Are you sure its still the same?

The functions of the mass media have changed dramatically over the years. The mass media, especially the Internet, have globalised and changed over the many decades. It had given people an avenue to express their views freely but only to a certain extent depending on their society.
I have read TODAY on 17 October 2008 that the internet has been part of our lives. Statistics show that 60% are average daily users. Watching movies, making online friends, playing games are some reasons for why we log on the net for. The four media functions are surveillance, correlation, cultural transmission and entertainment. However, I believe that it does not stop there. This is because we can now take the role of providing news through the net. An example would be Strait Time Moblie Online Print aka STOMP. It’s a website where there is lots of discussion and sharing.

The internet seems very wonderful where its a global platform where ideas and information flourishes furthermore we could be part of it. However there is a downside of it, due to our manipulation it had become a tool which we use to commit undesirable acts. I read an article on 13 October 2008 show how the Internet contributes to crimes. Cyber-bully cases are on the rise in Singapore. Statistics in 2006 revealed that 25% have been victimized through the Internet. We can be emotionally disturbed because of the comments we seen on the Internet. Internet users can easily attack anyone as they are anonymous and unidentified. They feel a sense of satisfaction when posting rude and insulting comments about you as they might be timid in real life. Victims will feel insecure but could not do much about it. This again, brings satisfaction to the attacker. This clearly shows the power of the Internet.

However in Singapore blogs are closely watched because we are a multiracial country and racial riot is a constant threat we face. A significant incident to illustrate would be the conviction of a teenager blogger in 2005. He faced 7 charges of sedition. He had post racist comments on his blog specifically targeting the Malay community. He was sentenced to probation rather than jail due to his age and clean record. This had sent a very strict message throughout Singaporean and that is that the government has zero tolerance to racism. This is pertaining to Singapore and different country would want to censor certain part of the internet so as to protect its own interest. Take for example the almighty search engine google have to circum to the different sets of policies dished out to them by different country. Hence it is due to human nature that such rules have to be put in place to give the internet some sort of order.

Singapore is constantly on alert to take down and threatening post or activity on the internet. She has organization working around the clock to monitor the internet because it can be a very good helper but also a formidable enemy. Nonetheless we would still continue exploiting the power of the internet but we must exercise responsibility when we post things in the internet. We should be mature when using the internet and it would serve us well.

you can go to the http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/fvbrowserjs.php?urljs=http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ecreator/sphopf/ep131008emnd_opf_files/ep131008emnd.js&ver=Gento understand more abt it.

'CULTURE X'

What culture do you embrace? Do you only embrace one or a mixture of various cultures?

I have been watching a documentary programme, ‘Culture X’, broadcasted on arts central every Thursday at 10p.m. This documentary enabled me to see the various, unique and specific cultures in the world. Countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, India and many others are casted based on the theme for that particular episode.

Based on the recent episode, I think that it is closely link to what I have learnt last week. The theme of this particular episode is society and technology. Technology has lessened our workload. Most importantly, we are able to enjoy more due to the advancement of technology. Gaming is a culture that many youngsters embrace. China is the subject on this episode. This is because, although they used the internet later than the westerners, a major problem has developed in china. Addiction to games (MMORPG) has become a problem in China.

China is trying to put a stop to this addiction as the lives of the youngsters have changed abruptly due to gaming for long hours. They had as little as 2 hours of sleep a day. This was a very serious problem due to the effect it has on the child not only in terms of health but also psychologically. As they play their games for long hours they may not be able to differentiate between the reality and the virtual world. This would affect their decision making. They could also be using games to escape from reality because in games identity is a secret and it makes them feel superior.

A clinic has been set up to lead them back to their normal lives through healthy activities such as exercising. It has also been said that it is not an easy task to keep them from the temptation that they had on the internet. It is due to the fact that they had been addicted to the games for a long period of time and it is hard to change.

It is quite ironic as clinics which have been set up to treat genuinely sick patients have now converted to treat patients which have a totally different kind of illness. It is quite shocking that this problem is so bad in China as they used to be quite backwards in terms of technology before they open up and welcome western influences. It had advanced so rapidly over the years such that this kind of problem had surfaced.

There is a high risk that this problem can also surfaced in Singapore. This is because we are a techno savvy country where most of us know how to operate a computer. Furthermore most of us own one and if not a gaming-lan shop is readily available round the corner. However I feel that it had not become as bad as in China because of the hectic lifestyle of a Singapore student. They are too busy with schoolwork and as such could not spend long hours on the computer. However I can’t deny that there are some addicts in Singapore which need professional help. This problem is not that so bad that it requires a clinic to be set-up to help them as in the case of China. With the different culture Singapore has embraced in, we solve our internal problems differently.

So what cultures do you think we embrace?

*If you have missed the previous episodes of Culture X, visit the website http://artscentral.mediacorptv.sg/Coming%20soon/culture-x/index.htm :)*

What role do you take?

“I feel like going to a coffee shop for dinner,” one said
Another would response, “I prefer eating in a fast food restaurant.’

I believe that everyone will experience the scenario that I have mentioned. It is very common when we are in groups. Be it with our friends or family members. Conflicts will deem to occur due to different preference, cultures, beliefs, etc.

I experience it almost every time I meet up with my friends. Deciding the place that we will be going, determine what and where we will be having lunch or dinner and what we are going to do when we meet. Usually, I am the one observing as I am fine with whatever decision they made. They usually force me decide when both sides have an equal number of votes. This is what I detest most if such situation occurs. They claimed that I did not take part in the decision making. Nevertheless, I think that life would be so much easier for everyone if I am ‘ok’ with almost anything.

Not all the time we will reach to a conclusion after ‘debating’ over it. A friend of ours will usually act as a harmoniser and compromiser. She is like me. However, she will be observing for a moment before interrupting the rest. She will harmonize the group. And, most importantly, she tries to compromise both sides of the group so that we can continue our activities for the day. I will then follow the group decision which makes me a follower as well.

I usually envy her as she has the ability to make quick decision for the group. Without her, our group will be lost. In a group, I think there are a few roles which are very important such as compromiser and harmoniser. Conflicts will definitely happen. The two roles will play a part in such situation.

Although I may be a follower and an observer in a group, it does not mean that I do not have opinion. In social groups, I can go along with the majority. However, in project groups or work-related groups, I will give my opinion as it is important to put your ideas across so that decision could be make quickly.

What roles do you play in your own group? Do you play the same role in ALL groups?

Relationship

http://comicsoftheday.blogspot.com/

This source is from a website.

Firstly, I analyze from the perspective of the comic character. It shows how we consciously choose to use information that we are exposed, to determine our fate. In this comic, the comic character uses media – newspaper. He read from the horoscope that his new companion will appear in his life. This may result him to be consciously looking for his new love. The horoscope uses physical appearance to describe, “Cute blonde”. First impression creates a great impact. He was with all smiles when he heard the door bell rang and look forward to the possibility of meeting a cute blonde opposite sex. However, when the comic character opened the door and found a cat, he was so disappointed. Judgments of physical attractiveness may be influenced by the cultural norms as everyone views physical attractiveness differently.

First impression is very important in our lives as you leave a strong impact on others. Be it in a job interview or meeting your clients, we should be in our best to create a good impression. Imagine patronizing a shop and served by a rude employee of the shop, your first impression of the shop will be tarnished by the one serving you.

Next, I shall analyze from the perspective of the cat. When he appeared at the doorstep, she fell in love with the comic character. I think that she found a cat lover. He assumes that the comic character is a cat lover and will definitely like her.

Non verbal communication has been used. Kinesics. It affects displays. The smile on the cat’s face shows that she is happy to find an owner. The disappointment shown on the comic character’s shows that the ‘cute blonde’ opposite sex described in the horoscope is actually referring to the cat.

Have you actually face similar situation before? Does this comic strip describe your feeling in searching for companionship after reading horoscopes found in newspapers or magazines? Have you create a bad impression before? What were the comments received?

NANNY DADDY

Do you tune in to Mediacorp Channel 8, 9pm local drama serial on weekdays?

The title of the show is NANNY DADDY. This drama portrays Adrian Pang as a rich, systematic guy who is rude and unpleasant to live with. He is also very concern about cleanliness. However, his life changed dramatically when his niece, Nicole appeared in his life.

I have been watching this drama for weeks and I failed to notice of the types of nonverbal communication until I was taught.

‘Nanny Daddy’ has made use of the various types of nonverbal communication.

Kinesics: Alan (Adrian Pang) showed his disguise using facial expression when he bathed baby Nicole as he did not have any experience at taking care of an infant. This was evident in the first few episodes of the drama. Another example is he dressed up and walked like a woman and when he learned that baby is more affiliated with her mother.

Paralinguistic: Alan quality of voice is different when he gradually falls in love with his neighbor, Ai Hua (Yvonne Lim).

Chronemics: Alan is obliged to follow his clients timing shows clearly of their status.
Artifacts: The way he organized his furniture in the living room as well as the kitchen speaks quite a lot of his behavior. He is a perfectionist and wants everything in the house to be in order. He obviously wants to tell his guests that they should not touch anything without his acknowledgement.

Oculesics: Ai Hua showed her anger by rolling her eyes when Alan was blasting his music. Alan widen his eyes when he saw that his kitchen was messed up by Ai Hua when she was preparing porridge of Nicole.

Did you identify the various non verbal communications when you’re watching ‘Nanny Daddy’?

I think that this is a comical drama which ends my day with a smile. You should watch it too.
http://8.mediacorptv.sg/programmesdetail.aspx?iid=MDC080808-0000012

Babylon AD

Babylon A.D.

Recently, I have watched a movie, Babylon AD with my friends. This movie is about refugees attempting to escape from the chaos, death and poverty. However, there is this particular person, Vin Diesel who didn’t run away. He was hired to escort a nun and a girl from a convent. This movie is about the process of escorting the two ladies.

There is one scene which I think can illustrate perception. In this scene Vin Diesel is about to hand over a package. However when he realise that the package is about to be use for an underlying motive, he refused to hand over the package and a fight broke out between the two sides escorts. The main characters were outnumbered. There was this weapon that fired a missile which could log on to Vin Diesel because of a chip in him. We thought and that he was going to die. It seemed impossible to escape. He walked to the injured girl. She turned around and told him that he needed to die causing her to shot him. The next thing was an explosion and the screen went black. We all thought the movie had ended but it did not. Vin Diesel was revived and realised that the girl had not died because she found a way to survive that catastrophic event. I personally think that it is due to our experience we had for movies. Usually, in such situations, we would think that the movie would have ended with a tragedy. Viewers interpreted that the explosion means death because no one could survive an explosion at such close range in real life. It was a twist.

At the start of the movie there was a scene with narration by Vin Diesel. It said that in life, people make mistakes and the day he made the mistake was the day he died. Hence viewers had thought from the start that he will die in the end. Vin Diesel found out that the package had a six sense and was able to predict the future. She told them that they are going to die in America. The organisation of the information has misled the audience. However, i think this should be the way in movies as i prefer unexpected ending. This helps to creates interest in viewers.

After watching this movie, some of my friends thought that this movie is not as nice as they have expected. I realised that such comments are actually based on their own experiences. Furthermore, they thought that it was illogical. It's their own perception of the movie.

Overall, I think that it is only an 'OK' movie. I don't really like the ending of the movie.

So, do you have the same thought as me?

Have it instilled in YOU?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v66VMFBPq8E

This source is a local advertisement by National Family Council. The organisation aims to build resilient families in Singapore. The advertisement illustrated the endless demands by children in which parents try to satisfy. This commercial shows the importance of a family and through simple actions, it can bring about family love.

The objective of this commercial is to appeal to Singaporeans that we need to spend sufficient time with our family members to form strong bonds.

The advertisement has used both verbal & non-verbal communication to bring the message across to the audience. It narrates her story from a young girl till she has grown to become a teenager. This commercial has used to Logos as well as Pathos to achieve its objective. The young girl has used various expressions. For examples, she managed to bring out her anger using expression as her father was late to pick her up from school and when her father failed to buy her a pair of heels she desired for. Although the emotions are very fine, I think that it was rather touching. It appeals to Singaporeans that communicating with family members is important to show their love for one another.

This advertisement was played frequently during prime time as hectic working adults and busy students are usually back home during that time to watch television programmes. I think that National Family Council has instilled their message to me due to the number of times that it has been played through the media.

However, I think that although the organisation tries hard to encourage family to communicate and understand one another, it is not very practical in our society as we lead an individualistic lifestyle. This is because each of us has different priorities at different phases of our lives due to the competiveness in our society. This has result us to spend lesser time with our family members.