The Hype Issue 6 by The College View

THE HYPE Liam Gallagher

New Years

Frozen II

Mental And Physical Health 11

Brittany Runs a Marathon

Best Christmas Markets in Europe

What’s on this week

Christmas Karaoke/Open Mic Dec 12th

All signs point to one last grand karaoke night to cap off the semester, but this time with a festive flair. All profit will be going to BelongTo, a notable Irish charity looking out for LGBT youth around the country. Admission costs €5 with the event tkaing place in The Venue in the U at 6pm

Christmas Night Dec 12th

A cosy Christmas night with LGBTA Soc! With festive treats, music and games all in CA124 on the Glasnevin campus from 6pm until 9pm. Happy Christmas

EVENING SWAP SHOP! Dec 12th

Swap shop in the evening for thos who can’t make the lunch time one! Bring clothes, get clothes, you know the deal. Located in the Hive on the Galsnevin campus 7 - 9pm.

CREDITS

Editor-In-Chief Brendan Fernando Kelly Palenque Deputy Editor-In-Chief & Arts Editor Áine O’Boyle Deputy Arts Editor Aoibhín Meghen Deputy Arts Editor Peter O’Neill Lifestyle Editor Róisín Maguire Deputy Lifestyle Editor Niamh Quinlan Deputy Lifestyle Editor Kevin O’Meara Images Editor Sonja Tutty Deputy Images Editor Joy Nwagiriga Hype Production Editor Jonathon Lynam CV Production Editor Sally Dobie Pg 3 Áine O’Boyle Pg 4 Anja Zauers Pg 5 Tadgh McNally Pg 7 Áine O’Boyle Pg 8 Aoife O’Brien Pg 9 &10 Roisin Maguire Pg 15 Sally Dobie Exposure Sonja Tutty

Culture

The Night Mayor issue of Dublin nightlife

Áine O’Boyle examines the Dublin nightlife scene and how it can be protected

n a recent interview with The College View, artist and illustrator, Stephen Heffernan, said that Dublin can often feel like a city that “doesn’t love you back,”. For many of those involved in the cultural sector, this statement accurately reflects the current atmosphere within the city. With more and more cultural spaces closing down and a lack of governmental support for those in the arts, Dublin’s cultural scene has become more hostile than ever. Deeply engrained within the culture of any city is its nightlife, and as the winter months fall upon us, the importance of nightlife becomes ever-more significant, as with fewer daylight hours many cultural activities are left to take place throughout the late evening and night. A general misconception surrounding the term “nightlife” is that it only refers to nightclubs and bars. The term “nightlife” instead refers to a vibrant scene of cultural activities that take place after dark, from concert and gigs, to gallery exhibitions, plays and theatre, and it is vital that night-time culture be protected in order for any city to thrive. In many major cities, a night mayor has been deployed to ensure that nightlife is protected and governed, and according to the night mayor of Amsterdam, Mirik Milan, the protection of nightlife in a city must first start with a conversation. “Get the clubs, the cultural spaces, and get them thinking about how the city’s nightlife should look.” he told The Irish Independent. Such conversations have already begun in Dublin city, with groups such as ‘Give us The Night’ campaigning for positive changes to nightlife in Ireland. The group is comprised of a number of independent volunteers, operating within the nighttime, with the majority of their campaigning resting on the music industry. Not only is a night-time industry of cultural significance to Dublin, it is also of economic importance to Ireland as a whole. Other European countries exhibit the yearly worth of their nightlife as a point of pride, with the UK’s night-time economy being valued at £66 billion, and Berlin’s clubbing industry alone being worth €1.5 billion. Yet, Ireland still fails to recognise the value of the night-time economy and has created an uninhabitable environment for nightlife to survive in with its draconian licensing laws. For those venues operating late at night, they must apply each month to a local court for licenses of which require the approval of a judge and a member of An Garda Siochana to obtain. These licenses cost a fee of €410, plus the cost of legal fees, for each night that the venue chooses to open late for, making it impossible for both small and medium sized businesses and venues to operate on a late-night license. Ireland’s archaic licensing laws have their roots in the deeply Catholic Irish society of the past. A society in which dance halls were overseen by priests and the practice of “immoral” carry-on at such events was deeply frowned upon by the Catholic Church.

With the separation of church and state being an ever-prevalent and ever-changing factor of Irish life, the outlook on nightlife could be one of the last remnants of the Catholic Church’s influence on Irish life. Often nightlife can be viewed as the opposite of culture, when one thinks of the clubbing scene in Dublin, images of people trawling down Harcourt street, drunk out of their wits, shouting and hollering after a night in Coppers can spring to mind. But much of this situation has been set by the licensing laws currently at play. If club venues and bars are allowed to operate later, every nightclub in the city is not then kicking people out as soon as the clock strikes 2.30 a.m. Instead, people leave as they choose, staggering the times that the streets become busy, making it safer to leave when you choose and not to mention relieving the burden placed upon McDonald’s staff when everyone suddenly makes a B-line for McNuggets after a night of drinking and dancing. The night mayor of Amsterdam said: “Nightlife is really often, in the old way of thinking, seen as a problem rather than an opportunity. I saw an opportunity for the city to work together with

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In many major cities, a night mayor has been deployed to ensure that nightlife is protected and governed

operators and also residents to create this dialogue. We set out on this quest for more respect for nightlife.” Earlier this year, Dublin City Council announced plans to establish a night mayor under the Dublin City Agreement 2019-2024, with the aim of promoting the cultural manifesto of Dublin as both a tourist location and as a place for real people to live and thrive. The agreement also proposed to deliver five per cent cultural, creative community space within the city, building upon the underutilised cultural resources that could be used to improve the lives of Dubliners. With the loss of a number of valuable cultural spaces within the city, from Hangar to District 8 and the Tivoli Theatre, a conversation around the issue is not simply enough and real action from Dublin City Council and the Irish government is required to implement serious change. Blindboy Boatclub said recently on The Late Late Show that “our cultural footprint is huge” here in Ireland. Therefore, it is now time for the government to tap into this resource and to value nightlife and culture as an integral part of Irish life. the college view The Hype |3

Music

Sigrid stuns in the 3Arena

Anja Zauers reviews Sigrid’s Irish concert as part of the Sucker Punch tour

inger-songwriter Sigrid Solbrakk Raabe recently blew away Irish audiences as she brought her Sucker Punch tour to life. The 23-year-old Norway native took to the 3Arena stage on Friday, November 22nd for her biggest headline arena show to date. The tour follows the release of her debut album, "Sucker Punch" which was released in March earlier this year. Support acts Moyka, a fellow Norwegian singer who recently released her debut EP, "Circles", along with British pop duo IDER warmed up the eager crowd who were not so patiently waiting for the main act of the night. Sigrid kicked off the show with the upbeat "Mine Right Now" followed by the powerful "In Vain" as she tells the crowd "I’m very honoured to be here". She then treated the audience with performances of "Schedules", "Plot twist" and "Sight of You" which was inspired after Sigrid’s stint at Electric picnic last year. The singer then graced the crowd with her famous anthem that is "Don’t Kill My Vibe" sending the audience into a frenzy as they sang their hearts out to what was more than likely the first song they ever listened to by the singer. Sigrid shared how good it felt to stand there and sing this song after people in a writing session once told her how they didn’t believe she had something to say. Throughout the entire concert, the Norwegian

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Throughout the entire concert, the Norwegian native kept the crowd in high spirits, as she skipped and danced around the stage, constantly interacting with her band consisting of a drummer, keyboard player, guitarist and backing vocals

native kept the crowd in high spirits, as she skipped and danced around the stage, constantly interacting with her band consisting of a drummer, keyboard player, guitarist and backing vocals. "I think we’re going to have a lot of fun tonight" shouted Sigrid as the crowd started chanting for the singer to sing "Sucker Punch." The singer slowed things down for a bit as she was left alone on stage with the keyboard to perform the powerful "Dynamite" and her latest single "Home to You". The crowd were completely entranced by the singer’s emotional performance as they waved their flashlights in the air, lighting up the arena. The singer got quite emotional, as she burst into tears and thanked the crowd saying how it was such an honour for her to be here. As the concert came to an end, the singer lashed out her two famous bangers, "Strangers" and "Don’t feel like crying", making an uplifting climax to what was a truly memorable show. As confetti filled the air, the singer and her band took to the front of the stage to their take their bow and danced off. However, she wasn’t quite yet finished as she ran back on to the stage and danced to Journey’s "Don’t Stop Believing" proclaiming her love to the crowd and waving an Irish flag in the air that a fan had given her. A humble, inspiring and talented young popstar, Sigrid is only beginning her career and she will undoubtedly do amazing things with it.

After all, Liam's our Wonderwall

Bradley Su looks back on Liam Gallagher’s latest Dublin gigs

rish-British rock'n'roll star and former Oasis lead singer, Liam Gallagher, came to Dublin to continue his UK and Ireland tour on Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th to promote his latest album "Why Me? Why Not." The 3Arena turned into a rock'n'roll hot spot for the two nights, with Liam initially planning on playing only one concert on Sunday, November 24th but adding an extra date due to popular demand. He partnered with PLUS1 so that €1 from every ticket went to organizations bringing dignity, equity and access to communities who need it. In addition, this warm-hearted rock‘n’roll star also asked people to help homeless this winter by donating a parka jacket early this month. After the performances of the supporting acts (Miles Kane, the Last Shadow Puppets and onetime Rascals frontman) Liam appeared at 9pm and the atmosphere in the arena reached its climax when he appeared on stage. Following the practice of the Oasis Band period, the gigs started with the song "Rock n' Roll Star". Half of his performance consisted of songs from his time in Oasis and a few songs from his debut solo studio album “As You Were” which was released two years ago. He also sang a few of the main songs from his new album “Why Me? Why Not.” He released this album, his second solo studio release, on September 20th, 2019 under record

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label Warner Records. The lead single of the album being “Shockwave”, which was released on June 6th, 2019 and became one of his biggest solo hits in general in the UK. This biblical single shot straight to the top of the Official Vinyl and Trending Charts. Another main single off of this album "The River" highlights the unique voice of Liam and calls for the gathering of contemporary struggles for change. Its anarchic attitude is aimed at the leaders of the organisation—from money-sucking MP's to vacant celebrities. The song lives up to his ambition for the album. As he stated, “I want the second album to be a step-up because the hardest thing to do is to make something the same, only better.” The album contains various styles of songs. “Now That I’ve Found You” is joyful and heartfelt, while “One of Us” is a song about family, friendship and a strong sense of belonging. There is an intriguing detail in the music video belonging to this song: when Liam walks into a house, there is the numerical string “28.08.09” which was the day when the Oasis band was dissolved. Fans may be able to start looking forward to the reconciliation of the Gallagher brothers and Oasis ten years after they split. The atmosphere of the two concerts was extremely frenetic. Some fans close to the stage also lit flares, leading to Gallagher asking them to take care after recent incidents. He also played jokes with fans between songs,

with the gig ending successfully on the song “Cigarettes & Alcohol”, which is the classic work of “Definitely Maybe”, the first album of Oasis.

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Half of his performance consisted of songs from his time in Oasis and a few songs from his debut solo studio album “As You Were” which was released two years ago

Music

The LOST boys have found their way upon the Dublin nightlife scene Conor Breslin on the up and coming DJ collective, LOST

obody ever said the music industry was going to be easy. The reality for artists trying to make it is that there are, on average, over 20,000 new songs uploaded to Spotify, Apple Music, and other major music streaming services every day. It’s a figure that upcoming artists may not want to hear but can’t ignore, however, it still doesn’t stop some artists from trying to make it. Throughout the chaotic wildness and drunken affairs that are associated with Dublin city nightlife, there is also the hard and often inspiring work created by the nightclub DJ’s, among them are a group called LOST, a faction of upcoming DJ’s, some with close links to DCU. Rossa Doherty, who goes by the DJ name “Pagan” recalls the grassroots of the group and where it all started. “LOST began at the end of my first year in college. Despite being focused on running our own nights, our first regular gig was actually run by someone else, and we were booked as the resident DJ’s in Opium on Wednesday nights. Those initial first gigs were a great starting off point, as we had to quickly adapt to each other’s style of DJ’ing, as well as curating the line-up in the fairest way we could.” he said. “Then, just before the Christmas break, we

finally found a venue that would take us and we began planning for our Dublin launch night.” From the beginning, LOST knew they had to stand out if they wanted any sort of longevity, so they invested the money they had earned from the opium residency into the production side of the night. “The event ran really smoothly in the end, and I think as a result of our efforts in finding a unique venue, having the place look great, and our residents playing great sets, there was a good buzz about LOST from that point on. We went on to run two more sold-out events that semester, as well as being booked for a variety of other student events, like the Style Soc’s Fashion Show afterparty, and the student race day after-party in Tramline,” Doherty said. However, no great business goes without its challenges and difficulties, and the music business is no exception. There is no denying that it’s a strange time to be a collective in Dublin. On one hand, you’ve got the biggest number of people that enjoy house and techno that the country has seen in maybe 20 years, as is demonstrated with the success of festivals like Life

and Boxed Off. However, it’s becoming harder and harder for smaller collectives like LOST to put on shows in Dublin. “DJ’s fees are rising astronomically, more competition seems to be cropping up weekly, and worst of all, all of our favourite clubs are shutting down. Venues like Hangar, or smaller ones like the Bernard Shaw and South William, are a terrible loss for the city. These days, we’re having to book venues months in advance, or take chances on dates that could be dodgy, just because you won’t get a venue otherwise,” said Doherty. LOST however, hope to continue their hard work into 2020 with their first night in Wigwam, one of Dublin’s most iconic underground venues, on December 12th. As well as that, LOST hope to continue to bring international guests over. “Despite the ups and downs, it’s a great feeling being able to book an act that you’ve loved for ages, and then showing your crowd why they should love them too! We’re still loving what we do, and are looking forward to growing LOST in 2020,” said Doherty.

Denzel Curry makes his return to Ireland in Helix performance Tadgh McNally attend’s Denzel Curry’s latest Ireland gig

n one of the first stops of his ZUU European tour, Denzel Curry took The Helix by storm on Thursday, December 5th. Curry makes his return to Ireland not long after his last two Irish gigs. One, which took place in the Olympia late last December, as well as a show during Longitude 2019. It was at this show in July, where he injured himself after falling off the stage during his set. Curry laughed it off at the beginning of the show, commenting on how different he is now compared to the last show. He mentioned his now short hair, his improved fitness level and the now healed leg that he injured. It was an eventful evening even before the opening act began, with The Helix being evacuated due to a fire alarm going off inside. Not too long after, however, the crowd reentered the venue to see opener guapdad4000. The opener was a short and sweet set, with plenty of crowd interaction by guapdad4000. He managed to pick up a Republic of Ireland jersey from the front row of the crowd, and was quickly belting out “Costa Rica” dressed in green. The crowd contracted quickly as Curry emerged to the opening sample of “ZUU”, the title track of his latest album. Mosh pits formed as the track hit the main chorus and the bass exploded across the venue. Immediately after finishing “ZUU”, Curry transitioned to “RICKY” and blasted the crowd with distorted vocals and synthetic beats. Curry was in great form across the entire gig, hyping the

crowd with his performance on the stage and his lyricism. He didn’t stay strictly to his own songs either, performing “Look At Me!” by the late controversial rapper XXXTentacion. Not only that, but he performed his half of the track “Psycho”, which was a collaboration with British rapper Slowthai. The horror soundtrack style of the song translated fantastically to the stage, with Curry flying around the stage at top speed. His critically acclaimed song, “CLOUT COBAIN” off his critically acclaimed album “TA13OO”, received roars from the crowd as Curry started it. At some point around halfway through the gig, an Irish flag was tossed up on the stage, which Curry quickly picked up and bounced about the stage waving it above him. Chants of “olé” had also erupted throughout the venue at multiple times. The crowd went absolutely berserk has Curry played one of his most well recognised songs, “Ultimate”, before leaving the stage. Mosh pits opened immediately as the first beats of the track came on over the speakers. Curry unleashed a flurry of energy as he belted out bar after bar of the song as the crowd threw themselves around like ragdolls. Fans weren’t waiting long before Curry returned to the stage for a final tune, with his cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade”. The crowd was whipped into a frenzy as the final lines of the song played, with even more chants of “one more tune”. The whole show was stellar, with Curry’s powerful energy and the amazing setlist elevating

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a flurry of energy as he belted out bar after bar of the song as the crowd threw themselves around like ragdolls the college view The Hype |5

Music

How celebrities are shaping politics

Aoibhín Meghen looks at the ways in which celebrities can endorse politics

tormzy has pledged his support for Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn as the UK general election fast approaches, but should musicians and other celebrities be promoting election candidates? The British rapper, singer and songwriter endorsed Corbyn in an Instagram post on November 25th, in which he encouraged people to register to vote and said Corbyn was “the first man in a position of power who is committed to giving the power back to the people.” “I think Boris Johnson is a sinister man,” Stormzy went on to say. The rapper emphasised that this statement was all his own views and that he did not care if people love of hated them. “I think it’s important that we use our vote to make sure that the person who runs our country for the next 4 years is someone committed to doing what is right.” But should musicians and other celebrities be using their platforms and status to endorse political views? Throughout the 2016 American presidential race, many celebrities advertised their voting choice across social media and at the moment

aylor Swift has been writing and performing narrative songs about her personal life since she was 14-yearsold, but she propelled to superstardom in 2008 with her Grammy Award winning album “Fearless”. The “Love Story” singer has since evolved from country music songstress to one of the biggest female pop artists in the world. “Fearless” was released by Big Machine Records who represented Swift until she left the record label in 2018 for Republic Records. This is when the drama started. A key part of Swift’s move to Republic was that she would own all the masters recordings of her new songs going forward. When Taylor was signed by Big Machine in 2006 she was not given this luxury, meaning she didn’t officially own the songs she wrote in her bedroom as a teen and leaving the label meant leaving her masters too. Swift displayed her move quite publicly on Instagram and Tumblr. Some fellow musicians, like Selena Gomez, applauded her bravery. While others, like Justin Bieber, scolded her for “dissing” his manager Scooter Braun and founder of Big Machine, Scott Borchetta. Swift commented that Braun, who then bought her masters, had tormented her in the past with his client Kanye West. Braun had allowed his client Kanye West to feature Swift in a revenge porn music video and illegally record phone calls with Swift. Bieber added fuel to the fire by reposting a picture of himself and Braun captioned “Taylor Swift what

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as November 2020 fast approaches celebrities like Ariana Grande are endorsing the upcoming presidential candidates. Sally Dobie is from the UK and will be voting in the general election this week. She says that she wouldn’t be swayed by a celebrity endorsement but is very glad that influential figures are expressing their opinion. “Not so much now but five years ago young people hardly voted, maybe their favourite celebrity promoting it might be a positive thing,” said Dobie. There is however a lot of risk in these celebrity endorsements as some of the people they would influence to vote may not know the policies they are voting for. Fans and even just the general public put a lot of trust in celebrities, particularly young people. Young people are the most open to celebrity influence as many of them may be new to voting and wont have prior knowledge into candidates. This may cause them to vote blindly as they trust the people that they follow. Musicians and artists engaging with politics is not a new phenomenon. Music has played a huge part in politics or political agendas throughout

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The Beatles and many other bands often used their music in a very politically charged way

history. The Beatles and many other bands often used their music in a very politically charged way. Even in Ireland bands like The Cranberries sang about the war Northern Ireland and Sinead O’Connor spoke out about the Catholic Church. However the difference between musicians of the past and modern artists is that in the past, none of them had the personal and influential reach of social media. Through social media platforms artists are less nuanced about expressing their political views and also celebrity influencers, actors, and almost anyone with an Instagram account can endorse their political views with a massive audience. Despite these issues, celebrities do have the right idea in encouraging their fans to register to vote. In the last few years there has been a huge push on social media for individuals to register themselves to vote and this started in 2016 when celebrities spoke out in mass before the US election. However, it is important that people always do their own research into candidates as well as maybe taking advice or influence from a celebrity. Making an informed choice is the most important thing.

The bad blood between Taylor Swift and Big Machine Records Isabella Finn looks at the feud between Taylor Swift and her old record company up”. Bieber was then accused of “bullying” and half apologised for his post saying labels owning a musician’s work isn’t right, but Braun has nothing to do with her Big Machine feud. But Swift’s feud with Big Machine is partly because of Braun, right? Ok, Justin. Borchetta responded that Swift had an opportunity to buy her masters and that all shareholders were alerted before her masters went on sale. Taylor Swift isn’t a shareholder of Big Machine, but her father Scott Swift is. Borchetta also stated on the label’s website that Taylor Swift could have owned all her works if she had signed a new contract and not left. Ahead of her AMA’s performance and acceptance of her “Artist of the Decade” award, Swift took to social media again stating that Borchetta and

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Swift commented that Braun, who then bought her masters, had tormented her in the past with his client Kanye West

Braun will not let her perform her old songs on television. One of the most memorable parts of Swift’s Reputation concert in Croke Park was when she pulled out a guitar and jammed to “You Belong With Me”. Soon enough her fans spoke out in her defence, begging to let Swift perform her biggest hits. Big Machine then deflected the claim that legally they cannot stop Swift performing her songs live. Braun responded to this saying that he would prefer to resolve the rest of this social media war “directly and respectfully”. Either way, Swift performed her big hits and went on to break the record of most AMA’s won. Did Taylor Swift know Big Machine were trouble when they walked in? Obviously not.

Film & TV

The magic is still alive in Disney’s Frozen II

Isabella Finn reviews Frozen II, the highly anticipated sequel to a modern classic

rozen II had big shoes to fill following its release in November. The first Frozen film was released in 2013, grossing $1.27 billion, making it the most successful and biggest animated film of all time. Six years on from the “Let It Go” music machine and Olaf plush toys are still being sold worldwide. The first film retells the story of Hans Christen Anderson’s tale the Snow Queen but with a twist, Elsa is not a villain. Frozen seems to only borrow the idea of a monarch with mystical ice powers – the rest is pure Disney. Frozen even strayed from tradition of a prince saving the day, instead, the royal sisters save themselves. Frozen II begins the same as its predecessor with young Anna and Elsa playing. Although the characters animation is almost identical to that of six years ago, we immediately see a new fluidity to the characters movements, a clear development of new technologies. Following an enchanting lullaby sang by the princess’s mother Queen Iduna, it becomes clear that this is the same night as the ‘build a snowman’ incident, the opening of the first film. When we meet the more familiar adult versions of the beloved characters you can instantly sense the calm before the storm. Anna in particular is not the happy go lucky character that the audience is used to. Instead she is

tense and worried. She is clawing out of her role as the little sister and desperately tries to control her surroundings the best she can. A stark contrast to the optimistic princess we all know. In fact, all of the characters seem more mature. Olaf even takes a moment to break the fourth wall and address that the audience has also grown with them. Forecasting that change is coming and to just do the “next right thing” – did you catch that? Elsa on the other hand is being haunted by a siren’s call. A call, she is convinced, belongs to someone just like her and who needs her help. Because of this Elsa ventures ‘Into the Unknown’ of the enchanted forest, where we meet our Pocahontas story line. I’ll say no more. All of these characters experience a whole evolution of growth emotionally, and even though they’re cartoons the vocal performances given are more realistic than some actors could physically give. Kristoff makes a brief appearance in the film but the storyline didn’t concern him as much as the sisters. However, every moment Jonathon Groff’s character is on the screen is iconic. Groff finally got the solo he deserved and he nailed it. Kristoff was really well written in this installment; he openly expressed that his love for Anna was not fragile and in her time of peril he did not swoop in to save the day. He asked her what she needed and how could he help. Now. That is a man I respect.

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Only time will tell if Frozen II’s new music will be as memorable as “Let It Go”

Only time will tell if Frozen II’s new music will be as memorable as ‘Let It Go’ but Queen Iduna’s lullaby is clearly an anthem. I have been humming it to myself for a week now. Frozen II is without a doubt a beautiful sequel that expands on the story that its audience adores. Although it has darker undertones than the first, it is a stunning tribute to the mythical fairy tale and explores human relationships in way that is accessible to both children and adults. It’s guaranteed to make your heart melt.

Klaus is a heartwarming Christmas film with a lot to say

Emily Clarke tells us about Klaus, the heartwarming film of the season

laus is a heartwarming animated Christmas movie for the entire family to enjoy. Released as a Netflix original movie, Klaus gives a new take on the origin of Santa Claus, exploring valuable lessons of love, happiness, grief and compassion. Set in a time before Santa Claus, Klaus follows the journey of a young postman, Jesper, voiced by Jason Schwartzman. He lives his life surrounded by people who tend to his every whim. His father becomes fed up of his lazy ways and sends him to the island of Speerensburg, with the challenge of delivering 6,000 letters in year. Jesper soon learns that Speerensburg is a place of hatred, built on feuds and grudges. When he discovers a reclusive, frightening toy maker, Mr. Klaus, the postman accidentally leaves behind a drawing of a young boy trapped in his house. Mr. Klaus, played by J.K. Simmons, decides to deliver a toy to this boy, in an attempt to cheer him up. Once Jesper realises he can persuade children to send letters in exchange for a gift, he begins to work closely with Mr. Klaus. Soon, children begin to realise only good children get toys and they start to help their neighbours and attend school. Seeing this change in community, over a small act of kindness is moving for both Jesper and the audience. Jesper grows to love Speerensburg as he forms new friendships and spreads joy alongside Mr. Klaus. The movie is both moving and funny as we meet a variety of different characters, each with a unique personality and qualities who are affected by the goodwill of Mr. Klaus and Jesper.

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The movie is both moving and funny as we meet a variety of different characters, each with a unique personality and qualities

Sergio Pablos, a Spanish animator and creator of “Despicable Me” uses an unusual style of animation, which adds breathtakingly gorgeous visuals to the movie. Pablos cleverly uses this movie to show how Jesper overcomes grief, how good behaviour will be rewarded and how important friendship is. This beautifully animated movie is driven by visuals, as there is very little dialogue. This works best as you see for yourself how the people and town of Speerensburg are changing and developing over time. The audience is moved when Jesper puts aside his selfish ways, and “Invisible” by Zara Larsson plays as the pair decides to work together to continue

to change Speerensburg for the better. “Invisible” is a song about how happiness can have powerful changes, rather than material objects. Seeing this change in character and community is truly magical and proves that Christmas is about coming together and being happy, not just the gifts under the tree. I believe the most important lesson in this movie is that, “a true selfless act always sparks another”. Whether you enjoy the emotive themes, the comedy or the visuals, “Klaus” has something for everyone, for people of all ages. I have no doubt that this will be a classic Christmas movie in years to come. the college view The Hype |7

Film/TV

Hollywood gets the female glow up right at last Beth Molloy tells us about the most underrated film of the year, Brittany Runs a Marathon

rittany Runs a Marathon is perhaps the most neglected movie of the year. While the title is quite simplistic in nature, the story line is anything but. Jilian Bell is Brittany Folger, a 28 year-old single woman living in Manhattan. She spends her nights binge drinking and hooking up with some questionable men and her mornings regretting everything she did the night before. In the early moments of the movie it’s evident that Brittany is looking for a way out of the funk she is in. She’s sad, depressed and has no direction. So she decides to try and swindle her doctor out of prescription pills. Instead of the pills however Brittany is given an unprompted dose of reality when the doctor tells her she needs to lose 55 pounds. An unimpressed Brittany quips, “ You totally missed the point of those Dove ads.” Even more depressed than before, Brittany decides something needs to be done. Don’t be fooled, this film does not feature a huge totally over the top unrealistic body transformation. Brittany isn’t that pretty girl who doesn’t know how pretty she is. Cough, cough Miss Congeniality cough, cough. Instead this is the journey of a woman who endeavours to transform how she views herself and works to become the most all-round beautiful version of herself she can be. Brittany Runs a Marathon features a great ensemble cast with actors including Utkarsh Ambudkar and Micheala Watkins playing well rounded and well written characters that play off Brittany so well. Despite this Bell’s character can be hard to like

in places. There’s a particularly unpleasant scene when she fat shames another woman, however she is an honest character and the story works hard to ensure that it doesn’t gloss over the mental anguish that Brittany is feeling while on the life changing journey she has decided to take. You could say that Brittany Runs a Marathon is everything Amy Schumer’s I Feel Pretty isn’t. Bell doesn’t rely on her humor to carry the story, she’s emotionally vulnerable and is incredibly closed of. She’s reluctant to let people in and there is something identifiable with the struggles she is encountering. Bell is hilarious, delivering fantastic one liners throughout the movie and her impression of Babe “I am lost in the city, I can’t find my farm” is hilarious.She also does a great Australian accent, no easy feat. Bell, who lost 40 pounds over the course of filming, has previously appeared in 22 Jump Street and Fist Fight. This is her first starring role. Firsttime filmmaker Paul Downs Colaizzo ensures that the script has all the right amount of light and shade needed. Colaizzo does a fantastic job of ensuring that the message of the movie is constant and clear throughout. The movie is all about body positivity and highlights the message that your body should be respected for all the amazing things it can do rather than what dress size you are or what you look like. Writer-director Colaizzo deserves praise for not jumping to the outdated thin means happiness ending.

The popularity of trash TV

Aoife O’Brien looks into the intriguing world of trash TV

he rise in the popularity of reality TV in recent years is one that has gripped audiences from ages six to sixty and appeals to the office secretary and university professors alike. But what is it about this ‘trashy’ TV that has gripped our generation? With the never-ending saga of Brexit, Donald Trump’s laughter inducing presidency and our own government still failing the country miserably, reality television such as “Love Island”, “Keeping up with the Kardashians” (KUWTK) and “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here” gives us a period of glorious escapism where literally nothing else matters other than the petty drama of those on screen. They almost resemble being in school or university and so they provide us with endless gossip that is less depressing than the pressing issues in society. You’ll have one couple falling so head over heels for each other that they are declaring their love and planning their future house and kids within five

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While the drama on screen often seems laughable the scenarios we see on screen are all things that we have either experienced or witnessed to some extent in our own lives

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This is the journey of a woman who endeavours to transform how she views herself and works to become the most allround beautiful version of herself she can be

days of meeting each other. Then the strongest most solid friendship, that was also formed in those five days, will collapse because actually the other girl in your group liked him first. While the drama on screen often seems laughable the scenarios we see are all things that we have either experienced or witnessed to some extent in our own lives. Therefore despite the extremely different circumstances we can often relate to reality TV stars and understand another point of view without the hostility or division it might take to reach this understanding in our own lives. In other words, we learn through watching the cast on screen. These shows also allow us to live our insane perfectionist fantasies. Reality TV stars often appear to have the time and money that allows them to pursue all of their interests and hobbies without limitations. While our own dreams and fantasies might be

very much achievable in our lives watching these shows provides us an escape route. This allows us to envisage all the dreams we might pursue if we had the same resources like getting revenge body like Khloe Kardashian or creating a beauty empire like Kendall Jenner. With reality shows where a level of competition is involved there is an added appeal due to audience control. If you decide you really dislike a contestant on “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here” then you can vote for him to eat a kangaroo’s anus. It’s a strange sort of satisfaction in where it can otherwise be difficult to have any sort of personal control over punishing wrong doers. zbad shows to appeal to a certain type of viewer. And with the popularity of reality TV heading in one direction, viewers can expect to see more of these shows hitting their screen in months to come.

Lifestyle The history of women’s rights in Ireland

Roisin Maguire takes us through the progression of women’s rights in Ireland

eminism in Ireland can be identified in the early 1900’s. In 1918, women could only vote at the age of 30 and only if they have property or university qualifications but men were allowed to vote at the age of 21 with no qualifications. However, in 1922 with Ireland having become separate from the United Kingdom, this gave men and women somewhat the same rights. There were still some ridiculous things that a women could not do. Up until 1977, a woman was not allowed to keep her job in the public sector once she got married. It was seen that a woman’s place was in the home, taking care of the husband until the Employment Equality Act prohibited this kind of discrimination. Women were also not allowed to sit on a jury and were required to apply to the panel but this still didn’t mean she was allowed. Even though women are now allowed to participate in jury duty, according to an Irish Times article, 57 per cent of

the jury in serious cases such as rape and murder are men, meaning women are very under-represented. Women were not allowed to sit in pubs on their own and had to be accompanied by a man. They were also served drinks in small, delicate glasses because it wasn’t normal to see a woman drink a pint. It was only in 2002 that an actual law came into place which prevents the gender based discrimination of goods in the Equal Status Act. The import, sale and distribution of contraceptives was illegal. However, with the rise of feminism came the rise of empowered women who marched Dublin for contraceptive rights. Sex was seen as something that you do only when you want to conceive a child so the only option was to abstain. If a women owned land that was passed down from her father, once she got married this land then belonged to her husband. The husband owned everything and ruled everything. Women could not abstain from having sex with their husbands which

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57 per cent of the jury in serious cases such as rape and murder are men, meaning women are very under-represented

made rape legal within marriage. A women also couldn’t get divorced from her partner even if she was suffering abuse from her husband. She couldn’t get a barring order against a violent husband. It wasn’t until 1976 that a woman could legally seek a barring order and in 1996 divorce was legalised. A woman did not receive the same pay as a man until the Employment Equality Acts changed this in 1974, however, there are still speculations that some companies do not abide by this law. Until 2018, a woman could not terminate her pregnancy unless for fatal fetal abnormalities however the case of Savita Halappanavar showed that she was not allowed a termination despite a threat to her life which resulted in her death. Feminism has come a long way since the 1930’s however the fact that Irish women had to fight for the new abortion legislation, it shows us that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

Ways to ring in the new year

Rachel Power discusses alternative ways to spend your New Year’s Eve

s the end of the year looms closer, celebration ideas are tough to choose from especially when going into town is such a norm nowadays. If going out for a crazy night of dancing, chatting and partying isn’t as calm and relaxing as you want, never to worry as there are plenty of other things you can do to ring in the new year. Celebrating New Years Eve alone is never an optimal idea, so make sure it’s a happy one surrounded by those you love and value in life by throwing a small or big get together in your house. Plenty of ideas to make the night fun are easily thought up. If you want to opt for a small group with a few friends, throwing on the tv and sticking on your favourite movies for a classic marathon can never go wrong. Grabbing a few snacks and a bottle of bubbly to help make the celebration even more fun, or if you’re avoiding alcohol, sparkling water or soft drinks will add to the relaxed and comfortable tone for the evening. Staying in and cooking up a good dinner can also be a fun idea, excluding the cleaning up afterwards of course. Something similar to that of a Christmas dinner but with more of a twist can be fun, especially if you want to experiment with a few favourite dishes. Making it into a real full course experience with starters, mains and desserts can turn the evening into a real treat and make it really special. It can also turn out to be far cheaper than going out for

a meal with ingredients often costing less than a restaurant meal. But if you aren’t feeling up for all the cooking, plenty of restaurants are open on New Years Eve, but be sure to book them as they will be difficult to get into on the night. Inviting friends around for a fun night of board games or cocktail making is another fun, calm and interesting way to spend the evening. Sticking on a good playlist of party tunes to keep the celebrations going can make the night far more fun. Cocktail ingredients such as juices are easy enough to snatch up in the shop, but different liquors might run you up on the money side of things. And of course, there’s always the option of non-alcoholic cocktails containing juice mixtures for those who wish to stay sober. As always going out to town for a night out is a good reliable way to enter the new year, and whether it’s a club or local pub, the atmosphere is always thriving and the places are always buzzing with people. The only minor problem with going somewhere like the city centre or the pub is the crowds that you’ll inevitably have to battle through, as well as the growing level of drunk antics around the place. But if you don’t mind that, or are even open-minded to joining in with this type of fun, by all means it’s another fantastic idea to bring in the countdown. No matter what you plan to do on New Years Eve being surrounded by friends and family will always make for a good night of celebrations.

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Inviting friends around for a fun night of board games or cocktail making is another fun, calm and interesting way to spend the evening

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Lifestyle

Is the flu vaccine worth it?

Béibhinn Thorsch tells us who should be getting the flu vaccine this winter season and why

hile there are far more pressing health issues and life concerns than the flu vaccine, many people may be surprised to learn how the vaccine affects and how it can help them. While most will only need one dose of the vaccine, the HSE recommends that children between six months and 9 years of age receive two doses (spaced four weeks apart) if they are receiving the vaccine for the first time. Some others who have experienced a range of health issues may be required to take different doses after this time, including cancer patients who receive the vaccine while on chemotherapy. The seasonal flu is a very infectious illness caused by the influenza virus, which infects airways and lungs. It can be life-threatening, especially as it is seen as unpredictable. It can cause serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and some people are more at risk of these types of complications developing and therefore are required to take the flu vaccine. This group includes those aged 65 or older, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions. Diabetes chronic heart/liver/ kidney/lung diseases or neurological diseases, as well as those who are obese, are only some of those

recommended to get the vaccine. Symptoms come on suddenly, usually including fever, muscle aches, headaches, and extreme tiredness. It is much stronger than a cold, which comparatively comes on more gradually. Each year the flu viruses change and this is why a new vaccine is needed every year. In the year 2019/20, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against four different strains of the flu virus currently circulating. This is a new high, as previous vaccines used protected against 3 strains of the virus. The vaccine works by producing antibodies to fight the virus, so that if you happen to come in contact with it then the antibodies attack the virus and stop you from getting sick. Adverse reactions are generally mild, and the vaccine cannot give you the flu itself as there is no live virus within it. If you have experienced a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or any part of the vaccine, or those taking medicines called “combination checkpoint inhibitors” should not take the vaccine. If you are ill with a temperature of more than 38 degrees then the vaccination should be delayed and taken instead at a later date. The flu season starts at the beginning of October and lasts until the end of April, during which time it is possible to get the vaccine from either your GP

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The vaccine works by producing antibodies to fight the virus, so that if you happen to come in contact with it then the antibodies attack the virus and stop you from getting sick

or a pharmacist. The vaccine is free even without a medical card, however you may be charged for a consultation fee. The vaccine begins working within 2 weeks of getting it, with the most common side effects being some soreness and red swelling where the injection was given, as well as aches and tiredness. he HSE website outlines any possible concerns you may have regarding the flu vaccine, including if it contains gelatin (it does not), certain ingredients that may cause allergic reactions, and the manufacturer of the vaccine. To avoid the risks associated with getting the flu, it is best to protect yourself no matter what. If you can find the time in the busy end-of-semester season, consult your pharmacist or GP about getting the flu vaccine as quickly and painlessly as possible!

Skin picking and nail biting: how to overcome this symptom of anxiety

Maria Voznuka gives us some tips on how to tackle this debilitating

nxiety can show itself in many different forms. A very common way that people with anxiety deal with it is through picking at the skin around their fingernails. While it can be a somewhat effective short-term stress reliever, it can unfortunately get quite unsightly, as well as just painful. According to the NHS, dermatillomania (commonly known as the skin-picking or excoriation disorder) is a condition where the person in question has constant urges to pick at their skin because of stress and/ or general anxiety. While this article will cover some basic steps you can take to overcome this condition, it is important to note that some people may need to seek treatment from a mental health professional or a GP. However, here are some small steps one can take to distract themselves from picking at their skin. If possible, and if you are into them, get acrylic or gel nail extensions to help with the picking. This has been known to help people a lot because not only does it makes your hands look generally better, it distracts you from previous injuries. This gives your hands time to heal. It is a good idea to keep an elastic band or a hair tie around your wrist and use it as a distraction for whenever you feel the urge to pick at your skin. Mess around with it instead of picking at your skin

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when you feel more anxious. In this way, you are not hurting yourself in the process and you still have something to help you cope with the stress. Ask some close friends to keep a close eye on your tendencies if possible and ask them to call you out if you do start picking at your skin. This will eventually help you become more conscious of your behaviours, and it helps to know that somebody else is aware of what you are doing, so psychologically you will be less inclined to do it. Start with allowing yourself to pick only a few times a day and cut back every so often. Perhaps reward yourself with something nice after each successful day. However, it is important to know and accept that backslides are common. Don’t feel down if you don’t succeed sometimes. It is completely normal and baby steps are important. If you are at home and suddenly feel the urge to pick at your skin again, distract yourself by doing some household chores. Put away some laundry, sweep the floor, do those dishes. Not only does this distract you from the habit, it also makes you more productive and you will feel a lot better about yourself after this. These are some very basic ideas to stop you from picking at your skin, but as said previously, it is important to talk to a professional if your anxiety and the habits that come with it are too extreme to handle alone.

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Ask some close friends to keep a close eye on your tendencies if possible and ask them to call you out if you do start picking at your skin

Lifestyle

Minding your physical and mental health during the Christmas period Conor Breslin discusses what you can do to improve your mood during the winter break

s the Christmas period vastly approaches, the horrific recurring thoughts of spending money and wondering where did that year go, can lead into a season that can be a stressful time for many people, leaving us to wonder, is Andy Williams correct in saying this is the “most wonderful time of the year!” While the Christmas tunes roar, the bright lights beam and the heartfelt family movies play on repeat. Still, many people need inspiration and encouragement to help them through these lonely dark days at home without college friends who you won’t see until exam time in January. Between getting the decorations ready, to meeting family members you only see once a year, to the shopping list, to the financial pressures, to over eating, to the miserable weather, to the feeling that you have too much to do and not enough time

to do it in, December can be a truly overwhelming and difficult time of year. For some people Christmas is a period you want to end quickly and it’s not unusual for people to feel overwhelmed by the festivities. Keeping this in mind, here are a few ways to keep your mood up and subside the isolation that appears at Christmas time. Making lists of jobs that still need to be done over the next number of days and presents that actually need to be bought will help organise your thoughts. Being organized can boost your self-esteem. Leaving all your preparations for Christmas until the very last minute can cause unnecessary stress, so remember planning ahead can save you time and often can save you money. The unthinkable amount of days in the pub drinking with friends can be good fun, but is not for everybody and also very expensive. Drink can make you ease off, help you

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Exercise is one of the best things someone can do to elevate their mood

relax and get you out of the house, but remember, alcohol is a depressant and will ultimately lead to low mood especially at the end of the year when you will start to contemplate how fast the time is going and what did you accomplish in 2019. Get out and meet your friends, but take it easy, remember, you don’t have to drink. Christmas can be boring for many people, which can lead to over eating, which can ultimately lead to gluttony. Therefore, exercise is one of the best things someone can do to elevate their mood. We all gain weight over the Christmas period which leads us to our never completing diet programs in January. Even if you’re not a sporty person, make the effort to commit yourself to a few hours outside every day. There’s nothing worse than sitting around the house doing nothing for three weeks straight. It happens, it’s easy to make excuses for ourselves when the weather is so bad but getting out into the open air makes a world of difference to our mood, whether with a friend or a family pet. Finally, whether you get on with them or not, Christmas is a time to be with your family and loved ones. Even if you can’t see them, picking up the phone to call a family member can go along way. Christmas only comes once a year and who knows what the future holds, so cherish the loving moments while you can.

The latest piercing trends

Niamh Kinsella gives us the low down on the latest trends if you’re thinking of a new piercing

iercings can be these amazing little things if you want to start decorating your body, without the permanent commitment of a tattoo. Not only are there some gorgeous pieces of jewellery that you can buy to make your normal piercings look amazing, but you can also get some unique piercings that stand out by themselves. Decorative piercings are a new trend that everyone seems to be hopping onto. From a normal lobe piercing on your ear, to a crazy dermal piercing on your cheek, the possibilities are endless. Some of the most popular ones recently are daiths (the crus of the helix), rooks (antihelix), smiley (lip web) and constellation piercings (a number of piercings on the ear in a row that create a pattern). Dermal piercings are on the rise too. These are piercings that are embedded in, and sit inside, the dermis layer of the skin with an anchor keeping it in place. You can get these almost anywhere on your body that you can imagine; your wrist, your chest, face, neck, hips, back dimples, cheeks, throat, stomach, back of your neck, by your ears, on your dimples or even between your breast. Some people even get dermal piercings on their fingers in place of a wedding or engagement ring to show their commitment to the relationship. Although men are getting into the trend, it is predominantly popular among women.Piercings, like tattoos, can become addictive. I personally have been getting piercings since I was 11, so I’ve been on the trend for a while and I am still not sick of it. Now eight years later, I have 16 piercings; two lobes, four upper lobes, a lower helix, an industrial,

a helix, tragus, conch, a rook, a nose, a smiley and a nipple. Yes some of them hurt, but you get over the pain and are left with this cool decoration on your body which is completely worth it. What is the appeal though? There are two main reasons this is a big new trend. The first is simply that piercings are pretty, and are a non-commitment way of decorating your body. It is a simple form of body modification that appeals to those who are not quite ready for a tattoo yet. The second reason is that if someone is going through a rough time in their lives, piercings are a way of counteracting that pain and giving it the middle finger. If you’re looking for some inspiration for some decorative piercings of your own, Instagram and Pinterest are the best places to go. Also, please, whatever you do, do not go anywhere that uses piercing guns to get a piercing. Piercing guns are highly unsanitary, so toughen up and go into a tattoo parlour where they can do it properly for you (there is plenty spread around the City Centre). The last thing you want is to end up with an infected ear piercing or body piercing. Trust me, there is nothing worse than the pain of trying to sleep on an infected, swollen cartilage piercing.

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Some people even get dermal piercings on their fingers in place of a wedding or engagement ring to show their commitment to the relationship the college view The Hype |11

Lifestyle

Staying sustainable this Christmas from the food to the gifts Aoife McMahon gives us some tips on how to be sustainable this Christmas

he most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching, but before you get lost in all of the magic, think about what you can do to have a more sustainable Christmas. The first thing you can do to create less waste this Christmas is to simply buy less stuff. There are many ways you can do this. One easy way to do this is by giving the gift of services instead of goods. Vouchers for a massage, cooking and makeup lessons or concert tickets are good examples of this. You could also agree with your friends or family that you won’t buy each other presents but will instead have a nice meal out together or spend a whole day together doing fun things. This way you will most likely spend less money, help the environment while also spend quality time with friends or family, which is what Christmas is all about anyway. Having a real tree is better for the environment than having an artificial tree. Real trees that are bought in pots are still alive and can be kept in your garden as plants. If you don’t want to keep your tree as a plant, it’s recommended that you still buy a real tree and compost it afterwards. If you look up your local council, they will have lists of drop off locations where you can leave your tree and they will compost them for you. One of the big ways you can help the environment

this Christmas is by choosing your wrapping paper carefully. Not all wrapping paper is recyclable, as foil or paper decorated in glitter cannot be recycled. Simple paper wrap can be recycled if you remove all ribbons, sticky tape and name tags as these are not suitable for recycling. Another material you could use to wrap your presents is old newspapers. In fact, if you are a DCU student there are tonnes of old copies of the College View in the Henry Grattan, that you are welcome to take to wrap your presents. Not only is this better for the environment, but it also makes your gifts stand out. Aim to have zero waste decorations, get creative and make your own tree decorations this year. Plastic baubles can be replaced by pinecones with ribbons. Nothing says Christmas more than holly or mistletoe and your table centrepiece can be made out of plants and berries. Not only is this way better for the environment than plastic centrepieces, but your guests will also be impressed with the amount of effort you’ve put in. Another helpful tip is to remember is that Christmas is just one day, you don’t need to buy new clothes every year. Most of us spend Christmas with family members, who will definitely forgive you if you repeat last years outfit or throw something together from the clothes you already own. Eating less meat is another way to be more

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Not all wrapping paper is recyclable, as foil or paper decorated in glitter cannot be recycled

sustainable this Christmas. Now you don’t have to give up your Christmas dinner, but a nice way to cut down on meat is to have a meat-free Christmas eve or only cook enough meat for Christmas day and have a nut roast on St. Stephen’s Day. Any small things you can change to have a more sustainable Christmas is worth it.

Christmas Day in style vs a comfy pyjama day

Courtney Fitzmaurice asks students how they will style their Christmas day

s Christmas is only around the corner, many people will participate in that last-minute scramble for presents. However, it is not just presents for family and friends we have to worry about, but also what we’re going to wear. Many people will buy special outfits for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day, but is there too much pressure to find the perfect outfit to be photographed in beside the Christmas tree? Students are under financial pressure already without the added stress of buying Christmas clothes. As the shops and online stores are filled with the best winter looks, and social media influencers model this season’s trends, many people feel pressured to dress to impress. DCU student and professional stylist Alice Flynn said that for students, purchasing new outfits for every festive occasion isn’t sustainable. “Raid your existing wardrobe for versatile pieces which you can dress up or down, and mix and match with different styles. If you’re struggling to put certain pieces together, borrow your friend’s funky printed skirt, your mam’s button-up shirt, or even your dad’s vintage leather jacket. “This method of styling is my favourite, as your looks will be totally unique and stand out,” she said. Many people enjoy planning their festive outfits in advance scouring the shops and social media weeks or even months in advance. St Angela’s College home-economics and religion student Aisling Dolan said she loves

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Flynn said that although in previous years, she’d search the high-street for unique, one-off outfits, this year she’s focused on being environmentally friendly

dressing up at Christmas. She knows exactly what she’s going to wear – a grey knit turtleneck jumper with a burgundy corduroy mini skirt, paired with black tights and black boots. “Any excuse to buy a new outfit and I’m on it. I know it’s not sustainable but I’ll wear it again during the rest of the year,” she said. “I buy a totally new outfit for Christmas Day, like new everything. You have to be looking your best on the special day.” Flynn said that although in previous years, she’d search the high-street for unique, one-off outfits, this year she’s focused on being environmentally friendly. “I’ll be reusing and re-wearing my existing clothes and not supporting the ever-growing fast fashion agenda,” she said. Trinity College midwifery student Bridie Abu said she prefers to be cosy on Christmas day, and that she dressed up more when she was a teenager. “More than likely what it will be is matching pyjamas with my family all day,” she said. Dolan said there’s a lot of pressure on people to

look good over the holidays. “Everyone posts their outfits on Instagram beside the Christmas tree. It’s even gotten to a stage where people are asking about your Christmas outfits weeks before Christmas. “People judge your Christmas photos based on your outfits and whether they’re branded or not. Christmas is a day of celebration, it is one of the most special days of the year so why should an outfit determine so much?” TUD bioanalysis student Megan Dunne said she doesn’t feel pressured because she’s not very active on social media. “For the people who post nearly their whole lives on Instagram, I’d definitely say there’s pressure for them.” Christmas is often a busy time, full of quality time with family and friends. Whether you stay at home watching movies and eating Celebrations or hit the town, being comfortable in what you’re wearing is what matters the most.

Lifestyle

ASMR and where it came from

Kinga Piotorowska talks about the history of ASMR and how it became so popular

ow did ASMR videos flood YouTube and manage to get a spotlight in the media? If you enjoy the sound of someone chewing loudly, whispering softly in your ear or tapping their nails against a table, then you will probably be a fan of ASMR. ASMR is short for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, which is a reaction or feeling some people get to specific things they hear or watch. Not everyone feels it but the ones who do, often explain that it feels like “tingles” moving down from the top to the bottom of the body, and results in a person feeling more relaxed and sleepier. Although the trend might sound a little strange, ASMR has grown very popular in recent months, especially on YouTube. There is a variety of ASMR videos as people find that different things appeal or trigger them. In a video, the group of people who call themselves “ASMRists” might include one or multiple ASMR triggers. They will closely record sounds such as quiet whispering, tapping, eating, turning book pages, crackling noises, microphone brushing, applying makeup, or even pouring marbles on the floor.

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Despite some hating the noises, the internet has blown up with a variety of ASMR videos that even attracted the attention of celebrities and magazines

There are also niche genres which include things like slime, peeling soaps and even roleplay, where ASMRists dress up as doctors or beauticians. Before ASMR was this popular, it was still used by many for a therapeutic reason as the “tingles” can give a sense of comfort and calmness. ASMR however, is the opposite of Misophonia, which is where people are particularly sensitive and dislike the sound of eating or heavy breathing, and where it can cause them to have emotional distress or anger. Despite some hating the noises, the internet has blown up with a variety of ASMR videos that even attracted the attention of celebrities and magazines. The best-known publication to go along with the trend was W Magazine, who decided to start doing interviews using ASMR. They brought ASMR’s biggest fan, rapper Cardi B, to do an interview in the style of a whispering ASMR video, as she confessed that she listens to them every night. She isn’t the only one, as Billie Eilish, Emma

Stone and Ashton Kutcher all said they were big fans of ASMR, the series of interviews became very popular, especially Cardi B’s, which hit more than 31 million views on YouTube. It all began on YouTube as early as 2013, but it reached its peak in the last few months. Some of the most famous ASMR youtubers are SAS-ASMR (8.7m), Zach Choi ASMR (5.45m) and Gentle Whispering ASMR (1.78m). Creating an ASMR channel is not a bad idea as right now on YouTube there are around 13 million videos from all around the world which prove it’s an area of interest as well as a lucrative one. Youtuber Gentle Whispering is estimated to make at least $130,000 a year. So, if you’re sick of your part time job, why not make an ASMR channel? Or if you’re feeling stressed coming up to exams, don’t bother listening to Enya, instead stick on some noises of tapping and whispering and you might be surprised about how fast you’ll feel relaxed.

Online shopping algorithms

Rachel Power outlines how inflation works for the benefit of retailers

s Christmas approaches in the coming weeks, shopping centres can become far too crowded for most of us to handle, so online shopping is the next best option. But online shopping, while handy, can be quite dangerous too. While most online sites like Amazon, Missguided and sites for existing, physical shops are generally safe, some sites with unique products that make for nice Christmas presents are worth a second check. Safe, well-known sites can often have a less threatening appearance, but can cost you more than you mean to spend through a popularly used computer term called ‘cookies’. Many sites as we all know, frequently have little pop ups screens that appear once you click into the page that requires you to accept or deny these cookies. Some sites will not let you progress further into the pages without accepting these but it’s worthwhile to know what they are and how they work. Cookies are text files that you can access from your PC and contain the name of the sites you have visited as well as your own user ID. when you visit a site that you have never been on before, a cookie downloads to your PC or phone, if you’re using safari. The next time you visit the site, the system checks and updates this cookie, according to an article by the BBC. Airline companies are known for using cookies to their own benefit, with Ryanair being a prime example. If you search for a certain flight, from a certain airport to a location on a certain date one day,

the price will be for example €20. If you continue to search this exact same flight including the same details a number of times on the same device and the same login, eventually you may notice the price will begin to rise. This is because cookies are tracking your activity, and companies are using them to learn more about what it is you’re looking for and benefiting from it financially. The Daily Mail published an article earlier in the year detailing the new algorithm online websites are using to inflate their prices automatically. Self-learning algorithm schemes, known as “Al systems” are able to learn from each other’s behaviour online and in turn, have the ability to increase product prices automatically to compete with other online e-commerce retailers without any need for human interaction. These systems primary goal for retailers is to “maximise profit,” according to the article. These algorithms set with a goal to maximise profit experiment with different strategies in simulated situations to find the best strategy that works and then apply it to online systems. Similarly to the Ryanair example, other sites adopt these Al systems to fix their product pricing automatically through learning about the market and its constant changes. There isn’t much we can do about them, but simply knowing they exist is safer than being unaware. Some great ways to protect yourself when online shopping with companies you’re not fully sure

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If you continue to search this exact same flight including the same details a number of times on the same device and the same login, eventually you may notice the price will begin to rise

about the safety of are using a different pay system rather than just giving access to your bank details. PayPal is a brilliant option that most sites offer as an alternative payment method and ensures the safety of your money. Shopping online at any time of the year can be fun as well as dangerous so it’s always important to be aware of how to protect yourself online and understand how online pricing works so you can save that extra bit of cash.

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Lifestyle

The best Christmas markets around Europe

Shauna Power takes us through some of the most popular destinations for Christmas markets

he countdown to Christmas is on and if there’s one thing we all love is Christmas markets. When deciding on a destination for a Christmas break away, there’s a lot of planning and factors to take into consideration. Not only are the amazing Christmas markets an incentive to visit a certain place but the architecture and rich culture of a city are also something that should be taken into account when choosing where to travel. Poland may not have the reputation for being a beautiful country but it is one of the cheapest and also has some of the best Christmas markets. The Wroclaw Christmas market transforms the square into a fairytale and according to europeanbestdestinations.com is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. The Markets start on November 20th and will be open until December 22nd. There is also various different Christmas concerts, parades, shows and meetings with Santa Claus. There are also a ton of things to do whether it’s shopping, museum-hopping or getting stuck into

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Hamburg has always been famous for its food markets but Germany’s second largest city also has a great Christmas market

the vibrant nightlife and atmosphere. Another European city that has Christmas markets worth visiting is Budapest. Budapest hosts one of Europes largest Christmas markets and is held in Vörösmarty square, just minutes from the Danube. The market runs from November 23rd to January 1st and is the perfect place to pick up local hand crafted presents and sample delicious food including töki pompos which is a Hungarian style pizza. The city also has so much to offer sight-seeing wise so if you choose to stay a little while longer you won’t be disappointed. Hamburg has always been famous for its food markets but Germany’s second largest city also has a great Christmas market. The main Weihnachtsmarkt is held in front of the Town Hall but there are also a range of other markets scattered throughout the city. The unconventional ‘Santa Pauli’ festival is the first erotic Christmas market in Europe and the adultsonly forest, offers colourful entertainment to the already lively Reeperbahn area. If travelling abroad isn’t possible then Ireland

also has some great Christmas markets worthy of a visit. The Dun Laoghaire Christmas festival is one of the most popular in Dublin. This year the festival will feature all things retro with a Ferris wheel believed to have featured in Grease and an array of vintage rides to hop on and travel back in time. There is also a Christmas Market filled with handmade gifts and mouth-watering treats. The Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival runs every weekend from November 30th to December 23rd on the Metals from 11am to 7pm. Another Irish Christmas Market to put on your to do list is Galway Christmas Market which runs from November 15th until December 22nd. There are so many things to do in Galway regardless of the time of year and the Galway Christmas Markets add another layer to the already buzzing atmosphere. As Ireland’s longest-running Christmas market, the Galway market spans from Eyre Square to Spanish Arch and boasts over 50 stalls with a selection of food, drink and gifts. The market also has Santa’s Grotto, live music performers, a range of rides and carol singing.

Why deleting old social media posts is vital Aoife McMahon tells us why we should be searching through old posts for our own benefit

acebook was founded fifteen years ago which means many of us could be sitting on over a decade’s worth of personal data. Have you ever thought about mass deleting posts from your social medias? If you’re in your early twenties, you’ve probably grown up with social media. We were just hitting teenage years when Facebook and Twitter were becoming popular. The memories of cringy teenage years are hard enough without having physical evidence of our green eyeshadow or our over gelled hair. Everyday Facebook shows us memories of pictures or status’ we posted on that day throughout the years. Because I can’t deal with the amount of second-hand embarrassment I get from 12-year-old me, I tend to delete everything as they come up. Avoiding humiliation isn’t the only reason you should delete your old posts. I’m sure

14| the college view The Hype

you’ve all been told that future employers could possibly look up your social media accounts. The best advice here is to put your profile on private and have an appropriate profile picture. But if you don’t want to do that or in case they can see your profile anyway, could your potential employers not hire you because of the content on your various profiles? Before you brush it off and say you’ve nothing offensive or politically incorrect on any of your pages, know that isn’t all people look for. According to The Muse, a website dedicated to helping people get jobs, people have been refused jobs because of aggressive arguing online, overly angry sports posts and posting about plans to party all summer. Do you go out with your friends every weekend and have pictures of yourself with alcohol, or tweets about being hungover? One or two every now and then isn’t the worst

thing, but if it’s every weekend it’s not going to give an employer the best impression. We can’t mention the importance of deleting old posts without showing the extreme consequence of not deleting them. Laura Lee, a make-up artist and youtuber, lost 300,000 subscribers in one week in 2018 when racist tweets she posted in 2012 resurfaced. She also lost sponsorships and several brands severed ties with her. Ten years of data is a lot of information to have on someone. Think about every Facebook page you’ve liked or everything you’ve retweeted. To Facebook you are a target, according to Jean – Charles Sorin, a lead developer of a tech company. He said, “social media filter bubbles and Facebook algorithms influence elections, products and ads to showed to you.” On a less serious note, deleting your posts can be a cleansing experience. If you’re feeling

too nostalgic to delete your old posts, ask yourself how often you look at them anyway. You can download all your pictures from Facebook and screenshot your embarrassing status’ before you delete them. Or if you’re doing an Instagram cleanse you can choose to archive your posts, which removes them from your profile but doesn’t delete them. Some problems you might encounter is that you can only delete things you’ve posted and sometimes have to settle for just untagging yourself or hiding it from your profile. It is also incredibly time consuming as you must physically delete each post yourself. There are some services like TweetDeleter that mass deletes your tweets for you, however, sadly, Facebook has no equivalent. If you have a spare hour or two, scroll through your posts, you never know what you might find.

Across 3. Also known as Three Kings’ Day, falls at the end of the twelve days of Christmas 6. Welsh folk tradition involving a horse skull mounted on a pole 8. Muslim holiday honouring Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son 10. Marks the beginning of lengthening days and shortening nights 14. Pagan winter celebration sharing its name with a popular holiday dessert 15. Christmas celebration in Sweden, a festival of lights 18. German baked cookies traditionally made and given at Christmas 19. Tibetan Buddhist celebration of new year 20. Saint Nicholas’s evil counterpart, punishes naughty children Down 1. Unique figure depicted in nativity scenes in Catalonia 2. Celebration of the longest night of the year in Iran 4. The act of worship performed during the modern Hindu festival Pancha Ganapati 5. Celebration held in the USA to honour African heritage in African-American culture 7. Slavic fictional character similar to Father Christmas 9. Spanish phrase meaning “Happy Christmas” 11. Glutinous rice balls eaten during the Chinese festival Dongzhi 12. Ritual held by the Zuni and Hopi on the shortest day of the year 13. Christian symbolic item made up of an orange, red tape and sweets 16. Traditional ‘Bear Dance’ that takes place in Romania 17. Nine-branched candelabrum lit during Hanukkah

Across: 3. Epiphany 6. Mari Lwyd 8. Eid Al Adha 10. Winter Solstice 14. Yule 15. St Lucia’s Day 18. Lebkuchen 19. Losar 20. Krampus. Down: 1. Caganer 2. Yalda night 4. Puja 5. Kwanzaa 7. Ded Moroz 9. Feliz Navidad 11. Tangyuan 12. Soyal 13. Christingle 16. Ursul 17. Menorah

the college view The Hype |15

EXPOSURE CHRISTMAS

Sally Dobie

Daria Jonkisz

Aine Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Boyle

Beibhinn Thorsch

Sonja Tutty CREDITS

COVER: The Come Up Show ARTS Page 3: Buzz.ie Page 4: Wikimedia, Wikimedia Page 5: Flickr, Original Doby Page 6: PA, Isabella Finn Page 7: Disney, Netflix Page 8: Netflix, ITV LIFESTYLE Page 9: Mark Nozell, Nick Gesell Page 10: Tammiw Ramsouer, Health Magazine Page 11: Hendrik Dacquin, Paula Guerra Page 12: Great British Chefs, Ideal Home Page 13: ASMR Ecstasy, Jonathon Lynam Page 14: Maria Eklind, Public Domain Pictures

The Hype Issue 6

Articles inside

Christmas celebration in Sweden, a festival of lights

Traditional ‘Bear Dance’ that takes place in Romania

Pagan winter celebration sharing its name with a popular

Christian symbolic item made up of an orange, red tape and

Ritual held by the Zuni and Hopi on the shortest day of the

Welsh folk tradition involving a horse skull mounted on a pole

Muslim holiday honouring Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his

Slavic fictional character similar to Father Christmas

Glutinous rice balls eaten during the Chinese festival Dongzhi

Also known as Three Kings’ Day, falls at the end of the twelve

Marks the beginning of lengthening days and shortening

Celebration held in the USA to honour African heritage in

The act of worship performed during the modern Hindu festi