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With Eyes Wide OpenPortsmouth College’s Student Newspaper

New Beginnings and EndsBy Sheldon Cotton.

66 million years ago, a mass extinction event took place that would end an era lasting 186 million years, starting with the Triassic period and ending with the Cretaceous. The Mesozoic era was one of great development in our evolutionary history with primates beginning to take shape as well as early flowering plants having their first bloom, but all of that progress and millions of years of evolution was wiped out in a flash.

This particular extinction event was special, as many in the past were caused by a change to the carbon cycle which in turn affected the atmosphere. However, the Cretaceous-Paleogene event was caused by a huge asteroid (approximately 7.5 miles in diameter) crashing into the ocean near what is now known as Mexico, creating a huge crater which can still be seen on a world map as the Gulf of Mexico. This impact created knock on effects, kicking up sulfur and ash thousands of feet into the sky blocking out the sun as well as causing tectonic activity to rise greatly in the form of earthquakes and devastating volcanic eruptions. This led to the fall of the ecosystems that once supported huge non-avian birds or dinosaurs, but how did life carry on when the planet was in such ruin?

The mass extinction event marked the end of the Cretaceous period and the start of the Paleogene period. This caused the extinction of three

quarters of all plant and animal species on Earth at the time of the asteroid impact. The only animals to survive were ectothermic species, animals such as turtles and crocodiles who do not have a self regulating system for their own body heat, as well as any tetrapods, animals under who have 4 legs, weighing under 25kg. These animals were the semblance of the old era that would evolve to the changed environments, to become some of the very first huge mammals. The paleogene period saw the biggest evolution of mammals leading up to all the animals we know today.

One of my personal favorite animals of this period was the Paraceratherium, a distant relative of the rhino. It walked the Earth in the late Paleogene period, the Oligocene epoch to be exact, it was also the largest terrestrial mammal to ever live. It was similar in stature to an elephant having a large stocky body with tree trunk-like legs, as well as this it had a 4 ft neck that reached into a large skull. It was a peculiar animal which some might compare to a mix between a modern giraffe and elephant, similar to these creatures it was also a herbivore. The name Paraceratherium can be translated to “near hornless beast”, as unlike its modern counterpart it didn’t possess a horn. This creature is responsible for all modern day rhinos, even though many are becoming extinct from human interference.

The Paleogene period was the beginning of the development of modern mammals that now dominate the planet, some more than others. It gave life to many of people’s favourite animals, Paraceratherium into Rhinos, Megatherium into Sloths and Megaloceros into Deer. It most importantly allowed for the evolution of primates due to the new climate, which over millions of years lead to humans as we know them today. Life started anew after a huge devastation, life found a way to survive and evolve. However, when the next extinction event will occur is uncertain and we are well overdue one, but one thing remains sure, life will carry on beyond any extinction and will start a new beginning.

New Beginnings: The Abolishment of the Tampon Tax

By Beth Rolfe.

From the 1st of January 2021, the controversial ‘tampon tax’ (a 5% rate of VAT tax on women’s sanitary products) was scrapped. The tax reinforced misogynistic attitudes and the stigma surrounding periods as it put women at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts, over an issue that they cannot control. This article will discuss who first campaigned for the tax to be removed, the effect this will have on women, and whether Brexit really had anything to do with the ban.

The initial campaign was started in 2014 by a student at Goldsmith University of London, when she started an online petition from her bedroom. Laura Coryton was studying for her degree in international relations when she began her campaign, as she believed it was “illogical and sexist” to tax women’s sanitary products. She named it the ‘Stop Taxing Periods. Period.’ campaign and although the ban didn’t come

into force until 7 years later, it still brought a topic that is often stigmatised into public awareness; it created a debate in parliament in 2015 and it also gained the attention of Mr. Obama, which subsequently made the public more invested in fighting for change. Protests were also held and Coryton pressured former Chancellor George Osborne into taking all the money collected from the tax and donating it to a tampon tax charity.

Although the ban may only appear to be a small step towards true equality between men and women, its affect will be felt by many. It means that sanitary products are deemed ‘essential’ (it was previously called a ‘luxury’), and therefore a change in law will lead to a change in attitudes towards periods. Women will feel more comfortable bringing their issues to attention - whether it be related to periods or not, as it has been recognised that women cannot control the way their body

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functions, and quite frankly if they had a choice many would choose not to have a period every month.

In addition to this, the government claimed that the ban was made possible “by end of the transition period and freedom from EU law mandating VAT on sanitary products”. However, there was actually a vote in 2015 to abolish the tampon tax, and because not enough MPs were in favour of the movement, there wasn’t an amendment passed. Only three male Conservative MPs voted in favour of the movement, and all other Conservative MPs voted against it (the motion was brought by Labour). This needs to be taken into consideration, as while the

government claims that it was only banned due to Brexit, they had a chance to amend it 6 years ago - and chose not to.

This raises the question about whether England should follow Scotland’s footsteps and make all sanitary products free. Scotland have taken the lead worldwide in making this happen and ending period poverty - something that many women have to struggle through. Despite the abolishment of the tampon tax meaning that free sanitary products are accessible for all state schools and colleges, it’s not mandatory and it’s also viewed by some as simply not enough to tackle period poverty. In terms of new beginnings, however, it’s a step towards changing attitudes and will be celebrated by men and women everywhere.

The Origin of TrendsBy Jessica Sabushimike.

Some current trends in pop culture are not in fact trends but just watered down, westernised versions of years long traditions. Alongside cultural practices being taken out of context, a double standard has emerged and needs to be highlighted. Although this can be seen in almost every trend, this article will focus on hair beads and the fox eye trend.

The fox eye trend gained popularity last year, mainly with white people, and it is a makeup trend that transforms the eyes to appear more slanted and upturned. This was done by making the eyebrows appear straighter, using eyeshadow or eyeliner in the outer corner of your eye in an slanted manner, in line with the temple and adding eyeshadow to the inner corner pointing towards your nose. At first glance this makeup trend seems innocent, especially when models like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid have worn the style. However, at a second glance this trend has caused some problems. The trend is seen to replicate Asian eye shapes, which has been labelled as problematic. This is because, historically, the

most common insult against Asians, particularly eastern Asians, has been their eye shape however now a similar look is desired and popularised.

Another trend that became popular last year, often described as ‘indie fashion’ was hair beads braided into hair. The trend, like most others, started on social media and gained popularity over the summer, particularly with white people, however it is important to recognise that it has been practiced by many cultures over the centuries. The earliest uses of hair jewellery can be seen in ancient Egyptian paintings. They were used to symbolise things such as social standing whereas the braids that accompanied them could be used to symbolise marital status and age. Over the years the beads and braids have started to be worn as a style choice rather than for symbolism. However, the topic of hair is sensitive to black people as it is heavily policed, in many schools there are strict rules on the type of braids allowed, the length of the braids, the colours of the beads etc. And yet a similar style on white people is celebrated and popularised without a second thought.

Whether you have or are currently partaking in these trends it is important to realise that there is a huge double standard within society. What is deemed acceptable for people of colour to do and what is acceptable to do as a white person are very different.

Book Review: The Selectionby Kiera Cass

By Faith Ceeley.

The Selection, written by Kiera Cass, is a young adult book. It was first published on April 14th 2012. It is the first book in a series of 5. It's a fantasy fiction book, set in the dystopian future. It has sold 11 million copies as of November 2020.

In a futuristic world where society is divided into castes, with ‘Ones’ as the highest and ‘Eights’ who are mostly outcasts and the disabled. The protagonist, America Singer, is a ‘Five’. The country holds a selection for the prince, Maxon. 35 girls go up against each other in a bid to win the prince and the crown.

In 2012, the author announced that American tv channel, CW, had the rights to her series with the intent to turn it into a tv series. The pilot episode was not picked up to continue as a series and it flopped. A second episode was ordered in 2013 but was also not picked up.

In April 2020, 8 years after the original release, it was announced that Netflix would be adapting the first book into a film. It is going to be directed by Saudi Arabian filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour. As of yet, there is no news of casting.

Reviews of the book are pretty popular. Many complimented it, saying the character descriptions were amazing. However, The A.V club commented that it is "something of a hunger games rip off, but at least it's entertaining".

Kiera Cass is 39 and as of 2020, has written 6 books. She was born and raised in Myrtle beach, SC. She is of Puerto Rican descent and supports black lives matter.

In my opinion, the book is amazing. It's not too long and it's easy to get into. There is an amazing plot twist that you would not expect. If you are just starting to read young adult novels, I would definitely recommend this one. Her other books are also a great read.

New Beginnings By Adam Bolderson.

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New beginnings are about what you are really passionate about; they are your dreams and what you want to follow in the future. They can be scary or many different things like working at a school or a police force or as a firefighter or a counsellor.Here are some examples of my own new beginnings: 1) I started Portsmouth College around 2018 and I have spent three years here and I was thinking of progressing and applying to Highbury College for a different course in what I am really passionate about and that is a childcare course. I thought I would act on it so I applied on 31st October 2020. I had loads of meetings and interviews about it and then they accepted me onto the course, so I am starting Highbury College in September 2021. When I had an email accepting me on the course I told my friends at college and I explained why. I told them I need to move and find my future as I can’t attend Portsmouth College forever, I need to concentrate on my life as well.

2) I am working at Paulsgrove Community Centre from 2018 until 2021 as a volunteer: my title is support worker. I always wanted to help my community out and as well as this it helps to keep myself busy and occupied. I have also learnt different things and skills at the community centre. At the community centre I help groups set up their lessons, take

phone calls, book people into the rooms and manage the young people if they are not respecting the building by being rude to other people and knocking stuff away. As well as this I had an idea for a community garden so other people can sit and just have a look and a quiet time to themselves. I have done loads of things at the centre and experienced the community.

3) For my future I have a passion and know what job I really want and that is working with children. I want to work in a school, for special needs. I like socializing with people who have different needs and helping with what they need on an everyday basis. I want to work as an Learning Support Assistant at first and then work myself up to a teacher and then after that I want to be head of special needs and eventually the headmaster: this is my dream. I hope everybody has got a dream and a passion about which job they want to have and that they follow it and act on it. Just pause yourself and stop what you are doing and think about new beginnings and your future. This is your opportunity to decide what you want in your life just like these examples. As well, you have the opportunity to think while this lockdown is going on at the moment, and you want to have a plan in your life, know what your dreams and your passions are and act on them.

Tab’s Trivia By Tabitha John.

Well people, we have passed into the New Year and left behind whatever that was; so I thought it would be nice to focus on the year ahead and all of life’s possibilities. There is no specific subject of this edition’s trivia but instead my Top 3 weird and wonderful things to look forward to this year.

National Holidays

To start off we have some National Holidays that I had no idea existed until recently but I hope they brighten your day as much as they did mine. (Unfortunately we have already surpassed January 4th which is National Trivia day but we’ll get them next time!)

For my food lovers out there February 9th is 'National Pizza day' , March 1st is 'National Peanut Butter lovers day' and July 7th is 'World Chocolate day'! So don’t forget to treat yourselves to your favourites and if none of those take your fancy, eat something you enjoy anyway. You deserve it.

Now more than ever we know it’s important to stay in touch with our loved ones and to express our gratitude to all the people working hard to keep the country going. So in celebration of that we have February 7th 'Send a card to a friend day' , February 17th 'Random Act of Kindness day' , May 2nd 'Thank a Teacher day' and May 6th 'Nurses day' . Of course we don’t need a specific day to do/celebrate any of these things but it’s nice to know that they exist.

And lastly an honorable mention to: December 8th 'Pretend to be a Time Traveler day' ; I love that someone took the time to decide this and my personal favourite March 18th 'Awkward Moments day' . I don’t think I can really pin those down to a single day knowing myself, is that just me?

Eggs try defying gravity!

What could be more symbolic than talking about the Egg? A symbol of eternal life, resurrection and prosperity. Even eggs try to find the positive in things, always trying to find the sunny side up.

As I was scouring the internet I stumbled upon an old wive’s tale that I thought was too good to ignore. Apparently on the spring equinox (20th March), also known as the Vernal Equinox, which is a day in which day and night are the exact same length, there is a belief that you can balance an egg on its top. Egg-balancing traces itself back to Lichun, which is the beginning of spring in the Chinese calendar, with the idea being that the gravitational force is equal on that day so it is easier for the egg to stand up. When it reached the United States the date changed from February to March to fit with the Western calendar.

Unfortunately this has been labelled a myth but that doesn’t mean you can’t give it a try! It is quite possible to balance an egg like this but if you struggle you can always pour some salt on the table and balance it in the gaps between the crystals. We don’t have to consider this cheating but instead smart forethought as salt can be used to clean up dropped eggs more easily. Happy Egg Balancing!

Meteor Shower

The month of January (as you will have seen from our horoscopes) is all about the Aquarius but that isn’t the only month that is special to them. April to May (not to steal any of the Taurus’ thunder) is when, if the conditions are clear and calm, you will be able to see the The Eta Aquarids, a meteor shower created from debris of the Comet Halley. The shower is named after the brightest star in the constellation of Aquarius: Eta Aquarii hence Eta Aquarids.

It actually takes 76 years for the Comet Halley to make a complete revolution (a full orbit) around The Sun and so the next time that we will be able to see it will be in 2061! I find that there is something so

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beautiful about gazing up at the sky and stars wondering what it's all about, don’t you?

So finally, you and I both know that these are unprecedented times but I hope that this article was able to make you smile in some way and remind you that there are things to look forward to in the future.

Horoscopes By Ella Bowbrick.

Aries: March 21 - April 19This is the month to focus on your relationships and those that are closest to you. Try to resolve any conflict and take advantage of your compatibility. Don’t push back by responding without thinking things through first. Taurus: April 20 - May 20You may be lacking motivation this month but try to look on the positive side. Your friends and family are always going to be there for you so use them as an escape. Your projects may be boring but by working hard you will achieve more. Gemini: May 21 - June 20Life might be moving fast for you this month so use this to finish your projects and build stronger bonds with your friends. You will be able to balance your responsibilities and find a boost in what seems like chaos. Cancer: June 21 - July 22Your energy and sense of fun will get you through this month. If you are feeling a lack of support, don’t be afraid to use your confidence and ask. With help you might be able to make those tough decisions that are hanging over your daily life. Leo: July 23 - August 22Your work and family might be pressuring you this month, but if you stay organised and keep a positive mindset you will be able to get through any problems easily. Take time to relax and clarify your thoughts. Virgo: August 23 - September 22There are going to be lots of opportunities for you this month and it is important to take them. Don’t be afraid to say ‘yes’ and use your

intelligence to succeed. Keep that positive frame of mind and strength in your projects. Libra: September 23 - October 22Family and friends are very important and are going to be a big asset in bringing you out of any negative aspects of your life this month. Believe in yourself when faced with problems and understand that you deserve more than you think.Scorpio: October 23 - November 21You may not always think rationally, but use your confidence to blend your head and heart this month. This is the month to learn something new, maybe start a hobby or project and even start thinking about your plans for next year. Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21Good news is on its way to you this month and it may give you a chance to make a difference in your life. Your drive and sense of adventure is going to bring you success and happiness that you can to share with your family and friends. Capricorn: December 22 - January 19You might be feeling overwhelmed this month but try not to exhaust yourself. Use your strengths to complete your work and take a break once everything is done. You might even be able to make those important decisions for your future. Aquarius: January 20 - February 18You love to learn and expand your knowledge so this is your chance to start some new projects. Consider reconnecting with those you have not seen in a while and use your communication skills to share your experiences with them.

Pisces: February 19 - March 20You may be feeling alone this month with fears holding you back, but your true friends will always be there for you and don’t feel afraid to ask for

their help. Be rational with any anxieties because you will succeed by pushing past them.

Theme Analysis on SoulBy Ethan Bland.

In Disney and Pixar’s latest release “Soul”, a middle-school band teacher named Joe Gardener finds himself in The Great Beyond--a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his normal life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22, to show her what’s great about living.

The first scene I’d like to discuss, spoilers ahead, is the barbershop scene. 22 is currently stuck in Joe’s body and Joe’s soul is in a cat. 22 as Joe starts engaging in a very deep conversation with the barber, Dez, which

snowballed into a conversation with everyone in the barbershop. The reason this scene is so good is that it shows Joe in a light we hadn’t seen before. Joe usually goes in to get his haircut, says the usual ‘how are you’ and all that stuff. This time though he captivates everyone with this spiritually rich perspective that makes you think. When 22 is exploring the world as Joe they lived in every moment they were in, not taken even a second for granted and indulging everything they encountered. They talk about the line between life and death is incredibly thin. They also say after teaching so many students is life even really worth living? Which is a point you should keep in mind as I’ll go into that later. Joe explores a side to Dez who never knew existed. Dez tells 22 as Joe a bit about his life and what he did before cutting hair. Dez said, “it is nice to finally talk to you about something other than jazz”. This makes Joe understand there is more to his day to day life than just jazz. 22 follows this up by asking Dez why they hadn’t spoken about this before and to their surprise, it is because Joe had never asked. This makes Joe realise he is a little self-indulgent at times.

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The next scene is where 22 is sat on a step and Joe is beside them. 22 zones out and takes in everything. The father playing and spending time with his daughter, two friends catching up over a cup of coffee and laughing, the gust of wind that flows through the leaves like a song and dance captivates them. A deep breath and a realization for 22. Maybe just maybe Earth isn’t so bad and to go even further to say it’s beautiful. They smell the surroundings as they take it all in. Something catches their attention. A maple tree seed spins in the air and inevitably lands in their palm. This scene can have a plethora of different meanings or interpretations so I will give you a few. There is an old saying that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” this can be applied to this scene literally but also symbolically and metaphorically. 22 was originally very opposed to living on Earth they hated it there. The more they have been mentored by Joe she becomes more like him but more like their true self also. So Joe and 22 have a lot of things in common. Another takeaway can be that life or the maple tree seed, in this case, is in the very palm of their hand and they can only do as they will. 22 decided to sit there and just let the moment wash over them. Although it is a social setting and 22 is with Joe it is a very reclusive scene of contemplation. I think this is why it resonates with me so deeply. It is okay to not know your place in the world or what to do next because no one does. It may seem they do but it is just an illusion which in the long term could be more harmful than they may realise.

The last scene is the one that convinced me of this being my favourite Pixar film, that being subjective of course. Joe is on his way to The Great Beyond when a counsellor stops him to talk to him. They are usually the ones inspiring others but in this case, Joe inspired them by doing what previous mentors could not achieve and that is to teach 22. They decide to give Joe another chance at life. At the start of the film, Joe could not think of a worse fate than death but now he is contemptuous with it even embracing it beautifully. They managed to bend the rules so Joe could live

his life again. The counsellor asks him “so what are you gonna do? How are you going to spend your life?”. With my favourite quote of the movie is Joe’s reply, he says “I’m not sure”. That is so incredibly mature for any film and I'd go as far as to say the most mature scene out of all of the Pixar movies. Before he was certain he wanted to do jazz and play in a band but now he had his shot it did not feel the way he wanted it to. He doesn’t know what to do next and that is okay. Back to my point earlier there is always a point of living. A path may not always reveal the path but persistence reveals the path. You have to be relentless in your pursuit no matter what it is. For Joe, his thing is jazz so you have to find your thing that you are passionate about regardless of what people think. That is a lesson that 22 finally learned via Joe’s teachings.

I highly recommend you watch Soul on Disney + as it is a thought-provoking, wholesome and challenging film. It is no controversial opinion to say that 2020 was a terrible year. 2021 on the other hand is not the end of the things that transpired last year but a new beginning for all of us, a new equilibrium if you will.