Music
Holograms: The future of concerts Gillian Hogan explains the concept of concerts as holograms and if this could be the new future of live music
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olograms have always been associated with the future. Well, it seems we are officially there because they exist and are no longer a distant idea. They have been used for the best part of a decade, since 2012, to resurrect performers. At first, hologram technology started being used in one off special performances such as Tupac Shakur at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival or Michael Jackson at the Billboard Music Awards in 2014. These one off shows have now turned into full length tours, for example Roy Orbison’s ‘In Dreams’ tour, with fans being able to see performers they couldn’t when they were alive. However, despite this obvious positive, hologram concerts also bring some negatives. When people pay to see a live show, a major part of the appeal is that they get to see the artist in real life. There’s no editing and what you see is what you get. Every show is different and customised for each audience. Holograms take away this vital aspect of a live show because everything is put together in advance, not to mention audience interaction is impossible. ‘I don’t really see the point. You go to the concert to see people perform live. You’d be annoyed if an act were lip syncing the whole show. If they’re dead leave them and their image alone,’ says Eoin O’ Connor, aged 23. Lots of living artists also use holograms as a way to enhance a show. The Gorillaz present themselves as animated characters in their music videos and hologram technology allows
them to expand this artistic choice. However the songs are not prerecorded and are all still live. These instances make sense but the technology could give other artists the opportunity to cheat the system. What’s stopping a singer from making a bit of extra money on tour whilst also staying at home to record an album? ‘I think the only time a hologram concert is cool is if it adds to the show visually rather than taking advantage of the image of a dead person’, states Megan McInerney, aged 25. Due to the fact that the majority of the artists who tour
through hologram are dead and since the technology wasn’t present when they were alive, it raises a moral issue of whether the artist would have been okay with their persona being used in this way. Familial permission is important for this reason because based on the artist’s personality they would have a better idea of what their outlook would be. ‘BASE Hologram’ are currently working on an upcoming hologram tour for Amy Winehouse and has the full support of Amy’s father. ‘‘I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s right to do a holographic concert of a dead artist but it makes more sense than if someone who is alive and could actually tour did. It’d be a big moral issue, you’d need familial permission,’ says Nicola Smith, aged 20. Even with family approval, there is a thin line between whether hologram concerts are immoral and exploit deceased artists. Joe Jackson, father of Michael Jackson, was notorious for being physically and emotionally abusive towards Michael, for whom he earned a profit off. This goes to show that even if family approves, it doesn’t mean it is is the artist’s best interests. It is easy for audiences to get excited about being in the presence of deceased legends but holograms, although giving the illusion, still don’t offer this. If the artist has been edited to the finest pixel, people are not really seeing the performer they missed but a distilled version of them.
Can you ever really separate artists from their art?
Clara Kelly explores the age long question we’re still asking ourselves
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ecently on February 23rd, a 1 million dollar bail was set for RnB musician R.Kelly on sexual abuse charges. Kelly is another name in the long line of allegations coming to light recently against those in the entertainment industry, begging the question, can art and the artists who created it, ever really be separated? From xxxtentacion to 6ix9ine in the music industry to the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey and others in Hollywood almost kick-starting the recent ‘metoo’ movement wave. With even names such as John Lennon’s coming under fire for assault allegations. So does this mean we should be cutting ‘ignition’ a n d
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‘yellow submarine’ off our Spotify playlists? It could be argued that like how a child can’t be blamed for their parents, art cannot be blamed from the creator it derives from, but to say that would be to discount a lot. Such as separating intent from the art. For example, it would be hard to listen to songs such as R.Kelly’s ‘when a woman loves’ and not wonder if the song was ever about a woman at all, in the legal adult sense of the word. There is also the very valid argument that sometimes supporting the art, also means supporting the artist, at least financially and perhaps in terms of continuing to feed clout to the performers whose actions you may not agree with. It must then be asked, if supporting this ‘art’ will in turn, let the artist reap the monetary awards. If you attend an R.Kelly concert, he is still profiting in multiple ways even if the attendees are there for the art as a separate thing, as it can never be fully separated. 6ix9ine will continue to make money every time someone listens to one of his songs on spotify, and Weinstein would still benefit from people
who disagree with his actions, paying to see one of his movies. The argument raised is can people in good conscious watch the Bill Cosby show knowing the crimes he has committed or even pay to see a Louis C.K comedy show? And what can be said for artists who continue to work with them? In the recent documentary on U.S T.V network ‘Lifetime’ ‘Surviving R.Kelly’ , It was revealed that R. Kelly allegedly had underage girls in the studio with him while he was making his ‘love’ songs. It also showed that the song “You Are Not Alone,” which he wrote for Michael Jackson, was about a miscarriage suffered by a girl he got pregnant. So there is no separating R. Kelly’s music from his crimes because he himself interjected his crimes into his music and his lyrics about sex show it. But R. Kelly isn’t an outlier in the argument over separating an artist’s work from their personal lives. There just simply are some characteristics that define who people are. This only becomes an issue, when who those people are, are abusers.
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Kelly is another name in the long line of allegations coming to light recently against those in the entertainment industry
Music
Streaming saturation
Lorna Lawless discusses the streaming culture that has taken over the music industry
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usic is released every day, every second of every week. How are artists supposed to keep up with this rat race? The oversaturation of the music industry has prevented new artists from being heard, but also puts too much of an emphasis on artists we already hear too often. The truth is, if you want to become a superstar, the odds are not in your favour. However, Spotify and Apple Music are just meeting the consumer where they are and trying to achieve the need in an oversaturated landscape of overwhelming choice. They are both just platforms for discovery and maybe, just by chance, you get put on ‘New Music Friday’, which may launch your career. The market value in the music industry is shifting. Artists need to bring out more tracks more often, just to stay on ‘top of the list’ for companies
like Spotify. People are listening to more artists than ever before. With playlists boasting a range of different artists, it should lead to an increase in that artist’s popularity. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
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The oversaturation of the music industry has prevented new artists from being heard Customer validation of music has been on a steady decline since these music giants have come along. The sheer amount of choice has shifted people’s expectations and consumption habits. When the audience becomes fans of a compilation playlist rather than an artist’s album, it leaves the artist with the short straw. Yes, there is diverse listening, but there is very little loyalty for the individual musician. In 2017, Spotify reported that their average listener was streaming “40 unique artists per week”, for which they credit their ‘Daily Mix’ and ‘Weekly Discovery’ playlists. However,these playlists are personalised for your type of
music, which can mislead the consumer. If we were to look at the hip-hop genre as an example, do you honestly think Eminem would make as much of an impact in today’s music scene? This is in no way discrediting his incredible music, but using this household name in order to highlight how it was easier back then. There was less music on the airwaves when the rapper first broke out, therefore a greater chance of being discovered. There was no Instagram push, no Facebook ad campaigns, and no twitter feud to ignite the fire behind the record. Eminem grew his name solely based on the quality of his music, but it could be argued that there weren’t as many competitors at the time, nor was their streaming. Physical album sales and iTunes sales were what mattered. It was the Now That’s What I Call... CD sales which would determine what was hot in the world right at that moment. Fast forward to now, where we pay €4.99 a month as students to get unlimited artists streamed immediately to our devices. There is no limit to what we are offered, but there is a selection made by the apps we listen to, to align with our preferences. With Spotify paying cents per stream it may not be a viable revenue for upcoming artists. The money-funded campaigns from record companies for artists like Ariana Grande, take advantage of the polarisation of the music scene, and drop single after single which Spotify favours to then build the anticipation of the album drop. This is great marketing by Ari’s PR team, however for that time, every other artist seems to be pushed under the carpet. If you want to do well in the music industry, it looks like you need more than just streaming apps for revenue, but you also need to build a solid fanbase or you will get lost in the oversaturated wilderness.
Misery music or moneymaking? Ellen Fitzpatrick writes about the dark times the music industry can bring to young artisits
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he music industry is infamous for stars going “off the rails”. People wait for it to happen and anticipate the moment they lose it, so that they can have their say. The music industry can be a destructive and damaging thing to be involved in, regardless of what age you are But just imagine how dark it feels for someone who isn’t even old enough to legally drink. Musicians are entering the industry younger than ever. It seems like every time you turn on the radio, there’s a new teenage voice ringing through. These kids are being thrown in with no preparation for what life is like, when there’s a constant crowd of people following you, and nobody there brave enough to tell you ‘no.’ As 17-year-old Billie Eilish said in a Vanity Fair interview, which she was asked the same set of questions just one year apart, the industry is “dark”. From the interview, it was clearly visible what kind of life she has been pushed into. Her skin had lost its glow and her eyes were sad, and that’s exactly how she explained the year since she’d done the last interview. Sad. Eilish didn’t speak negatively about her life, but she didn’t have anything positive to say either. It was as if her childhood had been ripped from beneath her. Child stars, like this, are always seen
this way and it only begs the question, why are huge record labels continuing to seek out children? Eilish isn’t the first artist we’ve seen this happen to. Although she hasn’t lost her way, as of now, the signs are there. Look at the likes of Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus. Each of these were in the spotlight from such a young age and the world saw the effects of it, but stood by and let it all unravel. Michael Jackson was born into stardom, he was instantly famous from such a young age and grew up to be the ‘King of Pop’, adored by millions but constantly watched by an audience.
It is naïve to think that being that young and that famous doesn’t have any impact on your mental stability. Everyone saw how he was impacted by this, and the effects of the constant pressure. Miley Cyrus was the same. She crumbled under the spotlight. For a few years, nobody knew what was going on with her, the world had said she lost her mind, but would you not too, if you were under a microscope? And where do you even begin with Bieber? A teen heart-throb turned nightmare overnight. It is understandable though. Having a name to live up to when you’re only 16, you’re bound to rebel, that’s human. The music industry creates a world that, from the outside, looks idyllic. A place where money is endless and the world praises you. That is evidently not the case at all. We have seen it, too many times, destroy people and rip away their lives. Every single artist affected has said they lost their childhood to their career. They are sucked into a life they aren’t warned about and aren’t shown how to handle it.
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Music
The beauty of terrible tunes at Shitenite
Amy Donohoe asking hard-hitting question, why do we love Shitenite so much?
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ubar is a place where you can always spot a friendly face and colourful couches (minus one) along with getting the scent of Jack Slattery’s. It’s a place where there are two purposes for salt, you can put it on your €5 goujons and chips or, you can have it alongside a tequila shot. It’s a night where students come together to sing and dance to the best worst songs ever. The three main men who dedicate their Tuesday nights to work at this event are Dave, Allan, and Ashley. Without them, the best night in a DCU week would be non-existent. You can wear what you wore to lectures that day to the casual night, unless you’re going “out out” to Coppers after, there is no need to dress up for Shitenite. The night usually begins with over 20 people crammed in a Larkfield room for pre-drinks and a walk through the sports centre en route to get grim three euro cans and a ridiculous amount of Jagerbombs. Entry is €2, unless you are one of the fortunate ones that own a blue card which provides free entry to those who religiously dedicate their Tuesday nights to Shitenite, and their Wednesday mornings to emailing lecturers informing them that they won’t be attending the lecture. But why do we love this terrible night? It’s a night where you don’t have to be embarrassed about enjoying the cheesiest tunes, you should be embarrassed if you don’t know them at Shitenite. Our musical choices reflect important aspects of our personality, and DJ Damo embraces that. Humans love reputation, and pop music provides it. We feel more
safe and comfortable interacting with something we are already familiar with, and that’s what Shitenite provides. “I think Shite Nite has become the cornerstone of the social life of the majority of DCU students. Even before I came to DCU I had heard of how great Shitenite was and since my very first week over 2 years ago, I’ve barely missed a week. I’ve yet to come across an event like it.” Blue Card holder, Orla McGovern said.
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But why do we love this terrible night? It’s a night where you don’t have to be embarrassed about liking the cheesiest tunes, you should be embarrassed if you don’t know them at Shitenite.
“The fact that you can pay only €2 for a night of Westlife, S Club 7, and everything in between is something no other night out can give, I mean you really can’t beat it” she continued. “The atmosphere is always so positive and completely different to any other night out. Shitenite has just become part of my weekly routine and without it I don’t think DCU would be the same” she concluded. It doesn’t take long until you’re on the sticky dancefloor raving to the songs. Even if you get lost in the crowd, you’re not alone, Shitenite has a welcoming atmosphere and it’s the music that brings strangers together. Have you ever seen a sad person at Shitenite? Probably not, this is due to music and mood being intimately connected in some non-physical way. Science confirms that humans are wired to respond to music. There is something going on when listening to music besides sound waves, the mechanism of the ear, and synapses firing in the brain. If you hear a certain song every time you are out with friends having fun you’ll start to associate the particular song with positive feelings. Every Shitenite, people dread hearing the Eastenders theme song, because that’s when you know the night is over and students start getting moved out of the bar like cattle. Music shapes and reflects society, and in DCU, music unites people of different cultural backgrounds, whether you’re from France, Italy or Cavan, Nubar unites us all.
Tuning out the sound of gender inequality in the music industry Sarah Barett looks into the issue of gender inequality within the music industry
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he Smirnoff Equalizer, a partnership between Spotify and Smirnoff was launched as a web based platform on International Women’s day in 2018. The equalizer is a tool that analyses listening habits and provides a percentage breakdown of male vs female artists streamed by Spotify users. According to a press release it was a response to the lack of female representation in Spotify’s 2017 Year in music statistics. The Equalizer then allows you to create a more balanced playlist based on your listening habits. Is it case that female artists and professionals need to work harder in order to reach the success of male counterparts. Recounting 2018, Spotify’s top 5 most streamed artists, there were no women on the list. Even in the face of tremendous success by female artists like Cardi B, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift. On the top most streamed albums list, the only female artist on the list was Dua Lipa for her album, Dua Lipa. The previous five years, the only two other female artists who made it onto this list were Katy Perry and Rihanna. Rihanna featuring in 2013 and 2016. Katy Perry featuring in 2014. Looking at the music industry as an entertainment medium, The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, based in the University of Southern California uses date driven and theory based research to offer insight to industries on where diversity is needed and how to achieve it.
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Their report found globally in 2017, 83.2% of artists were men and only 16.8% were women. The year marked a 6 year low for female artists in popular content. In songwriting of 2767 credited songwriters, 87.7% were male and 12.3% were female. One could say women are thriving in music, but the data seems to prove otherwise. According to research scientist, Dr. Kate Piper, music industry roles significant to the creative process like Producer and executives. Is it a case that artists and songwriters think male when they think producer or of those in senior creative positions? If the data is consistent with the thinking of the music industry, how do we as consumers make a step towards inclusivity in all things creative in the industry, from a
consumer and studio perspective to ensure talent isn’t overlooked based on gender identity? From a consumer perspective do we need to go online and start asking companies and artists who they are working with when it comes to crafting songs and being in studio. A four step programme produced by the PRS Foundation’s international Keychange initiative, was presented last November to the EU parliament and called for reform across the music industry. Entitled the Keychange Manifesto: Recommendations For A Gender Balanced Music Industry, the document calls for codes of best practice at board level, gender balance targets and public sector investment in female artists. Keychange, a talent development initiative, counts Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis and producer Tony Visconti among its ambassadors, the initiative’s aim is to empower women to transform the future of the music industry. In February 2018, Keychange organized a pledge to 45 international music festivals committed to achieve a 50/50 gender balance on their lineups by 2022. She Said So, is a global network of women in the music industry, with branches in New York, Berlin, Mumbai and Athens. The Irish branch launched their first workshop. They host regular meetups for women who are working or interested in working in the music Industry. All these initiatives help in changing the tune of gender inequality in the music industry.
TV & Film
Netflix’s Sex Education is cringey in all the right ways Roisin Maguire explores the world of Netflix’s Sex Education
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etflix’ Sex Education is embarrassingly truthful in its representation of human beings as sexual creatures. This series documents the desire of young people to know everything about sex, what is normal, how it works and how to get it and this is the fundamental drive of the show. Created by Laurie Nunn with the first half of the season directed by Ben Taylor and the second half directed by Kate Herron, the show is sweet and dramatic. The main character Otis, played by Asa Butterfield, is a 16 year old school student living with his mother Jean, played by Gillian Anderson who is a sex therapist which of course makes for a complicated yet interesting relationship. Jean, whether she notices it or not, loves to use very embarrassing techniques to describe aspects of sex that Otis can’t bear to hear. This is then emphasised with the tasteful artwork featured around the house of which demonstrates the love she has for her career and profession. His enterprising friend Maeve, played by Emma Mackey, notices that he has developed the skills of his mother and encourages him to start a “sex clinic” where she finds the clients and receives half the cut. What kickstarted Otis career is one student, Adam, whose official notes would basically read “large penis, can’t ejaculate.” This problem is solved through Otis’ skills developed unknowingly from his mother.
The electric cast is what makes the show as the preconceptions of each character are very different to what they turn out to be. F o r example, Maeve is expected to be a
tough who can’t feel find out that she is living
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alone in a small mobile home and writing other students’ homework to pay the rent. We find out that Otis’ mother, Jean, has issues with serious relationships and only has occasional sex with no strings attached. Otis’ gay friend, Eric, played by Ncuti Gatwa, is fighting a battle with his identity, despite his eccentric personality. Each character has their own background story and the preconceptions that this series will be a cheesy show about teenagers who are wild and unruly are fortunately untrue. While the series features a fair amount of jocks and princesses, the characters developed into really likeable people and along with many scenes of English forests and greenery, the world within ‘Sex Education’ is one where many would aspire to live. The actress, Gillian Anderson’s resume is packed with very serious dramas beyond ‘X Files’ with shows such as ‘The Fall’ and ‘Hannibal,’ so Anderson is really branching out with ‘Sex Education’. This is the first adult or young adult role for Butterfield which may have altered some peoples performance. However he is confident in his role as the main character and has transitioned well from a child actor to a young adult actor. The message that ‘Sex Education’ is trying to get out to viewers is that not every 16 year old is ready for sex and not everyone is actually doing it. Without giving any spoilers, the very last show also gives viewers the hint at a season two.
The serial flow of true crime documentaries Gemma Robotham investigates the spike in true crime media
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rue crime - a topic which has always seemed to grip human beings with fascination in equal measure to horror. This fascination may have been expressed in a more direct manner in the past through attendance at public executions. With such sources of entertainment becoming rather niché, we’ve had to resort to the media in order to satisfy our needs. From sensationalist tabloid headlines and light-hearted true crime podcasts to the abundance of true crime documentaries, there is a clear oversaturation of true crime in media. The infestation of true crime is particularly apparent on Netflix. An established tired pattern has emerged with generic conventions - an eerie theme song accompanied with a mix of close-up shots and panning landscapes, grainy CCTV footage from police interviews and a central protagonist which can be the victim but is more often than not, the perpetrator. This has been the primary issue with Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes; it focuses on Ted Bundy rather than his victims. It glorifies his “charming” persona and quite literally gives a voice to a man who should have been silenced with death. The new true crime series
format, pioneered by The Staircase and Making a Murderer, approaches cases in a way in which is intended to leave viewers wanting more with cliffhangers at the end of each episode. One may think that this long format would allow cases to be explored comprehensively yet what we see instead is the blurring of lines between important and unimportant pieces of evidence. Cliffhangers do little to explore the key parts of a case but rather function to keep the attention of viewers. On the other hand, Abducted in Plain Sight has effectively strayed from these new clichés with a significant part of the documentary focused on Jan Broberg, the primary victim of the paedophile Robert Berchtold. It effectively examines
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neighbour and family friend who had sexual relations with both of her parents. It is one of those unbelievable stories that is almost guaranteed to gain attraction. Similar to other entertainment media, there has been an emergence of fandom culture surrounding these Netflix series with people making memes & writing witty tweets about various developments in the cases, which only serve to further the desensitisation of violent crimes. Despite all of their flaws, the fandoms would argue that these true crime documentaries have had positive implications on the cases. One cannot underestimate the influence of the HBO mini-series The Jinx which saw the arrest of Robert Durst who was arrested on first-degree murder charges the day before its finale aired. Yet this is the exception rather than the norm. Threads of conspiracy theories on Reddit and signatures on petitions haven’t managed to release Brendan Dassey from prison, whose conviction was upheld by a 4 to 3 vote by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in December 2017. It’s clear that the primary purpose of these documentaries is entertainment rather than justice. Netflix has certainly not funded their creation due to a desire to expose the truth or raise awareness, but rather to exploit tragic events for the sake of sensationalism.
From sensationalist tabloid headlines and light-hearted true crime podcasts to the abundance of true crime documentaries, there is a clear oversaturation of true crime in media
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the case in just ninety minutes without concealing damaging information about her family which allowed the abuse to occur and continue. However, it cannot be denied that Abducted in Plain Sight has contributed to the sensationalism of crime. It tells a story of a girl abducted not once but twice by a
Film and TV
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Umbrella Academy, a delightful surprise
Hugh Farrell reviews the new Netflix show produced by My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way.
n what could be considered an overly saturated superhero market The Umbrella Academy seems to succeed at making a name for itself with well developed characters, a lively soundtrack and quality production. The show attempts to delve into wide realm of science fiction but can try to do too much in one season. The introduction of a monkey butler and a cyborg mother into a show about time-travelling superheros puts the show way over the top at times. While 10, hour long episodes allow for plenty of time to explore the newly established world, it does become unnecessarily eccentric and drawn out with a few random and unnecessary dance sequences that should have been left out. The major twists in the show are also very formulaic and predictable. The only redeeming factor for these is that they are introduced just early enough that the show doesn’t become too reliant on them to pack a punch. Now onto the major plot issues, which will definitely include spoilers. The first episode allows for unlimited possibilities in this universe with an immediate introduction to the idea that there are 43 people with superhuman abilities, (even if we only get to see seven) so the show is already primed for another series if it’s successful enough. We then get to see the classic trope of the death of a paternal figure being the force that pushes our main characters together after a long time apart. If this wasn’t already formulaic enough the cast come together as the comic relief, the stereotypical leader, the lone wolf/revenge focused one, the egotist, the compassionate mother and the relatable, normal one.
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While this is the dream team type set up, it does mean that they all follow their predictable storylines where they have to challenge the classic flaws that match the character type. For example, Luther has to worry that he’s not leadership material and Diego has to challenge his motives for revenge. It’s not necessarily a bad setup but it can be reliant on action sequences and Robert Sheehan essentially playing his character of Nathan from Misfits to keep you invested. After the main characters have been introduced we meet Cha-Cha and Hazel who present a secondary story line which intertwines nicely with theirs but can draw away from the main storyline a bit too much at times. Each of the characters have their own journey with some actually having a good payoff and dealing with serious issues in an entertaining yet appropriate way. Unsurprisingly, the two biggest stories and character arcs seem to have been given to Robert Sheehan and
Ellen Page as they discover the most about their powers and themselves as they go along. Aidan Gallagher is the surprising star though in this set up as the young character has the most importance placed on them throughout. Despite the fact that the gag of an old man in a young man’s body loses appeal in no time and the characters arrogance can also become irritating, Gallagher does a great job of playing the character who ties the unnecessary amount of plots together. The Umbrella Academy is a perfectly tolerable show to replace the cancelled Marvel shows with. It has so many paths it can go down so Netflix will be happy to know they can pump out season after season until we’re sick of it. The show may cover too many storylines and would have been better off dropping to seven episodes and trimming off the excess but it still deserves a solid 6/10 for a first season that had a lot to establish.
While 10, hour long episodes allow for plenty of time to explore the newly established world it does become unnecessarily eccentric and drawn out with a few random and unnecessary dance sequences that should have been left out.
The hype around bizarre fan theories
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David Kelly looks into how the media uses unfounded fan theories for clicks.
ith the final season of Game of Thrones on its way, the internet has been rife with speculation regarding its ending. A new theory concerning Cersei of house Lannister has been making the rounds in the media, with many calling it convincing. This theory is essentially this: Cersei Lannister will sacrifice her new-born child to the Night King in order to save Westeros. The White Walkers do accept babies as sacrifices. Would a royal sacrificial offering prevent another Long Night? The answer: almost certainly not. Despite being based on pretty poor analysis of both the character and the plot, this theory made internet headlines on major news publications. Numerous outlets called it convincing and loaded the theory with credibility in what could be described as a positive feedback loop. Fan theories tend to propagate themselves. One media publication will pick it up, then another, causing this snowball effect where the fan theory, regardless of its credibility, will gain immense traction and enjoy vast circulation in the arts media space. This may be due to the click value of such articles, or the sheer ease it takes to write such a story. Most franchises are subject to fan theories, particularly those in the superhero and fantasy genres. People enjoy speculating about art that they enjoy. It’s a shame that the media doesn’t devote more time to debunking such theories, rather than milking them for clickbait. It’s much more interesting to think these propositions through and look at their flaws, rather than pumping them out to the public.
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For instance, take the Cersei Lannister example. Cersei’s defining characteristic is her love for her children. It’s her one redeeming quality. The show has continually broken her down by taking away what she holds dearest. Cersei lost her children and consequently grew worse. Her appearance transformed from motherly lady to masculine tyrant. Now, her sole motivation is the survival of her remaining family. This created a schism between her and her twin brother Jaime. Season seven ended with Jamie abandoning his lover for the sake of his honour, with Cersei declaring that her unborn child can replace him, if necessary. All Cersei has left is her unborn child. Furthermore, she has shown no inclination for saving the world from the dead, rather the opposite. It is simply not in her character to sacrifice her final source of love for the world
she hates A more likely ending to Cersei’s story is her death at the hands of her brother. There are many hints in the books that Cersei and Jamie will leave the world the way they entered it; together. Jaime killing his malevolent half would be a compelling end to his arc. While this fan theory is superficially interesting, it does not stand up to scrutiny and makes no sense when placed in the context of the characters and story. Undoubtedly, Cersei will receive a compelling conclusion, just not the one offered by this theory That’s not to say that no fan theory has credibility. A longstanding Game of Thrones theory that was proven right was one regarding Jon Snow’s mother. This was known as “R+L=J” and was first published in 1997. It was eventually confirmed 20 years later in the show’s seventh season. Fan theories tend to be hit or miss, though usually the latter. The problem arrives when the media becomes oversaturated with terrible theories. When most theories are poor, all theories lose credibility. A journalist role i s to determine the truth of something, perhaps that should apply to arts journalists too?
It’s a shame that the media doesn’t devote more time to debunking such theories, rather than milking them for clickbait. It’s much more interesting to think these propositions through and look at their flaws, rather than pumping them out to the public
Music and Film
The money making in misery music Alison Clair looks into the music industry and if its profiting off mental illness.
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new worry facing our music industry is the rise of the genre “misery music”. The term misery music itself refers to artists whose lyrics mainly focus around mental health issues like depression and self harm. The rise in reporting of ‘misery music’ has resulted in a lot of backlash from online readers saying that good music often revolves around sad themes and heartache. This is true, however, this is not where the problem lies. The problem with the rise of popularity in this type of music is that the artist themselves end up promoting selfharm and suicide. It is widely known that artists like this, by their own description, are trying to create awareness and discussion around mental health issues. Unfortunately and inadvertently they are creating a huge problem amongst their impressionable, and often very young following. One artist that has been accused of contributing to the rise of misery music is Billie Eilish. This 16-year-old rose to stardom with her debut single Ocean Eyes. Eilish is famous for her haunting and angelic voice, her music which is sad and melancholy, often with references to depression throughout her lyrics. The young singer with an old soul has been both commended and criticised for her portrayal of depression and mental illness. Some critics saying she is glamourizing it, almost to the extent of making it cool amongst teenagers. It is understandable that in order to write good songs and create an impact your lyrics need to be genuine, and most artists lyrics come from personal experiences. Again this is not where the problem lies. The problem lies amongst the impressionable teenagers who follow these artists religiously and in many ways look up to them.
At just 16, most of her following is around her age, still teenagers. They look up to her, especially since her style is grungy and different and in her own words “judge me please”. Eilish has a self-deprecating nature, which often leaves her vulnerable in front of a camera. This type of honesty is badly needed in the music industry however, some might argue that this view of herself can translate into her fans thinking this way too. Another similar example of the problems misery music are creating is the famous death o f
the young rapper XXXTentacion. While XXXTentacion’s career was dedicated to the prevention of suicide, and the promotion of discussing your problems, the #cutforX hashtag started trending on twitter following his sudden death. Most people do believe that the artists themselves are writing these lyrics from personal experience, to ultimately create an awareness towards mental health issues and suicide, and are not trying to promote it. However, it is important to remember that not everyone is in a healthy place in their mind, or are old enough to differentiate between how they should, and should not support their favourite artist. Another example of this is how fans were competing underneath Billie Eilish’s music videos on who is self-harming more, for example, “I can’t stop cutting”. The problem begs the question are artists like this purposely making their depression their “aesthetic” in order to appeal to vulnerable teenagers? Misery music has been criticised in many ways to be romanticising death, and in many ways making mental illness ‘cool’. This trend is one that has been growing year on year with many new artists coming onto the scene, and rapping about taking drugs, overdosing and death.
An ode to Stanley Donen
Aoibhín Bryant reflects on the life and work of late director, Stanley Donen
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tanley Donen, beloved director of Hollywood movie musicals such as Singing in The Rain and Funny Face, died on the 21st February due to a heart attack, aged an impressive 94. Donen, as a director, was the face of the golden era of movie musicals in Hollywood. At their peak in the 1940s and 50s, Donen was the last surviving figurehead of a by-gone era. Movie musicals may have seen their heyday at the
forefront of popularity but the classics, many directed by Donen, leave a special place in our hearts. His delightful films deliver the sweet comfort of nostalgia even if you never lived during those decades. Audrey Hepburn reportedly said “one person whose very name makes me smile in total delight whenever I think of him” about the late director, showing that the charm in is
films were present in his own characters. However, he is still seen as a classic moment in film history. was omitted from the Oscars’ memorial reel which was Singin In The Rain is undisputedly his most popular met with outrage, although his death was only anwork, everyone knows the scene where Gene Kelly nounced on the day of the awards ceremony. No swings around street lamps and hops around with doubt, his face will appear amongst the stage screen his umbrella. The scene is so iconic as a cheerful this time next year. that Malcolm Funnily enough, although a leg- moment Funnily enough, although a MacDowell sings the legend, Donen had never won end, Donen had never won an song in Stanley Kubrick’s an Academy Award for any of Orange, its Academy Award for any of his AjollyClockwork his works. However, in 1998 tune strikes an unhe received a lifetime achievenerving contrast with the works. However, in 1998 he ment “in appreciation of a body film’s dark matter. received a lifetime of work marked by grace, eleHis partnership with gance, wit and visual innova- achievement “in appreciation of Kelly usually left him outtion.” side of the spotlight, while Donen was born to Jewish a body of work marked by grace, Kelly rivetted in the fame parents in Columbia, South and applause, Donen elegance, wit and visual Carolina. He experienced antiwas a humble man who innovation.” semitic bullying while growing preferred to work in the up there and it was Astaire’s background. An excellent performance in Flying Down to Rio that helped him dis- choreographer, he did not excel in the act of dancing itcover what he wanted to pursue the art of film. self. His talents lay in combination, able to blend all as“I didn’t know what I wanted to do, or be, or be around, pects of the film, from actors to costume design, blending or be with, or relate to, or anything. I just knew that there them so harmoniously to create chefs-d’oeuvres. was something about the magic of the movies and, in parAlthough Donen’s talents did not just lie with the musiticular, Fred Astaire and music that galvanised me.” cal, proving himself an accomplished director of comedies Donen worked with iconic movie stars of the time, the and romances in the 60s and 70s as the movie musical aforementioned Hepburn but also Gene Kelly and Fred quieted in popularity. Astaire. His films were known for their impeccable style Donen will certainly go down as one of the best diand their keen strive for perfection, especially when it rectors of all time. His style and taste encapsulated the came to choreography. In the days before CGI, Donen old Hollywood glamour that simply cannot be replicated wowed audiences with his “movie magic” techniques. In again. In his honour, perhaps we should risk pneumonia Royal Wedding, where Astaire tap dances on the ceiling and sing in the rain.
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Art and Film
Style Soc fashion show imitates art more than art imitates life
Aine O’Boyle reviews Style Soc’s annual fashion show which aimed to have “art, music and fashion collide.
The annual DCU Style Society fashion show took place in the Helix on Thursday, February 21st. Vivifying Oscar Wilde’s famous quote that “life imitates art more than art imitates life”, the show immersed an audience into a world where reality imitated the beauty of art. “The DCU Style Fashion Show has been in the works since June 2018, so almost eight months of preparing. The first thing that had to be organised was the venue for the show which the committee decided would be The Helix,” said Chair of DCU Style Society, Emma Collins. The hostess, Tara Stewart, a DJ with RTE 2FM, set the tone of the evening with her energy levels being reflective of the anticipation among the audience. “The entire show was just incredible from the models to the Irish brands to the stylists and the crew,” said Stewart in an Instagram post. “I was pretty nervous… as it was my first MC gig,” she added. The fashion show exhibited clothing from several Dublin-based boutiques such as Tola Vintage, Dublin Vintage Factory and Folkster along with brands such as Magee, River Island and Penneys. “We faced pretty much every adversity and difficulty possible in the lead up to the fashion show, whether it was financial support or people not turning up for rehearsals,” said Collins. “Thankfully, however, we faced a lot of these early on which meant we had time to deal with them as a committee and also allowed for us to receive a lot of help and advice from Clubs and Socs and other committees.” she continued. The models looked ethereal as they graced the catwalk in the beautiful fairy-like gowns from Folkster, mesmerising the audience as the sparkles glistened under the stage lights. Alongside the graceful models in flowing gowns were the cleancut and dapper suits from Magee, specialists in Donegal tweed jackets and suits. The catwalk featured a variety of styles from streetwear to vintage and formal wear with something to suit the tastes and fashion sense of everyone in the audience. Set against a minimalistic backdrop of an ornate gold mirror, Grecian-styled columns and a chaise longue, the setting gave the impression of an empty gallery that suddenly came to life as the music boomed through Mahony Hall and the models strutted onto the catwalk. The Style Society described the event on social media as a fusion of the senses where “art, music and fashion will collide”. The sheer magnitude of the event soon became evident once the entire crew came on stage to signify the ending of the show. “There were so so so many people who made the fashion show a success. Firstly, the show would not have been possible without Bronagh Kelly, Vice Chair or in reality Co-Chair of Style who is the brains of the operation in Style,” said Collins. “She’s always three emails and two spreadsheets ahead of everyone,” she continued. From choreographers to stylists, sponsorship, models and lighting, a huge team was involved in every tiny detail of the show. Another component of the fashion show was Project Young Designer which was held during the interval. PYD features a host of young designers from colleges all across Ireland, giving them the opportunity to present their designs in front of a panel of industry experts. This year’s winner was given the opportunity to display her winning design in Siopaella, a vintage boutique located in the heart of Temple Bar. This is isn’t the last you’ll hear from DCU Style for the rest of the semester though, we still have a few tricks left up our extremely glamorous sleeves,” teased Collins.
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Superhero films remain undefeated at the box office Rachel Halpin sees why superhero films still remain so popular.
Superhero movies and TV shows have been around for a long time, but in recent years there has been a huge increase in the hype and popularity has risen. But it was the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that brought the trend to the height of success that the superhero genre has now. Though Marvel had released films of their comic book characters before, such as Daredevil in 2003, the MCU didn’t begin until 2008 with the release of Iron Man. Since then the MCU has grown and expanded across many movies and TV shows and have dominated the box office for the last decade. Within Marvel, there is the Avengers series as well as the X-Men series, with multiple movies and franchises that are all part of a bigger story. The characters are mentioned or even appear in other movies for other characters. There have also been movies where a big group of characters come together for one movie, such as Avengers Assemble or most recently Avengers: Infinity War. Also in the superhero genre is the DC Universe (DC) where characters from the DC Comics are brought to life, including Batman, Superman, Aquaman and Wonderwoman. They have also release movies where the characters come together such as Justice League. With these two major companies, there has been a tidal wave of superhero content being released, with movies, TV shows and video games being released yearly. With reboots and new versions coming out every couple of years. There have been three Spiderman franchises in the last 20 years and already DC are looking to replace Ben Affleck as Batman for a new round of movies. The new versions and reboots mean that there is a continuous stream of superhero movies coming out which means that the genre will stay alive and
popular for a long time. Though the height of the popularity can decrease, there will always be people who love the stories and the characters and want to see them live on. On the flip side, there could be people who don’t want their favourite movies to be ruined with new reboots, or they don’t want to see anyone else paying their favourite character than the actor playing them now. That won’t stop Marvel and DC, who are under Disney and Warner Bros., from releasing new movies and TV shows in the future, especially when they know that it would be a box office hit. So it’s no surprise that these companies are taking advantage of the popularity to make money, but with the effort they put into the production, casting and plot details it seems like the companies are releasing these movies to please and entertain fans and not just to make a lot of money Though the genre is at a level of high popularity it hasn’t stopped shows from being cancelled. Netflix’s Daredevil lasted three seasons before it was cancelled in 2018, despite the fact it had high ratings, from fans and critics. Netflix has recently announced that they are cancelling Marvel’s The Punisher, whose second season was only just released on the streaming service, and Jessica Jones. Even with the superhero shows being cancelled the movies are still as popular as ever, there are three Marvel movies set to be released just this year alone, including the highly anticipated Avengers: Endgame, whose plotline determines what future movies and characters will be made in the years to come. The superhero genre is currently at an all-time high and doesn’t seem to be slowing down in the near future, it can only get bigger and better and the end is not anytime soon.
Health
Solidarity on social media?
Maybe it’s not all bad? Craig Shaaban discusses the pro’s of having social media platforms
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or most millennials, it’s hard to remember a time when we played pinball or solitaire on the family computer that was packed tightly under the stairs. Think about it, you’d arrive home from school, scoff down a vanilla muller corner and fly through your homework, in the hopes that your mother would let you create a masterpiece on Microsoft paint. Of course, this is a time where internet access was restricted to slow-family computers, and those lucky enough to have broadband at home could share all the love on Bebo. We now live in a space where children are communicating through games such as Minecraft and Fortnite, single people are swiping right on dating apps to find a soulmate, and seemingly everyone has a twitter account that serves as a platform for people to express opinions and beliefs. The exponential rise of social media in the last decade has truly had an enormous impact on society. Social affirmation seems to be achieved by accumulating likes, and status is held in higher regard than kindness and generosity. We’ve heard these arguments before, but it’s time to look at how social media can positively serve the world we live in. Facebook support groups are a tremendous exhibition of the capacity people have for benevolence. From small congregations of those who feel underrepresented in mass media, to families of children born with disabilities looking for more information, these groups have been an invaluable resource. Catriona Nolan, who is a Mother of two from West Dublin, expresses how Facebook groups helped her come to terms with her daughter’s cerebral palsy. “Seeing other men and women deal with what we’re going
through made me feel like a huge weight was lifted off From molecular biology to bow-hunting to art, there is a my shoulders. Everyone shares stories of good and bad show for every interest imaginable. Not only do they give times and how they cope. a sense of being present in a conversation, but podcasts I’ve made some great friends from these pages and I have given us more time to educate ourselves. can’t describe how important they were not only for my Though much of social media is dedicated to superficial growth, but for my daughters too”, she said. Catriona’s extroverts, there is still a large proportion of it that are daughter had life-changing surgery called SDR in occupied by people who really 2015 and Catriona still blogs about her want to help. You just recovery to help other parents. have to know The birth of podcasts where to represents the thirst look. society has developed for greater knowledge. Spotify have just invested $500 million dollars into the From small congregations of industry and will create shows for those who feel underrepresented in educational, and mass media, to families of children entertainment purposes. born with disabilities looking for The simple more information, these groups act of listening to a conversation have been an invaluable resource through headphones provides people with an instant sense of community. Imagine a truck driver delivering a package 500 miles away. It’s a lonely job, but podcasts let the driver become an observer of discussion on any topic they choose.
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Consent and Self-Care
Amy Donohoe discusses the importance of understanding and educating ourselves on consent.
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onsent means mutually and actively agreeing mean you’ve said yes to others. comfortable, and in agreement to intercourse. If any to be sexual with someone. Consent lets The aim of the program is to work with students, not type of sexual activity, including sexual touching, kissing, someone know that an action, especially provide classes, by using the evidence-based activities that fondling, oral sex, or intercourse, is forced on a person sexual, is wanted. they’ve have designed. No one is asked to give personal without their consent, it becomes a form of sexual assault DCU’s Smart Consent program is a information or talk about their experiences, instead, the and is considered a crime, according to the Sex & U conversation opener on the topic of consent. 643 students workshops are there to help others understand. website. have voluntarily attended it since September. “To educate themselves, DCU has Smart consent Consent is never implied by things like your past “Consent is an agreement between two or more sexual classes opened up to all students which have been very behaviour, what you wear, or where you go. Sexual partners. It’s an agreement that all parties consent should always be clearly communicated are feeling it, both willing and just because there should be no question or mystery. Silence they agree with one aspect, doesn’t mean is not consent. And it’s not just important the that they agree to everything,” said Smart first time you’re with someone. Everyone Consent facilitator, Thomas Dorian. must request consent every time according to Consent is never implied by things like your plannedparenthood.org. He stated that, “It’s really important to make students aware of consent because I past behaviour, what you wear, or where you go The legal definition of consent was introduced believe that in Ireland, we are nearly afraid in The Criminal Law Act 2017. The law now to talk about these things. They’re too states that “a person consents to a sexual act taboo but I think the classes will give the students the successful. There’s a lot of rich information on the internet if he or she freely and voluntarily agrees to engage in vocabulary and the power to have these conversations about consent and about smart consent. Students can that act” and it highlights several circumstances where and the confidence to talk about consent in the bedroom, also come to any student union member. We can advise consent cannot be given which include being asleep or or anywhere really.” them. They can also go to the health centre and student unconscious; under force or the threat of force or being The program highlighted that consent is freely given - advice”. Thomas continued to say. impaired by alcohol or drugs. it’s a choice you make without pressure, manipulation, or “I found within my two years of being a facilitator and The Rape Crisis Centres nationwide provide support to under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It’s reversible, as from Smart Consent starting off, the conversation between victims of rape and sexual assault. They support victims anyone can change their mind about what they feel like students is more open. Students know more about it this and provide information surrounding rape and assault. doing at any time. It’s enthusiasm - you should only do year than they were last year. We have opened up that They can accompany victims to the Gardaí and help what you want to do and not what you think is expected. conversation.” arrange a medical forensic examination at a And it’s being specific - saying yes to one thing doesn’t It should be clear that two people are willing, SATU.
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Lifestyle and exercise
Beating binging stigmas
Béibhinn Thorsch examines the stigma around Binge Eating Disorder and why we need to take it seriously.
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isordered eating is one of the best-known examples of mental health disorders, but it’s time to look past discussing anorexia and bulimia as the main forms of eating disorders. The main symptom of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is eating very large amounts of food in a short period of time, usually in an uncontrolled way. Though it is often seen as a disorder that affects mostly / only women, men also experience the harsh reality of the disorder including the stigma which comes alongside it. Irish mental health advocate, Aidan O’Connell (@ EndTheStigma_ie) told the The College View that there is a stigma where he is seen as “a lazy slob”. He said “I have been forced to lie, I feel guilty, society points out that males should have a six-pack. Society judges me in a shop if I am holding anything sweet.” The HSE says that binges are often planned in advance, with the individual buying special foods to binge on. Warning signs of the disorder, according to the HSE, extend to trying to hide how much they eat, frequent changes in weight, and storing up supplies of food Though the exact causes of BED are not known, the HSE says you are more likely to get an eating disorder if your family has a history of addiction, you have been bullied or abuse, have been criticised for your eating habits or body, or have other issues with confidence and self-esteem. The disorder is often easily hidden from those close to the individual as simply putting on weight.
“It’s all hidden. in when meeting O’Connell said, or cholesterol have regular hidden danger serious health Recently McNally has recovering O’Connell be an equal issue. He said: of anorexia applies in O’Connell first developed years ago, as a he had been anxiety. According to per cent of people worldwide find help in the form Ireland, 188,895 eating disorder at their lives. A 2012 adolescents
I even pull my stomach a date off Tinder...” “I don’t have diabetes [issues], but if you don’t blood tests, huge of diabetes 2 and issues.” comedian Joanne come out as a anorexic, however, feels there should focus on this “I’m sick of talk when the extreme binging as well.” explained that he the disorder three result of medication prescribed for with i t o f w i l l
BodyWhys.ie, 85 eating disorders difficult to seek treatment. In experience an some point in study of Irish t h a t
disordered eating was more prevalent above girls than boys. This is true in O’Connell’s case, as he says he is aware of mostly women who have the disorder. If you wish to approach someone who you suspect has the disorder, BodyWhys.ie has helpful resources which encourage friends to inform themselves about eating disorders and how to handle the conversation of the disorder. They give information on how to be understanding while also negotiating a way forward together Often approaches to help are met by resistance and rejection, however, it is important not to take this personally especially if the person suggests that you do not value them as they are. Treatment for binge eating disorder comes in the form of self-help programmes, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and now medication. CBT programmes for this disorder including planning out meals until you adopt regular eating habits, discovering triggers for binge eating, managing negative feelings about your body, and sticking to new habits. While some medications may help to treat anxiety, depression, OCD, or social phobias which trigger BED, there are now medications such as Mysimba which target the physical health side of the disorder. This is the medication that O’Connell has been given, which has given him hope for the future “I take one day at a time. I hope to lose the weight and have a beautiful girl beside me,” O’Connell said.
The pre-conceptions of contraception
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Clara Caslin talks contraceptives and why we need to consider other options
veryone knows about condoms and the pill, but what could theses lesser-known forms of contraception be right for you? Contraception is used to describe the tools we use to prevent pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The most common methods are condoms and the pill. Condoms, including the internal condom, are a form of barrier contraception and are the only form of contraception that protects against most STIs. According to mycontraception.ie, “the pill is the most widely used contraceptive method in Europe with 24 per cent followed by the male condom with 23 per cent”. They also reported that “79 per cent of women in Ireland are not aware of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)”. (LARCs) are methods that are reversible, meaning it is possible to remove them and your fertility (ability to get pregnant) will return to normal. They are one of the most effective types of contraception, which do not have to be taken every day. This includes the hormonal coil (IUS), hormonal injection, copper coil (IUD) and implant. The hormonal coil (IUS) is a small soft plastic device, which is inserted into the womb. This contains the hormone progestogen and takes about five minutes to insert by a doctor or nurse. It then lasts for three to five years and is more than 99 per cent effective. The hormonal injection contains the hormone progestogen and is given by a doctor or nurse every 12 weeks. It is 94 per cent
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found
effective. The copper coil (IUD) is a small soft device with a copper thread or copper cylinders that is inserted into the womb cavity by a trained doctor. It can be left in for three-10 years (depending on the type). It is more than 99 per cent effective. The implant is a small soft plastic rod containing progestogen that is inserted in your upper arm with minor surgery carried out by a trained doctor. The progestogen is released in small doses and can be removed at any time by minor surgery. It is more than 99 per cent effective and lasts three years. There is also short-acting contraception other than the pill that is user dependent and needs to be taken on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. These options include the patch, the ring, the cap and the diaphragm.
The patch contains the hormones estrogen and progestogen. It sticks to the skin and can be put on the upper arm, stomach, thigh or buttocks. The hormones are released continuously into the bloodstream through the skin. You wear a new patch every week for three weeks followed by a week’s break. With perfect use the patch is over 99 per cent effective but because of women not using it correctly, it can be 91 per cent effective. A diaphragm is a dome-shaped circle made out of rubber or silicone that is inserted into the vagina to stop sperm from entering the vagina. It must be inserted before sex and should be used with a spermicide. It must be left in for at least 6 hours after sex and no more than 24 hours. They are 94 per cent effective with perfect use. The ring is a small flexible ring that contains estrogen and progestogen. It is inserted into the vagina by the woman and is kept in place for three weeks and then removed for a one-week break. After the break week, a new ring is inserted. It is 99 per cent effective with perfect use. The cap is made of silicone or rubber, smaller than the diaphragm and it covers only the neck of the womb. In the beginning, it needs to be fitted by a doctor or nurse. It must be inserted before sex and must not be left in the vagina for more than 48 hours. The cap is 9296 per cent effective with perfect use and when used with spermicide - a sperm-killing but body-safe chemical that is available in gels. Always consult a doctor you trust and research your options before choosing contraception.
Health
Get on the road to empty pockets and stress
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Eoin Harte discusses the difficult process of getting the ‘N’ plate
aving a driver’s licence is a lot like having a passport to your own freedom. Being able to drive opens up a world of possibilities that simply can’t be appreciated until you are able to get behind that wheel and go where the wind takes you. However, there is a tedious process that everyone has to go through before being able to drive without the constant critical gaze of a parent or instructor in the passenger seat next to you that costs a pretty penny also. While it is quite understandable that the government don’t want just anybody to be allowed drive on a whim and go through the front wall of a house, as the Southside People reported in January, the stress of the whole process can put many people off earning our license. What’s probably more daunting to potential learners is the sheer amount of money that they will have to cough up to get out on the road. Under current legislation, learner drivers must complete 12 lessons with a qualified instructor, with the Irish School of Motoring offering these for the hefty price of €399. This is only after passing the driver theory test, which will set you back €45 each time you take it. Unfortunately, many of us fail this repeatedly before being successful. After 12 lessons most would be unlikely to pass the full
driving test. So learners have two options; pay for more lessons which cost €30- €40 a pop, or buy insurance for a car themselves or be put onto the insurance for someone else’s car. As most of us are aware, neither option is cheap. Doing a pre-test is recommended by most instructors before taking the actual test, with Airport Driving School offering a two-hour lesson for €100. This could save you money if it succeeds in preventing you from failing the test multiple times, which costs €80 a go, but it still hurts to know you could spend that much money and fail the test. With an average pass rate across the country of 53 per cent, most of us can expect to do the test twice, with some unlucky people having to take it several times. </span> While it can be expensive, Sean Connolly, a Third Year Business Studies student who is currently doing an INTRA with Volkswagen, believes that having a licence and owning a car yourself is a worthy investment. “[It provides] Freedom, you don’t have to be asking your parents for lifts and all that craic.”
Connolly has had second thoughts about owning a car, but for him, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. “Sometimes I wonder... I’ve to put about 40 quid in the car a week and then you’ve got your NTC... but I think the freedom outweighs the cost.” Owning a car is undoubtedly too expensive for most students, so it would only be feasible until after college. However, if you can afford the lessons and the test, it might not be the worst idea to set yourself up for the future.
Surviving being sober in college Hugh Farrell writes about the struggle to socialise while staying sober
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taying sober in college can sound like a nightmare for some or just the way it is for others. Whether it be by choice or for reasons out of your control, going about college life without drinking is far from the typical experience. The biggest issue with not drinking is socialising. College life in Ireland revolves heavily around alcohol consumption and even if you’re not, it’s safe to say your friends will be. With it being such a big part of social events it can be hard to distance yourself from it completely. If you end up being sick for a while and can’t drink you’re left with the option of either not going out or going out sober. The big issue with going out sober is that you tend to realise why a lot of people probably shouldn’t drink. Having your wits about you while listening to people who are running on about 50 per cent can actually get old very quickly. While a lot of people are fine when they’re drunk, it’s the ones who aren’t that you tend to notice more with a clear head. Even if you’re usually the soberish one of your friend group who ends up keeping an eye on everyone, the nights out are definitely more bearable with a few pints. While it’s definitely cheaper, there’s a misconception around the idea that staying sober doesn’t cost a thing. The reality behind that is just that you end up paying for the classics of a night out entry/tickets if you’re going to an event, transport to and from and probably some food after. So if you’re doing this you’re actually just paying this to watch your friends enjoy themselves. Is drink necessary to have a good time? Absolutely not. Is it more preferable when everyone around is drinking? Without a doubt. The benefits of not drinking for social occasions are essentially just not feeling as rough the next day and the potential for a better quality of conversation but the typical night out means that you’ll be up late enough that you’re still likely to miss that early lecture and the quality
of conversation with those around you won’t require that much brain capacity. While most of this might sound like a complaint about drinking, the truth is that it’s just a way of saying that you can’t enjoy the same social activities with your friends if you’re not drinking and they are. Having to stay sober for a while means that you have to be pickier with the nights out. The weekly trips to Copper Face Jack’s and Dicey’s might turn into only going to the pre-drinks and maybe going out after if there’s a special occasion. If you’re not drinking, it could be the perfect time to take up an activity, join a society or work harder at something you usually do. If you’re not drinking because of illness, options become limited and you just need to plough through.
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Having to stay sober for a while means that you have to be pickier with the nights out. The weekly trips to Coppers and Dicey’s might turn into only going to the pre-drinks and maybe going out after if there’s a special occasion.
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Food
Grub Guide- ThunderRoad
Emily Sheahan tells us about the newest diner to grab some grub in Temple Bar.
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Hard Rock rip-off? Situated almost directly across from The Hard Rock Cafe, ThunderRoad Cafe in Temple Bar has its competition cut out for it. Can this Dublin diner compete with its classier and world-renowned older sister? ThunderRoad Cafe is an American themed restaurantdiner with TVs and nick-nacks galore. Temple Bar proves to be, however, big enough for the both of them. There were plenty of free tables at around 8:30 on a Wednesday night but the venue did fill up swiftly. While the menu doesn’t stray far from the American theme, it does have a wide variety of options; gracing the menu with pasta, burgers, steaks, salads, Tex Mex, and an array of specials and starters. It’s most recent claim to fame is the launch of it’s Union and Darko Special burgers - based around the vegan Moving Mountains burger that bleeds like a rare steak. The bloody burgers joined ThunderRoad Cafe’s menu in early February and have built a national profile for themselves since. The Moving Mountains burger also has added Vitamin B12, a vitamin found in animal products which many vegetarians and vegans take in supplements. The burger contains mushrooms, wheat, soy proteins, and beetroot juice which makes the burger bleed red. The Veggie Burger is another option that should be considered when ordering. Unlike the Moving Mountains burgers, this burger doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. With a falafel-like texture, it’s very obviously not meat
- but it is full of flavour. At €14.95, the Veggie Burger was the cheapest of the vegetarian options. A salad would cost the same and a steak would see guests spending anywhere between €24.95 and €36.95. However, the vegetarian options are limited to burgers, with even the salads all containing meat. The decor is impossible to miss. You won’t find two of the same thing, with statues, ornaments, and artwork scattered across the restaurant. The large American flag on the ceiling is an all but subtle reminder of the theme of the restaurant in case the motorcycles and guns passes one by. It’s a bit more homemade than the Hard Rock, but is unmistakably similar. As abrasively American as it is, ThunderRoad Cafe does narrowly avoid tackiness. The lighting is dim and relaxed and the tables are well spaced apart. As long as you know what you’re getting into - the all American experience- the atmosphere can’t be faulted, especially among the right company. If you had any doubts, they can be quickly brushed aside with the extensive and impressive drinks menu. At €9.90 each the cocktails are not the cheapest, but certainly cheerful. They don’t hold back in terms of size or alcohol content. The frozen margarita is a refreshing dessert in a cocktail glass and the pina coladas will keep you coming back. The service is quick, thorough and gives the person dining a sense of control with a device that changes colour and indicates to staff that you’re ready to order when flipped upside down. The central location also
allows for quick access to nearby pubs after the restaurant closes at 11:30 pm or 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. While you will need to be prepared to splash out a bit of change to get the full American dining experience, ThunderRoad Cafe is an ideal location for a smart-casual meal, gettogether, or Galentine’s date.
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It’s most recent claim to fame is the launch of it’s Union and Darko Special burgers
Ireland bin wasting food for too long Callum Lavery discusses food waste in Ireland and what homes can do to keep food on their table and money in their pocket.
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very year tonnes of edible food is thrown out in Ireland. Now the country beginning to feel the impacts both environmentally and economically. In Ireland, over one million tonnes of food waste is disposed of each year with around one third of this coming from Irish households. Every home in the country is responsible for one tonne of food waste, costing each home between €400 and €1,000 every year. Of all the food thrown out by Irish household 60 percent is classified as avoidable food waste, such as plate scrapings, leftovers, and rotten fruit and veg. However, Ireland is not the only contributor to food waste, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) calculates that 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted each year, directly contributing to food shortages, water stress, unnecessary biodiversity loss, and increased greenhouse gas emissions with 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2 being released every year. Around 1.4 billion hectares of land, equivalent to 28 per cent of the world’s agricultural area or 200 Irelands, is used to produce food that is then lost or wasted. As a result of all this, the economic losses associated with global food loss, excluding seafood, are estimated to reach €550bn a year. This at a time when the global population is getting ever bigger and putting a huge strain on the existing food supplies. To combat rising global food waste locally, a zero waste movement is emerging in Ireland with shops striving to remove excess packaging and unnecessary large
portions of perishable food to combat food waste. Owner of Small Changes Wholefoods store Drumcondra Peader Rice spoke to The College View about food waste in the country. “It’s a huge problem, the fact that there if food being produced and being wasted when there are so many people living in poverty.” “Then of course you have the environmental impacts of food being dumped and methane gas being released.” Rice blames the way supermarkets package and sell food to the public as one of the reasons for food waste. “One of the huge problems is the way food is sold, you might be living on your own or have a small family and when you go into the supermarket, things like carrots might be sold in three or four kilo bags. But you may very well use only three or four carrots and the rest sit in the fridge or on the counter, goes off and eventually dumped.” “The whole idea of convenience, and everything being prepacked, that is where the problem has arisen from.” “The way that supermarkets and chains market their foods like buy two or get one free and you think that it’s a bargain, but you mightn’t necessary use all that.” The Meath native said that all it takes to lower food waste in the home is planning, determination and buying only what you need in bring-your-own-container stores like Small Changes.
“Prepare, look and plan, it takes a bit of time and a bit of effort. For example my wife at the beginning of each week will plan out the meals and buy accordingly to suit that. Also people can shop in places like small changes, if you want one Kiwi you can buy one Kiwi, if you want two potatoes that is what you get. Everything here is loose.” “Around 40 years ago, this (Small Changes) wouldn’t have been the exception, every shop would have been like this. Our teas and coffees are loose. People used to come in and ask for so many pounds of tea, they can do that here, only we measure in grams now.”
Travel
Travelling tips with StephMyLife Lorna Lawless interviews travel blogger Stephanie Barry-Woods to get her advice on how to travel on a budget.
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ork native Stephanie Barry-Woods is a travel blogger who has travelled to 23 countries in 30 months and is currently based in Bali. Stephanie has years of experience with travelling while on a budget so she let us on all the tips. If you’re debating travelling after you graduate, you need to consider how you are going to fund it. “We had to do it all the cheap way, but we actually didn’t work for the first ten months when we were away, that was our plan. We wanted to save up enough so we didn’t have to work for the first year”. Budgeting can be difficult when the goal seems unattainable, but meeting smaller goals with a treat at the end is a brilliant way to save while keeping your social life going. “Give yourself a goal and when you reach it, treat yourself. “I actually broke it down by day, that whole method of putting money away when I got paid didn’t ever work. I don’t think it works, you might feel like crap because you’ve pulled from the savings but you really just haven’t prepared well enough. “I broke it all down, how much we were earning and spreadsheeted the whole thing. I feel like that’s the only way you could do it,” she said. Saving for long-term like moving away or travelling for a long period of time can be extremely difficult, but if you’re accounting for it daily and you are aware of it, the goal becomes reality. “I broke it down by day and then I could see where I was spending all my money and then figure out if I
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was really careful, how much I could save if I was kinda careful, and then let myself have blowouts.
In your mind you’re meeting these tiny goals and your saying to yourself right I’m going to get €2000 and when I get there, I can go out for cocktails with my friends to this rooftop bar I’ve really wanted to go to “In your mind, you’re meeting these tiny goals and your saying to yourself right I’m going to get to 2,000 and when I get there, I can go out for cocktails with my friends to this rooftop bar I’ve really wanted to go to, then there’s another goal in like 3-4 weeks instead of saying I want to save 50,000 in two years because you’re not going to do that”. When asked if she would recommend Asia, Stephanie
had no doubts. “I thought we’d come here and wouldn’t stay that long but we’ve been here since the end of May and I’m really loving it. “Australia I just wouldn’t recommend to anybody who is starting off, it’s awesome but it’s so expensive. Unlike Asia, you see, do, eat and drink and get around for pennies. You can even fly internally for like 20 quid and that’s the part you won’t get in Australia. It’s so much easier in Asia.” Stephanie has started her own business through her website and is now starting her own Bali tours and offering a service of personal travel planning. “For your first trip it’s a really good idea because you can see the planning process, I plan it with people on Facetime, you get an idea of how to plan. “The thing you have to overcome is that moment of like I want to go there, but I’ve no idea how to go about it, tours and group tours basically get you there.” Stephanie built her brand on Instagram initially but now her business is starting to thrive. “I receive no direct income from Instagram... just 30 per cent is coming from Instagram swipe up links and everything else is coming from Google and direct links to my website. “I use affiliate links on my website for Amazon and for hotels, but one point is I’ve never got a free hotel stay and I’ve never got a free product that I use for backpacking ever.” Stephanie’s website ‘Stephmylifetravel.com’ is a treasure trove of information for all things Asia, Australia and more. Check it out if you’re debating whether to take the plunge before entering into that nine to five job.
Gap year gains
Lorna Lawless discusses how it’s possible to gain life experience travelling without breaking the bank.
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icro gap- ‘A short break with an itinerary that is experience, challenge and adventure-rich offering all the developmental, and experiential opportunities that a traditional gap year would entail but instead in a few days’ As ‘Generation Z’ we tend to opt towards the office job rather than the year-long gap year. This can be due to funds, job opportunity, and some of us are just happy to stay near the green fields of Éire. With complications with Visas heading across the pond, sometimes it just isn’t worth the massive amount of time or money. In turn, you would definitely gain some major life experience, but end up broke. What if somebody said, it’s possible to gain the same experiences without breaking the bank? As we are coming to the end of the college semester, it’s time to start considering plans for the future. Do you do the masters? Do you pack it up for the year and make the move? Do you start prepping yourself to enter the working world? The world is more accessible than ever so why not travel as much possible, for as little as possible. Europe is at our fingertips here in Ireland. It is easy to get there quickly and at a cheap rate and with no Visa issues how could it not be appealing? It’s time to start taking advantage of the bank holiday weekends, midterms and reading weeks. A few small breaks spread across the year will allow you to recharge your batteries, over and over again. Now to be totally honest, it isn’t clear who coined the term ‘Micro-gap’ but Visit England seem to be the one’s majorly promoting the idea. The organisation used the #MyMicrogap campaign to “target young people with ex-
periences and activities typically taken during a gap-year that can be condensed into a micro-holiday”. Have you ever wanted to drive through the Ring of Kerry, or see the Cliffs of Moher? It’s time to stop making excuses, because of time limitations. Plan a micro-gap one weekend every few months and just do it.
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The world is more accessible than ever so why not travel for as much as possible, for as little as possible. Social media makes it easier than ever before to do quality sightseeing. Thanks to the internet it’s easy to research the best bucket-list places to go and navigate there easily without much expense. Today, life experience is everything. It is priceless and exactly what employers look for. It helps broaden the mind in a way unattainable by staying in the same place. Apps which are useful to have downloaded before leaving to avoid massive mobile phone rates abroad
are Google Translate, XF Currency, Hostelworld and a cool website you need to check out called ThornTree which is part of lonelyplanet.com. In terms of Instagram inspiration and website content make sure to check out wheresmollie.com, where she gives stellar realistic budget travelling tips, and travel guides from across the world. Make the itinerary and plan where you want to eat, and sleep to experience the surroundings to their optimum level, then it will change the game when travelling. Planning ahead, doing the research, and choosing exactly where you want to go and when. If that means dropping the pin on google maps to avoid stress on the way, and writing out a to-do list for each day, it will be worth it. Read the blogs, budget the trip, and watch yourself travel more for less time and gain incredible experience.
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Fashion
Red Carpet Round-up
Award season is here and Nicole Cassidy is breaking down some of the most memorable looks.
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he red carpet season is an exciting time for the fashion industry. Who was the best dressed and what designer did they wear? There have been some stunning pieces worn on the red carpet over the last number of weeks. This awards season there has been plenty of sequences, tull, pinks and some one of a kind pieces. As fashion has evolved we can see male celebrities coming out of their comfort zone, adding that extra something to their outfit and moving away from the traditional suit. The Oscar took place on Sunday 24th of February and the A list celebrities dressed to impress at the Vanity Fair after party.
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Dua Lipa was another celebrity who looked amazing in another one of Versace’s designs. The singer was dressed in a silver sequence floor-length gown at the Grammy awards. Versace had multiple stunning pieces that were worn at the awards. Kiki Layne wore a beautiful structured light pink gown, the dress looked effortless on her. Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked amazing in her silver sequence Versace dress, the detail of the neckline and her slicked-back hair, was another timeless
piece from Versace. Shameik Anti Moore caught everyone’s attention is his tailored pink Versace suit. The double-breasted blazers black and gold buttons matched the detailing on his gold chain. It’s not every day we see a man in a pink suit but Shameik pulled it off. Dua Lipa was another celebrity who looked amazing in another one of Versace’s designs. The singer was dressed in a silver sequence floor-length gown at the Grammy awards. Kendal Jenner is known for not leaving much to the imagination when it comes to red carpet looks. The 23-year-old always looks stunning in her risky dresses. For the Vanity Fair after party, she wore a black and silver dress by Rami Kadi. Although the dress did not leave much to the imagination, Kendal was gorgeous on the night. Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez were one of the best-dressed couples of the award season so far. The couple wore Tom Ford, Jlo was breathtaking in her long sleeve silver mosaic dress. Alex looked very smart in his white tuxedo jacket paired with a white shirt black bow tie and black trousers. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper have been on everyone’s mind since the release of A Star is Born. Gaga was outstanding in her black Alexzander McQueen gown. The black strapless dress paired with black fulllength gloves was a classy look for Gaga. She has had several gorgeous gowns at the awards this year. It wouldn’t be awards season without some extrava-
gant looks. Cardi B and Billy Porter captured everyone’s attention with their looks this Red carpet season. Vogue recently did a video featuring Cardi and her look for the Grammys. The rapper wore vintage Theirry Mugler from their 1995 fall collection. The pearl inspired outfit was the original design from Mugler. They recreated the look for the event, Cardi had all details of the original look, including the pearls in her hair. This was one of the most amazing looks at the Grammy awards, it is definitely one to be remembered. Billy Porter left Glenn Close speechless in his tuxedo gown at the Oscars. The actor is the first ever male to wear a gown to the awards ceremony. There were divided opinions about the gown, as his gender fluid fashion statement was a surprise for people on the night. Billy looked amazing in his velvet gown, the gown was by Christian Siriano. From all of the different looks that have been seen across the red carpet this year so far, Billy Porter is the most memorable to date.
The life and death of Karl Lagerfeld
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Caitlin Laird looks back on the life of Karl Lagerfeld.
t’s not every day that the death of a world-renowned fashion mogul occurs. We look back on the life of Karl Lagerfeld. Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most well-known fashion designers in the world. He was born in Germany in 1933 and from an early age, he knew that he belonged in fashion. Lagerfeld always had an interest in drawing and often critiqued what other people wore. At the age of 14 he moved to Paris and after just two years, he sent in a range of sketches and fabric samples to a design competition where he won first place. From there on out he worked his way up through the fashion industry to where he then became a fashion icon. He became the creative director for one of the biggest fashion brands, Chanel in 1983. He worked for other fashion designers like Pierre Balmain and also Jean Patou, where he worked on Haute Couture collections. In 1984 Lagerfeld launched his own brand called ‘Karl Lagerfeld’ which he said would convey “Intellectual sexiness”. In 2005 he sold his brands to Tommy Hilfiger, yet he still kept
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full design involvement. Whoever is to take over as the new director of his eponymous brand is still unknown. Karl Lagerfeld was also the creative director for Fendi, another major fashion brand, for over 54 years. At Milan Fashion Week this year, just two days after Lagerfeld passed away, Fendi closed their show with Lagerfeld’s last collection for the fashion brand. Fendi said the collection represented “a lifetime of dedication and creation”. Lagerfeld not only dealt with clothing but was also involved in eyewear. In 2011 he designed a collection of eyewear for a Swedish company called Orrefors. The range of glasses matches his own style as they are big and vary in colour from black, white and also clear. Lagerfeld was also an author, writing many books. One that stands out is his book ‘Diet’ that reveals how Lagerfeld lost around 80 pounds in a year. He wasn’t happy with his look anymore so he decided to change that by going on a diet and in the book there are 120 recipes, devised by Dr. Jean-Houdret. It is a guide to healthy living as well as revealing some of Lagerfeld’s tips on staying fit. Lagerfeld inspired and influenced
many people including a lot of high-top celebrities in the music and film industry. Gigi Hadid who modeled his last collection for Fendi said “There will never be another Karl Lagerfeld. Every second with you was an honor, joy,
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In 2005 he sold his brands to Tommy Hilfiger, yet he still kept full design involvement. Whoever is to take over as the new director of his eponymous brand is still unknown. and inspiration”. Donatella Versace also shared kind words about Lagerfeld. “Karl your genius touched the lives of so many, especially Gianni and I. We will never forget your incredible talent and endless inspiration.” Other stars were also wearing some of Lagerfeld’s work at the 2019 Oscars, including husband and wife Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet. Karl Lagerfeld passed away at the age of 85 with a long and successful career that will live on forever, through his influence and boldness in the fashion world.
Lifestyle and beauty
Dublin’s best spots for fades and trims Mikey Walsh tells us where you can get the freshest fade in Dublin.
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etting a fresh haircut for some is a great feeling, giving them the confidence to take on the world and look good doing it. But going to a new barber can be a daunting thought. Not knowing if the barber is going to give you a fade that Will Smith would be jealous of can leave anyone questioning their decision, as they wait in line to hear the “who’s next” call. Sitting there watching every swipe of the blade eagerly, inspecting each cut despite not knowing anything about the process of how to actually cut hair properly. It can be an intimidating experience for anyone to get a trim from someone they don’t know but don’t fret, here’s The College View’s Guide to Dublin’s best beard trims and fades. The Waldorf Barber Shop located on Westmoreland street is the quintessential place to get a cut in Dublin City Centre. The old style decor gives the place a sense of heritage as though it’s from the 1940’s, but fear not, it doesn’t leave your hair looking 80 years behind the times. If you’re ok with spending that extra little bit of money on an experience, then this traditional establishment has great Barbers and great character, leaving customers with a tight fade and a tremendous experience. Sam’s Barbers, a family run barbershop chain, does everything needed for its customers to maintain a fresh look. This group of business’ caters nicely to the re-emergence of the beard offering whole beard trims
with a wash, hot towel and blow dry for €20. A hair wash and cut will set customers back a hefty €30 but for the quality and experience it is worth it if your budget isn’t tight. With five locations all around Dublin a Sam’s Barbers is never too far away.
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Sam’s Barbers, a family run barbershop chain, does everything needed for it customers to maintain a fresh look.
The Grafton Barbers has 41 stores across 9 counties making it the largest chain of Barbers in Ireland and the UK and a household name. They’re not hard to find when looking for a reasonably priced haircut from an experienced barber. Their student deal, which is available Monday-Friday before 12pm makes the cut affordable at just a tenner for a dry cut. They offer a complimentary beer on arrival, enough to make any man come back again. Its a tattoo parlour, it’s a barber shop, and it’s even a coffee shop, The Ink Factory on Wellington Quay has everything needed to make its customers stay for a whole day and have a great time. You can book in advance which means no waiting in line listening the guy in front have a lovely conversation with the Barber while staring at the clock. This place has a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere with a bit of a buzz (pun intended) about the place. Being the highest rated barbershop in Dublin on Yelp is reason enough to pay The Fireplace Barbershop on South William Street a visit. Careful attention to every customer coming in the door and cold craft beer or coffee on offer sets the precedent with what is a very pleasant experience. If a bit of pampering is needed then this is the place with a “consultation” included in the price of the cut. The Barbers know what each customer plans to do with their hair and beard and cut them accordingly.
Clean space, clean mind?
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Clara Caslin tells us how to declutter our space.
messy bedroom can leave a person feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Clutter makes it more difficult to relax and signals to our brains that our work is never done. A bedroom should be a peaceful retreat, after all, it is where we sleep and relax. Fortunately, clutter is one of the easiest stressors to fix but seeing so much of it in one space can actually make us feel unable to handle it. Put on some music, light a scented candle and stand in the bedroom and visualise it the way that makes it cosy and clean. Clear section-by-section and stick to one part so that the room doesn’t end up worse than it did to begin with! Have some black bin bags or boxes handy so that they can be filled with things that are not needed anymore. The best place to start is with clothes. If they are lying around the floor, pick them up and put them all where they should be. Put washing into baskets and hang up or fold what is clean. Three things that people let build up until they have nowhere to put them is clothes, books and DVDs. Go through them every few months and donate what isn’t wanted any more to charity. Try on clothes that have been hanging in the wardrobe and see if they still look good on. People change their style and don’t realise they’ve held onto items that will never be worn again. Piling everything onto the bed might seem like a good idea at the beginning but it can cause distraction. When you’re swimming in a mess at two in the morning and have to pull it all back onto the floor you realise that it definitely was not a good idea. Make the bed and this will
help prevent loading things onto it. It will also clear the cushions and blankets that are usually thrown onto the floor.
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When you’re swimming in a mess at two in the morning and have to pull it all back onto the floor you realise that it definitely was not a good idea.
As students, there can be a lot of paperwork around so shred what isn’t needed and put the others into folders as this will help when looking for certain notes. Get rid of the drinking glasses that pile up on tables and bin any old magazines. Makeup is one of those things that women collect a lot of but only keep what is really loved. If it’s not reached for most days then toss it and don’t forget old needs to be thrown away because of bacteria buildup and the same goes for face creams. Utilise under-the-bed space and store shoes, bags and summer or winter clothes (depending on the season). When dressers, night tables and desks are clear, clean
them down with antibacterial spray and clean any mirrors around the room. For the final step, hoover the floor and then place a maximum of three items of decoration on each. Write down a list of small cleaning jobs to do daily so that things don’t build up and the room goes back to square one.
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EXPOSURE
Night time horse and carriage rides. Captured in The Square, Krakow, Poland. Credit: Mikey Walsh.
Under the sea: Neon jellyfish, captured at the Dublin Zoo Lights. Credit: Jonathon Lynam.
A rare occurance: Super blood wolf moon. Taken in January 2019. Credit: Jonathon Lynam.
Glowing Chinese Lanterns: Taken in Brussels, Belgium. Credit: Alison Clair.
Pretty lights: Captured in the Faroe Islands. Credit: Sonja Tutty.
Image Credits Page 1: ? Page 2: TheUndefeated.com, Pitchofork.com Page 3: Celebmix.com, Youtube Page 4: Tomekah George, Grammy.com Page 5: Slashfilm.com, Columbiangwu.edu Page 6: TVInsider.com, Bustle.co Page 7: Unfspinnaker.com, Rachel Halpin Page 8: ?, Lifehacker.com Page 9: Sabrine Donohoe, Sonja Tutty Page 10: Eatingdisorders.org, Self.com Page 11: Alison Clair, Designtaxi.com Page 12: ??? Page 13: StephMyLife, Pinterest Page 14: Elle.com, Thebusinessoffashion Page 15: Andrewsbarbershop, Reclaiminghealth.com