Dominic Barrett, Author at The Orbital

5Aug

By Dominic BarrettNo Comments

Features

Are we really Snowflakes?

Let me be clear: I thoroughly dislike the term ‘snowflake’. Not because it offends me, far from it. I think many people deserve to be called snowflakes for being unnecessarily sensitive, too eager to be offended, and prone to emotional and/or dramatic outbursts (in one form or another). I dislike the term ‘snowflake’, for the same reason I dislike the term ‘lazy millennial’ - it’s a little bit too inclusive. You might ask, how can something be too inclusive? What I mean is, every 16-24 year old, no matter who they are, has suddenly and unfairly been lumped together as the ‘Snowflake Generation’. Just as all millennials, which refers to anyone born after 1982, are considered lazy and narcissistic despite their background, ambition, work ethic etc., we are all considered snowflakes. You mig...

First Year: the perfect introduction to university, or just a waste of money?

29Sep

By Dominic BarrettNo Comments

Features

First Year: the perfect introduction to university, or just a waste of money?

Many university students, both past and present, will look back on their first year with a combination of nostalgia, amusement, and maybe a few hazy memories of nights out - and the horrific mornings that followed. But it turns out that, at university, you actually have to do some work as well. I know, I was as surprised as you! Have no fear though, first year marks do not count towards your final degree at all. Most courses require only that you get 40% or above throughout the year to progress into second year. This, on one hand, is great news. You can focus on all the fun that uni has to offer, like going out and meeting new people instead of work. However, is this as good as it sounds, or should first year be a little more than just an extended session? Well, to start with, it’s impo...

When did we decide our privacy is overrated?

23Sep

By Dominic BarrettNo Comments

Features

When did we decide our privacy is overrated?

Ever since the creation and implementation of mass surveillance, whether that be through extensive CCTV networks or even drones attached with cameras, we have been slowly losing our right to privacy. Only last year, the Investigatory Powers Act, known informally as the ‘Snoopers’ Charter’, was passed by Parliament. This allows government agencies to gain access to the information from phones, computers networks and a vast array of other electronic devices whether the user wants them to or not and potentially spy on them. Terrifying, yes, but are we really surprised? After all, we’ve been slowly forsaking our own privacy for years now anyway. You might say that that’s ridiculous, but hear me out, because it may not be as strange as it sounds. Social media has undeniably exploded in the l...

You’ve got into Royal Holloway! Now what?

17Aug

By Dominic BarrettNo Comments

Features

You’ve got into Royal Holloway! Now what?

Ah isn’t results day great? You laugh, you cry, you might even drink heavily. But after that initial shock has worn off, you might remember that you also applied to Royal Holloway - which, congratulations by the way, you’ve now got into! Whether you’re elated or disappointed, you’re stuck with us now, so you might as well enjoy the ride! But what does that ride entail? Is it a bumpy ride? Will there be snacks? Well it will be bumpy, as all university journeys are, and I can confirm that there are snacks if you know the best place to look (hint: go to as many fresher and departmental events as possible, they have all the best snacks). However, Royal Holloway is more than just free food and an intense love for the colour orange. It’s fun, confusing, probably stressful, and no doubt yo...

15Jun

By Dominic BarrettNo Comments

Features

Technology – friend or foe?

It has been a busy few months, exams are still fresh in everyone’s minds and in the big scary world, outside the walls of Royal Holloway, an election has taken place. But when surrounded by all the big things, sometimes it’s easier to forget the little things, like that phone that’s probably in your pocket right now, or maybe on the table in front of you. Now you might be wondering why I have suddenly switched to talking about phones; what’s that got to do with anything? Having a phone might not seem important when you’ve probably had one for a while and using it is just second nature. What neither you or I might not think about is how much the technology used to build your phone, and thus the phone itself, has advanced in the last few years. An iPhone 6 is 32,600x faster in terms of...

Everyone’s Favourite Worst Nightmare – Tuition Fees

5Jun

By Dominic BarrettNo Comments

Features

Everyone’s Favourite Worst Nightmare – Tuition Fees

Features Editor, Dominic Barrett, discusses the love-hate relationship with university tuition fees. Ask any current university student if they’re looking forward to the prospect of leaving university with a veritable mountain of debt and you’d probably find out pretty quickly just how much they are not looking forward to facing it. That’s not that surprising, but maybe there is another way to look at university fees that might make you feel a little better about them. If you take a quick look at the Labour Manifesto for 2017, a point that might stick out to you is where it specifies that tuition fees for universities should be abolished. That’s great, and would avoid the scenario of leaving university with a whole load of debt. Obviously, this is good news - no disagreement from thi...