Newspaper of the students of the University of Surrey

Issue 68 Monday 24th February 2014

NEWS Ketamine to be made Class B Drug The horse tranquilisercum-party drug moves up a class... Page 4 OPINION & ANALYSIS Why do we still smoke? Despite the abundance of warnings, people are still lighting up... Page 10

CAMPUS FLOODED

FEATURES The websites not to live without A run-down of the internet corners we love most ... Page 13 SCIENCE & TECH Million-year-old Brits Britains oldest ancestors discovered in Norwich... Page 18

FILM TV Corner Which three documentaries should you make sure not to miss? Page 25

Ian Britton

Just why is the weather being so harsh? The SciTech editor has an answer - Page 18

Your new events planner is here! Find it in our centrefold pages

The manifestos have been written, printed and are available to read all over campus

www.ussu.co.uk/surreydecides

SOCIETIES PEN Soc welcomes Nikita Lalwani Human rights society will host evening with author... Page 26

The elections for full and part-time union Record numbers of candidates running this positions are in full swing year
By Nicole Vassell, Editor the student body. With five salaried full-time positions and ten parttime spots up for grabs, the union aimed to receive at least fifty students pledging their candidacy. With 48 people running in total, they were not far off. The Union Chairperson commented: Weve had a phenomenal turnout, which is something everyone in the Students Union is really excited about. Last year, candidate number was in its 30s, showing just how much engagement has increased. With one position having as many as nine people running, competition is likely to be incredibly tough. Sunday the 23rd February saw the first of three evenings of Question Time. Held in Rubix, it awards candidates the opportunity to prove their competencies to their peers, live and in person. Nights two and three will be held on Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th February from 7pm onwards, before voting opens at 00:01 on Thursday 27th until 6pm on Friday 28th. The Stag wishes best of luck to all candidates!

ampus has been flooded with campaign materials, as Surrey students prepare to decide who will represent them in the Union from 2014-15. Always an exciting period, potential officers have been doing their utmost to secure votes from

Inside: Valentines fails New events planner Jim Meets...

EDITORIAL

The Stag | 10th February 2014

editor@thestagsurrey.co.uk

Editor | Nicole Vassell editor@thestagsurrey.co.uk Editor-in-Chief | Andy Smith ussu.editor@surrey.ac.uk Deputy Editor (Head of Design) | Paul A Richmond design@thestagsurrey.co.uk Design Team | Siobhan Harris, Sophia Field Deputy Editor (Marketing) | Matilda Tasker marketing@thestagsurrey.co.uk Marketing Team | Vacant News Editor | Shunayna Vaghela news@thestagsurrey.co.uk News Team | Samuel Gregory, Katie Sands Opinion and Analysis Editor | Sam West opinion@thestagsurrey.co.uk Opinion & Analysis Team | Nicky Fenn, Ibrahim Sarwar, Ting Wei Features Editor | Rebekkah Hughes features@thestagsurrey.co.uk Features Team | Ardy Cheung, Jas Smith, Alex Watts Science and Technology Editor | Siobhan Harris sciencetech@thestagsurrey.co.uk Science and Technology Team | Fahmid Chowdhury, Francesca Gillard, Ben Hartfield, James Lake, Edward Luff Dance and Theatre Editor | Ambar Parker Moreno dancetheatre@thestagsurrey.co.uk Dance and Theatre Team | Aaron Douglas, Nicky Fenn Film Editor | Sophia Field film@thestagsurrey.co.uk Film Team | Ankur Banerjee, Jordan Brackenbury, Hayden Lloyd, Daniel Mueller Music Editor | Candice Ritchie music@thestagsurrey.co.uk Music Team | Leo Blanchard, James Campbell, Kyra Hanson Literature Editor | Shiri Shah literature@thestagsurrey.co.uk Literature Team | Leo Blanchard, Emma Hawken Societies Editor | Alice Wilkinson societies@thestagsurrey.co.uk Sports Editor | Santiago Avils Sport@thestagsurrey.co.uk Sport Team | James Lovell, Harry Metters, Jordan Thomson Web Editor | Alistair Walker webmaster@thestagsurrey.co.uk Copy Editors | Laura Ball, Oliver Gosling, Harriet Knight firstnamelastname@thestagsurrey.co.uk

No to NekNominate
By Nicole Vassell, Editor
udging by the speed that internet crazes come and go, its highly probable that NekNominate will safely be a thing of the past by the time this goes to print. Even so, I cant help but weigh in and say that this is one particular trend that we should all be glad to see the back of. In case it has passed you by, NekNominate is a controversial game that has gained popularity primarily through social media, whereby a person necks a drink as fast as possible before nominating three friends to do the same or beat their achievement within 24 hours. Unsurprisingly, the drinks are usually alcoholic and can include combinations of various spirits and liquors, in order to create an outrageous concoction. Though mixing alcoholic drinks is never recommended, itd be hypocritical for me to sit here and act as if I wouldnt have been tempted to participate had I been nominated because as most trends do, it looked fun at the start! When a friend drank a combination of whiskey, vodka, Pepsi Max and gravy in a wine glass, I laughed along with the seventy others that had liked her post. Unfortunately, it never takes long before the spirit of competition can overshadow common sense and awareness of personal safety. So far, the craze has been linked to the death of five people in the UK and Ireland the latest tragedy saw 20-year-old salesman Bradley Eames die four days after downing two pints of gin within a few minutes. Although his aim was to show whos boss, he ended up showing just how horrific the consequences of peer pressure can be. Was it worth it? Personally, I dont think pride should lie in having a stronger liver or gag reflex than your friends. Luckily, there have been some positive initiatives that NekNominate has inspired for example, #ChekNominate

is CoppaFeels push to get women and men alike to check their breast tissue for lumps or unusual signs. 48-yearold events manager Edward Lennie stripped down to his underwear to give a homeless man the suit hed been wearing, thus creating RAKNominate getting people to perform a random act of kindness. However, the strangest strand that Ive come across so far is NicNominate where a person is put forward to post a picture of polarising

actor Nicholas Cage in a particular mood. To illustrate, Ive chosen Cage In Awe. Weird, but hey it made me chuckle. All trends have similar life-cycles: they pop up, become all the rage for a while, and then something else will come along to take its place. Once everyones over Nominating, who knows whatll be next? Though it can be fun to get involved with them, its crucial to remember that being the best at something incredibly dangerous means nothing if youre not alive to tell the tale.

Letter from the Editor

H
The Stag is an editorially independent newspaper and is published by the University of Surrey Students Union. The views expressed in the paper are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the educational team, the Students Union or the University of Surrey. Trinity Mirror (South) St. Albans Road, Watford WD24 7RG The Stag reserves the right to edit all submissions and the right to decide which articles are published.

ey everyone, I hope semester two has gotten off to a great start for all. Im stunned that weve gotten to this point in the year already not only is it dissertation and job application time (the less said about that, the better), but Surreys Deciding all over again! I really take my hat off to everyone running. It takes a lot of confidence and self-belief to put yourself forward for the chance to represent the students of Surrey. Not everyone can win, but regardless of the outcome, all 48 candidates should wake up this Saturday feeling proud of themselves. Even though I wont be around to feel the effects, Im really into the union elections

this year maybe its down to the record number of candidates, or the fact that some of the manifestos have been particularly interesting, but Im more engaged than ever before. Before I throw my graduate cap up into the air, I want to make sure that students are being represented by the people that I believe will do the best job. So, dear readers, follow Question Time either in Rubix or across Stag Media, read the manifestos and VOTE. The only way to get what you want out of your union is to make your voice heard! Have a great fortnight! Nicole

Simona Dalla Valle

News Editor: Shunayna Vaghela

The Stag | 24th February 2014

NEWS

World Cancer Day

By Shunayna Vaghela, News Editor

ancer charities joined forces with academics as the University of Surrey in Guildford hosted an event to mark World Cancer Day on Tuesday 4th February. The university invited local and national charities to take part in a lunchtime exhibition held to raise awareness among students and staff of certain types of cancer and the support available to sufferers. The event gave visitors tips on healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of developing cancer. It followed a warning from the World Health Organization (WHO) who claimed that, by 2035, annual cancer diagnoses will have increased by 10 million to 24 million. According to the WHO, about 30% of cancer deaths are due to five risk factors, namely obesity, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol use. Researchers at the

university used the World Cancer Day campaign to publicise the message that exercise is not only safe for cancer patients and survivors but may also increase their chances of survival. Professor Nora Kearney, Head of the School of Health and Social Care and Professor of Cancer Care at the university stated: Research is showing that exercise can increase their quality of life by reducing the symptoms of cancer, such as tiredness. There is also emerging evidence that it can improve their chances of survival. Among the charities represented on the day were national organisations such as Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support as well as St Lukes Cancer Centre, The Prostate Project and The Fountain Centre, all based at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford. The Fountain Centre is a charity which promotes a holistic approach to

cancer treatment by offering patients advice, counselling and a range of complementary therapies. These services are provided by volunteers, who currently hold 600 appointments a month. Anne Pike, manager of The Fountain Centre, said: The emotional and psychological support we offer is very important in helping cancer patients get through their treatment and move on afterwards. One of the stalls at the World Cancer Day event was run by Surrey Marrow, part of a UK-wide network of university groups encouraging students to join the Anthony Nolan charitys national bone marrow register simply by giving a saliva sample. Surrey Marrow, which is run by students, has added about 500 young people to the register in four years. Five of them have become donors for blood cancer patients needing a transplant.

Two found guilty in connection to train track death

Leveretdreaming

By Samuel Gregory, News Team

ocal men Harry Miller and Jack Hardy have been found guilty of affray in connection to the death of Ryan Harrison, 22, at Guildford Station. The 20-year-olds, both from Guildford, were part of a group of six males and two females returning to Guildford by train on the night of the incident in March 2013. Harrison and a male friend were waiting to board the same train that would turn around and take them home to Woking. As the two groups passed each other, departing and boarding the train respectively, words were exchanged, and an argument sparked. During the confrontation, Mr Harrison

fell between the train and the platform edge. Harrison was killed when the train began to depart the station, with emergency services pronouncing him dead at the scene. CCTV footage not only captured the confrontation but also the fall and the scenes of shock within the defendants group as they held their heads in their hands afterwards. Mr Miller and Mr Hardys charges of affray, a public order offence consisting of the fighting of one or more persons in a public space to the terror of standers-by, was dealt alongside a refusal of bail and both were subsequently remanded into custody. A third defendant who admitted to the court that he was involved in the fight moments before Mr Harrisons death was found not guilty by the court. A fourth defendant, Joshua Elphick, had previously pleaded guilty to the charges of affray and manslaughter on 17th December 2013, with his punch being the cause of Mr Harrisons fall. Back at Guildford Crown Court on the 14th February, Mr Elphick was sentenced to five years in a young offenders institute. Hardy and Miller were also sentenced to a young offenders institute for 12 months each at the same hearing.

Jim Meets Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Professor Jim Al-Khalili welcomes his first female guest to the hot seat

niversity of Surrey Physics Professor and Radio 4 Life Scientific presenter, Jim Al-Khalili, will host the next in the series of his Jim Meets interviews, with special guest, BBC Four The Sky at Night presenter, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Maggie will be the first woman to sit in the Jim meets hot seat and she is looking forward sharing her experiences of being a leading female

this with others has fuelled her participation in public engagement activities. Through her company, Guildford Science Innovation Ltd, Maggie conducts Tours of the Universe and other public engagement activities, to show school children and adults the wonders of space. To date, she has given these talks to 100,000 people across the globe - 60,000 of these have been school children in the UK.

Monday 3 March 2014, 7:00PM to 8:30PM Rik Medlik Lecture Theatre Students & Concession 4.50 General Admission 6.00 Tickets are available from the University Box Office 01483 686876 boxoffice@surrey.ac.uk www.surrey.ac.uk/events/jimmeets

space scientist working within a male-dominated environment. Maggie studied at Imperial College where she obtained a degree in physics and a PhD in mechanical engineering. Since then, she has spent her career making novel, bespoke instrumentation for a range of space-related applications. Her passion for science and a desire to share

Maggie is also a familiar face on BBC science programmes and has presented BBC2s Do We Really Need The Moon? and Do We Really Need Satellites? as well as regular appearances on BBC1s The One Show. Most recently, though, she has taken over from Patrick Moore as one of three presenter of The Sky at Night the very programme that inspired her as a child.

NEWS

The Stag | 24th February 2014

news@thestagsurrey.co.uk

Ketamine to become Class B Drug

How graduates support Surrey students

LIFE AFTER SURREY

By Siobhan Harris, Science and Technology Editor

ew evidence has emerged that ketamine, occasionally known as Special K by party-goers, can cause severe and disabling damage to the bladder, according to the governments Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. This has added to the mounting evidence that ketamine poses a great danger to physical and psychological health, especially after the recent ketamine-related death of 18-year-old Eleanor Rowe from Hampshire. It has led ministers to reclassify the substance from a Class C to B. This reclassification means that unlawful possession of ketamine can result in five years in jail, while the maximum penalty for trafficking offences will continue to be 14 years imprisonment.

A staggering 120,000 people aged 16-59 in England and Wales had taken ketamine in 2012, according to Home Office figures released last summer. Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said he hoped to send a message that the party drug, which normally functions as a horse tranquiliser, is extremely harmful when used for recreation. The evidence reveals that users as young as 20 years old have had to have their bladders removed due to heavy consumption of the drug. If this isnt a warning to sign to back off from the drug, then the clampdown on illegal highs will likely push ministers to think of more ways to control the situation. Whether this news drives people to reconsider their involvement, or interest in ketamine, as Baker said: Its better to send a signal than not to send a signal.

Katie Anderson

University of Surrey student telephone campaign callers say thank-you to donors By Rachael Lowe, Alumni Relations

id you know that many of the facilities you enjoy around campus or the great resources in the library are thanks to the generosity of former students? In the alumni and development office, we are in the midst of the telephone campaign where current Surrey students call up our graduates and update them on the Universitys latest developments, share campus anecdotes, receive career advice and generate valuable donations towards the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund supports student hardship and other worthy projects across campus. And to celebrate the importance of philanthropy, the University of Surrey is joining nearly 100 educational institutions worldwide to participate in the annual Student Engagement and Philanthropy Day, which takes place on February 27. The day is designed to increase student understanding of philanthropy and the huge benefits it brings. Linda Grossmann, Annual Fund Officer in the Alumni & Development Office, said: The support of our alumni really does go a long way in helping students of today and the Alumni & Development Office ensures that the relationship between the two continues. We want students to know how much alumni have done for them and to engage with philanthropy in Surrey. Participating in the Student Engagement and Philanthropy Day on 27 February is a great way to raise awareness of just that. An ideal place to start would be for students to find out more about the Annual Fund by liking our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/UniversityOfSurreyAnnualFund or contact annualfund@surrey.ac.uk Surrey students recently got together to thank donors, all of whom are graduates of Surrey, for their support. Of late, their donations have bought a new mixing desk for Stag Radio, new trampolines for Team Surreys trampolining club and helped more than 75 students in need of a hardship grant last year. Without the support of the Annual Fund and hardship grants, some students wouldnt be able to continue their studies.

To view the students thank-you video please visit www.surrey. ac.uk/thankyouvideo For further information on Forever Surrey please visit www. surrey.ac.uk/alumni

NEWS

The Stag | 24th February 2014

news@thestagsurrey.co.uk

Farewell to Flares
Cheesy music nightclub shuts down
By Shunayna Vaghela, News Editor

CAREERS COLUMN

uildford town staple Flares closed its doors for good on Friday 14th February. The nightclub specialised in tunes from yesteryear, allowing its punters to indulge in classic from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s. The owners, Stonegate Pub Company, closed the Guildford staple to make way for a new club,

Popworld. The company is investing over 185,000 in the project, opening its doors to the public on the 28th February. Playing pop music ranging from the 90s to present day, the bar will serve a number of poptails, with a range of bombs and shots also available. There will also be a VIP area with a private dance floor and waitress service.

No More Page 3 Campaign Escalates

By Katie Sands, News Team

he campaign to ban Page 3 from The Sun aims to convince the papers editor David Dinsmore to take the bare boobs out of The Sun. Lucy Holmes started the online petition over a year ago, yet the campaign has been growing at an increasing rate since the start of the New Year. Over 135,000 supporters have signed the petition to date, with famous endorsers such as Alistair Campbell and Jennifer Saunders. Recent events like Russell Brand posting a photo of himself holding up a No More Page 3 T-shirt on his twitter feed has reignited the debate. His endorsement has gained mixed responses from both page 3 supporters and protesters due

to his dubious past in regard to issues of female empowerment. Zoe Stavri writing for The Independent commented: I somehow doubt that Russell Brand has slain his internal sexism. Whilst the message of those protesting grows, The Sun editor David Dinsmore has not publicly spoken on the topic since 2013. He told John Pienaar on 5 Lives Pienaars Politics: It is a lively issue for people who dont buy the paper and weve done the research, done the focus groups and in many ways listened to the campaigners to say: What does it mean to our readers? The result comes back a resounding keep it there, dont take it away. Another step forward in the campaign is the decision for

Mumsnet, a website that has 4.3 million monthly unique visitors, to officially offer its support to the campaign. As one of the UKs most popular websites for parents, Mumsnet in January started a conversation with its users to decide whether it was appropriate them to offer its support on their behalf. Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts wrote on the site: The implication of Page 3 is pretty clear: men make the news, and women stand next to the news in their pants. This isnt what Mumsnet users want for their daughters - or their sons. With increasing pressure on David Dinsmore to respond to the debate, the next few months may be crucial in the success of the campaign and the future of the infamous Page 3.

By Sarah Kendall, Hannah Roberts and Alex Tromp, Careers Ambassadors

emester 2 is now in full swing and we hope that you are settling into your new module courses. Whilst it may feel as though you have missed opportunities with some applications that closed in the New Year, dont give up as there are still jobs to be had! Whether youre a first year looking for a summer internship, a second year seeking a placement or a final year searching for a graduate job, do not be deterred if friends have heard back but you havent. Many companies are still working their way through applications and you may receive an invitation to an internship, placement or graduate assessment centre over the next few weeks! We have a variety of events coming up which may make all the difference to securing that role. These include but are not limited to: - Wed 26th Feb - Speed Networking for Finalists with the ICAEW. More information can be found on posters in the Management building. This is a unique 'speed meeting' event between potential ACA students and local employers and is an exciting opportunity to take part in a 'speed interview' with other students and professionals. - Wed 26th Feb - Law Careers Event - Exploring Your Future This is a fantastic networking opportunity that has been put together by The School of Law and the Careers Service, to enable Law students to ask questions and discuss their options with practitioner solicitors, barristers, trainees, pupils and also employers from other professions and charities in an informal environment. - Fri 28th Feb - CV Checks with Coca-Cola (CV check with multinational student) - Mon 3rd March A Presentation by the Army - Tues 4th March - BHS Retail Management Graduate Scheme Presentation - Thurs 6th March - Problem Solving Skills, led by BAE Systems As well as hosting a variety of events to inform students, the Careers Service also have an online careers video library which is full of videos to help you with different aspects of your career i.e. online application forms, telephone interviews and assessment centre exercises. All can be viewed from the comfort of your own home! To access all these great resources go onto the Surrey Careers website (www.surrey.ac.uk/careers) and look on the right hand side under Quick Links where Careers Videos is found and then use your University login details. Remember, were open Monday Friday 9-5pm, with quick queries 2-4pm. Everyone from the University is welcome to drop by and we look forward to seeing you soon and giving you any Careers related information or guidance you may need. Thanks for reading!

ancy brushing up on your public speaking skills? IBM are holding an interactive presentation skills workshop on Thursday 27th February at 10am in LTA. Get over that glossophobia, and come and find out what that word even means.

OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Stag | 24th February 2014

opinion@thestagsurrey.co.uk

The Threat Of The 50p Tax Rate: It Harms Everyone

I
Sam West Opinion Editor
t was just last month that Ed Balls announced that, if the Labour Party return to power, they will increase the top rate of income tax to 50%; 50p in each 1. This shows Labours shift to the left, away from the centre-left party that Tony Blair tried to establish. The Labour Party won the 1997, 2001 and 2005 general elections, maintaining the top rate of tax at 40p. Despite Gordon Brown raising the top tax rate to 50p and losing the general election months later, this was later brought down to 45p by the coalition government. It sends the message that the Labour Party has returned to its socialist roots: anti-growth, anti-capitalist and antibusiness. With the economy turning the corner, the last thing we need is left-wing economic destruction, hurting both the rich and the poor. Thankfully, the electorate have recognised this anti-business agenda. Despite Labour hoping for a boom in opinion polls, they have failed to shift from the slimto-mediocre lead that they hold. It is morally wrong to tax half of any individuals earnings, even if they are a high earner. For every 1 that they earn, they must give 50p to the state. It is absurd that anyone would defend such an immoral policy. And in reality, if you combine income tax with national insurance and either VAT or inheritance tax, plus other taxes, the top bracket is much higher! Combined, some individuals are taxed anywhere between 60%-75%, perhaps more. Although the richest should contribute a higher percentage, taxation should not become too discriminatory. At the end of the day, it is hard earned money which is taxed, either built up by them, or by the success of a relative in their family history. What is perhaps more important is the outcome of the 50p tax rate, hurting both the rich and poor. In difficult economic times and with anti-growth policies, it is the poorest and most ordinary people who are hit the hardest. If top-rate taxation becomes too oppressive, this leaves less money to invest in new and existing businesses. Being pro-business is fundamental, as it is businesses which boost the economy and, more importantly, create jobs. Job creation benefits the forgotten working class, who are affected most by economic gloom and decay. The unemployment rate is still high and anti-job policies would do nothing but escalate the problem. Over-taxation

Opinion & Analysis

also drives existing businesses away and prevents overseas businesses from investing in the UK. This does nothing but benefit foreign economies. This argument isnt one of pro-rich or pro-elite. It is the opposite, benefiting all members of society, whether rich or poor. And if anything we should strive for a society that is somewhat populist, benefiting the many and not the few. Anti-growth and antijob policies do nothing but disadvantage the many. A top rate of 50p taxation goes completely against common sense and basic economics. This isnt to say that we should only help individuals of big-businesses. It is also vital to be pro-small business, for they also create jobs, act as a foundation for communities, and given the opportunity, flourish into larger and more successful businesses. While taxation is too high for small businessmen and everyone generally, this 50p tax rate damages individuals whose income bracket is higher. This would include small businessmen if they ever happened to succeed, through luck or success, to become big businessmen. Yes the rich have too much power in our society, such as in business, media and politics, but that doesnt mean we should overtax them, because diminishing job creation hurts us more. More needs to be done to help the average man walking down the street, especially in terms of social mobility, but taxing the rich just to make everyone else feel better is not the answer. If anything, dont penalise law-abiding citizens who pay all their taxes, even if their earnings happen to be much higher than most. More needs to be done to close loopholes and punish tax avoiders, which could put billions into the public purse. While most abide, it is unfair how some fiddle the system and cheat society. What is despicable is how the Labour Party let such corruption happen throughout their previous 13 year rule, despite majority governments each time! They could have effectively closed loopholes and penalised tax avoiders if they tried. This 50p tax rate shows the same old antigrowth Labour Party that would destroy the economy and drive back prosperity, damaging all levels of society. With the economy turning the corner, it would be disastrous if this was reversed, making us face the days of greater gloom and despair.

London
Ibrahim Sarwar

nyone who knows me well will be unsurprised by the statement I am about to make: I love London. In fact, I believe it to be the best city in the world. Now, granted, I have not visited every city in the world; far from it, and since I am only 21, my experiences are limited at best. However, I cant help but feel that I am undeniably and infallibly correct. I was born and raised in the continuous rush that is London and it was invigorating. From the constant mass of bodies shuffling through the streets to the endlessly gridlocked roads, it feels as if you are forever stuck in the unending movement. To others that arent used to city life, this may seem off-putting, but it is far from that in my personal opinion. It is only in a city such as London that you can truly appreciate the unceasing quest that is life. Silence overtakes only the brief moments of twilight, and calm is a scarcity that always seems just beyond our reach. I had never lived anywhere else until I moved to the quaint town of Guildford. As much as I love the university and all of my flatmates, I cant help but feel that there is something missing. I notice it most when

I wander the streets of Guildford. To stroll seems to be the pace of choice and to relax is less a luxury and more one of lifes top priorities. Perhaps this is the key difference between town and city life - and far be it from me to judge those that choose the former. Regardless of my opinion, I can still see the benefits of living in a town, and sometimes peace and quiet seem like the most precious commodities in the world. For me, however, the experience of living in Guildford is simply cementing my desire to live in London for as long as humanly possible. Bear in mind that this is not due to a dislike of the town, or in fact anywhere I visit around the globe; rather it is the fact that, in comparison, no city, town or village has the same spark. This spark drives eight million people into less than 2000 square kilometres, welcoming individuals from all over the world from as far as Lahore and as close as Glasgow. I welcome the world and those in it to challenge my view - maybe one day it might even change, as no one can ever be sure of the path their life will take. For the time being, however, London has definitely ruined my finances for the foreseeable future by creating a monster inside of me that can only be satisfied by 4am police sirens, tube carriages fit to burst, and a skyline so iconic that it could make anyone in the world feel at home.

Pierre Metivier

Jon Candy (50p)

10 OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Stag | 24th February 2014

opinion@thestagsurrey.co.uk

It Makes Me Fume
Nicky Fenn

alking around campus I find it staggering the number of students who are huddled outside university building doorways having a quick fag before returning to lectures. Students stand so close to the doors that a faint smell of cigarette smoke lingers around the entranceway to most buildings. It has become impossible to enter or leave the library without getting a lung-full of smoke, whether you are a smoker or not. I couldn't even enter the exam hall recently without another student having a last minute puff and inconsiderately blowing the smoke onto the back of my head. Personally, I don't understand why people of our generation smoke. University students being primarily between the ages of 18-25 are surely no longer at the age where smoking is perceived as 'cool'. Unlike our parents and grandparents, we are young enough to know the risks before we start puffing and becoming addicted. As intelligent students, we do not need to be patronised and have it reiterated that smoking is bad for us, we only have to look at the warning on a packet of cigarettes. However, the statistics surrounding death by smoking are truly shocking and make you question why anyone in their right mind would not make an effort to quit. Over 100,000 people die every year from smoking-related causes in the UK alone, with smoking accounting for over one quarter of cancer deaths. Roughly half of all regular cigarette smokers

will eventually be killed by their addiction. So what is it that is so appealing, that young people still feel the need to take up smoking? It is certainly not the extortionately-priced 6-8 for a 20 pack of cigarettes that eats into a student's already tight budget. It cannot be the allure of standing outside a building on a cold February morning. And how unappealing is the smell of stale cigarettes that cakes a smoker's clothes, hair and skin, making non-smokers want to keep their distance? Perhaps smokers are influenced by pop stars and actors who can be seen puffing all kinds of substances to their hearts' content, but surely sportsmen and women are much better role models. There was a recent outcry when Arsenal footballer Jack Wilshere was allegedly seen smoking outside a nightclub. Many shrug off the dangers of smoking and ultimately it is their own decision to damage their health, which would be fine if it was just the person smoking who was affected. However, as a smoker inhales only 15 per cent of the smoke from a cigarette, the other 85 per cent is released into the atmosphere to be inhaled by other people. Passive smoking accounts for at least 1,000 deaths in the UK every year. How many smokers have also considered the effect that their premature death would have on a future family, who would do anything to have that time back with loved ones? If university is about working to gain a better future for yourself, why not make a change towards a healthier future and stop smoking.

Why British Humour Is So Humorous

Ting Wei

Eva Ekeblad

t was said that last year the most frequent noun in written English in the UK was time, and the most frequent verb was be. Is this evidence of typical British characteristics, of being punctual and orderly? Well, it could be. Yet this result is possible for cities, especially metropolitans, in other countries as well. Generally speaking, it is a sign of being precise, disciplined and regulated. What surprises me is the fact that, although British people may still enjoy the stereotypes endorsed by people from other cultures, of being reserved or rigid, they are also famous for their own sense of humour. If you are an observer of culture, their omnipresent sense of humour can hit you in any form and in any circumstance, which may require you to switch on your sixth sense detector, to identify irony and self-mockery covered by a poker face. Yes, they are bloody obvious, arent they? However, once you get used to it, you cannot live without it anymore. The ecstasy you get after decoding the punch-line is way more enjoyable than laughing for a joke, with a neon sign that says sarcasm. The Brits predilection for their own unique sense

of humour is manifested in all kinds of ways, such as with their celebrities. There is usually a sharp contrast between the celebritys public image (e.g. the phrase ladies and gentlemen) and the image of them acting like a freak (e.g. Mr. Bean; David Walliams in Little Britain). Also, well-known celebrities very often make fun of themselves. The more eye-popping their act, the more humour it creates. Furthermore, we see staff laughing at a joke shared by others during work, for example, in a canteen (which is not a good idea for proving your hard work in other cultures!). It seems that British people can find humour in everything and tend not to take themselves too seriously. Why is that? In my opinion, the reason concerns overcoming social inhibitions. As mentioned previously, the two key words time and be indicate the orderly lifestyle that is regulated by social conventions. This may cause stress and anxiety, which can greatly influence how people perform in public. Also, the marriage between monarchy and parliament brings around a class-consciousness and the avoidance of discussing it (e.g. the money-talk taboo). Therefore, being humourous can be a kind of problem-solving mechanism. With humour, we forget about social norms and differences, and enjoy the fresh air of being ourselves!

Ian Bulkwater

12 FEATURES

The Stag | 24th February 2014

features@thestagsurrey.co.uk

by Alex Watts, Features Team

How to make the most of your Getting Cold Feet disappointing Valentines Day A
by Ardy Cheung, Features Team while back I watched a documentary on how emperor penguin parents hatch their eggs. I was already awwing at the opening scenes of these chubby birds waddling around and was highly amused by their belly sliding on the ice. I was imagining people going around like that we would look quite bizarre. So, if youre feeling a bit shivery in our cold wet Winter, slip on your bed socks and read this heart (and feet) warming story of the penguin parent: Emperor Penguins can produce only one egg a year which the dad looks after whilst mum leaves for a period to hunt and store food in their bodies, ready to feed their babies. The egg is carried on top of the dads feet, wrapped inside their belly fur. They work hard to avoid their eggs being exposed to harsh winds, taking small steps to secure the egg and bunching together with other dads to keep as much body heat as they can. The way they keep looking down to check their egg is the cutest thing! Sadly, some do not manage to keep their eggs secure they roll out and freeze in seconds. This is heartbreak to some penguins, so they try to roll the dead egg back onto their feet or even a snowball to replace the emptiness left inside them. They have no choice but to wait another year and to watch jealously as other penguins hatch theirs. I was sad (and quite tearful because I am an animal sop) to see this as it shows just how valuable their one egg is and how difficult it is for it to survive in the Antarctic conditions. Once the baby hatches, the mum returns to feed and then it is dads turn to food hunt. They cannot bear to leave their baby to do this and keep turning back for a last look! The baby is kept warm until they grow enough fur to survive the cold. This is why I love the Emperor Penguin for its battle against the elements: they really are the most dedicated and proud parents with a love for their family. Now Happy Feet means more than just dancing animations.

Features

understand that by the time you read this it will be far too late to act upon what I have written. The sun will be out, all the orchards will be in blossom and the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. However, as much as seeing couples post photos of their meals and the gifts they have exchanged make us all very happy, this is for the people whose day was not so great. So, for those of you who didnt have such a great time, here are four tips on how to make the most of your month following a rather disappointing Valentines Day. 1. The day after Valentines is 75% off chocolate day! So gorge yourself half to death on chocolates that some fool has bought merely hours before for four times the cost. They most likely taste awful guaranteed (the expensive ones normally do), but you will have saved so much money not paying for dinner, full price chocolates, durex and flowers, you will have enough money to afford to buy the cheaper alternatives. 2. Maybe you bought a rose, but were either not strong enough to give it to the person or you didnt get to see them. In either case, some florist somewhere has benefitted from your wilting purchase, even more so than Kleenex on this day. So dont cry about it, go give it to someone else. Leave your house, walk down the road and give it to the next person you see. 3. A recent breakup may have made this Valentines Day lonely for some. Well as the famous saying goes, theres plenty more fish in the sea and with all this flooding, the sea is now upon your doorstep to stick your rod into.

4. Perhaps your day went well. Well whoop de do, your reading the wrong article. After Valentines youll have no fun. Your wallet is empty and no one will listen to you for a good fifteen days to spite your traumatic happiness. 5. No one really cares about Valentines Day. It comes and goes and a few days later it is forgotten. Just another celebration in the calendar to rip up shrubs from the ground, pass them around and plant new ones ready for next years ritual. You may feel like the forgotten ones this year but remember, you can always make yourself happy and thats the most important thing.

Female Contribution
by Rebekkah Hughes, Features Editor

omens History Month is celebrated in the month of March and corresponds with International Womens Day on March 8th. This annually declared month of acknowledgement highlights the contributions of women to events in history and society today. Each year there is a theme surrounding Womens History Month declared by the National Womens History Project, with 2014 being Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment. In 2013 the theme of Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics was admired. A full list of past themes dating from 1987 can be found on Wikipedia. The National Womens History Project describes this years theme as honouring the extraordinary and often unrecognised determination and tenacity of women. Similarly for International Womens Day on March 8th, the United Nations sets a theme, and 2014 stands at: Inspiring Change. The first ever International Womens Day was held in 1911 and ever since the day has been seen as a chance to celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of women while still

smerikal

focusing on the worlds attention on areas requiring further action promoting and championing equality. Many events are run throughout the UK to celebrate female achievement on what is now a recognised holiday in many countries around the world when men honour their mothers, wives, girlfriends, grandmothers and colleagues, sometimes with flowers and gifts. In some countries it even has a similar status to Mothers Day. Thousands of events will take place on March 8th including business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local womens craft markets, theatrical performances, fashion parades and more. Additionally, the National Womens History Project declare 12 women honourees that have been nominated and reflect their theme of Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment. A spectrum of women have been nominated including Anna Julia Haywood Cooper, an African American educator and author, and Lisa Taylor, a civil rights attorney. The breadth of activity and women celebrated worldwide shows the huge achievements made since womens rights movement began, but also highlights the progress still to be made. As the National Womens History Project state: If we dont promote womens history, who will?

watchsmart

Features Editor: Rebekkah Hughes

The Stag | 24th February 2014

FEATURES

13

10 Websites You Didnt Know You Did Without

by Rebekkah Hughes, Features Editor

Do Elephants Never Forget?

he Internet takes up an extraordinary amount of our lives. Im sure I speak for the majority when I say that often work seemed to be waylaid by hours of procrastination on the Web.

We spend an extravagant amount of time checking up on news and social media, and shopping online. For the time being however, putting social media and YouTube to one side, I decided to create a list of websites we never really knew we did without

This website made sure my shopping experience was never the same. It opened up a whole other branch to shopping and inadvertently gave birth to the phrase: Im sure you could find it cheaper on Amazon

Amazon:

Buzzfeed:
This website utterly changed the way I spend my time online. A constantly updated feed of articles written by funny, intuitive writers with the option of choosing articles by categories such as cute and LOL what could possible go wrong, besides thinking its 3pm when its actually 6?

Written Kitten:
You dont know what essay writing is until youre encouraged to write by being offered kittens: for every hundred words, you receive a picture of a cute, fluffy kitten. by Jas Smith, Features Team

Wikipedia:
This online encyclopedia is almost a go-to whenever you dont understand what something is (besides just Googling it). Its always good to click Random article if bored. Alternatively you can always have Wikipedia Races with your housemates because it wasnt invented simply to occupy Year 10 ICT lessons.

Trip Advisor:
This is something that people should definitely make more use of. Day trip? Look up some interesting things in the area. Out to dinner? Look up some reviews and then add your own. You can ever decide search criteria such as price and distance. Especially useful if abroad!

Spotify:
You can get a discounted membership with a NUS card and having music to stream for free across your laptop and phone with the app, you never have to miss out on the newest album again!

Lemon Squeezy:
After writing an article about Lemon Squeezy last year, I havent really looked back. Its very good at giving you ideas for simple meals as well as suggesting meals based around specific ingredients or leftovers. Well worth a go once youve nailed the navigation.

o, last weekend I had a bit of a moment whilst changing trains that made me wonder; do elephants really never forget? Allow me to explain. I was coming back from visiting my hometown Bexhill (representing the South East, innit) and because it is in the middle of nowhere I had to change train. So, I left one train and trotted happily over to the next train, sat down, made myself comfortable. I then realised to my horror that I had left my purse on the previous train. Now, luckily, the train I had just got off was having problems and didnt leave straight away so I was able to jump back onto the last train, sprint down it like a mad woman and grab my purse. I have never been more grateful for a rail delay in my entire life. But ultimately, this lead me to wonder why it is we forget things. Its one thing to forget to switch a light off, or forget that you have something cooking in the oven (also guilty) but entirely another to forget an important item, or a friends birthday. And this lead me to wonder why elephants never forget. Elephants are the only animals known to recognise their own reflections, and hats off to them; Im pretty

sure that some students struggle to recognise their own reflections on a Saturday morning after a night out at Rubix. Our wrinkly grey friends are highly intelligent and live for years. Scientists say that having a long term memory is highly beneficial to the animal. Elephants also apparently recognise and can keep track of the locations of as many as 30 companions at a time. Yes thats correct; an elephant may have more friends than you. Scientists tested this memory by placing urine samples in front of female elephants, who thoroughly checked them with their trunks and acted up when they came across one that did not come from a member of their brood. And you thought you knew your friends well. But ultimately, elephants need a long term memory to survive weather conditions. For example, if they can remember where a flood is during the rainy season, they are more likely to survive. So all in all, I felt relieved I had only nearly lost my purse, and wasnt battling a flood like the elephants (although with the current weather, it seems I am...) Maybe it is okay to forget sometimes, and if youre like me, sometimes you might need to take a leaf out of an elephants book but minus the urine smelling.

A Task And A Half

by Rebekkah Hughes, Features Editor

Word Hippo:
Being an English Literature student who dabbles with a bit of Creative Writing on the side, a thesaurus is practically my best friend. So, having a dictionary, thesaurus, access to acronyms, rhyming words and a many other options, in one place is amazing.

Netflix:
One that the vast majority of students just couldnt live without. Your one stop shop for that TV and film fix.

imdb:
Youve watched a film and theres an actor youve seen before but you dont know where from... The answer? imdb! You can also find out what other people thought about films before you make a decision what to watch. It has all the answers, including trailers.

m continually told by many a person that if I cant find the time to do something whilst Im at university, Ill never find the time to do it. I can occasionally suffer from a serious lack of motivation, just as much as the next person, but reevaluating your time and being realistic with what you can achieve and how you reward yourself can increase your productivity and make you feel loads better. Im walking proof of that. A lot of the time it isnt a lack of time that stops us from doing those things that you think might be good to do, its the effort involved that prevents us. It seems that nothing is more tiring than the task or activity we never even start: the end doesnt get any closer unless we start actually doing. Our time is often wasted away procrastination

only became a reality when we started our degrees But, I propose that rather than putting off all those little things, and some of those bigger things, we make a plan. Personally, I am a sucker for lists. I write everything down I need to do, even the stupidly small things, so then with every completed task you have a crossed off achievement sad, I know, but it works. As you go on you feel you have less to do and then you can see how much youve done in comparison to whats left. You could always just set aside an hour or two a week to fulfill all those odd jobs that feel heavy, but that you can easily get done in that set amount of time. The satisfaction youll gain from what you achieve in that hour will only spur you on to do more! Alternatively, just reward yourself in the form of catch-up TV, wine and chocolate not to meet any stereotypes, of course.

Brittany Hock

16 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The Stag | 24th February 2014

sciencetech@thestagsurrey.co.uk

Bitcoins Continue to Baffle

By James Lake, Science & Technology Team

Science & Technology

except each user will usually have multiple addresses. Transactions are verified and logged in the blockchain, which is in essence the underlying technology which is the true beauty of the system. The blockchain is a public ledger of transactions which keeps Bitcoin secure and allows all users to agree on exactly who owns how many bitcoins. It would require more computing power than everyone else in the network combined to be able to fake a transaction. This technology for mass agreement without any designated authority is what has the power to transform the financial world - if it can be adapted. Its not all good news, though. In its early years, the cryptocurrency has been used for some less-than-reputable activities such as selling drugs online. This inevitably led to widespread condemnation and a fear of investment. Bitcoin is, however, becoming more generally accepted after local authorities began cracking down on such activities. Many researchers fear for Bitcoins future, expressing concerns about the stability of the economy which has grown up around it. Jonathan Levin, of the University of Oxford, says There are some addresses with up to 120,000 bitcoins that have been sitting there for three years or more. To give you some idea, thats over 2.1 billion at todays exchange rate. Levin is concerned that if the owners of these hoards suddenly decided to cash in or spend them, it could lead to a more prevalent lack of confidence in the Bitcoin

t has the potential to shape the future of the financial world with its revolutionary technology, yet it continues to struggle to find its feet. Still in its formative years, Bitcoin is at a crossroads, and the digital currency faces lingering concerns which threaten to shackle its bright future. However, selfgoverning and unrelenting, it continues to grow in popularity and stature regardless. For those who havent heard of the cryptocurrency before, its likely that you will do in the next few years. Free of any regulatory authorities and governments, Bitcoin is decentralised and autonomous, managed only by complex algorithms and cryptography. This leads immediately to its key advantages: it is not reliant on humans who could corrupt the system; it does not require a third party to oversee transactions (banks for example), thus costs associated with regular currencies are removed; and transactions are overwhelmingly faster than those with regular money. Its inner workings are somewhat hard to understand, so in relatively simple terms, here is an explanation. Bitcoin uses peer-topeer technology, which means the tasks of issuing new money and tracking transactions is handled by a network of miners who run the Bitcoin software on their own computers. In return for running the software, they are paid with bitcoins. Money is sent from one address to another, much like information with emails,

economy and ultimately its downfall. Alliances of miners which aggregate and share their Bitcoin payouts - present their own problems. One in particular, known as Ghash.io, recently gained over 40% of the total computational power of the Bitcoin network. Given that any group with a share of over 50% could potentially manipulate the entire system, there is increasing unease among users despite Ghash claiming they have no such ambitions. The future of Bitcoin is clouded by the aforementioned problems. Brett Scott is a journalist and fellow at The Finance Innovation Lab in London who believes

there are three possibilities. The first is that Bitcoin becomes a financial service to rival the likes of Paypal and Visa, offering lowcost money transfer services and losing its status as a currency. The second is that the currency is hijacked by a desperate nation looking for a way out of a financial crisis. The third is that Bitcoin goes beyond currency and the blockchain becomes the means by which society securely records everything. Regardless of this speculation, it is fair to say that the progress of Bitcoin is being watched by an increasing number of curious and questioning eyes.

Change in Jet Stream Causing Prolonged Weather Conditions

By Siobhan Harris, Science & Technology Team

s storm after storm rolls across the UK, we wonder when its going to stop. However, the storms seem to linger - and the cause is a high-speed air current that races through the atmosphere, bringing the weather with it. This is known as the jet stream. It is the main system that helps determine the weather over Northern Europe and Northern America and according to new research, it may be changing. According to the team presenting at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Chicago, the change will drive a shift in weather. The study shows that the jet stream has increasingly taken a longer, meandering path - resulting in the weather remaining the same for more prolonged periods. This could be down to the recent warming of the Arctic, where temperatures have been rising two to three times faster than the rest of the globe. This same jet stream is what accounts for the stormy weather were currently experiencing in the UK, and the extremely bitter snowstorms in the US Mid-West that have remained for longer than they otherwise would have. Professor Jennifer

Francis of Rutgers University in New Jersey says: We can expect more of the same and we can expect it to happen more frequently. The jet stream is fuelled partly by the temperature differential between the Arctic and the mid-latitudes, and if the differential is large then the jet stream speeds up. If the temperature differential reduces because of a warming Arctic, then the jet stream weakens and will meander every time it comes across an obstacle. This means weather patterns tend to become stuck over areas, like the UK or Canada, for weeks on end. Another consequence is that it drives cold weather further south and warm weather further north. The UK, the US and Australia are all experiencing prolonged, extreme weather conditions, raising the question of whether its due to simple natural variations or the result of manmade climate change. Experts say it is too soon to tell. Professor Francis says: The Arctic has been warming rapidly only for the past 15 years. Our data to look at this effect is very short and so it is hard to get a very clear signal. As more data is collected, we will have a better understanding of the extent to which this rapid increase is caused by human habits.

Mike Krzeszak

Antana

Sci/Tech Editor: Siobhan Harris

The Stag | 24th February 2014

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

17

App Corner

D.R.C - Democratic Republic of the Chimps!

By Ben Hartfield, Science & Technology Team

Phobia Free

By Edward Luff, Science & Technology Team

Are you terribly scared of spiders and want to overcome your fear? Then at 2.49, this app is made for you. Phobia Free, developed by Virtually Free with input from psychiatrist Dr Russell Green, is based on a cute cartoon arachnid. It gradually builds you up to being crawled on by an augmented reality tarantula. It uses exposure therapy that will slowly help to desensitise you from spiders. Youll be invited to play games with a pink arachnid named Itsy, unlocking achievements and new levels!

My Uni Surrey

In a time where technology is completely outpacing educational institutions ability to connect with students, Guillem Ros and Josh Wright, two first-year students at the University of Surrey have created an app to modernise student life. Their free app, My Uni Surrey, is the go-to app for students to find out about events occurring both on campus and in town, and includes other crucial student-life features such as an interactive map, points of interest, bus times, social-media connections and much more!

The Computer Mask Attack

By Fahmid Chowdhury, Science & Technology Team

t may sound like a soppy movie title, but in actual fact The Mask is the name of a recent malware that has been aimed at government agencies and finance firms. You may ask, what makes this so interesting? It is just another form of malware, right? Well, no. This is a highly sophisticated form of malware. It is so sophisticated that Kaspersky Lab, a Russian multi-national computer security company, even made a little presentation about it and some security researchers are suggesting that it was created by a nation-state. This means that some people think that a government backed by taxpayers actually created this devious program and aimed it at others. Kaspersky Labs, in its lengthy analysis, mentioned that it is one of the most advanced threats it has ever seen. In its research, it mentioned that the malware hit 31 countries and infected more than 380 separate organisations and businesses. Its sophistication must, again, be mentioned. It uses a variety of techniques to compromise machines, and once it manages to infect a system, the virus steals documents, encryption keys, private network credentials and remote access information. In short, it could do a lot of stealing and damage to the oil and gas companies, embassies and research labs it infected. Fear not however, it has been mentioned that The Mask stopped its activities once Kaspersky caught onto it. After the antivirus giant uncovered this monster, it took action with other computer firms to shut 90 of the command-and-control systems that kept it running. So far, according to a security researcher from Symantec, it is not clear who was behind it or what exactly they were after. Yes, it stole a bunch of important information, but it still is not clear why it did that. Likewise, no finger-pointing has been done to lay the blame on who is responsible for it. It seems like the perfect computer crime.

hrough uncharted forest over hundreds of kilometres, researchers have trekked trying to reach an area where local legends say there are giant apes that eat lions and cry out in the night. In a country marred with tribal wars they had to dodge militia and illegal poachers. Not worth it, you may say - but what they discovered was a huge population of chimps. An estimate of thousands of individuals is considered conservative. The chimp paradise covers an area of 50,000 sq km in the Bili-Uele forest in the north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is where the researchers placed camera traps in order to catch the habits of the animals. After analysing footage, some of the legend is true; the unusually large chimps are seen munching on leopard with a dessert of giant African snails! Whilst in the forest for 8 months, the cameras recorded gangs of males patrolling territory and mothers showing their young how to use tools to eat insects. To get to the snails they bang their shells on rocks or logs. Along with

the chimps in this untouched utopia are elephants, hyenas, giant forest hogs, baboons, aardvarks and crested guinea fowl. Unfortunately some of the cameras were under attack, one recorded its downfall as it was mauled by a leopard and many more were almost lost when poachers burned the researchers camp. This meant a 2 day footage rescue mission for the team. The findings in the journal Biological Conservation are key to understanding the populations of some species throughout Africa whose population has plummeted in recent history. Poaching and loss of habitat have made this discovery even more important to conservation efforts. As ivory trade continues to plague Africa, another increasing threat has come to light: bushmeat trading. No, this isnt Im a Celebrity - African poachers have found a lucrative market to sell the meat of many endangered species, and are killing around 440 chimps every year. On the 13th of February, David Cameron and Prince William held

the highest-level global summit to date on combating the 11.5 billiona-year illegal wildlife trade. Leaders from many countries attended, including all African countries and the wildlife trade recipients, China and Vietnam. Maybe if they had showed a copy of Tarzan it would help change their minds. (I even cried when Kerchak died!) Significant policies emerged from the conference. 46 countries have agreed to improve crossborder cooperation in addition to more policing and harsher laws. After the trade of ivory was banned in 1989, a few countries were allowed to sell their stock of ivory to Asia as it wouldnt harm any more elephants and would satisfy appetites in the East. However these countries have now agreed to delay this practice for 10 years and focus on elephant protection. As for the chimps, several declarations make the prohibited trade of endangered wildlife a lot easier to enforce, with the help of a crackdown on corruption and money-laundering of profits from illegal trade.

18 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The Stag | 24th February 2014

sciencetech@thestagsurrey.co.uk

Is Climate Change the Reason for the Floods? Top in Tech

By Siobhan Harris, Science & Technology Editor Major floods that used to happen only once in 100 years now take place every 10 to 20 years. More than 130 severe flood warnings - indicating a threat to life - have been issued in the UK since December. In contrast, there were only nine in the whole of 2012. From sceptics to scientists, older generations to younger generations, the opinion on whats to blame for the UK floods varies. However, the UK floods are part of an international pattern of prolonged, severe weather conditions and it is clear, from an increasingly large body of evidence, that climate change is the cause. The latest UN climate report published last year clearly shows that man-made activities over the past 100 years are causing unprecedented climate change. Global temperatures have increased, Arctic sea ice is melting, sea levels are rising and the oceans are getting warmer. Still, when confronted with the hard evidence, deniers reject the urgent need to cut carbon emissions and this is largely the issue. As greenhouse gases continue to trap heat in the earths atmosphere, the warming is increasing alarmingly in the Arctic Circle: this impacts the jet stream that races through the earths atmosphere and creates prolonged weather. So as global warming melts the ice caps, less and less of the carbon (CO2) emissions are leaving the atmosphere. A warmer atmosphere contains more water and causes more intense rainfall. When this is combined with higher sea levels, the risk of flooding increases. This means devastating consequences worldwide, as homes are destroyed and communities are broken up. Australia is having the opposite problem with its hottest year on record, the wild bushfires continue. In the US, bitter winter storms are spreading. In the UK, floods and storms continue to wreak havoc on the lives of our citizens. The evidence is wideBy Fahmid Chowdhury, Science & Technology Team
Facebook Giant Buys Whatsapp

ark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, has just bought Whatsapp mobile messenger for a huge $19bn. Zuckerberg described Whatsapp as incredibly valuable. The popular messenger has 450 million monthly users.

Record-Breaking DDoS Attack

massive distributeddenial-of-service attack has hit Europe. At its peak, it reached 400 Gbps which is 33% higher than the previous record holder. The attack was apparently directed at CloudFlare, which first reported the attack.

ranging and available for all to see. If that isnt a driving factor for some simple lifestyle changes, then what is? Every one of us is responsible for our own carbon emissions, so its no use relying on governments or hoping a magic wand will deal with the situation. Collectively, we could really make a change, and reduce global warming. The floods sweeping Britain are clear indicators of the dangers climate change could bring. Lord Stern, the author of a 2006 report on the economics of climate change, recently wrote that the flooding and storm damage demonstrate the need of the world to continue to implement low-carbon policies to reduce the probability of greater tragedies in the future. Delay is dangerous, said Stern: Inaction could be justified only if we could have great

confidence that the risks posed by climate change are small. But that is not what 200 years of climate science is telling us. The risks are huge. The US Secretary of State John Kerry also urged the global community to act against climate change, saying the window of time is closing to prevent the worst consequences. Indeed, if we do not act, it will soon be too late to reverse the damage, and parts of the world could become uninhabitable. By investing in clean energy, dredging the rivers and acting more on the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines then much of the flood damage could have been avoided.

Sony Walkman Sold in Bottle of Water

ony has tried to re-energise their Walkman series by providing a new form of marketing - selling the product in a bottle of water. This illustrates its ability to be water-resistant for those conscious of spilling liquid drinks (or sweat) onto their device.

Department of Health Negotiating Windows XP Support

Meet the Million Year olds - Britains Eldest Ancestors

By Francesca Gillard, Science & Technology Team Feeling old? Just had your 21st? Maybe even turning 21 again? Fear not there are million-year-olds about! Well, not really, but extraordinary new evidence of Britains first hominoid inhabitants, dating from almost 1 million years ago, has been discovered in Norfolk in the shape of 50 ancient footprints. Found in coastal mud banks near the village of Happisburgh, 17 miles north-east of Norwich, these prints are the oldest ever to be found outside of Africa and are causing scientists to re-evaluate the current theory of how hominoid life spread across Europe. This discovery, considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made in Britain, was made by a team of experts from the Natural History Museum, the British Museum and Queen Mary College London, after heavy storms last year revealed the footprints. Finally some good news about this weather! Though before we get ahead of ourselves and start rain-dancing, the storms then destroyed all but one of the prints before they could be lifted from the mud. Although the prints were destroyed, detailed 3D images were made which have allowed experts to continue analysis. It is thought that the footprints were made by a group of Homo antecessor or Pioneer Man, possibly a family. Examination has led scientists to believe the group consisted of 1-2 adult males, 2-3 adult or teenage females and at least 3-4 children. They cannot be entirely sure as only 12 prints are relatively complete and only a measly 2 show toes in complete detail. The possible lives of these ancient beings has been an area of large debate. The group were in fact walking on the mud flats that lined the estuary of the River Thames that flowed into the sea some 100 miles north of its current location. They were probably looking for lugworms, shellfish and seaweed, which may have made up part of their diet. Another possibility is that the family were walking back to their home base, which may have been on one of the islands in the estuary. Many archaeologists believe that our ancestors may have preferred living on islands to provide protection from predators, and predators there were: evidence of hyenas, lions, bears and sabre-toothed cats have all been found in Britain. (Lions and tigers and bears! - Oh my!) The latest research is focusing on discovering a more accurate date for the footprints. Pollen samples found in the prints back the theory that the tracks were made at the end of an interglacial period before a return back to ice age conditions. This means the prints may be between 850,000 and 950,000 years old. The data gathered from this discovery and other contemporary finds have been brought together in a special exhibition at the National History Museum in London, Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story. It should be a very popular exhibition, if only for an increase in visitors due to there being nothing else to do because of the rain!

he DoH has been in talks with Microsoft to continue support for its Windows XP systems past the April 8th deadline at which support was set to stop. A migration plan is also being discussed.

The Short-Lived Life of Flappy Bird

he mobile gaming sensation Flappy Bird has been removed from the Apple and GooglePlay stores by the owner. This has led to various repercussions such as phones which are preloaded with the app selling on eBay for sensational prices.

Google Becomes King of DealMaking

oogle has become the king of deal-making after making a whopping 127 deals over the last 3 years. What makes this feature so impressive is the fact that the total value of these deals amount to 10.6 billion. It beat Apple and Intel during this period too.

Literature Editor: Shiri Shah

The Stag | 24th February 2014

LITERATURE

19

Easy reading for pleasure

By Emma Hawken, Literature Team

Literature
been taken over by a high-intensity invasion! Marsden sets this well thought out storyline with realistic characters so that you find yourself submerged in the fast paced, action-packed story, desperate to help these teenagers in their terrible predicament. I really like how the mood of the novel radically switches so quickly, from the young teens relishing their freedom from their parents, to having to band together almost immediately in order to form a rogue guerrilla group, implementing knowledge of their hometown to outwit those who seek to destroy it. The tension builds throughout and is well executed, as you realise together with the teens what has happened and how much danger they are in. I definitely recommend the Tomorrow series if you are a fan of Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games. This novel may not have been the relaxing story that I set out to find, but I definitely enjoyed the book and I have since read the next two in the series!

fter the stress of exams a few weeks back, all I wanted to do was find an easy-to-read but enjoyable page-turner to relax with. I first came across John Marsdens Tomorrow, When the War Began when a friend of mine recommended it to me after bringing it back from her holiday. The premise of this Australian story is based around seventeen-year-old Ellie and her friends, who take one last trip to the outback near their home town, Wirrawee, before the school holidays are over. One night, a few days before they're due to go home, the group wake to see a large number of planes flying overhead. They attribute this display to celebrations of Commemoration Day, the Australian national holiday with which their trip coincides. However, on returning home, they soon realise that something is very wrong. All their homes are empty - no family, no pets, no signs of life. Australia has

We were all thinking it: An honest review of Fifty Shades of Grey

By Leo Blanchard, Literature Team

ifty Shades of Grey has a film adaptation coming out around this time next year, so you might want a preemptive reminder as to how awful the book is. It was released in 2011 to massive com-mercial success, becoming the fastest-selling paperback of all time, with the series selling over 90 million copies in total. All this happened overnight: one morning you woke up, went to get breakfast, and suddenly you found your mum giggling about bondage with her friends at the kitchen table. It went on to spawn a multitude of similar books seeking to get their slice of the diamond-encrusted sex pie, which dominated the WH Smith charts for a solid year. A lot of people have credited it with redefining the way we talk about sex, using the literary form as a means to bring the taboo out into the open, helping us become more honest about it. Either way, its a terrible book. The book mainly concerns itself with the relationship between college student Ana Steele and the enigmatic CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc, Christian Grey, who is of course a lover of BDSM. Grey is obviously designed to tick the standard boxes of the average readers sexual fan-tasies hes rich, confident and very, very good-looking (as elegantly described by E. L. James). While good fiction should be able to suspend our disbelief, the character of Mr Grey is so one-dimensional and exaggerated in every way that it quickly becomes impossible to take him seriously. Reading Fifty Shades causes one to question why hes even the way he is as a person; hes got the personality of a shoelace and would be considered reprehensible if he were judged by normal human standards. You can obviously question why anyone would

criticise the plot and characters of essentially glorified pornography, but that also raises questions as to why it even took the form of a book in the first place. Somewhere along the line, E. L. James seems to have decided that there was too much sex and not enough plot in normal porn and that it would work better dragged out across 541 pages; obviously she was wrong. The novels obnoxious characters and frankly weird plot are compounded by the shockingly bad writing with which they are presented. Reading the book, you cant help but be uncomfortably aware of the fact that it was consciously written by somebody when have you ever heard someone actually refer to their bag as a satchel? Because Ana Steele, the novels narrator and protagonist, apparently does. Its a perfectly understandable book, but everything said is so clumsy and contrived that you pay more attention to how its said than the story itself. Honestly, you wouldnt be missing a lot if you ignored the storyline altogether. Fifty Shades of Grey originated as fan-fiction of the equally flawed Twilight series, so its safe to say the whole project was artistically doomed from the get-go. Erotic literature is notoriously difficult to write, and much of its success is dependent on walking the kinky tightrope between too vanilla and too unconventional. But there are too many moments that feel weird and juvenile, such as Christians confession to one of his mothers friends that he lost his virginity at the age of 15. If Fifty Shades of Grey feels like sexual revolution for so many people, then I think thats more of an indi-cator of how tragically taboo the topic of sex is in the first place than a testament to the genius of E. L. James.

Theres a Bug Going Around, AIDS

By Shiri Shah, Literature Editor

he brand new book, "There's a Bug Going Around," is a concisely written, explosive piece of literature that constantly captivates the reader and speaks about the once controversial topic of AIDS and homosexuality. Written by doctor and scientist Robert Silman, alongside actor and playwright Steven Froelich, eloquence and scientific accuracy are intertwined. A scene of passion may be followed up by a detailed analysis of the basis of HIV. The complex characters are combined in scientific or aristocratic settings, with mad scientists and beautiful escorts. Embodied in action, glamour, and sex, there are heavy political themes that pervade the story. Issues such as the way AIDS and gay men are received in heteronormative societies are captured through violence and shame. Even issues such as gender and race are touched upon as we travel through this fastpaced piece, which twists and turns at almost every

page. Based in the nineties, it is incredibly relevant to this day. It is somewhat structured, with shorter stories that encompass in great detail the characters lives. After following a controversial court case about the murder of a gay man by a homophobic drug company president, the stories are brought together, which throws the reader into more suspense, with car chases and abductions. The scandals and kinkiness we read about, painted with an Oxfordian brush, give us a peek into the private lives of the wealthy. This could be one way in which the plot seduces the reader to delve further. One may find that the amount of action here is an overstatement. The quick succession of events may leave the reader bemused. However, being a relatively short story, this is forgivable. This book is incredibly difficult to stop reading as the story entices you further into the plot. Thankfully it's not arduously long or I'd have no time for anything else.

20 DANCE & THEATRE

The Stag | 24th February 2014

Review: Once

Dance & Theatre

By Nicky Fenn, Dance & Theatre Team

urrently playing at the Phoenix Theatre in London is Once, the musical stage adaptation based on the 2006 award-winning film of the same name. After watching the low-budget, slow-moving film about an Irish busker (Guy) who falls in love with a Czech immigrant (Girl), I was surprised how well the film translated to the stage. The plot centres on Guy, an Irish musician busking on the streets of Dublin, who is struggling to make his name in the music industry while performing songs about a recent heartbreak. Guy attracts the attention of Girl, a Czech immigrant flower girl who reveals she is also a musician. As love blossoms between them, so does Guys music, however their relationship is not so straightforward. The musical employs minimalist staging; the entire performance is set in front of the same backdrop: an Irish bar. Actors do not leave the stage at the end of their scenes, but take a seat in one of the chairs that circle the edge of the stage, and become a member of the orchestra. Each performer puts in an impressive display of talent, not only acting and singing, but playing an instrument and having to continuously be on stage, consequently not having a break. To top it all, whilst the stage

transforms into a real life bar for theatregoers to grab a drink in the interval, they carry on playing without leaving the stage whilst the audience gets a closer look at the set. The romance is subtle but effective and it is cleverly blended with the Irish tongue-in-cheek humour which has the audience in fits of laughter. Its also aided by the relatively small London theatre, which gives a personal and intimate feel to the musical; even if you are sat in the back row you have a great view and feel you are part of the performance. Emotions are transmitted beautifully through the songs. The soundtrack, written almost entirely by Glen Hansard and Markta Irglov, (the stars of the film) includes the Academy Award-winning number Falling Slowly. Once is not a huge production with top stars, a big cast and innovative staging like many shows currently being staged in the West End, however it features an extremely talented set of performers and is a well produced and performed personal story that really captures the hearts of the audience. The musicals run has recently been extended to July 2015 and I definitely recommend it to anyone planning to visit the theatre.

Contemporary Dance Showcase

Actual Size has always prided itself in being a platform for students to develop their choreographic skills and this years show will also feature choreographies made by first, second and final year students, a simple testament to the companys diversity. If you are a fan of contemporary dance, or just fancy an evening of entertainment, talent and passion then please come along and join Actual Size Dance Company in PATS theatre at 7.30pm on Friday 7th March. Tickets will be available soon via the Ivy Arts Centre (only 2.50 for students!). For further information regarding the show or to find out more about the company please do not hesitate to contact this years artistic directors Rosa and Vasanthi at: actualsize.company@ gmail.com

very year the universitys Arts Departments hosts the Actual Size Dance Company show, an evening showcasing the work the company has done over the past few months. This year we have been lucky enough to have worked with some really fantastic collaborative dance artists both inside and outside the University. The company has received workshops by former students, Julie Havelund and Lauren Segal, both of which are currently making their way as successful dance artists engaged in further performance study as well as their own projects. We also had a chance to work with Victoria Drew learning repertoire from the Israeli-based Batsheva Dance Company and a sample class in Gaga movement developed by choreographer Ohad Naharin.

University of Surrey Dance & Culture students, Left to right: Rosa Manzi Reid, Nicole Yannaka, Louis Perry & Vasanthi Argouin

Dance & Theatre Editor: Ambar Parker Moreno

The Stag | 24th February 2014

DANCE & THEATRE

21

Ice Tea; An Original Play

By Aaron Douglas, Dance & Theatre Team

n the world of theatre new pieces of writing are coming up more and more as the demand for contemporary work heightens. Inventive Sabotage Theatre Company (its founding members including Aaron Douglas, Henry Jones, Luke Pierre, Tom Thirkell) have written an original play of their own, entitled Ice Tea. Inventive Sabotage Theatre (known as IST) was founded a year ago after an interest in new writing theatre and the desire to stage it independently was discussed between the four members. They started off by staging Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett in November last year with the support of the University of Surrey Theatre Society. With the success of this it gave them more scope to set about writing a new play; Ice Tea. Ice Tea is a dark comedy; a play that centres around an alcoholics anonymous group, run by a lack lustre and naive AA Representative Jason Rivers, who underestimates the egos and inflated characters that would attend them. There are 8 characters, each with their own deeply disturbed back-story and alcohol isnt the only thing

they have in common. The play itself touches on some very dark themes, such as domestic abuse, adultery, schizophrenia, double lives, sexual frustrations and criminal activity. With these in mind, the audience sit amongst the actors in the AA meetings circle; they get given a nametag just like everyone else and there is an uneasy sense of vulnerability as the AA representative interacts with everyone in the room. These darker and grittier themes as well as the close proximity should make for an intense ambiance and create an immersive atmosphere. IST intends to make the audience feel as involved and emotionally invested in these 8 characters as much as possible and hope to have created something intensely interesting. The play itself is being staged at the University of Surrey, in Performing Arts Technology Studio, Dance Studio. It is being performed on two nights: Thursday 27th February and Friday 28th February at 7:30pm. Tickets are bought through their facebook page by simply typing Inventive. Sabotage.Theatre.Company into the facebook search bar and looking for the event.

MADSoc Presents The 24 Hour Play!

If you are more interested in watching, however, you will not be disappointed! This will be MADSocs fourth 24 Hour Play, the previous plays featuring a group of abandoned imaginary friends, the uprising of the Band A accommodation residents and a cunning traveller in a dystopian future who convinces everyone that she is the messiah! Tickets are 2, with half of all profits going to Cardboard Citizens, a drama charity who help the homeless and displaced through theatre and the performing arts a charity very close to our hearts! Writing auditions will be open 24th-28th of February, contact ussu.madsoc@surrey.ac.uk for details Acting auditions are open Wednesday 5th March, TB21, 6pm-9pm The play itself is Sunday 9th March, PATS Dance Studio, 7pm. Tickets are 2 with half of proceeds going to Cardboard Citizens.

hose of you who have not heard of MADSocs 24 Hour Plays before may be wondering exactly what they are. Well, dear reader, allow me to explain. A 24 Hour Play is written, rehearsed, directed and performed all in the space of 24 hours (Yes, it is possible!). We sit our writers down at 7pm on a Saturday, give them two themes picked by the committee (and lots of coffee!), and ask them to write a play! We then bring in the actors first thing on Sunday morning for a day of intensive rehearsals, and the whole thing is performed on the Sunday evening. 24 Hour Plays are not only great fun to watch, but are also a fantastic opportunity for writers and actors with little time on their hands to get involved with MADSoc. The 24 hour period is intensive, hard work, but an enormous amount of fun for everybody involved! Its also a great chance to meet new people, get a little bit of directing experience and see your hard work come to life on the stage!

22 MUSIC

The Stag | 24th February 2014

music@thestagsurrey.co.uk

Music
Jazz, Poetry & Amiri Baraka
By Kyra Hanson, Music Team

he day I read that Amiri Baraka had died was the day I discovered his poetry and more specifically, the music of his poetry. The distinctive rhythm of his voice still rings out over my own monotone thoughts of deadlines and rent instalments. It is a voice demanding my attention, and column space. Baraka died January 9th of this year. He was born during the depression in 1934 in Newark, New Jersey. A celebrated playwright, widely praised poet, editor of the Beat movement and political activist for the Black Arts movement. Alongside his poems, plays, novels and essays Baraka was also a music critic. Blues People: Negro Music in White America (1963) traces the history of black music from slavery to contemporary jazz. The search for black indigenous art forms paralleled his search for an authentic voice for his own poetry. He later published Black Music (1968) and The Music: Reflections on Jazz and Blues (1987). After visiting Cuba in 1960, Barakas poetics were infected by the spirit of the Cuban Revolution and soon after, the assassination of Malcolm X. Baraka became known as an articulate jazz critic and a perceptive observer of social change. The soundtrack to the Black Arts movement of the 1960s and 70s was a combination of jazz, soul, rhythm and blues. This music, accompanied by free verse and spoken word, paved the way for hip hop: the chanting of the Black Arts movement became the rapping of the 70s. Baraka had found his authentic voice in an in-

between space between song and word. He began using his voice as an instrument, translating his strident politics into the rhythms of jazz, his words functioning as weapons railing against white hypocrisy and black oppression. Some poems are accompanied by jazz improvisations. In Whys/Wise, the persistent tapping provides a beat which carries the poignant and repeated line At the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean theres a railroad made of human bones. The sound of the saxophone flits between Barakas voice, adding depth to a poem already layered with meaning and emotion. In an interview Baraka states that art speaks to people, thats why they use it against you. He was against the use of music as a tool of propaganda. He thought that when we passively absorb and sing lyrics which are detrimental to our social, cultural and political wellbeing, we are allowing ourselves to be bribed, enticed and oppressed by those discriminating forces which only serve to better themselves. Barakas poetry exposes the oppressive systems that rule our daily lives. He has been described as symbolising fierce, honest, courageous truth-telling, no matter the consequences. We are reminded of his political, revolutionary, and literary contributions to humanity each time we hear the rhythms of his voice inflected by the jazz that so inspired him. To find out more about the late Amiri Baraka, check out his page on PennSound: http://writing.upenn.edu/ pennsound/x/Baraka.php

Katy B Little Red

By Leo Blanchard, Music Team

Little Red doesnt really push any boundaries, but at this point Katy B isnt really in a position where she particularly needs to prove anything. Katy Bs debut, On a Mission, was nothing revolutionary either, but it did propel her firmly into the realm of mainstream success, spawning the hit singles Lights On and the Benga-produced Katy on a Mission. Her new effort follows in much the same tradition as its predecessor, presenting a collection of radiofriendly tunes that are polished and inoffensive. Fans of R&B will appreciate the genres influences throughout the album, with Katys soulful vocals often brushing up nicely against Geeneuss dance production. The album is made up of 12 tracks clocking in at 48 minutes and, by the standards of many mainstream full-lengths, its relatively filler-free, even if some of the tracks do drag on a bit. The album contains the inevitable single material, but it doesnt necessarily feel like a conceited effort to garner radio airplay nor is it weighed down by excessive filler. Lyrically, Little Red is something of a bumpy ride as it can be difficult to look past the albums quite literal lyrics which make for awkward singing at times. Again, it would be wrong to expect complex imagery from an album as poppy as this, but lines like desire burning like a furnace fall below the standard of what should be expected of an established artist like Katy B.

Thankfully, the album has moments where it redeems itself, such as the albums third track, a Jessie Wareassisted tribute to the late R&B legend Aaliyah which stands out against a lot of the albums otherwise weak lyricism. Samphas luxurious addition to Play gives the album texture at a point when Katys vocals may have become boring, standing out as a notable moment on the album. It seems like, for every forgettable song on Little Red, theres another that invites more listens, so it can feel a bit hit and miss when played front-to-back. Even though the album plays it safe for the most part, Katy Bs skill as an artist ensures that its enjoyable throughout the majority of the album. Of all the tracks, Blue Eyes feels the most satisfying because of its crisp production and bouncy synths, even though its limited to the deluxe version. Intensity is rare on the album and because of this much of the material might fall somewhat flat when Katy does her UK tour next month. Drum & bass is a genre of music that often sounds repetitive, and theres a lot of drum & bass on this album. For the most part, this isnt a repetitive album, but Katy Bs unwillingness to move far from her established sound has seriously limited the potential of Little Red. Listeners of her previous work will find that it doesnt offer a whole lot new and, because of this, the albums appeal can only go so far. With that in mind, many of the songs make for enjoyable listening and will likely receive the recognition they deserve.

Francesco Truono

Music Editor: Candice Ritchie

The Stag | 24th February 2014

MUSIC

23

Skindred Kill The Power

By James Campbell, Music Team

fter a musical career spanning over sixteen years, four well received studio albums and a firmly established reputation as an electrifying live entity, Skindred are back with their latest release, Kill the Power. Having already fermented their own unique brew of reggae metal, Skindreds Kill the Power embraces a fusion of dancehall reggae with various dabblings of throbbing dubstep wobbles and grimy drum n bass rhythmic breakdowns; its an album which boasts an eclectic, yet accessible array of tracks, offering flavour to every music lovers palate. Hard hitting and full of head-bobbing highlights, title track Kill the Power launches ear drums into this records audio assault crusade. Heralded by the screech of a school yard, ghetto garage style remix line, the quartet get off to a swaggering start with a very nu metal belter, sustained by Limp Bizkit inspired riffage and snarling, blustering lyrics from lead singer,Benji, which teem with attitude and bravado. Catapulted forward, the nu metal vibes rage onwards with the aggressive Ruling Force, underpinned by undulating dubstep wobbles, long, crowing melody lines, all bullied along by the sustained slog of rabid distorted guitars and growling bass. Worlds on Fire and Ninja are as combustive as forest fires in mid frenzy, whilst Proceed with Caution contains more shredding than found in a Shreddies multipack. Experimentation is still Skindreds strong point, and their attempt at creating a party starter track, Saturday, stands testament to their adaptability. Anthemic and an endorphin secreting rock pop winner, Saturday is memorable, vigorous and guaranteed to

get you yelping at the top of your voice, whilst freely skanking out simultaneously. In a similar and softer vein, another highlight is We Live, a catchy and radio friendly track, accentuated by majestic sounding chorus chords, celestial, gospel sounding backing vocals and optimistic lyrics, imploring the need for love and positivity, an explicit and reoccurring motif which has been representative of the band from day one. Open Eyed then takes over as a further prominent cruncher, featuring a discordant tinkering of staccatoed piano chords alongside the rumblings of menacing guitars and raucous bellows from collaborative artist and featured singer, Jenna G. It shouldnt all be heaps of laudable praise though; during the second part of this fourteen track record, selected songs sound a little wobbly and are not overly memorable, as The Kids are Right Now, Dollars and Dimes and More Fire in particular, seem to have been rushed and are almost gimmicky road power ballads, lacking the necessary melodic hooks of the albums previous numbers to stir listeners emotions and sustain their engagement. Furthermore, this album seems very eager to please, with the feeling that Skindred are still playing their hand as a jack of all trades and a master of none, with room for a bit more refinement. Nevertheless, Kill the Power is consistently paced and pumped full with dizzyingly massive riffs and breakdowns, revealing a new mosh pit ready selection of slammers that will be firmly burrowed in your mind for a long time to come. Recomended to all those who like their rock flavoured with a generous dollop of reggae relish!

Newports finest resident ragga warriors are going in for the kill once more with album number five! Bursting at the seams with reggae vibes and nu metal rampancy, is this the album that will award these Welsh rockers with the eponymous studio acclaim they deserve?

24 FILM

The Stag | 24th February 2014

film@thestagsurrey.co.uk

Only Lovers Left Alive

By Jordan Brackenbury, Film Team

Film

Inside Llewyn Davis

By Hayden Lloyd, Film Team

nly Lovers Left Alive is the latest feature by Jim Jarmusch, focusing on the relationship between two vampires, playfully named Adam and Eve, starring Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. It is a refreshing take on the vampire genre, omitting the usual tropes of high-speed battles and superhero strength in favour of a quieter, simpler look at a centuries-old relationship between two vampires. The film is beautifully shot, with a wonderfully moody soundtrack. The action takes place entirely at night, and is set in Detroit and Tangier, where Adam and Eve are living separately. The reclusive Adam chooses to make the desolate landscape of Detroit his home, where he avoids any human contact. Adams disdain for humans is evident- he mockingly refers to them as zombies. The film balances out Adams solemn musings, which sometimes border on angsty clichs, with an unexpectedly dry sense of humour, largely thanks to the comic timing of its

leads. Tilda Swinton is perfectly cast as a vampire. Eve is cool and aloof, an optimistic balance to Adams gloom and pessimism. Much of the film focuses on the constancy of Adam and Eves relationship throughout the centuries, or indeed, millennia. They are two old souls who are at once more forward-thinking than most humans, and also relics of the past. Adam is a rock musician, yet he wears a dressing gown, which predates the industrial revolution. The couples reunion is interrupted by Eves rebellious and destructive younger sister, Ava (Mia Wasikowska), who quickly disregards Adam and Eves hopes for a quiet life. John Hurt is also fantastic as a vampiric Christopher Marlowe, a 14th Century poet and father figure to Eve. 'Only Lovers Left Alive' is stylish, understated and characterdriven. It omits many of the aspects of the vampire genre, which have become so tiresome in recent years, instead choosing to focus on what is perhaps its most interesting aspect- the promise of eternity.

he Coen brothers melancholic new film builds on many of the themes explored in previous works, such as A Serious Man, of ungovernable circumstances and the problems of finding a place in the world. Inside Llewyn Davis is the depiction of a week in the life of Llewyn, a struggling folk singer in 1960s New York City. As he drifts from sofa to sofa, we see his underwhelming existence as he and his contemporaries play in bars and clubs throughout the city. These performances (and they truly are performances, whole songs are performed with exquisite intimacy) are the bedrock of the film, creating the world in which Llewyn exists. Oscar Isaac (Drive, Robin Hood) gives a brilliantly nuanced performance as an actor capable of both the emotional subtleties and effortless vocal performances his character demands. Cary Mulligan, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman are an unsurprisingly worthy supporting cast, each inhabiting the world they find themselves in with no effort at all. It is a self-assured film that takes its time to tell its story without feeling bloated or

self-aggrandising. The cinematography of Bruno Delbonnel (Amelie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) is stunning, creating a hauntingly beautiful palette providing stark contrast to the prickly central character. It must be said that Llewyn is not particularly likable and indeed many of problems in his life are of his own doing. Selfish and decidedly uncharismatic though he is, I still connected with the character. He is so downtrodden throughout the film and played with such supressed emotion by Isaac that you cant help but empathise with him. It might not be the easiest of films to watch; the dashes of dark humour may not be enough to win everyone over but I couldnt recommend it enough. It plays out much like Llewyn himself, with a certain apathy and without any real driving ambition. Perhaps the film is best described as a folk song. Sparse and unforgiving, evocative and primal. Saying something about real life without having a real message. Like all too many Bob Dylan songs, Inside Llewyn Davis broke my heart in a hundred ways and I couldnt honestly tell you why.

Film Editor: Sophia Field

The Stag | 24th February 2014

FILM

25

Where did all the strong women go?

By Sophia Field, Film Editor

wards season is almost over, and it has been just as star-studded, glamorous and entertaining as always. From the hilarious hosts of the Golden Globes, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, to Stephen Frys dry British wit at the BAFTAs (which seemed to go over the heads of some American guests), to the fantastic beards of Michael Fassbender and Chiwetel Ejiofor, worn with pride at this years award season, it has been a pleasure to watch. The awards have been well deserved too, as this years list of movies have been extremely powerful and fantastically produced But one thing has become abundantly clear about this selection of movies - where are all the strong, independent female characters? Im not questioning the films chosen, because they are a brilliant selection of movies. Instead, I am shining a light on the women portrayed in these movies. Most of this years highly nominated films failed to represent a resilient female leading characer. The 2014 awards season has certainly been a mans world. The Wolf of Wall Street, a fantastic three-hour feast of testosterone and aggression, with Leonardo DiCaprio hitting it out of the ballpark once again. An amazing movie, but featuring only shallow female characters, and certainly no leading lady. Whilst Margot Robbies portrayal of Naomi is excellent, the character is nothing more than a beautiful, but empty canvas, with no real depth. Then there is 12 Years a Slave. It has been hugely

Make sure you catch The Academy Awards on Sunday 2nd March!

Top 3: Essential Documentary Series

By Daniel Mller, Film Team

Television Corner

t is a shame that when the genre of documentary is mentioned, we tend to automatically assume that it is boring. What comes to mind first is the stereotypical talking heads in dim lighting, sitting in a directors chair and talking endlessly. Probably your best experience with documentary is the National Geographic production on the building of pyramids, which was only a delight because you got to watch it in a history lesson. Fortunately, todays documentary breaks free from the talking heads format. Shows like Mythbusters are considered one of the most popular documentary series on television, but for pure entertainment value, rather than a source of knowledge. What if I told you that there are documentaries that are as addictive as a suspense/thriller series? Like a season of 24, capturing your imagination and ending with a huge cliff-hanger? Here are the three essential documentary series that are a good break from snacking through that season of Friends, again...

A Vice Guide to Travel

Louis Therouxs Weird Weekends

For many people, watching the Travel Channels show on wine regions may not be that interesting, but try to imagine a swearing, beefy, bearded American guy with tattoos called Shane Smith sneaking in to North Korea, speaking his mind, and trying to gain the trust of his North Korean guides/guards by getting them drunk on a karaoke night. Well, that is surely quality entertainment, but surprisingly it comes off way more authentic than a BBC documentary, filled with data on historic events. If you want to virtually travel to Karachi, the most dangerous city in the world, or want to hitchhike across America with your drinking buddies, search for VICE on YouTube.

Louis Theroux from BBC2 is a phenomenon. He is quirky, infantile and insecure but above all, his character is nave beyond belief, which allows him to ask anything that would be uncomfortable for any other interviewer. He always asks the perfect questions and does not rest until he gets an answer. He is not afraid to hang out with actors from the gay porn industry in L.A. or Nazi separatists in North Idaho. It is impossible to not like Louis Theroux, because you cannot help but laugh at him, while he pushes the boundaries of the world known to you. Louis Theroux is a true British national treasure.

Andrew Marr is a well-known face of the BBC and whilst some of his shows can seem slightly redundant, the History of Modern Britain is a different story. Usually the amount of information he is keen to hand over to the audience is not absorbable, and therefore not entertaining, but this particular show, the History of Modern Britain (which is not to be mistaken with the Making of Modern Britain) is genius. It takes on History from 1945 onwards and explains what happened to Britain after WW2 through examples like the Mini Cooper, Margaret Thatcher and the Cityboy. If you are not afraid of a little education in modern British politics, this show will prove to your mother that being is a series TV junkie is not a waste of time at all.

Andrew Marrs History of Modern Britain

Seg986 (flickr)

successful, and quite rightly so. However again, no leading lady. Lupita Nyong'o is absolutely enchanting as the abused and imprisoned Patsey. But she is a supporter to Chiwetel Ejiofor, who steals the show as Solomon. American Hustle also commits the same crimes, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence are fantastic in their roles, but their fashion and hairstyles are more important than the parts they play in the action. Another film where the male characters, for the most part, steer the plot. Perhaps the strongest women we have seen this year include Sandra Bullock as Ryan Stone in Gravity. She found the strength to fight for her life against all odds, floating around in the atmosphere. Or, Meryl Streep, as the insufferable Violet in August: Osage County. She may not have been likeable, but she was definitely powerful. So, when the Oscars grace our screens on the 2nd March and the main players in the creation of a movie grace the stage to collect an award, have a think about how many of them are women. My guess is, just a few. Lets hope next years movies feature more of the strong and fierce leading ladies of the likes of The Help, or even Disneys 2012 animated fantasy Brave.

26 SOCIETIES

The Stag | 24th February 2014

societies@thestagsurrey.co.uk

n Monday 3rd of March, Surrey Student PEN society will be welcoming renowned writer Nikita Lalwani to hear her talk about her latest novel The Village. The event will take place in Griffiths theatre (LTD) at 18:30 and is open to both students and members of the public. The event will be followed by a free wine reception, book signing (organised by Appleseed bookshop) and raffle (raffle tickets available to buy on the night. Prizes include: a pair of tickets to Flirt!, book vouchers and lots of other literaturerelated goodies. Tickets to the event cost 2 for Surrey PEN Student members or 4 for non-members and can be purchased by visiting this page: www.ussu.co.uk/ClubsSocieties/ societies/student-pen and following the link to the event.

PENSoc Nikita Lalwani Event

Societies

TED XSurrey

(Why not become a member for free while youre there and save yourself 2?) We look forward to seeing you all at what promises to be an enlightening and engaging event! Lalwanis first novel Gifted was short-listed for the Costa First Novel Award and long listed for the Man Booker Prize. Lalwani has written much on human rights and is an important writer in this movement, also writing about issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in India. Lalwanis latest novel has been described as 'Thoughtful, beautifully written. A candid exploration of journalistic ethics' by the Observer, and 'A masterclass'. The inmates' stories evoke larger questions about justice and privacy, power and powerlessness' by the Guardian and so will certainly be worth hearing about.

Dont miss : TED XSurreys First Conference held on campus

O
n the 15th of March, the University of Surrey will hold its first ever TEDX conference with the theme being ideas empowered. This event is an attempt to bring students closer to ideas and people who are changing the world as we see it. TEDX is a platform where speakers from various different backgrounds will discuss and share their experiences and ideas. It will be a day long conference which will see fifteen speakers from various backgrounds that range from scientists, lawyers to filmmakers and economists. The 15th March is a momentous day for TEDX Surrey as the first ever TEDX conference will be held at the university campus. TEDX is a platform upon which speakers from a variety of different backgrounds will discuss and share their experiences and ideas. TEDX Surrey have coordinated a day-long conference aimed to bring students closer to the people and ideas that are changing the world as we see it. This certainly is an event where you will encouraged to think beyond borders, an event that will have a few ideas to fascinate you, a few talks to inspire you, a few speakers to idolize and certainly an event you don't want to miss. There will be fifteen speakers ranging from scientists and lawyers to filmmakers and economists. Some of the visiting speakers are listed to the right. On the whole the event will indeed show the power in ideas as it brings together people from so many diverse backgrounds, eager to share theirs.

John Egan
The CEO at sandbox which is a mobile society for the worlds young leaders. He will be here to talk about his organisation.

Dr Simon Singh

An author and a scientist who will be here to discuss the liberal reform campaign.

Carsten Sudhoff

Who will be flying in from Geneva, is the founder of Circular society, which is a global society which aims to bring together people with similar thinking and ideas to make a social impact.

Loies Davies

Dr Antonio Mele David Mcqueen

A documentary filmmaker and a lecturer too.

A lecturer in the economics department at our university. Regarded as a master storyteller who has worked with leading organisations helping them present their ideas in remarkably entertaining ways.

Enactus Surrey

Tshirts for Tanzania

irstly, a massive thanks to those who signed up to our stall at Refreshers Fayre. We hope youre Enactus journey is one thats inspiring, challenging and life-changing. What is T-shirts for Tanzania? In 2012 one of our members climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Since then they have kept in contact with one of the porters, Benson Urasa. From continuous conversations, it was apparent that over the winter months the porters have little or no source of income for several months. Over the summer we have been working together to come up with a plan to address this. Plan of Action Benson is very interested in western-style clothing and aspires to have his own business. Listening to this, two of our members had several meetings and came up with an idea to create branded t-shirts than can be sold to tourists. We aim to use the website of a company which Benson works for, Ashante tours, to help promote awareness for the t-shirts. Not only will Benson get his dream of running his own business creating t-shirts, but he and other porters will also be empowered with the skills needed to create, manage and teach others about the t-shirt business including sourcing t-shirts, printing designs onto t-shirts and selling t-shirts through an online store. The Porters can generate income to help support themselves and their families over the winter months. Interested in joining? Get in touch with our Project Leader for more info: Ferdia McCarville: vpprojects@enactussurrey.org Connect with us on facebook/twitter and our website www.enactussurrey.org

Societies Editor: Alice Wilkinson

The Stag | 24th February 2014

SOCIETIES

27

New Society - Stage & Screen Orchestra

MindSoc

Get over it
Y
ou wouldnt say these words to someone with a cold. Why would you? You understand that this type of ailment requires hot chicken soup and bed rest. Common knowledge for the common cold. However, the command to get over it is fed constantly to those who live with the invisible struggle that is mental illness. Problems with mental health effect one in four people in any given year. Sounds fairly common, so what is stopping people from treating mental health with the same nurture and understanding that one would do for any physical illness? Whats the difference? Its ignorance. The result of this ignorance often leaves those who struggle with their mental health with a feeling of stigma. Mental health becomes synonymous with crazy, which stop that individual from socialising, working and living their life. They keep quiet about their health, and this can stall recovery. Not only does this impact the economic and societal wellbeing of our communities, as many are being denied the chance to contribute, but it raises the question of why those with mental health problems should keep quiet in the first place. We all have mental health. That stress you feel before the night before a big exam is your personal and temporary struggle with it. Some people just experience this in a more chronic fashion. Mental illness can cause individuals to miss out on life, and recovery from this is dependent on societys attitudes and acknowledgement. Stigma is a common conversation topic. For example, let's look at racism. 2012 statistics found that 51% of Americans are anti-black. Does this outrage you? The majority view in our society would be that judging a person by the colour of their skin or their gender is appalling. So why is it the norm to stigmatise the invisible struggle of mental health problems? Here at Surrey, an exciting new society called MindSoc has just started. This is an opportunity to be involved in something big, and help improve awareness and education of mental health on campus. For more details find MindSoc on Facebook or contact bb00073@ surrey.ac.uk

tage & Screen Orchestra has been formed under the idea of being a dedicated orchestra for University of Surrey productions, catering to Film, TV, Musical and Theatre needs. Experience from previous productions with the Union has lined us up with some fantastic members and after the success of Surrey Festival we were able to get ratified! We are the orchestra to keep your eyes on! As a separate rehearsing body (three times a month for three hours) the orchestras intent is to become the best option for live Musical/Film/Stage work for any societal productions within the university as well as a 'package' deal for external events where everything is provided with no hassle, as a bonus feature. Exciting plans for exposure include two solo concerts showcasing the best of Musicals (28th March Studio 1) and the best of Film (June, tbc) featuring a live performance to clips! We have a Masterclass session

(open for all) hosted by experienced professional and lecturer Peter Morris (26th February, 8pm - TB10) discussing topics such as arranging for pit & film and music-tech skills for keys. If you are interested in Stage & Screen music, pencil the dates in and come along to an informal, enjoyable night out! If you are interested in taking part in the orchestra itself, the auditions take place at the beginning of the academic year and are open to absolutely anyone who loves the stuff and can read a few notes. No previous pit/screen experience is required to audition! We also would like to take a moment to open a forum of collaboration communication between any interested societies. We believe that this will help the efficiency of organising productions, with organisation parameters open and free to discuss.

28 SPORT

The Stag | 24th February 2014

sport@thestagsurrey.co.uk

Sport
Sabbs get Fit in Feb! Sports Enhance Employability
By Jordan Thomson, Sports Executive Chair

By James Lovell, VP Sports & Recreation

s part of Get Fit Feb, the sabbs have been getting out there and trying out different sports sessions. I took part in mountaineering last week and it was a lot of fun, but tough! Sheldon, the Mountaineering Club President, showed me the correct technique and how to climb the walls and also how to get around the bouldering cave. To find out more email ussu. mountaineering@surrey.ac.uk On Monday Em and Maz tried out volleyball (ussu.volleyball@ surrey.ac.uk) and after being told by the Volleyball coach that their techniques and tactics were well below par, Em and I tried our hand at Jitsu. The great thing about Jitsu is that its not just a lesson in how to do some cool moves, its all about self-defence with a few strong life lessons chucked in there! Jitsu is a practical form of self defence and training sessions teach how to react when being attacked using reasonable force. One lesson that sticks with me is that fear is learned, apart from a fear of falling

over and loud noises. Chris, the club sensei, showed practical techniques in how to use this natural fear to our advantage by getting our opponents off balance and unable to attack. Both Em and I had great fun at the session and it was definitely catered for all abilities- neither Em or myself had ever tried any form of martial arts before! At some points we got a bit too over-excited which led to me repeatedly hitting Dan Jacobs (Sports Executive Coaching & Volunteering) over the head with a plastic bottle. It was part of a game where we learned the correct technique for disarming someone who attacks you with a weapon. We both had great fun at JiuJitsu and would recommend it to anyone who wants to try a new sport. The club is not like any other so go along and find out more. You can contact the club on ussu. jiujitsu@surrey.ac.uk or go along to any of their sessions, either 21:0022:30 on Monday evenings or 20:0022:00 on a Wednesday evening. Get involved and give it a go!

he beginning of the 2013/14 sporting season saw the forming of a new partnership between BUCS and Deloitte. The launch of the partnership follows research released by BUCS earlier last year which revealed the positive effects that university sport has on employability. For example, the average salary of graduates who played sport at university is 32,552, compared to 26,728 for those who did not. The positive effects of sports participation at university go beyond earning potential, with 94% of graduate employers agreeing these students also demonstrated good employability skills. Over the next five years, Deloitte and BUCS will work together on three key initiatives that will be taught through leadership academies, providing a mixture of practical and theory based learning around: Skills training in leadership; Teamwork and communication; Increasing the participation and profile of disability sport and womens sport on campus. As part of the leadership initiative, Surrey Sports

Park received a visit from Connor OShea (Harlequins, Director of Rugby). Connor delivered a webinar to students and staff talking about his experiences leading through sport. Connor highlighted the importance of developing leadership skills in students and how these skills can be transferred

The average salary of graduates who played sport at university is 32,552, compared to 26,728 for those who did not.
to working in the real world, along with some key points including how to adapt to different peoples needs and most notably, the advice to never be someone you are not. Attending the webinar was invaluable to adapting my own leadership style and because of it I will be able to adjust my style to different people and situations and be more empathetic to others needs.

Surrey Football

Lads Go Further Than Ever Before

By Harry Metters, Sports Team

n Wednesday the 2nd and 3rd XI progressed into the final 8 at BUCS after being victorious against both Canterbury Christ Church University and Royal Holloway. Last Saturday however, all games were abandoned due to the horrible weather.

MoM for a tireless display and Muppet of the Day goes to Babble, for growing chest hair in the shape of a Batman logo.

BUCS MARS SOUTH EASTERN CONFERENCE PLATE

The 3s game against Royal Holloway was subject to the filthiest of playing conditions. Surrey started off with their usual slow start, Holloway dominating the possession and the game... However after enduring the tempest that is Holloway, Surrey started to come back into the game. This was rewarded when Luke Roscoe struck one from outside of the box, nestling the ball in the top corner to make it 1-0. Surrey quickly doubled their lead after Daniel Chadabayor got in behind the Holloway defence firing a dangerous ball across the box for Tobias Aronzon to flick it in with a Zlatan-esque finesse. Surrey organised itself and so commenced a solid period of defending until the half time whistle. The opportunity to bury the game came when Aronzon pulled the ball back only for Rolt to fire, over hitting it missing an open goal. However Surrey eventually took a three goal lead when Luke Roscoe fired an absolute screamer, yet again into the top corner from long range. The rest of the game was comfortable for us and the lads saw the game out winning 3-0. The back four excellent, the midfield worked hard and big Vic upfront was unplayable, all in all a great win for the 3s and a welldeserved progression to the quarter finals! Muppet of the Day: Mark Leach lasted only 2 minutes after being brought on as a sub. MoM: Ben Durkin fantastic attitude and blocked everything.

BUCS MARS - EASTERN CONFERENCE CUP

Surreys second team faced a tough battle in the last 16 of the BUCS cup, with the neither side having previously gone this far in the competition. Canterbury CC players arrived late and delayed kick off by an hour; however the boys kept themselves entertained with their usual antics, others keeping the their minds sharp by filling out Daily mail crosswords! The torrential rain suited Surrey well, as Jubril smashed home a loose ball from a corner. However Canterbury equalised against the run of play just before the half. At half time the team knew an uphill battle against gale force winds and hail would prove difficult, let alone against a side placed several divisions above. However manager Ross Lewis led inspiring team talks and made adequate substitutions, ultimately leading to a penalty in Surreys favour, dispatched cleanly by Paris. With minutes to go Surrey countered after heroic defending for 40 minutes and Jubril made it 3-1. In the end, a late Canterbury goal was too little too late, as Surrey hung on for a win which ushers them into their first ever quarter final. Jamie Burnett elected

Upcoming Football Friendlies

he first week of March proves to be rich in football; the table provided will surely provide plenty of entertainment to suit your procrastination needs for that evening. On February 13th FIFA updated the world rankings. To many they are useless and arbitrary, none the less they seemingly bolster national pride within us when our nation starts climbing the ladder. Two matches, England v Denmark and Australia v Ecuador are occurring a stone throw away in London and tickets are still on sale. Keep a close eye on Italian and Uruguayan rivals as an indicator as to how group H will pan out in Englands favour.