We think about Nexus as a brand but is it an entity worthy of its own rights and opinions. I really want to know.
As new students, I know it’s kinda weird to pick up a Nexus, this strange mag that you had no idea existed before gracing the hallowed halls of Te Whare Wananga o Waikato. There are images on the cover, sometimes something controversial and even the odd-cock. But who is Nexus and what does it mean? There’s no right answer and there’s no wrong question. This year has seen me become overly symbolic and almost too pretentious in my queries towards life’s tough questions. I’m merely the current tone-indicator for Nexus. And it’s currently /notserious.
Each week, I put the question out to my contributors and staff, what do you want to do? We’re all throwing ideas and seeing what sticks, and as we work into a new world for student media there’s no actual answer. What we can discern is that students are here, but how can we look to them for portrayal in the media. Student media is the rare-occasion where the consumer contains and controls the narrative. Yes, that means you–first year in your lab at 11:00 am on a Tuesday [spooky if I get it right]. I don’t want to put out that typical ‘watch this space’ message, causing you all to eagerly wait with our socials notifying you of all the good stuff we’re going to fill your minds with. But I don’t want to continue down the road of strange features and lacklustre news-telling. I want to be different, quirky and unique.
I’m not normal, I’m a weirdo. I don’t fit in, I don’t want to fit in.
So here’s what I’m thinking little homies. We’re going to just fuck around in this world of print media. I’m going to create some strange drug prices, possibly getting drugged again in the hopes of a 4000 word downfall [check out last year’s mag @ issuu.com/nexusmag for more]. We’re not going to stick to a structure, and make sure we’re featuring all of you. I want to see what the fuck Waikato is all about. Who are we as a collective? What is our point of difference?
The reason I ask is because we’re a melting pot of everything here. We’re also unique, we don’t fit in. We don’t–you know the rest. Nexus offices are filled with 2 things. My music [follow my playlists] and spirited debates with my Te Ao Māori editor Kae’sharn, debating the campus culture. We’re both Māori, so it’s easy to see tauira māori as the largest factor of campus. But a dig into archives sees a deep goth culture, bogan’s galore and what can only be described as a cult sacrifice. What happened to us? I want you to tell me. Tell me who you are and how you want to be seen. Let’s put some visibility on the fringe of society.
That’s all from me little homies, I want to hear from you. Letters to the editor so to speak. Tell me more and don’t hold back.
Chur for now, Uncle Jak.
