Phil/Hist

Groinshot

was looking at the booklets that they sent out the other day, just wondering whats the difference between them? They both seem the same/ or at least similar enough....

Fedule

Once upon a time they were different. Then they both got too big for their own good and evolved over time into glorified debating societies. They're not bad societies (well, depending who you ask they might in fact turn out to be the cause of everything that's wrong with TCD), just don't go expecting any discussions of philosophy or history. Worth checking out during freshers week, and definitely join at least one so you can use their rooms.

Groinshot

So basically, they're just 2 big debating socities, the Hist society isnt historical anymore, and the Phil society isnt philosophical. I was just trying to make up my mind as to which to join, they both seem to ahve the same perks tbh, same rooms etc

Fedule

You have to climb stairs to get to the Hist

Killaqueen!!!

I didn't expect any big names during Freshers week, but Neil Jordan and Ardal O'Hanlon...!

Cronus333

There are subtle differences, like the Phil has a slightly greater emphasis on big guests and the Hist slighter more on chamber debates.

Both very nice groups of people though!

It wasn't me!

Most importantly, both have amazing couches you'll frequently find me asleep on during Michaelmas term.

EGaffney

Join them so you can use their facilities. The Phil has table football. The Hist has a coffee machine (at least some days). Also if you want to distinguish yourself in later life/the job market from the other three thousand people who leave TCD every year these are good places to meet interesting people. I ran the debates in the Phil once and it was great. The differences between the two societies are subtle. Most people who take an active interest in DU society life figure the differences out eventually. They were never actually historical or philosophical societies, that's just the kind of thing debating societies called themselves back in the day (the same is true across Ireland).

Brian

EGaffney wrote: »

Join them so you can use their facilities. The Phil has table football. The Hist has a coffee machine (at least some days). Also if you want to distinguish yourself in later life/the job market from the other three thousand people who leave TCD every year these are good places to meet interesting people. I ran the debates in the Phil once and it was great. The differences between the two societies are subtle. Most people who take an active interest in DU society life figure the differences out eventually. They were never actually historical or philosophical societies, that's just the kind of thing debating societies called themselves back in the day (the same is true across Ireland).

...

How about getting a First Class Honours instead?

EGaffney

Baza210 wrote: »

...

How about getting a First Class Honours instead?

Like that's rare. How about both?

timmywex

They both look well worth it for all the freebies/dicounts!

Brian

EGaffney wrote: »

Like that's rare. How about both?

I apologize; I'm sure your suggestion to develop a network of contacts is a useful thing in the big bad world, but I find the notion of advancement by toadying unpalatable.

havingfun247

I thought that when I got my magazines in 1st year. The Phil and Hist are pretty similar to be honest. But few people really care. They have a HUGE building in front square that they keep open with coaches and TV's and fooseball tables and stuff. Fair play to them, at least they do ****e loads of stuff in college all the time. I mean, the other clubs and socs do loads of stuff too. But the phil and the hist seem to ALWAYS be doing something. I think their president's take the year off to run the societies? They have at least a big debate every week with guest speakers and stuff. I go to the debates that im interested in. I know they do workshops and competitions for people who are interested in public speaking and stuff, but i've never been.

This Hist appears a bit hard core though. The Phil seem a bit more fun and easier to get involved with. I know the Phil brings loads of guest speakers to Trinity as well to meet the students and do interviews and stuff. They had Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Dr Cox and Pete Doherty come last year. Didn't the Cranberries do a gig and stuff? I didn't get into Pete Doherty, it was crazy. Tom Stoppard came as well. He was cool, but a bit of an intellectual nutter. They have pictures on the walls of McCain and Helen Mirren and other people, so I'm presuming that means all those people came at one point as well? This Hist bring guests as well, but like I said, I think they're a bit more hard core debating.

I dunno about the history, I think you're right. They started off pretty much as the same society, or one came out of the other years ago...or something. Anyone who would know is probably dead. God knows, they're really old. Like, really old. That's all I know. UCD has an equivalent called the L&H. Wasn't Oscar Wilde a member of The Phil when he was at college? The Phil do some massive performance of Oscar Wilde's Trials or something? They got some big award for it as well. It was all over the papers ages ago. My aunt saw it being performed down at the Ennis Festival as well?

Everybody involved in the Phil and the Hist seem really busy all the time. And annoyingly employable. Some seem a bit up themselves, but most of them seem nice enough.

But i'd say join them both, they email you all the time to tell you whats going on each week. But there are loads of other societies in the college too to get involved in. Even if you don't go to any of the things they do each year, join in freshers' week for the Pizza!

Check out the societies website:

www.csc.tcd.ie its got info on all the clubs and socs in college.

trinity0809

The Phil and Hist have activities that are similar. Join both if you can afford it (they're not that expensive for what you get). Both societies do run a lot of events. You will inevitably want to come to one.

Check out the Phil blog from last year: thephil324.wordpress.com it's got pictures and information on all the stuff they did last year. Their website is www.tcdphil.com. The Hist's website is www.thehist.com. It's got similar information.

Both societies will keep you fed in freshers week and yes, the coaches are comfortable

shay_562

Like most others have said, it doesn't hurt to join both. We both run workshops and fresher competitions, and personally I really regret not joining the Phil in first year (the magazine that year was a bit crap and really put me off); I've joined both every year since, and will do the same this year. If you become involved to any extent, like going to competitions or speaking at in-house debates, you'll end up picking whichever one you like the people in better; if you don't have the time or decide that debating isn't really for you, it's still worth the €5 or whatever it is for all the free crap you'll get (plus, they're each bound to have at least one guest or event you want to go to).

stesh

Groinshot wrote: »

So basically, they're just 2 big debating socities, the Hist society isnt historical anymore, and the Phil society isnt philosophical. I was just trying to make up my mind as to which to join, they both seem to ahve the same perks tbh, same rooms etc

Just join both. I presume there are people who will call it a sacrilege, but don't listen to them! Both have some pretty cool guest speakers now and then.

Marathon Man

shay_562 wrote: »

if you don't have the time or decide that debating isn't really for you, it's still worth the €5 or whatever it is for all the free crap you'll get

Like what?

Groinshot

Marathon Man wrote: »

Like what?

Like all the free pizza that they gave me. The hist gave me free pizza, and I should have gotten free damien rice tickets but I forot to pick them up yesterday, and the phil had candy floss all day and popcorn too. Also, hist had ardal o hanlon last night, but I got the door slammed in my face. I just joined both lol.

Sonic_exyouth

Thsi hist thing seems cool...

how do old (25) part timers join it?

Mark200

Sonic_exyouth wrote: »

Thsi hist thing seems cool...

how do old (25) part timers join it?

All the societies have stands in front square this week, so if you're around tomorrow you should be able to find them there.