Addicted to Change

Narrator: Chemical evolution.

75% of the universe is hydrogen.

A single electron

creates a unique pattern

as it circles a single proton.

Clouds of hydrogen can

become so thick that

they collapse, ignite, and a star is born.

Inside the star, hydrogen is converted

to helium,

providing heat for billions of years.

Eventually, the hydrogen runs out

and the star begins to glow

red and orange.

Instead of helium, heavy elements,

such as carbon and oxygen, are formed.

Your body is made from these elements.

By looking at their unique patterns,

we can identify your star.

Your chemical mother.

Alex (off-screen): Gunthur, Satish, what's happening?

Oh, it's great. Yeah,

I got a Cambridge degree

£30,000 in debt, I'm on

a minimum wage and now

I'm taking on an extra £10,000 in travel expenses.

[Gunthur - Mechanical Engineer University of Cambridge Graduate]

It would've been better going

to CyberChem in Newcastle

and facing the cold.

That bad?

[Alex - Analytical AI Chemist University of Oxford Graduate]

[Satish - Financial Management London School of Economics]

So, where are you two staying?

We are sharing a flat on Burberry Lane.

[Beth - Medical Researcher Cambridge Science Park]

[Cath - Technical Marketing Cambridge Science Park]

Really just around the corner from me in Linden Avenue.

And how do you guys know each other?

We're friends on World of Warcraft.

Oh, my God.

Advanced Geeks.

How did you two meet?

I found her on Facebook.

Beth (off-screen): So, erm... What can we do about

travel expenses?

I really can't afford it.

Do you know apparently according to the New Starters manual,

if you have any complaints, you talk to a member of staff

or ultimately to the CEO.

Professor Nielson's the CEO.

Yeah, we'll have to talk to him.

And say what exactly?

Alex (off-screen): That we're happy to work for peanuts,

but we want our expenses paid.

And miss out on a year's worth of experience when they show us the door.

No.

Well, someone must know what to do.

Forget speaking to the head of our department. It will have to be the CEO.

Yeah.

And we will be right behind you.

Hang on a minute. I don't remember

standing up as team leader.

Go find another sacrificial lamb.

You'd make a great leader.

I don't want to make it seem

like I'm backing out or anything, but

I don't actually qualify

for travel expenses.

I earn too much already.

Really?

No, but that doesn't mean

I wouldn't stand behind you

and fight for what's right, honestly.

Well, mate, why don't you just become leader?

My English language would let you all down, I think.

At some point.

It could give you, like, a bad infection.

Thank you.

Just get the drinks.

Oh.

Yeah, I know.

Alex (off-screen): I knew it's a thing, but I, I never knew it's called Peggy?

Satish (off-screen): No pegging!

Come in.

Good morning, Professor Nielson.

I'm Alex Summers.

Mr. Summers.

Alex.

It's fine to call me Jon.

Professor Nielson's

a little too grandiose.

Now, I hear you're unhappy

with your expenses.

Well, profes...

Jon, um.

My fellow New Starters and I

feel that being asked to pay

our own travel expenses is, uh,

is unfair.

Really, and what evidence have you

of its fairness?

According to the latest government survey,

75% of all employers

who pay their staff a minimum wage

also pay their travel expenses.

Well, you seem to have done your homework,

but that still leaves 25% who don't.

No, our purpose here

is to provide an environment

with the best equipment

so our New Starters

can create and learn.

But we're paying to be here

and we're not even being taught.

All staff are temporary.

Well, I have to say I had no idea.

You accept the situation isn't good?

Let's just say I accept your description.

I am aware of the managerial situation,

and I am doing my best to rectify it.

But do you really think

that this company needs or wants

groups of New Starters doing nothing?

No, I'm, I'm sure it doesn't.

So what exactly can we do?

Deal with the situation, young man.

Utilize the facilities.

Get something started.

Look, there are still some

good staff on the team.

It is my job

to turn the situation around.

But you are from Oxford.

One of the most prestigious

universities in the world, Alex.

There are no rules here.

This is cutting edge.

Come up with a game plan

and execute it.

Jon (off-screen): Now I can tell from your expression

that no one has explained

the rules of the game to you.

You work for peanuts,

and we do not charge you

for the use of our equipment.

You then make something that you

think is unique and worth some money.

We then meet and decide

if we can make money from it.

Then if we like it, we exploit it and you.

And in the process of exploitation,

you will earn some money.

You will probably moan about

how little it is, considering that

you invented it, blah, blah, blah,

and then you will go away

and form your new business.

Right.

Right. Then,

if you leave without screaming,

your business will get to a size

where it needs investment.

And then you will speak to me and say?

I need investors.

Use your skills wisely, Alex.

Come up with a new idea.

Network with New Starters and staff.

Alex (off-screen): I will.

Remember, be disruptive.

Make something that disrupts

an existing business or industry,

turn it upside down.

Destroy its sales model.

The more people it affects,

the more money it makes,

and the more people will pay to stop it.

You have got a real opportunity

here at CCL, Alex.

Don't you waste it.

I, I won't. I won't!

Thank you, Jon.

Thank you.

Another sucker exploited, or a genius in the making.

[Modafinil use rises at Uni... and this years results look good!]