March of sanity

LOT’S WIFE EDITION 4 2013 CONTENTS 5. Editorials Thanks 6. Letters to the editors To all those who made it out on May 14 to the student strike. 8. National Affairs Cover Art 16. International Affairs Emily McDonald 18. Student Affairs Apologies 31. Science In Edition Three, a piece ‘It’s nor just Steubenville’ appeared without a trigger warning. We sincerely 33. Music apologise to anyone who may have read the piece and was offended or upset by its nature. 38. Film & TV 42. Performing Arts Retraction In the Special Edition, page 11 and 28 featured 44. Creative Space images which incorrectly stated that the Gippsland campus is being ‘sold’. This is incorrect, the campus 51. Culture is being transferred to the University of Ballarat. Section Editors National Affairs: Thomas Clelland and Elizabeth Boag International Affairs: Carlie O’Connell Student Affairs: Hannah Barker and Ioan Nascu Science: Caitlyn Burchell, Shalaka Parekh and Nicola McCaskill Music: Dina Amin, Augustus Hebblewhite, Leah Phillips and Steven M. Voser Film & TV: Ghian Tjandaputra and Patricia Tobin Performing Arts: Christine Lambrianidis and Thomas Alomes Creative Writing: Allison Chan, Michelle Li and Thomas Wilson Culture: Hannah Gordon and Christopher Pase Online News: Julia Greenhalf Web Design: Choon Yin-Yeap and Jake Spicer As you read this paper you are on Aboriginal land. We at Lot’s Wife recognise the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nations as the historical and rightful owners and custodians of the lands and waters on which this newspaper is produced. he land was stolen and sovereignty was never ceded. Lot’s Wife Student Newspaper est. 1964. Monash University Clayton, VIC. Lot’s Wife does not condone the publishing of racist, sexist, militaristic or queerphobic material. he views expressed herein do not necessarily relect the views of the editors or the MSA. Submitted articles may be altered. All writing and artwork remains the property of the producers and may not be reproduced without their written consent. T: 03 9905 8174 W: lotswife.com.au @lotswifemag www.facebook/lotswifemagazine lotswife2013@gmail.com don’t look back. © 2013 Monash Student Association. All Rights Reserved. 4 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀3฀•฀2013 EDITORIAL MATTHEW CAMPBELL & FLORENCE RONEY When did it become cool to not give a shit? To not want to read? To not want to learn? To not be informed? At what point was engagement washed over by apathy? When did students become not only too busy, but willfully ignorant of issues of importance, because it may not encroach on them personally? see this university, but hardly comparable to others, like at LaTrobe. There is, in fact, no way of predicting which classes and teachers will be targeted. But the cuts are already having an effect. We can see it with professional staff, such as the 80 eSolutions IT staff, who were offered We’ve all been there: walking past the campus centre, to the library, or by the bus loop, silently hoping we won’t be singled out and spoken to by these parasitic pamphleteers. “I just want to get to the damn library,” voluntary redundancies last month. The department is facing the razor, and these cuts were planned well before Gonski was even announced. Monash is tightening its belt and we, as students, will bear the we think to ourselves. Sometimes we walk straight past them without brunt of it. If the planned 10% of eSolutions staff are sacked in coming making eye contact, or – if we’re unlucky enough to have made eye months we can expect even more difficulty navigating WES and allocate. contact – take a pamphlet and chuck it in the nearest bin. Lecturers experiencing technical difficulties will have even less support in If there is only one issue students should be angry about and interested in, it’s the recent federal funding cuts to the tertiary sector. You may not give passing thought to Israel and Palestine, refugees, the helping their lectures run smoothly. These insidious attacks foreshadow darker days to come. Being on the other side of the pamphlet has been an interesting and environment, Equal Love or any other campaign currently running, but sometimes thoroughly upsetting ordeal. People brush you off, smirk and if you are a student, why would you not be interested in fighting the cuts? walk away. We’ve had people throw leaflets back in our faces, yelling “I As was asked in a Stalkerspace tussle last week, “Do you really want to don’t want your fucking leaflet”. We get it, you’re stressed, you’re working pay more for your degree?” a 30 hour week to make rent and you have 6 assignments due. And yet While most of the student body may see themselves as apolitical, this is one issue that should politicise us all, as it will literally affect every the angst seems disproportionate to what we’re you to do. Stalkerspace (yes, we follow that loathsome forum) went crazy after student who is planning to study in 2014. Funding cuts to universities, the Monash Education Action Group held a 10 minute speak-out in such as Monash’s loss of $48 million are not figurative battles to be fought the Matheson Library. Students couldn’t understand how disturbing the sipping lattes and discussing political ideology. sanctity of the library could be justified. They felt betrayed and frustrated: This editorial is not meant to be a self-righteous, condescending understandably so if they were unaware of the attacks to our education. rant. We don’t claim to occupy any sort of moral high ground, and we’re But the hatred and contempt that ensued was a kick in the face to those fully aware of how alienating some aspects of student politics/activism can willing to take a stand. In the face of attacks to our education, our degrees be. James Grout’s piece in this edition of Lot’s Wife (p24-25) highlights and our futures by the Federal Government, the Coalition and our own the danger in assuming students lack the capacity to care; an attitude that university administration, the sense of betrayal and frustration has been often manifests in needless contempt for the student body. sorely misdirected. We won’t call you a sexist, racist homophobe if you don’t agree with Students together make up one of the largest social groups. Last us and we aren’t being selfless when we march through the CBD calling week, 2000 of us marched through the rain up Swanston Street for the for an end to the cuts. Rather, we are being very selfish. National Student Strike. The atmosphere was electric, but we barely Why? made the daily bulletin. At Monash Clayton alone there are 25,000 Science, Engineering and Law students might scoff at the idea that students. Imagine the power we could harness if they got together, with their degrees would ever be touched, let alone axed at the rate we have students from across Victoria at the next rally to be held on May 30th to seen with humanities courses, the beginnings of which we have started to coincide with Gillard’s visit to Melbourne. LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀3฀•฀2013 5 LETTERS LETTERS We would love to hear from you. Email your thoughts, grievances and marriage proposals to lotswife2013@gmail.com Dear Lot’s, “deserve”). Having recently returned to Monash after a hiatus, my first stop was at Wholefoods. Wholefoods is once again a Collective/volunteer run enterprise, after control was wrested away from the MSA student politicians last year I ordered what I once was a single large meal that was now two meals at the cost of $14 - this seems very expensive, especially given that a similar quantity in the past would have been much less. through difficult struggle (while some were away on “hiatus”!). A Collective enterprise is as productive, innovative and viable as the people who participate in it, and participation is open to all - even I struggled through the boring, standard and unimaginative food, hardly changed since I was last here - but at least iIdidn’t need to go down stairs to get another meal. I really thought Wholefoods would have made an attempt to improve its food standard given how high the standard now is on the rest of the campus. post-hiatussing, non-health food loving folk. We do not need negative criticism from ‘Wholefoods philosophy loving’ people. We do need such people to demonstrate a preparedness to become actively involved in Wholefoods: to volunteer, work hard, and make some Dhal, for instance, should not taste like boiled lentils - this should be easy and inexpensive to change. collective sacrifice with us to create a service that offers the best quality and most affordable food and drink it possibly can. As someone who is not vegetarian and not particularly interested If you want to pull your finger out and do some work you can in eating healthy food (but what ever happened to the range of healthy contact our Volunteers Coordinator (rcoo.tran@gmail.com) or contact drinks? - ie not solely soft drink), Wholefoods makes it very hard to like the Collective (collectivelist@wholefoods.org.au) and come along to the vegetarian food. next Collective meeting (advertised on Facebook/on blackboard in the Wholefoods does itself and its fellow students a disservice by serving the same boring food. This isn’t 1999: people know what good vego food is. In a world saturated with wankyness over good food, I would have hoped this would have rubbed off a bit. space). You can join a menu working group, do the costings and make proposals to reduce prices and improve the food quality. As Captain Planet repeatedly said: “the power is yours.” I love the philosophy of Wholefoods, and the space on campus is the best student space I have seen in the country - but this isn’t enough for me to continue forking out for food I don’t like. Wholefoods deserves -James Grout (Wholefoods Dishy and volunteer Collective member) to amaze and surprise people with its food - not be some kind of functional equations of being broke, needing to eat and having few other options. Wholefoods has had a fresh start this year, it is time to lift their game. Dear Lot’s Wife, In recent years there has been a lot of uncertainty concerning the viability and future of Wholefoods as a student or worker-run venture. -Anonymous Since Wholefoods began in 1977, the democratic principle of student run/worker-control, embodied by the Wholefoods Collective, has been its most distinguishing feature. Dear Anoymous, However, from 2006, successive Monash Student Association “In a world saturated with wankyness over good food, I would have hoped (MSA) Executives sought to impose their own, more conventionally this would have rubbed off a bit.” hierarchical, management structure on Wholefoods. This meant that students and workers were increasingly disempowered as the Wholefoods But doesn’t this statement require inversion? Collective progressively lost control over prices, staffing, coordinators, the In a world saturated with “hiatussing” wankers complaining about bad food, I would hope that the newly restored democratic mechanism of menu, budgeting and the volunteer system. This year, after winning back most, if not all, of the Collective’s the Wholefoods Collective (with its ethics of participation and hard- decision-making power over Wholefoods, many students are now work) would have rubbed off a bit, leaving such people with no excuse participating and working hard to restore Wholefoods to its former glory not to get involved in creating the kind of service they need (or feel they and even push it beyond this. 6 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 LETTERS We acknowledge and agree with the criticisms some students have been making concerning Wholefoods’ prices and food quality. This semester the Wholefoods Operations Co-ordinator, together and decide to just quit law school and become a chef, a few days later, our inner rebellion is all but quelled? Many times the excuse takes the form of procrastination. “Next with our hard-working staff and volunteers, have undertaken to cost all year I’ll have more time”, or “I just don’t have enough money”, are some of the meals we serve with the goal of reducing prices wherever possible. of the things I hear the people around me say. I sympathise with them, However, since Wholefoods hasn’t been Collective run for the past 2 - 3 following your dream – especially when it is quite different from you years, we have had to redo the planning including the costing for our current life path – is risky and perilous. It’s so much easier to remain in meals, which is a tedious process. We intend to re-evaluate our prices at your comfortable and safe job that you hate (or, perhaps, that simply the end of this semester and we expect to be able to reduce them given doesn’t bring you joy). Things will always come up. increasingly skilled staff, the reinstatement of the Volunteering program and potential changes of suppliers. We are also currently reviewing the kitchen menu and are hoping to Yet excuses are vile little creatures. The more we delay our dreams, the more they bury underneath our skin, making more sense, having more power. The more we delay, the more difficult it is to break away in an improve on what we currently offer, while still keeping within budget so attempt to remodel our lives. The job, the mortgage, the kids. More and that food stays affordable. Look out for some new items in the cafe next more excuses pile up. semester, including roast veggie salads and the return of SOUP to keep you warm against the bitter cold winds of Clayton. Members of the Wholefoods Collective have been researching some The human brain is quite a marvelous contraption when it comes to convincing oneself of not doing anything or in persuading us that life is about having a house, a bank account and a Louis Vuitton purse. new drinks to offer, and will soon be reintroducing a range of juices from And when it can’t , it convinces us to think that we simply “aren’t good a Victorian producer who makes lovely, 100%-sugar-and-preservative-free enough” – so why risk it and get hurt? apple juice. In the meantime, we still offer homemade chai, herbal teas and organic, farmer-direct-trade coffee as always. Things are looking up, but there is still a lot of work to do, as we However life is a battle not won by running away from difficulties. As Leo Buscaglia says “Risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.” have highlighted in this letter. We need to improve on the consistency of our food and ensure that Wholefoods is as exciting and delicious as it is -Ioan Nascu healthy and cheap. However above all, as a community enterprise, Wholefoods can only be as strong as the people who are involved. While we welcome criticism, this is not enough. Having won back Collective decisionmaking power there is now no excuse not to get involved and work with us on the ongoing project that is the Wholefoods Restaurant. We encourage everyone who shares the values of Wholefoods to come to a Collective meeting, make concrete and constructive proposals and help us decide how we will achieve our aims. - The Wholefoods Collective. For more information about how to get involved, email collectivelist@ wholefoods.org.au. Dear Lot’s, ‘Before I Graduate’ an article from Lot’s Wife edition two, discussed the need to live for today. “We only have one precious, outrageous, crazy mess of a life” the writer exclaims, “so you’d better make the most of it!”. How many have written on the ‘Before I graduate’ wall and actually attempted to do more than just jot their dreams down? Unhappiness seems to be a self-made thing (bar the occasional natural disaster); how many times is it that we hear our friends and family lament how much they hate their jobs or hate their courses? And why is it that even though we sometimes read a book or see an inspirational movie 7 NATIONAL AFFAIRS THE FEDERAL BUDGET Richard Plumridge Treasurer Wayne Swan has delivered his sixth or high water, has more than likely sealed its own to irresponsible government debt. They have and likely final budget in a fraught election year. electoral fate by over-promising when it was not even adopted the Tea Party’s vernacular, renam- As many commentators have observed, it is the necessary. ing the limit on the issuance of Commonwealth most unlikely of election year budgets, with vir- Government Securities the debt “ceiling”. To tually none of the populist bribes that usually Lies, damned lies and debt scare the populace most effectively, they have transpire when governments face the people. It Public understanding of the Federal Budget is divided billions of dollars worth of national debt is a largely responsible paper in the shadow of the always an exercise in lowest common denomina- amongst the population to demonstrate how gravest financial crisis since the Great Depres- tion. Note the various news media who wilfully those economic vandals in Canberra are respon- sion that goes part-way to restoring a balance to breakdown a $391 billion national budget into sible for a “whopping $14,000 [of debt] for every the federal budget absent since the big-spending a few bullet points under “Winners” and “Los- working Australian”. Wowee. If only Australia Howard years. Grand reforms, including Disa- ers”. In this Federal Budget, the “Winners” list, was a global economy instead of a mortgage-lad- bilityCare and Gonski school funding will serve at least for the average citizen of Heraldsunland, en suburbanite. Oh wait. It is. as the basis for Labor’s improbable campaign for is rather short. No Howard-era pork barrelling, The problem for these antipodean dull- re-election in September. no generous tax cuts, just money for education ards is that Australian government debt is not a and the disabled. Again, not your usual election major issue of concern for the global markets, as year budget. evidenced by the country’s untarnished Triple- At long last, this budget should put paid to the binary fatuousness of the “surplus good; deficit bad” mentality that has pervaded Austral- Even less well understood in aspirational A credit rating. A $19 billion deficit in a $391 ian politics for the better part of a decade. Virtu- Heraldsunland is the concept of debt, at least as billion budget is not going to undermine the na- ally no reputable economist has placed a great it applies to the nation-state. Elements within tion’s stability. Nor is $300 billion of gross debt emphasis on a return to surplus – especially the the Coalition, ably supported by Alan Jones et in a $1.5 trillion economy going to greatly im- wafer-thin one offered by Mr. Swan last year – al, have been successful in running a US Tea pact Australia’s economic pre-eminence. This yet it has been presented as a test of economic Party-like campaign about Australian govern- popular misconception of debt perhaps spooked credibility by both major parties. Labor, goaded ment debt. To them, Australia is a Banana Re- Labor to push for a surplus earlier than they oth- by the Coalition to promise a surplus come hell public on the brink of economic collapse thanks erwise would have, with the resulting “broken” 8 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 NATIONAL AFFAIRS promise fodder for the Coalition in this perpetu- view of the national economy. al election campaign. Prepare to hear a surplus of ment to complete the GST reforms begun by Peter Costello. Any changes would be politically surplus soundbites on television and radio until In reply fraught, but at the very least they might have the September 14. Tony Abbott’s budget reply was much like any potential to be possibly discussed at some point opposition reply speech: big on rhetoric, short in the indeterminate future. As Ken Henry, chair The Aqueduct? on detail. This is not a criticism of the Coali- of the most recent “comprehensive” tax review The echo-chamber of the commentariat follow- tion’s policies per se, but indicative of the rela- has argued, governments will be forced to rely ing the budget was fairly predictable: a lame- tive difficulty in which oppositions find them- increasingly on consumption taxes because “it is duck budget presented by a lame-duck govern- selves at budget time. They must formulate a one of the things that we can practically tax”. ment. The nation’s countless rent-seekers came credible alternative budget with none of the out in force, appearing in front of the cameras advantages of incumbency. Alas, Mr. Abbott has Swan song where possible to vent their spleen. This budget been guilty of engaging in hyperbole, declaring The tertiary education sector will be hit hard “offered” nothing for them. What have the Ro- a “budget emergency” requiring the Coalition’s by the $2.8 billion worth of cuts previously an- mans Labor ever done for us? We are all, after all, superior economic management skills. Skills nounced, despite protests from students, staff rent-seekers in one form or another. clearly honed during the “profligate” years of the and administrators. The cuts will have real ef- Howard government. fects on the students who are now the front line Small business owners, interviewed the morning after the budget, decried the government for not giving them money. Sorry, “assistance”. One café owner wanted to “look after” her staff, but complained she would have to pay her workers more super. To cover these extra costs, she now has to open Sundays, but also then has to pay staff penalty rates. Working these long hours, she argued, took away from time with of the end of the era of entitlement. Today’s uni- “In this Federal Budget, the “Winners” list, at least for the average citizen of Heraldsunland, is rather short. No Howard-era pork barrelling, no generous tax cuts, just money for education and the disabled.” her family. Yes, well that is the reasoning behind versity students stand to miss out on the start-up scholarships, first home buyers grants, baby bonuses and much of the family tax benefits that were available to Australians barely a decade ago. While limiting these entitlements is economically sound, it does create division between the graduates of tomorrow and those of only a few years ago, with an ever-increasing number penalty rates. They serve to compensate workers As shadow treasurer Joe Hockey declared of the tertiary qualified entering a moribund job for working unsociable hours such as the week- at the beginning of March, “if there is no carbon market. Add to the mix that every previous min- ends. These are the costs of running a business tax, there is no need for compensation”. Yet Mr. ing boom has ended in a bust and the relatively and, as economic liberals constantly remind us, Abbott still feels compelled to throw $4 billion resilient Australian economy could be in for a life is a choice. It is the owner’s choice to operate at taxpayers to compensate them for a tax that rocky ride over the next few years. a business and open on weekends and, as a result, will no longer exist under a Coalition govern- Should this year’s budget end up as Labor’s pay the increased rates of pay. ment. Some “emergency”. Not to mention the last, the government will leave an auspicious Similarly, retailers from shoe shops to unfunded and unexplained “direct action” cli- economic legacy: managing to avoid the worst clothing boutiques complained about the GST mate change plan, which Mr. Abbott claims will of the Global Financial Crisis, presiding over low-value threshold, demanding the govern- “reduce emissions with targeted incentives”. Os- both low interest rates and employment growth, ment establish a “level playing field” by taxing tensibly the opposition’s plan will replace a mar- retaining Australia’s triple-A credit rating and imports under $1,000. How this would help a ket mechanism designed to raise revenue with a keeping inflation low despite the mining boom. small retailer is anyone’s guess. Surely there are government-planned scheme that will pick win- In many ways, this budget can be considered far more pressing structural concerns for small ners and cost money. the first part of Labor’s election campaign, not businesses. As many consumers know, even if the To Mr. Abbott’s credit, he has been coy for 2013, but for 2016. Should the future Prime GST was applied to all overseas purchases, many on changes to the GST, promising a tax reform Minister Abbott call a double dissolution elec- imported goods would still be cheaper than their white paper which may look at alterations to the tion, Labor will ensure the electorate does not local equivalents, placing a question mark over nation’s consumption tax. This is a substantial forget they are the party of disability insurance the economic credibility of the campaign to “as- improvement on Labor’s head-in-the-sand ap- and school funding reforms. Just as Labor har- sist” business by creating a “level playing field”. proach, which included establishing a “compre- nessed the legacy of Hawke/Keating-era eco- The innovative retailers out there are using the hensive” tax review so comprehensive that it ex- nomic reforms, don’t be surprised to see the eco- current economic times to their advantage and cluded the GST from consideration. While the nomic legacy of the Rudd/Gillard years front and using technology, rather than decrying it, to nation needs another tax review as much as it centre with the passage of time. reach new markets. Then again, they wouldn’t needs a political party led by Clive Palmer, there be rent-seekers if they actually took a big-picture is an opportunity for a future Coalition govern- LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 9 NATIONAL AFFAIRS WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE WE? The Australian Republic, and Identifying Australian Identity Bren Carruthers Ask a foreigner about their general idea of important because it’s a part of our history. since 1999? For Lo, the answer is a resounding the average Australian, and you will receive But I think we’ve evolved and we’ve moved ‘yes’. a variety of bastardised stereotypes. Perhaps it beyond that. We are an independent nation, “From a political perspective, Australia’s would be some sort of kangaroo-riding, bronzed with an independent identity, in a region growing out of its shell, and becoming more surfer with flowing golden locks. Perhaps it that is very diverse in itself as well. So when active on the global stage,” he says. would be a bikini-clad Lara Bingle, a beauty I think about what it means to be Australian, “At the moment, our Head of State is asking “where the bloody hell are ya?” with it’s about that multicultural facet, that diversity, the Queen of England. But will the Queen of jingoistic fervour. Or perhaps the imaginary that inclusion. I’m very proud of it. I think we England go out of her way to promote Australian Australian is the true blue, bonza, dinky-di should be celebrating that.” products overseas? No. We want an Australian beer-swilling, blue-singleted blokey bloke. In any case, it’s a shallow, barrel-scraping reflection on the people of a nation that we all know to be much more nuanced. But with the knowledge that those absurd caricatures are a complete misrepresentation, what then, constitutes an Australian? Head of State that does that. We want someone “Perhaps, at this point in time, the only definable characteristic of the Australian people is the severe difficulty in defining them.” Jieh-Yung Lo wants to ask every Australian to go out there and promote Australia. Promote our identity, promote our products, promote our opportunities.” “What I’m asking the Australian people to think about is our future, to think about what we’re going to be like in fifty to one hundred years. Do we want to be a major player in the that same question. Already quite involved The movement towards an Australian world? Do we want to be an influential nation in with engaging the community in his role as the Republic is by no means a modern development. our region? Of course we do. So I think having Deputy Mayor of the City of Monash, Lo was Both the Australasian Anti-Transportation an Australian Republic and an Australian Head recently made a National Committee Member League of the 1840s and the Eureka Rebellion of of State is not just a changing facet in Australia, of the Australian Republican Movement 1854 were significant anti-British movements, but also overseas as well.” (ARM). He is playing a leading role in the with the implication that succession from the “I think we’re very unique in the world. group’s Our Identity campaign: a grassroots British Empire was a viable goal. The short- We have very unique values and a unique campaign which looks to question the public on lived Australian Republican Association was identity, and I think by having an Australian their identity as Australians – they way they see also formed in 1887, in dissent to the perceived Republic, we will cap that off.” themselves, and the way they want to be seen. unfairness of British rule at that time. One “It’s about engaging the community,” says attendee of the ARA meetings was so incensed Lo. “It’s about asking the community, ‘what by the movement that he was motivated to does it mean to be Australian?’ What’s our place write his first poem, entitled, “A Song of the Australia is a nation that has always suffered in the world? And in the Asia-Pacific region?” Republic”. That poet happened to be Henry an identity crisis. From a time when hundreds Lawson, a man who would eventually became of autonomous and culturally definable groups a paradigm of Australian identity. of indigenous Australians covered nearly every Of course, the question of what it means to be an Australian is a personal one. For Lo, * born in Australia to Chinese parents, it’s the More recently, the Republican movement part of the continent and backwards into the ever-changing face of a multicultural Australia reached an apex in 1999, with the Australian fog of pre-history, to its conversion into a shady, that forms an important part of his motivation public finally having the opportunity to address imperial outpost. From its status a melting pot to fight for an Australian Republic. the idea through a referendum. However, as the of Protestants and Catholics operating in the “When I think about Australia, I think question posed not only proposed a republic but distant shadow of the British-Irish conflict, and about the diversity. It’s a land of opportunity; also the leadership model, many voters erred on again into an emigration destination for people it’s a great multicultural society… I don’t the side of caution. 54.87% of voters voted ‘No’ of all nationalities and cultures worldwide. see the ties with the UK. Certainly, there’s a on the proposal, and for many, the issue had Perhaps, at this point in time, the only definable historical tie, and let’s acknowledge that. It’s now been put to bed. But has anything changed characteristic of the Australian people is the 10 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 NATIONAL AFFAIRS severe difficulty in defining them. we elect, and the policies they put forward, self-reflection, to continue to evolve and be Surely then, a discussion about an certainly have an impact on how the rest of willing to redefine the parameters that bind us Australian Republic must in itself be a vital the world perceives Australians. The current together as a people, besides the simple fact that part of Australian identity. To have enough situation regarding the treatment of asylum we all reside on one very large rock. Regardless self-reflection to continuously re-evaluate and seekers, with bipartisan support for measures of our political stances or cultural backgrounds, re-assess ‘Australian-ness’ is demonstrative of that skirt and violate human rights law and our leadership and representation, the idea a kind of social and ideological freedom that our responsibilities as a member of the global of a Republic, and the appropriateness of a is not granted to so many other people on community, is a considerable blemish on British Head of State, is a central aspect of that this planet. Too many nations suffer from the our national character. But of course, our discussion. There is absolutely no reason that constraints imposed on them by their national international profile does not rest in the hands of the discussion and the self-reflection regarding leaders – North Korea would be the most blunt our leaders alone. Australian backpackers have these issues cannot begin now – and continue and prolific example of this – or through the a burgeoning reputation for being boisterous well into the future. impasse that may stem from a deep cultural and offensive, and regular tourist haunts such as heritage – consider for example the seeming Bali and Thailand, despite reaping the financial Currently touring the country for the first time since unwillingness of the American people to benefits of tourism, also suffer under the force its inception, the National Republican Lecture will concede their constitutional right to bear arms of the Western cultural imperialism that these be held on Monash University’s Caulfield Campus, due to a fiercely-held reverence for liberty; a tourists bring with them. Building H, Lecture Theatre 1.16, on Wednesday constitutional right that is virtually irrelevant in a modern society. There is a strong case at hand to open a June 5 at 6pm. The event will see prominent author public discussion on Australia’s role and identity and media personality Peter FitzSimons speak on However, a push towards an Australian as a community, both internally and in a global behalf of the Australian Republican Movement. Republic is only one avenue through which context. But it would be wrong to consider it Entry is free. the Australian people can generate a sense of a progression towards a definable conclusion. fundamental, communal identity. The leaders Instead, we need to remember to maintain that Four ethnicities under one flag - but how is this reality represented in our Statehood and our natioanl and global identity? Image: DIAC Images. LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 11 SUBHEADING CULTURE DISABILITYCARE: What will it mean for Australia? Elizabeth Boag For two years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has from 1.5 per cent of taxable income to 2 per cent. For someone earning been floating around in Federal politics. This year it is expected to finally $70,000 a year, this will roughly equate to paying a dollar a day to the come into effect on July 1. levy. According to the NDIS website, the scheme aims to unite services The opposition has argued that the Government has only given for disabled persons across Australia, creating equal levels of support details about half of the required funding, necessary to make the scheme for people in all areas and all states. Rather than allocating funds based able to function. Tony Abbott stated that he would only give his vote if on budget allowances, they will be allocated on a basis of actual need, the scheme is “responsibly funded”. However the Coalition has con- related to the person’s specific disability. This is opposed to the current firmed their support for the Medicare levy, despite demanding a parlia- system where some areas achieve success while others are desperately mentary committee be set up to oversee the implementation. With the underfunded. opposition’s support, it is likely to go proceed with minimal delays. According to a report recently released by the Organisation for The recent rebranding, ‘Disability Care’, has caused controversy Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), out of the twen- with disability groups, many stating their offence at the name. According ty-seven participating countries, Australia is the lowest ranked nation for to ABC news website The Drum, Lesley Hall, the head of Australian quality of life for its citizens with a disability. Of these people, they are Federation of Disability Organisations, says that they strongly advised twice as likely to be living near the poverty line or below. We are clearly the Government against the use of the word ‘care’ in the scheme’s name, in desperate need of a change to our current - or lack thereof - disability as it reinforces the myth that those with a disability need to be given support system. charity and welfare, instead of solid support. If this legislation can be passed in Government, the potential to aid and help disabled Australians would be exponential. Whether the scheme can actually acquire the necessary support and funding through the Medicare levy and other unknown means remains Recently, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that in order to fund the scheme, the Medicare levy will be increased by half a per- to be seen. With Queensland recently committing to the full NDIS scheme, Western Australia remains the only state to yet sign up. centage point from the first of July next year, meaning the levy will go 12 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 NATIONAL AFFAIRS JUST A CABBIE? Lisa Healy Depending on where you work, a standard day on the job may consist of ly not a lot, but people seem to have stooped low enough to generalise a answering phone calls, taking orders or booking appointments, perhaps whole occupation and degrade a person completely for merely carrying out sweeping and mopping at the end of a long day, and leaving with the their job, rather than showing them the appreciation that they deserve. exhausted gratification that your bank account won’t be land-sliding into a negative balance at the end of the week. Of course, you cannot dismiss all cases. I’m sure there are examples of taxi drivers who are perhaps rude, perverted, arrogant, or offensive. A standard day for a taxi driver, however, can include an array of But isn’t this the case for all workplaces? In any job? No matter where you delightful opportunities and a nebulous of ambiguity of what the day may work or what level you are at, there will always be some employee who bring. Such joys include: your clientele refusing to pay or making a run is, to put it politely, just an unfriendly person. But surely the minority of for it so you have to cover their trip out of your own wage; drunkards taxi drivers who are rude, perverted, arrogant or offensive can’t be said to vomiting in the back seat of the car, which you have to mop up; listening represent taxi drivers as a whole. to the bitter tirades of your customer, either unleashing abusive taunts According to an analysis by the Australian Taxi Industry Associa- or complaining about your skills, ethnic background or that you went a tion in 2011, almost 2 out of every 3 taxi drivers are born overseas. It different route to what they would have taken themselves; going to work could be assumed, then, that that the ease of acquiring work as a taxi every day, apprehensive of what dangers or violence may lie ahead; and, driver is what attracts such a large proportion of migrant workers. So finally, for the cherry on top, finishing a tiresome seven- is the figure released by the Taxi Council in 2011 of a teen hour shift with $300 in your pocket, only to have 300% increase in assaults on taxi drivers in the past ten to fork over half of it to your employer. Combine this with no sick leave, no standard hourly rate, no superannuation and no annual leave, and you must certainly be living the high life. This may not sound like a riveting experience, and perhaps many of us would want to have a job that entails none of the above. Unfortunately, for those in the taxi industry, this is the reality of what their occupation demands on a day-to-day basis. Alongside these grievances, Melbourne Airport’s decision in May to axe the ‘short-fare queue’ system “With such poor working conditions, are questions not raised as to why taxi drivers seem to also be taking so much flak from society, and why it is progressively becoming normal for people to belittle or violently attack them?” years highlighting a racial issue? Is this confirmation of a perpetually growing narrow-mindedness? Or are they merely an easy target because they work alone and carry cash? One of the most worrying factors of this predicament is that this understated ignorance is increasingly being accepted as the norm. It is more common to hear people launch vitriolic assaults on cabbies than to hear someone voice a defence. It has become normal to label taxi drivers derogatively; it has become normal to not was unsurprisingly met with unprecedented outrage and pay someone for their time and service; it has, appar- highlighted further mistreatment. Instead of targeting ently, become perfectly normal to throw glass bottles at the few who bypass the system, every taxi driver is now forced to bear the brunt of the restriction. Considering that Melbourne Airport is so depend- someone and beat them with a baseball bat. Why should someone have to endure such abuses in their job? A job ent on the taxi industry for transportation of passengers, it seems illogical that allows someone to provide for themselves and their family, contribute to treat those who abide by the rules and carry out local, cheaper jobs to to their community and develop invaluable skills. It is a job that provides be equally punished. us, as customers, a service that takes us from point A to point B. And it is With such poor working conditions, are questions not raised as to why taxi drivers seem to also be taking so much flak from society, and why it is progressively becoming normal for people to belittle or violently attack them? about us, as customers, generating respect for a person and the service they provide Perhaps next time you happen to take a taxi home after a smashing night out, treat your driver to a bit of unprecedented excitement. Conducting a Google search, I stumbled upon a Facebook group Give them a tip; engage them in a conversation that will make the thirty entitled, ‘Giving taxi drivers unnecessary drunken abuse’. Has prejudice minute drive fly by; and, maybe if you’re feeling extra kind, take a detour against ‘cabbies’ really expanded to just become some cruel pastime for through a McDonalds’ drive thru and buy them a large vanilla thick the amusement of the great unwashed? I wonder how many Facebook shake. Because, when it comes down to it, the service taxi drivers provide groups have gone viral with a similar premise, such as, ‘Giving florists un- is one of the most underappreciated in Melbourne. necessary thorn pricks’ or ‘Giving chefs unnecessary oven burns’. Obvious- LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 13 NATIONAL AFFAIRS EDUCATION IN A NEOLIBERAL ERA Declan Murphy The last few decades have seen governments wage war on our universities. They have cut public funding on a per student basis, determined entirely by reference to what they imply for the Treasury. The ethical good under neoliberalism is reducible to the casualised the workforce and forced our fees up, mounting a sustained economic imperative of unhindered markets – but only for the working offensive against both student and staff organisations. The results have class. So government intervention that might be of some benefit to been devastating; compared to the era of free education in the 1970s, our us – for example environmental protection controls and minimum universities are in a sorry state. Obscene prices are charged for courses wages – is treated under neoliberalism as a form of moral corruption which become narrower every year (before disappearing altogether), to be eradicated. On the other hand, the neoliberals urge ever tighter and are taught by staff who are worked into the ground for increasingly government regulation of trade unionism and the right to strike. And lower wages. Universities have become corporatised, and student while they might praise competition in the ‘labour market’ – getting life and culture has become, largely, a thing of the past. This is what workers to compete with each other for scraps – they do their best to neoliberalism has meant for higher education. protect the cossetted position of the banks and media cartels that reap billions of dollars in monopoly profits every year. Rights that were fought for and won over decades have been under What is neoliberalism? Neoliberalism has been economic orthodoxy across the world for the sustained attack. Entitlements have been transformed into ‘benefits’, last three decades. In Australia, the doctrine used to be called ‘economic provisions into ‘services’, departments into ‘providers’ and citizens into rationalism’ – a cunning phrase that carries the implication that any ‘customers’. Every aspect of the world is expected to subject itself to a opposition to it must somehow be ‘irrational’. The ALP introduced the cold ‘cost/benefit’ analysis. That is, unless you’re wealthy, in which case doctrine under Prime Minister Bob Hawke and Treasurer Paul Keating the sky is the limit for tax breaks and government largesse. in the 1980s. The agenda was quite simple: union busting, privatisation Neoliberalism is the logic that sees poor and working class elderly of state-owned assets, and deregulation of finance and trade. The people who have worked their whole lives and contributed to raising ultra-wealthy and corrupt - such as now-disgraced and bankrupted the next generation of humanity driven to despair and suicide because businessman Alan Bond - were put on pedestals as people to emulate – of the never ending debate among the economists and politicians about they were “great Aussie success stories”. how ‘expensive’ they are to keep alive, how much of a ‘burden’ they Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher summed up the philosophy of neoliberalism in a 1987 interview in which she remarked, now allegedly are on society. But for the rich, the government can’t do enough to shovel still more in their direction. “there is no such thing as society”. The neoliberal view is that the world is made up of individuals, and that if every individual pursues their own Neoliberalism and education self-interest in economic affairs, then the greatest welfare will accrue to It is important to understand these latest cuts in this context. Education society as a whole. It is a dogmatic ideology that is little more than an has been at the front line of the neoliberal offensive. Our right to an attempt at a moral justification for the rich to get richer and for the poor education is being turned into a ‘privilege’, and we are being turned into to be left to rot at the margins. ‘customers’ rather than students. In the decades since Thatcher and Hawke, global market forces, previously mitigated to at least some degree, have been progressively What are some of the ways this has happened? For starters, there are the government cuts to the higher education unleashed on the population. No sphere of existence is now untouched budget. In the 1970s, the government provided over 90 per cent of by the market; nothing is without a price. The result has been a greater university funding. Today, according to the Grattan Institute, it’s well sense of loss of control, unease, uncertainty and displacement, all below 50 per cent. Funding has gone up in dollar terms but has lagged exacerbated in Europe and the US by levels of unemployment unseen dramatically behind the increase in student numbers from around in generations. Social policy and notions of public good are now 400,000 in the mid-1980s to over 1 million today, further stretching the 14 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 NATIONAL AFFAIRS meagre resources available to teaching and research. in Australia were taught by casual academic staff. It goes without saying It’s not just universities that have been targeted – TAFE colleges that this undermines education – how are educators supposed to help have been under the hammer by conservative governments across the their students learn when their own time on campus is incredibly limited Eastern states with dozens sold off and thousands of staff sacked or put on and their own livelihoods are constantly at risk? short term contracts. All of these cuts have been justified by employing neoliberal catchphrases about ‘fiscal responsibility’. A vital part of the neoliberal offensive against higher education has been the weakening of student and staff collective organisations. The burden of paying for education has now fallen overwhelmingly Governments have always recognised that student unions and the NTEU on individual students. Gone is the idea of free education provided by stand in the way of attempts to trample over our rights. That’s why a key a society that values learning, replaced by the cold, inhumane logic of priority for both government and university administrations has been to ‘user-pays’. So the corporations that benefit from the labour provided by undermine these organisations. trained graduates also benefit from the fact that the graduates themselves have had to pay for the training – as opposed to higher corporate tax rates Another way... to cover the education. Neoliberalism is sold to us as ‘common sense’. But it is premised on lies – The cost of an undergraduate degree in Australia is anywhere that the market is efficient, that individuals are all that matters, that we between $14,000 and $35,000 per year. Most students leave university are all little more than consumers, and that ideas of collective strength weighed down by a crippling debt of between $25,000 and $30,000, resulting in social good are morally and economically barren. which plagues them for years after they enter the workforce. It’s a Yet neoliberalism has failed in practice. Leaving rich capitalists system that openly favours students from rich families, deterring to pursue their own self-interests has seen global inequality increase the poor with ominous fees. And with each funding cut from the dramatically. Rather than the greatest welfare accruing to society as a government, the Vice-Chancellors (who are paid handsomely) get the whole, we witnessed a global financial meltdown in 2008 that workers excuse they need to jack up the prices even further. and the poor have had to pay for, while the rich who caused the crisis got Neoliberal restructuring of the university sector also provides a pretext to ‘reform’ a whole range of aspects of university life – cutting courses deemed unprofitable, making class sizes bigger and library off scot free – and with government bailouts! We need a different path – one in which education is a right and where learning is valued as a social good. hours shorter and shutting down whole departments. Things like oncampus child care entitlements for students who are single mothers are turned into services that have to be paid for. All of this undermines our education – it means more distance between students and their teachers, less feedback, less access to resources and less assistance. The huge debt and the high expenses associated with studying at university have also helped contribute to a much broader problem of student poverty, which has reached epidemic levels in Australia. In 2005, more that 60 percent of Australian students lived below the poverty line. And yet the Gillard government has no qualms in using the latest cuts to further cut student scholarships, which provide an essential livelihood for some of the poorest students in the country. It’s not just the students who have suffered. Neoliberalism has shafted university workers as well. The corporatisation of universities has seen thousands of workers providing an essential service thrown on the scrap heap. At Sydney University earlier this year the equivalent of 7.5 percent of all academic staff were sacked. And this at a university which last year posted the third largest profit in Australia and invests tens of millions in useless advertising and capital projects yearly. University workers whose jobs survive are faced with the spectre of casualisation. Casualisation makes it easier for Vice-Chancellors and university boards to force up their staff’s hours while paying them less, sacking those who fall foul of the intensified tempo of the work. It means that stressed academic staff rush from class to class, trying to keep up with relentless demands from management. Some analysts estimate that last year roughly 50 percent of all undergraduate courses LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 15 AMERICAN GUN CONTROL: EMPTY PROMISES? Carlie O’Connell The tragedy that befell Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown Connecticut late last year is one capacity ammunition magazines off the streets. “None of these ideas should This outcome is also a reflection of the be unyielding power and influence of the National that needs no introduction; a massacre that controversial. Why wouldn’t we want to make Rifle Association (NRA) and their prominent left 20 young students and six teachers dead. It it more difficult for a dangerous person to get his self-described role as “America’s foremost shocked and saddened the entire international or her hand on a gun?” defender of Second Amendment rights”. community, and ultimately left one topic welling “Why wouldn’t we want to close the Over four million members strong, the in the minds of many: American gun regulation. loophole that allows as many as 40 per cent NRA provides training courses for gun owners In the immediate wake of this heartbreaking of all gun purchases to take place without a and educational programs for primary school background check?” children in gun safety, but what they are event, President Obama made an emotional appeal to the American public, stating that, “we’re going to have to come together and take “Why wouldn’t we do that?” he asked his audience. more prominently known for is their political influence, which in the lead-up to the Senate meaningful action.” What ‘meaningful action’ However less than a month on, those would equate to was unclear and as the months questions are left ringing in the ears of Mr Obama vote, was in full swing. According to Reuters, NRA members and passed by, it seemed as though Sandy Hook was and gun control lobbyists, after a watered-down officials made an unwavering stream of calls to to become just another statistic. version of the proposals failed to pass through Republicans and conservative Democrats in the However, in late March during a press the Senate, revealing how ingrained and never lead-up to the vote. In particular they urged release delivered to an audience of parents who ending this debate is among the America people, swing votes such as Democratic Senator Mark have lost their children to gun violence, the and within American politics. Begich of Alaska, to go against the measure. President assured the public that the promise for The measure fell six votes short of the 60 Which he did. ‘meaningful action’ had not been a meaningless it needed to advance in the Senate, resulting It is a heavy blow for gun control allies and remark. with 54 in favour and 46 opposed. Of the 46 Mr Obama’s second-term agenda, who, in the A number of reforms were put forward, votes that opposed the measures, five were from wake of the announcement, was with Newtown including compulsory universal background Democrats, four of whom face re-election in family members. checks for anyone buying a gun, tougher North Dakota, Alaska, Arkansas and Montana, penalties for anyone who buys a gun and then all of which are considered more conservative, sells it to criminals, and measures to keep high- and “gun friendly” states. 16 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 “It came down to politics. All in all, this was a shameful day for Washington,” he said. According to the United States Centers INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS for Disease Control and Prevention, there are really possible, and as such it has become a very not have much of an impact on crimes involving more than 11,000 gun homicides and nearly important right to the American people.” guns, but rather just punish the vast majority of 19,000 gun suicides annually in America. Jordan Johnson, 22, of South Carolina, Other statistics stand out. agrees whole-heartedly with this notion. gun owners who respect the powerful nature of guns and use them safely. Children aged 5 to 14 in America are 13 “The Second Amendment was put into “You’re never going to be able to stop times more likely to be murdered with guns as the constitution to resist tyranny, and the way people from selling guns to each other; there are children in other industrialised countries. we see it is that tyranny is not between two always going to be illegal guns. I think you need people, tyranny is the government against its to stop putting so many regulations on citizens people.” that abide by the rules,” says Johnson. More Americans die in gun homicides and suicides in six months than have died in the last 25 years in every terrorist attack and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. “When you’re going to threaten to take He continues, “Everyone that goes into guns away, something that I am using to protect a store to buy a gun, they know they’re going A gun is 12 times more likely to result in myself, or my family, and then you’re saying rely to get checked out. Criminals don’t go into a the death of a household member or guest than on the government, because they have guns, I sporting goods store and try to buy a pistol, they in the death of an intruder, which is particularly don’t think that’s the right thing to do.” know they’re going to have to get checked, so concerning when it is considered that 47% of Johnson bought his first gun just after he they go to the dude down the street that’s selling Americans say they have a gun in their home or turned 20, a hunting rifle, and since then has pistols out of the back of his car. They know on their property. also purchased a shotgun and a handgun. they’re not going to be checked and the gun They are alarming statistics among many more, from a six billion dollar industry. The former two he bought for recreational isn’t going to be registered to anyone.” purposes, and will occasionally take them to a DJ Cisek, while in full support of the At its core it is a debate that boils down to shooting range, but he keeps the handgun in the Second Amendment, feels that curbing the two conflicting rights. The right to have a gun in glove box of his car for safety and self-defence number of people affected by mental illness who conjunction with the Second Amendment, and purposes. can access guns is a step in the right direction. the right of the public not to be unduly exposed John Nguyen, 24, who grew up in “There are always going to be loopholes to the dangers imposed by the widespread Michigan but currently resides in Memphis, with people using guns that aren’t registered availability of guns. Tennessee, sits on the other side of the fence. to them, or people with severe mental health Within the United States Constitution, “With any amendment, nothing can ever problems that aren’t documented, but I think the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights be set in stone. Things have to be allowed to it’s an additional part of the process that is specifically states, “A well regulated militia, change and evolve, which is true of any law or essential and to a certain extent, achievable.” being necessary to the security of a free state, rule,” says Nguyen. the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Written after the revolutionary war in the 1700s, the Constitution is the most holy of US documents, and it is this particular sentence that is the crux of the debate for many Americans. Ultimately, if any regulation could put “An easy example is sports. There are even a small dint in the statistics quoted at always going to be changes to the rules of any the beginning of this article, then in the eyes sport, from American football to tennis, because of citizens such as Nguyen, it’s a sacrifice worth technology is constantly evolving.” making. “I don’t see any issue with going back and reviewing and revising.” “Increased gun control would prevent more of these massacres from happening. I’m As DJ Cisek, 24, from New York Perhaps the most prominent new proposal not going to say it’s going to prevent all of them, explained, to enforce too many restrictions on by President Obama was “universal background no it wouldn’t. But would it prevent some of guns would be in direct violation of the Second checks for anyone who wants to buy a gun so them? Yes. Would it prevent at least one out of Amendment, and thus the rights and freedom of that criminals or people with severe mental 100 of them? For sure. And that’s enough for American citizens. illnesses can’t get their hands on one.” me, it really is. If it saves the life of one innocent “It’s a fundamental right that the In Australia, buying a handgun involves government is subservient to the people and a 28-day waiting period, while in Canada Back in March the President assured that you see that through the Second Amendment potential gun owners have to provide the the lives lost in Newtown last December had by because, god forbid, if the federal government support of two people who will vouch for their no means been forgotten. became too powerful, you always have the force legitimate reasons of purchase. of the people and the states,” he said. “You would argue that today the likelihood of that happening is slim to none child, it’s totally worth it,” Nguyen says. However, with the Senate failing to pass Even with background checks, currently the reforms that were proposed by Obama a citizen in America can in most cases walk in in that same speech, many are left begging and out of a store on the same day with a gun. the question; if 20 children slaughtered in and I would tend to agree with that, but at the Despite this there are many, including time they wrote that in the constitution it was Johnson, who feel that even this revision would LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 their classrooms isn’t going to be enough for evolvement in gun safety, what will be? 17 STUDENT AFFAIRS WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE ALWAYS PROTESTING? THE FUCK’S GOING ON TODAY? Thomas Whiteside Can’t keep track of on-campus demonstrations? Here’s a quick summary of what first Student General Meeting (SGM) in eight years, held the following day. the MSA and the Monash Education Action Group (EAG) have been up to. We were heartened to see over 350 students out engaging in MSA governance Earlier this year the Monash Education Action Group was created to and condemning the cuts. We really hope to see another SGM held early get students from various political affiliations all working towards a common next semester; the last one was good but could be better next time with more goal: fighting the Gillard government’s recently announced $2.8 billion cuts to students engaged, voicing their opinions and taking part in the decision making tertiary education, and standing side by side with staff and the NTEU during by voting on official motions to be carried out by the MSA. their struggle for better wages and conditions. The following week the EAG ramped things up another notch. Gathering So, I hear you ask, “Why campaign on Campus when the issue is clearly on the Menzies Lawn, we again heard from speakers then headed toward with Canberra?” Well, part of the EAG’s philosophy has been to keep a presence the Matheson Library. It was a bold move, but we are proud of it. It’s true the alive at a campus level, and we’ve done this through a series of peaceful, but responses to this move were mixed; many felt it was deeply inappropriate to controversial protest actions over the last month. Our rationale behind this is disrupt students in a learning space like the Library. Some were so enraged that that on-campus activities keep the message alive by pushing students to engage they likened it to setting off a firearm in a church. However, to them we’d point with and take notice of an issue that will directly affect them; their education. out that long term cuts to the funding of their university will be much more Too often, organizations start with a noble cause and plenty of ambition but die a quick and lonesome death because of a lack of activity. Instead, by remaining active with weekly events we hope to maintain a healthy pulse and constant opportunities to bring new student activists into the EAG fold. Furthermore, these protests put the Monash Vice Chancellor and others disruptive than 15 minutes of of study time lost in the library. If the disruption got people talking then we think it served its purpose exactly as intended. We finished this action once again at the Administration Building. However, this time we added a little bit of theatrical flare, and in a move echoing that of Martin Luther we presented a list of demands to the Administration and from the senior administration on notice, demonstrating to them that they sticky taped pages and pages of student petitions to the doors and windows of the won’t be able to use these federal cuts as an excuse to sell students and staff down building. the river without a fight All of these events served to promote the Student Strike and central rally Don’t get us wrong though, it’s not all about on-campus activities. This the NUS had called for May the 14th. I think our efforts paid off. On Tuesday ongoing campaign will require cooperation with universities all across the state the 14th we spent the morning leafleting and chalking and managed to gather and nation, and coordination with bodies like the NUS and the newly created over 120 students into pre-booked buses to form a Monash Contingent and Class Action to use our collective voices and numbers to force this issue into the another 50 or so Monash students joined us on our arrival. It was a gloomy and mainstream. So far the parliament has let us down. This needs to be a long-term, wet day, but the atmosphere was electric. The feeling of marching side by side mass struggle; only then will we have any hope of winning back what we’ve lost. with over 2000 students, staff and even high school students for a common cause Dare to struggle, dare to win! was heart warming and genuinely elating. So here’s a quick run down of events over the last few weeks. If you would like to get involved with the campaign, the EAG will be The campaign started with an MSA speak out and BBQ days after holding a video and information session on Wednesday May 22nd, at 1pm in Gillard’s cuts were announced. But the EAG’s first real action took place on the H6. Here we will discuss student activism throughout history and how we can 30th April when we held another speak out and then ramped things up a notch. build a strong student movement. Arming ourselves with banners and megaphones, around 100 of us marched The next major NUS event will be held to welcome the Prime Minister to through both levels of the Campus Centre during lunchtime chanting and Melbourne. A speak out and rally has been called for at 4pm on May 30th at the rattling fruit tins. We addressed our fellow students chowing down at Meeting State Library of Victoria. Point and then headed for the Administration Building where we finished up the afternoon. For more information on upcoming actions, join the Monash Education The EAG also was thrilled by the hard work of all the students (from Action Group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/NTEUsupport/ both inside and outside of the EAG) who played a part in putting together the 18 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS Images: Daniel Taylor and Glen Haywood SUBHEADING THE ART OF FOCUS Samuel Blashki A mechanical watch can contain over 100 parts. Each one is connected It’s a pair of glasses that puts a tiny screen in the corner of your vision at together in perfect balance to carry out the simple task of keeping all times, keeping you connected no matter what you are doing. This is time. The attention to detail required of a watch repairman is difficult their vision for the future, a vision shared by many other companies who to comprehend. Each piece must be expertly removed with tweezers, never want you to disconnect. lovingly worked on under magnifying glass and then replaced in its Let me use Facebook to illustrate my point. Being focused correct spot. A single moment of distraction could ruin the balance of the fundamentally undermines Facebook’s premise. This is because Facebook pieces and render the watch useless forever. is not built as a standalone activity. It is meant to be the secondary Why is it that we find this skill so remarkable? It’s not only because thing you are doing. So where does this leave Facebook if you just want of the incredible skill required, but also because of the perfect focus and to focus? If you don’t want to check Facebook while you are doing undivided attention that must be devoted to the task. homework, Mark Zuckerberg is evicted from that part of your life. If you Being ‘focused’ has traditionally been admired as an enviable don’t want to check it while in bed with your partner, you are telling characteristic. We are intuitively impressed by someone who can devote Mark to get out from under the covers and leave you two alone. What if their entire self to achieving a particular aim. It’s natural to be amazed you don’t want to read your News Feed when you are at work? Or having by someone who has spent their life researching a particular disease, a conversation with a friend? Or spending time with your family? If you or writing beautiful poetry, or even becoming an expert on the mating chose to fully focus on all these moments, Facebook could find itself habits of Himalayan mountain goats. We value this because, though it walled out of your life altogether. And if Facebook is out of your life, then requires considerable self-discipline, focus has led to society’s greatest Facebook can’t show you advertisements, its business model falls apart achievements. and Mark Zuckerberg’s head implodes into a black hole, tearing the fabric Yet I get the sense lately that we are being duped. We are being slowly convinced that, instead of revering focus, we should celebrate of space-time to shreds. The same line of logic can be applied to almost any technology distraction. We are told we should want to see emails and texts while company because ultimately, your engagement with their product leads attempting to study, and take a quick peek at Facebook during our shift to profit and your disengagement causes their empire to crumble. Exhibit at work. We should gasp in amazement at someone who can finish three A - MySpace. Once these motives are stripped bare, it quickly becomes assignments in one night while watching The Voice, tweet about it and apparent that these companies couldn’t care less if they are selling a make two-minute noodles all at the same time. Though multitasking vision for the world that actually decreases productivity and happiness, as is an impressive skill in itself, ‘focus’ is loosing its rightful status as an long as it increases engagement with their product. The CEO of Google essential part of life. doesn’t care if watching videos of lolcats on YouTube grinds your study to But don’t be fooled, this cultural shift is not a natural progression. It a halt. has arisen deliberately, caused by those who need us to think differently. So where does that leave us now? I’m not ashamed to admit that This shift is the work of the technology behemoths who have infiltrated I love my iPhone with a passion and I’m not going to throw it away in the most intimate areas of our lives; the Facebooks, Twitters and Apples pursuit of focus. So I propose an answer that is far less dramatic than of this century who have a vested interest in making us want to peek ridding yourself of all technology. Why not remind Mark Zuckerberg and at little screens 500 times a day. Let me be clear, this is not an anti- his friends that they don’t get to choose the order of priorities in your life. consumerist rant; I am an avid user of these services myself. Humanity They don’t get to decide when you need to see what your third cousin had has encountered immeasurable advantages thanks to technological for lunch or a selfie of your acquaintances from Saturday night. Take back progression. But this doesn’t negate the fact that we are being sold the control of when you engage and more importantly, when you disengage. vision of an Augmented Reality Utopia; a world where technological Become the master of your technology, not the servant. There’s no products will play a part in every facet of our lives, purportedly improving replacement for dedicating every neuron in your brain to achieving one the experience of living. This is a world where switching off to focus is task, concentrating without distraction. Don’t let the technology industry not considered normal at all. convince you that focus is a dying art, because an Augmented Reality Such a vision is epitomized by Google’s new product; Google Glass. 20 Utopia is nothing more than a profitable myth. STUDENT AFFAIRS MIND YOURSELF How To Conquer Your Exams With Your Eyes Closed Hannah Barker Good news, everyone! Meditation isn’t just for practice nurtures a greater awareness, clarity heightened immunity to the influenza virus and hippies! and acceptance of all moments of your life. It increased thickness of the regions of the brain Chances are you’re not aware of many of reduces stress by taking your attention away that control self-awareness and sensory process- the programs that are run through the Health from looming deadlines and redirecting it to ing. & Wellbeing Hubs across all Monash campuses. actually writing a decent assignment (with- Aside from complimentary counselling services out even feeling the need to check Facebook thing which, when used effectively, promises and assistance with financial, housing and at regular intervals). It lessens the chance of to reduce anxiety and depression, increase childcare difficulties, student support facili- procrastination by allowing you to rationally happiness and creativity, and improve relation- ties at Monash also include a variety of health prioritise what needs to be done now and what ships, lengthen attention spans, and enhance and management services and occasional short can wait, and teaches you to identify times academic performance. courses to help improve physical, mental and when you’re blatantly shunning something that academic performance. needs to be done. One of these programs, which has just Mindfulness also promotes healthy rela- Besides, there’s no harm in trying some- Wouldn’t it be nice to smash through those assignments and exam prep at a 100% concentration rate? There’d be so much more finished running for this semester, is called tionships by helping you to be aware of people Mindfulness for Academic Success. Conducted around you, how they’re feeling, and how to as part of a research study by Dr Richard Cham- extend a more compassionate outlook toward offers guided meditation sessions in the Narthex bers, with the assistance of student counsellor them. Most importantly, according to Professor Room, Building 9, on Wednesdays and Fridays Rebecca, the course consists of one hour a Jon Kabat-Zinn, by facilitating investigation between 1:15pm and 1:45pm. Anyone is wel- week over five weeks, and aims to introduce into our actions and perceptions through careful come to join, and the sessions are completely participants to the practices and advantages of and systematic self-observation, mindfulness anonymous. mindfulness meditation. leads us to a life with greater satisfaction, har- Mindfulness essentially means paying attention in a particular, purposeful way. It aims to cultivate an appreciation for the present moment and openness to whatever you might be engaged with at that time. This could mean formal meditation ses- mony and wisdom. Maybe it still sounds a little too much like new-age self-help, or a bit too Zen. It’s true that mindfulness meditation is The Health & Wellbeing Hub at Clayton There is also a locally produced iPhone app called Smiling Mind, which is freely available to help guide you through the basics of mindfulness practice. Android uses are advised to use the companies website. indeed intrinsically linked to certain Buddhist practices, yoga and Zen. However if this is not sion to get in touch with your body and see your usual forte, rest assured that over the last few how you’re feeling, or monitoring your own decades Western scientific breathing during class. It could mean actively study has been becoming paying attention to your five senses as you walk progressively more support- to your mate’s house, or it could mean avoid- ive of Eastern philosophy ance of multitasking so that any one duty has and medicinal practice. your full attention. It could also be as simple as In fact, there’s been sitting down to consciously enjoy your toast in quite a bit of imperative re- the morning instead of devouring it manically search conducted in recent as you run around the house packing your bag. years which has proved that The long-term benefits of regular mindful- time to not have to focus on study afterwards! regular mindfulness training ness practice are actually quite profound. With can actually cause physical as little as five minutes of focused awareness at changes in the brain and the beginning and end of your day, continued immune system, including LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 21 MAY 14TH NATIONAL STUDENTSTRIKE: Effective Action or Self-Righteous Psychosis? James Grout Many people attended the national student following comment: “You see this is why we need seem content to repeatedly call everyone to strike and rally against the federal funding cuts to invade Iraq and bring them our democracy, so “strike and rally” every time there is a pressing to the tertiary education sector on Tuesday May that the Iraqi people can also hold such protests political issue, knowing full well that every time 14th at the State Library; myself included. when they disagree with their government”. the result is similarly ineffective. Effectively, In its aftermath, some of my fellow Rather than dismiss this comment as our current leadership appear to be practicing protestors and I are now wondering why we idiotic, I believe that Bush offers us a valuable an insidious cynicism of which we should all be sometimes feel a creeping doubt about whether insight here into how these protests successfully cautious of becoming complicit in. our protests can really achieve what we hope functioned on a deeper level: their true they will. Are they not always, already doomed (unconscious) purpose. to failure? And where does this doubt come from and can it be dispelled? As I understand it, the cynicism of the student leadership comprises a disbelief in the As the philosopher Slavoj Zizek has capacity of ordinary students to understand observed (himself a participant in the anti- and care enough about their own plight (and Part of the answer may be found in war movement), in a strange way the protests the plight of others) to do something about considering similar protests in the recent past, satisfied both the protestors and those in power it. This attitude is encapsulated in a guiding such as the anti-war in Iraq demonstrations of who they were protesting against. That is, the mantra: “Students/people are apathetic.” For 2003. protesters felt good about publicly expressing student politicians, this attitude manifests in In the lead up to the invasion of Iraq, their opposition to the war, and the politicians bureaucratic tricks employed to restrict student protests against the war were the largest in felt good about how their democratic society participation in the decision-making processes human history, as measured in the sheer number allows for the public right to free speech/criticism of their union such as holding Student Council of people who took to the streets, as well as of government, etc. Everybody was able to “save meetings “in camera” (in secret). For activists, opinion poll figures. Worldwide, tens of millions face”, maintaining “democratic appearances” the attitude manifests in their cynical efforts of people protested, opposing the US and other despite what was essentially unaccountable, to ‘mobilise’ students to the cause by postering governments’ decisions to invade and occupy powerful, profiteering elites engineering another misleading information to trick students into Iraq. catastrophic war. thinking that “classes have been cancelled” On Friday the 14th February 2003 in My concern is that the “self-righteous Melbourne alone, an estimated two-hundred- psychosis” phenomena which characterised therebyfooling them into not attending, and thousand people marched in the streets to opposition to the war in Iraq, could be uncannily Cheap tricks aside, the cynical attitude oppose John Howard’s Liberal Government similar to what was occurring during the is most problematically manifest in the decision to join the US in invading Iraq. thus unwittingly striking. National Student Strike and Rally on May 14th. executive decision-making processes of our AND YET... Howard was not dissuaded. Are we not also (unconsciously) maintaining student unions at the campus and national The Australian military was deployed at the “democratic appearances” and therefore playing level which purposefully exclude student public behest of the Bush Administration. The war into the hands of those we oppose? participation. “Students are apathetic” provides was waged. Iraq was invaded and occupied and Though it was exciting to close down traffic the rationalisation for making decisions at an thousands upon thousands of people were killed, for half an hour, march together in a large crowd elite level, rather than involving the student maimed and traumatised for life: men, women and chant our slogans, it seems unlikely that this body in the process. These decisions then and children, soldiers and civilians. will stop the cuts any more than the protests (inevitably) result in vain calls to always already So these mass protests failed to stop the managed to stop the war in Iraq. It would seem ineffective action, such as the most recent war and thus achieve their ostensible aim, but that our doubts about current methods of protest strike/rally called by the National Union of was this their only purpose? may have some real justification. Students, which further reinforce the notion During the height of the anti-war protests, This is a worrying thought, especially when former US President George Bush made the many leading activists and student politicians 22 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 that yes, students are mostly apathetic, and so the cycle continues... STUDENT AFFAIRS because it’s our mode of organization.” In summary, the current student leadership actions that are bound to fail. Instead they seems to have very little faith in the student body build empowering and effective movements, This certainly seems promising. What to make important decisions about their own mobilising literally hundreds of thousands of Dubois means by ‘mode of organisation’ is plight such as how to respond to federal funding people towards achieving concrete political empowering people through collective decision- cuts or the hijacking of public universities by outcomes and structural change in their making or what is sometimes called ‘direct unaccountable Administrators and the financial societies. democracy.’ In Quebec, all major decisions mismanagement this entails. In 2012 the Quebec students defeated (such as whether to go on strike) are not made at Just like their idols in the State and a 75% fee-hike policy proposal by forcing a the executive union level by student politicians federal parliaments, most student politicians change in their provincial government (roughly and activists. Instead these decisions are made only believe in representational democracy, the Australian equivalent of Victorian students in public decision-making forums or ‘general meaning the people have the opportunity to bringing down the Liberal Napthine State assemblies’ at the university campus level, or vote once a year (or three), and in between government and replacing it with a Labor even at the faculty level. Our equivalent public they have a right to be merely surveyed. And government). decision-making forum at Monash is called a Student General Meeting (SGM). just like their idol(s) in the Russian Revolution, many activists only believe in the revolutionary vanguard to enlighten and lead the currently (unconscious) masses. So our protests in their current form may be ineffectual and our leaders infected by cynicism, but are there any alternatives? What is to be done? I imagine the activist/student politician rebuke: ‘Well that’s all well and good to criticise “The only thing that stands in the way of reinvigorating and implementing this organising model in Australia is the prevailing cynicism of the existing student political leadership which has no apparent faith in the capacity, power and passion of the general student public.” An SGM constitutes the highest decisionmaking body for our union and about two weeks ago, the first SGM in 8 years was held at Clayton (as reported by X in this edition of Lot’s). 350 Clayton students attended and had the opportunity to vote and decide how we should respond to the recent federal funding cuts among other issues (albeit at a meeting that was administered in an overly bureaucratic and somewhat disorganised fashion!). the strike action and rally we have organised, but what is your positive, constructive, From 2010-2012, the Chilean students Now this model may not be perfect; it may alternative model for organising against de- constituted a similarly effective political force require extensive fine tuning. It may be useful funding, increased prices for less quality courses, but on an even larger national scale. Their to begin developing SGMs on a Faculty, rather staff sackings, etc.? These problems are real and nation-wide protests shut down entire cities than a campus-wide level. But the principle that they still require some kind of a solution.’ and are applied immense pressure on their such a forum seeks to embody, that of direct- government to reform the public education democracy where all students can participate system, winning concrete concessions. in the decision-making, is vitally important I believe this is a fair retort, so I will attempt to sketch out a tentative answer. In the first instance I believe that the Both of these student movement struggles in terms of building an effective student best thing we can do in response to anti- are ongoing, but both have already achieved movement which can counter the anti-social social government policy such as the funding significant outcomes for the public education policies of State and Federal governments as cuts is not to immediately (re)act to what we system which benefit all members of society. well as University Administrations. assume is the problem, but rather (re)think the The question is why are they so effective? The only thing that stands in the way of problem. Otherwise we run the risk of wasting What makes them so much more successful reinvigorating and implementing this organising our energies reproducing the same kind of than their British, American or Australian model in Australia is the prevailing cynicism of ultimately ineffective actions that have marked counterparts? After all, they too appear to be the existing student political leadership which our movement to date and which seem, in fact, utilising the tactics of striking and rallying. Is has no apparent faith in the capacity, power to reinforce existing power structures (from our their success simply a product of their political and passion of the general student public. Of student union executives to our governments). heritage? course we should not expect to create a mass It might be helpful to start critically The advice of student leaders is pertinent movement overnight, it will take many months thinking about our predicament and our here. Rather than explaining the success of the or even years of building which will certainly potential courses of action by considering the Quebecois in terms of their ‘Frenchness’ and involve many failures along the way. example of our brothers and sisters in Quebec thus something that we ‘Anglo-saxon’ societies and Chile. cannot emulate, Gabrielle Nadieu Dubois, The students who play key organising spokesperson of the Quebec student union roles in Quebec and Chile do not appear to federation called CLASSE, suggests that “The waste their time staging futile, cynical protest key principle of success in Quebec is exportable, LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 But if we can confront and dispel the cynicism there is hope. In the immortal words of Samuell Beckett: “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” 23 MONASH ACTIVISM OVER TWENTY YEARS Liam Molenaar Monash’s unofficial history, University Unlimited, released last year, refers LEARNING NOT EARNING’, together with elaborate murals. The cuts to student activism as part of a long bygone era. It reports crudely what were not just at Monash, and activism was co-ordinated across multiple it views as a monolithic change in student culture, from mass idealistic campuses, with occupations seen at Melbourne University and most engagement with ideas of University as a place of debate, knowledge and notably at RMIT for 19 days. activism to the 21st century ‘customer’, buying training in the corporate In response to cuts to University courses, especially a restructuring University ‘supermarket’. There is a vested interest in this ‘unofficial’ of the Arts faculty, on September 23 1998, staff and students occupied the history that tries to cleanse over the dark stains of stubborn dirt behind administration building, before being violently evicted by police. Monash’s brilliant façade. Here I attempt to block some of this blinding In Semester 1 2004, over a thousand students protested HECS fee brilliance to sketch only some of the many events over the last 20 years, rises of 25% on campus. There was a failed attempt at occupying the which demonstrates placidity is conveniently superficial. Administration building but successful occupations of the former Vice- Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) was a key flank of Jeff Chancellor’s residence (Marketing and student recruitment building) Kennett’s (Liberal) 1993 Victorian election campaign. Up until then and Monash International building (now Monash College). In late students paid an amenities fee, which went towards funding the student 2005, students occupied Sir John’s Bar, forcing the University to give union and student services. Victorian VSU proposed to remove the up on their effort to turn the space—that the student union had 49% ability of the amenities fee to go towards the political function of student control through Monash’s now defunct commercial arm MONYX— unions, who previously decided where the amenities fee went. A Student into a University function room. A recurring theme here was that the General Meeting—a forum where all students had equal votes to decide official channels of negotiation had been exhausted—the University MSA motions—was attended by 650 students on March 4 1993, passing a administrators were not interested in reasoned argument. motion condemning VSU, followed by mass protests Victoria wide. VSU was a disaster for the stuff we take for granted today – Lot’s The last Student General Meeting (before the one held recently on the 1st of May) was held on the 20th of April, 2005. It discussed Wife, Student Rights Officers, the Women’s department, and even many the Howard government’s push for Federal ‘Anti Student Organisation clubs were seen as too political to be funded in line with the legislation. Legislation’, which finished off the Victorian VSU, by completely On the back of thousands of students protesting, the Federal Labor abolishing the amenities fees that funded student unions. The last Government put student unions on life support with funding from motion passed called on students to effectively go on strike, which in 1995-1996. When funding ran out, Lot’s Wife shut for three months. In practise failed to gain momentum. Despite this defeat, the fact that response in May 1996, 1500 students rallied against the closure of Lot’s there was grassroots support for student organisations allowed the Labor Wife. Eventually the MSA was left to negotiate with the University for government to introduce the Student Services and Amenities Fee, still scraps and Lot’s Wife re-opened. limited by its failure to reverse Voluntary Student Unionism. In 2011, With the election of the Howard Government in 1996, there were there was a little-known uproar over the School of Music at Monash, further cuts to Higher Education and HECS fees increased. Monash with staff cut by the administration as well as the entire course on University decided to introduce up-front fees in 1997. A quarter of classical music. Students prepared to boycott exams and collectively fail. courses could be funded by lucrative full-fees, creating an incentive for Under pressure, Monash ceded to many of their demands. the University to ramp up vocational and high-esteem courses attractive Overall, there is a structural problem for Universities as there to rich students and International students. This meant the University has been no funding increase in real terms since 1975. Furthermore, shifted from a place where you would pursue further learning to one during the same period, inequality in the University has widened as limited to a narrow career outcome. The Arts and Science faculties the salary of the Vice Chancellor now reaches over a million dollars. suffered cuts while the Business and Engineering faculties expanded. In the end, students and staff are the University rather than the upper On July 1997, the MSA held its ‘Corporate Free Day’ and a ‘tent administration, whose only interests are neoliberalism, rationalising an city’ was constructed on the lawn outside the Administration building, education ‘supermarket’ while lining their pockets. Resisting attacks to continuing for much of Semester 2. Open day was heavily disrupted. education is a struggle with no guarantees of success, but without students Graffiti abounded on campus, particularly on the concrete walls of taking direct action a student controlled restaurant and this paper would the campus centre, including ‘UNIVERSITIES = A PLACE FOR not exist today. 24 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 STUDENT AFFAIRS CLASS ACTION FORMED Thomas Whiteside There’s nothing like a good kick in the guts from ‘the powers that be’ to in Class Action’s creation describes it as a “network that’s been set up bring the student left together. We’ve seen it from Gillard and boy is it by education activists to fight for free, quality education. Anyone can about to get worse under Abbott. That’s why it’s so exciting to announce participate and everyone is encouraged to.” that students from across the country recently formed an activist network Jason Ray, a senior figure from ASEN (The Australian Student to share skills and ideas, in the hope of building a long term national fight Environment Network, a grassroots activist group that split from the NUS back against the constant threat of a neoliberal agenda to education. in 2005 but last month played a leading role in Class Action’s formation) In the last 18 months universities around the country have seen goes further, “With Class Action we have the opportunity to circumvent attacks on almost all fronts. First with the inadequate redistribution of the traditional layers of representation in student politics that dilute and the SSAF, then with cuts announced to teaching staff and administrative alienate the average student from having a direct stake in the quality of support staff, and thus to units and courses offered. There has been talk their education. Hopefully wider student participation in this growing of deregulating student fees- which would inevitably lead to price hikes issue will engender an understanding and resentment of the underlying for students - and whole departments have seen their very existence ‘logic of the market’ that is deteriorating not only our education but social threatened by the university and government’s penny pinching razor welfare and environment”. gangs. It goes without saying that the latest attack, in the form of Gillard’s However, despite historical tensions between the NUS and recently announced $2.8 billion cuts to the tertiary sector to fund the members of the more radical student left, Clare Keyes-Liley, the NUS Gonski reforms makes the picture seem pretty grim indeed. Education Officer and member of the National Labor Students (Labor But the news is not all bad! Across the nation the student Left), has expressed a genuine willingness to engage and work with movement seems to be slowly awakening from its long slumber. the fledgling Class Action body. As she puts it, “it is excellent to see Already there have been significant fight backs organised out of Sydney the left mobilising on education activism nationally. We’re currently University - where last year a broad left coalition of students waged a looking down the barrel of a deeply conservative and reactionary Federal largely successful campaign to roll back of their VC’s proposed cuts to Government come September, the left in student activism needs to Humanities staff -, and at John Curtin University in Western Australia, remain focused on the fight and united as a group”. where the entire student union has been greatly radicalized ). Out of The creation of Class Action is hopefully a sign of bigger and the Sydney success story, an exclusively NSW organisation dubbed the better things to come. Let’s leave the last word to Casey Thompson, CCEAN (Cross Campus Education Action network) has emerged to the Education Officer and member of the Sydney Labor Students at bring other universities from across the state facing similar issues into Sydney Uni, “Class Action will be a great thing for the future of student the fold. This in turn sowed the seeds for the creation of a nation-wide activism and more importantly for the future of education in Australia. network for student activists to share skills, knowledge and tactics. It will be a unifying and guiding body for future struggles and allow our, And so, at the second Edufactory, “a radical education activism often-divided, movement to come together and seriously challenge conference in Australia” held at Sydney University for four days over the neoliberal project attacking our universities and schools. The Anzac Day weekend, students from different universities and different establishment of Class Action gives me hope. We can look to the future political persuasions came together to formally create an autonomous and and see the presence of a strong force fighting for students and their radical activist network they dubbed ‘Class Action’, to operate outside of fundamental rights – free, quality education” - but when possible, in collaboration with - the peak representative body, the National Union of Students. To get involved visit the following page – and don’t forget to join the Monash Education Action Group. So what is the network exactly? Tim Scriven, a student activist and anarcho-syndicalist from Sydney Uni who played a leading role http://www.facebook.com/classactionaustralia LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 25 NATIONAL SUBHEADING AFFAIRS MONASH UNIVERSITY STANDS UP AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE The Monash Stand Up Team Trigger warning: This piece contains referenece to sexual violence. issue directly relevant to university students. Sexual violence statistics show rates are constitute sexual violence, behaviour ranging from sexual harassment, unwanted kissing or not declining . Similar to the 2005 survey, the sexual touching, through to sexual pressure, Sexual violence is receiving more widespread 1996 Women’s Safety Survey indicated 100,000 coercion, or forced sexual activity, and to create media attention in recent times. Coverage of women had experienced sexual violence in conversations around acceptable alternative Jill Meagher, the Steubenville High School the 12 months prior to the study. We can only behaviours. students, the Adelaide physiotherapist who assume rates are relatively stable for other was accused of raping a patient during home victims as well. Thus it is clear the structural to take both individual and collective visits and the gang rape of a 23 year old Indian issues inherent in our society that cause sexual responsibility for how we interact with others student in Delhi all point towards the growing violence have not been adequately identified or and how we as a society treat and support attention sexual violence is receiving in the addressed. survivors of sexual assault. Questions that we community. Public reaction to these cases - Recognising the need for greater public Instead of victim blaming, we need often ask ourselves working on this campaign particularly the Delhi incident which caused awareness of this issue, a group of students have is: would we know how to intervene if we widespread protest - has taken the form of an launched a campaign aiming to raise awareness saw something happening? Would we be able increase in campaigns and public support for and to put an end to sexual violence in our to confront our friends? Would we be able a transformation of how people view sexual community. Stand Up is a campaign designed to confront a stranger if we thought that the violence. and implemented by a group of students situation was urgent? These are conversations What seems clear is that the issue of involved with the Environment and Social that we will need to start having if we are sexual assault is not going away any time soon. Justice Collective at Monash University. The serious about preventing sexual violence and The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics official week of the campaign was held during creating safer communities. (ABS) Personal Safety, Australia Survey week ten of semester one. You might have (undertaken in 2005) recorded that over seen some of the posters around Monash. We who have experienced sexual violence or know 100,000 Australian women and almost 45,000 encourage you to share the images online and someone who has, contact CASA house http:// men experienced an incident of sexual assault talk to your friends about them. www.casahouse.com.au or call the Victorian in the 12 months prior to the survey. The same survey found that 29.5% of It is often not acknowledged that the vast For counselling and support for those Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292. majority of incidents of sexual assault occur people who had experienced sexual violence in by somebody the victim already knows. The For counselling, support and advice on campus, the past 12 months were between 18-24 years stereotypical image of the man in a trench coat you can visit the Health & Wellbeing HUB’s old. waiting in the bushes doesn’t actually match up counselling service http://www.monash. with reality. The campaign seeks to highlight edu.au/counselling/ or contact the Safer no difference in rates of sexual violence across It was also found that there is little to the fact that these things happen in our Community Unithttp://www.adm.monash. socio-economic groups, indicating that it is communities, at our parties and to our friends edu.au/safercommunity/. Both are free and as prevalent in privileged – often university- more often than we might think, and that we confidential. educated – communities as it is in more must do more to stop it from happening. We For more information about our campaign visit disadvantaged communities. This makes the want to raise literacy about what kinds of acts www.stand-up.org.au 26 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 SUBHEADING NOT A YOGA MASTER? Amy Clyne- Activities Office Bearer I don’t meditate, in no way am I spiritual or anything remotely close – and els, and newbies are particularly encouraged. Every time I go I feel about I don’t even practice yoga once a week. But I want to let you in on a se- 10 times taller (for all you shorties out there), I have about five times less cret. YOGA IS THE BOMB. It’s the freakin’ bomb.com. Yoga is ahead of to worry about and about a zillion times more focus. And it’s not even Australian Rules football on the list of the most popular physical activities hard. I still can’t even touch my toes (we’re talking mid-shin reach here) in the county, and looking at the pros it is easy to see why. Anxiety, depres- but I can both participate and find great enjoyment in a little light yoga. sion, blood pressure and respiratory rates all decrease, while your attention, If you can’t afford a gym membership, or don’t have time for regular energy, mood, sleep, and memory improve dramatically. Don’t meditate? exercise between work and class and study – whatever your obstacle – Fine. Not spiritual? No worries. Don’t exercise? That’s okay too. Yoga is starting feeling great is never easier than a light stretch with some friends whatever you make it, and the MSA is making it totally free. after class. We have enough yoga mats for everyone, just bring some The MSA holds free yoga classes every day on campus, so come comfy clothes, your lovely self, and make those bodies sing! along and try out for free what could be the best thing in the world for Classes run from 5-6pm daily in Wholefoods Restaurant. both your study routine and yourself. Classes are for everyone, at all lev- FAILING TO SUCCEED? Caitlin Sinclair Dear Type A’s, As we head towards the final assessment stage of semester one it is do not study for the grades, the envy and esteem of yours peers and family tempting to buy into the straight HDs hysteria. I should know, because then what for? After long nights spent with the MBA referencing system, I normally do. However after three years of disappointment from falling it is easy to over look the simple joy and privilege that is learning. Of short of ‘practically perfect’ (Mary Poppin’s ain’t real people) this time course good results are something to be proud of. Yet, so is any effort, no around has been different. Perhaps it is being on the verge of becoming a matter the scale, that is made to learn new and different things about sagacious post-graduate or maybe it is just because all the 21st celebrations yourself and the world in which we live. In retrospect, the most memorable have finally caught up with me, but I cannot seem to muster the gut experiences I have had at Monash come from trying and failing and trying wrenching anxiety over what I will or will not achieve. Its mysterious again. As with most wonderful and tricky things in life, every mind-to- disappearance is most plausibly explained by a recent tutorial discussion. word attempt will always be a ‘work in progress’. So as the blank page We were asked: who do we write and study for? Surely not for a two- starts to seem obnoxiously spartan, remember that you can only give it digit number at the end of July and December or a piece of paper and your best shot and try to learn from it. More than not from falling short, fancy ceremony - though those silky robes do look extremely comfortable. you often fall forward. Completely going off stereotypical type A characteristics, if you LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 27 STUDENT AFFAIRS Laura Aston In the wake of university funding shortcom- seminar series has been gaining momentum, of- to the students reviewing the subject, since they ings, clubs have the potential to pick up some fering students the chance to listen to and meet equate to improvements in the current term of slack with their diverse methods of engaging representatives from diverse employers in fields study. The concept has caught on so well that students. The Society of Chemical Engineers, relevant to their studies. This year, a full suite SMUCE reps aren’t able to obtain feedback fast better known as SMUCE is exemplary in of weekly industry representatives were locked enough to satisfy academics, who are hungry for providing such an outreach. SMUCE’s activities in as far as 6-months in advance. The willing- feedback on the quality of their teaching. centre on linking students to the professional ness of industry representatives to engage with world at large with strong industry, alumni and students through SMUCE is evidence of the on SMUCE either. A little thinking outside the academic partnerships. esteem with which it is regarded by the profes- box has seen the addition of annual lawn bowls, sional world. 2013 also saw the publication of sustainable laboratory beer tasting, BBQ’s, the the SMUCE careers guide. September academic dinner (which is heavily SMUCE has more than a few reasons to boast. Their awesome moose logo is a start, not attended by faculty staff) and more recently a to mention the enviable office they occupy in the engineering precinct, as well as an unparalleled industry rapport. However, boasting is certainly not something the hard-working SMUCE committee will be found doing. Not least of all because they are too busy working on running a proactive academic club with an ever-growing calendar of regular activities to organize for members, with new ideas constantly in the pipeline. For a club of fewer than 150 members, the overwhelming majority of “SMUCE committee members are driven by genuine compassion for the collective plight of students to successfully transition to life after study. In reality, such a feat is not automatic even with as taxing a degree as chemical engineering under one’s belt.” trivia night at Sir John’s bar. How does one club achieve such proactivity? Undoubtedly, this culture has been inherited. But it continues to attract innovative students who enjoy putting their organizational skills to use in improving the quality of study and career prospects for their fellow students, while working with a team of equally motivated individuals with support and recognition coming from many levels of the university institution. whom are chemical engineering students, their presence on campus is disproportionately larger The social element of club life is not lost The careers guide, which provides infor- Of course, academic clubs are by no means mation about transitioning into the professional more relevant in supplementing the university world, is an invaluable supplement to academic experience than recreational, cultural or welfare by genuine compassion for the collective plight life, and the pride of hardworking SMUCE clubs. Each offer their own valuable opportuni- of students to successfully transition to life committee members who devoted their summer ties for students to engage with each other and after study. In reality, such a feat is not auto- to sourcing content from industry partners. the world at large; with the advantage of uni- than their membership base might suggest. SMUCE committee members are driven matic even with as taxing a degree as chemical SMUCE also works closely with the versity recognition meaning clubs can benefit engineering under one’s belt. To accomplish Department of Chemical Engineering. The from funding, venue hire and support to foster this objective, SMUCE reaches out to indus- relatively new concept of mid-semester unit such activities. try, forging partnerships that offer returns to evaluation was the brain-child of the 2009 students, companies and Monash University committee. Unlike end-of-year evaluations, let’s just see if their membership base continues alike. For several years, the SMUCE industry mid-semester evaluations offer tangible returns to be biased towards ChemEngers…. 28 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 So, after learning a little about SMUCE, STUDENT AFFAIRS MSA OFFICE BEARER REPORTS education, as well as the usual expenses and right to request a consultation session to go signings. Best of Luck to everyone for exams – over everything. keep going, keep studying, keep fighting! Recently the University announced they will be implementing 50, $2000 scholarships for interstate students to ease the burden of President: Freya Logan University transition, and is also improving Hi everyone, it’s coming to the time of the access to wireless around campus – these year where the days are shorter but the are more wins for students! If you have any essay pile is getting bigger. At the MSA we academic concerns that you feel the University are working on a whole range of things for needs to listen to, make sure you get in contact students. I have been working hard to ensure Secretary: Ben Zocco with me. that if the proposed cuts to tertiary education Hey everyone! I’m not sure whether it’s the Make sure you stay updated on the 24-hour go ahead that Monash University will consult cold weather or the intense studying that is library campaign, e-mail me at ben.knight@ with students and student representatives. It’s keeping everyone away from Clayton, but the monash.edu to get involved in the campaign; important that you let the University know campus seems quieter and quieter every day! quality education doesn’t stop at the class- what you think is important we will be starting Your MSA is working harder than ever, with room! a new campaign focussed around you, the the announcement that the federal govern- students, telling us what you think is the most ment intends on slashing $2.8b out of higher important part of your university education. education funding, which will cut universities Look out for that! literally to the bone financially. I have been Also if things are getting a bit tough assisting with office-bearers to sort out the with essays and exam prep, remember you logistics of the campaign, and coordinated the can always check out our Student Rights recent Student General Meeting where we had department who are there to make sure you get more than 300 students vote against the cuts! Education (Public Affairs): through it all. As always, I have spent a great deal of my time Sarah Christie & John Jordan coordinating the day-to-day management of Greetings, readers! How time flies? It seems the MSA and working on some key projects, impossible that the semester is nearly over including the policy review and by-elections. already! So much has been happening around Feel free to contact me if you have any ques- the department since the last edition that tions about my work or about the MSA in its hard to know where to start. Ed(Pub) has general! been working overtime on the campaign Good luck with exams and I look forward to seeing you all in Semester two! against the cuts to higher education. This involved the establishment of the Monash Education Action Group (which any student is encouraged to join). Actions have been Treasurer: Samantha Towler held on campus every week- involving speak Hi Everyone. It’s the time of semester when outs, marches, etc.- in order to explain the exam prep and final assessments become issues for students and to encourage everyone pretty consuming, and there just don’t seem Education (Academic Affairs): Ben Knight to get involved and to fight to protect their to be enough hours in the day. Despite these Hey everyone! I hope you’re bracing yourself education. As I write this we are going commitments there has been an outstanding for exam study mode. Make sure you find out into week 10 and the release of the federal level of activism and involvement from the when your exams are by logging onto the Web budget; this day will coincide with our student body at the SGM and in the ‘Stop Enrolment System (WES), as the timetables biggest action so far! Hopefully many of you the Cuts Campaign’. In addition to helping have been released! took the afternoon off from class to join us! run these events and campaigns, I spent a By now most of you should have handed in In addition to this campaign, Ed(Pub) was lot of time with the Ed Pub and Women’s your last assignments for the semester. Remem- involved in Blue Stockings Week, which department helping to run Blue Stockings ber, if you are unhappy with the feedback your saw the celebration of female engagement Week promoting women within higher tutor or lecturer has given you, you have the in higher education and the sale of those LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 29 STUDENT AFFAIRS infamous cupcakes! Additionally, we have renovation, happening during the semester been working closely with the Ed (Ac) Officer break. Come back in 2nd semester and see the Women’s Department: Adria Castellucci & Sally-Anne Jovic to secure 24 hour-libraries on campus during amazing changes!!! The Women’s Department is currently wrap- exam cupcakes! Additionally, we have been Female Queer: Cam Peter ping up this semester’s activities and getting working closely with the Ed (Ac) Officer to The Monash Queer Department ran an ready to start new projects for next semester! secure 24 hour-libraries on campus during exam exciting queer week – jam packed with exciting We’re currently getting closer to our Women’s time. Furthermore, our Student Representative events, workshops and capped off with the Room refurbishment, meaning that the space Network has been working hard to develop amazing Queer Ball – Nautical at Sir John’s will be slick and shiny for next semester, as well the skills to be a successful activist! If you Bar. It was an exciting, shenanigan-fuelled as trying to finish off our current campaign such would like to get involved or want any more night and that set records for attendance and as getting Trigger Warnings in course content. information please email us at msa-education@ rowdiness. The week and the ball have set new We’re also preparing for Network of Women monash.edu. Best of luck with exams and we standards and a goal for what Queer Week Students Australia (NOWSA) Conference, hope to see you next semester!National Day aspires to achieve and the amount of queer and open to all female students, a great opportunity of Action against those cuts. For information ally students we aim to engage with. to meet talk with other women about what is on how you can get involved in these efforts, email msa-education@monash.edu The Queer Department are continuing important to our lives! If any of this sounds in- their fundraising efforts later in the semester teresting, shoot us an email at: msa-womens@ with our #procrastibake sale that will take monash.edu place later in Week 12. An abundance of vegan, gluten free and delicious bake goods will Activities: Amy Clyne be on offer to raise money for our contingent Exams. Can’t wait til they’re over? to annual conference, Queer Collaborations in Sydney. We hope to see you there! Neither can we. Because we are sure that this year’s After Exams Party will most Environment & Social Justice: Rory Knight & Tamara Vekich definitely blow your minds, or what’s left of Ha, ha, ha! Hey, hey, hey! Hee, hee, hee! new venue, amazing drink specials and surprises Ho, ho, ho! Huh, huh, huh! Wah hoo! galore to give all Monash Clayton students the them following the exam period. We have a best possible start to a well-earned break. Grab your ticket before they are all gone at MSA reception or any of the MESS, SAS, Welfare: Alexandra Bryant Hi all, Getting to the end of first semester now, Biomed or MSS offices. Upon return in Semester 2, be ready to hopefully the assignments haven’t completely fight for the glory of your faculty in the Monash Male Queer: Asher Cameron crushed you spirit. If you are ever feeling Clayton Queer Week was an incomparable success! stressed and need a talk feel free to drop by. I would like to warmly thank all those who Also don’t forget if you haven’t got the time to ment twister, dodgeball – your faculty needs attended any of the events during the week for cook on Monday nights in semester you can get YOU for all these fun events and more, so their support and energy that helped Cam and a free dinner in Wholefoods at 7:30pm. let’s REPRESENT (Woo! Go Arts!). Held in I through everything. The Sex and Gender Otherwise I’ve been getting on with the Week 2, the fun won’t stop at sundown with a diversity panel attracted over 45 attendees, and Cookbook and getting signatures for the NUS different party held on every night of the week has been recorded for people who were unable Welfare ‘Support a Student, Support Our Fu- of Campus Games: Monday – Sir John’s Bar to attend the session, and Queer Ball sold over ture’ Campaign, hopefully you got a chance to Night, Tuesday – Brazilian Carnival, Wednes- 100 tickets, a first for the event. sign and if not you still can until May 29th just day –Trivia Night, Thursday – Faculty Nott stop by the MSA reception desk. Night Right now we’re preparing for the Queer Collaborations conference (July 8-14) which is Finally good luck for your exams, and enjoy being held in Sydney and we are currently sub- your break. sidising 26 delegates from Monash Clayton to Stay up to date by liking the MSA Facebook page, or simply talk to your faculty societies for more info. attend, a record number from a single campus Campus Games. May the odds be forever of a university. We have a few more potential in your favour. spots open for anyone interested in attending the conference, but places are limited. The next big thing is the Queer Lounge 30 Campus Games. Capture the flag, condi- LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 SCIENCE SCIENCE LESSONS FROM… PHILIP K. DICK Christopher Pase Philip K. Dick’s short stories have been turned life. It’s a recurring theme in his stories, the pills, but the chance to live a life free of great into some of Hollywood’s greatest sci-fi films; main characters with little control over who trauma must be a tantalising prospect for Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report and they are or what they are able to do. Arnold sufferers. The Adjustment Bureau to name but a few. In Schwarzenegger’s character in Total Recall Blade Runner android ‘replicants’ of humans are learnt that he was leading a second life, his of his dreams may just come true in the near commonplace in a futuristic Los Angeles. This memory wiped and a new one inserted to hide future. This author can only hope he is not world might not be as far away as you would his life as a secret agent. Today, there are pills subjected to an Adjustment Bureau style think. Robots can now play soccer, navigate with the ability to remove certain memories. hijacking of his life, or a memory wipe and obstacle courses and mimic a range of human While they have only been tested - and proven a false life. For all I know, I may have always movements. Furthermore, the Pentagon is well - on rats, the pills removed one memory whilst been a replicant. I may have no idea that all my underway in developing an android soldier to leaving all others intact. This has valuable memories have been implanted by an engineer. replace human troops on the frontline. The application for sufferers of Post-Traumatic It’s a short way off, but it’s still a scary thought ability to copy human expressions already Stress Disorder, with one pill able to remove that in the future we may not be able to tell exists, with androids rapidly becoming more haunting images and suffering at the hands of the difference between human and android, and more lifelike. stress and anxiety. There are obvious ethical between a new life and our old one. While lifelike in appearance, these Dick was a great visionary, and many questions about the use and misuse of these androids are far from thinking and expressing emotion on their own accord. Some of Dick’s replicants were unaware they were robots, programmed with human memories and even able to love one another. Dick questioned what it meant to be human. What set us apart from these replicants? He blurred the line between human and android with their ability to care for one another, and I’m sure he had loftier dreams for androids than fully replacing brothel workers by 2050. While this current conjecture may rid the sex trade of many of its dangers and traps, it’s crude to think the media seems to enjoy talking about android brothels as much as android applications to medicine or more common day-to-day services. Given Dick’s ability to make robots human, let’s hope that android technology progresses beyond the grime of the sex trade. Some of Dick’s characters are unaware they are androids or that their memories have been wiped and they’re living another LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 31 ACROSS THE ZOONIVERSE: KEEPING AN EYE ON CITIZEN ASTRONOMY Kevin Pimbblet- Senior Lecturer in Physics at Monash University Amateur astronomers in Russia made a discovery recently any professional would envy – it seems they may have identified the remnants tures, or whether they want to discuss the objects in more detail. This is especially important in a data-rich field like astronomy: of the ill-fated Soviet Mars 3 lander, 30 years after it lost contact with users can sometimes be the first human being to actually look at a galaxy Earth. since most of the processing of the images they examine have been done Photos taken by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) in 2007 show what appears to be the parachute, heat shield, and retrorocket of the Mars 3 lander. by computers. Getting the numbers up For all the excellent work done by the general public, there will still be disagreement about the exact classification of galaxy shapes – and But finding objects as small as an 11-metre-wide parachute on the surface of Mars takes a lot of work, especially as the most promising photo contains 1.2 billion pixels and requires 2,500 computer screens to view the entire image at full resolution. this, fundamentally, raises questions about data integrity. This is why the Galaxy Zoo project aims to have at least 20 people attempt to classify each galaxy. To use the data in professional research, astronomers have to look The possible Mars 3 lander hardware was found by a group of Russian citizen enthusiasts. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona This is the most recent example of how citizen science is blossoming – and getting results – within the field of astronomy. for disagreements between members of the general public. Taking a threshold level is one way to solve the problem. If, say, 80% of respondents say a galaxy is a particular shape, that is a reasonable way forward and is perfectly suitable for some analysis purposes. There is a wealth of amateurs who pursue backyard observations as a hobby and their efforts make headlines worldwide. The cost of this may be that there is a high number of “unclassified” galaxies where there is large disagreement, perhaps caused by very Some have historically contributed to science by finding comets, tracking asteroids, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program, and monitoring stars. few individuals having looked at a galaxy. And the results are … There have been a healthy number of scientific publications arising One of the most visible citizen-science projects in astronomy and from the Galaxy Zoo project team, including the relationship between astrophysics is the “Zooniverse” which invites members of the public to galaxy colour and environment and studies of highly unusual objects analyse data ranging from determining the shape of galaxies to trying to such as “Hanny’s Voorwerp” – a possible light echo from quasars (the detect if any planets outside our solar system orbit stars. brightest objects in the known universe). The Galaxy Zoo In my own research, we recently used data from Galaxy Zoo to ex- The Zooniverse project grew out of the Galaxy Zoo project which was plore the connection between galaxy morphology, galaxy mass, and the set up to determine the shape, or morphology, of galaxies. likelihood of hosting an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) in a massive Galaxy shape is a useful visual indicator to professional astronomers about the state of the galaxy and the physical processes which may be going on inside it. one of the most extreme “environments” in which a galaxy can live. We used the data to explain an earlier result that red and passive While there are many types of galaxy shapes, bright galaxies usually fall into one of three categories: spiral, elliptical or irregular. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey, an internationally funded project to map the sky, photographed and mapped more than 930,000 galaxies over eight years. spiral galaxies are, in the majority, also massive and similar in nature to most of the massive elliptically shaped cluster galaxies. We then inferred that the life cycle of high and low mass cluster galaxies are markedly different. But we wouldn’t have been able to make these conclusions without Faced with an overwhelming amount of data to sift through, astronomers conceived of the Galaxy Zoo idea to ask the general public for help to look through all the data and classify the shapes of galaxies. Since this requires little background knowledge, any member of the public can help so long as they have an internet connection. Using a simple, clickable interface, users can say whether galaxies are rounded, have spiral arms, have any unusual or distinguishing fea- 32 cluster of galaxies – a collection of gravitationally bound galaxies and the citizen scientists who classified the bulk of the data for us – something for which we are extremely appreciative. And who knows? As shown by the Russian amateur astronomers sifting through NASA’s high-resolution photos, the next big astronomy discovery could be made by you. This piece originally appeared on The Conversation (www.theconversation.edu.au) LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 AN INTERVIEW WITH ... JEREMY HUNTER David Nowak Jeremy Hunter might not be a familiar name, but if you’ve been following folksy. Still he tells me that he’s not really conscious of influences when the Triple J hitlist at all you will have heard him harmonising with the he writes. “If you write something and you really really fucking love it, Inland Sea. The band itself was garnering a fair amount of critical success and then someone goes, ‘Oh, you know that melody sounds like a Pearl themselves, so the thing I was most curious about when I interviewed Jam song’, it’s just like, do you really want to give up this thing that you him was why he had taken leave from them to record a solo EP. It turns love just because someone’s done it before? Because you’re doing it your out that it’s not the ever-feared blue between band members that has led way and your way is completely unique even though it might share some him to turn away. For some reason, I could only ever picture him smiling similarities with something.” Creative control has been an important genuinely throughout our chat: “What happened is we kind of just called thing that Hunter’s been able to grasp in his solitary efforts. “That was a it an indefinite hiatus. We went to the UK and we played some awesome conscious thing in making the solo project. It’s like, alright, finally I’m shows and it felt like the peak of our career because we all felt really good going to do this and it’s going to be mine, and I’m just gonna tell people about it but we came back and it was kind of like, we’ve got to get back what I want from them, and you know, just don’t be a dickhead about it. on the road, We’ve got to record another thing and just because of the You just be nice and diplomatic and you get the sound that you want and way, I don’t know, how small the music industry is in Australia and like, you feel good about it at the end.” how big the band was, it just wasn’t financially viable, and it just took so As he’s a budding solo artist, I had to ask about image control as much energy ...” Hunter makes it clear to me that he’s still in love with well. This was met with an instant, but uncondescending laugh. Still, the band and giving that up was, in his words, “quite sad”. I felt the need to defend the question before he could answer. It is So it’s on to new stuff, and this time Hunter’s been taking it all on important to a lot of bands, and is unfortunately a bit of a weakness in himself in the recording studios. After having played in numerous bands, Australia; the Aussies tend to be rather laid back or contemptuous about it’s all him playing the keys, drums, and various guitars on his latest their band image. I know it’s about the music, but Britain seems to have it venture. “I’ve always written too many songs for whatever band I’m in. really well set up, where they come up with the music and then they go, There’s always songs that don’t fit … and it was just kind of an opportune ‘Alright, now we’ve got to pay attention to the kind of image we want.’ time [now that Inland Sea had reached its hiatus] to have a crack at that.” It’s not exactly about fitting into a mode, but more about having an exact So he tells me that he’s let go of the reins in a large way, but it’s still co- presence. It turns out that Hunter could identify with this. “That’s one hesive. Having developed as an artist with Inland Sea and influenced by of the things I like to think about a lot, but I still haven’t come up with a mass of other great music out there, I was curious as to whether he was the answer to it because it’s really complex, cos there’s that whole idea of wary of these influences carrying over from these areas. “I wasn’t inten- authenticity. There’s this interview online with Jack White and Conan tionally trying to divorce my sound from Inland Sea. If anything, like, the O’Brien which is really interesting. At one point they address it and Jack three years or so in Inland Sea just kind of taught me a whole bunch of White says, ‘Authenticity is a trap’, you know, because you’ve got to put awesome tricks when you’re writing songs, when you’re arranging songs, an image out there and no matter what the image is, people are going to you know, like when you’re sitting there with ten people trying to figure have an image of you and you might as well make it the way you want to out where the violin part fits in and the cello part fits in, you know, how be portrayed … I guess I’m still trying to work out the whole image thing complex you can make other parts and just try to hold it all together … …” For now, it’s restricted to a monotone-blue image of him smiling on you learn a couple of things. So I kind of just took what I learned from his album cover. It’s kind of refreshing to see someone smiling on a cover Inland Sea and put it into this new thing.” again. It feels like it’s been a while. As a result, his EP is a bit bluesy, a bit more rock, and still a bit LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 33 SUBHEADING FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH OWL EYES Dina Amin An adorer of synthesisers, 22-year-old Brooke Addamo, aka Owl Eyes, has these definitions, hoping that her pop music also “holds some intelligence taken the musical style of indie pop in a direction of her own. Her stage behind it”. This intelligence is manifested through the multi-layered name itself is a metaphor for how she describes her music; simultaneously production of her record. With various experimentations in 80s synth- encompassing light and dark shades, acknowledging the tranquil and, pop, post-dubstep and acoustic balladry, Brooke is diversifying her sound. paradoxically, sinister nature of owls, stating that her sound is essentially Somewhere between Grimes and Bat for Lashes, Brooke’s vocals are raw, “pop, but with some mysteriousness behind it”. This “mysteriousness” is dreamy and melodic. Her voice is soothing, a quality that she makes found in her juxtaposition of acoustics and electronic instrumentation, interesting by adding darker and more agressive elements of electronica. heard through the incorporation of synths and an interplay of both acous- While she courts her listeners with blissful harmonies and sweet and sim- tic drums and drum machines. A thickly layered record, her debut album ple lyricism, her instrumentals heighten and bring a certain dynamic to Nightswim was released on April 19 and will be supported by a series of her record. The man responsible for this solid production is Styalz Fuego, headline tours throughout Australia, commencing in early May. winner of last year’s ARIA award for Producer of the Year. Acknowledged by Brooke as her “big mentor”, Styalz has made a prominent impact on Five years after being a finalist on Australian Idol, Brooke Addamo has the young singer-songwriter. Brooke also pinpoints various other influ- released a total of four records, including her 2012 EP Crystallised and, ences on her record, including UK beat makers Jamie xx, SBTRKT and most recently, her debut album Nightswim. Throughout her musical Mount Kimbie, each of whom feature in Brooke’s collaboration fantasies. career as Owl Eyes, Brooke has been featured twice in Triple J’s Hottest When asked which song off Nightswim resonates most deeply with her, 100 and has worked closely alongside ARIA award winning producer Brooke is quick to answer “Saltwater”. She finds it the most honest and Styalz Fuego. When interviewed, Brooke is humble and sweet, enthusing sincere of all her tracks, adding excitedly that she adores the “synth- that she is “still pretty much the same person” she always was. Grow- breakdown” that comes at the conclusion of the song. When describing ing up, Stevie Nicks and Ella Fitzgerald were the catalysts for Brooke’s her most memorable experiences as an artist, Brooke enthuses that she aspirations. She was 12 when she started singing and 15 when she wrote loves nothing more than hearing her music out in the world, especially her first song. Her debut album Nightswim is Brooke’s “coming of age when people sing it back to her. She has plans to take her music overseas record, a document of where I am at currently”. Nightswim explores by the end of the year, highlighting the US as a desirable destination for youth, yearning, self-realisation and development: universal themes that the writing process of her next potential EP. She is currently in the midst are addressed through raw vocals and edgy instrumentals. Her music has of her Australian Nightswim tour and will be concluding this with a show been labelled by critics as synth-pop, indie-pop, indie-rock, dream-pop at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne on June 1. and most appropriately indietronica – a sub-genre encompassing both indie pop and electronica. Subjectively, Brooke concurs with each of 34 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 SUBHEADING FIFTY YEARS OF JOAN BAEZ Verity Thornton As exams and major assessments close in on us, we are starting to realise If that wasn’t enough to make you feel inadequate (and it should), just how much time we have wasted this semester. But this article isn’t Baez has 24 studio albums to her name (compilations and live albums put about feeling better about procrastinating. This article should make you this figure past 50), has an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, France’s realise how much potential you are wasting. Tough love. Let’s start with highest medal (Ordre national de la Legion d’honneur) and was instru- an easy riddle: what do Bob Dylan, Dr Martin Luther King Jr and the mental in founding the American chapter of Amnesty International. Velvet Revolution have in common? At 72, she is still playing sold out shows around the world, including They were all influenced by Joan Baez. With more than 55 years of performance behind her, Joan Baez has been attributed as the person who Glastonbury and Montreux. After 25 years, Joan Baez will be gracing Australia with her presence introduced Bob Dylan to the world. And I bet many of you are struggling once again. Baez is performing in six cities over two and a half weeks. to pronounce her name (“buy-yes”, not “bay-ez”). Both of her Melbourne performances are almost guaranteed to sell out. The musician got her start in Boston, performing in folk festivals Baez will be showcasing her most recent album, Day After Tomor- in and around Massachusetts. In 1959, following the release of her debut row: a collection of her original writing and new interpretations of album, she performed in the first Newport Folk Festival. Four years later other artists, including Tom Waits and T Bone Burnett. She will also be Baez returned to the festival with two gold albums and a TIME magazine performing some of her well-known classics and covers. cover under her belt, and a then-unknown Bob Dylan. Joining her on tour is her son Gabriel Harris on drums, and Dirk Dylan and Baez’ relationship was one of the most famous of the Powell on keyboard and strings. Powell is a successful solo musician best time; she encouraged him to perform alongside her (much to the disgust known for his expertise in Appalachian fiddle and banjo styles. He has of many of her fans), launching his career. Their relationship was the also collaborated with several artists, including Jack White, Sting and inspiration for one of her most famous albums, Diamonds and Rust. Jewel. Harris has been playing percussion for more than 30 years, and has Baez, like Dylan, was known for her strong beliefs and commitment to human rights. She marched alongside Dr Martin Luther King Jr, was caught in the North Vietnam Christmas bombings of Hanoi, and in 1993 previously performed with The Indigo Girls, Grateful Dead and Carlos Santana. Are you feeling insecure yet? Well, the good news is it’s never too was the first major artist to perform in Sarajevo following the Yugoslav late to make a change. It’s amazing how much you can get done when you civil war. log out of Facebook. And if you need some second semester motivation, Baez has also been credited with protecting the freedom of Václav Joan Baez will be performing at Hamer Hall Thursday 8th and Friday Havel, stopping government agents from arresting him during her 1989 9th August. Tickets can be bought through the Arts Centre Melbourne tour. Havel was later voted in as (the last) president, and has said she was website. a major inspiration and influence for the country’s peaceful revolution. LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 35 MUSIC REVIEWS ONEREPUBLIC Native a kid my grandfather was a preacher/Yeah he’d talk about God, he was something of a teacher” Drenched in auto-tune, it’s just a lame attempt at appealing to Nigel Winterman religious folk. Obviously, OneRepublic are going through that ‘Technicolour’ Now, I understand that OneRepublic image and sound phase, much like Coldplay, but have simply churned make pop music. It’s not supposed out watered-down, cliché-infested shit. Perfect for fans of Maroon 5 and to be groundbreaking or progressive; to anyone who feels The Killers are way too hardcore. I can only imagine it’s merely there to sit in the background while people go on about their the band being in a room with their record company, noting down popu- everyday activities. That being said, OneRepublic’s new album, Native, is lar production techniques amongst mainstream ‘Indie’ bands, watering it absolute fucking garbage. down and producing Native. ‘Counting Stars’ (One of the singles) opens up the album with My favourite line that sums up OneRepublic: ‘I don’t think the Ryan Tedder’s voice and an acoustic guitar; I’ll admit it was a promising world is sold; I’m just doing what we’re told.’ You said it Ryan...you said start but a few seconds pass and... you can easily hear this song having a it. dubstep remix applied to it and it would most definitely work. In fact a lot of the songs that follow would work very well in a club like scene. Basically ‘Counting Stars’ sets the tone/song structure/mood for every other song on the album. It almost felt like each song was a re-write of the preceding song, as if the songs were written for the pure purpose of achieving single status, or stabbing in the dark so to speak. THE SHOUTING MATCHES Grownass Man Nick Reid The song formulas always follow the same structure: Quiet Verse -Loud Chorus - Repeat Chorus- Repeat Verse 1 - Chorus - Repeat Grammy award winner Justin Chorus ‘till the song finishes. The songs themselves never evolve into Vernon of Bon Iver delves deep anything besides the main riff or a lonesome kick drum: It’s faceless and into the blues on The Shouting soulless dribble. Matches’ latest offering, Grownass The overall tone to the album is intended to be very positive, optimistic and uplifting, you know: Man. A rough and ready blues burner of an album, Grownass Man ‘Something bad happens! Never Fear! Something Good Will Happen! Love conquers all!’ is subtly refined by an injection of pure soul and capped off with a thin layer of country twang. The topics are very safe; never breaking away from love, heart- Vernon, alongside fellow Grownass band members Phil Cook break, and the need of someone to hold. After 3 or 4 songs the album and Brian Moen, played a single show back in 2006 as The Shouting gets extremely repetitive. Matches, predating Vernon’s success with Bon Iver. It’s taken seven The album production itself gets to be draining after a while too. years for the trio to reunite in their hometown, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, The heavy reliance on synthesizers to fill in empty spaces make the songs and it’s clear that Vernon has gone back to his roots both physically and really tacky. musically. But, there is one song, ‘Au Revoir’, which actually uses the synths Opening track ‘Avery Hill’ bounces along on a pleasantly fuzzy and strings effectively by coating and enhancing the character of other rock n roll riff and sees Vernon kick off his shoes and get comfortable on instruments rather than swallowing them and taking over. Sadly, this blues territory. song too falls flat on its face through lack of evolution. It harkens back to their big single ‘Apologize’. Vernon and the gang hold steady for the majority of the album, dropping catchy blues riffs and chorus hooks on ‘Seven Sisters’, and ‘Light It Up’ is the most bad-ass song on the album. It has a Beatles/Zeppelin feel to it. Although it follows the cliché ‘Love is a Drug’ ambling soul grooves on ‘New Theme’. However ‘Heaven Knows’ is the stand out track; a muddy and theme, it is still the stand out track; the one song that wasn’t trying to be distorted Vernon howls over an incredibly tight Moer on the tubs, before a hit single turned out to be the best. unleashing the delta blues via a crunchy guitar assault and wailing har- ‘Preacher’ was the weakest song. Take the chorus: “When I was 36 monica. The momentum continues on ‘Mother When?’; a soul infused LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 MUSIC blues roller that just keeps rolling and sees Vernon’s vocal delivery parallel some of the blues greats. ‘I Need A Change’ closes the album on a quieter note. A slow burning blues jam is drenched in soul and swagger, but is still endearingly vulnerable. Vernon once again demonstrates his musical versatility alongside Interested in going to gigs or hearing albums before anyone else? his fellow Grownass band members Phil Cook and Brian Moen. However this is no side project. With speculation Vernon is winding down Bon Iver indefinitely, we could be seeing more of The Shouting Matches in Lot’s Wife receives regular press passes and information about upcoming music, film, performing arts and other events. the future. Grownass Man is the culmination of everything Vernon, Cook and Moen love about the blues, rock n roll and soul. It draws together the Join our Lot’s Wife Contributors page on Facebook for regular offers in exchange for reviews. rawness of the delta blues, slickness of city blues, polished off with soulful emotion and a rock n roll demeanor. FLASHBACK: SEPARATION SUNDAY by THE HOLD STEADY Steven M. Voser Separation Sunday is anything but an easy-listening album. When you’re faced with the decision of whether or not to listen to it, tread notice on your third listen (if you bother). And, just in case the mix of storytelling narrative and complex carefully. If you do, be prepared to be slung face first into an aural literature hasn’t already blended your brain into a thick soup, then and psychological journey that’ll leave your brain hemorrhaging with Finn sprinkles it all with some biblical imagery; “ I guess I heard admiration and confusion. At best, listen to it alone and learn to love about original sin, I heard the dude blamed the chick I heard the it. Don’t bother convincing your friends to like it; I’ve been doing chick blamed the snake/And I heard they were naked when they got that since I first heard it, and am still waiting for someone to agree. busted, and I heard things ain’t been the same since”. That being said, it’s undeniable that Craig Finn is a lyrical ge- But, none of it would work if it weren’t for the union of the nius, and he is accompanied by a group of equally talented musicians. band. The combination of Finn’s voice (that sounds as if he was As a band, they are tighter than those Bonds undies that come in an being spat out by a drunk skater who just got punched in the lip), array of crazy colour combinations, and their music screams for atten- the distorted guitar and thundering bass and drums suit the lyrics tion. Their second album, Separation Sunday, is an artwork EVERY- perfectly. It all comes together in a huge blues/punk/doo wop fusion ONE should familiarize themselves with. that makes you wonder whether any of the songs were rehearsed, or On the one hand, the album follows the story of Hallelujah, a are just improvised. teenage sometimes-Christian and her interactions with a vast array of drugs and shady characters like Charlemagne (a pimp) and Gideon: “Holly wore a cross to ward them off/she said if they think you’re a Christian then they wont bring in the dogs”. Finn uses his wickedly descriptive writing to narrate various scenes that few could relate to: “I was waiting for my ride and I got jumped from behind, I got punctured/ I got stopped by the cops and they found it in my socks and I got probed.”. On top of that, there’s the overwhelming use of literary techniques, such as the assonance in “Holly wore a string around her finger/ she says it helps her to remember, all the nights that we got over / and besides, it ties her outfit all together” that you’ll probably LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 37 FILM & TV WINTER MOVIE GUIDE Ghian Tjandaputra & Patricia Tobin The Place Beyond The Pines Release Date: 9 May Director: Derek Cianfrance Writers: Derek Cianfrance, Ben Coccio & Darius Marder Cast: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta esteemed modern auteur and Star Trek Into Darkness might just cement his distinguished position. A motorcycle stunt driver begins robbing banks to support his lover and their newborn child, which inevitably sees him collide with a tenacious cop operating in a department controlled by a corrupt detective. The plot is intriguing enough, but if nothing else, this movie is worth seeing because Academy Award nominees Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper are at the top of their games. It is evident that Ryan Gosling is one of the finest actors of his generation; and with Silver Linings Playbook, Bradley Cooper has stepped up his game and proved that he too deserves a solid reputation. This movie seems to revolve around Gosling more, however, which is a cause for celebration. Director Derek Cianfrance collaborated with Gosling in the critically acclaimed Blue Valentine and from the outset, The Place Beyond the Pines is almost like the first cousin of Drive – just switch his car with a motorcycle. The signs are promising. Star Trek Into Darkness Release Date: 9 May Director: J.J. Abrams Writers: Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof & Roberto Orci Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana The Great Gatsby Release Date: 30 May Director: Baz Luhrmann Writers: Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton Upon reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel about the disillusionment of the Jazz Age, who here thought adapting it into a 3D movie with a Jay-Zproduced soundtrack sounded like a good idea? Well, Baz Luhrmann certainly did. The film features Leonardo DiCaprio as the enigmatic Gatsby himself, who pines after the girl of his dreams, Daisy (Carey Mulligan). Tobey Maguire stars alongside as narrator Nick Carraway, who eventu- Star Trek Into Darkness has largely been hyped around Benedict Cum- ally becomes lured into Gatsby’s lavish, deceitful world. Luhrmann has berbatch’s mysterious character, John Harrison, a villain who attacks never shied away from re-appropriating historical dramas with audacious Starfleet and leaves Earth in chaos. Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and modern music too – think Moulin Rouge’s ‘Lady Marmalade’. Featuring Commander Spock (Zachary Quinto) lead the Enterprise and the exhil- musical heavyweights like Beyonce and Florence + the Machine, The arating manhunt to track down John Harrison. Adding Star Wars Episode Great Gatsby soundtrack alone already has critics claiming it to be VII to his directorial belt, the king of sci-fi epics, J.J. Abrams, returns to “bold” and “edgy”. In terms of visual style alone, The Great Gatsby is the helm for this sequel. Trekkies have long protested against Abrams’ a considerable departure from Luhrmann’s last film, the long-winded directorial vision, as he defies canonical conventions that stem from historical romance Australia. It is as though Luhrmann is drawing from the franchise’s rich 47 year history. Cue jokes about Abrams’ signature the aesthetics of Moulin Rouge, perhaps attempting to return to his past lens-flare style circa 2009, but the American director enjoys citing Star commercial success. The extravagant sets and dazzling costumes of The Trek’s tagline in interviews when questioned about his venture away Great Gatsby are bound to impress, but it would be interesting to see if from the recognised canonical form – he boldly goes where no man has there is any substance underneath all that shiny style. gone before. It truly seems that Abrams is on his way to becoming an 38 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 FILM & TV Before Midnight Release: 20 June Director: Richard Linklater Writers: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke & Richard Linklater Cast: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke The final installment to the exquisite Before romance trilogy, Before Midnight is definitely one to look out for. Nine years has past since audiences last saw Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) spend a day together in Paris. The star-crossed lovers have finally committed as weak Sucker Punch, the forgettable Quantum of Solace and the overblown 300, are indeed causes for concern, but here’s hoping Nolan’s touch of brilliance will bring Man of Steel closer to Snyder’s excellent previous work, Watchmen. Kick-Ass 2 Release Date: 4 July Director: Jeff Wadlow Writer: Jeff Wadlow Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jim Carrey a couple, and are spending a family holiday on a Greek island with their kids (!!!). Before Midnight tackles the subject of long-term love between Following 2010’s excellent action-comedy Kick-Ass, this film marks the two soul-mates, exposing cracks and tension within a marriage. Through return of self-made masked crusader, Kick-Ass (Aaron Johnson). Jim the expert direction of Richard Linklater, the tender representation of Carrey stars as the manic Colonel Stars and Stripes, leader of an amateur romance in the Before trilogy is highly riveting. The endearing duo of crime-fighting group. No longer a foul-mouthed child, but now a foul- Delpy and Hawke are sure to please and break hearts at the same time; mouthed teenager, Hit Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) battles high-school their engaging banter always draws the audience in. Before Midnight is problems of her own. Meanwhile, Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) bound to be an intricate and charming piece of film. plots an act of revenge that is sure to turn everyone’s world upside down. Kick-Ass 2 does face certain reluctance from fans, especially with the departure of Nicholas Cage’s character, Big Daddy, in the first film. Nevertheless, Kick-Ass 2 will be heavily relying on Carrey’s star power and the return of Hit Girl, the role that catapulted Moretz to fame. Besides, it would also be fun to see some wickedly outrageous violence that could make Tarantino blush. Only God Forgives Release Date: 18 July Director: Nicolas Winding Refn Writer: Nicolas Winding Refn Cast: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas Man of Steel Release Date: 27 June Director: Zack Snyder Writers: David S. Goyer Cast: Henry Cavill, Michael Shannon, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe To truly appreciate this movie’s context, watch Drive. This movie is not a sequel to Drive, but Only God Forgives is the anticipated follow-up of the deadly collaboration between Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn and its star Ryan Gosling, supported again by the brilliant composer Cliff Martinez. Drive seems to have inspired a legion of cult followers of the brand, which combines impossible brute force with an intense level Another iconic superhero returns to the big screen, this time helmed by of dramatic depth. This time, though, a distinct character will comple- director Zack Snyder. After the game-changing The Dark Knight trilogy, ment that experience: Bangkok. It can be the wildcard that makes Only it is not entirely unreasonable to wish Christopher Nolan would direct God Forgives distinguished enough from Drive to avoid the sense that every single superhero movie ever made until the end of time. Tragically, this movie will feel redundant. In this movie, Ryan Gosling’s character, this will not happen. However, Nolan does get his hands on this movie Julian, under the instruction of his mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) - a as a producer so it will be interesting to see what sort of influence he will head of a powerful criminal organization herself - is set out to avenge his bring to the movie. There is already one known aspect of the film where brother’s death to those who are responsible – members of the Bangkok his influence will certainly be felt: the music is composed by Nolan fa- criminal underworld. Only God Forgives has all the ingredients to be a vorite Hans Zimmer. Henry Cavill, who plays the titular character, seems powerful experience. to look the part, and the supporting cast line-up is solid. In the brilliant Michael Shannon, the movie has one of the most underrated actors in cinema today. Director Zack Snyder’s previous works, which include the LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 39 FILM & TV matters that articulate important aspects of the human condition so masterfully. In Lost in Translation, she looks at how we consistently attempt to find the ever-elusive directions in life. In The Virgin Suicides, she looks at how some things that are so beautiful can turn out so tragic. Both movies leave a distinct lingering feeling that will occupy your mind and heart after the initial experience. The Bling Ring will ask questions about our obsession with fame, and at its core, attention, and the lengths we will go to satisfy that almost primordial need. It is especially relevant for our generation and it is a safe bet that Sofia Coppola will deliver. The Bling Ring Release Date: 22 August Director: Sofia Coppola Writer: Sofia Coppola Cast: Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Emma Watson There are several reasons to look forward to The Bling Ring, but the most obvious one is Emma Watson. In this movie, she looks set to unleash herself from the smart, independent, no-nonsense image that is assigned to her ever since Harry Potter. She stepped out from her comfort zone in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, but this movie seems to be almost the exact opposite of her comfort zone. Another reason to look forward to The Bling Ring is Sofia Coppola. She has the talent of looking at subject HOLLYWOOD COSTUMES AT ACMI Patricia Tobin From Holly Golightly’s quintessential black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s Film programs include the musical Les Girls and Breakfast At Tiffany’s, to Batman’s hi-tech superhero suit in The Dark Knight Rises, classic Holly- and guided tours with distinguished guests – fantastic for any film geek. wood characters often come with iconic costumes that are unforgettable. Be sure not to miss their free, walk-in late night events at the bar every Direct from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, ACMI first Thursday of the month. On 2nd May, the first Hollywood Costume: will be presenting Hollywood Costume as part of their Melbourne Winter Up Late event featured everyone’s favourite 007. It was an entertaining Masterpieces series from 24 April to 18 August. night of Bond-themed music, conversations on whether Bond women are Hollywood Costume would showcase the art of costume design in magnificent detail, while exploring the central role costume design plays in cinematic storytelling. A character’s clothing can speak volumes, whether it’s Dorothy’s baby blue gingham dress in The Wizard of Oz, sharp empowered or one dimensional (Halle Berry, anyone?) and demonstrations of the best “shaken, not stirred” martinis. Hollywood Costume aims to showcase the dynamic interplay between costume, film and fashion and is an event not to be missed. suits donned by James Bond in Casino Royale, or Rose’s stunning gowns in Titanic. These famous costumes are not only aesthetically pleasing, but ACMI, Federation Square they give audiences an insight into a character’s personality, set the mood 24 April— 18 August 2013 for an entire film and occasionally become a landmark piece for a fashion Tickets: Full $19.50, Concession $15.50, ACMI Member $13.50 or costume designer. For more information, visit acmi.net.au. In conjunction with this exhibition, ACMI is screening films, providing workshops, panels and free late night entertainment as well. 40 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 SUBHEADING Hayley Adams Did the Spring Breakers trailer make you cringe? Did you laugh screams creepy. And yet, in a particularly poignant scene with Selena uncontrollably when James Franco’s voice whispered Spring Break Gomez, you can see how such a lost and confused girl really could fall repeatedly? And did you wonder why Disney and ABC stars such as into his trap. In an effort not to spoil the film, I won’t go any further Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson felt the need to here. But it is worth noting that Franco’s character is not the one in prove themselves in showbiz by going no holds barred into an almost control; these girls aren’t blind followers, they want what they get. pornographic film? Well, I can tell you that I did. I thought how sad There are two ways of understanding this film. The first, and very it was that young female actresses feel the only way they could prove obvious one, is to totally dismiss the director and stars as following the themselves was by stripping down to their bikinis and prancing around ‘sex sells’ mentality. I mean, who’s not going to pay to see Disney stars like bimbos. No doubt, this film is the result of just another male director strip down and get dirty? However, this film does try to offer more than obsessed with the female form and unable to think of anything outside that. At times, the acting is a bit forced and the shots a bit pretentious, the box. But when I talked to my friends, they all seemed genuinely but the gratuitous drugs, violence and sex are all very purposeful. When excited. And so, I gave it a go. Franco is standing in his mansion, atop his bed full of money and guns, The film begins with an extremely gratuitous, long, slow motion screaming ‘look at my shit!’ you can’t help but think: Is this guy serious? montage of college kids on Spring Break. Set to Skrillex’s ‘Scary As the girls constantly pick up guns and wield them like toys, you will Monsters and Nice Sprites’, it sets the precedent for the entire film: undoubtedly question their sanity. The repetitive scenes of topless booty shakin’, beer-drinking, shirtless girls and boys seemingly having women grinding up on each other as males drench them in beer make the time of their lives. But, the film is more than superficial. you wonder: Does this actually happen? I would argue that it is in this Typical bad girls Candy, Brit and Cotty (I know right, those names ridiculousness that Spring Breakers comes alive. Perhaps it points to the are so inventive…) drink and get high as they while away numbing idiocy of the mythic sex trip that is ‘Spring Break’; perhaps more broadly hours at their small-town American college. Enter Faith; the obviously- to the over-sexed and desensitized culture that we are currently living in. named Selena Gomez character who can’t stand waking up in the same It really is quite hard to decide between the purely exploitative gaze of bed, in the same neighborhood every day and is losing faith in God. Oh, the camera and the potential yet unconfirmed meaning. and did I mention they haven’t been able to save up enough money for Spring Break? Tragedy. #whitegirlproblems. Now, I’m not saying that everyone and their mum needs to go see this film, I’m just saying it’s worth talking about. It’s visually intriguing, However, the girls don’t let this ruin their fun and after robbing a visceral and at times extremely uncomfortable. But it also brings up local restaurant, they’re on their way to Florida. Another visual-feast of a issues, whether negatively or positively, surrounding sex and power, montage ensues as the girls party hard, getting drunk, dirty and relatively nudity on screen and gender dynamics. As a critically engaged viewer, naked. This all comes to a close though when they land in jail for drug I find myself wanting to discuss the film; sitting on the fence about use and misconduct. whether I can possibly allow myself to enjoy it. But love it or hate it, Enter Alien; a tattoo-covered, silver grill wearing gangster, with cornrows to top it off. Now, if for no other reason at all, watch Spring Breakers just for James Franco’s performance as Alien. Totally transformed and almost unrecognizable, Franco is over the top in all the I can’t stop thinking about it. As Franco says: “Spring Break, Spring Break, Spring Break Forever”. For more female driven pop culture discussion, listen to the podcast Memoirs of a Fangirl. right ways. From his accent down to his swagger, everything about him LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 41 PERFORMING ARTS WHY CAN’T I FEEL THE TALL MAN? Christine Lambrianidis A playwright can learn a lot from La Mama’s recent production of Tall amongst us can resist experiencing the pleasures of catharsis? Man. Well I can and do you know how? Because I spend most of my time, Firstly, it is a great example of dramatic characterisation. The outside of teaching, studying and writing drama and these are the precise dialogue and direction shows, rather than tells us immediately who elements you need to stop actually feeling when you go to the theatre. I these people are. Once we hear his angry words and see his walk, we recommend you study theatre, attempt to create theatre and then viola, know that Wayne (Hayden Spencer) is the classic lovable bad guy with theatre dies. Help dear readers! I want to feel again. I want to experience the criminal record, addictions and sense of humour to prove it. Once the pleasures of naturalism, not just to admire its form. Theatre should we hear the bogan accent and see the tight Eddy Hardy t-shirt, we not be a lesson in play writing and maybe after a long holiday, I’ll know that Billy (Louise Brehmer) is his down and out of luck runaway actually be able to watch and enjoy theatre once more, like a real daughter. After seeing UnAustralia at La Mama last year, it was a audience member. Until then though, you will see me in the audience, relief to see a well-developed script performed by two superb actors. waiting for that one, special show to sweep me off my feet and make me Hallelujah! Decent original Australian work still exists in Melbourne fall in love with the magic of theatre all over again. independent theatres and no trendy adaptation or artistic installation was required. Secondly, it is a great example of plot development. Angela Betzien’s script lathers its revelations carefully and effectively to leave most audiences on the edge of their seats. We keep watching and waiting for the next part to be revealed and even though I knew it was a twohander, I just kept expecting someone or something to enter. This type of drama has had its day, but audiences (me included) still want to be captivated by a story about characters that they actually end up caring about. This basic fact about theatre, that audiences sometimes just want to be entertained, is sometimes forgotten, especially by new playwrights. It is a hard pill to swallow and yet it’s also a relief to be reminded that plays are just about good, old-fashioned storytelling. Thirdly, not one word is out of place or superfluous. The exposition is beautifully and seamlessly crafted and the characters’ gestures and movements only further highlight the relevance of each moment. This is how scripts should operate; every word needs a purpose; every beat needs a conflict and most importantly, every play needs a perfect structure that makes audiences believe that there could not possibly have been any other way to tell that story. Finally, the subtext is never ending. One minute you are considering environmentalism and the effects of mining and the next, you are reminded of indigenous land rights issues. This is definitely a topical piece of theatre that has all the social ingredients to satisfy its leftist audience (me included) who crave to feel guilt, rather than actually take action against the capitalist devil that puts a price on not only the natural environment, but innocent, working class families. Brecht warned us against this type of naturalistic drama, but who 42 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 PERFORMING ARTS THE ACT OF SEEING THEATRE Hannah Barker I am a theatre aficionado, born and bred. From primary school pantomimes to London’s West End; from Elizabethan recitals to grungy European fringe; from Melbourne’s La Mama Courthouse to Vietnamese water puppetry and the Laos national “ballet” (I use that term lightly), nature of the trade. Actors want to be seen. It’s in their job description. The second sense of intrigue that Dance of Death aroused in me is the subjective experience of forming a part of a theatre audience. It isn’t all that uncommon to have an audience divided with the there isn’t too much I haven’t dabbled in or wouldn’t be willing to wit- stage in the middle. This manner of staging is called traverse, the upshot ness. Onstage, backstage or offstage entirely, there’s no atmosphere quite being that there are two potential views to be had of the action, and like being in a theatre space charged with thespian spirit. The sounds, subsequently, that the two sides of the audience are facing each other. smells and energies go unopposed. Sometimes it’s possible to see the other side of the audience, and some- It wasn’t until very recently, however, that I really began to think about the actual deed of going to see a performance. times it’s not. Usually it isn’t significant either way. In the case of Dance of Death, the opposing spectators were most definitely visible. Somehow Over the last month Malthouse Theatre hosted a production of the fact that there was a physical windowpane (two, in fact) between Dance of Death, a violent, uproarious, shrewd script about monotonous them and myself promoted the ability to stare them down and judge marriage and dreary demise. Aside from being a brilliant piece of theatre, them mercilessly for their responses to the show. Dance of Death was also a rather enlightening experience, largely because There’s a strange thing about group dynamic that is difficult to of the way it was staged. For the entire length of the show the three- notice until you’re outside of it. That thing is a propensity for collec- person cast was essentially trapped in a glass tank, with audience clusters tive reactionism. Watching the other side of the audience, one begins on either side of the enclosure. This was clearly a design choice geared to realise the extent to which our responses to shocking dialogue or toward the thematic symbolism of the show. However it also sent my funny physicality depend on the people around us. By singling out audi- brain spiralling in two directions on the theoretics of theatre. ence members and watching them (which would normally be taboo), I The first and most obvious concept emphasised by displaying ac- noticed people who repeatedly failed to change their facial expressions tors in captivity, like animals at the zoo, is the way in which audiences until they heard the person beside or behind them laugh or gasp. I also unconsciously objectify them. As much as we might admire actors for noticed people who would begin to smile or cringe, then glance out the their talent, and as much as we might empathise with any given charac- corner of their eye, discover that no one else had found the same reason ter that they might be portraying, when we go to see a live show – and for response, and gently sink back into nonchalance. this goes for music gigs, dance recitals, street busking, and even sporting Quite apart from that, there was a distinct difference between events alike – we are principally going to gawk at them. Established how the two sides of the auditorium were reacting en masse. There performance spaces are among the few places in the world where it’s were times when I was aware of guffawing raucously with my half of the acceptable, let alone encouraged, to actively stare at and scrutinise the theatre whilst the other half remained flinty, and vice versa. Similarly, behaviour of another person in their direct presence. there were apparently a handful of people sitting on a mezzanine over Dance of Death, during which none of the players slipped out of character or took a sip of water let alone left the stage for near-on two hours, drew attention to the fact that actors are human beings made into the prompt side of the stage, unseen, that would intermittently cackle at subtleties, leaving the rest of us startled and perplexed. Theatre is simultaneously a very objective and very subjective a spectacle, laden with the expectation to be anyone other than who experience, at once personal and communal. We react, we interact, we they are in real life. judge, and we are judged. Oscar Wilde once said that theatre was “the Of course having a material perspective of an actor during a perfor- most immediate way in which a human being can share with another mance doesn’t make the role of being an audience member any less wor- the sense of what it is to be a human being”. Whether it’s true or not, it’s thy, and nor does it degrade the actor themself – it is, after all, the very certainly a strange and beautiful experience. LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 43 CREATIVE SPACE FLASH FICTION COMPETITION WINNER: THE CYCLE Alyce Adams Once there was a girl who loved stories. She read everything and anything she could get her hands on. Classics, thrillers, ebooks. Whatever. As long as it followed a plot, she would read it. However, there was just one catch. She could never make it past the beginning. No matter how many books she read, always right before the middle of the book she would stop, put it down, and pick up a new one. She never planned on doing it, but yet it happened every time. She was very fond of rereading the stories as well (never finishing them of course), and could often recite her favourite openings at the drop of a hat. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune is in want of a wife.” “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.” People thought she was very strange. Why wouldn’t she read the end? No normal girl would stop half way. There was probably something wrong with her. Best to keep away. For this reason, she grew up quite lonely. People barely talked to her. Her conversations generally started and finished with a “hello, how are you?” She became so isolated that soon she only knew how to start a conversation, but never how to finish. The unfortunate few who found themselves cornered into a conversation would stand perplexed, waiting for her to continue talking, but although she whole heartedly wanted to, she just didn’t know how. In her loneliness, she delved even further into her books. She became obsessed with them. She read every opening chapter of all the books in the library. She became addicted to the sensation of cracking open a book and reading the first page for the first time. Eventually, all she could do was speak in beginning phrases. When the postman delivered her junk mail and asked how her week was, she would reply, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Next, after exhausting the libraries resources, she tried reading the stories backwards, so that the last page she read was the first page, in a desperate attempt to recapture the sensation. But even that wasn’t enough. Finally, in a last ditch effort; she started writing her own story. She thought long and hard about what to write, and decided the only story she could tell was about her self. She sat down to write, but she could never finish. Just as she was about to reach the end, her hand would move to write again for the millionth time, “Once there was a girl who loved stories. She read anything and everything…” Lot’s Wife would like to congratulate the winner of our Flash Fiction Competition, Alyce Adams for her story, The Cycle. Pay attention to the Lot’s Wife Magazine Facebook page for future competitions. 44 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 CREATIVE SPACE PHOTOS I N FOCUS marcus littlewood There is much to see in Melbourne’s famous Victoria Market. The market is still running with lively atmosphere after more than 150 years of operation. More than just the weekly shopper can be seen at this historic location. The atmosphere is lively with busking performers entertaining the ever passing crowd. The fresh produce and cooking provides attractive sights and aromas for the ravenous. The workers behind the shop fronts bring life to the market and create a memorable experience. I highly recommend a trip to one of Melbourne’s less talked about attractions. Want your photos featured in Lot’s Wife? It’s easy, send us an email - no experience required lotswife2013@gmail.com Join the Lot’s Wife Contributors group on facebook for deadlines and freebies! LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 45 SUBHEADING The Underwater Woman March of Sanity Benjamin Potter Md. Roysul Islam Her golden tresses flow I am in search of sanity. Through the waving wondering sea When the journey begins The underwater woman And death follows me behind, Emerges to our plea I hear a thousand voices echoed in the wind. Her jewelish smile arises I draw near the source From the very bed that be And hear the sound of humanity: My lack of lust demises Like a symphony, they shout as one And the river fish are free As we march towards harmony. If no one sees her aura, We defy death The quiet humming breeze, On our march for sanity. Then who can sense her power All the fences turn to flames Below the willow trees. As we join hands for equality. When ants move up the mountain So walk my fearless! Come my brave! Searching for the light We are on a march for sanity. I wander for my journey Have no fear of the warmongers She cares not for my plight That cause the tears of our mothers. It’s not her sense of calmness Nor her smiling eyes It’s her utter sense of power That keeps me wondering wandering wise Meditations on Uni Life Lenin Gatus -They say to apply yourself to your studies – I forget that I’m responsible for my enrolment. -I’ve paid my student amenities fee. It hasn’t made me amenable. -A cover sheet does a lousy job of protecting a crappy assignment. -I support student strikes – some people could use a smack. -My mother tells me that I should finish my degree for the “piece of paper”. Why? Why is it that every other hard working student has to pay their way in life, but this paper gets to live off the rest of us? It gets to have ‘opportunities’; it gets to ‘go to places’ – for free. Page Background: Marcus Littlewood 46 46 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 CREATIVE SPACE SHORT STORIES THREE WEEKS Allison Chan Henry was in his room, on his bed, splayed against the wall. Left arm raised and upper body sinking into the gap which had – over the course of three weeks – grown. He hadn’t noticed this and, as he lay there, pressed against the wall with some forgotten urgency, he continued in the same listless state on his sheets. Shoulder blade and rib were now caught in the gap between the bed and the carnivorous wall; he felt it gnawing on him, not unlike some savage and his dinner. The gnawing had a rhythm and it sent pulses of pain through his nervous system, harmonizing with his body’s cardiovascular rhythm. He thought back to the drums that night, adding another layer to the rhythm and orchestrating a complex symphony of beats within the soundproofed walls of his cranium. He was lost again. With a groan, he turned over, his face now embedded in the mattress. He sucked in, wondering if he would be able to survive suffocation by drawing out air bubbles from within the foam. Probably not. For the first time in three weeks, he looked over at the wall he had avoided eye contact with. Henry found that there was now a light shade of grey that was forming just above the gap. It was then that he finally noticed the gap itself. Disbelief replaced despondence – had he really been lying here for three weeks, oblivious to the gap, the odour and the layer of human soap scum on his body and the wall? Possibly. He rolled onto his back now and thought to before those three weeks. He could hardly believe that, before then, he had functioned as a normal human being: left the house, attended classes, interacted with other living beings… He rolled over to face the widening gap again and groaned loudly into it to relinquish the weight of responsibility from his chest. I don’t want to do this anymore. Flashes from that night still played like a Super 8 reel - unclear, unfocussed and silent except for the eerie whirring of the reel. He shut his eyes, as if he saw the scenes projected onto the grey wall in front of him, willing them away. Henry saw himself at the bar again. He saw Phil walk in and the reel cut out. There was just the silent whirring. Now, Phil was in the middle of the road, posing like the most recent Sports Illustrated cover girl. The car came round the bend. Henry flicked his eyes open, and let the tears slide off the precipice upon which he was balancing. He had to get up. His lungs, they were filling up with supressed tears that had nowhere else to go. He had to sit up before they choked him. He couldn’t breathe. In one swift motion, Henry sat up, gripping the headboard. He leaned his head back and sobbed terrified sobs. His chest was constricting. He needed air. Henry swung his legs over the other edge of the bed and stood to walk over to the window. He was sure that he had the bedsores of an eighty-year-old paralytic. Those three weeks might as well have been eighty years. He saw his phone on the ground with its cracked screen – vision impairing, induced by idiocy. No battery. Henry was now standing in front of the window, staring out. The original intention had been to get some air. Instead of air, he found the moon. The quiet glow of the moon comforted him. The grey soothed him in a way the grey of the wall could not. He did not notice that he was naked in front of a window He was staring at the moon through its panes, and then at the faint impression of a reflection on the transparent glass. His hair was matted and pressed to one side, beard-of-three-weeks in a similar state, sunken marbled eyes that he worried were cataracts held in by ripened raisins. He now understood where the light grey shade on the wall had come from – he was the grey. The grey of the wall had unsettled him because he did not know where it came from. With this new understanding, Henry was more at ease, knowing that the grey was not foe but friend. He was the grey. He looked up again at the moon with longing, and then back to his reflection. They touched foreheads, communicating the unspoken enigmas and secrets. He felt a breeze on his face, a refreshing breeze that made him acutely aware of thick liquid following the path of his nose bridge and being caught in the sacks under his eyes. He thought they were tears that had coagulated into mucus, but the sharp metal smell brought him to. It was blood. He looked up, expecting his reflection to be taunting, leering but he was gone; only a broken pane remained. With one last lingering look at the moon, he folded himself back into bed and rolled towards the widening gap that now swallowed him. LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 47 CREATIVE SPACE THE COLOUR OF LIFE David Nowak “Life is poetic. Now you see me wearing a black and white suit. Don’t you see the colour? The disposition it gives? Fine leather shoes and silky flowing garments. “Listen to my voice: deep and trembling. Oh yes, believe me when I say that life occurs in poetry. The rhythm of dreams where magnanimous things occur and dark things creep through the crevices of quiet alleyways. “There are lightning bolts in life. Those alleyways let out a stream and we see greed. Turn the globe and we may find love. Flit to the zenith and there is abyss, and at the bottom there is always this sense of poetry. “There exists no certainty, and yet time remains. Time carries us on. Time forces us on. “Beginning. Purity. Growth. Hunger. Desecration. Evolution. Apocalypse! “And rebirth … “Listen to the rain outside, pattering against tin rooves. Listen to it slash down in throngs on homely verandas. Listen to it sweep upon royal courtyards … Listen to the beat at your stomach. The two hearts within. “Listen to him … creeping inside from that crevice. “Duality. Never are things told with a singleness when we mention life.” “Of course … You can’t hear him. No. The dramatic effect of things is always left so close to the end. And then there is the concept of verism: in order for those that weave life to divine in the magnanimous, so should they sink in evil, all the better to appreciate their divinities. For this reason, evil deeds are so often partied to poetry. “Can you see the colour? Vibrant blues with a dash of pink, and on the other side murky green. “His dark silhouette reaches for the window. The colour of his features built with malice, the eyes unforgiving in their gaze. From inside we hear nothing but a tap on the roof. “Won’t you listen to him creep? You’re there! Pay attention to the colour behind you! Steel bounces with the light around. Pupils widen with comprehension. “… The red runs … “She cries sodden last gasps, a sparkle in her tears. He studies the crimson as it flows like a torrent, revelling in his own poetry. The pulsating stops. Vicious, broken, hateful colours cover the girl’s cadaver. “And don’t forget the girl on the other side. Flip the globe. Flip the globe! She’s crying as well! But she’s different from the other girl. The eyes are alive. The two hearts within are separating. Beautiful colours. Magniloquent colours! The child exits the womb and a new life bears witness to the world. Isn’t there glory in that? “The mother cradles her child in her arms. There is so much love. She lays there thanking God almighty for her blessings in life. “But who ever said life or God was fair? “The dark silhouette leaves the cadaver on the floor. He’s had his kick. The girl’s body stays pressed to the floor for days; a cold form in the darkness. There is no contenting point here. A deathly smell envelops the house whilst her destroyer waits; there will be another rainy day for him to perform his acts again. “As we see the dark, so do we see how much brighter the day is. Duality is, in essence, nothing but life and death. Beginning and apocalypse. “Oh yes. Life is poetic.” Want your short stories featured in the next edition of Lot’s Wife? Send all contributions to lotswife2013@gmail.c.om No experiemce required! 48 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 SUBHEADING LITERARY NOTES Thomas Wilson Writing Wisdom: Margaret Atwood 9.Don’t sit down in the middle of the woods. If you’re lost in the plot or blocked, retrace your steps to where you went wrong. Then take the other 1.Take a pencil to write with on aeroplanes. Pens leak. But if the pencil road. And/or change the person. Change the tense. Change the opening breaks, you can’t sharpen it on the plane, because you can’t take knives page. with you. Therefore: take two pencils. 10.Prayer might work. Or reading something else. Or a constant visu2.If both pencils break, you can do a rough sharpening job with a nail file alisation of the holy grail that is the finished, published version of your of the metal or glass type. resplendent book. 3.Take something to write on. Paper is good. In a pinch, pieces of wood or Publishing News and Blues your arm will do. •Awards฀Season:฀As฀I’m฀sure฀anyone฀with฀a฀passing฀interest฀in฀literature฀ 4.If you’re using a computer, always safeguard new text with a memory and/or feminism is aware, the inaugural Stella Award, celebrating great stick. books by Australian women, has been awarded to Carrie Tiffany for Mateship With Birds. In other congratulatory news, the Miles Franklin 5.Do back exercises. Pain is distracting. shortlist is out (with an all-female cast) with the winner to be announced in June, and for the second time in its history the Vogel award goes to: No 6.Hold the reader’s attention. (This is likely to work better if you can hold one. Step up your game, young writers! your own.) But you don’t know who the reader is, so it’s like shooting fish with a slingshot in the dark. What fascinates A will bore the pants off B. •Stop฀the฀TOC:฀O’Reilly฀Media,฀who฀refer฀to฀themselves฀as฀a฀“technology transfer company, have decided to no longer continue the forward- 7.You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a thinking Tools of Change conference. For seven years the event allowed grip on reality. This latter means: there’s no free lunch. Writing is work. people from all areas of publishing to connect and correspond on all the It’s also gambling. You don’t get a pension plan. Other people can help changes that have been a result of digitization. Instead O’Reilly will focus you a bit, but essentially you’re on your own. Nobody is making you do on Atlas, a “tool for collaborative writing, one-touch publishing in all for- this: you chose it, so don’t whine. mats and an interactive online reading platform that takes full advantage of the digital realm.” 8.You can never read your own book with the innocent anticipation that comes with that first delicious page of a new book, because you wrote the Refining Reads thing. You’ve been backstage. You’ve seen how the rabbits were smuggled into the hat. Therefore ask a reading friend or two to look at it before you How to Read and Why: Before one can write, one must read—and prolifi- give it to anyone in the publishing business. This friend should not be cally. In this book renowned educator, Harold Bloom, takes you through someone with whom you have a romantic relationship, unless you want his most revered poems, short stories, plays and novels. With each he asks to break up. “Why read this?” and gives a revelatory response. If you’re in a reading slump, or need some inspiration, this is the book to do it. LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 49 ART WITH... Emily McDonald SUBHEADING WHO IS ANONYMOUS? Ioan Nascu “Remember, remember, the 5th of November”, the tune would go It’s most recent nemesis seems to be the Ugandan government, on in V for Vendetta; the movie that portrayed a battle against an hacking various governmental websites (in response to their anti- oppressive regime known as Norsefire, who, in a Nazi fashion, would jail homosexuality bill), leaving messages such as “Citizens and government homosexuals and political dissidents. of Uganda, take heed, Anonymous is calling”. They also threatened For those who have seen the movie, ‘Anonymous’ would to adopt a ‘scorched earth policy’ for Ugandan online infrastructure most probably seem very similar – without the bit where the English (basically shutting everything down), all in defense of LGBT rights. parliament is blown up. A hacktivist group formed in 2003, Anonymous Anonymous fills in the gap where many western governments is an online/offline anarchic global community that strongly opposes seem to be unwilling (or simply have no power) to engage with such Internet censorship (and surveillance), governmental corruption, and regimes to stop them from passing populist laws that would harm a group scientology. Their members can sometimes be seen wearing Guy Fawkes of individuals. masks, just like the main character of the movie (and then the entire population when they rose up against the regime), and are sometimes seen as instigators of several protests, including Occupy Wall Street. The group has a dual nature – just like any great comic superhero. On the one hand they are vigilantes who are outside the law. Yet many would undoubtedly see them as more than just trouble– makers, but heroes. ‘Operation Darknet’ was initiated in October 2011 to weed out the remnants of child pornography from the dark corners of the Internet, But what would happen if Anonymous “Anonymous fills in the gap where many western governments seem to be unwilling (or simply have no power) to engage with such regimes to stop them from passing populist laws that would harm a group of individuals” Anonymous posting the usernames of 1,589 members – or better said, one part of Anonymous (as the organization is formed by members which simply take the identity upon themselves with no control over each other’s actions whatsoever) – would decide to hold views which are not as progressive? What if they would think that homosexuality is actually a sin and decide to find and publish the names and addresses of homosexuals in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, where it is punishable by death? I cannot but enjoy the damage of Lolita City, a hidden child porn website. this group brings upon regimes who would Pirates of the virtual world, rejoice, for Anonymous is your stone people on the street for holding hands. Yet at the same time, the friend. In January 2012, in response to Megaupload (a notorious sheer amount of damage they could do if their views were not ‘right’ is website used to illegally stream movies and TV series) being taken frightening; such is the anarchic nature of Anonymous. The Internet is far down, Anonymous took down the sites of the Department of Justice, more dangerous than people would like to consider. FBI, Motion Pictures Association of America and many others. The Especially when anyone can be Anonymous. group is also responsible for Cyber-attacks on the Pentagon and has threatened to destroy Facebook. LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 51 CULTURE SEX: The Classical Approach Hannah Gordon Around 2000 BCE, a man by the name of Erramalik filed one of the earliest In fact, women needed to have sex regularly, or else their uteruses would known cases for divorce. His evidence? Upon finding his wife having sex begin to wander around their body. And if they abstained from sex for an with another man, Erramalik tied the man onto the bed, his wife still extended period of time, their uteruses would wander right up to their under her adulterer, and proceeded to carry the bed to court. throats and choke them. Relationships have changed little throughout the course of history. But are beautiful men attracted to powerful women? A 2007 study Obviously we no longer resort to carrying our cheating partner mid- from Indiana University conducted a number of speed dates in the hope copulation into the courtroom, but the act of adultery is still prevalent as of discovering what men and women each seek in a partner. The results ever. The envy and deceit underlying many relationships are traits that showed that women sought rich men, and men sought beautiful women. have coexisted with marriage since the time of the early Romans. (And While I am sure there are instances of attractive men marrying women possibly before this too; only lack of written documents makes it difficult purely for their wealth and power, more often than not it occurs in the to know with certainty). reverse. Humans have an innate desire to be bound to one person for life, so In Ancient Rome, men manipulated women into believing that why the need for infidelity? Perhaps we become bored in our relationships, a lack of sex would kill them. Women would manipulate men into perhaps we have married the wrong person, or maybe we just want to sleeping with them in order to gain political control and escape from make them jealous. their subordination. Women’s rights have progressed exponentially since In Ancient Rome, sex was power for the aristocratic women. imperial times, but sex still exists to be abused. We can laugh at how One woman was particularly good at using her sexuality to manipulate corrupt and incestuous sex was in Ancient Rome, but have we really – Agrippina the Younger. When she was a girl, she seduced her uncle changed? Claudius to marry her, as he was the emperor at the time. Later, when Agrippina’s son, Nero, was Emperor and Agrippina could feel her power over him was waning, she seduced him too. When travelling around in a litter (a chair or bed supported by poles, carried by other men), Agrippina would commit incest with her son, evidenced by the state of his clothes when leaving the litter. While incest is not openly practiced or condoned by contemporary society, sex and adultery are both still means of gaining power. However, sex these days is not so much about gaining political, but rather social power. In modern society, celebrities are replacing the aristocracy once revered in Ancient Rome. We are able to increase our own social notoriety through relationships with people higher up on the social ladder, be they footballers or Geoffrey Edelsten. For many, it is a sign of superiority to appear in the social pages of a magazine or on the Brownlow red carpet. We’ve even given footballer’s partners their own title – WAGs – and we are all abuzz in deciding whose dress is stunning and whose looks like a tablecloth. I wonder if we’ll ever be able to escape the confines of these clichés? Ancient Romans believed that sex was a health benefit for women. Image: Michael Gordon 52 LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 LOVE ADVICE WITH... KARL MARX - The advice column with class - Dear Karl, The love of my life dumped me brutally last week. I feel as sad and lonely as Bridgett Jones in that scene where she’s on the couch in her pyjamas singing, ‘All By Myself!’ What should I do? Love-sick Dear Comrade, Why, it’s a blessing in disguise. Just think of all the extra time you now have to devote to the struggle towards a classless utopia! You really need to toughen up. The gloominess of your letter smacked of bourgeois sentimentality – and you don’t want to be accused of being the class enemy, do you? Do you? Just kidding. Even communists need to keep a sense of humour. But seriously, there are millions of proletariat starving and oppressed while you whinge, so at least try to pull it together. It might help to spend some extra time with your closest comrades during the next few of weeks. In difficult times, we need solidarity, and sometimes a little cheering up. Karl Marx For this edition of the column, Marx was interviewed by Carl Umber Please send YOUR love problem to lotswife2013@gmail.com, who will send it over to Marx straight away LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 SUBHEADING Rolando Chancellor It is the summer of 1940. The smell of high-octane aviation fuel courses detail is where Gaijin have truly done well here, with each new plane through the air as you don your flight suit and fire up the behemoth unlocked being a completely new model, with completely new textures V12 motor in your Mark I Spitfire. A distant droning hum followed by and completely different in-game handling. Over 100 unique planes the signature squeal of a Stuka dive-bomber siren heralds the arrival of are available for players to choose, from agile single-engine fighters to the next wave of German attacks on English soil. You wind the throttle monumental four-engine heavy bombers, allowing players to configure up to 100% and take off, entering battle as the last entity that stands themselves into the role that suits them best within each individual between a Free Britannia and the ever-increasing onslaught of Nazi match. fascism. An interesting thing to note is that the game itself is actually A big-budget remake of The Battle of Britain you’re thinking? Not free. Yes, free. (That’s a win for us university students). War Thunder quite. Enter War Thunder, the latest flight simulator offering from indie represents a new wave of games, coming from modern indie developers Russian developer Gaijin Entertainment. Currently in open beta on PC that don’t aim to make money off the direct sale, instead giving you and due for console release in late 2013, War Thunder puts forwards a the base game for free, but then allowing people the option to buy dazzling attempt at creating a multi-player flight simulator based around in-game upgrades that give them a slight advantage over other players. the last era of true dog fighting, all whilst appealing to a broad gaming In War Thunder this comes in the form of upgrades to your planes audience. And best of all, it’s free! and weaponry, as well as access to premium planes unavailable to free From the get-go you notice that War Thunder is an immensely players. One can unlock the same upgrades through points earned in- visually-stunning game. Powered by the relatively-unknown Dagor game themselves although this requires a lot (and I mean a lot) of game engine, rendering of everything from models to environments on high time to acquire the same things as a hefty $5 might get you. That being settings is comparable to what you see come from big-name releases such said, the value gained from buying into the game balances well so as to as EA’s Battlefield series. Upon first starting the game, you can’t help not give players that do buy-in too much of an advantage over players but spend quite some time looking around and admiring just how pretty that don’t. everything looks. Admiring for long enough, in fact, that one might Being an open-beta there is still the occasional, very infrequent, even forget they are piloting an aircraft and end up crashing said aircraft game bug and to the woe of Australian players, servers are currently only in a fiery mess somewhere in the jungles of Guadalcanal. Yes, it does available in Russia, Europe and America. These small issues, however, happen. do not really detract from the overall impact of the game, and will Taking lessons from other prominent flight-sims such as IL-2 and most-likely be completely fixed ahead of global release later this year. Birds of Steel, the developers at Gaijin have successfully integrated the Future releases intend on further broadening the scope by introducing game into options that appease both newbies and veterans to the world ground and naval battle to players, allowing for massive online vehicular of flight simulators. Different game modes are available to suit a variety warfare over gigantic-scaled maps. How successful Gaijin will be on this of players, from simple Arcade combat putting players against each other endeavour though remains to be seen. in a ‘capture the point’ or ‘team death match’ scenario, all the way up Overall a highly recommended game, War Thunder heartily to historically accurate virtual versions of Pearl Harbour, Midway and satisfies the inner flyboy within all of us and presents its players with many other key battles of World War II, complete with real-life accurate an incredibly beautiful virtual window at experiencing their own finest physics and great joystick-control support for the more involved hour. simulator player. Check out the game, including download links, available at the You’re kept interested (and playing) with the game’s levelling 54 system, allowing you to choose a country’s air force and unlock more War Thunder Website: http://warthunder.com/en/ LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 planes within each one as you play more and level up. Attention to SUBHEADING THE MYTH OF THE ANTI-SOCIAL GAMER Jake Spicer Video games are still often seen as the hobby of a reclusive loner, a of my missions. A ten second-countdown pops up on my screen. When it pastime for the guy who wasn’t invited. But by their nature, video games reaches zero I win. I break away from the conversation, no longer caring can offer a shared experience as well. Be that a narrative, team based or if it gives away who I am at this point, and try to hide behind other par- individual competition - even just watching someone play can create a ty-goers for the remaining few seconds. connection. It was one of the few matches as spy that I’ve won. The game Video game developers are starting to understand the extent to is hard. There are a tonne of advanced techniques like framing other which they can toy with the shared or connected experience that games AI players or waiting until the last 30 seconds before attempting any can provide. Dark Souls, an open-world RPG (role playing game), has missions. It will be some time before I develop the skills to be able to do a feature that allows users to plant messages that can either help, or them. deliberately mislead other players. Journey gives you control of a robed, Chris Hecker, an ex-Maxis developer (it’s claimed his work on levitating traveller, through which you can find other players heading on Spore “advanced the state of the art in procedural animation by several the same voyage. You can only assist each other without communicating years”), has been working on the game personally since 2009. A fixed via speech or text, creating an incredibly powerful connection. release date with Spy Party doesn’t look likely – it’s as if it’s perpetually Working together towards a shared goal is not the only way to two years away from completion (perhaps operating on ‘Valve Time’). For experience this connectedness. Sometimes the opposite can have just the now it’s in closed beta (testing mode), with invitations being a good few same effect. months wait yet. Spy Party is an “asymmetric multiplayer espionage game”. A game of This type of development – a slow exclusive beta – has created a deception and perception, one person plays as a spy moving around a par- tight and rich community. It’s remarkable the intimacy you feel with ty, trying to complete certain Mission: Impossible-esque tasks (and they others playing this game. I hopped into the main waiting room prior to sometimes do feel impossible) like bugging another party goer. Meanwhile beginning and had a chat with a few of the regulars. Before long one of the other person, a sniper, waits with a single bullet for the unconvinc- them volunteered to ‘mentor’ my play. New players are treated with such ing spy. In some ways Spy Party is like a reverse Turing Test. If you can gentle guided kindness. The question of whether this attitude will con- convince the opponent you’re not a human for long enough to complete tinue after the game is released is one everyone appears to be very aware the set missions, you survive. of. There’s a large thread in the forums discussing the understandable It’s the little things that give the game the depth required for highend competitive play. Walking up to a bookshelf and falling just short, nervousness of opening up their little game to the wider community. Spy Party is a game designed for highly competitive play. And with forcing you to make a jittery adjustment forwards, can be enough for the highly competitive play comes extremely close non-physical contact. sniper to catch on. It leads to tense situations. You’re getting into the mind of another person, and what can be more As the spy, I’m standing in a group conversation when I say the code phrase, “Banana Bread”, signalling some message to the double agent intimate than that? Video games can be intrinsically social. The shared experience, or and completing my final mission. The sniper’s laser sight falls directly the connection with other people they provide, is not an escape from between my eyes. I know if I walk away now it will be an obvious tell. I reality but an exploration of it. start to sweat. He, however, doesn’t know that I have now completed all LOT’S฀WIFE฀EDITION฀4฀•฀2013 55