[Interviewed by Hannah West]

South London rapper Deacon is an up-and-coming performer on the British hip-hop scene who has already generated incredible hype with his first single, ‘No Evil’ – a hugely political piece inspired by the shape that today’s world takes, and by recent events that he has witnessed around him. Deacon certainly keeps his writing up to speed with the world, and his candid voice will undoubtedly influence many.

As humans, we like to have opinions. We value and trust our own opinions. But things change, and we often find ourselves realising that the opinions we once held no longer stand. Sometimes, our view on something – on a film, or a song, or a book – starts to alter, or dwindle, or degenerate. We grow out of things. We start to think differently. We realise that the thing in question may never have been particularly good to begin with (hi, low-rise jeans). Three writers talk about how their appreciation for particular pieces of media has changed – or, in some cases, declined – over time.

Superhero Saturation

They’ve made generations of little boys and girls dream of crimson capes, super speed and saving the world… Even fully-grown adults idolize and collect artefacts related to those fictional – not really ‘human’ – beings. I am, of course, talking about superheroes. It was at the not-so-young age of 16 that the existence of those ‘super-humans’ first reached me. I was sitting on the sofa, watching Thor for the first time, being utterly transported in this odd fairytale-esque world – and, obviously, swooning over both Chris Hemsworth as the golden hero and Tom Hiddleston as the detestable, yet oh-so-charming villain.

Simultaneously, as I was discovering the universe of superheroes, it seemed like the world itself had had also re-opened its eyes and wished to rediscover the comics in a different light – this time through a camera and enhanced by special effects, rather than through drawings in a magazine. Marvel and DC movies started to flow by the dozen, and, at first, I was completely head over heels in happiness – looking forward to each and every movie, from The Avengers to Guardians of the Galaxy, passing through the ever so famous Batman and X-Men movies.

However, it is only recently, when hearing about the newest Marvel blockbusters, that I realized how the hype had faded out for me. I was no longer excited about the prospect of a new movie – in which increasingly famous actors disguised as heroes would save the city while destroying one another, over and over again in an endless loop, each movie trying to be more grandiose than the one before. Even though one might argue that these films have now become crucial to our society, and that representation through superheroes is one of the ways we have found to fight inequality, I personally like to choose quality over quantity. I do believe that we should give our all-timey heroes a bit of a rest, until we feel the need to dream of them saving the world, again.

[Nina Panter]

I don’t cry at gigs anymore

I’m not sure how to describe the moment I fell in love with music, except that I probably felt a lot like Carrie Bradshaw did when Big unveiled her new super-size closet. Placing a pair of blue Manolos on one of her shelves, she gasps, “Now I believe this is all really happening”. “Happening” for me didn’t mean that I had finally found ample storage space for my $400 shoes, or that I had nabbed a man who was sort of (LOLZ) ready for commitment. “Happening” meant that I had found the very thing that would sustain me throughout the ups and downs of adolescence. “Happening” meant I had found something to fixate on and obsess over and indulge in. When I “discovered” music I practically slapped myself on the forehead because dude, duh!! This is what you’ve been missing!

My musical epiphany happened when I was fourteen. Back then, music could set my soul on fire. I’d hear a song once and think about it non-stop. I’d stand in the crowd at a mid-sized gig and sob my heart out because that’s just what felt right at the time. “Wow, this is so good it kind of makes me want to throw up”, I once said of an album my dad had given me, and I meant it. I loved the final track so much it practically gave me a stomachache. The crackle of a record player; the whirring of a CD in the car; the sound of an auxiliary cable successfully connecting to an iPod… All of it just made sense.

I thought my insatiable appetite for music would be one of my enduring traits. Then I read a book that told me this wouldn’t be the case; one day you realise that those songs, your favourite songs, don’t send your pulse racing quite as fast anymore. It’s possible you’ll feel less inclined to join a band. The music will always be with you – you’ll always love it with all your heart – but there will be a subtle change in your attitude towards it. That’s just life. As an adult with responsibilities abounds, it seems harder to find music that will really, really move you.

The subtle change happened for me. My gig tears dried up. I somehow forgot to seek out new music, opting instead to listen to the same tired playlist. Boys I went on dates with asked me to name my favourite song of a particular album, and I realised I couldn’t. Hadn’t heard the album. Didn’t even realise the album existed. But I would’ve known, had it not been for the subtle change. Had things stayed the same, I would’ve had my answer ready.

Let’s make one thing clear: I still love music. It’s still one of the most important aspects of my life. But I’m not the same person I was when I was fourteen. I’m too busy, and possibly too tired, to obsess over songs with the same intensity I used to. This might change. I hope it will.

[Morgan Laing]

Gilmore Girls Isn’t Flawless

“If you are gonna throw your life away, he’d better have a motorcycle!”

This is only one of the many wise quotes from Gilmore Girls that I decided to adopt as my life motto, and that I still remember after all the years I’ve spent away from my beloved Stars Hollow. I remember I used to watch two episodes of the show every day after school with my mom; we laughed at the witty dialogues, religiously followed the love triangles and envied the beautiful mother-daughter relationship that Lorelai and Rory shared. I used to admire Lorelai’s sarcasm and her snappy comebacks and Rory used to be my role model for almost everything: she was smart, pretty, loved books, and attended an Ivy League university. When the show ended in 2007 I was left with a hollow place inside my heart that could only be filled by naming several different stuffed dogs “Paul Anka”, and that’s why I was completely over the moon for the Netflix Gilmore Girls revival.

4 brand new episodes! I could finally live more of the crazy Stars Hollow festivals, more coffees at Luke’s, more of Michel’s cynicism and more of Kirk’s unpredictable jobs! I was determined not to miss a single second of the brand-new information on my favourite two people of the TV world, and a re-watch was the only way to be sure to completely understand what would happen. And that’s when it hit me. After watching 7 seasons in less than a week (damn you, Netflix!) everything was different. Maybe attending a Film & TV class made me overanalyse things, or maybe I’ve just grown up, but I realized I felt completely different about most of the characters, and I didn’t feel the same magic. There is so much I could say, but I’ll focus on how my conception of the three “Gilmore Girls” changed.

Rory: When I first started watching it, I was way younger than Rory’s character in the show. Now that we are almost the same age, I feel like if I ever met Rory Gilmore in real life, I probably wouldn’t like her. Rory had it all: beauty, intelligence, a loving family. And that’s it. For most of the time, her most looming problem was choosing between two hot guys who both loved her (#TeamJess). Her close relationship with her mother and the interest of her grandparents made Rory turn into some sort of a spoiled girl who couldn’t possibly accept the idea that people had feelings more complicated than simply love or hate. And so, after 5 seasons of Rory’s perfection, the producers found themselves at a point where one of their main characters was way less interesting than the secondary ones (One example is Lane, whose relationship with her mother is a very interesting portrait of a tough love that goes beyond culture, religion and personal beliefs). And then finally a sudden change: during the sixth season Rory decides to drop out of Yale against her mother’s will to reflect on her future and what she wants to do. The only problem is that this moment didn’t get the time it needed; it was just portrayed as an innocent youthful mistake rather than a huge existential doubt in the life of a girl who was always told she had to be perfect and successful. It is only during the revival that we found ourselves with a Rory overwhelmed by a world that is not what she expected it to be, and who desperately tries to hold on to the things of the past that remind her of better times. In the end, the book she decides to write could serve as a sort of catharsis, a way to finally let her past go and start a new chapter (no pun intended) of her life.

Lorelai: I always envied Lorelai’s sarcasm, until I realised that it was mostly a way to cope with everything that went wrong in her life. Unlike Rory, Lorelai tries very hard to detach from a past that she feels never really belonged to her. She considers her parents and the world she was born in the main reason for all her problems, and always refused her the chance to forgive, deciding that simply not allowing anyone else in (except for Rory) was the best way to never get hurt. In the end, after her father’s death and the uncertainty of her relationship with Luke, on the verge of huge changes in her life, she decides to take a hiking trip alone to sort things out, and finally understands that people can love and be loved in different ways.

Emily: Last but not least, my new favourite character of the show, Emily Gilmore. Presented to us as a cold uncompromising woman, Emily has never been “just Emily”. She was Richard’s wife, Rory’s grandmother, Lorelai’s mother… but never fully herself. As I kept watching the original series Emily seemed less and less like a monster and more like a person who’s full of regrets for her relationship with her daughter but is just too proud to keep trying. After Richard’s death, she finally has her moment of redemption, rediscovering her individuality and finally enjoying a loneliness she never really experienced.

In the end, this show will always have a special place in my heart, but now I don’t see the characters as something to aspire to, but just a beautiful depiction of humanity, with their flaws, their struggles, and their broken/different ways to love.

[Maria Elena Roselli]

[Written By: Hannah Lane]

[Illustration: Julia Rosner]

In a world slowly being torn apart by environmental destruction, and with people consistently adopting a ‘disposable’ attitude towards everyday life, a personal effort to live more sustainably can often feel futile. We’re constantly aware of the impact our every move has on the environment, yet it can be difficult to distance ourselves from our plastic-infused bubbles and properly examine what exactly our everyday actions, habits and lifestyles do to the world we live in. Nevertheless, it seems that more and more of us are becoming aware of the benefits of sustainable living and making a conscious effort, big or small, to live more mindfully and be more environmentally aware. Recently, I’ve come to realise that we can make an effort to live more sustainably in so many areas – from our food and drink habits and everyday commutes, to our fashion and beauty addictions.

[By: Gabriela Saldanha Blackwood]

[By: Elena Roselli]

RISING FROM ASHES

In front of the building site of the building that recently burned in Glasgow city centre, the man coordinating the site is the only splash of colours in an otherwise grey landscape, representing to me the potential of creation that a single human being represents in front of a symbol of destruction.

[Written By: Emma Reilly]

[Photographer: Gabriela Saldanha Blackwood]

While the mantra “all you need is love” has become something of a cliché, the vitality of our relationships with others cannot be denied. How we connect with others influences how we connect with ourselves, and thus how we experience life. We rely on our relationships for support and reassurance, and we naturally crave substantial connections to others. This is likely why we feel the sting so prominently when our relationships end, especially if one was not the instigator of the breakup. However, while the media often focuses on romantic breakups, the end of a friendship can be equally as painful and affecting and is arguably a more frequent, even universal, experience. So why are the impacts of lost platonic loves so overlooked and underplayed?

[Written By: Anna Lumaca]

[Illustration: Sophie Bryer]

The Glasgow Guardian recently published an interesting article on United Glasgow: a unique football team that promotes inclusion and anti-discrimination policies. Their message stresses the importance of representing a broad variety of cultural groups in sport. But why should we aspire to diversity? And how much does it impact our University activities? I spoke about these issues with three Glasgow University students, all of whom have very different experiences but similar concerns.

[Written By: Charlotte Dean]

Another Valentine’s Day has swirled past us; couples have fluttered the streets with roses and chocolates. It is a day that is the equivalent of hell for a commitment-phobe. Spring, however, is here (with a little more frosting than we expected). After emerging from our coves, wrapped in duvets and multiple blankets, we can finally stop using hot water bottles for extra heat in our beds. I sometimes find the transitioning between seasons to be akin to shedding skin – the temperature increases (or should, at least), and we get more light with each passing day, making me feel like I really should get out of the house and become that active version of myself that the summer sees far more of.

[Written By: Hannah West]

[Photographer: Erifili Gounari]

When it comes to live music, the size of the venue is undoubtedly important in contributing to the general vibe of a particular gig or live music event, and of course expectations will differ between those going to see the likes of Taylor Swift and those going to see smaller indie performers like Lewis Capaldi or Gabrielle Aplin.  Luckily, living in Glasgow, we have no shortage of options for all kinds of live music experiences, ranging from the SSE Hydro (holding up to 13,000 people) to cosy King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut with its capacity of just 300. Personally, I am a frequenter of small gigs at small venues.  Aside from the obvious upside that they are more affordable, they feel easy-going and casual – like I could go to one every night of the week and still not be tired out.  However, when I saw Coldplay last summer at Hampden Park I was utterly taken aback by the show that I was witnessing before my eyes, and by the sheer magnitude and spectacle that these huge shows provide.  This shook up what I thought I already knew about live music, and made me think about the positives of both types of concert.

[Written By: Flora Spencer Grant]

[Illustration: Julia Rosner]

I love film. I study film. I one day hope to work in film, but I hate awards season. The nominees and winners never seem to reflect the films that I love – and yet somehow I still find myself watching every year. It’s generally the same story across all creative industries. Seeing Beyoncé nearly cry when Lemonade was snubbed for best album (she is the artist of my life and Adele’s life) pretty much solidified my hatred of the Grammys, and yet I still pay attention to the whole thing. Even though I’m aware of the fact that awards are not the be all and end all (I’m pretty sure Beyoncé isn’t losing any sleep) I can’t help but feel that they are still significant.

[Written By: Rachel Shnapp]

[Picture taken by: Erin Robinson]

Throughout British history, it was believed that some women were witches – and for this ‘crime’, they were killed.

Now we know that this claim was made up by various political and religious powers who felt threatened by women (Thomas Lolis asserts this, among many other historians). Even though I know for certain that women aren’t witches, I do believe they are magic, in a way.

Social media can help hone aspects of our real-life selves and enable us to express ourselves more honestly

[Written By: Katy Scott]

Finding My Identity in a Post-Brexit Society

[Article and Illustration By: Gabriela Saldanha Blackwood]

[Written By: Leora Mansoor]
[Illustration: Julia Rosner]

A ‘Where’s Waldo’ of Good Conversation 

I remember once telling a guy I really liked that I didn’t listen to music. It may have even been worse than that though, because I’m pretty sure I actually told him I didn’t like music at all. Obviously it had been a lie, one of the kinds that fall out of your mouth when you’re flustered in someone’s presence. There was also this somewhat innate fear of admitting that I really didn’t know what I liked, or couldn’t remember. It was also pretty hard to admit at the time that I had three double sided Billy Joel CDs on my iPod accompanied by, what I only realised upon returning home this Christmas, an ‘ABBA Gold’ tribute CD. I was sixteen; of course I didn’t want to say the wrong things. I was young and still afraid that my identity could be the wrong one.       

[Written By: Hannah West]

[Photograph: Adriana Iuliano]

In this strange new world of internet fan bases and online communities, it seems that now more than ever there is a set aesthetic that is expected of fans of absolutely anything. From bands to sports to art, there is a “look” that is expected of people who identify or associate themselves with [X].  This can, of course, be a good thing: dressing according to interests is a way for people to code and identify themselves as a certified fan of a particular thing. It creates a certain group identity that can be very unifying; something that helps to find people around you with similar interests.  However, this can also be incredibly problematic in some situations – it can lead to the assumption that someone can only like something if they choose to present themselves in this one specific way.

[Written by: Hannah West]

Hannah West writes about the how the rainbow flag came to be an international symbol of LGBTQ+ pride.

‘’Gay pride was not born of a need to celebrate being gay, but our right to exist without persecution. So instead of wondering why there isn’t a Straight Pride movement, be thankful you don’t need one’’ – stop-homophobia.com

[Written By: Elspeth Macintosh]

[Illustration: Skye Galloway]

Many TV shows portray the lives of adolescents. Teen dramas are churned out seemingly on a production line by television networks, but it’s only the best ones that are remembered. This is often because of the relatability of storylines and characters (or sometimes it’s just because of the addictive drama!) In my opinion, the most important feature of this genre is that there is usually a genuine focus on young people’s issues and experiences, and for this reason it has created some of the best content and characters out there. I’ve picked a few favourites to discuss. But because this is such an expansive category, it’s impossible to cover everything – so apologies if this selection isn’t for you!

[Written By: Isabel Thomas]

[Photograph: Ruarí MacManus]

Like many others, I have a love/hate relationship with social media. It obviously has many pros; it fosters discussion, you can meet like-minded people, and it provides a network of support if necessary. However, after obsessively opening and closing apps for hours it also becomes very exhausting. When going through hard times, it can be hard to open up Instagram or Facebook only to see that everyone other than yourself seems to be having fun all the time and making the most of their lives. It’s difficult to remember that what you are seeing on your screen is just what people choose to upload, and that social media is such a tiny glimpse into someone’s life. At the end of the day, everybody has problems.

[Written By: Georgia Britton]

[Photographs: Adriana Iuliano]

It’s a typically cold and rainy day in Glasgow as I write this, and all I want is to be back lying in the sun in Puglia. Over three weeks during the summer, I travelled around the heel of southern Italy, and I saw some of the most beautiful scenery, beaches, and weather that I ever have in my life. Now all I want to do is go back and fall in love all over again.

[Written by: Charlotte Dean]

*Trigger warning: abuse, sexual harassment, assault*

During a time where sexual harassment and abuse is becoming more public than ever, and the inequality of men and women is being tackled, I felt it was only appropriate to discuss what students might have to deal with at university. I know I haven’t discussed sexual tales yet, but before I do that I feel that the realities of what students and people alike can face these days needs to be spoken about. Without realising, one can be mentally abused in a relationship, and this can be just as soul-destroying as being physically abused. I recently read an article by The Independent online listing the main points of what occurs when in an abusive relationship.

[Written By: Isabelle Hunt-Deol]

[Illustration By: Sofia Lopes]

“I am always late on principle, my principle being that punctuality is the thief of time.”
– Oscar Wilde

It’s highly likely that I’m submitting this article late… sorry, GUM.

I’m not sure whether it’s the struggle of parting from my cushy covers in the morning or the thrill and excitement I get from racing around my flat five minutes before I’m meant to be somewhere, but I never like to arrive places on time.

[Written By: Emma Harrison]

[Photograph: Annegret Maja Fiedler]

When sitting down to begin writing this article, fresh from the clutches of an essay, I was faced with an unhappy irony. My attempt to write about writer’s block had been stopped in its tracks by the very thing I was trying to discuss.

[Written By: Rachel Gillett]

[Photographer: Annegret Maja Fiedler]

What happened to youth subculture? In 2017, the defining characteristics of dress and music – which made subcultures easily identifiable – are largely missing. Clothing and music taste has become a lot more homogenous in recent years. This has largely eradicated the distinct groups that were present in the 70s and 80s. Films like This is England (2006) highlight the significance of subcultures, with the film exploring early and later skinhead culture in the 1980s, and the creation of identities through being a part of these particular groups. Personally, I do not think in 2017 we have the same level of subcultures – however, have they completely disappeared all together?

[Written By: Lynsay Holmes]

[Art: Aike Jansen]

Veganism. We’ve all heard of it, you’ve probably got a friend or a neighbour who identifies themselves as this “strange” creature. But in this article I aim to debunk the myths surrounding veganism; that it’s an “extremist ideology” or an expensive and elitist lifestyle for health conscious, 40-year-old yoga mums. Instead, I will reiterate its real roots and true core as a socio-political movement. Lesson one: Veganism is not about food, it’s about politics. The aim of the vegan movement is to make a permanent, ethical change that filters into all facets of our daily lives. It is everything you consume: food, clothes, beauty products, furniture; the thing we all consume most is food and thus why the image of veganism is food centred.

By Anna Shams Ili

Most of us remember audiobooks from our childhood. Depending on your age, it was either CDs or cassettes back then – but most of us let them go once we passed into adolescence. In a sense, these were rather similar to the podcasts we enjoy now. So too are radio segments such as ‘Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review’. In recent times, however, the podcast has grown as a medium in itself. Published in episode format, it’s a type of entertainment that’s speedily increasing its popularity.

Written By: Louise Wylie

Illustration: Skye Galloway

Twitter – or, as my mum calls it, ‘that place where I can argue with Trump supporters’ – is making a drastic change. Tweets will no longer be confined to a miserly 140 characters as a new gargantuan 280 character limit is being phased in. The reactions have been mixed, to say the least. Personally, I am deeply offended that I haven’t been deemed worthy of the added words yet, though my followers might not be all that surprised. Some argue that the expansion will solve some of the frustrations of trying to squeeze a point into a teensy space. Others claim that more characters aren’t necessary, and that wordier tweets have less impact.

Written By: Charlotte Dean

We find ourselves adjusting to new routines with the constant changing of seasons.  After spending four months in the Italian Dolomites I’ve had to adjust to lower ground, and life in Glasgow doesn’t share the same peaks my Italian stay had to offer. Once in Italy it was not difficult to forget about Glasgow – its dark grey cloud and lack of adventure a distant memory when working in the Dolomites. People would appear to think that when you travel away from home for long periods of time that your patterns won’t follow and that you can de-root yourself entirely from the past. Is this the case, though?

Written By: Nina Panter

Illustration: Sophie Bryer

Can you fall in love with a place? Nina Panter argues you can.  

Photograph: Silvia Sani

It seems millennials can’t even have a cappuccino or a slice of avocado toast on a leisurely Sunday without someone dubbing them entitled, lazy, and wholly responsible for the state of the housing market these days. Four contributors celebrate millennial strengths by telling us why the constant criticism is unreasonable, and by explaining the ways in which millennials are trying to change the world for the better.

Written By: Jennifer Bowey

Photograph: Léa Cyrielle

Being insecure is, unfortunately, increasingly prevalent in our social media obsessed society. Young people in particular are often dissatisfied with their own appearance and, on top of that, preoccupied with what their peers’ opinions on the matter might be. Poor self-image is, then, one of the most common problems facing individuals today. In its most extreme cases, however, it could be attributable to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) – an anxiety disorder that causes people to have a warped perception of their own physical appearance resulting in extreme distress. This condition, according to NHS statistics, may affect as many as 1 in 100 of us, yet is given minimal consideration.