queen’s university belfast – Page 6

This House Would Make a Sex Tape

Posted on 22/05/2014 by The Literific in Uncategorized

The 11^th Ordinary Meeting of the 165^th session of the Literific took place on the 12^th of December in the Senate Room.

Dr Goss, Ben Murphy and Marie-Louise Synnott took the bite for proposition. Goss spoke of the dismal quality of current films of the adult persuasion and reasoned that the talented, ‘saucy specimens of desire’, also known as our members, could create something of a far higher calibre. Mr Murphy told the House that it was their democratic right to make adult home videos. Ms Synnott explained how well equipped the society would be if it chose to go with the motion as she had many contacts that could help make a high quality product.

Mr Jonny Finlay, Ms Emily Walker and Captain Ciaran Gallagher (QUBSU President for 2014/2015) took on the opposition. Finlay questioned the artistic flair behind it and whether it would reflect the Literific. Emily Walker stated the three reasons you’d want to make a sex tape are 1) for fun 2) to remember the good old times and 3) to make money. C’p’n Gallagher said that there is never any guarantee of secrecy, that once it’s made you can’t guarantee that it won’t be leaked.

The motion went to a vote after the floor debate and was surprisingly defeated.

For more information read about this debate in the minutes: there are two sets of minutes because the original ones were deemed inappropriate for the Secretary of State to hear at the NI flags debate.

This House Believes Science Has Damned Us All.

Posted on 22/05/2014 by The Literific in Uncategorized

The 9^th Ordinary meeting of the 165^th session of the Literary and Scientific society took place on the 28^th of November in the Senate Room.

Matthew Allen, Dr. Stephen Goss and James McAlister proposed the motion. Allen opened the debate with a very interesting account of past philosophers and anthropologists (I think). He ended by reading a lovely poem to the House in its native Swedish. Yes. Goss brought up scientific theories that have been widely accepted but which have since been disproven and asked if it was worthwhile condemning ourselves for this. James McAlister compared our society’s way of life to that of the Amish who follow the bible for guidance and concluded that we will inevitably be damned by our advancements. However, he also said that we should just roll with it and be damned.

Fionnbharr Rodgers, Nick Millington and Dr David Timson opposed the debate. Fionn advised the House to ignore the extremists who create conflict as they are not a fair representation of either side. Mr Millington argued that heaven, the option other than being damned, has been raised in people’s minds but that in reality it may not be so wonderful. Dr Timson, our guest, said that science is good, that it has enhanced our lives in many ways; he argued that if science has damned us then God help the Vatican who sponsor science.

The debate then went to the floor.
Both sides summarised, the proposition in Swedish and we went to a vote. The motion was defeated.

Godkin Debate: This House Believes Too Many People Go to University

Posted on 22/05/2014 by The Literific in Uncategorized

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!