paul shannon – The Literific

The 16^th Ordinary Meeting of the 165^th Session of the Literific took place on the 27^th of February in the Senate Room. Ciarán Gallagher ended a riff off by starting Bohemian Rhapsody which then turned into a group singing thing with piano played by Henry Adams.

Ciarán Gallagherand Paul Shannon were the proposition. Ciaran had a speech but was interrupted by bagpipes and the arrival of our favourite German Sebastian Eckert. His actual argument was quite good and serious and focused on the uniqueness of musicals and how they consist of wonderful things. Shannon then continued for the proposition. He commented on the shambolic nature of the evening before moving on to his three reasons for supporting the motion, his reasons three. There was singing, logic and observations of the Literific council.

Ben Murphy and Jonny Finlay opposed musicals! Murphy felt musicals contained an unnerving amount of optimism and that they do not reflect life as it is since life can be kind of terrible. Finlay begged us not to waste membership money on a musical that would just end up as gifs on Tumblr. Instead he recommended creating a blockbuster movie, suggested titles being Adam Potter and the Standing Order of the Phoenix or Doctor Whom. Both titles were accompanied by detailed descriptions.

The debate then went to the floor. We then went to a vote and the motion passed.

The 8^th meeting of the 165^th Session of the Literific took place on the 21^st of November in the Senate Room. Despite what President Kydd says, it was in fact our 3^rd annual Godkin Debate and not our 165^th.

Emma Chadwick, Connor Hogan and Aisha Sobey were battling for maiden speaker on the proposition. Emma argued that encouraging everyone to go to university would be bad for those not suited to it, those that are and responsible for the economy which we are currently seeing. He claimed that university degrees are becoming worthless and that they are not required for economic growth. Aisha told the House that university shouldn’t be a social expectation and that life skills are heard in the work place, not in lecture theatres.

Ben Murphy, Aaron Toleman and Harry Adair argued for the opposition. Murphy claimed that universities should change to suit everyone but as it stands it doesn’t allow a lot of people to go. Toleman said that you are more likely to get a job if you have a degree than if not and that there is a causation between going to university and having a healthy diet, exercising and not smoking. Adair explained that the only reason we have an established academic nature is because university is open to all and it should remain so.

The debate then went to the floor.
We went to a vote and the motion passed.
Paul Shannon, our eternal leader, then went through everyone’s speeches and the winner announced was… Connor Hogan! Congrats!