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Student discovers heart-shaped galaxy

By
Billy Tennant
-

An Oxford graduate student has discovered what is thought to be the world’s first heart-shaped galaxy.

Georgia Barrie, who specialises in the formation of ring galaxies, spotted the unusual galaxy, which had previously been classified by users of an online survey tool as ‘ring shaped’.

Barrie estimates that the galaxy is 600 million light years away from earth, but has not yet established how it has formed.

While there have been suggestions that it could have resulted from the collision of two galaxies, Barrie explained that investigating the formation of galaxies is a complex process, and will require extensive analysis of telescope information.

Oxford scientists don’t need to chill

By
Marjorie Philips
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Oxford scientists have found a method of increasing the shelf life of vaccines, meaning costly refrigeration of drugs in warm climates may no longer be necessary.

The research involved drying the viral particles used in vaccinations on ‘special membranes’ in order to keep them stable over longer periods. While usually the drugs last for only a few weeks in warm climates, the scientists found that the methods used in the research could keep the ‘viral vectors’ used in vaccines usable at temperatures of up to 45˚C for several months.

The nhs choices website explained, “This development is potentially very useful as it may lead to improvements in the availability and effectiveness of vaccination programmes in areas of the world with fewer resources.”

Arrest at Kukui after phone thefts

By
Rufus Castlebridge
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A 27 year old man was arrested in Kukui nightclub in the early hours of Wednesday morning after clubbers raised concerns about the disappearance of several items on Tuesday night, the police have confirmed.

The police were contacted by the club shortly after midnight. A spokesperson for the Thames Valley Police commented, “A man was detained by doorstaff at Kukui after allegedly being seen to pick pockets. On arrival at the club officers carried out a search and found a number of items allegedly stolen, including mobile phones, purses and a passport.”

The man was charged with three counts of theft and released on Wednesday night. He has been bailed to appear at the Oxford Magistrates’ Court on the 5th March.

The Kukui management and Varsity Events, who organise ‘Juice at Kukui’, were aware of the incident but both declined to comment.

‘Sexbridge’ blog media sensation

By
Theo Merz
-

An Oxbridge “sex blogger” who describes her erotic University exploits online has become the subject of intense international media attention.

The revelation that at least one student at Oxford or Cambridge Universities indulges in sexual activity, and enjoys it, has also created a frenzy in the blogosphere.

On her blog and twitter account, the student describes sex with rugby blues, losing her virginity and other aspects of sexual activity at the University.

Comparisons have already been made to Belle du Jour, the notorious escort-girl who wrote up her ‘intimate adventures’ online, and was last year revealed to be Dr Brooke Magnanti, a research scientist at Bristol University.

Speaking exclusively to Cherwell, the anonymous student blogger said that the way tabloid papers are trying to reveal her identity is “terrifying”.

“A reporter told me his boss expected him to be ‘scouring the streets of Oxford and Cambridge for you’” she wrote in an email from an anonymous account.

“I’m battling this ravenous media off with a stick,” she said.

Asked why she started writing about her sex life, she told Cherwell, “I think part of the inspiration for the blog was to see if I was an absolute nutter or if people actually felt the same.”

“I am avoiding interviews with anyone outside of the realm of Oxbridge student media because this wasn’t intended as a cash cow,” she said, “just a way to keep

people like you and myself entertained during essay writer’s block.”

However, she has signed a deal with the fashion magazine Grazia for an article to be published next week.

The Daily Mail, The Telegraph and international online papers have picked up on the new blog.

The Sun ran the story under the headline ‘Who is the mystery Oxbridge sex blogger?’

However, the student claims she has no plans to reveal her identity, and said “my mum would kill me” if she found out.

In one online entry she describes a one-night stand with a University Rugby player.

“Life lesson learned from Rugby Blue: body mass and height is not a direct correlation to penis size, because if that were true Mr. Rugby Blue would have been short and fat,” she wrote.

“Had he been a tsunami of love that could have made up for it, but it was more like slack tide really. Fairly average in my book of shags.”

She also confesses, “I’m not a huge fan of blow-jobs, or hand-jobs for that matter (pointless, any man will usually agree that they can do it better themselves. They’ve certainly had more practice than I have!)”

Last Sunday she tweeted, “I don’t want to jinx myself but I’ve had sex every Sunday this month. Need to plan the rest of my day carefully … Going for a record here.”

Though later she posted, “Oh hello 1500 word essay due tomorrow that I forgot about. Thanks for ruining my night and my record. There’s always March …”

Commenting more generally on sex in the two Universities, she wrote that “In the Oxbridge system, most of us are too busy to actually acquire (let alone maintain) a relationship, and most students like myself are happy to play couple for a night, have a lie in together, and then call it quits.”

“My education has been filled with revising, exams, and one night stands,” she claimed.

Readers have assumed that the student studies at Cambridge, as she refers to ‘supervisions’ and ‘swaps’ in her posts, rather than tutorials and crew-dates.
The blogger, though, would not confirm which at which University she is currently studying.

She later refered to ‘Hilary’ in a twitter post, and said she would talk about sports club Vinnies in the Grazia article.

The self-written blurb on her blog describes the student as a “Highly intelligent Oxbridge student currently shagging my way through the half-term hump. No pun intended.”

But she told Cherwell that the ‘Highly intelligent’ label was intended as “a complete piss take…it didn’t come off that way”.

In one of her blog entries she also describes herself as “a fairly attractive woman…[and] unapologetically and unquestionably a closet nympho,” though later she claimed that the “whole closet nympho thing has been blown a bit out of proportion.”

On the future of her blog, the student told Cherwell that “I’m considering how to do my piece on Tutors. Haven’t slept with one yet, but have a particularly pervy one that I could take the piss out of.”

“People might catch on to who I am if I write that though as he’s notoriously inappropriate,” she said.

Though the blog is proving popular, the student has also attracted criticism in the media. “Those hoping this latest offering will be Brideshead Unzipped are in for a disappointment,” wrote one Evening Standard columnist.

“Despite the writer claiming she has a place at one of Britain’s leading academic institutions, the blog is no great literary work, nor would most people consider it titillating.”

Others have suggested she is angling for a book deal.

A student sex-columnist ‘Miss Scarlet’ began writing for Cherwell in 2006, under the tagline “Oxford’s answer to Belle du Jour”. However the feature was less sexually explicit and did not attract such widespread media attention.

Read the blog at: http://oxbridgesex.blogspot.com/

University proposes changes to fee payback

By
Thomas Kidney
-

Oxford University has called for the government to end subsidised tuition fee loans for the ‘middle classes’.

All British students currently pay back their tuition fee loans to the state at a low interest rate after graduation.This is, however, only when they earn over £15, 000 per year, meaning the taxpayer is effectively subsidising the cost of their education.

The estimated cost of this subsidy is £2.7 billion. In its submission to the Browne Review of student fees, Oxford argued that “the subsidy is expensive, while student support is not effectively targeted at those with the greatest financial need”.

The University suggested that those that go into higher paid jobs after graduation should pay more of their loan back faster than they already do.

While there were concerns that Oxford was suggesting that the availability of loans should be restricted, the University was quick to respond that the claims were based on a “misunderstanding” and said that what would differ is “at what rates the loans would be paid off upon graduation”.

A University of Oxford spokesperson clarified the issue, which has been widely reported in the national press this week.

“Recent news stories imply that Oxford is recommending that certain [middle class] students be barred from applying for loans at the point of entry to university. This is absolutely not the case,” they said.

“The subsidised government loans are available on the basis of post-graduation earnings, not family background – therefore a student who grew up on a council estate, for example, and went on to work at Goldman Sachs would not be eligible for the government subsidy.”

Johnny Isaac, a first-year historian, said, “Obviously if a person earns more, they should pay more. However the lack of specifics means that a conclusion is hard to reach.

“If they raise the fees too high then I, like many others, would not be able to afford to come to this University.”

In a related story, Oxford University was criticised for admitting only a small number of students from economically deprived backgrounds.

Reports suggest that only 45 students a year who receive free school meals will go on to achieve a place at ‘Oxbridge’.

This compares to the extraordinary application success rate from some independent schools. For example, around 50% of the pupils at the Westminster School go on to achieve a place at Oxford or Cambridge.

St Paul’s Girls School in London has the same number of former students in Oxford as all of those who have received free school meals put together.

Michael Gove, the Shadow Education spokesman argued that these statistics “show the true extent of Labour’s failure”.

More protests over lapdancing plans

By
Clare Kane
-

An estimated two hundred people gathered in Bonn Square last Saturday to protest against lap dancing at Thirst Lodge.

Members of St. Ebbe’s Church, local residents, students and leaders of the local Muslim community came together to protest against the establishment of Thirst Lodge as a sex encounter venue.

Kat Wall, OUSU’s Women’s Officer, told Cherwell, “We’ve come together with various different groups from across the community to say that we don’t want lap dancing to take place here. The main reason for this protest is, basically, we’re very concerned about the harms that will be put on many members of the community.”

Oxford City Council leader, Bob Price, urged the public to sign a petition against the Lodge’s plans to host lap dancing. He said, “We’re very opposed to this application because it runs entirely counter to our image of what the city centre should be about, and as many speakers this afternoon have said, it would certainly raise the possibility of more crime and violence and attacks on women in this area.”

An online petition campaigning against lap dancing at Thirst Lodge on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance has over 1000 signatures.

Preview: The Revenger’s Tragedy

By
Louisa-Claire Dunnigan
-

Exeter’s chapel of dark wood and burnished gold is the perfect setting for The Revenger’s Tragedy, Middleton’s dark and glittering drama. Amongst the polished pews, echoing tiled floors and low hanging candelabras, the cast play out a tale of lust and revenge.

Vindice, a brooding, troubled young nobleman, played with arresting intensity by Amyas Bale, is intent on getting revenge for the murder of his betrothed by the Duke. With the help of his brother he disguises himself and enters into the service of the Duke’s eldest son, Lussurioso, and is forced to try to seduce his own sister on his new master’s behalf. Meanwhile, the Duchess is plotting her own revenge against her husband, after he fails to defend her youngest son who is on trial for rape. She joins with the Duke’s bastard son, Spurio, for a lust-filled, semi-incestuous double revenge that plays its part in the Duke’s eventual, grim downfall.

From the very beginning, this production draws you in with its cast of poised and despicable characters; the first tableau is a useful reference for the later treacheries and entanglements, and each person is well characterised and defined – the louche Spurio playing with his yo-yo, the sexualised and prowling duchess. The trial scene works particularly well in this setting, with the audience suddenly becoming complicit in the judgement of the gangly, unrepentant youth as the Duke and judge move in their midst. The use of props is limited, apart from the yoyo, the skull in the first scene stands out and recalls Hamlet – but no Hamlet ever kissed Yorick on the lips.

The poetry is performed well, but occasionally in moments of greatest emotion the words can be lost in the echoing acoustics. Mostly, though, this echoing quality only adds to the powerful contrast between speech and silence, and the actors use it to their advantage.

Whilst the chapel setting gives the production the antique splendour of an old Italian court, the costumes and music set it in a slick, modernised world; the dark suits and plain dresses will give it a sleekness that suits the wiley double-dealing of its characters. As Piato, the disguised Vindice, Bale puts on an American accent that is reminiscent of American gangsters and adds another layer of cultural references to the production. Modern music is blasted from the pulpit at the beginning of scenes, almost seeming to give the characters their own theme tunes. It is well chosen, but sometimes it feels almost too recognisable and can distract from the entrances of the characters.

With uplighting promised and a chiaroscuro death scene, this production should be an intensely dramatic experience. As a modern take that preserves its rich roots, this is not one to miss, even just as a way to see another college!

4 stars

The Revenger’s Tragedy will be on in Exeter College Chapel, Tuesday 2nd – Saturday 6th of March, 8.15pm

First Night Review: Little Shop of Horrors

By
Fran Beaton
-

Joshua Randall’s production of the kitsch, darkly comic musical Little Shop of Horrors gave of the overwhelming impression of being under rehearsed.  The cast clearly had the potential to produce an excellent show but were let down by technical hitches. The sound especially caused difficulties; the orchestra frequently drowned out the singers and the microphones failed to amplify the soloists or indeed provide the right levels for the harmonies, resulting in many lines being completely lost. The set was flimsy and caused problems as part of it fell down at the beginning of the second act.

What a shame, as the production was exceptionally well cast with a selection of very talented singers; in particular Rhiannon Drake, Freya Smith and Sarah Anson as the three ‘dream girls’.  Indeed the singing in general was of a superb quality, shown in particular through the competently approached harmonies in some of the trickier chorus numbers, like ‘Downtown’.  The supporting cast carried the production; particularly memorable was Jarred Wiehe’s ‘Mushnik’ in his original, comically flamboyant, characterisation of the aggressive florist. 

A large plant was the best part of the set design and certainly deserves commendation.  This effectively-designed contraption was controlled and vocalised by Jack Haynes and Lydia Lewis, who delivered their lines in perfect unison while working the plant-puppet-esque contraption at the same time. It provided a great central focus for the action.

The production is fun but shabby around the edges. Once minor errors, such as line slips and technical hitches, are ironed out, it has the potential to be very good and will hopefully improve as the run progresses.

3 stars

Pay a visit to the Little Shop of Horrors (Pembroke College) any time before the 27th February, as long as that time is 7.30pm

First Night Review: Samson Agonistes

By
Finola Austin
-

Ed White’s decision to take on a play not meant for performance may seem like madness but the final success of this promenade-style production in the Merton College Chapel shows it can be done.

Bevil Luck plays Samson with skill and sympathy, connecting well with the audience despite the fact he is blindfolded for most of the play. From his very first speech, yards away from the huddled audience, Luck was able to expose the vulnerability of a defeated hero without the embellishments of stage, set, props and other performers. Tim Smith-Laing was also particularly strong as Manoa, although the change between his first words to Samson and his compassion for him in the rest of the play was perhaps a little sudden.

Victoria Princewill’s Dalila was at times surprisingly sympathetic, given the powerful condemnation she receives from Samson. Her movements could feel a little forced in the scene when she visited Samson but this was due more to the questionable direction than wooden acting. Using the chorus as a shifting wall between the estranged couple was a good idea, but in practice didn’t quite work – it occasionally damaged visibility and was a little distracting.

This was a pity since the rest of the staging proved highly effective. The different areas of the chapel provided ‘sets’ in themselves and were well-selected at every point. The scene with Harapha (James Lowe) on the balcony was particularly well done – it gave the impression of his gigantic height but also allowed Samson to spend most of his time between the supporting pillars, suggesting captivity but also foreshadowing the means of his eventual victory.

The atmospheric use of the chapel, perhaps the strongest area of the production, was added to by well-judged use of lighting and sound. As the audience walked with the actors, we were drawn in and out of light and shadows, making us feel deeply involved in Samson’s despair. As with any promenade production, there was a tendency to feel a little shepherded but music aided what could have been rather awkward transitions.

This production is powerful because it is unlike anything else you could go to see on the Oxford stage this week. The choice of play is ambitious, the setting inspired and the execution strong. Ed White’s direction brings Milton’s words to life with great success, displaying great sensitivity to the text itself.

4 stars

Samson Agonistes is in the Merton College Chapel, 24-27 Feb, 8.15pm

 

The Millennial Bug

By
Martin Parlett
-

During my time with the Obama campaign in 2008, I had the opportunity to work closely with the grass root organisation and volunteer movement which came to characterize the Illinois senator’s candidacy. From a UK-centric position, one differential between ‘our’ campaigning and ‘theirs’, became markedly clear. It wasn’t the almost holy significance of yard signs or the centrality of television debates (the chair, the pose, the tone, the make-up etc) that seemed so alien, but the genuine, and widespread activism of young people. Of course the UK has a strong tradition of student politics and an increasingly educated ‘new generation’, but the last General Election saw only 37% of voters aged 18-24 turn out to vote – that’s half as many as those over 65. That is, in the UK an OAP with potential health and transport difficulties is more likely to vote than a quick-footed youth at the peak of cognitive function. The political establishment in the UK seems to have caught a whiff of the potential for a youth based movement – one need only recall the groundbreaking admittance of the UK Youth Parliament to debate in the House of Commons last October, and more recently David Cameron’s dubious speech to undergraduates at the University of East London, flanked by imposter conservative activists, posing as ‘lay’ students.

But an exceptional recent study by the Pew Research Center potentially shatters this perceived wisdom of the young voter as ornamental, rather than instrumental, in American, and, by extension, world politics. Chapter 8 of the report (which is well worth reading in full) explores the political preferences and might of the so called ‘Millennial’ generation (those of us lucky enough to have escaped the seventies). I know it isn’t quite as alliteratively satisfying as ‘Baby Boomers’, or as mystique as ‘Generation X’, but Millennials will have to suffice, even if it does make us sound like a misjudged box of chocolates.

So what is the significance? After almost half a century of an uninspiring youth turnout in the US, 2008 marked the pinnacle of Millennial involvement, and it was good news for the Democrats. Not only were Millennials voting, they were voting blue. Whilst it is undeniable that Barack Obama’s personal appeal and relative youth must have had an impact on the 18-29 constituency, the support speaks also of an intersection of the policies of Democrats and the innate politico-cultural values of the Millennial population. The generation is the most liberal in America’s recent political history. Not only are they more likely to have a body piercing and less likely to own a gun, they are also the age-group most supportive of legalized gay marriage, for example. In this particular area, Millennials demonstrate an almost diametrical position to that of the general electorate, with 50% approval and only 36% disapproval of legalizing the status of same sex matrimony. A greater proportion of the under-30s watch CNN and MSNBC than their elders; they believe, on the whole, in the power of a bigger government to solve national problems, and they are distinctive for their liberal social attitudes in regards to the active acceptance of homosexuality, interracial couples and the equality of women, immigrants and minorities.

Not only do their general social attitudes correspond to Democratic positions, but the Obama campaign’s reliance upon social networking and online media resonated with a generation who are more likely to connect to wireless internet, use social networking multiple times per day, post a tweet, use cell phones only, send texts, and access their news online. A digital campaign of a Leftist party is then, more likely to reach out to the Millennial generation than a less digital campaign of a Rightist party. The larger question however remains: is this generation a stable foundation for continued Democratic support from young Americans? Or could the Millennial vote once again dictate the direction of Obama’s fate?

The Pew Report finds that since Barack Obama’s election in 2008, partisan support and political activism has slumped in Millennial behaviour. In the Massachusetts Senatorial race and the Gubnatorial race in Virginia – a state in which I had been overawed by youth activism – turnout was lamentable, even for these, more provincial, elections. Their support of the Democrats has fallen from 66% to 54%, whilst support for the Republicans has increased from 33% to 40% in what might be described as the statistical earthquake before the political Tsunami. Despite their previous allegiance, the generation is equally torn on whether Obama has delivered on a central campaign promise to eradicate the status quo of Washington ‘workings’, as is the electorate as a whole. Yet so far, Millennials are placing more blame on opponents and special interest groups for this failure than Obama himself. But this might change in a generation gripped by such short term fluctuation. Perhaps most significantly however, the Millennials – a group defined by their relatively minimal gun ownership – were the only group to show an overall disapproval of the Administration’s policy in Afghanistan. However the loss in support for Obama’s foreign policy may be restored once the troop drawdown is underway, which will take the country in line with the Millennial’s preference for a less aggressive military presence overseas.

In the run up to the mid terms later this year, the Millennials are still showing intensions of majority support for the Democrats, and their personal approval of Obama has not altered significantly. But also as a generation which is the most likely to boycott a product or service when dissatisfied, this might be a prescient concern for a government seeking re-election, which seems to be failing to deliver change to America at a satisfactory pace. The Millennial generation is politically mobile, and may play some part in knocking Obama off the pedestal which they helped to create. Or, even worse, their 2008 appearance may be remembered as an anomalous blip rather than a general resurgence of the youth base.

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