Editors' Picks Editors' Picks

I’ll admit - my taste in movies is very boring and safe, so I’m really having to stretch to think of a movie. Given that this one received positive reviews I may be breaking the rules, but I offer up The Shallows. Despite the reviews, in my opinion, it is in no way a good movie. The CGI used to create the shark is just as patchy as the predator’s motivations. The protagonist, the only person we’re stuck with throughout the film’s eight-six minutes, has no development and nothing really to stop us from rooting for her demise. Her only companion…is a seagull, who for some reason befriends her? So yes, this movie is bad. But I love it. Because I love laughing at the absurdity of it, that someone actually sat down and wrote this, and pitched it as a serious film.

Bad Movies

My friends, I must introduce you to a film that defies all odds; I remember basically none of it, and yet it regularly ignites a deep and eldritch fury within me. The film? Harvest Moon. Billed simply as an autumn romance, there is not even a Wikipedia page for this dumpster fire. City Girl is forced to move in with Country Boy Pumpkin Farmer when daddy goes broke to try and make the one remaining property Profitable. Think Schitt’s Creek but awful. As I refuse to rewatch it, you won’t be getting a better plot rundown than that. Instead, welcome to my rant on THE GODDAMN MAGICAL PUMPKIN CREAM. This lady finds Country Boy’s dead grandma’s recipe for Magical Pumpkin Cream and it turns the financial tables. This cream is a moisturiser and also a fix for literally any ailment. IT CONTAINS SPICES YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT PUT ON YOUR FACE. THE RECIPE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE MEASUREMENTS HOW DOES SHE GET THE RATIOS RIGHT FIRST TIME. And do you know why the goddamn cream is so magic?? THE SOIL ON THIS SPECIFIC PUMPKIN FARM HAS SPECIAL NUTRIENTS. WTF. Don’t watch it. And absolutely don’t put turmeric on your face.

We ask four UofA students the most pressing questions. If you want to be featured in another issue, email us!

1. It’s an impressive technological development in machine learning. But having the AI learn from and create art based on other people’s work without their permission is inherently unethical. Some artists have had AI programs learn from art they themselves made to create original pieces, and that’s very impressive to me.

2. Search your pantry/fridge for leftovers and find one thing that’s bready, one thing that’s saucy, something cheesy and choose whatever topping-like things you have in there. Make a pizza out of it and stick it in an air fryer or oven and see how it goes.

3.Minimono Noodle Bar. The interior’s quite small, so I recommend going by yourself/with a friend, but it has a very nice, distinct vibe! The food won’t disappoint either, if you’re in the mood for Japanese (besides sushi) the ramen and curry dishes there will do you perfectly well.

Ethan.he/him

B.Creative_Arts

1. Artwork produced by AI can sometimes be beautiful, mesmerizing even, but it makes me worry that the appreciation for real art created by real people will be eventually lost. So, although, I love to look of AI art it also makes me quite concerned for the future

2. If you're at an event with a charcuterie board, as weird as it might be, try putting your prosciutto on a rockmelon. Although it might sound weird, I'm ready to bet that it tastes delicious.

3. Currently, my go to eatery place is Ayla's Cafe. It's this Persian inspired brunch place which offers western breaky options and interesting middle eastern inspired lunches. And their chai lattes are the best.

1. What is your opinion on AI produced artwork?

2. Favourite weird food combination?

3. Best local eatery?

1. As both an artist and scientist, I am quite excited to see how AI will be utilised in catalysing and supporting human creativity. However, I also understand that legislation regarding use of copyrighted images needs to be addressed so that artists do not continue to be exploited.

2. Takis dipped in milk chocolate. It's not a wild combination (spicy and sweet - I love Mexican snacks!), but it's an unusual one I picked up from TikTok. I also recommend trying this with Blue Heat Takis... they look a bit radioactive in colour but trust me.

3. A place I return to time and time again is Daebak Brothers (Korean street food near Central Market). They have the best rosé tteokbokki and croffles

1. Gives me the ick. It’s highly unethical as it rips off the hard work of real people who’ve poured their blood, sweat and tears into a piece, only to be undermined by some meaningless work copied and pasted together by a robot in a matter of seconds.

2. I don’t know if this counts as a weird food combo, but I dig egg on pizza. It’s particularly good on a bacon and cheese. Move over pineapple, egg has entered the chat.

3. Hands down, Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co. on Rundle

St. This is my friends and I’s go-to lunch and dinner spot. Truly mouthwatering.

The SRC recently passed a motion in support of the deprivatisation of the University Health Clinic. What should the University be doing to combat student gap payments?

socialist alternative:

Written by James Wood and Kalesh Govender

Shamefully, the majority of the SRC (Labor and Progress) voted to axe commitments to campaigning against the privatisation of the clinic, refusing to endorse a petition or protests— actions that helped save the Maths Learning Centre in 2021. Uni management should scrap its contract with the for-profit ‘Better Medical’, take ownership, and guarantee bulk-billing. Waiting for consultations with management is a dead-end strategy.

GREENS CLUB:

Written by Michael Petrilli and Cameron Cook

It's very simple, reverse the privatisation of the student health clinic. The SRC last year successfully pushed to reverse the gap that the private clinic tried to introduce. Here we are again 6 months later. For students to have fully accessible bulk billing on campus, the Health clinic must not be in private ownership.

Liberal club:

Written by Sam Ellis

Student gap payments is more of a Commonwealth issue than a University issue. If the SRC can prove that deprivitastion of the Uni Health Clinic will result in a more efficient service provided, whilst also allowing for the gap fee passed onto students to be narrowed then it would have the support of AULC.

labor CLUB:

Written by Steph Madigan

The decision to privatise *in the first place* is inimical to health equality, and goes against decades of research. Subordinating the right to health in favour of markets totally undermines the University’s duty of care to students. Student finances are already compromised–the University must regulate or abolish out-of-pocket costs.

2. socialist alternative:

How would you approach fixing the rental crisis? Would you support a ban on ‘no-grounds’ evictions?

Liberal CLUB:

Written by Sam Ellis

Written by James Wood and Kalesh Govender

Yes, ‘no grounds’ evictions should be banned. These are used by landlords to massively increase rent. Last year, tenants paid an extra $7.1 billion in rent. More than 163,000 people are on social housing waitlists, while 1 million properties sit empty as investments for speculators. Fixing the rental crisis means government-enforced rent caps, limits on investment properties and massive expansions of public housing. Socialists support reforms that take the profit motive out of housing provision.

GREENS CLUB:

Written by Michael Petrilli and Cameron Cook

There are many things that could be done to fix the rental crisis, this includes banning no-cause evictions as well as, firstly freezing rent increases, capping future rents increases and a huge investment into public housing to meet the massive waiting list that sits at 16,000 people. SA Labor has been in government for over a year now and have only proposed limiting bond payment amounts and stopping agents from soliciting bids above the advertised which, both of which will not address the rental crisis.

If it is government's duty to bring rent prices down, then it is perhaps government's duty to help generate supply, which can be achieved by selling off unused government buildings. There is no quick fix to this issue and market conditions have created a mood of anxiety within the rental market, however, demonising the common landlord will not achieve anything positive.

labor CLUB:

Written by Steph Madigan

Absolutely! Labor promised it will outlaw unreasonable evictions, while Malinauskas’ “Better Housing Future Plan” beefs up rental assistance and bans rent bidding. Welcome reforms, but the situation calls for even more radical action…especially with a 20% power price hike (on average, an added $2,000 per household per year) predicted for July.

A federal parliamentary committee has recommended the nationwide trial of a four-day work week, and increasing paid-parental leave to 52 weeks. Should this trial be undertaken in Australia?

socialist alternative:

Written by James Wood and Kalesh Govender

We support major reductions in the work week for workers to enjoy freedom from creating profits for the bosses. Capitalists want maximum profits which means always squeezing workers. Unless workers force bosses through struggle, the four-day week could intensify exploitation by squeezing five day’s labour into four. Reforms like the 8-hour day and the weekend, genuine reductions in work days, had to be won through mass strikes.

GREENS CLUB:

Written by Michael Petrilli and Cameron Cook

This trial should certainly be undertaken in Australia. Studies have shown that a four-day work week is better for the mental and physical health workers and leads to greater productivity. Australians deserve a right to disconnect, a greater say in their rosters and at the minimum 52 weeks of paid parental leave.

Liberal CLUB:

Written by Sam Ellis

You can't knock something until you've tried it. If government wishes to understand the feasibility of a four day work week then it should encourage the private sector to undertake a trial period and the answers will be found there

labor CLUB:

Written by Steph Madigan

Rock-bottom wage growth combined with increasing casualisation erodes Aussies’ quality of life. Meanwhile recent high-profile labour cases highlight how pushy bosses don’t face penalties. In Aoteran and British trials, half of companies continued with the four-day model…let’s hope for a similar outcome here!