From the Headmaster

Easter – An Instrument of Roman Terror

Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

Easter is nearly upon us, with its Easter hat parades, Easter bunnies and chocolate in industrial-sized portions. All of this, perhaps strangely in terms of style, reflects the crucifixion of a man 2000 years ago in an obscure backwater of the Roman Empire. Whatever our views on the Christian faith, we are all so familiar with the story that we can become blasé. The historian Tom Holland in his Dominion: The making of the Western mind, is helpfully graphic: ‘exposed to public view like slabs of meat hung from a market stall, troublesome slaves were nailed to crosses … no death was more excruciating, more contemptable than crucifixion. To be hung naked “long in agony, swelling with ugly weals on shoulders and chest” (First century Roman writer Seneca); “It is only by means of terror that we can hope to coerce such scum” (First century Roman writer Tacitus)  … it was this disgust that crucifixion uniquely inspired, which explained why when slaves were condemned to death, they were executed in the meanest, wretchedest stretch of land beyond the city walls. … helpless to beat away the clamorous birds, such a fate, Roman intellectuals agreed was the worst imaginable.’ Jesus died the death normally reserved for slaves and criminals.

As Holland himself points out, historians accept the truth of the narrative. Indeed, former Professor of Classics at the University of Auckland Professor Blaiklock insists that Luke is one of the greatest historians of the ancient world. Edwin Judge, Emeritus Professor of Ancient History at Macquarie University, says that the writers of the New Testament realised the need to establish the evidence for Jesus. Their concentration on this was unusual in their culture.

These unlikely origins of the Christian faith were as shocking and counter-cultural then as they are becoming now in a very different society. The unfortunate tendency in the Middle Ages, which has persisted even to this day, of sanitising the scene with a serene Jesus on the cross shrouded in a halo has been very unhelpful. The Gospel writers do not centre on the gore but are brief with just the facts: “they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left.” (Luke 23: 33) Normally, the individual crucified would writhe in agony for anything up to three days, with death coming eventually by exposure, loss of blood or heart failure as he tried to push himself up on the upright beam with his feet to avoid asphyxiation through the sagging of his body on the Cross. The weight of his body would tear flesh upwards from the nails until a bone was reached.

Holland again: “that a man who had himself been crucified might be hailed as God could not help but be seen by people everywhere across the Roman world as scandalous, obscene, grotesque.” To the Jewish people of the time, it was abhorrent, and to the Greco-Roman world of the time, the notion that a God might surrender his power and submit to such a horrible death was contrary to all their concepts of divinity.

The Christian claim of the crucifixion as exhibiting God’s love in sending a Saviour to die in our place remains extraordinary 2000 years later. Familiarity can mask the sheer audacity of the claim. It doesn’t, of course, end there, as Christians claim, contrary to our everyday experience, that this man Jesus rose from the dead. The late Professor Richard Swinburne, Professor of Philosophy at Oxford University, using Bayes Theorem, claimed there is a 97% probability that Jesus rose from the dead.

Apart from the obvious reference to the season of Easter, why, you might ask, is this worthy of an article? There are two reasons: firstly, the lovely culture we have at Shore, with its humility, sense of service and respect for others, is a direct result of the Christian ethic centred on Jesus. Secondly, if it is true, it changes everything, as it is of cosmic significance.

Happy Easter!

Head of the River

Our rowers across all age groups and crews gave their all at the Head of the River last Saturday. The results were mixed, with one 1st place, a 2nd and some minor places. Some of our boys were disappointed. There was no need for them to take this to heart. They trained hard with full commitment and were hugely supported by a large Shore contingent on the day. Their commitment did us proud!

School Musical

Congratulations to all students and staff involved with our 2023 musical Singin’ in the Rain. The performances were stunning, brilliant, and breathtaking, not least because they pushed the boundaries of what we thought possible. An outdoor performance, with a specially built stage and coordination with an orchestra lodged in a far-off room unable to hear verbal cues, required a new technical mastery. The success was a tribute to all, and even the weather was mostly kind, so we were not constantly singing in the rain.

Cadets

Congratulations to all our Cadets, staff involved and especially the Commanding Officer, Major Oxley, for the recent delightful Cadets Dinner and Passing-Out Parade. The discipline and precision were most impressive, and the effective cooperation with a neighbouring Girls’ school, Wenona, was very pleasing.

Dr J Collier
Headmaster

Upcoming Key Events

• School Chapel Anniversary Service – Friday 4 May.
• Senior School Mothers’ Day Stall – Friday 12 May (before school and recess).
• Careers Expo – Monday 15 May.
• American Tea – Friday 8 September. Save the date!

Sports Canteen Sign-up

Be of Service and Sign Up Today

Winter sports season kicks off this Saturday with internal trials for both Football and Rugby. One of the best ways parents can be involved during the season is to volunteer at the Northbridge Canteen. Not only is it one of the friendliest places at Northbridge, but it is also one of the warmest!

The Northbridge Canteen has a strong reputation for providing the best food and service on the school sports circuit. Run by the Shore Parents’ Association (SPA), the canteen cannot operate without the generous support of the parent community. The Signup Genius link is updated weekly after the Fixtures List is posted. We ask parents to volunteer one hour of their time either before or after their son’s match. This way, you don’t miss any of the on-field action.

The SPA recently purchased a new coffee machine for Northbridge. The coffee machine will be operated by the Shore Old Boys, who have been professionally trained by our coffee supplier Gabriel.

For anyone who hasn’t volunteered at the Northbridge Canteen or for those who would like to refresh their skills, this weekend’s internal trials will provide you with the perfect opportunity to hone your skills before our busiest time of year.

If you have any questions regarding the Northbridge Canteen, please don’t hesitate to contact Gaby Hunter, SPA Canteen Coordinator, on 0414909545 or via email at spacanteen@shore.nsw.edu.au.

Please follow the form link below to sign up.

Northbridge Sign-up – http://bit.ly/3FXZNbo

Ms G Hunter
Northbridge Canteen Coordinator

Term Dates 2023 – 2024

School Chapel Anniversary Service

The Headmaster, Dr Collier, warmly invites you and your family to celebrate 134 years of tradition at the Shore’s School Anniversary Chapel Service.

SERVICE DETAILS

Thursday 4 May 2023

5.30pm to 6:30pm

Shore Chapel

Parking is available in the Bishopsgate carpark. Enter via Hunter Cr.

All members of the Shore Community are invited to attend, with supper served directly afterwards.

CRU Update

What is the most important thing in your life? Is there something that is your number one focus that matters more than anything else? 

This week at CRU, Phillip Greenwood was leading, and Charlie Corbett-Jones was speaking on Acts 17. We saw how the type of people the apostles were speaking to had changed from Acts 10 to Acts 17. The apostles initially proclaimed the gospel to Jews and God-fearing Greeks, but as seen last week, the gospel is for everyone – Jews and Gentiles. This week Paul was in Athens, Greece, where they worshipped many gods. Charlie mentioned how Athens was like the ‘idea capital’ of the world and that many great philosophers and thinkers lived in Athens at some time.  

When Paul entered the city, he was very distressed because of all the idols, so he began to speak about the good news of Jesus and his resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins to be received by faith. Paul identified that the Athenians were worshipping everything, but they were ignorant of the one true God who created the heavens and the earth, as they even had an altar saying ’To an unknown God’. 

In today’s society, we too can easily be distracted by things of this world and put worldly things above God, so in many ways, these things become idols to us. It is important that we remember that Jesus died for our sins and rose again so that by believing in him, we can have eternal life. This should be number one for us, rather than success, appearance, money or any other idols. 

Daniel Becker 
9 TY4 

Library Open Hours

Holiday Study in the Library

The Library will be open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.00pm, for boys in Year 12 during the school holidays, 11 to 21 April. It will be closed on the Professional Development Day, 24 April.

Boys are strongly encouraged to use this dedicated study space in preparation for their upcoming assessments. In previous years, boys have found the combination of a three-hour workshop with a half-day study in the Library beneficial.

School uniform is not required.

Library Closing Early on the Last Day of Term

Please note that the Library will close at 12.30pm on the last day of term, 6 April.

The Library has many new books, and we encourage the boys to borrow books for the holidays. No loans will fall due during the holidays.

Ms E White
Head of Library and Information Services

Pastoral Care Update

Vaping is a current and concerning trend that has emerged among young people and sparked concerns among health professionals, educators and the wider community. Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling aerosol from e-cigarettes or similar devices. It has become increasingly popular among teenagers, including some boys in our community. However, despite the perception among some young people that vaping is a less harmful alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, the reality is that it poses serious risks to users’ health, particularly those who begin using vapes at a young age. Furthermore, the industry is poorly regulated, and there have been very serious health consequences for young people who vape.

In recent news articles, we have learned how some young people in our community have campaigned for further government assistance to address the issue of vaping among their peers. They have called for stronger regulations and better education about the dangers of vaping. As educators, we fully support their efforts, and the Pastoral Care team is committed to playing a part in addressing this issue.

Research has shown that the best way to address this issue with students is to teach students to be critical consumers and be aware of the tricks the media uses to sell vapes to young people. We want to encourage the boys to be principled in their actions and help them build good self-control habits so they can make the right decisions. We take a firm approach and provide clear consequences for those caught vaping during school hours. Unfortunately, the state government has not yet provided firm and clear rules and regulations to protect young people from vapes, and it is too easy for them to buy vapes from local convenience stores and petrol stations. Unfortunately, some students struggle with vaping addiction, which is a very sad situation that requires our support to manage. Our school counsellors can assist some students and connect them with external support, which is an important part of the solution. We also discuss the issue of vaping in House, during tutorial time and in PDHPE classes, as we believe these are critical forums for engaging with our students about their health and wellbeing. Teachers and the Pastoral Care team do an excellent job caring for all our boys at Shore.

I encourage you to watch the School TV special report on the issue of vaping here SPECIAL REPORT: Vaping & E-Cigarettes | SHORE – Sydney Church of England Grammar School (schooltv.me), which provides a comprehensive understanding of the issue and its impact on young people. We believe that it is essential for parents and guardians to be aware of this issue and to talk to their children about the dangers of vaping.

We are committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of all our students at Shore, and by working together, we hope to address this issue effectively. We will continue to keep you updated on our efforts to address this issue and provide support to our students. Thank you for your support and partnership in this important matter.

Mr D Champion
Acting Deputy Head Pastoral Care

2023 Musical – Singin’ in the Rain

Singin’ in the Rain has been described by the audience as, “a triumph”, “outstanding”, “a wonderful night under the stars!”

With the show’s final night on Saturday April 1 and seats filling up, this is a unique event not to be missed. We have released additional seats for the final three shows commencing this evening and on behalf of the cast, orchestra, crew, and production team it is my great pleasure to invite you and your family to one of our remaining performances. 

It is a wonderful show for the whole family and the original 1952 film won numerous awards. It offers a light-hearted depiction of Hollywood in the late 1920s, with the three stars portraying performers caught up in the transition from silent films to “talkies”.

Tickets can be purchased from Trybooking – https://www.trybooking.com/CGQOO

I look forward to seeing you at one of the shows! 

Dr L Gilmour
Deputy Head Co-Curricular

Head of the River Report

Last weekend saw the running of the 126^th annual Head of the River showdown. To everyone’s delight, the regatta was back at SIRC, and the weather was in full cooperation with only some very light drizzle that kept that day at a manageable temperature.

The racing got underway well with our mighty Fourth Year 10 VIII of Will Taaffe, Josh Salis, Jack Holt, Tom Kierse, Will Bailey, Roly Smith, George Lane, Lachlan Adamo, and the mighty Eddie Brooks out of the blocks strongly and in a good position from the early strokes. A very fine performance for a crew consisting of quite a few boys in their first year of rowing. I should also point out the extraordinary effort of Lachlan Adamo, who has been balancing a heavy role in the musical and the Head of the River lead-up. Well done, Lachlan.

The Third Year 10 VIII hit the water next and were locked in a very close tussle with Riverview, which saw the two boats overlapping the whole way down the 2000m course. It was a brilliant race from our lads, one that I am sure has them determined to move a little faster as they enter the next season of racing in 2023/2024. The boys had to settle for 2^nd place, but that was ten seconds ahead of the next competitor back in third.

The Second Year 10 VIII started strong and led through the first 500m. They had great boat speed here, but they came under attack from Riverview and Newington after this. Riverview had the better run through the middle 1000m as they took the lead of the race, and the real tussle that was developing was for 2^nd between Newington and the Shore crew. Shore put up a great fight to lock down 2nd place in the final 500m, finishing ahead of Newington, who had to settle for 3^rd place.

Our First Year 10 VIII had a great season and had seen some great racing throughout the year. In their final race together, the crew from North Sydney started well but found themselves in a very close battle at the halfway mark, with just a boat length separating the top four boats. As the crews crossed the line, the Shore crew had to settle for one place off the podium. 

The GPS Fourth IV had a pretty tough day at the office, showing great speed through to the 1000m line but coming under heavy fire through the 3rd 500m. In the final 500m, they had to relegate their goal of finishing on the podium in the final outing of the year. They finished in 4th position, just behind St Joseph’s College.

The GPS Third IV of Aidan Macfarlane, Piers Mendel, Jake Hebblewhite, Lewis Kingdom and Charlie Waugh had a very tough fight on their hands. They had crossed the 1000m mark in 2nd place but then came under fire by the crews from St Joseph’s and Kings. The final 500m saw a blanket thrown over the field with less than two seconds separating 2nd to 4th. Unfortunately, the Shore boat missed that 3^rd place position on the podium.

The GPS Second IV raced next and had a great first 1000m to find themselves in 2nd place alongside the crew from the Kings. The 3rd 500m did not go as planned, and the pace of the race stepped up. As the race came into the closing stages, the crew of Max Gillian, Preston Scott, Adam Watson, Edward Kenny and Alex Bishop had to settle for 3^rd place overall. 

The GPS First IV took to the course next and had a brilliant race. While they didn’t come away with a victory, they showed great fight for the duration of the race. The crew of Jock Fenwick, Rory Hall, James Collier, Jordan Elliott and Sam Warburton showed great tenacity throughout the season, and this race was no different.

The tempo of the racing then switched from the longer rhythm of the coxed fours to the higher pace of the eights. Our GPS Second VIII started us off well here with a blistering first 1000m to lead the field. In the 3rd 500m, the race favourites, Riverview, moved to take the lead away from Shore. It seemed that the early race pace had come at a cost to the crew of Max McAlpine, Peter Bennett, Alex Smith, Harry Marshall, Ben Roe, Liam Macfarlane, Tom Hebblewhite, Ben Muffett and Hamish Longstaff. The crew came under fire from a fast-finishing Newington College crew to find themselves in 4th place. It was a brave race from these guys as they went out with the intent to lead. Well done, Men!

Our GPS First VIII closed the regatta for Shore. It had not been the easiest of seasons for the crew Oscar Muhlbauer, Lawson Banks, Tom Galligan, Tom Wait, Remy Cameron, Will Clubb, Corrie Sloan, Hugo Patrick and Mackenzie Fox. They had shown in training that they had the speed to perform but had found the going tough on race day. The race started well for the school from North Sydney, but as it progressed, the crew found themselves under siege and through that middle 1000m, they emerged in 5th place to enter the final 500m. This was not to be Shore’s day here, with the crew being overrun by St Joseph’s in the final stage to finish 6^th place. This was not the result the boys would have wanted, but I can say within a shadow of a doubt that the crew did all they could to represent Shore on the day. 

Mr G Bates
MIC Rowing

The Reason for Everything

E. O. Milne

What is the reason that I sit here and write to you? Confusion fills my body and I see no end to this repetitive question that lingers inside the mind of my own and so many others.

What is the reason that I get up in the morning? Or try so hard on my test? Is it because I look to create a better future? How can I, when I don’t even know our past?

We say we have a motive, to change the world, commit a crime or purchase the latest game console in the PlayStation series. But the truth is that how can you have a motive when you know nothing of where it came from in the first place?

The first place, the big bang, or the first day, second, hour.

I would give my life just to first know the truth of it all.

The truth behind how in a never-ending nothingness there suddenly became something. Math teachers tell us that to create something you need a combination of other things.

But at some point, in time there was something, if that was due to a greater being or to a magic spell that was cast over an area or just a virtual reality to make us think we are actually real when we are just a complex video game.

We can think of all these things and put our faith into one, yet we have no proof of anything. Of life, death or the reason that we even think that we are real.

But to step back we need to think of the start. What is nothingness, it could be complete darkness of complete brightness or even a rubber duck. No matter what, none of those options are nothing because they can be described by my own words.

We cannot even imagine how something was created because we cannot comprehend what nothingness is.

Philosophers spend their near entire lives trying to solve these questions such as maybe we are just butterflies dreaming. But they know deep down that they will never uncover the truth because there is no way of figuring out where to begin.

If we get a headache thinking about things such as the thought of a colour that is not on earth, how are we meant to think as far as the answer to it all.

So instead, we dig ourselves deeper into holes of misconception. Creating a society where we give each other something to do instead of facing the questions of reality, we have created stress and depression and still we blame everything other than ourselves.

But we need to take charge, because for too long have we kept ourselves away from the discovery of not only space but the answers to all. If it is a multiversal reality or a virtual reality, we need to find a way to begin our journey to uncover the truth.

Because after the beginning there is the end, and it seems like we are closer to that then the beginning. And when it arrives everything that we ever cared for, every HSC result we got back every time we didn’t get the job we wanted will all go away and it will seem as if nothing matters because it will be too late to start over, too late to look back on our past to look to the future.

Now I don’t know where we will begin, but we need to make the answers or existence a priority instead of fighting over territory and who in this world is more dominant.

Because it is things such as world wars and politics that holds us back, we say that we will work as one to help each other find answers but if we’re fighting each other how can we fight what is out there when the time comes.

Because I’m sure that whatever the truth is behind everything that we have ever known will be nothing like we could have expected in the first place.

Because something is waiting for us in the vast nothingness for us to reveal ourselves and confront it.

Something that will make the world finally have clarity.

Finally, make sense.

Sua’ali’i Signs

Rugby Australia fight back

F. A. Loxton

IN HEADLINES OVER LAST WEEKEND, JOSEPH SUA’ALI’I HAS SIGNED A LONG-TERM CONTRACT WITH RUGBY AUSTRALIA and the NSW Waratahs kicking off in 2025. The deal will see rugby’s most sought after young talent earn 1.6 Million dollars each season, a figure which the roosters couldn’t come close to matching much to the clubs frustration. But how did the young-star come to develop such talent and what does his future look like in Union?

Born in Sydney in 2003, Sua’ali’i grew up amongst a range of sports – basketball, AFL, athletics but most notably rugby. He made his first mark on the rugby league scene as a teenager, in 2020 debuting for Souths’ Sg ball side as the youngest player to do so in over a century. From there, he was signed from the cross town rivals – the Roosters, and has developed in their system to be an established winger and center, with James Tedeseco still holding the fullback jersey.

However, as much as NRL clubs have shaped him into a talent for the ages in League, Sua’ali’i’s true passion has always been with rugby union. Dominating other schools A-teams at The Kings School, and debuting for the 1st XV in year 9, Joseph went on to represent the Australian Schoolboys team in both 2019 and 2020. This saw him catch the attention of rugby union clubs around Australia, with many of them expressing interest, However with their failing to offer a mere two hundred thousand dollars a year a few years ago, his worth was now pitched at well over seven figures.

After much speculation about his future, in the last week it was revealed Sua’ali’i inked a deal with Rugby Australian and the NSW Waratahs, with the signing of his name a bid for much of the previous fanbase to return to the form. Most notably, it is widely believed that Sua’li’i’s decision was influenced by the opportunity to work with new Wallaby head coach Eddie Jones, and he is expected to be selected in the Wallabies squad from 2025.

After being hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, the wide spread Super Rugby competition has faced many travel and restriction difficulties, and this latest signing should generate interest and excitement for fans, among other schoolboy talents which the Waratahs will look to develop into established players. One such is Max Jorgenson, graduating St Joseph’s College just last year, and has sparked much excitement in Waratahs fixtures with electrifying speed and agility. The two should pair well come 2025, with both players tallying much more experience at the highest level in the next two seasons.

Whilst an even greater weight will be placed on Sua’ali’i’s shoulders with the record-breaking contract, he has proven to swell under pressure and has already shown exceptional talent in rugby union. Without a doubt however, it will be interesting to see how he develops and transitions in the coming years, and to see if his mark can be made in both codes of the game.

Although he will stay at the Roosters for the duration of the Rugby World Cup later this year, he will join the Waratahs and most importantly the Wallabies in a pivotal time, with the British and Irish Lions touring in 2025, and the next Rugby World Cup in 2027. With NRL CEO Andrew Abdo saying “good luck to any player who wants to go and play another code, that’s great for them,” it’s clear the NRL were unwilling to match the offer, and trust the talent which remains. But for the good of Rugby Australia, it’s clear the deal that was made was an important one, and the signing will certainly draw eyes back to Rugby Union and the Wallabies in particular.

Credit Suisse

What’s going to happen?

Jack Mott

Acquisitions and takeovers are common in the financial world and on the 19th of March 2023 UBS, an investment bank from Switzerland, announced that they would be acquiring Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse is another investment bank from Switzerland. With UBS being the largest bank in Switzerland and Credit Suisse being the second, there have to be extreme reasons for the Swiss government to allow for this acquisition and the reduction of competition.

Credit Suisse is a multinational investment bank and finance company with its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. It has grown into a global organisation with operations in more than 50 countries. The company offers a broad range of services to individuals, corporations, and institutions, including private banking, investment banking, asset management, and retail banking. Credit Suisse is widely regarded as a leading player in the global banking and finance industry. However, in the last decade they have made many bad investments, including a hedge fund Archegos, they currently have only 10% of their assets covered by equity due to the complete lack of faith by shareholders.

Whereas, UBS is a multinational investment banking and finance company also based in Zurich, Switzerland. UBS is in the top 30 for largest banks in the world and one of the most well-respected financial institutions in the world. UBS operates in over 50 countries and provides a wide range of services to individuals, corporations, and institutions, including wealth management, asset management, investment banking, and retail banking. UBS is known for its expertise in managing large amounts of funds, and it has a reputation for providing innovative solutions to complex financial problems, with almost ten thousand financial advisors.

Since the collapse of two US banks in the last month, investors have become more aware of investing in the banks, as they still remember the GFC of 2007 that caused the average stock to almost halve and with the collapse of Archegos, investors realised how unstable Credit Suisse is at the moment. The reason for the Swisse government allowing this acquisition is that over the past two years Credit Suisse has recorded a net profit of negative $1,805 million USD and negative $7,642 million USD respectively. This means that over the last two years it has lost close to 9.5 billion dollars. With two consecutive years of negative profit, and the shareholders losing faith, their share price has dropped by 92% since the start of 2019. This lack of faith, however, is not unfounded as the company has been investing in other businesses that have all collapsed, when Bill Hwang’s Archegos Capital Management went under in 2021, Credit Suisse reported a 5 billion dollar loss. Credit Suisse has also had a long series of scandals, for example in October 2021 they had to pay a large fine over corrupt deals in Mozambique.

As a result of the Credit Suisse collapsing, the Swisse government has been forced to broker the takeover and offer the company to their main competitor, UBS. As Credit Suisse is one of the top 30 banks in the world and its collapse would have a resounding effect on the global economy. UBS has taken this with open arms and is now planning to purchase the company for 3.2 billion dollars as well as assuming Credit Suisse’s 5 billion Swiss franc. This acquisition will mean that they are now in the top 20 largest banks in the world and will become more influential around the world. This combined company will join the resources of both banks, however will have increased their stability and will hopefully last for many years into the future.

Tiktok CEO Grilled

Concerns Surrounding the Social Media Platform

P. P. Zhang

OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, TIKTOK HAS BEEN THE WORLD’S MOST DOWNLOADED APP, WITH OVER TWO BILLION DOWNLOADS AND OVER ONE BILLION USERS. The addictive video-sharing app went viral in 2018, attracting attention from celebrities and everyday users alike. This popularity can be heavily attributed to youth, as being the significant demographic and target audience. Over the years, the app, like most other social media platforms, has had its controversies. For TikTok, this has most notably been with the ever increasing list of privacy scandals and data breaches. As a result, 17 US states have already banned the app from government-issued devices, amid concerns of spyware relaying data to Chinese authorities. Back home, Australia has had its own problems with the app and national security, recently following suit with other nations with its public service banning of the platform.

These controversies have culminated in the TikTok CEO, Shou Chew’s hearing in front of US Congress. The politicians were calling for the platform to be outright banned in the States, in an attempt to remove unwanted foreign access to US citizens’ data. Chew unsurprisingly responded by defending the app, emphasising Tiktok’s independence from China, claiming “TikTok itself is not available in mainland China, we’re headquartered in Los Angeles and Singapore”. Despite Chew’s Singaporean background and the app itself not being developed in China, the platform is inevitably affiliated with the latter, due to its parent company, ByteDance, which is in fact owned by China. The hearing itself was nearly six hours long, with many journalists and internet personalities criticising the lack of understanding regarding technology and the inefficacy that was evident in the Congress members’ questioning. 

But apart from its parent company, what makes TikTok so different from other social media platforms that is of concern? Chew backs this, claiming that their data collection processes are the same as any other tech giant (which is still concerningly pervasive). The problem lies in the target demographic, in particular the app’s impact on children. Experts have found that TikTok’s algorithm recommends dangerous videos to teenagers that promote eating disorders and suicide and self-harm among a plethora of other issues. For instance, the TikTok ‘choking challenge’ resulted in the death of a ten-year-old girl from Pensylvannia last year, and even before that the death of a thirteen-year-old boy in 2018. 

Apart from the issues of pervasive data collection and potentially dangerous trends, there have been additional concerns with regard to the app and promoting disinformation through censorship. Overall, Chew’s hearing has been reminiscent of Mark Zuckerberg’s hearing regarding the 2018 Cambridge Analytica data scandal, which too, was conducted in the US Congress. The US government’s response to Shou Chew’s hearing stands to be seen, and so maybe in the meantime, we should keep enjoying the harmless viral dance trends and lip sync videos while we still have the chance. Or maybe we shouldn’t.

Professional golfers are hitting it too far, or some think so.

T. K. Kennedy

Just this week the R&A and the USGA announced that they are proposing to change the golf ball so professional golfers do not hit the ball too far. This change is due to the likes of Bryson Dechambeau, Rory McIlroy, and Min Woo Lee. Just last week, at The Players Championship, Min Woo Lee, the 24-year-old Australian golfer, moved the ball upwards of 188 mph off the tee. The tour average is 297.2 yards, on the PGA tour 103 players sit above that line of average driving distance off the tee. This is going to change. The R&A and the USGA announced plans to limit driving distance if the ball is struck at over 127 mph club head speed and should only travel 317 yards off the tee. This would reduce maximum distance on tour by up to fifteen yards.

One of the biggest hitters in world golf has declared plans to modify balls to reduce how far professional players can hit them as “the most atrocious thing that you could possibly do.”

In a joint announcement on Wednesday, the USGA and The R&A proposed a new local rule that would require tournament organisers to only allow balls that meet strict new testing requirements to “address the impacts of hitting distances in golf.”

The rule, which could come into effect in 2026 and is designed more to protect courses that are being made too easy by big-hitting pros, could mean dozens of balls that are currently used could become illegal.

Bryson was the first person to really start “bulking” to gain distance ahead of the rest of the field. I believe that these proposed changes to the golf ball are bad for the game. I believe currently; golf is entertainment and that we should get more people hitting the ball further. I also believe that yes, they should keep making courses longer but also narrower. Recently courses have started taking out trees between each year which promotes hitting it further. This is one of the reasons why the R&A and USGA made this proposed decision. Bryson also said that “It’s not about rolling golf balls back; it’s about making golf courses more difficult.”

I totally agree with this, since that with the increase of golfers in the past 2 years that the golf community should be becoming wider rather than narrower and make golf inclusive for all including the long hitters. I think that golf courses should not conform to the bigger hitters and taking trees out and making it “easier.” I think they should leave trees and make it harder and make the golfers choose whether to take the tiger line or layup. I think that if a player wants to choose to “bulk” let them do it and see if it pays. For example, Bryson at the 2020 US open, playing one of the hardest courses in the US and still hitting it further because of choice.

Conclusively, this proposed change from the R&A and the USGA is atrocious to the game of golf since the sport is trying to become more inclusive and let all types of people into the sport. I think that golf courses should not conform to the longer hitters and make it as hard as possible for all the players.