Skydiving club to the new and excitmend going to the BBQ (Wednesday 12 – ing club for honey and bee enthusiasts, the 2pm) or the Cocktail Party (Friday 5 – 7pm) ANU Apiculture Society. For those of you as these are great opportunities to meet loads who are not outdoorsy, we have groups such of people, some who are new and others who as the Bridge Club, the Wargaming Society have been at ANU for years. PARSA does a and a recently launched Wine Society, which great job of supporting postgrads to settle I can personally guarantee is a great club to in and they are always open to ideas and get involved with if you have an appreciation feedback
Areti Metuamate
Key tips: Spend some time at University House, either sitting in the garden or at Fellows Bar Get a copy of the Postgraduate Survival Guide 2014 – lots of useful info for new postgrads Try to go along to PARSA events and meet other postgrads Go to Market Day (Wednesday of O Week) and check out the various clubs and societies If all else fails, pretend you are an undergrad and gate-crash their parties!
Photo by Through Painted Eyes
WORONI ’S O-WEEK LAUNC H PARTY
6 FW Z J X I F !UR6YT6#UR
FOCUS// 21
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
Ten Things You Must Do After Arriving How to at ANU keep your cash dollar$ Linda Ma
Elena Tjandra Print Editor days of O-week. So you’re probably going to blow the rest at the Friday night party because $2 drinks #whatup. Stop nodding along in selfpity. Here’s how you’re going to manage this year: 1. Be smart about your alcohol. Pre-drink. Buy cases over 6-packs. Go to Aldi and buy the $3 wine. Worried you’ll be too sloshed that you can’t go out? You’re the one that’s winning when you avoid extra drink costs and cover charges. 2. Student space condoms. There’s no shame in taking a hand-full or two. If anyone is silly enough to look down on you for having protected sex, they’re probably not getting any. 3. Consider your O-Week vouchers carefully. While $10 cocktails at Knightsbridge are awesome, you’re being ripped off when a 10-pack gym deal is $150 and a casual session is $12.
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...you will doubtless be burdened with unbearable regret at the end of your years here...
IMPENDING grief sharpens the mind, so to speak. Being rent asunder from Canberra has induced terrible pangs and pains of many sorts. Leaving ANU has come with intense withdrawal symptoms. I am emotionally preparing myself reality of my departure will be most apparent. Facebook statuses of old college friends seeing each other after the long summer. Debauched getting into uni life and having fun (how dare they!) This torrent of emotions has spurred my reminiscing of the things I loved best at ANU. If readers will excuse my lapse into heightened nostalgia, here is my abridged list of advice for some point in your uni lives. Otherwise, you will doubtless be burdened with unbearable regret at the end of your years here, to go with your burgeoning student debt. 1. Fight for student representation. Of course, there’s student elections aplenty for the ambitious, sweet-talking, wheelers and dealers among us. But even if you hate politics (Why are you in Canberra?) and strategically plan your bike commutes to avoid Union Court during election weeks, even if you cast your eyes down when you run into a hack in your college’s dining hall -- you can still have your voice heard by the university’s decision-makers. Attend rallies for university funding. Put your hand up to your college’s student society. Attend a consultation forum. Things will only improve if students
let them know we have a problem. 2. Travel to represent ANU. If you’re a keen karate expert or a lacklustre lacrosse player; if you’re a deadly debater or a middling MUN-er, seize the opportunity. You could represent our university in exotic locales ranging from New York to the Gold Coast to Wollongong. You’ll make us proud with your talent and prowess, or if that fails, you can at least swoon as you cast your eyes over the sexy competition. You might even be able to get some use out of your SSAF contribution with a grant from ANUSA’s Student Extracurricular Enrichment Fund (SEEF) to help you out with costs. 3. Pay a visit to the Careers Centre. I really regret not doing this in my time at ANU. I hear they can set you up with great information and give you interview skills and resume preparation. You can also sign up for the Casual
Ask yourself if you’re spending a voucher because you always wanted to visit that restaurant in Gunghalin... 4. Tell your friends that university is about opening your mind and experimenting with values.
Canberra’s bike paths rather than getting the bus. 5. Become Canberra-literate. People talk about the ‘Civic bubble’ and when you live on-campus, it’s easy to believe that Canberra merely constitutes about 4000 university students living in a universe unto themselves with Mooseheads, Transit Bar and Supabarn tacked on at the margins. If you believe that, you’re always going to feel a little claustrophobic here. This is a beautiful, diverse city which you should make the most of. If you’re from interstate, get into the Canberra spirit! Go to UC (cue horror) to see a gig. Buy some limemy tastebuds to this.) Visit the EPIC farmers’ markets in Exhibition Park and the Old Bus Depot markets in Kingston. While you’re there, Brodburger. People would do criminal things for
to NightFest at Floriade. See the city’s cultural institutions at night during Enlighten Canberra. Heaven forbid, even go to Parliament House and witness Question Time. I hear this city is kind of famous for that. There’s no excuse not to when you’re at 6. Become a Woroni news reporter. ANU. There’s lush grounds, fresh air and They say it makes you constantly frustrated at campus is proximate to intense training runs like the university administration, a sucker for a good Black Mountain. ANU Gym has cheap member- looking press release and hated by partisans ships if you’re willing to get up and work out across the spectrum of university politics. But someone’s got to keep the lot of you to account. trail that runs along the lake, Liversidge Ave, and Sullivan’s Creek. Even your commute from get in contact with the editors. that need doing around campus. You get paid well and best of all, you don’t have to go very far for them!
saving the high costs of meat. 5. Milk crates- the quintessential student item. Use them for extra seating, shelves, a bed base, and bike basket. Pick them up outside any servo and shopping centre and along Northbourne (but don’t pick up the crate at the Barry drive lights. That one belongs to the windowwashing guy). 6. Take the toilet rolls... and whatever else your parents try to force on you as you start or return to university. 7. Don’t, I repeat, DON’T sign up for loyalty cards or services such as Living Social or GroupOn. ‘But look how much I’ll save!’ I hear you protest. Ask yourself if you’re spending a voucher because you always wanted to visit that restaurant in Gunghalin or if you were genuinely intrigued by the 10-speed shaver with bonus mini-epilator; or if you were dazzled by the savings. It’s cheaper to not-spend, than to save. usual to make lunch. earlier. You could be saving $8 a day by preplanning. That’s $18 bottles of Aldi wine per week. 9. Go clothes (/furniture/crockery/book) shopping at charity stores. Your peers will probably understand you’re embracing student living by op shopping. You can tell employers, lecturers and parents you’re channeling bohemian chic if they question it. 10. Two-for-one Thai at Thrive on Mondays and Tuesdays.
LIFE & STYLE//22 Prof. Love (AKA Gary Leigh) Each edition Prof. Love will seek to answer your questions on tahe discipline of romance.
WITH Valentines Day fast approaching, most people fall into a couple of different camps; some of us might be happily shacked up, others might be desperately single, some might be in the early stages of blossoming into a relationship or, in some instances, on the verge of ejecting the important thing is to ensure that you stay true to your self and maintain the values that are important to you. Prof. Love, I’m desperately pining after this woman and I think she is stunning in every way. What should I do, I’ve done the following but nothing seems to be working, with Valentines Day fast approaching how should I advance Professor? Some background info: she’s just graduated and is starting her medical internship. I’ve done everything I can, by planting myself in her environment; for example, I’ve spoken to her father (I’m old fashioned) and even tried to integrate into the social hangouts which she haunts too. In a last ditch effort, I ended up buying her a really expensive stethoscope, which cost about 500 dollars. I gave it too her and didn’t get much of
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
LOVE3001: Class in Session
a reaction, although I did box it up with a pretty ribbon and gave it to her at a family gathering. I’m a bit older than her and one night we ended up walking alone together near the water, which was really nice and we got to talk a lot. She ended up telling me she wasn’t interested in anything, but I’ve got a feeling I can win her over, especially with Valentines Day coming up, especially since I have given her this present too. So Prof, what do you think I should do for her this Valentines Day? Answer: You should advance by walking away until she reaches out to you. At this stage, I am sure that many of our readers would be shouting all sorts of things about where you took a mis-step in this situation. But rather than cut you down, I will give you a bit of a working template which I think you should use. Step 1: out what she is going to do with the gift you gave her, I think this will set the tone for the future of your interactions together. Step 2: Since she has already told you that she isn’t looking for anything, the answer to “maybe she’s playing games” or, “she’ll warm up to me” will become clear once you remove yourself
...clearly the impression she currently has of you isn’t giving her the hots. from supply. Meaning, if she doesn’t reach out to you when you walk away, then, she really meant what she said. Also, don’t go blowing up her phone or sending her stuff on facebook, hang off for a good while at least. Step 3: No matter what ends up happening on Valentines Day, meaning, if you get a date or don’t, I’d advise going for the long haul with this one, if you really want her. Spend time on yourself and try to understand what she might want in a long term guy, because clearly the
impression she currently has of you isn’t giving her the hots. If you are looking for a time limit, then I suggest waiting till she reaches out to you my good friend. Grade: I think I’ll give you an extension before we talk about grades. my opening statement about everyone in each others respective boats, (you can take that two ways if you like) and staying true to yourself. If you are shacked up, take the lead and give your special someone a time to remember and throw in some sort of unexpected surprise. For those of
you who might be sensing a break up or might be in the process of one, well if the heartache doesn’t get you the irony will, carry on my way’ward son’s (or daughters). Finally, if you are single, don’t despair, you might catch a rebound around this time (if you’re into that). The most important thing whether you are single or you care about some love, or at the very least, indulge in some self love.
All the Single Ladies: A Guide to Valentines Day Ellen Trevanion lays-out her Single Girl’s guide to Valentines Day. One of the most ridiulous celebrations known to humanity at large. Ellen Trevanion IT’s a day some of us hate or love to hate. It’s a day some people look forward to and some boyfriends wish they could forget. Valentines Day as a celebration of love has an uncertain origin but there is nothing uncertain about its current state as a commercialised glitterfest characterised by
Remember that being in love with someone with all their complexity, perversity and mile of excess baggage is a beautiful thing.
fee people watching and making snide comments about passers-by. 2. Denial “It’s not Valentines Day. It’s not Valentines Day. It is not Valentines Day.”. Now repeat after me… 3. Going out and getting smashed cause “why not” Not the most productive and certainly not the healthiest, this option is possibly not conducive to maintaining your dignity either. Of course, there are many different ways this kind of evening can go and as long as it doesn’t start in UniPub drinking vodka raspberries wearing a red dress and end with some random guy trying to drag you into a taxi, it might be alright. 4. Booty Call You know what? Good for you! 5. Hot bath and mud mask So what, no one spooned you last night and ineptly prepared a breakfast in bed. There was no coffee date, lunch or dinner and no one gave you
the cheek when you come home or watch your back in the mosh pit at the concert. You’ve got a bath, lavender oil and a chocolate mud mask, a book and a glass of wine. Maybe you’ve even got some scented candles. Put your feet up, open sales on chocolates at supermarkets. up that book and get lost in those pages. Wander As you can probably guess by my slightly streets you’ve never trod and look at constelembittered, cynical tone, I am one of the many lations alien to our skies. Come to understand - someone better than you understand yourself ers, breakfast in bed and sex that feels ever so and realise that you are far more complex and slightly obligatory. I am pleased to say, however, that there are several tried and true strategies for dealing with the ever so slightly sickening sight in love with someone with all their complexity, of THAT friend with THAT boyfriend. perversity and mile of excess baggage is a beauti1. The friend date ful thing. Be happy that some of your friends You get all your unattached friends together have that. And above all, remind yourself that and have lunch, dinner or anything other than being alone with yourself tonight is better than other. The best part about this strategy is, of course, that you and your friends can spend cof-
being in the arms of someone who doesn’t know what you are.
LIFE & STYLE// 23
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
A Single Man Alex Bell-Rowe Alex Bell-Rowe is Single. Sometimes this makes him sad (Valentines Day). Most of the time he just proceeds without caution. *ding* *ding* *ding* Is that it?…YES!! FIN-A-FUCKING-LY! ‘Congratulations you have a new match on Tinder’. Alright, what should I say? ‘Hey, how is it going?’
‘Hey, how has your Tuesday been?’ No,
‘Hey, have I seen you before? I think we had that tute or we met that one time at that party with that person who did that thing and you told me that thing about the person with the other thing and the thing’s dog?’
‘Hey, how has your day bene?’ endearing?
Friday the 14th means to me.
pling loneliness. -
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Treasures of the ANU Library
ANU School of Art Gallery
Menzies Library Foyer, McDonald Pl Open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday anulib.anu.edu.au/events
Open 10.30am-5pm, Tuesday to Friday & 12-5pm, Saturday bit.ly/1fVhUKL
A film by Kon Satoshi
Academic advice session
Perspectives on print media and climate change in Australia
Theatre 1, Hedley Bull Centre, cnr Garran and Fellows Rd bit.ly/1e1PqMb
Main Room, Melville Hall, Ellery Cres bit.ly/1ly3AP3
Desley Rogers, ANU
Saturday 22 February, 7pm
Friday 14 February, 12pm
Thursday 13 February, 5.30pm
Operation Sovereign Borders: Charting the legal issues Professor Donald R Rothwell, ANU Law Theatre, ANU College of Law, Fellows Rd bit.ly/1iohgHH Thursday 13 February, 6pm
An evening with the first Australian in space Dr Paul Scully-Power AM The Finkel Lecture Theatre, JCSMR, Garran Rd bit.ly/1bzSlf8 Friday 14 February, 5.30pm Friday 14 February, 4.30pm
Thurs 20 February – Sun 6 April
Violence against women: Solutions for the future
Illumination: The art of Philip Wolfhagen
The Hon. Justice Richard Refshauge & others
Drill Hall Gallery
Haydon-Allen Lecture Theatre (the Tank), Copland Courtyard bit.ly/Lc48sZ
Kingsley St Open 12-5pm, Wednesday to Sunday dhg.anu.edu.au
Thursday 13 February, 11am-2pm
Thursday 13 February, 1pm
Fenner Seminar Room, Frank Fenner Building, Linnaeus Way bit.ly/1kIZujt Now until 15 February
Friday 21 February, 5pm
Paranoia Agent
US fiscal crises: What can Australia learn? G Edward DeSeve, Brookings Institution Molonglo Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lennox Crossing bit.ly/1fJdRCk Wednesday 19 February, 4pm
The world of poetry Maureen Burdett, poet and author Molony Room, ANU Emeritus Faculty, 24 Balmain Cres anu.edu.au/emeritus
Captain Phillips Presented by the ANU Film Group Coombs Theatre, cnr Fellows and Garran Rd Admission charges apply anufg.org.au
Conferences/ Workshops Thursday 13 February, 11.30am
Pro Tools music workshop Computer Lab, ANU School of Music, William Herbert Pl bit.ly/1fyowyi Friday 21 February, 2pm – Saturday 22 February, 12.30pm
Australian Election Study Workshop Common Room, University House, Balmain Cres bit.ly/1e1PzPA
Other Thursday 13 February, 11am-2pm
The need to invest in babies: Australian launch of global report Parliament House bit.ly/1bzRbjQ
Canberra scenic tour Meet out the front of Burton and Garran Hall bit.ly/1iokxqz Friday 14 February, 12pm
V Day Uprising @ ANU Includes performance by Canberra School of Bollywood Dancing. Union Court bit.ly/1emfibL
Contact details & information Need directions? campusmap.anu.edu.au Sign up to our fortnightly events email quicklink.anu.edu.au/ subscribe T 6125 4144 E events@anu.edu.au Please note some events require registration. Check website for more information.
Thursday 20 February, 12.30pm
Growing community food economies in the Philippines Ann Hill, ANU Miller Theatre, Old Canberra House, Liversidge St bit.ly/LtLME4
Saturday 22 February, 10am
Wednesday 26 February, 6pm
Mt Stromlo Observatory Site Tour
The future of education in an online world
Scope Cafe, Mt Stromlo Rd, Mt Stromlo, ACT bit.ly/1fIRg97
Anant Agarwal, President of edX
Wednesday 26 February, 5pm
Main Theatre, ANU Arts Centre, Union Court bit.ly/MZ7iSV
Professor Brian Kennett, ANU
Great earthquakes that have shaped Japan Lecture Theatre 1.04, Coombs Extension Building, Fellows Rd bit.ly/1ihpd0J
Films Wednesday 19 February, 6pm
Kokowääh Presented by the ANU German Society
Thursday 27 February, 5.30pm
Thursday 27 February, 7pm
The limits of central banking: Central banks and financial crises
Thor: The Dark World
Professor Forrest Capie, City University, London The Hall, University House, Balmain Cres bit.ly/1eRJOXq
facebook.com/ TheAustralianNationalUniversity
Presented by the ANU Film Group Coombs Theatre, cnr Fellows and Garran Rd Admission charges apply anufg.org.au
youtube.com/ANUchannel
Theatre 4, Manning Clark Centre, Union Court germansociety.weblogs.anu.edu.au
The ANU campus is always alive with plenty to see, hear and do. All events held on the ANU Campus unless otherwise indicated. Schedule is subject to change, please check website closer to the date to ensure event information is correct.
Thursday 20 February, 7.30pm
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Presented by the ANU Film Group Coombs Theatre, cnr Fellows and Garran Rd Admission charges apply anufg.org.au
@ANU_Events
events.anu.edu.au
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
Feminists: Pick Your Battles!
LIFE & STYLE// 25
Maddy Goldie
DEAR feminists of Jezebel and Daily Life etc. - Let’s straighten a few things out. Beyonce’s tight bodysuits are not responsi-
isn’t into you because of your enlightened career in politics
Christmas chick flicks, irony and sexuality, it is pretty evident to me that these things do not explain why women are still not enjoying perfect equality with men.
dent to me that these things do not explain why women are All of these are distracting from the real issue. ing left to hide behind and will die a natural death in most other
up with this clearly didn’t sleep or socialise and probably
woman continue to spend their precious moments not in the
unrealistically high standard for good mothering and the
but being there in the car on the way home from school to corporate ladder but missing out on a number of wonderful
addressing the social pressures that oppress and shape men’s
list of things on their list of house chores.
for men. Liberate men to choose parenting and you liberate
minimise you.’ -
to so many intelligent and thoughtful men and women.
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
LIFE & STYLE//26
A Townie’s Guide to Canberra: Part I
Dear fresh faced college kids: here are some helpful tips from your caring townie counterparts to help you navigate eating, drinking and shopping around Canberra when you want to punch yourself in the face rather than hear the word ‘Civic’ again, or just want to explore your new home.
Beatrice Smith Life & Style Sub-Editor
Belconnen (Inner West) Good old Belco’ is home to the hallowed halls of the University of Canberra, but there’s more to be found in the Inner West than midwifery and bulging triceps. Get there: Buses go regularly from Barry Drive at the Eastern side of Bruce Hall. Have some fun: Zone 3 is the home of Laser Tag in Canberra. Drink at: Haha Bar and LaDeeDa have great local DJs and a waterfront location. Eat at: Max Brenner chocolate café in the Belconnen Mall (a giant Westfield, should you ever tire of Civic shopping). Also there’s a Lick frozen yogurt place just across the mall. Feeling fancy?: Ellacure restaurant does a killer brunch all weekend.
Home to the swankier set of Canberra, bordered by the leafy Consulate suburb of Forrest, Parliament House and the lake, these suburbs are great for a grown up nights out and amazing food. Get there: Buses go from Civic regularly, or it’s a short bike ride over either Bridge across the lake. Go there for: Fancy eating and special occasions. Want to impress your parents when they come to visit you? Got an occasion that needs celebrating? Just feelin’ spendy? The Inner South is for you. Mecca Bah in Manuka for stylish Morrocan and for their intimate bar that’s great
to hire for small events. Rubicon in Griffith has fine dining for special occasions with an especially fine degustation menu. Me and Mrs. Jones in Kingston for a rustic Italian vibe, great for special dinners or just afternoon tea. The Farmer’s Daughter in Yarralumla for beautiful interiors and an extensive lunch menu as well as fantastic coffee. Brodburger by the Lake in Kingston is a cult favourite. Go on weekday nights to avoid the notoriously long waits for the best burgers Canberra has to offer.
Fyshwick (Inner East) If strip clubs and brothel’s aren’t your thing; don’t stress, this strange industrial suburb has many hidden delights. Get there: Drive or take the 30min+ bus ride. Go there for: Op-shopping, discount shopping and sex shopping. Shop at: DFO: Canberra’s own outlet mall. A soulless doughnut shaped mall, worth it for excellent bargains at Alannah Hill, Tony Bianco, Calvin Klein and Oxford.
One of the best Salvation Army op-shops is on the way to Fyshwick on Mildura Street, especially good for furniture. If you’re craving something a little different, Fyshwick’s selection of fine boutiques such as Hello Sexy and Fantasy Lane Adult Supermarket will be sure to brighten the dullest day.
Dickson (Inner North) The closest shops to many ANU share houses, this sleepy suburb houses Canberra’s take on Chinatown and is a student favourite. Get there: Buses run up Northbourne Avenue every few minutes. Go there for: Asian food of all varieties Eat at: Dickson Asian Noodle House: A word to the wise: book ahead. Alternatively they have a solid take away service too, even on the busiest nights. Anywhere along Woolley Street. Korean BBQ? Chinese Dumpling House?
Japanese? Vegetarian Restaurant with fake chicken? Take your pick. Drink at: Sub-Urban. Pricey but delicious menu and slick décor make this a weekend favourite for Canberrans, but don’t expect an ANU-heavy crowd. Shop at: Any of the Asian supermarkets along Woolley Street for the most amazing variety of desserts, canned drinks and instant noodles. Also there’s an excellent Vinnies there too.
And the rest of the best... The Duxton at the O’Connor Shops. A 20 minute walk from campus due North, this two story bar has been recently renovated and will cater to pretty much any occasion. Best for: Quiet Sunday drink with mates or hire out the sexy upstairs section for a function. Tilley’s at the Lyneham Shops. This jazz bar is a favourite with the locals as the sultry velvet and black glass interior creates a cozy, secretive vibe with booths. If that’s not your thing, you can soak up the sun in the large outdoor seating area. Best for: Friday evening drinks with friends outside or tea for
two, cuddled up indoors. About a 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk from campus. A Bite to Eat at the Chifley Shops is a large, retro café restaurant that, despite it’s size, is usually fully booked for brunch all weekend. Unique menu options and mismatched tableware create a casual atmosphere and it’s also great to hire for events. Top tip: Book ahead before you commit to the drive. Best for: Brunch on weekdays. Approx. 15 minute drive from campus due South.
The Great Outdoors Kambah Pool: Forget Civic Pool, this is the best swimming in Canberra. A half an hour drive from campus (Google it), you’ll find a swimming spot on the edge of the Murrumbidgee. Bring food, towels, sunscreen and portable speakers and get ready to go bush. FYI there’s a nudist beach just down river (don’t say we didn’t warn you). Mount Ainslie: At the back of the Inner North suburb of Campbell, just behind the War Memorial you probably visited with your school on “the-world’s-mostboring-school-trip” to Canberra, is a clearly marked path that leads to the top of Mt. Ainslie. A great trail for getting in shape (hella steep in some parts), the large
lookout at the top provides stunning views that are usually utilised by local youths in cars (there’s a road up there too) for a lil’ bump ‘n’ grind. The Rose Gardens at Old Parliament House These public gardens are most beautiful when the roses are blooming from Spring to Autumn. There are benches, water features and lots of grass to sit on. Bring a picnic rug, scones and tea and get ready to feel like you’re in The Secret Garden. A great place to ride to on the weekend.
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
FOOD & WINE// 27
Ian is a total oenophile whose love for wine has resulted in him examining Canberra district wines for Honours, while working part-time in wine retail. Ian Lee TO the average freshman, wine is an alcoholic beverage, which, when found in bottles, is way too expensive, tastes weird, and is mainly drunk by pretentious people and adults to accompany food. Also, the principal experience with this drink would be through playing the venerable drinking game involving a sack of goon and a rotating clothesline. While this youthful impression of wine is no doubt accurate in its own right, there is far more to wine than goon sacks, expensive bottles, and highbrow culture. Wine is an alcoholic beverage made predominantly from fermented grapes, comes in still or sparkling forms, and in three principal colours: white, red and rosé. Hundreds of different varietals – types of wine grape – exist, but are all the same species of grape: Vitis Vinifera. Furthermore, while multiple varietals exist, only a fraction of these are commonly used to produce wine. When tasting a wine, what is remarkable is the number of different aromas and flavours that can be contained within a single wine. These aromas can range from delicate floral notes, to bold dark fruit flavours, to steely minerality and even to freshly tanned leather. While it is a given that most adolescents principal concern with alcohol is to achieve a state of oblivious inebriation, wine can present a fascinating alternative, where one drinks to sample the range of sensate experiences
Decant!
Why Wine?
available in one tiny glass. For those more interested in the intoxicative qualities of wine, it is still a viable drop, as drinking one bottle quickly, particularly if it is an Australian Shiraz, will result in rapid insensibility. For those of you interested enough in experiencing and learning more about this fascinating drink, I invite you to find a bottle of whatever suits your fancy, pour yourself a glass, give it a sniff and sip, take a step back, and think about what you are experiencing. In following articles, we will explore regions and styles, winemaking techniques, and of course, have a look at some drops of wine that should hopefully be affordable to the average university student. Happy tasting!
Vietnamese Beef Salad Recipe A quick trip to an asian grocery store need for this healthy and seriously delicious salad. For a vegetarian option substitute fried tofu and/or fried hokien noodles.
Lillian Ward Print Editor Ingredients best) 1 carrot, peeled and grated 1 cucumber, grated dried vermicelli rice noodles, about two handfuls* 1 bunch of mint 1 bunch ofcoriander 1 bunch thai basil^ 2 large handfuls of bean sprouts Dressing 2 tbsp Soy Sauce* 2 tbsp Fish sauce* 2 tsp sesame oil* juice of 1 lime 1 clove of garlic, chopped 1 small thumb of ginger, peeled and chopped 1 red chilli, chopped 1 tsp sugar
Extras Peanuts, chopped or ground Fried shallots* Fried ginger* about a minute on each side in hot sesame oil or until cooked to your liking. Rare is best for this salad. When your steak is cooked remove from the pan and rest. Next place you dried noodles in a heat proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave these to soak until soft. Remove the leaves from the stalks of your mint, corriander and thai basil and place them in a bowl with the bean sprouts and the grated carrot and cucumber. Now prepare your dressing. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl stir until the sugar is dissolved. This dressing is mostly a matter of taste so you can play around with it. If you’re not a fan of spicy food exclude the chilli seeds. Drain you noodles and add them to the salad bowl. Thinly slice your steak into strips and add it as well a long with as much of th dressing as you wish. Toss well and top with peanuts, and fried shallots and ginger. Tuck in. for cold rice rolls with the dressing serving as a dipping sauce. * Items available from Asian groceries or the Asian aisle of the supermarket. ^ If unavailable substitute regular basil and/or vietnamese mint.
If you have any recipes you would like to share, email us at contact@woroni.com.au
Humans of Canberra facebook.com/HOCanberra
“We have been married for six months now.” “What is her best quality?” “Her kind nature.”
“I’ve recently gree in philosophy. Now I’m trying to get back into the hobbies I haven’t found time for.”
“What is the best aspect of your dad?” “He has a strong character, and he looks out for others. Your burden is his burden.”
“
I’ve recently moved here, and the amount of culture in the suburb I live in is amazing. It’s not uncommon to pass by neighbours from Pakistan or Somalia as I send my daughter to school.”
Photography by Micaiah Koh
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
NOT FUCKING BORING Elena Tjandra catches up with the boys behind Coy- the new brand making waves amongst the Canberra fashion and art scene.
In terms of actually creating something, what is the design process?
a certain image you wanted to create with the collaboration? Or was it a way to throw a really cool party?
ARTS // 29
bourne to get started. What are your thoughts on Canberra’s art and culture scene?
-
Elena Tjandra Print Editor
mouth! -
TELL me a bit about yourselves as individuals. [Josh] I’m studying industrial design at UC, When I started uni, I started doing more creative
berra’s a good city, it has so much to offer and
[Josh] If different bits of dust gets in there, How does the partnership work between you?
It’s very different to a champagne and fancy clothes event. Do you take the same casual approach to your work? I guess with 4am text messages?
How would you describe Coy in three words? How would you describe your experiences working on the project in three words?’
What are the origins of Coy? How did you start up?
What’s next for Coy?
Finally, this is a question which is a bit out of context and bizarre. It came from a cold, rainy outdoor ed camp in year nine, in which my friend asked me ‘if you gave birth to a cucumber, would you eat it, raise it as your own, sell it, or if you knew about it earlier, would you abort it?
Tell me about the Coy house. How did you get a house which you could do all this stuff in? And the fact that you live in it…
[Josh] The cool thing about this is that you’re -
Why did you pick Canberra to launch Coy? I actually went to the last party you had. I You both study here, but a lot of the time, was really impressed you had so much going on with artists, designers and music- was there people with cool ideas move to Sydney or MelPhotography by Miciah Koh
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
ARTS // 30
No second album syndrome here David Winter reviews James Vincent McMorrow’s new album, Post Tropical. David Winter Arts Correspondent AFTER a successful debut and cover of Steve Winwood’s ‘Higher Love’, James Vincent McMorrow is determined to grow and evolve as an artist. In Post Tropical McMorrow has turned electronic soul. Nothing better demonstrates this single ‘Cavalier’. Its minimalism, slow tempo, electronic soundscapes, rises and falls, falsetto, brass and hints of R n B set the scene for the rest of the album. Think Bon Iver and James Blake; with a twist. This twist might be a result of the change of scenery. Post Tropical was recorded within a stones throw of the - United States-Mexican border in Texas on a pecan farm. A location McMorrow says affected the sound of the record
The soul balladry of ‘Look Out’ and ‘Glacier’ is simply heart breaking. Both are ‘musts’. Like the rest of the album both songs build slowly and reach melodic climax with the help of lush soundscapes. The former resonates like a Gregorian chant in a Roman cathedral. McMorbetween balladry and minimalism. Minimalism is taken to new heights on ‘All Points’, ‘Look Out’, ‘Repeating’ and ‘Outside, Digging’. But enough melody is present to allow it. The album also has uplifting moments. ‘Gold’ with crashing cymbals, and a much-needed relief after the emotionally intense ending of ‘Red Dust’. ‘Repeating’ shares similarities to ‘Gold’, but with marching band snare work instead of crashing cymbals. One element Post Tropical is in short supply of is more moments like these. Hopefully, McMorrow’s live performances are invigorating and lively, as well as emotionally intense.
B and soul are hidden features of Post Tropical’s sound. Sample-like piano is evident on the openings to ‘Red Dust’ and ‘Post Tropical’, and ‘The Lakes’ opens with R n B beats before transforming into country Americana, without jolting the in the Morning, recorded in his native Ireland. listener. ‘All Points’ also features R n B beats, There he says he became absorbed in new sonic but combines this with call and response vocals territories. Some features of Early in the Morning remain. and gospel harmonies. Post Tropical drains its listener with its dedicaMcMorrow’s falsetto is stunning throughout Post tion to its sound. Listening to this album is like Tropical examples include: ‘Cavalier’, ‘Look doing tai chi or going to church for an hour (or Out’, ‘Glacier’ and ‘Red Dust’. Beautiful backkarma sutra). The listener is washed clean in the ing vocals and harmonies are also used to great intensity of it. effect. ‘The Lakes’ is one of the best examples of the album’s gospel like harmonic vocal accompaniment, plus it has clean, crisp, country slide guitar and Jeff Buckley-esque falsetto on it. There is no trade off between breath control and the high notes reached on this album. The last thirty seconds of ‘Red Dust’ attest to this.
True Detective: A True Gem
Oli Chan rewiews the TV series, True Detective. Oli Chan I’VE always been a fan of cop shows. It might stem from watching old Jackie Chan movies from the 90s, to watching more modern series like NCIS or the re-imagined Sherlock. But I’ve found that a bunch of modern crime dramas suffer from the same problem: the one case solved the ‘smoking gun’ (so to speak) with a swift stroke; the detectives busting in to save the day like knights in shining armour. This is where True Detective breaks the mould. A dark, sinister, and moody crime drama with a gothic feel, True Detective revolves around two detectives trying to catch a serial killer with a bizarre, ritualistic MO, over an arduous 17 years. The acting by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrellson who portray the two detectives is fantastic and I am left eagerly awaiting the next episode week after week. The murder the detectives are trying to solve is intriguing and whenever you think you might have put a piece together, the evidence pulls you in another direction; but that’s got nothing on the characters themselves. True Detective doesn’t feel rushed or forced, thus allowing the story and characters to develop in such a way that isn’t possible in shorter series. The cinematography is spectacularly shot, and Louisiana is a welcome reprieve from New York City or Los Angeles, where so many cop shows seem to be shot. If you’re looking for some action-oriented crime where the good guys blow the bad guys away, this series is not for you. True Detective’s style is more about storytelling and the darker realities of life and the human psyche. If that’s your speed, I can guarantee you that True Detective will be an absolute gem that you’ll be glad to have uncovered.
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
SCIENCE//31
Great Balls of Lightning
Research Roundup Eleanor Campbell Science Sub-Editor
James Ansell aged to record ball lightning occurring in basically a ball of electricity that is reported to occur during lightning storms. Despite people reporting sightings for declightning had never been reliably recorded in nature until now. Scientists in China who were researching normal lighting managed to capture a video of ball lightning occurring… completely by chance.
They also showed some cool spectrograph images that could identify different materials in the ball lightning. It turns out that the ball wasn’t made of electricity alone; it also conbasically the ingredients of sand and soil. This is important because a leading ball lightning theory involves a regular lightning strike vaporising different materials in soil. The shockwave from the impact would push cluding a chemical called silicon oxide which would glow as the air caused it to oxidise. and then disappear once the material stopped glowing. this possible explanation for the formation of weren’t even sure if ball lightning existed.
less than two seconds.
Sharks and rays in danger A global study from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has determined that a quarter of all sharks and rays are under threat of extinction. The main danger to these while ‘unintentionally’ caught sharks and rays in combination with deliberate killings of these directly responsible for the threatened status of a minimum of twelve species.
Bald be gone Scientists based at the University of Pennsylvania have used stem cell technology to create human cells capable of growing hair. They took samples of adult human skin cells and transformed them into ‘pluripotent’ stem cells (like the stem cells stem cells. After transplanting those cells onto gesting this technique could one day be used to treat hair loss. CANBERRA S BEST PUB & ORIGINAL LIVE MUSIC VENUE.
Energetic teleportation New research out of Tohoku University in Japan suggests that long-distance teleportation of energy may be viable. The team of physicists believe that the strange properties of vacuum states could be the key; current theory holds that quantum scientists believe energy could be teleported over any distance.
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Shrimp vision imprecision Scientists from the University of Queensland have determined that despite the amazing mantis
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actually have better colour vision than humans. channels. No other organism has been identipick between similar colours during tests.
We’re missing a supernova The death of a star 11.4 million light years from Earth can only be seen from the Northern HemiSchool of Astronomy & Astrophysics from spearheading observations of the supernova. The supernova could act as a further reference point for measurements of dark energy and the rate at which the universe is expanding. LIVE ORIGINIAL MUSIC FOUR NIGHTS A WEEK FEATURING LOCAL & TOURING ACTS
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SCIENCE// 32
Weird Science: Spider Edition
Ellen Rykers SPIDERS make me feel uneasy. There’s just something about their eight legs and fat black hairy bodies that makes my skin crawl. But as I’ve discovered recently, there’s way more to spiders than the hideous funnelweb from my nightmares. Spiders are fascinatingly weird and fantastically resourceful. Take for example, the little amber spider from the Peruvian Amazon, who grasped the internet’s attention recently when its mysterious circular ured out that a tower in the centre of the intricate corral holds a single egg from which a honey-coloured spiderling emerges. But there is still much including its exact function, and the architectural arachnid remains nameless. Another recent discovery from the Amazon is the so-called “decoy” spider; a sneaky little guy who uses insect corpses and other debris to fashion spider-shaped decoys in its web. These decoys are much larger than itself – it’s only a
couple of millimetres across – and it hides out in a special pocket built into its creation’s abdomen. Amazingly, another decoy spider was also found around the same time, but this one was 18,000 kilometres away in the Philippines. Scientists are keen to sequence the genomes of these newly disrelated and whether this is a case of convergent evolution: two unrelated species evolving to develop similar decoy systems. But what does the spider even use these decoys for? It’s still unclear whether they are lures for prey or anti-predator defences, and we don’t know how the spiders construct them either. It’s not just spiders’ webs that are so awesome either – some spiders use their silk, which is stronger than steel (weight for weight), to construct parachutes. This phenomenon is known as “ballooning” or “dynamic kiting” and is usually exhibited by spiderlings. The young spider will climb as high as it can, stand on raised legs with its abdomen tilted to the sky, and eject silk threads from its spinnerets to automatically form a triangular parachute. Even the slightest breeze can lift the spider and its parachute and transport
Another recent discovery from the Amazon is the so-called “decoy” spider; a sneaky little guy who uses insect corpses and other debris to fashion spider-shaped decoys in its web. above sea level. It’s thought that this is how spiders reach new islands and mountaintops. Spiders are not only your friendly neighbourof the weird and wonderful biodiversity nature has to offer. These are just a few examples from the more than 43,000 spider species discovered to date – just imagine how many more crazy silk creations are out there!
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
Don’t Drink... Ammonia Nick Fraser WHAT would happen if you drank ammonia? Probably nothing good. But your body does have a way of getting rid of excess nitrogen, like all that nitrogen in ammonia; it turns it into urea. The enzyme that makes urea is the last enzyme in the urea cycle, arginase. It takes arginine (a common amino acid in our bodies) and converts it into orthinine (an unused and untrusted amino guessed it, urine). Arginase also plays a role in male erectile function and female sexual arousal, but that’s boring. So if ever you happen to drink ammonia, think about that poor arginase that has to deal with all that nitrogen, and then get to the hospital.
Cold? Good, you’re losing weight Oli Chan CANBERRA only has two temperatures: hot, or cold. As the hot Australian summer draws to a close, that only leaves the prospect of shivering in the wintery Canberra chill. But with modern technology, the solution is simple, no? Just turn the heater on, silly. But forgoing these modern conveniences could be beneficial if you’re trying to lose weight.
New research by scientists from Lund University, Sweden, suggests that regular exposure to mildly cold air might be a viable strategy for losing weight. Our bodies have many strategies to deal with changes in temperature. For example, if we’re cold, our bodies shiver to generate heat. In order to generate the heat required to warm ourselves back up, our bodies use energy, and there’s plenty of energy in our fat cells. If we get cold, our bodies will naturally shiver as a
reaction, thus using up energy currently stored in our fat to generate heat. But the beauty is we don’t even have to be that cold to get the benefits: simply being colder than normal makes the body generate heat, and thus passively use more energy. The researchers state that “maximal thermal comfort in the built environment may increase our susceptibility to obesity and related disorders… Mild cold exposure increases body energy expenditure without shivering and
without compromising our precious comfort.” Now before you all go standing out in the cold (potentially going into hypothermia as a result), this isn’t meant to be a silver bullet for weight loss. You still have to exercise, eat well, get plenty of sleep, and, of course, make it through this Canberra heatwave.
WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
SPORT //33
Do female tennis players deserve equal pay? Gary Oldman
DURING Wimbledon 2012, French tennis player Gilles Simon faced a politically correct lynch mob. Speaking the truth gets you that treatment nowadays. His crime: declaring men’s tennis as more exciting than women’s. In his mind, players in the former category should therefore be paid more than those in the latter category, irrespective of the number of sets played. Amidst the subsequent hysterical shrieks of ‘sexism’, Maria Sharapova retorted that more people watched her matches than his. Yes, Maria, and a large part of the reason for that is because millions of young men want to fuck you, not because you’re actually objectively better than Simon, let alone Federer, Djokovic, Nadal or Murray. For years we have fed a horrendous lie: that men and women deserve equal pay in the world of tennis. Since when is serving slower, hitting slower and moving slower, not to mention lasting less on court, a skill requiring you to be paid the same as the men? With all due respect, if this is the basis on which we give female tennis players equal pay, then wheelchair tennis players should be taking home multimillion dollar paychecks, too. Or masters-level players, the McEnroes and Grafs among them, who enter such non-professional tournaments after their ATP or WTA careers have ended. Let’s move beyond tennis, though. This writer is a white male of exclusively North-West European ancestry, which basically means I am spectacularly shithouse at basketball compared to many AfricanAmericans. Caucasian males do not demand an NBA equivalent (Caucasian Basketball Association) exclusively for whites where they would be paid the same as those (usually black) players better than them in the NBA proper. This is not to say that white people cannot be great basketballers. Veteran Dirk Nowitzki, for example, is considered by many as only a shade or two less great than Michael Jordan. Former Celtics great Larry Bird was also so close to Jordan by many measures that he earned the moniker of ‘Larry Legend’. Going further back, Bill Bradley, the former US Democratic Senator, is another example of a white player who changed the course of the game. But no one disputes the general predisposition of AfricanAmericans to basketball or gridiron. Understandably, biological reasons dictate the separation of men and women in world tennis. Some women may be better
the general physical superiority of men in Yet equally compelling science exists for biological differences determined by race. So why don’t we separate white and black men in the sports of basketball, sprinting and swimming, then pay them the same, just as we do with men and women in tennis? The point here is not argue about place but rather the false assumption that equal rights means paying a typically less capable gender the same as the invariably more capable one (in sports). For all the talk of Billie Jean King and equality, world tennis is everything but equal. Women play a meagre best of three sets for Grand Slams and the Federation the Slams and Davis Cup. Serena Williams was lauded for winning Singles and Doubles Championships at the same
For years we have fed a horrendous lie: that men and women deserve equal pay in the world of tennis. Grand Slam, but few pundits mentioned how scheduling and the greater number of sets make it nigh on impossible for men to achieve the same feat. The irony of the ‘struggle’ for equal came, there was no commensurate demand by the WTA to play the same number of claimed that the organisation is ‘ready and when called upon by event organisers. In other words, for equal rights the WTA shouted as loud as it could, but when it comes to assuming equal responsibilities it has wired shut that same mouth. The hypocrisy knows no end. ‘Meal deal feminism’, where women’s organisations pick and choose the circumstances where equality operates, is something the WTA could write a book about. In addition, men are physically far better tennis players. They serve, hit and move faster, have greater stamina and a superior repertoire of ball skills (pun intended). For there to be true equality (and thus equal pay) men and women should be competing under the same circumstances, i.e. playing one another.
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014 WORONI
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ANU Interhall Sports: Term One Rory O’Sullivan MIXED Disc Frisbee and Badminton will
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Griffin Hall loom as firm favorite to defend both their male and female titles from 2013 yet they will face strong opposition from John XXIII College who will be out to revenge their losses in both male and female final last year.
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The support the Aussies had behind them just seemed to grow and grow as the summer went on.
A Summer of Cricket
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Zach Mackey
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I doubt you’d find many in the Australian cricketing fraternity who after a couple of beers wouldn’t want to punch Joe Root.
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ner Hall who will be hot on their tail as the col-
All of this though could come to pieces on Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa. Even though there was an absolute destruction of England, frailties remain.
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WORONI TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
Baseball Growing In Australia? Joshua Chu-Tan Sport Sub-Editor OVER the summer, the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League (ABL) travelled to Taiwan for the Asia Baseball Series Championships as representatives of the Australian league. Nobody gave them a chance, especially with all the top Asian teams from Japan, Korea and Taiwan also participating. They weren’t supposed to win a single game, however they went on to emphatically win the whole tournament. Could this be the spark that leads to baseball growing in the land down under? The Canberra Cavalry really did surprise the fans in Asia and Australia with their dominant display of the sport in the tournament. The payroll of their entire squad added up to a mere $47,000 whilst there were teams in the tournament like Japanese giants, Tohoku Golden Eagles that had a payroll equaling $23.5 million.
Perhaps it was this underdog status that propelled them to the top as there was no pressure on the team whatsoever. a game in the Asia Baseball Series by defeating Taiwan’s EDA Rhinos, which launched their
Baseball has historically found it tough to break in here due to the strong cricket culture, but I truly believe the two can coexist.
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ship game where they absolutely demolished Taiwanese squad, Uni-President Lions, 14-4 to cap off a spectacular tournament by the Aussies.
popularity which is why two baseball powerhouses, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers are coming down under to play their opening series in Sydney this year. This will
to see the baseball grow in such a sports-mad country such as Australia. Baseball has historically found it tough to break in here due to the
season games on Australian soil. The keys for the sport of baseball to blossom is to get the youth to watch, get interested and
can coexist. Australia is slowly, but surely making a name for themselves in the sport on an international scale. They have participated in all three of the World Baseball Classic tournaments to date
up the ranks in popularity amongst Aussies. Who knows, maybe “America’s past-time” can become “Australia’s future.” The MLB Opening Series between the LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks will be played in Sydney on March 22nd and 24th of this year.
team to not only win a game in the Asia Series, tralia currently has 60 players under professional contracts with various Major League Baseball a major upset, they defeated the defending Asia Series champion, the Samsung Lions from Korea. (MLB) organizations. Perhaps the MLB has also seen this increase in This run of form continued into the champion-
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