2013 - The People v Apathy

Finally we have a piece from 2013, just two years into the revival of the Law School’s newspaper. 

The People vs Apathy

I seem to have been a little hard on the Law School lately. In the pages of De Minimis this year I’ve poked fun at its bragging about global ranking, its ridiculous parking and loud typing students among other trivialities. All true of course, but a little harsh nonetheless. 

Complaining is something we might rely too much on as a crutch when we see a problem. Identifying an issue is by all means a useful exercise (and an easy way of writing a weekly 300 word column), but if nothing productive is actually accomplished from it, it’s pretty pointless. I think in a sense we often forget how much easier it is to throw rocks from the sidelines than to actually make a contribution. 

So I thought it might be a good time to point out something nice about my dear old alma mater.

When people ask about what I like about the Law School, I can easily riddle off the stock standard lines: “fascinating course work”, “finally learning something practical” and so on. The truth is though, the best thing about the Law School, the thing that keeps me coming back, is the students. 

I didn’t make a tonne of friends with my fellow Arts students during my undergrad. You could probably chalk that up to my general deadbeat personality, but I never really got the impression that it was the thing to be done. We’d all show up to tutes, have a few laboured discussions with the tutor, and then walk out the door. 

When I started Law though, that all changed. I suspect those 3 hour breaks between classes in first year were just a ploy to force us to get to know each other to fill in the time, because it definitely worked. Law School can be a bloody harsh mistress at times and if I make it through it will be because of the friends I made in Group 10 way back in LMR. All the STS tutes, academic consultations and expensive textbooks in the world couldn’t match the support and reassurance I’ve received from these people. 

So hearty thanks are owed to these brilliant, intelligent, creative, magnificent men and women. Especially also to those often unappreciated Law Students who toil away organising events, activities and publications for the benefit and amusement of their peers. From De Minimis writers to LSS committee members, they all deserve our thanks for the work they do (especially De Minimis writers). 


Andrew Michaelson is a delicate flower in a sea of emotions. Get lost in his waves!