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Month: November 2014

Feature: Hollywood and Science

Written by Nicole Tamer on . Posted in Film.

“We look at Hollywood now, I mean, can you imagine Hollywood producing a film with such weight as 2001: A Space Odyssey? I guess we get the cinema we deserve; we’re looking into the mirror. It’s very sad,” argues Anthony Frewin at the Watch the Skies! flagship event in the BFI Blockbuster project SCI-FI: Days of Fear and Wonder at the Jodrell Bank Observatory. Those might be strong words, but he was the personal assistant to the director Stanley Kubrick for 20 years and worked on five of his films. Looking at current trends in the film industry, it is apparent that sci-fi movies are on the verge again. Recent films such as Prometheus, Gravity and Interstellar, which is premiering this weekend in the UK, show on the Box Offices worldwide that their popularity is high, but the budgets are even higher. The $10.6 million Budget of 2001: A Space Odyssey was meagre compared to the budgets of over $100 million for Gravity and Interstellar. To put the numbers into perspective: even the Indian space mission to Mars with a $74 million budget cost less than the making of Gravity. Although it is debatable whether the priorities of human beings are agreeable, it does not mean that there is not any science involved in the making of a film and that they do not inspire more interest and awareness in the field of astronomy or other science.

Science and film often go hand in hand; all of the aforementioned films had prestigious scientists from Harvard or Caltech on set to ensure content accuracy. David A. Kirby, a senior lecturer at The University of Manchester published the popular physics book, Lab Coats in Hollywood—Science, Scientists and Cinema, in which he claims that 2001: A Space Odyssey is perhaps the most scientifically accurate film ever produced. The breathtaking sequences in space seem so realistic because of the co-operation with two former NASA scientists and the more than 65 companies, research organisations, and government agencies that offered technical advice. The relation between science and Hollywood is often more complex than initially apparent and a mutual need to close the gap between science fact and science fiction pushes both sides to work together closely. Although it might first seem that Hollywood profits more from scientists, the depictions of science in popular films can promote research agendas, stimulate technological development, and even stir citizens into political action, writes Kirby. Filmmakers with a smaller budget, who cannot afford specialists from NASA, should not despair because websites such as www.hollywoodmaths.com will help to ensure that “the technical details and jargon in your script sound believable, whether they be mathematical, scientific or medical.”

The gravity of science (pun intended) does not stop at science fiction movies; science consultants help to give comic book adaptations, TV shows—such as Fringe and The Big Bang Theory—and video games a more realistic finish. The Science and Entertainment Exchange is a programme run by the United States National Academy of Sciences to increase public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of science through its representation in television, film, and other media in order to rid the public of false perceptions on these topics. Although the aspirations are often high and science fiction films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner and Alien mostly succeeded in being scientifically accurate, it is important to remember that the film industry’s first priority is entertainment. If the scientific accurate portrayal is too complex, the risk that the film might turn out too incomprehensible for an audience is high. Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, for example, is based on Einstein’s general relativity equations and might have turned out visually incomprehensible to the audience, but he luckily solved the problem by staying consistent with the camera perspective. Gravity, on the other hand, is a “piece of fiction” with some inaccuracies, but with a very realistic portrayal of zero gravity.

The rise in popularity of science fiction films also has a positive effect on the decreasing numbers of cinema goers. 2001: A Space Odyssey or Gravity have a bigger effect on the audience on a big screen than streamed online on a small laptop screen. At the Watch the Skies! event, 2001: A Space Odyssey was shown in an open air installation with HAL projected on the Lovell Telescope, the third largest steerable radio telescope in the world. The atmosphere was buzzing and the film got a whole new meaning while being watched outside with stars and a full moon in the background. The vastness of space became more apparent and the science fair and introduction by Stanley Kubrick’s personal assistant made the experience invaluable. Science clearly helps us to appreciate films more and its influence will hopefully be more appreciated in the future.

Instagram: Friend or foe?

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Hi, my name is Natalie. And I am an Instagram addict. I say this because when the sacred 3G symbol at the top of my iPhone disappears, Wi-Fi is ‘unable to connect’, and I am forsaken in what might as well be Siberia, I begin to experience a cold sweat. I start thinking irrationally. “Oh God, what if Kendall Jenner posts something, what if I never see it?! What if this is the end?”

The  ‘insta’ aspect of Instagram is as much a blessing as it is a curse. Watching, interacting, experiencing the real world has been rather brutally usurped by an unhealthy obsession with an app that never sleeps. I’m like a drug addict with a constant and boundless stream of heroin at my eager and helpless fingertips. I am forever being told off by my boyfriend for ‘cyber stalking’ celebrities. But I don’t think he quite understands…

And I don’t think I am alone. It is so popular that apparently the founder of Instagram, Kevin Systrom, would only consider selling his non-profit app to Mark Zuckerburg, the founder of Facebook, for a minimum of 2 billion dollars. There are about 200 million monthly users and approximately 5 million posts made a day. I myself am just shy of following 1000 accounts. A figure made up of numerous models, fashion bloggers, fashion houses, magazines, Z-list celebrities; I even follow Paris Hilton’s dog (Peter Pan) and Cara Delevinge’s bunny (Cecil). It is direct, seemingly personal and, most importantly, free—hallelujah! I don’t have to scrape at the bottom of my bag for moldy one-penny coins so I can afford this month’s issue of Vogue, because yes, I am a student, and yes, I am a 12th-century-peasant kind of poor.

And because I will never be Anna Wintour or Anna Della Russo, Instagram enables me to sit with the elite ‘frow’ on every major fashion house’s catwalk. So fine, maybe I need a good 14-day Instagram detox, and should try and overcome my (very 21st century) anxiety. But I’m not deleting my Instagram account any time soon. Sorry boyfriend.

Briefly Exploring Chester

Written by Robert Firth on . Posted in Lifestyle.

This week Robert was meant to venture into Moss Side. However, he chickened out so instead here’s a very brief guide to Manchester’s smaller, not so masculine, slightly southern companion, Chester. (It’s not as atrocious or exciting as Hollyoaks makes it look.)

When you leave Chester’s Railway station the first thing you realise is how empty it is. Then you see the Live Rooms which hosts acts such as The Smyths, and Dirty DC, as well as a range of middle-aged men and women who were once part of famous bands in the 80s and 90s. Then suddenly you’re in the centre and there are groups of tourists blocking your way taking photos of the Eastgate and Eastgate Clock, probably because their guidebook tells them it’s the second most photographed clock in England after Big Ben and that way they’re giving something back to the place they’re visiting. Then you’re down a street and it’s silent again and you probably pass a sex shop with two plastic mannequins handcuffed together.

If you’ve been to York, it looks like that, only smaller. There are lots of expensive, chain boutique shops which appear with an expectancy that is usually only reserved for McDonald’s in every former spa/market town in England. There are lots of too-small tea rooms selling many varieties of coffee and panini at shocking prices. You can even have a sightseeing tour of Chester on an open top bus, although you could walk it just as quickly, and it would probably be raining.

At night time muscular men wearing smart shirts go out with women wearing faces full of makeup and beige and salmon dresses which are moulded to their skin. They go to expensive bars, which you could frequent anywhere, and take lots of pictures and sometimes dance to one song. Or they go to one of the three nightclubs, such as Rosie’s, where celebrities like Joel Corry DJ et al show off their bronzed abs and tweet about “buzzing for #Chester 2nite!” because it’s just another “big start to the weekend!”

Whatever you do, don’t miss the Halloween party though; last year two girls dressed as the Twin Towers and won £150 worth of shopping vouchers (it wasn’t really worth it). In Chester the possibilities are infinite: Cruise, yet another nightclub, offers you six different areas to experience: Manhattan, Bangkok, the Mediterranean and even more in one building… in North West England.

If it gets a bit overwhelming there’s no need to panic. Liverpool is just a £4.60 return trip away if you’ve got a railcard and it’s not much more than £10 to get a return trip to Chester’s big bro if you book a week in advance. My top tip is save the money and just get a single out of there: the university may be the sixth safest in the UK (whilst Manchester is frequently named the worst for crime outside of London) but all in all, YOLO has never seemed so necessary.

Turner Prize 2014

Written by Holly Smith on . Posted in Arts.

Just around the corner is this year’s announcement of the 2014 Turner Prize, one of the UK’s most prestigious art awards, celebrating a British artist under fifty for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the preceding twelve months. The winner will be announced on 1st December 2014 by a panel of four judges and will also receive a prize of £25000. Previous winners include some of the UK’s most well-known artists.

Winning in 1994 was the sculptor Antony Gormley, whose best known works include the infamous The Angel of The North in Gateshead. His sculptures currently reside throughout the UK, making him one of the most renowned British sculptors.

The following year, controversial artist Damien Hirst took the winning prize for his preservation of animals (sometimes dissected) in formaldehyde. However, his work wasn’t welcomed throughout the world. New York public health officials banned one of his exhibitions entitled Two Fucking and Two Watching featuring a rotting cow and bull, because of fears of “vomiting among the visitors.”

Last year Laure Prouvost won the Turner Prize for her installation entitled Wantee, a film set at a tea party describing a fictional relationship between Prouvost’s Grandfather and artist Kurt Schwitters. It was considered “outstanding” by the panel of judges and the UK is waiting to see what her next work will be.

This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of the prize and with four artists nominated for almost everything, from film to live performance, it will definitely be a year to remember.

Top Five: Horror Works

Written by Alister Pearson on . Posted in Books.

5) The Room – Hubert Selby Jr.

After writing this novel, Hubert Selby himself could not read it again for 20 years. Reviewer Chris Mitchell claimed the book made him physically sick. An unnamed insignificant criminal, whilst trapped in his cell, explores his twisted feelings and fantasises of rancid revenges.

4) The Metamorphosis – Franz Kafka

One day a travelling salesman named Gregor Samson wakes up to find himself transformed into a monstrous insect creature. The rest of the novella, published in 1915, deals with Gregor’s attempt to come to terms with his new physical body. Although he quickly gets used to his new appearance, his family slowly learn to at first love him and then doubt whether it really is Gregor anymore. The story ends with Gregor dying from lack of nourishment.

3) The Raven – Edgar Allan Poe

One of the most famous poems ever written has moments of horror in it. A raven taunts the unnamed narrator who is grieving over his love loss, Lenore. The raven is said to have been inspired by Charles Dickens’ novel Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of Eighty. The poem saw Poe reach national fame but he never saw this fame converted into monetary wealth.

2) Dracula – Bram Stoker

This week marks 167 years since the birth of Bram Stoker and his most renowned work Dracula is one of the best horror novels ever to be written. The story follows Count Dracula and his quest to travel to England from Transylvania in order to acquire more victims’ blood. Stoker is credited with defining the modern form of a vampire in this book.

1) It – Stephen King

Stephen King, like Garth Marenghi, seems to have actually written more books than he has read, none scarier than his 1986 horror novel, It. The titular character causes seven children to confront their fears face-to-face by shapeshifting into their worst nightmare. The novel was adapted into a television film starring Tim Curry as Pennywise. King was presented the British Fantasy award in 1987 for his efforts.

Dylan Thomas’ Centenary

Written by Leonie Dunn on . Posted in Books.

The 27th October 2014 marked the Centenary of Dylan Thomas’ birth in Swansea, Wales. Thomas, who has been coined Swansea’s most famous son, was set to have his life and works celebrated at his birthplace, but the celebrations did not end there. If you were to type in his name into any search engine right now it would be flooded with events and festivals all marking this one individual’s life and work. Perhaps the most notorious celebration leading from Thomas’ centenary is Michael Sheen’s production of Thomas’ own Under Milk Wood which made its New York debut on Sunday 26th October; it was also widely broadcasted live to both television and radio, and other broadcastings are set to follow. The Hollywood actor stars in the ‘play for voices’ and is the first on the stage where it was originally premièred in 1953.

Returning the debut of this infamous play to its home in New York is widely fitting as it was where much of his first productions were staged and eventually where Thomas himself died. Meanwhile, the coinciding live readings and televised viewings ensured that Swansea’s most famous son would not go amiss in his birthplace. But Swansea had more to offer in the mark of celebration as Swansea held its very own ‘Dylathon’. An event which saw all of his work including his poems, short stories, scripts and broadcasts performed over 36 hours at Swansea’s Grand Theatre. Thus, as Sheen said on the centenary, it was widely celebrated, “in both New York—a city that became so important to Dylan—and, at the same time, in Wales, his inspiration and home.”

As can be denoted from the unprecedented amount of celebrations the world over, Thomas’ impact on both the literary world and the world itself is broad and powerful. While Dylan Marlais Thomas was popular in his life time, his work remained vastly popular and disputed after his premature death from pneumonia, aged 39, on 9th November 1953 in New York. Whilst Thomas wrote exclusively in the English language he is still recognised as one of the key Welsh poets of the 20th century. His accessibility, in part through the use of the English language, is vital to his place as one of the greatest modern poets but his witty idioms and ingenious imagery continue to give life to his work. Thomas has multiple works under his belt from the poem And Death Shall Have No Dominion, to the play Under Milk Wood and into prose: A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

While his work is capacious and compelling, Thomas himself did come under fire in his later life as a “roistering, drunken and doomed poet,” a reputation which he humorously encouraged, and perhaps this was his downfall in the world of academia. An issue that is often discussed with regards to Thomas in regards to critical study is the cloud of mythology that now surrounds Thomas and his drunken persona. But despite the dismissal of many academic figures on Thomas’ work, it continues to be embraced by readers and he remains an iconic poet and even a public name.

While his identity as a popular poet has been and continues to be discussed, it is his work that holds the true legacy. Thomas’ refusal to align to any literary group or movement ensured his work was capacious and innovative. One of his most famous poems, And Death Shall Have No Dominion, celebrates the undying eternal strength of human spirit. However, another key focus of this poem is the unifying reality of death. As Thomas’ identity was disputed as a poet and a public figure, the first of the three un-rhymed verses in this poem allows Thomas to tackle human identity and its opponents, (essentially the ‘isms’ of the world today from racism to sexism and onwards). Thomas states that the process of death unites humanity: “Dead men naked they shall be one.” Even as Dylan brings us face to face with death he disarms it. There is beauty and courage behind death and as I see it there is only one appropriate way that any remark on the life of Thomas should end.

His death shall have no dominion as his voice remains immortal.

Live: St. Vincent

Written by Samuel Ward on . Posted in Music.

22nd October

Albert Hall

6.5/10

Stepping into a distinctly middle-aged presence at the Albert Hall, one of Manchester’s newest and most highly regarded venues, I find a surprisingly simple stage set-up consisting of a single small pyramid of stairs—nothing more. Since its debut last year, the Albert Hall has presented an extremely impressive repertoire of artists who, on the whole, benefit from the venue’s superior sound system, light rigging and gothic ambience. However, for St. Vincent’s aims at a minimalist performance, the venue’s grandeur seems to engulf rather than compliment.

The venue’s brash personality means that, for a show to truly excel here, artists need a crafted and characteristic performance that squares up to the venue. Clearly influenced by Kate Bush, singer Annie Clark’s synchronised body gestures aim to add an extra dimension to each song but unfortunately fail to form a complete artistic addition to the set. Furthermore, the stark halts in-between songs completely cut you off from the world Clark spent the last 3 minutes trying to draw you into, and the band members themselves often stand motionless like the crowd.

Nevertheless, the performance still hints at something greater as the band’s sound is simply huge. Latest album St. Vincent’s focus on bass and electronic rhythm is brought to the stage with utmost clarity and Clark’s vocals are the guiding light which lead the set to some complex and, at times, beautifully palpable harmonies.

Memorable points did exist, with Clark letting the audience have their way with her guitar whilst climbing out of the stage via the balcony before returning to finish the encore, but after frequent stage invasions by crew members, it felt as if the show’s connections with the audience were constantly being severed.

Musically, the set was fantastic and, as always, the Albert Hall squeezed every last drop of sound from the band, especially during a solo performance of ‘Strange Mercy’, which contained some of the most dynamic electric guitar sounds I’d ever heard live. But the missing ingredient is orchestration; if they master that then they’re onto something special.

Album: Superfood – Don’t Say That

Written by Samuel Ward on . Posted in Music.

Released 3rd November 2014

Infectious Records

8/10

As far as album releases go, the tail end of 2014 has been an incredibly exciting time—there’s been Syro, You’re Dead!, Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes, Our Love, High Life, LP1… you get the idea. But it doesn’t take a genius to see that there’s a recurring theme, one which points towards an electronic chokehold on many popular artists’ imaginations at present. So when the spirited Superfood appeared on the Birmingham radar last year, it was exciting to see that guitar music could still sound fresh, even in the era of the DJ.

Running deep throughout their debut album, the somewhat rebellious lack of care to fit in with the current musical norm, of bass and wannabe psychadelia, skips side-by-side with a twisted sound palette that instead focuses on high-ends and fuzzy 90s sass. What’s more, there exists a perfect relationship between the final record and the band’s lifeblood; a juxtaposition of high-quality production teasing out a rugged attitude and nonsensical catchiness that acts as the perfect guilty pleasure. And that’s exactly what this album serves to be—an exciting break from the overly serious, a bowl of Frosties for your tea.

Don’t get me wrong, this album is never trashy or bland; what’s more, it even makes guitar music feel fucking cool again. Between the grungy discordance of ‘Superfood’ or ‘TV’ and the whiney hip-hop laden ‘Lily Pad For You To Rest On’ and blurry groove of ‘You Can Believe’, the entire album is a throwback to the sunny carefree times of the 90s.

Unfortunately, the beefy tracks initially released last year on Soundcloud (‘TV’ and ‘Superfood’), which comprised that first taste which got me hooked, seem to have been on diet on the run-up to the album release. Their reworking, most likely the result of their live renditions, seems to have left the tracks sounding rawer albeit weaker.

Nevertheless, Don’t Say That has, respectfully and seemingly out of nowhere, not only breathed life into my bedroom dance routine but also into a music scene which was left ravaged by the indie shitstorm spun by the NME.

Live: Bill Ryder-Jones

Written by Tariq Salarbux on . Posted in Music.

9th October

Manchester Cathedral

9/10

Italo Calvino’s classic of postmodern literature, “If on a winter’s night a traveller”, toys with the idea that the first few lines of a book are usually the most exciting and powerful. Like the first few bars of a song, or even the first few months of a relationship, what follows is still unknown; a vortex of possibilities, limited only by our very own imagination.

Bill Ryder-Jones’ first solo album, If…, released in 2011, was written as a pseudo-soundtrack for Calvino’s novel, and the ex-Coral guitarist now stands before a packed Manchester Cathedral, cutting as unlikely a figure as the venue as he gives some understated advice to the audience on how to best show appreciation for the album’s first live outing (yes, we can clap after the songs). He walks off as a recording reads out the opening passage of the book, setting the scene before the Manchester Camerata orchestra launch into the album’s title track. The eerie opener slowly creeps into every corner; the Cathedral as close to a perfect setting for the cathartic nature of the music. As the piece explodes after a silent pause, you instantly know you’re in for a special evening.

The influence of Clint Mansell’s work is evident on some of the tracks, but some of them cunningly deviate from the traditional soundtrack/score genre, and Ryder-Jones has brought several guests to expertly deliver the blows. By The Sea’s Liam Power plays the acoustic guitar on several tracks, ex-Zuton Sean Payne brings another dimension to the songs where his drum-kit features, whilst MiNNETONKA and Frankie Ross provide haunting, mermaid-like vocals on ‘By the Church of Apollonia’. Ryder-Jones himself joins the party on several tracks, adding his semi-acoustic Gibson and fragile, whispered vocals to the crisp sound of the orchestra, notably on the desolately beautiful ‘Leaning (Star of Sweden)’.

However, it’s ‘Enlace’ that ends up being the highlight of the night. A slow burning, piano and drum-driven piece, it anxiously builds with unrelenting dread, occasionally joined by the strings of both the orchestra and Ryder-Jones, before erupting with a spectacular guitar solo, courtesy of the evening’s maestro himself.

By the time the evening concludes with ‘Some Absolute End (The End)’, a delicate closer featuring the piano and two guitars only, it is evident that the stunned-into-silence audience has witnessed an evening of live music of a singular type; there are currently no plans for more live performances of If… anytime soon.

Although he has released the more traditional, but as excellent A Bad Wind Blows in my Heart since, the beauty of If… lies in its exceptional difference and diversity, whilst everything is still perfectly linked by Ryder-Jones’ knack for poignant and lingering melodies. Calvino would be delighted with Ryder-Jones’ opening chapter, for where he goes from here is as exciting as anyone’s guess.

Live: The Amazing Snakeheads

Written by Will Ellis on . Posted in Music.

15th October

Sound Control

7/10

Start slow, end mad, stay heavy. Witnessing the unrelenting wall of sound echoing out throughout Sound Control, you can’t help but think of this as the informal mantra of The Amazing Snakeheads. The evening starts with Dale Barclay—frontman and only remaining original band member—swanning on stage half-naked, half-cocked and full of an almost sinister energy. The band launch into a drawn-out version of ‘Every Guy Wants To Be Her Baby’, only interrupting the constant industrial beat to reach for one of the variety of different beer, wine and spirit bottles littering the stage.

By song three, Barclay had grown tired of the formality of occupying the stage and leapt over the front barrier, with a mic stand in tow. The crowd parted to allow him room to maneuver and enjoy the sight of him gurning harder than a fresher at their first Warehouse Project. The simplistic riffs and beats are not great feats of technical musical ability but that is not what makes this band. It is through the energetic and occasionally aggressive stance of the Glaswegian frontman that the band gains it’s defining and down right entertaining sound. Having recently signed to Domino records—a label famous for bringing bands such as the Arctic Monkeys to the forefront of the British music scene—the trio certainly have the musical pedigree to go on to be greats. This seems evident from their comfortable stance on stage, but it is certainly confidence, not arrogance, that fuels this band.

After blasting through the vast majority of debut album Amphetamine Ballads the band finish their set with an extended version of their 65-second debut single ‘Testifying Time’. Drawing heavily from the punk side of their psychedelic punk sound the crowd is left agitated and enthralled. Who said punk is dead?

Briefly Exploring Chorlton

Written by Robert Firth on . Posted in Lifestyle.

When you mention Chorlton to people, most people say something like: “Oh yeah, it’s really nice.” It is the type of place you would tell people you lived, probably the kind of place your parents would like you to live. The sort of place which is so nauseatingly nice you almost do not want to live there.

And if you’re from Fallowfield, Chorlton does not want you to visit, it would seem. I waited over 30 minutes for a number 22 bus which cost £2.50 for a fifteen-minute ride. There is a different stagecoach service which goes from Fallowfield, but your best bet is to get a bus into uni and catch the 85 or 86 opposite the RNCM.

When I arrived there I soon realised that Chorlton on a Tuesday morning at 10:30am is like Fallowfield on a Sunday morning at 9am. A lot of its celebrated independent shops (of which there are many) were closed just leaving the few chain retailers such as B&M Bargains and Costa Coffee. Whilst I waited for the rest of Chorlton to wake up I did some grocery shopping at a fruit and veg shop which came to £6.50 in total, far from unreasonable but probably double the price you would pay at Worldwide on Curry Mile.

Outside, I spoke to a Big Issue seller who had recently moved to Chorlton: “It’s very good. I used to live in Stockport but it’s better than there.” Keith, the manager of café Battery Park Juice Bar agreed: “I prefer it to Stockport.” Having just paid £1.80 for a latte, I could not disagree. What distinguishes Chorlton from most other merely nice areas seems to be its ability to keep chain stores to a minimum. “There are lots of independent shops, you don’t get a lot of big nationals as much, it has got more of a village feel it than a lot of other places,” Keith tells me. In particular Oddbins, a specialist wine shop, about as far away from Fallwofield’s New Zealand Wines as you can imagine and Simon Dunn Chocolatier caught my attention whilst strolling along the main street.

A short amble away from the centre, I stumble across a giant Morrisons, proof that Chorlton has not entirely avoided massive chain stores. Nearby there are four takeaways lined up, a nice contrast to the excessive amount of boutique coffee shops and international restaurants that fill the rest of Chorlton. Close by on Keppel Road, there is a stencilled portrait by Bristol-based street artist Stewy of a guy called Quentin Crisp who was a writer and gay icon which is worth checking out.

Before leaving I come across a Co-operative Funeral care. Despite all the chatter about Chorlton becoming a Yuppie utopia the most noticeable thing about it on weekdays is the amount of people shuffling by with walking sticks and shopping trolleys—although, worth visiting if you have a lot of time, patience and money.

Next Time: Moss Side

Have a place in Manchester you want Robert to check out? Email us at: [email protected]

The Myth of Masculinity

Written by Harry Newton on . Posted in Opinion.

Evolving is a natural function that every organism undertakes. Hundreds of thousands of years have seen the archaic Homo Sapiens evolve into either the modern day human or Wayne Rooney. The recent decades, however, have seen masculinity drastically evolve, sending the gentleman back into prehistoric records and rocketing a new type of man to the front.

There once was a time when a gentleman would hold the door open for a lady, only wear a jacket on a cold evening so he could be of assistance to a chilly lady, and would be on hand to pull a lady’s chair out before she was to take her seat. These were the generic things a gentleman would do to showcase his array of masculinity to the world. However, I’m afraid to say, the Gentleman’s Handbook of Masculinity has been stolen away from us and in its wake, left us with a dirty lad’s mag.

Surely, I hear you cry, masculinity is still around! A strong leading example of this being the typical lads’ holiday! Yes, nothing says masculinity like a week away in Magaluf where the male can reign supreme and stomp around his new territory like the man he knows he is! Yes, nothing bellows masculinity like a tattoo spelling “Only God can Judge me” in Chinese (it definitely doesn’t translate to that) on your mate’s bottom! It can only be rivalled on the masculinity scale with your other mate throwing up in the pool from his midday Jäger! And even that cannot quite compete with the masculinity of your other mate sat by the pool on his phone, taking selfies and snapchatting his mum, before announcing his day’s activities on Twitter. “#Magaluf2014 #BoysOnTour.”

OK, so the lad’s holiday isn’t the most masculine place in the world! But, this is a time for a man to go on holiday and let his hair down. Back in Manchester at the gym is where a man really shows his masculinity! When the man bounces into the gymnasium changing rooms and strips down to his bare body, he does not care for the other people in the room as he is showcasing his masculinity! There’s no hiding behind a towel here, a man will show the gifts that God gave him, whether or not the gift was a big or small one. That is masculinity! He further shows off his masculinity when he goes into the gym (not still naked) and plants himself down to lift some heavy weights… after he’s sorted his hair out in the mirror he has sat directly in front of, taken a picture of himself and tweeted about how much he’s about to do in the gym. He then turns on his iPod and puts his earphones in to listen to One Direction’s album (don’t pretend you don’t appreciate a good 1D tune) whilst completing his ten lifts. He then leaves for the McDonald’s next to the gym.

Okay, so the gym isn’t the most masculine place in the world! But, this is a time for a man to work out away from the pressures of women and be at ease. Back in the bathroom whilst getting ready is when a man really shows his masculinity! In the time it takes a woman to get ready in a bathroom, a man could have gone in 14 times, allowing his beard to grow in between each entry so he could shave it off again… right? Wrong. Years ago a man would partially shave, brush his teeth, wash his face and leave. What an easy life that man had… but what horrible complexion and hair. That man never moisturised, dry-shampooed, plucked his eyebrows, flossed, blow-dried and moulded his hair. He did not take the meticulous and correct amount of time to shave his beard into the neatest most imaginable shape possible. He did not cut his fingernails—he would bite them at red lights on the way to work. The modern day man may be a little bit less masculine in the bathroom, but he’s a lot better looking outside of the bathroom.

Colour coordination, disinterest from football, man-hugs, spirits instead of beer, pouting instead of smiling, clubs instead of pubs; what has happened to the days of the gentleman? They evolved. Who am I, you or him to say these new men aren’t masculine? Masculinity is within the eye of the beholder! Masculinity, as a set of rules, is a myth! However, all this being said, I do urge you to hold a door open for all, eat with your mouth closed and stand up for a pregnant lady on the bus. Masculinity is a myth—manners are not.

Women Beyond the Western World

Written by Marina Iskander on . Posted in Opinion.

With new campaigns, like the UN’s He for She, or the common viral Facebook post or video, feminism is starting to seem, to some, overrated. As much as most people do agree that men and women should have equal rights, many just lose interest when it comes to the finer details and thus deem feminism on the whole as a passing fad. Even worse, the term feminism has started to carry a connotation that limits its scope to the western world. However, this issue has become increasingly more important to consider in other parts of the world, such as the Middle East. When it comes to feminism, western ideals cannot be applied blindly to the Middle East, for its unique characteristics require these principles to be altered in a way that accommodates the culture and needs of its people.

For centuries now, women in the United Kingdom have fought a long battle for equality. For example, in 1870, married women were given the right to own property. In 1928 women were given the right to vote alongside men. In 1975 an act was passed to rule against sexual discrimination in education or in the work place. Over the years, women in Britain have gained more and more rights, leading them to, approximate, equality. As much as feminism may start sounding like a cliché to us today, fighting for women’s rights years ago is what built this country as we know it. Likewise, in most other nations, these laws have also been introduced over the years. However, when looking at feminism outside the western world, it is not political or procedural factors that we must focus on, but instead different factors that are not as prominent in the western world—factors such as sexual harassment, or restrictive and binding gender roles. Therefore, western feminists cannot expect the feminist movement to work the same way in different countries, but must instead allow for different cultural and traditional issues.

One of the biggest problems facing women in the Middle East is their constant vulnerability to sexual harassment. This vulnerability often has very little to do with what the woman is wearing or doing, but rather occurs because of a subconscious, and obviously incorrect, assumption by the men that they must assert their manhood by patronising and humiliating women. The trivial act of riding a public bus alone may easily become a dangerous trek. Sexual harassment has spread beyond the idea of a touch or a word, but has evolved into different tricks and manipulations by the predators to do all that they can to get their hands on women. As important as it is to focus on equality in the western world, feminists must start focusing their attention on the nations that lack the fundamentals of women’s rights in the first place.

Even worse, this fear of sexual harassment is part of a vicious circle; society generally puts women in very strict gender roles, which in turn leads other men to think that they have the power to hurt and oppress women. It is a common belief in certain cultures and religions that a woman must be married by a certain age, after which she is “spoiled goods.” More importantly, she must be a virgin at the time of marriage—any doubt of this fact could lead to great shame and embarrassment for not only her, but her family as well. At first glance, these roles seem far too deep-rooted and cultural to be changed by a wave of feminism. However, as time progresses, there has been more leeway in these roles. These traditions, as old as they are, are not set in stone; more and more women have started finding their worth in advancing in their careers or in doing what they love, rather than in starting a family. Therefore, feminists from all corners of the globe must not give up on fighting for women’s rights in the Middle East, no matter how ancient these maxims are.

There has been, however, another invisible and unnecessary barrier created when it comes to spreading feminism to nations outside of the western world. The stereotype of a Middle Eastern woman is that she is oppressed and is forced to dress in a certain way. Therefore, some may believe that women need to be “freed” from this way of dressing before they can fight for any other rights. This is a great oxymoron, since women in the Middle East, for the most part, choose to dress this way, as any other woman may choose to dress in different clothing. This generalised view limits how much feminism can achieve outside of the western world, since it sheds light on the wrong aspect of the every day life of a Middle Eastern woman.

Feminism has led to great things in many nations around the world. However, in order to reach its full potential, people must realise that there is more to feminism than finding equality just in procedures and systems. Instead, this movement must be applied to different areas in different ways in order to fit different cultures and traditions—cultures and traditions that can, no matter how ancient, change for the better, with time.

Students and staff pay tribute to student who died of meningitis

Written by Aidan Gregory on . Posted in News.

University of Manchester students have been paying tribute to Teygan Sugrue, the first year Russian with Economics student living in the tower who died of Meningitis last week.

It has been reported that Segrue, of St. Ives, Cornwall, was found seriously ill in his room on Sunday the 2nd of November. He was taken to hospital at around 8pm, but medics were unable to save him.

His death prompted a health scare on Owens Park campus, with students rushing to get vaccinations from local surgeries.

A great number of students and staff have also been expressing their sadness and shock on twitter and Facebook.

In response to the death, Dr Tim Westlake, Director of Student Experience at the University of Manchester, said: “We are saddened to hear of the death of one of our students and our thoughts are with his family.

“Following advice from Public Health England, students living at Owens Park Tower have received guidance from Occupational Health advising that they are not at increased risk of infection.

“In line with public health guidance, a small number of students who have been in very close contact have been identified and offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure.”

On behalf of the Students’ Union Executive, Rosie Dammers, Wellbeing Officer, said “We are all deeply saddened to hear of the death of Teygan Sugrue last weekend and our thoughts go out to his friends and family. We have spoken to the University, and are confident they are doing all they can to support Teygan’s family, issue the right awareness information to students in Owens Park and have taken measures to ensure the disease will not spread.

“If any student has been affected by the death, or has concerns about meningitis, I would encourage you to seek help and advice from Occupational Health or our advice service which is located on the ground floor of the Students’ Union.”

Katie Sarah Sugrue, Teygan’s sister, paid tribute to her brother on her Facebook page.

She wrote, “This is most likely the hardest and most upsetting status I’ll ever have to write, but it is my deepest regret to announce that my brother Teygan passed away last night due to suspected Meningococcal Septicaemia (Meningitis).

“We know he spent some time in Falmouth last week so if I could ask all his friends/Facebook contacts if they could share this status to make sure the message reaches everyone to avoid any harm to others health.

“Anyone with information of his known whereabouts during the week or maybe houses he slept at, please contact the numbers on the links below.

“Please act fast as this could potentially save someone’s life.

“Thank you everyone for your help, much love x.”

The NHS state that in 2011–12, there were around 2350 cases of bacterial meningitis in the UK, and that young children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable.

Students in halls are particularly at risk, due to “students starting university and mixing with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria.”

However, incidences of meningitis have been falling since the introduction of vaccinations that eradicate the bacteria which cause the disease, such as the meningitis C vaccine, MMR vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine.

Symptoms of infection include an aversion to light, vomiting, fever, and “pale, blotchy skin, with a red rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it”.

If you would like further information about the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia or have any concerns visit www.meningitisnow.org or call 080 8800 3344.

To wear or not to wear, that is the question

Written by Helen Chapman on . Posted in News.

The poppy has become one of the most evocative symbols of remembrance in the UK, and is the means by which most of the British public participate in commemoration.

However, there is a growing feeling that the way in which we remember and observe past conflicts is overtly nationalistic, making it impossible to critically analyse our role within conflicts past and present.

Advocates for the poppy argue that it is an important way to ensure that we never forget the horrors of past wars, and that those who died are owed a fitting remembrance.

Now there is the alternative of wearing the white poppy to show remembrance of death but to resist supporting militarism and recent foreign policy.

On the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, the Manchester Debating Union hosted the debate: should we wear the poppy?

The proposition panel had speaker Chris Nineham: co-founder and National Officer for Stop the War Coalition, who argued that the poppy put forward a “favourable view of war.”

Chris Nineham made the case that we need to “deal with a way of remembering war without repeating it,” and we should instead wear the white poppy to show we are “concerned with death but want to generate more debate within society.”

“The trick,” said Nineham, “is that the poppy can be portrayed in the sense that you support war.”

Supporting Nineham was proposition speaker Maddy Fry: freelance writer, journalist and author.

Fry said that the poppy shows “love for the military. Full stop. And no mention of why we go to war, why we have a military.”

In opposition was Dr. Lynette Nusbacher: a former Devil’s Advocate for the British Joint Intelligence Committee and former senior lecturer in War Studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Nusbacher said, in reaction to the proposition, that there is “no desire to gain propaganda value from remembrance… we will remember all of those who died because that is what remembrance is about.

“It’s not about us,” said Nusbacher, “it’s not about what we think, it’s about them.”

Alongside Nusbacher was Conor Ardill: a second year Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Manchester, the Externals Officer for the Manchester Debating Union and part of the Officer Training Corps.

Ardill said “people voluntarily sign up to the army but they don’t get to choose what conflict they go to… they don’t get to choose what is right or wrong.

“The reason why soldiers are collecting poppies is because they see it as part of their job to stand in solidarity with those who have been injured, not to support militarism.”

After a summary of both sides and their main points, the debate concluded with the proposition winning and the closing statement: “this house would not wear the poppy.”

Poppy Memorial attracts millions of visitors – why?

Written by Beth Greenwood on . Posted in Lifestyle.

As we draw closer to the 11th day of the 11th month, we become more aware of Remembrance Day. Aside from putting on a poppy and dropping a few coins into the collection tin at Sainsbury’s, millions of people including myself have made the journey to London to view the construction of the sea of ceramic poppies, entitled ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ by Artist Paul Cummins, that will progressively fill the Tower of London’s famous moat.

There will be 888246 ceramic poppies planted in the ground before the 11th of November, each flower representing a fallen soldier of the First World War. The exhibition has far surpassed anyone’s expectations, least of all the representatives of the Tower of London who have had to bring in extra staff to secure the site and keep crowds under control.

Why has it been such a success? Is it the occasion or the spectacle?

The real reason that the memorial has been such a triumph is a combination of both. The visitors to the display are of all ages and backgrounds but everyone has come to reflect.

The true accomplishment of this memorial is its universality which must be said to be rooted in its design. The concept is simple: one poppy for each casualty, however the outcome, is so much more meaningful.

Viewing the poppies from a distance they form a sea of red to mimic the immense bloodshed that started 100 years ago, yet view them up close and you can appreciate just how many men and women gave their lives to protect our country’s future.

If you can spare a minute on Armistice Day, why not think silently about the loss of those men and women that the poppies at the Tower honour and also ones that have paid the ultimate sacrifice since?

Remembering and respecting our heroes on Remembrance Day

Written by Lauren Wills on . Posted in Opinion.

In the busyness of life, Remembrance Sunday is one of the few occasions where millions of people across the UK take two minutes of silence and reflection in memory of those who have given their lives for the freedom of others in all conflicts.

The First World War officially ended on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month in 1918. The tradition began one year later as people were desperate to remember and thank those who were killed, injured or, affected by the war.

I am unsure whether or not the same appreciation resounds amongst our generation. As easy as it is to detach ourselves from something that hasn’t happened in our lifetime or affected us so directly, I believe it’s very important to remember, respect and, appreciate the fact that people of immense courage fought for us to live in a freed nation today.

After speaking to members of my family who lived through World War II, it became extremely apparent that nearly all aspects of life as we know it were nothing but a dream or fantasy. Firstly and most obviously, most men up to 39 years of age were drafted unless they were needed in other important areas that directly aided the war effort, such as energy production, farming, or factory work.

We think we understand this, but it’s difficult for most of us to imagine being a left alone by our fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons. It’s even more so difficult to imagine a family member being a prisoner of war. It’s also hard to comprehend living in constant fear for your family’s lives, not having the chance see relatives for up to five years with minimal communication.

It’s difficult to imagine scrapping our career aspirations and meticulously planned lives to go and fight in war at young ages. Indeed, almost all of the young men studying at our university would have been sent to fight on the continent—regardless of their country of origin.

On top of this, it is impossible to imagine the austere lifestyles of families, particularly in relation to rationing. It has been said to have completely changed the social landscape of the UK for generations to come.

Everything was rationed from food to clothing; my grandmother was one of three girls and said that she can’t remember getting anything new as a child because of clothing coupon allowances. In comparison, we are clouded by modern consumerism. We are showered with gifts, we always desire the next new product, and things are relatively easy to obtain.

Even the comparatively rich during World War II couldn’t purchase luxuries because there was nothing available to buy. Everything was suffering from shortages, everyone too.

Food wastage is common in today’s society, but people living in the 1940s were taught from a young age to appreciate and finish their food; a person’s typical weekly allowance was: one fresh egg; 4oz margarine and bacon (about four rashers); 2oz butter and tea; 1oz cheese; and 8oz sugar. Meat was allocated by price and points could be pooled or saved to buy different products. Even as students it’s difficult to imagine such a lifestyle, bound by a ration book and seldom able to experience variety.

Something that struck me about listening to my grandmother was the fact that she didn’t speak about those days as if they were terribly difficult. She said everyone made do and got on with their lives. In regards to rationing, she said everyone helped each other, or as she put it, “there were better neighbours in those days.” If someone lacked food, then another with enough food would provide at their own expense. Altruism was the norm, and there wasn’t a culture of needing to be repaid or recognised for good deeds.

My perception of Western society today is that everything concerns money; goods and cash are only given away when they are in abundance and charitable obligation where there is always recognition and praise for having given. Whilst this is not wrong, I think there is something beautiful about a society where people shared what they had, even if what they had was very little.

Overall, the lifestyles most of us enjoy today are nothing like that of those living during past major conflicts. We seldom see the freedom for which was fought as our own freedom. I would encourage all, especially young people, to appreciate what people went through, whether it was in the military, raising a family in difficult circumstances or trying to get by.

It’s also important to remember more recent tragedies, and even the present where members of the Armed Forces continue to put their lives on the line for the sake of our freedom, regardless of our, or their, political opinions on current affairs.

The First World War and the Second World War affected everyone, and it’s true that we don’t know what kind of society we would live in if it weren’t for others’ courage and bravery all that time ago.

I was shocked and saddened that the 15-year-old army cadet selling poppies for Remembrance Day was recently attacked in Manchester.

DI Liam Boden said, “This is an absolutely appalling attack on a young man who was raising money to help remember all those who gave their lives fighting bravely for their country. At this stage we are keeping an open mind as to what motivated the offender to commit such an attack”.

The Guardian reported that it was sheer luck that the individual didn’t sustain more serious burns to his face and body.

Whatever the motivation of the attacker, it is saddening that a person wished to suppress the deeds of a 15-year-old who was encouraging people to remember those who gave their lives fighting bravely in the wars and dying so that we could live as we do today.

I hope this shocking, thoughtless and horrific incident propels our society into a continuous state of gratefulness for our heroes, to be vocal in our thanks, and that we never forget the heavy price of freedom.

State school graduates will earn less than private school counterparts

Written by Anna Phillips on . Posted in News.

State school graduates tend to earn less than private school graduates, even in the same occupation with the same level of attainment in the same degree subject.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has revealed that there exists a six per cent gap in earnings between state educated and privately educated students.  This is equivalent to £1500 per year less for state educated students, even when their qualifications are identical.

The survey showed that there was a seven per cent gap in pay between those who graduated with the same degree, which dropped to six per cent if they went into the same job.

Overall, private school graduates earn 17 per cent more, or £4500 more per year than those from state schools.

Arguably this could be attributed to the fact that privately educated students are more likely to attend more selective universities and look for higher paid jobs.

However, this pay gap exists between graduates in the same job and raises questions about whether the ‘old boy network’ is still influential when employers decide which candidates should be offered jobs.

Dr Claire Crawford, assistant professor of economics at the University of Warwick and a researcher at the Institute for Fiscal Studies said: “Education is often regarded as a route to social mobility.”

“But, our research shows that even amongst those who succeed in obtaining a degree, family background—and in particular the type of school they went to—continues to influence their success in the work place.”

This research follows figures released by the Higher Education Statistic Agency, that revealed the top ten universities for privately educated students.

Oxford came out on top with only 57 per cent of state school admissions for 2013/14, closely followed by St. Andrews and Bristol, both below 60 per cent.

The University of Manchester’s figures for 2013/14 reveal that 77 per cent of students are state educated.

The research adds: “There are many reasons why we might expect graduates from the private sector to earn more, including access to particular social networks or having better non-cognitive skills.

“Taken together, our results imply that university does not entirely level the playing field across students from different socio-economic backgrounds.”

‘Keep your assets out of sight’ poster causes controversy

Written by Jennifer Sterne on . Posted in News.

A Greater Manchester Police poster has caused controversy across campus. The poster has been present on the University campus since 2007, but last week many students took to social media to condemn its ‘victim blaming’ content and existence on the university campus.

Found in the Kilburn building, the poster depicts a girl walking around campus with her thong showing above her jeans, along with having her Motorola flip phone, camera and iPhone visible.

This image is accompanied with the words ‘just stop showing off’ and ‘keep your assets out of sight’. The poster aimed to highlight that “one in three students will fall victim to crime at university,” however there has been much controversy on the way they chose to present this.

This all emerged the day that Jess Lishak, the Students’ Union Women’s Officer, received the anti-rape posters which she has been working on in collaboration with Greater Manchester Police.  These posters are to go up across campus and around student areas.

The new posters read ‘Drinking is not a crime. Rape is’, and outline that it “doesn’t matter what she’s wearing, how much she’s had to drink or whether you’ve kissed… sex without consent is rape.”

On Thursday Jess put up one of these new ‘anti-rape’ posters next to the old one in the Kilburn building, posting on Facebook that there was “quite a stark contrast between two Greater Manchester Police posters”.

Jess, in response to the poster found in the Kilburn building, wrote a letter to University management, with signatures from many students, demanding that it be “taken down and replaced with a positive message against victim-blaming and sexual harassment”.

This all comes just weeks after many criticised Greater Manchester Police of ‘victim blaming’ in their response to the rape of a girl in Fallowfield. The police called for students to pre-book taxis, rather than walking home alone.

In a statement for The Mancunion last week, Jess highlighted that sexual assaults don’t “happen because women didn’t get pre-booked taxis, they happened because men decided to rape or sexually assault them”.

Greater Manchester Police responded to this controversy with a statement to The Mancunion. “This poster was produced in 2007 by GMP as part of a campaign to tackle robberies being committed against students.

“It has nothing to do with a publicity campaign on rape. The strapline ‘Keep your assets out of sight’ was simply a reminder to students not to flaunt valuables such as mobile phones, iPods and cameras.

“The poster is no longer printed or distributed, and it is seven years since they were last sent out. The artwork was approved by the head of PR at the time, and this particular style was chosen as it was thought it would appeal to students and get their attention. It is worth noting that we received no negative feedback at the time these were produced.”

However, the university, when asked for comments on the posters’ presence on campus suggested that the poster was originally put up in the Kilburn building without university permission.

“A poster that formed part of an anti-crime initiative by Greater Manchester Police in 2007 was placed on a wall in the Kilburn Building without the knowledge or consent of the university. The posters were not displayed on campus at the time of the initial campaign and this single poster, put up by persons unknown, has now been removed.”

The Upcycling Project is on its way

Written by Xiaoya Su on . Posted in News.

The Upcycling Project, which has been supported by the Exec Team of the University of Manchester Students’ Union, is going to be officially launched on Monday the 10th of November. The revamped space, formerly occupied by the Royal Bank of Scotland, is next to Academy 1 and will be turned into a student shop.

It will sell upcycled clothes for charity and is a student-run, student-led project that aims to leave a positive impact for both charities and the environment.

Upcycling is the process of changing previously used products and materials that have been thrown out, such as old clothes, into better quality and better value goods. After taking back the RBS-rented building, the Students’ Union had planned to do something environmentally focused. In October, it was decided to use this then unoccupied space to run the Upcycling Project.

During an interview with The Mancunion, Joel Smith, Activities Officer of the Students’ Union said, “by doing the project, we want to get people to rethink about how they can deal with the unwanted clothes and waste, whilst showing their care for the environment.”

Donation bins have been present in the foyer of the Students’ Union over the past week. The upcycled clothes will be sold in the new shop and any profit will be used to support selected charities.

The Students’ Union is also running a series of workshops to coincide with the project. The first was entitled ‘How to Upcycle’ and took place on the 4th of November. Stitched Up, a not-for-profit upcycling co-operative, helped run the event. The Students’ Union has planned more workshops in the coming few weeks including screenprinting, tie-dyeing, and various other upcycling techniques.

Currently the project is being directed by a group of student volunteers and they are using Facebook as a pedestal to get more people involved. Joel added, “the point is trying to make people understand why they are there and what they are doing.”

The project will run for the four weeks following Monday the 10th of November. Joel added, “maybe we will be doing something similar or different next semester, but it all depends on how things work out this term. It’s just a trial run, a try-out.”