Issue 88.3 by On Dit

n Dit

ISSUE 88.3 APRIL 2020

n Dit 2020

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ON DIT CONTENTS Editorial Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On? State of the Union SRC President Left, Right, and Centre Vox Pop Club Spotlight Econ Dit Rural Student News International Student News ARTICLES The choices we make In defence of life Law textbook review The stigma of our mental illness Fear and loathing on the Caucus Trail Musician spotlight: Memory Castles Fringe Socialist groups Hedy Lamarr Media, establishment, Bernie, and the U.S. 2020 elections The impact of the Coronavirus Film Review: Knives Out Film Review: Jojo Rabbit The search for nuance in politics today Separating dolls based on race and body type

5 6 8 9 10 12 14 16 20 22

Review: A Bookish Comedy Show

ARTWORK AND CREATIVE WRITING Illustration by @angvs 28 The sustainable runway 40 The warrior Memnon of Ethiopia 55 An ode to the wrong side of the tracks 60

24 EDITORS 26 Nick Birchall 29 Felix Eldridge Taylor Fernandez 30 Larisa Forgac 32 SUBEDITORS Will Broderick 35 Ivan Bucalo 38 Mirco Di Giacomo 44 Michael Genrich Oliver Hales 46 Anika Pietek 49 Maya Tlauka 50 Emily Woodcock 52 DESIGN 54 Larisa Forgac 56 COVER ART By @angvs

We wish to acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region on which the University of Adelaide is located. We also acknowledge Elders, living and past, and understand that the cultural and heritage beliefs that the Kaurna people hold are still important to the living members of their community today.

EDITORIAL

Hello from Felix, Taylor, Larisa and Nick We bring you this issue of On Dit in very challenging times. Hardly anyone could have predicted the influence and repercussions that the COVID 19 pandemic would have on our lives. But it is important at this time that we act as responsibly as possible and look after each other. Minimise non-essential contact with people, observe proper hygiene, and practice social distancing wherever possible. As a university community, we can overcome this together and help stop the spread of the virus. As always, mental health is just as important as physical health, so reach out to the support services available and look after yourself and your loved ones â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even sending a text to someone can help them feel less isolated. The current situation has definitely taken a toll on On Dit and its editors and contributors. The University and the lecturers have been hard at work implementing online classes and transitioning most university activities online. This sadly means that there are less students on campus every day, and less people are able to pick up a copy of On Dit. Despite this, we are determined to continue publishing the magazine as usual, albeit with a reduced number of printed copies so that the physical magazine is still available down the line, when the situation stabilises. At this time more than ever, we want to be there for all students and provide quality content on all platforms. We would love for this to be an opportunity to promote our digital content which we publish on our Facebook page, and to remind people that the full magazine is available online through Issuu. Whether you are still on campus, self-isolating, or just staying at home, we want you to be able to enjoy On Dit to its fullest. We are proud to bring you a range of interesting content in this issue. The US elections are coming up, and our contributors have provided an array of insights into the situation with their informative and balanced articles. We also aim to foster informed and respectful debates around campus culture and services, so in this issue we are bringing you contrasting opinions of several students about university clubs. We hope that these articles will inform you, but also encourage you to take a stand on these issues. We hope you enjoy this issue and stay safe!

N O S ’ T A H W ? N O S ’ T A H W What students can do during self-isolation Words by Taylor Fernandez

Many students are now experiencing self-isolation. Whilst acknowledging that not everyone has the privilege of studying or working at home, it is very important for those who do to stay home and assist in flattening the curve. Amidst the anxiety and panic, you may feel a little lost and overwhelmed in what you are able to do whilst selfisolating. To prioritise your physical and mental health, here are some things that you can do at home to stay happy and preoccupied. Continue studying With the recent transition to online classes, you may feel a little disrupted from your typical university routine. However, instead of sabotaging your duties as a student, this time at home could be used to increase your productivity with your uni work. Now that my classes will be held from my desk, my one hour daily commute has been replaced with simply getting out of bed. So as difficult as it may seem, use these extra hours to focus on your study. Make things more fun by having your cat ‘accidentally’ run over your keyboard during your Zoom tutorial. Continue to work on assignments, study for tests, and (finally) do your required reading. It might double as a good distraction too. Talk to friends and family Self-isolation can leave you feeling distant from your family, your friends, your partner, or your mate’s dog. That is why it is very important for you to regularly check in on your loved ones. FaceTime your grandparents to see if they are doing okay and brighten their day! Install the Netflix Party extension on your computer so you can watch your favourite movies with your pals (and chat to them at the same time too)! Make a sexy collaborative playlist on Spotify that you and your partner can listen to together! Or simply just message your friends on Facebook and send them a meme. This lonely sensation can be curbed slightly by making sure that we are all feeling less alone. Make time for hobbies As students, it may seem like your workload takes precedence over the activities that you love. Use the time at home to partake in the hobbies that you usually tell yourself

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that you do not have time for. This could be writing, drawing, painting, creating music, or baking. Spend time playing your newly purchased game of Animal Crossing or Doom. Do not feel guilty about binge-watching your favourite show or admiring all of Studio Ghibli’s films. Participate in online club activities University club events have had to be cancelled due to the circumstances. Luckily, many of the clubs are still putting on online events! These include Adelaide University Entrepreneur Club’s online webinars (Design Thinking for Entrepreneurs on the 25th of Match), Adelaide Business Students’ Society’s Business at Bedtime (regular online business-related content shared on their Facebook page), Adelaide University Drawing Club’s weekly online sessions (at 2-6pm on Thursdays), and Minecraft Club’s online social game nights (held over Discord). Lots of clubs are currently in preparation for holding online events, so keep updated. Read a book Immersing yourself in a novel can be a meditative practice. Distancing myself from bookstores is forcing me to read the dozens of recently bought books that have accumulated in my room. If you are in this same situation, maybe it is time to read those huge books that you have been putting off reading. For those who are not avid readers: it could be the time to start. To avoid going to public libraries, see if your family or housemates have books that you can borrow. Alternatively, read a book from your phone. Remember: classic literary texts are often offered as free eBooks! Clean your room or living space Hear me out. Cleaning probably is not your chosen way to pass the time, but now could be the perfect opportunity to embrace your inner Marie Kondo. In fact, by giving your desk a quick wipe or reorganising your drawers, you may find yourself in a more productive headspace to get your work or study done. Prioritise your health Most importantly, prioritise both your physical and mental health! During this time, try to eat healthy or exercise at home. There are many online workouts that you can do for free on YouTube! Also, check out online counselling services or even meditation as ways to ensure you are feeling okay mentally. Keep doing things at home that will make you happy, talk online to friends and family regularly, and make sure you are following sanitary procedures to keep safe and healthy.

STATE OF THE UNION Words by AUU President Stella Seung-Joo Woo

Hey everyone! I hope you’ve all settled in well. O’Week and RCC are now over and I hope you enjoyed it all. Throughout O’Week we had so many events and club stalls. Hopefully you all found one that suits your interests. Clubs are one way to meet friends, build connections and have fun! Currently we have over 150 clubs all for different areas. Membership varies from 0 to 15 dollars a year. The amount of time you want to put into the club is all up to you. If you want more information, go to https://www.auu.org.au/clubs. I’m always telling everyone if you don’t find a club that you like, you can always start your own and that’s what I did with the Korean club. I spoke Korean growing up, watching Korean shows and wrote in Korean. I was surprised to see that there wasn’t a Korean club on campus, so I created one. I not only wanted to meet Korean people but also people who were interested in the culture or even people who didn’t know much and just wanted to learn. I was new to everything and wasn’t sure what to do, but the AUU helped me along the way. It might be daring and scary at first but don’t worry, there will always be people who are willing to help you. O’Ball and Skullduggery were back on campus after many years. When I first

started uni, O’Ball wasn’t around at the time, so it’s been a while. Although Skullduggery went on every year, unfortunately it wasn’t on campus. Now it’s happened, but if you have any concerns or feedback, whether positive or negative, email me! To address one of the most talked about topics around the world: Coronavirus. It’s a serious issue that affects many students. We are currently trying to assist the affected students and are working closely with the university. If you need any support as an international student, make sure you go to ISS. Student Care will also be able to assist you if needed due to the quarantine requirements of not being able to work. The CSA [Chinese Student’s Association] have set up a WeChat group for affected students. Critical information is currently being shared there. We have also ensured hand sanitisers are installed around university for students and staff. Also affected students will be reimbursed appropriately, including tuition and air travel costs! If there’s anything you would like to say, email me. Stay safe and healthy! Stella Woo President, Adelaide University Union. auupresident@auu.org.au

SRC PRESIDENT Words by SRC President Henry Armfield

The past few weeks have been incredibly challenging from a student representative perspective. There was so little information available from the University at a time when all we needed was guidance, or at least reassurance. Overheard was as active as I’ve ever seen it, unanimously slamming the University for its inaction on the pandemic. As Flinders and Uni SA promptly released their responses, all Adelaide students received was radio silence and politicianesque thousand-word emails which said nothing of substance. The email I sent to senior management amounted to one response, which stated it had been received and was to be acted upon and responded to later. Whether my input and by association the SRC had any effect on the outcome has not been confirmed at all. All I know is that everything I called for has been delivered. This cannot be the end of the road, there are still significant issues to be addressed. As of the 19th of March, meeting, the SRC demand the following: • • • •

The University provide a 20% discount in their tuition fees. The University give a Planned extension of the census date allowing students time to revoke their choice to study. The University release its Pandemic Plan. The University develop a Mental

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Health Response Plan including online counselling. The AUU redirect some of its allocated budget for big events to provide financial assistance to students that are affected by the panic buying situation.

Outside of the University, I believe we must be active in demanding that we do not let this pandemic isolate us. We must band together as a society and focus on creating an economy that serves the many, not the few. No one should be evicted, no one should be foreclosed on. Not one house should have its electricity, water or internet cut for unpaid bills. Access to medical treatment is a human right, not one dollar of profit should be produced from treating this virus or any other medical condition. Youth Allowance, Newstart and Austudy should be immediately raised by at least $95 per week, and the job application requirements should be removed. This is a crisis that can only be handled by ensuring no one is left behind.

LEFT RIGHT & CENTRE LEFT

poor should spend some money to keep the economy going. I think it’s less a question of surplus. All the money in this system is used for the interests of the rich, surplus or not.

1. Imagine if the Government had invested in public infrastructure instead of 12 submarines. Fifty billion dollars would be enough money to build 25 new hospitals or 3000 primary schools. Hell, imagine if there were enough beds in the Royal Adelaide Hospital. It’s outrageous that the Australian Government is more committed to imperialism than public health. If hospitals and schools weren’t chronically understaffed more people could find employment.

3. I bought a 32 pack about a week before the panic buying started.

Amy Dungey Socialist Alternative

2. Any budget surplus tends to come from cutting public services and other attacks on the poor and working class. Creating a surplus is often used as a justification to put through those measures. If that money isn’t serving ordinary people, then the budget surplus isn’t for my benefit. Maybe it would be easier to maintain a surplus if the Government stopped giving tax cuts to the rich or other corporate handouts. Maybe if politicians could learn to get by on a salary under $207,000 a year, or if Qantas paid tax, there would be more money to deal with things like public health. Maybe if we had a fully functioning healthcare system dealing with this health crisis wouldn’t be as much of a shock to the system. Instead we’re beholden to the interests of the rich, and that is made clearest in the Government’s response to COVID-19. Instead of shutting down businesses and letting people stay home, the

CENTRE

Billy Zimmermann Adelaide University Labor Club 1.It is of critical importance that the submarine project continues in its current form. South Australia is in crisis with the highest unemployment rate in the nation. The submarine construction and maintenance jobs will provide a needed boost to our economy and guarantee a better standard of living. At times like this it is critical that we stand up for ourselves against a federal government that is looking increasingly likely to move the jobs destined for us to Western Australia. Our Premier importantly needs to stand up for the jobs that are rightfully ours. 2.A budget surplus is nice in times of stability to ensure future debt and repayments are low but in times of crisis like we currently face, it should be put on the back burner for a while. Providing support to people who will stimulate the economy and funding infrastructure projects will ensure the economy continues to be strong and we don’t face an unemployment crisis in the future.

1.Considering the long running disputes over the jobs, costs, capabilities and length of the Federal Government submarine project, should the government continue with the project in its current form or explore other options? 2. Given the wipeout of forecasted budget surpluses at both a state and national level due to Coronavirus, is a budget surplus really necessary? 3. How many rolls of toilet paper do you currently possess?

After 12 years of denialism about the benefits of Kevin Rudd’s economic stimulus, reality has finally jolted ScoMo awake to implement the common sense, Keynesian strategies that guarantee the wellbeing of Australian’s today and into the future. In giving a meagre congratulation to ScoMo, I also think that his stimulus isn’t as high as it should be and doesn’t cover nearly enough people. Yes, people receiving welfare payments will collect $750 but his package should include money for all employees working as well as all people studying. 3. We have a pack of 48 but in a house of 4, all spending more and more time home, I’m not sure how long it will last.

RIGHT

Angus Heaton Adelaide University Liberal Club 1. The two considerations here are South Australian jobs and Australia’s sovereign defence capability. Under the Rudd/Gillard Labor government from 2007-2013, not a single naval vessel was commissioned to be built in Australia. This has resulted in layoffs and redundancies in the South Australian naval shipbuilding industry that have affected my family and hundreds of others. The current submarine project is ridiculous because it will see Australia purchasing the

design for French nuclear submarines and then retrofitting them to be diesel-electric. This is the equivalent of buying a Ferrari and putting a Toyota Camry engine in it. Australia’s shameful reluctance to embrace nuclear technology is leaving us well behind our allies and competitors in terms of naval defence capability, and the Federal Government should be building nuclear submarines here in South Australia, using a South Australian workforce. 2. State governments need to run balanced budgets. This is undisputed. Australia however is a monetary sovereign, which means we are the sole issuers of our own currency. This means the Federal Government can spend without necessarily needing to balance its budget like a household or business. Economist John Maynard Keynes showed that in times of crisis or economic downturn, government spending is the right thing to do. The Federal Government has an obligation to support Australians during the COVID-19 epidemic, and Josh Frydenberg did the right thing by introducing a stimulus package. There is a welcome shift among Western right-leaning governments away from blind adherence to Thatcherite neoliberalism and the insistence on surpluses as the be all and end all of economic policy, towards a more communitarian and wellbeing focussed approach. Boris Johnson’s latest budget in the UK is a great example of this. 3. 11

vox pop Samantha Bedford Health and Medical Science 1. All I do is watch classes from home. I measure time, not in hours or days, but in echo360 recordings. Existence is pain. 2. “Free” toilet paper. Yes, I want my amenities fee refunded. 3. I’m re-watching all seven seasons of Mad Men, and you should too. 4. Like my Calabrese ancestors before me. 5. ... . -. -.. / .... . .-.. .--.

Darcy Hermsen Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) 1. It’s a little more difficult to engage and learn quite as much as I would have beforehand, but it’s far better than the risks posed by continuation of physical classes. 2. Being able to spend time in the company of my friends. I’m very, very fortunate to have an amazing bunch of people in my life that I love endlessly, and it makes me a little sad to not being able to see them. 3. Those who have yet to see Sex Education on Netflix – what are you doing??? My favourite show of all time though is Deutschland 83. 4. My mum’s side of the family is Italian – we have enough stockpiled pasta to last five winters....that was my weirdest ever flex, I think. 5. Stay strong and follow the advice from the health authorities. This will be a challenging time for us all, but that doesn’t mean it’s something we won’t eventually defeat together. I hope to see you all on campus again sometime soon.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Are you enjoying classes from home? What do you miss most from Uni? Any TV show recommendations? Have you hoarded enough pasta to survive the winter? Any message you want to give to fellow students?

Leah Schamschurin Arts (Advanced) and Environmental Policy and Management

Jed Woolford Law and Arts

1. I am yet to experience online classes, however I am skeptical as to how successful tutorials will be. I find that I’m more engaged in a university setting as opposed to a desk at home.

1. I’m 20 hours behind in lectures, addicted to Joe Rogan podcast highlights and I just got a PS4. So yeah, I’m enjoying classes from home.

2. I suspect that I’ll miss the opportunity to just be present and soak up the atmosphere of the Hub on a busy day, or at a table outside when the sun is shining. 3. My go-to shows are always Friends, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and GOT. I’ve also been watching Peaky Blinders, and can confirm that it’s worth the time. 4. Can one ever hoard enough pasta? So many varieties - so much versatility. 5. Remember to look out for yourself and those around you. Practise kindness and compassion, and let those be the only contagious properties that you pass onto others.

2. Isaac Trumble 3. I mean ‘Atlanta’ is pretty special. I also just started Twin Peaks, which is crazy and a must watch. 4. I’m actually my families nominated shopper for the foreseeable future, so you’ll see me posted up in Woollies real soon with face masks and all. 5. The new Weeknd album is a 10, you’re welcome.

apart, that shouldn’t stop us from interacting with one another.

Words by Nick Birchall

I know how easy it can be just to bury yourself in Netflix and red wine (and don’t get me wrong, nothing amiss with a bit of indulging), but humans are a social species, and we need a bit more to sustain us than Brooklyn 99 and fermented grapes.

CLUB SPOTLIGHT

Club Spotlightbut different this time

We live in interesting times. The university has shut down, exams are canned, we might even be in full on lockdown! (I’m writing from a place in the past, I’m not Nostradamus, I can’t predict the future) Normally we dedicate this section to promoting the wonderful and diverse clubs we have on campus, somewhere everyone can find their niche. Unfortunately, the closure of the university and spread of coronavirus means that clubs just aren’t operating like they normally would. As such, we at On Dit believe that this space in our magazine could be better utilised. Clubs are an integral part of university life. This is absolutely indisputable. They allow us to express ourselves with like-minded individuals, socialise and have fun! Coronavirus has been absolutely devastating in this regard. The normal socialising we might otherwise get done has come to a grinding halt. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to remain connected. Even though we are physically far

Self-isolation shouldn’t be lonely. Skype your friends, give your parents a call, play an online videogame. While we’re feeding our bodies on hoarded pasta and rice, it’s important we’re also feeding our soul. Just because we’re not on campus, doesn’t mean clubs aren’t doing anything. For example, the Minecraft Club is consistently active, hosting weekly social events, with a warm community full of amazing people. If you like Minecraft, or even if you’ve never played Minecraft, but would just like to meet some new people, it’ll be right up your alley! On top of that, other clubs aren’t stagnating either. The incredible people behind clubs at Adelaide Uni are always figuring out new ways to stay in touch. If there’s one thing you must absolutely do, it’s join the “Things To Do At Adelaide U” Facebook group. This is your one-stop for all upcoming clubs events. Having spoken to a bunch of people involved in different clubs, I know

there is so much in the works to help get us through this tough time.

With lots of love, Nick Birchall

CLUB SPOTLIGHT

At the end of the day, the most important thing you can be doing during these crazy times is looking after yourself. Make sure you’re eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and above all else, engaging in some relaxation. The whole world seems to have gone a little bit mad. Don’t buy into the hype. We’re all going to get through this, and we’re going to do it together. Look after yourself and your loved ones.

ECON DIT A summary of the history of thought on the theory of employment Words by Gurmukh Singh

To quote the oldest book in the world “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” For countless people work is not just a dull facet of life; for it provides a sense of identity, independence and self-worth. Equally, employment is of the utmost importance for a nation as a nation at work is ever so often a prerequisite for a nation at peace. The alternative, that is, mass unemployment, results in people losing their sense of purpose and a mob without any vision rapidly descends into chaos. Therefore, we often use unemployment numbers to check on a nation’s health. Because unemployment is a societal phenomenon, its study falls into the realm of social science, specifically economics. In order to understand societal phenomena, economists build models. These models are based on theories and assumptions that they make to simplify the workings of the complex economy. Let us take a succinct look at some of these theories that underpin our understanding of the coin whose two faces are employment and unemployment. At this point, it is convenient to reveal to the occasional readers of economics that the study of the history of economics can be plainly divided into three phases. These are the classical school of economics, the Keynesian economics and the post Keynesian era of which the dominant player is the new classical economics. Furthermore, for those not familiar with the terminology of real wage (used frequently below), it is the wage that one earns when money is taken out of the equations i.e. a person’s purchasing power when the economy is viewed in a barter system. Firstly, let us look at the classical school which began with Adam Smith, the father of economics. Its main thinkers include Say, Ricardo and Malthus. It builds its theory of employment upon two postulates. The theory firstly postulates that real wage equals the marginal product of labour. In plain English it means that businesses hire to the point where the real wage allocated per hired worker equals the revenue that last worker’s

employment brings to the business. This postulate is logically irrefutable thus, it has remained unchallenged throughout history. It also gives us the demand schedule of employment i.e. as wages decrease, labour demanded by businesses increase. The second postulate of the classical school says that under a given volume of employment, the utility of wage equals to the marginal disutility of that amount of unemployment. Again, in plain English it means that at the existing level of real wages in the market are ‘always’ sufficient to induce full employment i.e. there is always a job for anyone who wants to work at the prevailing real wage rate. The second postulate allows for the existence of frictional unemployment i.e. people moving from one job to another and voluntary unemployment i.e. where unemployed choose not to accept a job. However, it does not allow the existence of ‘involuntary unemployment’, where people who are looking for a job cannot get a job at the existing wage rate. Even a common eye can pick up on the fact that this does not seem like how our world works nevertheless, classical economists persisted in holding this postulate. They attributed the existence of underemployment and involuntary unemployment to a conspiracy amongst workers where workers would not work for anything less than the bargained money-wage, which they argued was essentially more than what the rate should be. Next, came the Keynesian economics which started with the publication of the book named ‘The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money’ by John Maynard Keynes. To put matters into context, Keynes was to economics what Beatles were to pop music. He attacked the second postulate of classical school in several ways but at the heart of his argument, the preposition was that there are two ways to reduce workers real-wages. It can be accomplished by either decreasing workers’ money-wages and leaving the prices of daily goods intact or vice-versa. Keynes then argued that if there is conspiracy amongst workers to go on a mass strike when their real-wages decrease, how come these strikes are not observed every-time there is an increase in the prices of daily goods.

ECON DIT Keynes then refuted Say’s law which states that supply creates its own demand. The book established the principles of effective demand which Keynes argued, determine the level of employment in the market. In Keynes’s theory, the volume of employment in an economy depends on three factors namely, aggregate supply function, propensity to consume and the volume of investment. The logic is as follows: Income, paid by businesses and earned by households in an economy is divided into two parts, some of it is consumed and some of it is saved. Consumption part of the income goes towards purchasing products that businesses produce. At close inspection, one might notice that businesses have paid out more in incomes than they have collected from aggregate household consumption spending. Therefore, the gap between collection and spending must be filled by the volume of investment. The volume of investment is determined by something called the ‘inducement to invest’ which, in turn is determined by the relationship between marginal efficiency of capital and prevailing interest rates. Thus, giving the book its names ‘The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money’ (money is in the title because Keynes regarded money – correctly, if I may add - as something that plays a central role in our economy as opposed to the classical view that economy could be better understood as a barter system where money is neutral, makes no real difference and thus, introduced afterwards - a view that many economists practice to date.) Next in line is the post Keynesian era dominated by the school of new classical economics, popularized by monetary economists such as Milton Freedman, Robert Lucas and Thomas Sargent (they made the reserve banks famous). As the name suggests, they drew inspiration from mostly classical and some Keynesian works, heavily mathematized the field and gave us the concept of rational expectations i.e. people always act rationally. The framework created by these homo-economicuses, namely ‘Real Business Cycle Theory’ contends that actual output differs from potential output because of exogenous changes in the real-economic environment such as a sudden and large change in technology employed in the production sector or pandemics such as COVID-19. Importantly, in line with the classical assertion, the school refuses to acknowledge the existence of ‘involuntary unemployment’ and claims that unemployment rate imitates changes in labour preference of work over leisure. To refute this argument, Paul

Krugman points out that this “would mean that 25% unemployment at the height of the Great Depression would be the result of a mass decision (of population) to take a long vacation.” After the 2008 financial crisis, considerable rifts emerged in the modern approach to macroeconomics. Amongst those critiquing the aforementioned approach, the Modern Monetary Theory has emerged as a popular (mostly amongst non-economists for now) possible alternative. It acknowledges the existence of ‘involuntary unemployment’ and calls on the governments to implement a universal employment scheme. In essence, it argues that the government should be the employer of last resort and it should provide employment to all citizens, who are looking for work but are unable to find it, at a wage rate below the private sector threshold. The scheme will absorb people who are ‘involuntary unemployed’ in the private sector and when vacancies open up in the private sector, those people employed in the universal employment scheme can be lured to the private sector because of the wage rate differences. Empirical evidence from nations where this scheme was implemented has shown mostly promising results. To make up one’s mind, one only needs to look at empirical data produced by Argentina’s ‘Heads of Households’ scheme and India’s NREGA scheme – that is food for your thought.

Out of the ashes- Kangaroo Island report Words by Emma Aspin Everyone is aware of the catastrophic bushfires that devastated areas of Kangaroo Island in January. As I had family visiting in early March, I took the chance to see the impacts and atmosphere on the island. During the ferry crossing, an info video played loudly and proudly to emphasise how KI is still very much open for business, and that tourism is a necessity for keeping people’s livelihoods afloat. Despite the awful loss of much of the Flinders National Park and surrounding areas in the western side of the island, most of the central and eastern parts of the island remain untouched. I’m sure you’ve all seen the photos; bare branches, blackened like charred skeletons, stretching across a barren wasteland as far as the eye can see. But what is left? Down in Vivonne Bay I spoke to workers at the Vivonne Bay General Store. All around the building was evidence of fire, yet the store hadn’t gotten a scratch. I asked how that was possible. “Just a matter of the wind changing at the last minute – easy as”. This was a common theme that came up with residents; how quickly things could change, for better or worse. However, another topic that came up was the resilience of the people of KI and their determination to carry on as normal. We were still able to enjoy KI like kids in a candy shop and filled our days with constant activity. We frolicked on the white sands of Island Beach, stood in awe amongst the sea lions of Seal Bay, enjoyed the gastronomic delights and wine offerings across the Dudley Peninsula and soaked up some killer sunsets. All the while, staff and citizens greeted us with warm smiles, knowledgeable tales about the island and reassuring responses to our concern about the fires.

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Another thing you’ll experience whilst driving in KI is the ‘drivers salute’. Often you’ll find that, as you pass by other cars, the driver will give a wave or raise a finger. It’s little gestures like this that give you a sense of how tight knit the community is there, and how every small connection can make a big difference to how you feel. Oh, and remember – salute back! Thankfully, the wilder side of the islands inhabitants aren’t all as forsaken as it would seem. During our 2-night stay on KI, we spotted most of the native wildlife figures you’d expect to be roaming the island: kangaroos, echidnas, goannas, snakes and even a bunch of Glossy Black cockatoos. The island is far from gone. What is left is holding on fiercely. The next steps are crucial for KI. Protecting the wild spaces and their inhabitants will likely be the number one priority but protecting the others who live on the island should hold importance too. By the time this issue has been printed, it’s likely that the Covid-19 outbreak may have escalated somewhat in Australia. Time for holidays won’t be now, but when the time comes, the community on KI will be ready for you and will need you more than ever. Visit KI when the time is right. Support the local businesses. Be mindful of what impact you leave on their environment. For now… stay safe, everyone! #BOOKTHEMOUT

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Driving down the main roads in KI, we’d often come across ‘thank you’ signs. They stand as a poignant reminder that our presence as tourists there was far more valued than we could every understand. As the population on Kangaroo Island is less than 5,000 people, many businesses rely solely on the tourist trade. Without tourism, the island would lose its spark.

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international international student student news news LCE AUSSIE NIGHT: BRIDGING CULTURES AND IDENTITIES ON CAMPUS Words by Ngoc Lan Tran SRC International Officer and International Peer Mentor

On the fourth level of the Union House, the Friday night of Week 1, students were lining up at the door and down the hallway outside Eclipse Room with high anticipation for LCE Aussie Night. LCE, which stands for Language and Cultural Engagement, is a culturally themed social program organised by International Student Support (ISS). The event aims to facilitate a welcoming environment for international students whilst generating a sense of belonging within this community. The program has been running for a decade, and at the beginning of every year, it features Aussie Night as a warm welcome for our new international students. The event started with a presentation from Australian cultural ambassadors, who were also International Peer Mentors, who are an integral team of volunteers and indispensable extension of the ISS. Hawraa began with her remarks on why she was wearing a hijab and still calls herself an Aussie. Having been a refugee for over 20 years, she wanted to celebrate her Australian citizenship that she received in 2019. Michael, who split his time growing up in both Adelaide and Bulgaria, addressed the different languages being spoken in this country. Victoria, who is originally from Singapore but has been living in Perth for most of her life, attempted to convince the audience that Vegemite is delicious and worth a try. Ali and Simone were wearing their jerseys while recounting their experience with playing netball and extreme sports. Daniel showed everyone about his trips in the outback, while Yasmine discussed the representation of Australian multiculturalism in arts and films. Wirltu Yarlu ambassador Justine also contributed to the event, and she told everyone her story as an Aboriginal woman with a glimpse of the history of Indigenous Australia. The event succeeded in establishing that not only is Australia awesome, but also that Australia embraces you no matter where you are from and what languages you speak. Aussie Night managed to present a more organised and relaxed learning experience instead of the program’s signature ‘hectic’ atmosphere. The presence of the ambassadors with different backgrounds together helped celebrate multiculturalism with incredibly diverse domestic and international

student bodies. By doing all these things, the event achieved in doing something it did not initially intend to. It reminded us of the values we hold dear and the attitudes we need to get through any crisis at hand: inclusiveness, kindness, and an openness to learning and adapting. In hindsight, the night certainly brings back a nostalgic memory of simpler days when people were only alert and not alarmed about the coronavirus, or when toilet paper buying was a mere joke and not a social implication of this public health panic. But it also serves as a reminder in the face of fear and in spite of our many differences: as members of the society we are inextricably linked to one another, and thus we can only move forward through compassion, support, and simply extending a helping hand. In the afterglow of a meaningful event, things changed at dizzying speed on campus. Events of more than 500 people were banned at the time, and students are increasingly alarmed by coming to campus. The coronavirus is a public health crisis, but undoubtedly it has also harbored major social changes and concerns. Despite hosting only 150 students, the events’ venues of Eclipse Room or Rumours Café are relatively small and cannot accommodate students’ need for social distancing. Thus, until further notice, LCE Aussie Night would be the only event that International Student Support holds this semester. I am incredibly shocked and saddened by the postpone of our future LCEs. As an Event Manager, a volunteer and an international student, LCE means more than just a socialising night, it is the time when communities are built, a sense of belonging is formed and is attached to the university and the city of Adelaide. To be able to co-manage it with my friend and fellow peer mentor Lucia, to work and collaborate with the cultural ambassadors, and to see people coming together and having a great time, is nothing less than an absolute privilege. I had said this during the event’s debrief, but I think it is appropriate now to reiterate: having been in all aspects of LCE event managing, I am deeply appreciative of how our students were so engaged with the event, and how the volunteers worked so well together whilst taking initiative and solving problems coming their way. It has dawned on me during these crazy and troubling times how much LCE Aussie Night has meant and how much it contributes to the culture of our campus. With this thought, I well up with tears and an enormous sense of pride.

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May the next LCE event come about very soon. Stay safe, take care of each other, and I look forward to seeing you all there.

The choices we make about the choices we make Words by Michelle Roylance

A few weeks ago, the LifeChoice club at Adelaide Uni was placed in the spotlight for being one of the more controversial clubs that has been Union affiliated, while the Women’s Collective and Pro-Choice Club has been denied. This is what the union website states to advertise the club: “…an Adelaide University Union Club which aims to promote the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, through reasonable and informed discussion on the issues of abortion and euthanasia in Australian society.” As a woman, I have no problem with this. What I do have a problem with, is the union not providing a platform for those who voice differing opinions. When we have an issue in society, be it a crime, or new legislation, or even your research paper due in week 6, ordinarily we explore all the arguments; we educate ourselves in order to provide scope and intelligent discussion. When the union only gives voice to one side of the argument, it suggests that they endorse only one opinion.

This is harmful to students, specifically women and their beliefs, not to mention contradictive to the purpose of any educative institute . We are being encouraged to limit ourselves, and those who are validly in favor of giving women a choice are only hearing one thing: That they’re ‘murderers’. When the Union says that there is ‘no need’ for the Women’s Collective or Pro-Choice Club, it sends the message that they believe that there is no sexism at uni, no oppression of women in any sense, no need for women to take selfdefence classes, or go to therapy. No need for them to be cautious walking home, no need to advocate against gender pay gaps or domestic violence. Because these are just fantasies that we women create in our heads. We have no need for a support group, a social group, an advocative group. Why should we gather and listen to each other’s stories? Why do we need a voice? Abortion is not a light subject. No woman or couple makes the decision to terminate a fetus sporadically. They deliberate, they discuss, they weigh, and then decide what the correct path is for them. The circumstances of

conception, age, finances, lifestyle, and stability cannot and must not be ignored. I am aware that the media can glorify the idea of pregnancy, with lavish bridal showers and the ‘pregnancy glow’. But for some women it is not an enjoyable experience; their ankles swell, their gums bleed, they experience extreme morning sickness, headaches, back pains, bleeding, poor sleeping habits, acne and blisters, and that’s just the physical element, let’s also bring in depression and anxiety, and a heightened sense of vulnerability. Let’s now add the costs of medical bills, vitamins and pills, creams and gels and maternity clothes. Let’s add how this is an ongoing commitment with frequent hospital visits and eventual maternity leave. This is before the child is even born. Are Pro-Life groups going to support pregnant women on all levels, right up until she enters labor? Are they then going to ensure that the child is given the opportunities in life it deserves? If a pregnant woman decides to give her child up for adoption when it is born, are Pro-Life groups going to ensure that that child is treated right? Keep in mind that the number of children entering child protection services in Australia is increasing ‘steadily’ every year, with 42 per 1,000 in 2015/2016. That same year, 45,714 children were reportedly victims of abuse. I ask LifeChoice to consider this next time they tell a woman it’s not okay to terminate her pregnancy… I ask them, is it okay for the child to grow up in a system where they have the potential to be abused?

What are they currently doing for the thousands of Australian children who are already subject to that abuse, who are already feeling the consequences of being in a home that doesn’t want them? You argue that every child terminated has the potential to be the next Isaac Newton, or be the person to cure cancer, I argue that they also have the potential to be the next Gabriel Fernandez, tortured to death at the age of 8. I would like to address my fellow women who are future and existing members of the LifeChoice club. I respect you and admire your ability to trust your own mind and beliefs. However, in turn I request the same level of respect from you! I ask that you do not bring down your fellow women just because their thinking does not align with yours! You do not know these women. You do not know their circumstances.. Even if you were privy to these details let me remind you that you are not these women. You do not think for them. You do not speak for them. You do not act for them. You do not provide for them. You have NO right to say what is best for them. Only they can do that for themselves. You are not without though. You have the have the opportunity and the privilege to be there for these women. You can listen to their story. You can catch their tears when they cry. You can hold their hand when they feel alone. You can support them because you are a woman and you are faced with the same choice, and just because your decisions are different, doesn’t mean that either of them are wrong. 25

In defence of life Words by Michael Brohier

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. These words of Alice Paul define much of the mission of LifeChoice Adelaide. Abortion is all too often discussed as a compassionate choice, as a matter of human rights or healthcare, whereas in reality it is profoundly anti-women. Women deserve to understand the impacts of abortion, and to be supported in every way as they make choices regarding their pregnancy. Women deserve to know the truth, the truth that at 6 weeks, an unborn baby has a heartbeat. At 12 weeks the babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organs, nerves and muscles are functioning. At 24 weeks, the baby can feel pain and is viable outside the womb. LifeChoice Adelaide provides this information to empower people in making informed decisions so that women truly have choice. The issue of abortion deserves sensitive discussion that empowers women, not the dispassionate ideological slogans that are all too common in this space. LifeChoice Adelaide seeks to sensitively engage individuals on matters of life, with material designed to facilitate discussions. We are committed to spreading life-affirming messages, recognising that all life is precious, regardless of age, gender or ability. 26

We are a rapidly growing grassroots movement of university students from diverse backgrounds who are enthusiastic about spreading lifeaffirming messages on issues including abortion, euthanasia and mental health on campus. As the new year begins, we have an exciting line-up of events based around our key objectives. 1. To promote the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, through reasonable and informed discussion on the issues of abortion and euthanasia in Australian society. South Australia is at a critical point in determining its legislative future on the issue of abortion. As debate ensues over the coming year, LifeChoice Adelaide will continue to facilitate discussion on issues including gestational limits and sex-selective abortion. Unfortunately, LifeChoice Adelaide has already experienced how abusive slogans and ideological soundbites are preferred over reasonable and informed discussion, with groups and individuals on campus attempting to silence our views during events in 2019. However, we are confident as we continue to present scientifically supported information in an educated and respectful manner, we can achieve meaningful conversations on this divisive issue.

2. To present opportunities for students to engage in academic research and writing on bioethical issues. Much of the aggression and anger in the abortion debate can be avoided when there is reasonable and informed discussion. Yet such conversations are difficult without knowledge of the scientific and ethical issues at play. Therefore, LifeChoice Adelaide is committed to providing opportunities where students can investigate this issue and present their findings. We are excited to be launching our first writing competition in 2020 where students will have the opportunity to present research papers on the issue of abortion and euthanasia. LifeChoice Adelaide hopes that as individuals and as a university community, we can lay aside the vitriol surrounding the abortion debate and discuss this issue in an informed and civil manner. 3. To provide support to pregnant students and staff at the university. LifeChoice Adelaide recognises that abortion is an incredibly sensitive issue and understands the life-changing implications that are associated with bringing a new life into the world, particularly when unexpected. We understand the complexities of the decisions around abortion and believe that no woman should feel alone. In a bizarre and aggressive article printed in this magazine in 2019, there were insinuations that our club would be shouting our opinions and threatening womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reproductive rights.

We simply, yet unequivocally state that we believe in human rights; the rights of both women and children. These rights should exist in harmony. We believe that no women should ever be forced to choose between her life or her babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. All too often pregnant students feel driven to abortion out of desperation. Too many women feel they have no other choice because their university or employer will not offer them more flexible arrangements. This is a deeply ingrained and fatal error within our society and we are determined to fight for the rights of pregnant and parenting students. The abortion industry does not care about the rights of these women and does not provide them with real choices. It is the pro-life movement that provides the expecting mother with the support she needs so she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to choose between her child and her future. LifeChoice Adelaide is committed to what is a foundational concept for any successful society - upholding the dignity of human life from conception until natural death. We are excited for all that lies ahead in 2020 and look forward to meeting and discussing these issues with all of you over the coming year.

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law textbook review Words by Felix Eldridge

I just finished reading ‘Blackshield and William’s Australian Constitutional Law and Theory edition 7’ and my goodness was it a good read. Now some people might think, ah just another boring old law textbook, I couldn’t possibly be bothered to sit through that, but prepare to be amazed because it reads like an epic action thriller. We start by examining the basic issues of constitutional law such as: what’s the ‘dead hand of the past’ and how can legislators avoid being groped by it? It then tells the gripping tale of the 4 evil High Court Justices that horrifically mutilated the corpse of state’s rights with their judgements in the Tasmanian Dam case. We are left wondering why the hell can’t High Court Justices just write a simple yes no answer and insist on composing thousand word judgements on the most insignificant matters? Overall, this book is fantastic and only a damn functionalist would say otherwise. Rating: 4.5 dissents from Kirby J

The stigma of our mental illness Words by Ellie Butler Mental health. We all have it. We all have to make certain efforts and take specific measures to ensure that our mental health remains functioning. But different things get in the way of this. Family matters can impact mental health. Our school and social life have an impact. And although all these are massive factors in the state of our mental health, there is one factor that is most significant: mental illness. That’s what I’m here to speak about today. Not about the beauty of mental illness. Not about the light at the end of the tunnel of our mental illness. No. I’m here to speak about the truth of mental illness. One in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime. One in four Australians will experience an anxiety condition. But when we narrow it down to specific groups, the figures become even more astounding. One in five LGBTQI+ Australians experience depression with one in three experiencing anxiety. Each day, more than eight people in Australia die from suicide, with suicide being the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44. We matter. Our illnesses matter. And we are valid despite the stigma around us that says otherwise. The stigma in society that says that people with a mental illness are less deserving than people with a physical illness. The stigma that says if we have to go to hospital as a result of our mental illness, that we deserve to be treated like psychiatric patients in the early 1900s, and that we warrant

judgement as a result of what our illness has pushed us to do. The stigma around mental illness spreads much further than the issues we face while attempting to receive treatment. It also exists on a much smaller scale, with those around us and how we function with our friends and family. The thing that most people don’t understand about mental illness is that though there are efforts we can make to better our mental health, like exercising, eating healthy and staying positive, there’s only so much that we can do to “just snap out of it” or “just calm down” or “focus on all the positive things in life”. Mental illness is a powerful thing, that can remain rooted in us for a long time, despite all our efforts of treatment. Despite all the exercise we do, all the healthy food we eat, all the positive quotes we read, all the selfhelp books, all the therapy, and all the different medications, sometimes mental illness just sticks. Sometimes it doesn’t get better. Sometimes it’s with us forever. And far too often, mental illness can lead to a death that shouldn’t have happened. That’s why it is so important we increase our openness about our mental health. Mental illness can cause our loved ones to worry and experience feelings of anxiousness or can cause anger and confusion. For someone who hasn’t had to experience the effort it takes to get out of bed and attempt to get through the day without thinking about how easy it would be if you didn’t have to be alive or

hasn’t had to experience the confusion of thinking you’re having a heart attack when really your body is experiencing a panic attack, then it can be difficult to understand the reality of mental illness and the many ways in which it can cause such significant disruption in someone’s life. Mental illness is a burden enough, without also being burdened with shame and disappointment from society. It is for these reasons that it is even more vital that we remove the stigma around mental illness. We need to allow people to talk about their illnesses without fear of being viewed as “attention-seeking” or “crazy”. But it is also vital that we receive more funding towards mental health not only in the health system itself but especially in our school systems. One in seven young people aged 4 to 17 years old experience a mental health condition each year. One in ten young people aged 12-17 have engaged in selfharm. One in thirteen will have serious considerations about suicide. One in forty will attempt suicide. Suicide continues to be the biggest killer of young Australians, with suicide being responsible for onethird of all deaths of young people aged 14-25 years. The mental health of young Australians remains one of Australia’s biggest problems to date, but the lack of funding schools receive for mental health support and the continuing stigma around mental illness prevents this problem from being faced and prevents young Australians from receiving the proper support they need.

you’re able to or in a healthy mental state, take the first step: have the conversation. Make sure you tell your loved one that they are not alone, that you are there to support them and that they are valid, that their illness is valid and that they deserve the same support and treatment as someone with a visible, physical illness would be. Listen and show your support. Encourage them to keep talking. Suggest professional help and help them connect with professional help. And while we as individuals support one another through the ups and downs of our mental health, also lobby for more funding for schools and their mental health program. Engage with your school counsellor. Talk to your principal about the importance of mental health and take it to the school’s council. Work towards removing the stigma in society by making mental health support more accessible and encouraging conversation about our mental health. As Michelle Obama once said, “Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg or your brain, it’s still an illness and there should be no distinction.”

So, what can we do? Each and every one of us can make a difference in helping remove the current stigma around mental health by being there for them but making sure that it isn’t at the expense of your own mental health. So, if you think

Fear and loathing on the Caucus trail: The inside story of Iowa 2020 Words by Will Broderick When the final word is written on the 2020 US Presidential Election, the Iowa Democratic Caucuses held on February 3rd will be remembered as one of the craziest moments of the whole catastrophe. And in the midst of all that craziness, a group of Adelaide Uni students, myself included, witnessed it all unfold. What follows is a taste of the two wild weeks I spent in the Hawkeye State, and a Caucuses that no one in Iowa or political circles nationwide will be forgetting any time soon. Klob-mentum? You’d be forgiven at this point in the race if you never heard of Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar or her failed bid for the presidency. Back in January though, she was one of the leading contenders to win the Iowa Caucuses, and had visited all the state’s 99 counties, only being dragged away from the campaign due to her obligations as a juror in Trump’s Impeachment Trial. Replacing her on the trail was her daughter, Abigail Klobuchar Bessler. She decided to make a snap visit to Simpson College, where we were staying, to rally

passionate College Democrats on behalf of her mum. When we got to the event however, it became apparent that literally the only people in the room were Australians. Bessler was a good sport about it, and happily engaged with us and answered our questions. But you could tell by the shell-shocked look on her staff’s faces that they were expecting a very different turnout. The campaign still decided to put a photo of us up on Senator Klobuchar’s Twitter, and all of us, including some Trump supporters in the group, were branded ‘College Democrats’. Though she had a slight resurgence in the New Hampshire Primary the following week, Klobuchar dropped out barely a month after we met her daughter. Shame those ‘College Democrats’ couldn’t do more to help… Do the MATH

One of the most interesting experiences of our trip was attending

an Andrew Yang rally in the small, conservative, Dutch Quaker town of Pella. The passion and showmanship of Yang’s address made it the best-put case for his bold signature policy, the Universal Basic Income – or ‘Freedom Dividend’ – that I had ever seen. Whether or not you agree with the idea of UBI, you had to concede that his fears about the impending uncertainty of automation merited him a noteworthy position in the race. His answers to audience questions were something else, cracking jokes and striking Elvisstyle poses for no apparent reason. Though he may now have sold out to the CNN establishment and endorsed Joe Biden, I don’t think we’ve heard the final world on Yang’s philosophy of MATH (which stands for Make America Think Harder by the way). He wrote the damn bill and met the damn Will Despite also being tied up with the Impeachment Trial in Washington, I was hoping beyond hope to see my candidate of choice, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. We went to two Bernie rallies, one on-campus and the other one in Clive, a small town a half-hour bus ride from the state capital of Iowa, Des Moines. He called

in to the Clive rally from DC, which also happened to be the same rally in which Michigan Congresswoman and ‘Squad’ member Rashida Tlaib booed Hillary Clinton to an excited audience of outsiders, reformists, and 99-percenters. At the Simpson College rally the next day however, he made an appearance in-person, and I was invited to be one of the volunteers in the background of his speech, the anticipation meeting the man himself now reaching fever-pitch. Though he had to immediately rush off to another event afterwards, he turned to face all the volunteers, and in his old-school Brooklyn cadence of a bygone age, hit us with a trademark, “Thank you all, very much”. To paraphrase a political opposite of Bernie’s, former Liberal Prime Minister Robert Menzies, ‘I did but see him passing by, and yet I love him till I die’. 33

We also visited one of Bernie’s field offices in the small town of Indianola where Simpson is located. One of our Simpson chaperones, a Pete Buttigieg supporter, was asking the office manager if she would support the eventual Democratic nominee if it wasn’t Bernie. The office manager, who to that point had been telling us about her struggle as a trans woman with a degenerative disease costing a fortune to treat, flipped her mood like a light switch, snapping back that she “wouldn’t fall for that talking point”, turning the question back on him and resolutely stating, “We are going to win”. It was confronting to see this centrist stereotype of a Bernie supporter in person, and a timely reminder that division in the Democratic ranks only helps one person: Donald Trump.

A Game of Chicken Before Caucus Night rolled around, many of us had been convinced that the Caucus system safeguarded democracy and successfully engaged voters in the process of choosing a nominee. By the end of the night, my views at least had significantly changed. We probably should have gotten an indication of the havoc in store when the Caucus Chair got peoples’ attention by squeaking a rubber chicken – some sort of dog’s chew toy, I think. “When I squeak the chicken,” he clamored, “you stop and listen!” Things didn’t improve from there. Supporters of unviable candidates were going over to ones with better odds before a headcount of voters had even been taken. The largely older, volunteer administrators at our caucus had no clue how to report the results using the Iowa Democratic Party’s app. Overall, it was a complete mess, with no conclusive results for nearly a month afterwards. As one of the Simpson academics remarked to us, “I think y’all have witnessed the last Iowa Caucuses”. I reckon he’s probably right.

musician spotlight: an interview with memory castles INTERVIEW BY CHANEL TRESIZE

Memory Castles is an Adelaide based band, who’s sound, and lyrics are reminiscent of the angsty Pop Punk bands many of us grew up with. Memory Castle’s Pop Punk sound, however, is so much more than it’s Emo label. Memory Castles is colourful and energetic, their music takes its listeners through a journey of heartache, irritable nice guys, and personal growth. Memory Castles’ music is vibrant and encapsulating of the human condition, all as a result of songwriter and vocalist Jesse Cumes’s raw, emotional voice, with Ivan Ho and Gino Liberatore’s intrinsic and trancing base. Further toppled Nick Bentley’s beautiful rhythmic guitar, and who’s to forgot temporary drummer Jack Cumes’s wonderful beats. Memory Castle’s sound could only be described as brilliantly beautiful. Meeting through mutual friends, and Gumtree of all places, vocalist Jesse Cumes illustrates that the members of Memory Castles have, “all grown

close through our mutual love of crafting songs and performing, which has kept us motivated and dedicated to our upcoming projects.” When asked what inspired them to start Memory Castle’s, Nick chimed that, “Being in a band was something I always wanted to do.” Jesse, Ivan, Gino and Jack all enthusiastically agreed, Ivan mentioning that music, particularly pop punk, was something he fell in love with at an early age. Pop Punk and other artists have heavily influenced and affected lead singer Jesse, who mentioned that it was these artists that sparked his dream. “Seeing bands live such as Say Anything, The Pixies and (soon) My Chemical Romance stirred something inside me. I just want to create the same joy for others, in which those bands created for me.”

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Gino, the band’s base guitarist, also added that Kiss, his favourite band, has been a humongous influence on his performance, especially his aesthetic. Gino added that, “I’ve been wanting to wear a mask on stage when we perform. I think Kiss’s theatrics and aesthetic is something I want to recreate in my own way for my part in Memory Castles.” The band’s influence, which reign from heavy bands like Taking Back Sunday to The Matches and Waterparks, to skilful songwriters such as Marina, is easily heard within their insanity-laced, up-beat tunes. Memory Castle’s costumes, bright makeup and quirky props add a twist of colour to the Punk scene of Adelaide. Nick further emphasised that My Chemical Romance’s showmanship has heavily influenced the boy’s look and theatrics, encouraging their ‘over the topness’ and ‘uniqueness’. Additionally, after being asked about their

aesthetic, Jesse prompted that, “dressing up in costumes and smearing on makeup is one of my favourite things and I’ve always admired and been inspired by bands that have that element as part of their aesthetic.” Memory Castles’ local gigs, however, really reel the audience via their cheekiness and beautiful noise. When asking the band on performing, Ivan added that performing is his favourite part, in agreeance Jesse mentioned that he loves, “getting on stage and putting on a show, being sassy and theatrical and really looking the part.” Nick and Gino nodded, describing a previous gig in which the audience jumped and danced to the music as Jesse mentioned to the crowd that one of the props which was a toy dog on the amp, was called Rufus. In previous shows the band has also dressed up at skeletons, put fairy lights over the set and just put random objects around to amuse the audience. The boys smiled describing past shows, adding that the next one will be better yet. “Right now we’re in the process of recording for a big project we’ll be announcing soon!” they seemed to all chime in to announce this, Jesse adding that, “We have big plans for this year but it basically comes down to recording and writing a lot more music and playing a bunch of kick ass shows and getting people to shake their butts to some catchy tunes.” Follow the boys on Facebook or Instagram @MemoryCastles

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Fringe socialist groups have no concept of their own insignificance and are doomed to fail Words by Lawrence Hull

Whether on a University campus or at a street protest, many of us have at some point crossed paths with particular groups calling for some kind of ‘socialist revolution’. What that means is in itself subject to a wide range of opinions and semantic dances. However, when I speak of ‘fringe socialist groups’, I mean those who advocate for revolution or a complete overthrow of a particular system.This idea is inherently violent, as most revolutions throughout history (whatever form they took) ended in a bloodbath. The adversarial rhetoric of these groups is at odds with the very spirit of what it takes to even lay the groundwork of any kind of political, religious, or socio-economic movement. To lay the foundation for any movement with the hopes of achieving a particular goal, it should not be forgotten that the cornerstone of the longevity and success of a movement lies in its ability to change hearts and minds. Rhetoric, charisma and moral fortitude are the pillars of success.

Sadly, these groups have none of these attributes. They exhibit a kind of moral superiority which is as transparent as glass.

Cloaked in a dishevelled manner, hurling abuse at those who disagree with their opinions, and randomly disturbing passers-by, these groups have no concept of their own insignificance and no insight into the detriment they are causing to their movement. When we look to recent history at the success of many activists and their triumphs, we see that these came from changes within the system, not by violently overthrowing it. When we look at the current Democratic Primary in the United States, we see what a successful movement looks like. We see a candidate who is advocating for drastic change, not violent usurpation. We see a candidate who has a history of being morally consistent. We see a candidate that has seen more individual donations received than anyone else in American political history. We see a candidate that is open to discourse and that doesn’t spit verbal bile at his opponents. We see... Bernie Sanders. He is charismatic, his rhetoric is eloquent and articulate, and he has a history of being virtuous. It must be reiterated that Bernie is a social democrat, which is different to a socialist. However, he is advocating for radical change, the kind of tangible change the world needs. Although the Democratic Primaries don’t look favourable to him, Bernie has succeeded in laying down a solid foundation for a working-class movement to build on. His candidacy has succeeded in shifting the entire party

to the left on issues such as Medicare For All and has changed the narrative of all candidates seeking to oppose him, simply by being on the debate stage. These modern fringe socialist movements are oblivious to the art of rhetoric as well as persuasion. Seldom does anyone look at the individuals of these groups and think: ‘I want to be like them’. They could learn a lot from Bernie Sanders. Rhetoric needs to be used in a manner conducive to persuasion and ethical success. Hurling abuse and making people feel uncomfortable is incongruent to the viability and future progress of any movement. These groups are doing more harm than good to the ‘Socialist’ cause (whatever that may be). Instead of indulging in Marxist literature and romanticised socialist movies and ideas, they should work on their conduct and be more self-critical. That is, of course, if they are true to what they claim (which is highly unlikely). The unfortunate truth is that these, like other extreme fringe groups, only have a will to power, not a will for true egalitarian change. They are, and will continue to be, fringe groups incapable of realising their fanciful utopian ideas.

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UNWAY Bringing together a showcase of local sustainable fashion, Adelaide Fashion Collective and Adelaide Sustainability Association hosted a runway show as their debut event for 2020. The show contained pieces from Sustainable Clothing Co., NoRuYeLo, and various Adelaide vintage stores and op shops.

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Hedy Lamarr: The underrated inventor Words by Auriane Wright

A glamorous Hollywood movie-star in the 1940s, Hedy Lamarr was known for her jaw-dropping looks and her femme fatale roles. Lamarr was born in Vienna and had a culturally and scientifically rich upbringing. In 1933, at the age of 19, Lamarr married an Austrian munitions dealer who worked with the Nazis . Shortly thereafter, in 1937, she fled both her country and marriage by drugging her maid, stealing her uniform and riding away on her bicycle. This daring escape was only the beginning of an extraordinary series of events which characterize Lamarr’s life. Once in London, she was spotted by Louis B. Mayer (co-founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, one of the biggest cinema production companies of Hollywood’s ‘Golden Age’) and negotiated a contract 44

to be a Hollywood actress. Lamarr went on to become an iconic actress throughout the golden age of the Hollywood era. At 18, she acted the first on-screen orgasm in the history of cinema in the 1933 film Ecstasy. She is also said to be the inspiration for the characters of Snow White’s and CatWoman). She even went on to create a production company of her own. Often overlooked is Lamarr’s ability to invent. As a young child, she would often take things apart to see how they worked and later on declared that ideas for inventions came to her naturally. Lamarr was an inventor who worked in the shadows, she would carry out research for her projects in her home laboratory after work or even on-set in her trailer. Her most impressive invention was a major contribution to the world of wireless technology. From a Jewish family, neighborhood and school, Lamarr felt the need to help Allied Forces during World War II. She used her ingenuity to create ‘frequencyhopping’, now commonly referred to as ‘spread-spectrum broadcasting’. Here is what it was invented to

do: create a coded form of radio transmission that securely guided the Allied torpedoes to their target, and therefore, prevent the enemy from interfering with the signal. Needing help to patent it, she worked with fellow inventor and pianist Georges Antheil to create a prototype. In August 1942, 8 months after the Pearl Harbour bombing, they received a patent for their new invention and donated use of the invention to the U.S military. This frequency-hopping system is what helped later on create wait for it …. GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth! Lamarr had previously offered her knowledge about Nazi weapons to the National Inventors Council, an offer which was declined. Instead, she was told that she would be more useful selling war bonds. She did so very successfully nonetheless, raising seven million dollars in one evening. Even though her invention had been disregarded during World War II it was used a decade later on naval ships during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

credit for her invention earlier in her life because multidimensional women were, and in some circumstances still are, seen as threatening. At the time, Hollywood had a binary vision of women where they were perceived to be either clever and powerful or seductive. Lamarr didn’t fit in the narrow narrative afforded to women of her time and therefore only got the credit she deserved in the last years of her life. Lamarr and Antheil were jointly presented an award from The Electronic Frontier Foundation in 1997), however she was not well enough to attend at the time. She also received the Invention Convention’s Bulbie Gnass Spirit of Achievement Award. Hedy Lamarr passed away in 2000 and was subsequently inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014. As for her patent, it expired before she ever earned a penny from it. I will leave you with these wise words from Hedy in 1990 that cement the feminist position of her actions: “the brains of people are more interesting than their looks, I think”.

Lamarr’s ingenuity was never perceived as one of her most attractive traits. Some have speculated that she did not get the

Media, establishment, Bernie, and the U.S. 2020 elections Words by Gurmukh Singh Artwork by @angvs

Next comes the establishment, these are the people who run the party machinery – they are the undemocratic part of parties that run democracy. This machinery controls access to the small lot of people who have a lot of money. They also screen candidates to make sure that their positions on issues, such as taxes, are aligned with the interests of the party and the donors. By acting as intermediaries, these people control money which gives them power over candidates including those elected to the Congress, the Senate and even the White House. To put things in context, according to openscerets.org, ‘these donors’ spent well over a billion U.S. dollars in 2016 to influence election results.

There might be a few things that money cannot buy, however, influence in elections is certainly not one of them. Imagine having several millionaire and billionaire backers funding your election campaign; what can’t you do with that kind of money? This is where the role of the media and establishment starts.

Lastly, the news media which, in the U.S., is dominated by 6 major companies. PEW research reports that advertising is by far the news media’s biggest source of revenue; making up about 69% of the total share. These companies compete amongst themselves for the biggest piece of this advertising pie; especially during election season when the pie grows significantly due to political spending. Here, any reasonable eye can observe how it might incentivize the media to align with SuperPAC positions on political issues, such as taxes or Medicare reforms, in hopes that they can get a bigger share of that pie.

he upcoming U.S. elections are always of particular interest to many because they decide who will become the leader of the free world. They also concern Australia in particular as the U.S. is our primary security partner and our biggest foreign investor. If this isn’t interesting enough, consider the sheer amount of money involved: $10 billion AUD from 2016 election estimates, all thanks to the 2010 Supreme Court ruling in the case of ‘Citizens United v FEC’. On free speech grounds, the court sided with Citizens United to allow the creation of ‘SuperPACs’; entities where corporations and unions can funnel boundless money to support candidates who align with their motives or values.

Firstly, if you are a candidate running for the presidency, you need to reach your potential voters who turn up to vote almost religiously. In the U.S., these are mostly people over the age of 45. How can you reach them efficiently? - television, newspaper and radio are the key outlets. And how would you pay for it? You raise money; either small amounts from a lot of people or large amounts from a small lot of people. Historical data suggests that candidates prefer the latter approach because of its convenience.

Essentially, there are a small lot of people who have a lot of money that they put in SuperPACs. Candidates want it to help their campaigns, the establishment derives its power from it while the media generates its profit from it.

Earlier in the year, Senator Bernie Sanders became the frontrunner in the Democratic primaries. While this is no longer the case, observers might have noticed the media going into a frenzy, especially after the Nevada caucus results. Overwhelming, the primary allegation levied by the media against him is that he is unelectable because his ideas are radical. Pundits in the media claim that a moderate candidate like Joe Biden has the best chance to win the November 2020 elections. I suspect this is because Senator Sanders has rejected contributions from any rich donors and his campaign is financed by small donations averaging around $18.5 USD per donation. This has become a hindrance to the otherwise smooth functioning of the above-mentioned trilogy.

At this time, President Trump is presiding over an all-time low unemployment rate, a renegotiated NAFTA deal, a new U.S.-China trade deal, and a new U.S. Afghanistan peace deal; namely ‘Agreement for bringing peace to Afghanistan’ which will see all U.S. troops leave the region within 14 months. If Democrats think they can unseat an incumbent with a ‘moderate’ whose ideas are no different from the Obama era, I suspect they are either delusional or would rather have another 4 years of a Republican President which, in a way, serves their corporate interests better than Sanders could. It should be noted that the medium-term impact of COVID-19 remains an open question, however, Americans have a history of preserving the status quo during wartime.

Because ‘un-electability’ is the primary allegation, let us then examine its validity through the lens of history. History tells us that since the 21st century, all presidential election winners promised a ‘radical’ shift from status quo during their campaigns. Clinton promised ‘For People, for a Change’, Bush had ‘Reformer with Results’, Obama ran with ‘Yes We Can’, and during the last election Trump channeled Regan with ‘Make America Great Again’. In contrast to them, Dole, McCain, Romney and Clinton (Hillary) were the embodiment of moderate establishment. Whether the winners ended up fulfilling the promises made is matter for another discussion, but the point here is that this narrative has been proven wrong time and time again. Nonetheless, media and the pundits have continued with it. No wonder the trust in media has fallen to an all-time low.

With that note, I will leave the final judgement to you while remarking that the lessons from the U.S. can be applied to Australian politics with striking resemblance. That is some food for thought.

The impact of the Coronavirus on the Australian Economy Words by Hung-Yi Pan We all know about the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19,but apart from the health risks, how does this fast spreading disease impact the Australian economy and us? There are some strange and unusual effects from this pandemic disease that no-one would have anticipated. Imagine not being able to go on that holiday that you have been planning for so long or being stuck at home for 2 weeks watching daytime TV. Or who would have predicted the comedic panic for toilet paper? We’re now seeing the cancellation of events where large crowds gather, like the Australian F1 Grand Prix, sporting events, concerts and the like. Well, that’s just some of the impacts COVID-19 is having on our everyday lives. In a similar way, this insidious disease is also impacting Australia’s economy and making it ill. A combination of the threat of COVID-19, the preventive measure introduced to contain its spread, the consequential effects when those that work closely with us have been infected and the growing hype and hysteria in our community have all contributed to a sever negative impact on Australia’s economy as well as the global economy. Who would have thought that a virus with flu-like symptoms would have such an impact on our economy that we are witnessing now? People’s behaviours have been moderated to try to contain COVID-19’s spread. At the local level, small businesses have had to adapt to loss of trade by people staying home, or unable to source their goods, or through staff absenteeism when they become ill. In particular, business in the retail, restaurant and hospitality industries have been forced to scale-back their operations or, in extreme cases, suspend operations completely. At a broader view, COVID-19 has had an immediate and severe impact to some major industry sectors in our economy, namely tourism and education sectors. Holidays are being cancelled and people are choosing not to travel due to the growing concerns of the virus. Overseas students are unable to return to Australia to resume their studies and so is disrupting enrolments and tuition revenue for Australian universities, colleges and schools. Those industries reliant on imports and exports are also experiencing significant disruption to their businesses, while at the same time incurring additional costs associated with virus containment or prevention. The revenue streams for businesses are their lifeblood. Downturns in revenue and business performance will lead to rises in unemployment rates, reduced investments and the consequential restriction in the availability of money to be spent throughout our community. Without a check, or control on these impacts, each of us eventually will become impacted to some degree by the effects of COVID-19 in our economy – some of us sooner than later. Whether it be through loss of employment or inability to continue servicing a loan or mortgage, the potential consequence to some may become quite severe. In a similar way that a doctor will administer medication to treat a patient’s illness, our Federal Government has introduced an economic stimulus package to moderate the symptoms of the economic impacts and the consequences of this disease are having on the way Australia’s economy operates. How far-reaching the effects of COVID-19 will extend and therefore how far the Federal Government will need to also extend the stimulus package remains to be seen. The package appears to have all the right ingredients to contain the economic effects from COVID-19, but only time will tell if it is enough or, indeed, whether it is even working.

Film review: Knives Out Directed by Rian Johnson Review by Imogen Larcombe

Murder mysteries are usually a genre I would be exploring late at night, watching ABC with my mum. With the release of the new Agatha Christie-inspired Knives Out, there is something new and exciting for viewers to investigate. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, it follows private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig with a southern accent) as he searches for the killer of a wealthy and successful murder mystery author, Harlan Thrombey. Set in a gothic old-fashioned mansion in modern England, the film plays homage to the classic Agatha Christie shows but with a refreshing twist. As a fan of this genre, I was walking into the cinema hoping not to lose all my expectations in its future. The last few decades of murder mystery movies attempted and failed to satisfy audiences and fans of such a well-loved genre. The most recent disappointment being Murder on the Orient Express (2017); which 50

lacked originality. I was distracted throughout the entire film by Poirot’s ridiculously large moustache. The main issue with previous adaptations is the serious tone used to portray the characters and the story. Often the classic depictions use less serious and light-hearted tones in the story to couple with the bleak subject of murder. To me, this is what makes this genre feel approachable, and Knives Out meets all these requirements as well as giving some originality in its structure and storyline. For me, the joy of murder mysteries is the whodunit part; where I get to be the detective. It’s one of those unique genres where the viewer’s agenda is not only to experience the story and characters but to also get involved in its narrative. Johnson thrives at this with his clever writing and editing. We’re manipulated and given little clues in every scene making it a thrill to watch. Although the Oscars snubbed the movie for many

nominations, including production design, Johnson received a welldeserved nomination for original screenplay. Knives Out’s witty and unpredictable writing pulls the story together, making it not only a mystery, but a very entertaining and playful thriller. With the large cast of serious and well-known actors playing not so serious roles in the Thrombey family, their performances make for plenty of amusement. I laughed at the eccentric and prideful family fighting for their inheritance. The real protagonist of the film is Harlan’s unassuming nurse and outsider to the family, Marta Cabrera (played by Ana de Armas). We get to see the story unfolding through her eyes as the true virtuosity of the family is revealed. Ana de Armas’ performance is captivating and diversifies what was once an underrepresented character in the genre. The complexity of her character is also great to see for a female role, showing a shift from the typical one-dimensional female characters portrayed too often in films. Hopefully, through this example, there will be more roles like it in the future.

However, it is obvious that Johnson had more vision for the story than to just entice watchers with the mystery of Thrombey’s Killer. He uses this to draw you in but then wants you to reflect on more. Much like this year’s stand out film Parasite, comedy is utilised to ease you into looking at deeper themes and issues like privilege and class. Comparisons between the wealthy Thrombey family and Marta’s response to Harlan’s death exemplify the virtuosity of the two sides. Harlan’s inheritance, otherwise referred to as the Thrombey Family’s ‘birthright’, is the main concern for a lot of the characters after the death of their beloved father. The subject of immigration is also explored and the film uses the comfortable and alluring setting of this character-driven genre to reflect on these societal issues; something new for a 100-year-old formula. The use of comedy, thrill and character meets the standard murder mystery criteria we know and love and Johnson has proved to viewers that it is possible to modernise this genre without losing its beloved traits. There is something new and exciting about Knives Out. It’s more than just your cosy ABC murder mystery.

Film review: Jojo Rabbit Directed by Taika Waititi Review by Owen Selby

It has become increasingly difficult for filmmakers to find different ways to show how bad the Nazis were, or, in a broader sense, say something about WWII which hasn’t already been said before. Enter Taika Waititi, the Maori-Jewish director with incredible comedic taste and a heart of gold, whose film Jojo Rabbit is perhaps the WWII coming-of-age feature. As is expected from Waititi, Jojo Rabbit is indeed a hilarious film, but it’s so much more than that, featuring across-the-board excellent performances, an incredibly clever script with strong themes, and moments of pathos which cut deep and contain a great deal of heart. Ten-year old Jojo Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) is a devout Hitler Youth member who wants to prove himself as a great soldier for the Führer, but is yet to understand what that really means. His imaginary friend is a goofy caricaturised version of Hitler played by Waititi himself, New 52

Zealand accent and all. Jojo is caught between trying to follow what his friend Adolf tells him is right, and the fact that his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) has been hiding Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie), a young Jewish girl, in their home. Along for the ride is his best friend Yorki (Archie Yates), Gestapo agent Deertz (Stephen Merchant), and Hitler Youth workers Captain Klenzendorf (Sam Rockwell), Finkel (Alfie Allen) and Fraulein Rahm (Rebel Wilson). I’d seen a couple of Waititi’s films before Jojo Rabbit, and whilst I really enjoyed them and felt they had excellent moments and concepts, I felt there was something lacking. What We Do in the Shadows plays to me more like a series of sketches than a particularly cohesive film, and Thor: Ragnarok undercut emotional beats with unnecessary jokes a few too many times in my opinion. However, Jojo Rabbit is the result of a director who has some more experience

under his belt; an extremely refined, cohesive movie with the perfect balance of humour, sadness and what lies in-between. There is one particularly gut-wrenching moment, and Waititi rightly gives it time to breathe, allowing both the audience and characters to sit in a moment of pain before heading into something more light-hearted. Waititi yet again demonstrates his golden touch with child actors. Griffin Davis in his feature debut is is absolutely excellent at the centre of this film as Jojo, and Yates is a scene-stealer as Yorki. The more seasoned actors all bring different energies to their roles, with Johansson having an excellent opportunity to show off her range in both serious and light-hearted moments. Sam Rockwell’s performance should also not go unnoticed either – we learn more about his character as the film progresses, with one of the more surprising but satisfying character arcs on display, and Rockwell sells it expertly.

and particularly Hitler, in a ‘funny’ light. But in some ways, the fact this film is a comedy is simply a clever disguise for the severity of the themes it explores. Most coming-of-age films are about teens growing into adulthood, and yet Jojo is only ten – the perfect metaphor for how war forces youth to ‘grow-up’ far earlier than they should have to. And Waititi’s Hitler isn’t a one-note goofball either – as a construct of Jojo’s understanding of the real Hitler, this character does start to echo the more frightening figure we are all familiar with as the film progresses, in a manner which I found suitably jarring with some of the slapstick antics on display. Overall, this satirical ‘war-on-hate’ hits every beat it needs to with aplomb. Jojo Rabbit is a perfectly balanced film that has nuance and isn’t afraid to pull punches, but will almost certainly leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling you might not have gotten from many other Nazi-Germany films you’ve seen previously. Verdict: 4.5/5

There’s been a lot of controversy about this film, regarding whether or not it’s appropriate to show Nazis,

The search for nuance in politics today Words by Melissa Sparrow Politics and media in Australia (and across the world) have demonstrated that the way to win elections is not through good policies, it is through fear. Or so we would be led to believe. Does a political party’s policy shape the nature of the media response or does the media response to particular issues determine the political party’s policy response? The media is currently reporting about a global pandemic, is still reporting on terrorism (which has been front and centre on our televisions for years), and of increasing electoral interference by the so called big bad states, China and Russia (note the first is Communist and the other still holds deep ties to Socialism). However, how much of this is sensationalised and over-blown? How much is nuanced and factual information? Where has the balance gone in political discourse? In this confusion, the LeftRight dichotomy has grown to such an extent that all common sense seems to have left the discussion and instead of analysing why, political elites appear to have thrown in the towel and joined in the circus.

I consider myself to be left-wing, although we all know that even that is not an easily defined spectrum. While in Britain and the U.S, socialism has been given a strong boost by Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Sanders, in Australia the Labor Party lost a socalled unwinnable election under the leadership of a member of the party’s Right faction, Bill Shorten. However whilst many have argued that Australian’s voted against Bill Shorten because his agenda was too leftist (an odd accusation considering the faction he hails from), I instead argue they voted against Labor because they failed to accurately articulate their plan. I argue that it was a failure of messaging rather than a policy failure. Here the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid) would have been beneficial. Australia is now faced with another term of Liberal Party leadership. . . or rather, a lack thereof. A leadership which rather than advocating for inclusivity within our community, the government is clearly dividing it. Indeed, while the desire to conserve an Australia as everyone knows it is understandable, I wonder if the quest for the sensible centre stretching the Left-Right dichotomy even further?

THE WARRIOR MEMNON OF ETHIOPIA by Emily Woodcock “Others, again, say that Memnon’s tomb is to be seen near Palton in Syria, beside the river Badas. His bronze sword hangs on the wall of Asclepius’s temple at Nicomedeia; and Egyptian Thebes is famous for a colossal black statue – a seated stone figure – which utters a sound like the breaking of a lyre-string every day at sunrise.” – Death of Achilles by Robert Graves

Black water laps at the darkened shore, a lone figure rising high above the temples; Still and silent until the dawn breaks over the necropolis of Thebes. You cast your eyes upon the colossal stone to a seated man your gaze is drawn. As the sun dances upon the land there sounds a clamour, A cold shiver goes down your spine. The breaking of a lyre sting in hand a harsh lyrical tone; A broken instrument within the monument never a sound so grand.

Those close to the fallen warrior Overcome by tragedy Wail into the air Transformed into birds, creating a bolder sound and fight as the swarm erupts and falls onto the tomb of the loved soldier. Moved by Eros’ tears mighty Zeus granted a boon; That of immortality for her son, On that day, upon the Trojan frontier One warrior fell but lived on The other lived but later fell. Both men, loved by many, their names known for years.

The fate of Memnon, a warrior of equal skill to that of Achilles without the weakened heel. Both gifted by the gods only one was to survive the battle and thrill.

How separating dolls based on race and body type on store shelves could aid the movement to embrace diversity Words by Grace Atta

If you have recently been in the market for a kid’s toy, and happened to land upon the dolls section, you may have discovered that our store shelves are no longer completely filled with that same, decades-long idolised image of a slim, blonde, white woman. The doll industry has made a gradual shift to a more accurate depiction of the women of the world; by representing various ethnicities, particularly individuals of African or Asian descent, or different body types, with plus sized and curvy dolls. One globally recognised brand, Barbie, started their diversity and inclusivity journey only four decades ago, with their line of “diverse dolls” released in the early 80’s, and the introduction of “curvy, petite and tall” dolls taking place just four years ago, in 2016, in the face of the growing body positivity campaign. Whilst any step towards progress is an achievement, such companies can still be criticised for only having certain lines of their brand diversified, with the rest falling back on a template designed in the 1950’s, where men dominated the advertising industry and thus controlled the portrayal of women in popular culture. All sentiments I know we have heard before. Wherever you stand on the politics of the issue, it can be agreed that at a production and marketing level there are at least some conscious choices being made when it comes to offering a

product that better represents the female population. However, the question I began to ask while working in retail over the chaotic Christmas period is should the stores who stock these items be advised on how to shelve them best, so that they carry out that same level of care in encouraging inclusivity? Anyone working in retail could tell you that Christmas wreaks havoc on any pre-existing order on store shelves, and this is of course especially true in the kids’ toy department; an area that I have primarily worked in, for a little over two years. On one day during the Christmas rush, I began my shift by re-organising the dolls. As I stood there staring at the shelf, trying to decide on the best way to approach this task, I made an observation about those dolls which were in the ‘front position’ that day. All of them were white and slim. I know that this was more than likely by chance, given that on other occasions when I have tidied this shelf, this has not been the case. Not to mention, most of the time I find these dolls are not even grouped with those identical to them. Regardless, it made me question whether such things should be left to chance or the preferences of the person stocking the shelves. Should there be store policies for this? Or at least a conversation where staff are advised to be aware of such considerations? The answer to either question made little

difference to my job in that moment. It was my responsibility to organise and sort them as I saw fit.

our unique characteristics and what they represent, that we gain an acceptance and appreciation for diversity.

Splayed across the floor and in a couple of baskets were all the dolls in that line, matched with those identical to them, and yes, separated based on race and body type as well as hair colour and style where possible. With five rows available and approximately 15 different assorted dolls, I began creating an image that I thought the world needed and should already see every day – an image of what it means to be a woman. To be tall, with a dark complexion and braided hair. To be of Asian descent, slim and tanned. To be dark-haired, paleskinned and curvy. To be petite with auburn hair and ivory skin. To be curlyhaired, curvy and of African heritage. I wanted to show that being a woman is about being differnt. Unique. As all humans are. It could be said that despite my intentions, what I did – separating the dolls in each row, based on race or body type - is still discriminatory, and I admittedly pondered that thought myself, at the time. However, I also reflected on myself as a child and how these same dolls, which entertained me on many an afternoon, may have tainted how I viewed myself growing up. As someone with a mixed cultural background and curly hair that never quite fit the “neat and tidy” mould of my friends’, I wonder if my blonde, white dolls were just another reminder that I was different, and that difference was not popular or valued.

So, as I said in the beginning, if you, or a young and impressionable child, are in the market for a kid’s toy, and happen to land upon the dolls section, it is my hope that you will see them all. That they be separated in a way, not so that one collects dust and another light, but so that each has an opportunity to be seen and appreciated first. Equally. Maybe one day that will translate to the real world too.

In the instance of these dolls, separation on the shelves meant recognition. Recognition of our differences. To ignore that such differences exist does not, to my belief, lead to inclusivity. Instead it is through embracing and celebrating

Book Review Bad Feminist Roxane Gay Review: Aby Bookish Comedy Show Words by Ngoc Lan Tran Words by Larisa Forgac

Books are usually not a fun topic for discussion, let alone a stand-up routine. Any talk of books is usually centred around a self-serving attempt at oneupping your fellow bibliophiles in a game of ‘how have you not read such and such classic you philistine”; or otherwise riddled with a mutual passion for a piece of work and obscure references and quotes – not really what you’d call a crowd pleaser. But as we gathered to see the night’s Fringe show in a spacious hall lined with Corinthian columns and terrazzo – the remnants of a former Greek establishment – it became obvious that

books and writing can have their own niche in the comedy scene. A Bookish Comedy Show started off strong; with the leading comedian, George Dimarelos, tactfully employing an ice-breaker activity where the audience were asked to name their favourite book. It really brought the room together as people found out that we could easily get past our differences and take on suggestions from genres we would not normally consider. At this point, I was willing to overlook a few cheesy references to some classics, mostly because this was the first time I’ve heard someone reference The Count of Monte Cristo (the book’s closing line ‘Wait and hope!’ paid off in my case!).

From then on, the show took an interesting approach: two more artists would come up on the scene to do a short bit. The result was a ‘book club lite’ experience where you could get your lot of book talk in while still enjoying a bit of light hearted comedy. Neither of the two guest acts were entirely centred around books, which was an unexpected but nevertheless enjoyable experience. Much like reading some of Murakami’s work, you will be introduced to a few symbols, maybe a convoluted metaphor and the story will unravel from there while you are left to wonder where the hell it’s all going with everything ultimately coming full circle. The two comedians used books as a starting point for their experiences that were shaped by said books. Those who came to the show expecting an in-depth reflection on literary works would probably walk away feeling disappointed, but it was a refreshing take on how books can influence our lives and actions, which is probably more entertaining than an analysis of the significance of Heathcliff’s cold character being mirrored in the harsh moorlands. The show felt well-paced, with breaks between guest acts being dedicated to short quizzes and activities. A “Don’t judge a book by its cover” quiz revealed that a dedicated graphic designer will always find a way to work nudity into the cover of a 19th century historical novel; so maybe we shouldn’t really judge books by their covers lest we start confusing Jane Eyre with cheap erotica at the bookstore. The highlight of the show was definitely the way the audience reacted to it and contributed to it. When you fill a room with book lovers, you can expect a passionate debate happening, and that

is exactly what we got. While to me audience participation is often a cop-out from coming up with content yourself as a comedian, it felt natural and fitting in this show. After all, there are only so many did-they-ever-find-Moby’s-dick type jokes you can make until things get fairly stale. To prevent the embarrassment of jokes not landing well, obscure references and quotes were avoided, which did the show a disservice at times. Although enjoyable throughout, some parts felt too far removed from books that they could have been a part of any other stand-up routine. If you want the plot of a novel explained to you or want to flex your in-depth knowledge of the Russian classics, I suggest that you opt for SparkNotes or a book club instead. If you are after a good time and laugh, with “A rotating bill of comedians talking about everything [mostly] book related”, this is a show for you. I walked away from A Bookish Comedy Show with a few good book recommendations and a free bookmark, which was an added bonus. The two guest comedians, Lewis Garnham and Aidan Jones , also have solo shows so I suggest that you check them out as well. I was thoroughly entertained at the show; the comedy was fresh and original, and I felt involved and engaged the entire time. I would encourage all Adelaidean book lovers to come out and see it the next time it’s in town!

4 stars

An ode to the wrong side of the tracks Words by Christabel Ballard

“There’s Graham. Sitting in his scooter. Di didn’t stab hard enough I s’pose.” We’re driving past the ‘housoes’ on the way to my parents’ place. My partner, who grew up in a wealthy suburb in the hills, is laughing in disbelief. When he was a kid he used to take joyrides in his dad’s private plane and go for family holidays to untouched Pacific islands. I, on the other hand, grew up in a south-western ‘burb that I affectionately refer to as the wrong side of the tracks; partly because it’s literally is divided by a railway, and partly because it’s a shithole. To be fair, my street is actually quite pretty in some ways, and it embodies everything I’ve come to associate with working-class Australian suburbs. It’s filled with bottle brushes and jacarandas, which are just now turning purple, and a fish and chip shop down the road. My parents tried hard to cover up the fact that we were actually sort of poor, much like the council tries to cover up the actual state of my neighbourhood, with its rendered shop facades and weird new playgrounds. But anyone who’s lived here for a while knows what goes on. Growing up, we had 60

to take detours every now and then on the way to school, which generally meant a road had been cordoned off for a drug raid. There are ‘housoes’ all around the place, as well as suspicious-looking properties with giant concrete fences and security cameras. Recently there was a driveby at the end of my street. Mum showed me the news coverage, which she had proudly recorded on the TV. When I moved on a scholarship to a Christian private high school, I took a lot of shit for being the public school kid. I was the only one in my year. Some old high school friends recently told me that I gave them their first sex ed. Apparently in year seven I educated most of my peers on both male and female anatomy. Conversations I don’t remember, but also don’t doubt happened. But Graham, that bastard, is the most frequent reminder of my derro roots. He sits out the front of the ‘housoes’ on his scooter, yelling at people as they pass. He’s been there every single day as long as I can remember. I actually know him, because he was on friendly terms with my best friend’s mum, Di. Di’s daughter Chelsea and I would hang out at the park (next to where the drive by happened) and our favourite pastimes included

vandalising public property with dicks and attending underage blue light discos. Chelsea and Di lived across the road from Graham, and I went to Chelsea’s house often, even though Di was an alcoholic. Mum didn’t mind because she and Di were friends. And it’s true that Di was a lovely person. She used to write me birthday cards and tease me about my crushes, and I missed her when she occasionally disappeared. Anyway, because of all this, Chelsea and I sometimes went ‘round to Graham’s for biscuits. It was like that until Di’s mum passed away. I was a teenager by then, already somewhat adjusted to private school life. Graham, that dickhead, was sitting in his usual spot yelling about how the funeral was rubbish, and Di, who was drunk, lost her shit. She went inside to get her kitchen knife and literally went and stabbed Graham in the stomach. She obviously didn’t kill him, but she did kind of try.

Mum, who used to visit Di in prison, reckons Di doesn’t even remember doing it. And now I have a decent job and I live in the house that my partner owns. It’s in the same suburb as my cousins, who built a goddamn mansion near town because my uncle is a gyno. Yet driving past Graham on the way to my parents has always been a subtle reminder. Now I’m friends with people who grew up on Victoria Avenue, and yet I hold onto the story of Di and Graham with a pang of pride. I point out Graham by name whenever I drive past and see him scowling. Maybe partly to explain why I have a soft spot for the Hilltop Hoodsand still own a longboard. Or maybe because a set of unlikely circumstances caused my class status to change, and my history became an amusing novelty rather than a reality.

Pop quiz! When was On Dit founded? A. 1936 B. 1932 C. 1943 D. 1941 Which building was most recently renovated? A. Elder Hall B. Lower Napier C. Physics D. Bonython Hall What is the motto of the University? A. Inspiring Achievement B. Sub Cruce Lumen C. Christo et Ecclesiae D. Seek Light Which of these is not a faculty at the University? A. Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences B. Faculty of the Professions C. Faculty of Humanities D. Faculty of Sciences Which of these services are not on campus? A. Library B. Post office C. Medical clinic D. Bookstore

Send us an email (onditmag@gmail.com) with your answers. The first person to get all the correct answers will win a prize! Prizes will be handed out at a later date due to the current circumstances.

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