qmunicate magazine

Award-winning student magazine produced by members of the Queen Margaret Union at the University of Glasgow

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In Defence of Satire: Why Making Fun of Those In Power Is Good For Democracy

In Defence of Satire

I’m writing in defence of satire, and no, this isn’t a satirical piece about satire because that is too meta. Satire is great. Not only is it often hugely entertaining (where would the iconic Simpsons’ episodes be without it?) but the mocking of leaders plays an important role in the functioning of society.  Poking fun at the peeps in power is a time-honoured tradition and not because comedians…

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The Invisible Problem: Glasgow's Air Pollution Problem

Have you ever noticed an inconspicuous green box in Glasgow’s city centre with the label ‘Air Quality Monitoring Station’ only partially concealed by graffiti? You wouldn’t be the only one to answer that question with a no. I certainly haven’t noticed it. But that unremarkable box is responsible for recording air pollution levels that prove just how dire the situation is in Glasgow. The wee green…

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Sea

We wake early for the drive towards the sea Pack everything into our small car until it’s full to burst while the sun is still pink And set off to the coast.   In the high hills we spot the thin, Bright flash of blue on the horizon Compete to be the first to shout That we can see the sea.   The salt wind tastes Like home and travel And as we race over the mounting dunes, The sand grass waving in…

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EU Referendum: Fear Over Hope?

It’s widely accepted that the independence referendum marked a sea change in Scottish politics. Despite the referendum ultimately ending with a no vote, a spark had been ignited which it would be difficult to put out. The yes campaign was far from perfect. The profile given to supporters such as Brian Souter and Wings over Scotland by the campaign undermined their claim of representing social…

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Interview: Glasgow University's EU Students

Interview: Glasgow University’s EU Students

With the European Union referendum imminent, there is a lot of feelings about what it means to be a person with a European background living in the United Kingdom today. Particularly if one is studying in the UK thanks to the European Union’s laws regarding free movement and funding for higher education. Despite the importance of remaining in the EU for EU students studying in the United Kingdom,…

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Education Stays Classy

Chancellor George Osborne claims that he will raise the standards of universities. The question is only: for whom? His reforms could drastically change the landscape of higher education. Major alterations include the replacement of student maintenance grants with loans for new students as of 2016-17, freezing the loan repayment threshold for five years and allowing private colleges called…

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Film Review: The Nice Guys

Film Review: The Nice Guys

In association with the Grosvenor The Nice Guys is Shane Black’s third feature film and partners Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling as an enforcer and PI investigator respectively. The two grudgingly work together to solve the mystery behind the murder of a porn actress who may be connected to the disappearance of another woman. What stems from this is an engaging and utterly hilarious belter of a…

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Glesga's Gold: Chelsea Frew

Glesga’s Gold: Chelsea Frew

Maybe there’s something magically inspiring about the River Clyde, or is it simply the cider served in Glaswegian pubs. Any way, Glasgow is buzzing with young up-and-coming artists creating incredible things, either on stage or on fabric, with words or with paint. Every month or so we’ll chat with a Glasgow-based artist to see what they’re up to. Today: Chelsea Frew, an illustrator and mural…

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Scientists Call Brexit's Bluff

Scientists Call Brexit’s Bluff

The facts that lead scientists to vote remain in the EU referendum. (more…)

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Mad About the Ads: The Ethics of Online Advertising

Mad About the Ads: the Ethics of Online Advertising

We’ve all had that moment when we have been trying to show a video on YouTube to a friend, saying that it is the funniest thing on the internet, only for a mandatory advert to pop up. It ruins the experience and most of the time you will have no interest in what is trying to be sold to you. So why are adverts on the internet still a thing? (more…)

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[qmunicuts] - The Column That Talks Shit About China To Its Face

A man was punched in the face on the New York subway for looking a lot like Shia Labeouf. The perplexed victim guessed at the motive for the attack “Did he just see his last performance art piece?” (more…)

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Kepler: Over 1000 New Planets Discovered

NASA’s Kepler telescope has discovered 1284 new planets previously unknown to astronomy. This finding represents the largest number of planets ever discovered at the same time, and more than doubles the total number of planets discovered by the Kepler mission. Nine of the new planets orbit within habitable regions around their respective stars. These so-called ‘Goldilocks Zones’ (so named because…

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How Do You Do, Fellow Kids?

If there’s one things brands really love in the social media age, it’s trying to be relatable to young people. How better to get the kids through the doors or spending their increasing disposable income on your products than by convincing them you’re just like them? Unfortunately for them, it’s a thin line between cool and down-to-earth, and just plain embarrassing. Their failures have brought us…

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The Key to Ageing like a Fine Wine

The Key to Ageing Like a Fine Wine

Ageing is something that we all seem to reluctantly do. Sadly, the general consensus appears to be that grey hair isn’t cool unless you purposefully dye it that colour, and wrinkles are only cute if you’re a Shar Pei puppy. Perhaps, ageing gets a bad rep because growing old is associated with disease and ultimately death – not exactly what you would call desirable connotations. In a recent Pint…

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What To Do When You've Got Nothing To Do

What To Do When You’ve Got Nothing To Do

I haven’t been in a car crash, but I always feel like I’m in one after a period of intense studying. University is over for a bit and suddenly I have nothing to do. It’s like when the car suddenly stops and your body still thinks it’s moving, and well, it just goes on. You either fly through the windshield or – as you should – get stopped by the safety belt. My body and mind just think they…

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Film Review: Tale of Tales

Film Review: Tale of Tales

In association with Glasgow Film Theatre Tale of Tales contains 3 separate storylines based on a collection of fairytales by Italian Renaissance poet Giambattista Basile. The three plotlines contain many common motifs in fairytales: the barren Queen who seeks a child, the test to choose who will marry the princess, and the cunning old crones with a desire for youth. The film takes a fantasy…

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The Wonders of Women's Bathrooms

The Wonders of Women’s Bathrooms

Everyone that’s ever used a women’s bathroom in a club knows that drunk girls in the bathroom are the absolute best. Sorry men’s-bathroom-users, you’re really missing out – and I’m here to tell you why. (more…)

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