The Inconvenient Truths

Twitter bought over by Google? Facebook?

2011-11-24T00:09:00.002+08:00

Twitter the 140 character limiting social networking tool as been bought over by Google? What does this mean?! Have I not been keeping up with the news? Fortunately, you are not the only one. This acquisition has not been completed. However, news have reported that Google and Facebook has placed in bids for the social networking tool, with valuation as high as $10 million.

Interestingly enough both Evan Williams, Twitter’s co-founder, and Dick Costolo, the company’s chief executive, have repeatedly told newspapers that the site it not for sale. However, the site, despite the roll out of its advertising product and promoted tools during 2010, is believed to have made a loss last year, despite revenues of $45 million.

Is twitter really worth $10 million? It is said that, "Google wants total access to Twitter’s data so it can make real-time information an integrated part of its offering and not just an add-on. Since 2009 the search giant has been indexing Twitter users' tweets to add a real-time element to its search experience. Eighteen months on from that non-exclusive deal, Google has yet to create its own version of real-time search.

And similarly, Facebook, which was rumoured to have been interested in buying Twitter two years ago, would benefit massively from full access to Twitter’s rich data hose, in its bid to become the social web, within the web."

Dispite is countless benefits of keeping up to date or the first hand news, many of our lives have been ruined by twitter. Here's a video to share with you!

The future

2011-11-23T23:59:00.002+08:00

It sparked me that in probably 10-20 years time. Everything will be different. Just look at now, we are using cards to tap our way onto buses. Searching for information to do homework (like this blog) or even research papers never even having to leave our house. Do projects through skype and never really needing to physically meet your group mates. The world has certainly improved in terms of connectivity. However, there lies the question of does it really improve our relationships? From my previous modules, I have learnt that it takes 4X faster to get closer to someone online. That's like spending 25 years with someone and equaling it to knowing him for 100 years. Reasons quoted were increased self-disclosure, more time spent online to name a few. It is scary to think our kids will probably be meeting their life partners online.

This video shows you the power of the internet:

So what are we really going to be like in the future? Here are some quotes to kick start this thoughts:

More than 1 billion users of mobile phones already have access to the Internet and this number will grow to 4 billion in the next few years" In the future, I see the whole world being interconnected via mobile devices. In the future, everyone, even those in rural areas, would have access to the mobile phone as that would be the primary device through which we communicate and carry out tasks on a daily basis.

"... As the Internet becomes the fundamental economic instrument"
In the future, consumers and businesses rely strongly on the Internet to function. Without the Internet network system, the world would not be able to function. Consumers will buy their daily necessities online and have them delievered to their doorstep daily via a sophisticated delivery system, operated by the Internet. Businesses would become ultra efficient with the future Internet and there might be no need for 5-day work weeks in the offices anymore due to flexible work arrangements made possible with Internet mobile technology.

My hope is that we will never be too reliant on the internet and inseparable from our devices, that we will still have the time to rest and relax with your loved ones, strolling on the beach or enjoying natures goodness.

SIRI and the new multimedia

2011-11-23T23:49:00.004+08:00

People spend time queueing, taking leave, or even partnering with the friends to be first in line for launch time or I have also even witness some who camp overnight just so they can be ahead of everyone else in getting the new Apple product. If this is not evidence of successful marketing, I do not know what else is. Since this communication module focuses on communicating with the use of the Internet, let us look deeper into some of Apple's marketing strategy with the use of multimedia.

With a variety of print ads, video ads, use of audio, use of text and so on, Apple uses a large variety of means to reach out to its audience. Not only are they prevalent online but they are also commonplace offline. The hype created is in no doubt probably the best in the world right now. People believed that the iphone 5 would be out but however it only lead to dissapointments. Below is an example of a very powerful video ad regarding Apple's iPhone 4S:

Apple has very smartly incorporated various ways in just one ad to promote its iphone 4. These include the use of animations, use of clean, sharp and clear images, music, statistics and facts, images, illustrations, cool new applications such as SIRI and emotional and logical appeals to name a few. Although some of it applications are already in Androids, people feel Apple does it better. Perhaps, APPPLE knows about some psychological effect we do not. It has all come together to produce a very powerful video ad that I myself feel like getting an iPhone after watching this!

When trees are no longer needed

2011-11-03T10:13:00.004+08:00

Will there come a day when trees are no longer needed to make paper? Would it be possible that we no longer read our traditional newspapers in print but online? Online journalism has certainly increased over the years, with sites such as blogger and STOMP, we now have the power to publish our own information, to shape our audiences thinking, there is no longer a need for physical papers, we can access it anywhere, anytime...

These are some of the pros of online journalism. However, will this day happen anytime soon? I believe not. Although the benefits are countless. Books and newspapers bring about a tactile feel that a ipad cannot express. For example, a handwritten note brings about more emotions than an E-card (that reminds me, I should write some cards for Christmas)

At the same token, technology has not yet replaced the easy of the physical papers. If I would like to cut out an advertisement for example. I might be able to print screen and print it out. But for a newspaper all the user needs to do it tear the ad out.

Limitations of online journalism also includes a lack of credibility. Because everyone is able to share their news online i.e. STOMP. We have people questioning how to sit, stand, walk and eat. Although rational issues might be discussed, there are a handful or irrational, emotions-filled arguments that will impede societies progress. All in all, I believe that it will never replace the newspapers we have today. But who knows, in the future technology might give us an answer.

Internet and Politics

2011-11-03T09:07:00.002+08:00

The recent GE election showed the prevalence of the internet in politics in Singapore. Compared to the past, this GE election 2011 saw the use of webpages, twitter and Facebook. Interestingly enough, it was found that Singaporeans used not to be interested in politics but increasingly they have taken up social media platforms to satisfy their political cravings.

Portals such as "theonlinecitizen" or "temasekreview" are some alternative views beyond the current party. Many of the politicians speeches and agendas were also uploaded onto youtube. This makes it easy for anyone to gain access to these speeches. Its like being at the rally itself with the comfort of our own home, the flexibility of our own time and the ease of supplement information.

Here are some highlights of the women candidates:

The political arena is definitely changing in Singapore with the internet as the main source of information for citizens. The increased seats for opposition party in parliament is perhaps some of the signs that internet use is important. However, as much as the position parties had many video and hype on the internet, it was not proportionate to the seats won.

This was reasoned that Singaporeans still trusted traditional media like Newspapers and Television over the internet. But they felt that the internet such as twitter gave the most up-to-date information. This was best seen when the results were announced over twitter much faster than on television.

The internet would probably be the best tool to reach out to the population but traditional approaches such as going for walkabouts or house visits will have to be coupled together in order to be effective. But one cannot deny the potential of internet use and I'm definitely interested to see how the internet will be used in the next GE election.

Video Post

2011-10-28T22:21:00.001+08:00

This was the video advertisement I created for my Advertising Module recent. Enjoy!

To learn online, the new learning

2011-10-28T17:33:00.002+08:00

We all know the benefits of E-learning, how its easily accessed from virtually anywhere, there are no limitations of time and space constraints etc. But are these benefits overly emphasized? Is there something more than meets the eye?

Here are some successful stories about E-Learning building E-learning sites lest you might not have heard about it:

This was even featured on the popular Lifehacker blog - "we introduced Articulate Online to the market, we launched with it 30 tutorials — each in the 1- to 3-minute range — on how to use each feature of the new product. We continue to receive very positive feedback from customers and lots of “Wow! How’d you do that?” questions."

A series of blog entries that include some examples of thinking outside the PowerPoint box and leveraging branching when building courses with rapid elearning tools. You can find links to some more great examples in each of these posts in the series:

There are also have a number of demos of the kind of elearning you can build with "Engage". Don put together this example that highlights some of his favorite features of Engage:

Finally, our most popular forum thread — with more than 23,000 views, this is obviously a really hot topic — is called "Examples of articulate in action" which is chock-full of links to other great customer examples of elearning.

So what are some disadvantages of E-learning?

Access - Not everyone has access to the internet. Even so, we require computer skills, internet browser knowledge and email access to fully participate in E-Learning. Although computer literacy is improving all around the world.

Motivation - The site being available all the time might cause you to have low levels of motivation to visit the site because it is always there. This means students must have high levels of motivation and responsible for their work. Or a very interactive website.

Isolation - Students might feel isolated during their learning process. Instructions are given through the computer but there is no way for feedback to a physical presence that can help you with your questions. And with little interaction with others, some students might fall behind or even become bored.

E-Business!

2011-10-28T16:50:00.002+08:00

I have always been curious about E Business and how it works, it seems so easy to just make money nowadays. Just set up an online shop (with no worries about rent or needing people to man the shop), sell a product and TADAH! Money keeps pouring in... But is it really that easy?

I have seen all the online blogshops and its presence in Singapore. So how do you start setting up an E Business? Here's some tips I got from various websites!

1. Find out what you want to sell. Choose something you really could market and love.

2. Join several social networks and begin building relationships. Find friends that you feel you could join our network. i.e. don't sell gym equipment to the elderly. Find relevant networks.

3. Find out the structure of your business. If you have a partner, or work alone. What permits or laws you need to follow or abide

4. Choose a decent and relevant name. It is essential for your business to grow.

5. Put your plan on paper. Unless you're looking for financing, you may not need a formal business plan. Find out your missions, your target market is and how you will let them know about your business. Count the cost.

6. Build a website. Even free hosting ones may surprise you.

7. Formally launch your businesses. Find good relevant contacts and tell them how excited you are.

Week 3

2011-09-19T19:24:00.003+08:00

Did you know about the new Google Plus? Did you know it reached 10 millon users just after two weeks?! I'm sure you already know the new features, but let me tell you some of them and the many cool applications Google already has and trying to weave them together.

"Circles" - Your friends are now segregated into the circle you assign them to, no worries that your party photos will end up on your bosses Newsfeed now!

"Hangout" - This is a group webchat function where friends of your 'circle' can come together and hangout. It looks definitely much better than Facebook group chat.

Other applications Google has?

Google Maps is something I use all the time. It is a feature that enables you to get directions to where you want to go or just check the place out. It even gives you a street view, allowing users to search and find the place easily and look for what's available nearby and how to get there via public transport, private transport or walking. It is amazing how Google manages to get such comprehensive coverage on areas around the world, not just Singapore.

Google trends gives you information on whats 'trending' now based on your location and time frame. So if you want to see what everybody is searching for and cash in on the latest trend, this is your tool. One good feature in Google Trends is that it brings you news results, which might be useful in helping you to gain more insights about your search.

Google is sure to be the top few competitors in the market with this many applications (though many of its apps failed to take off too). Only time will tell if Google+ overtakes Facebook.

Wk 2

2011-09-01T23:20:00.001+08:00

Week 1

It is interesting to see how the internet is now being intertwined with our daily lives. A vast difference from the yesteryear, from my old mobile phone, we now have the Android phones or the iPhone to surf the web, make purchases, view YouTube on the go. It is exciting to see what the future of the internet contains. So how did it all start?

Web 1.0

Web 1.0 is a platform of information that is read only. It was static and non-interactive web pages that at most allow for an interchange of documents. In 1996 for were 45 million global users. The focus of Web 1.0 was on companies and owning content. You basically could not do anything else but browse like a book.

Web 1.0 was used for Geocities, Hotmail, home pages, Netscape, Britannica Online...

Web 2.0

With the evolution of the internet, some people define Web 2.0 as a platform for participation, a focus on communities, sharing content or user-generated content, and an interchange of data. The focus of Web 2.0 was on web applications. People recommending each other videos, sites, pages drove the success of Web 2.0. Over 1 billion people were using Web 2.0 in 2006.

Examples of Web 2.0 use include Flickr, YouTube, Digg, read-write Web, blogs, Wikipedia, RSS (Really Simple Syndication)...

With the dynamism and constant evolution of the internet, people predict we are entering Web 3.0. Where computers are able to make sense of data (semantic web), virutal worlds can be incorporated and used for information services and libararies. Of course, the increased power of broadband and streaming capabilities. It is scary to think that computers will be able to run on their own without the use of human input; able to give meaning to things and form their own solutions. However, the potential is limitless. The use for it to find solutions is tremendous. The computer will be able to generate for you solutions for medical illness.

At the same time, it makes me wonder what happens to those left behind in this internet revolution? Whose lives are better off?

Nevertheless, it is still exciting to be living in the time where we can see it all happening.

COM125 Wk 1

2011-06-07T23:26:00.002+08:00

Week 2

We all know the social networking site - Facebook. And we all know how it took over sites like My Space and Friendster. But what really drives this need to be socially connected? Quoting from the Facebook movie, "The Social Network", are we all really just Farm Animals?

Facebook is so widespread and pervasive that, quoting, “Bosnia. They don't have roads, but they have Facebook”. It is also interesting that the most popular social networking site was created by a (as the movie depicted) socially inept drunk teenager. The beginnings of Facebook was Facemash and operated on the basis of Facebook was the same old college scheme which was to ‘hook up’. It strucks me how recent Facebook was created and we are experiencing firsthand the changes and effects of this new ‘technology’ that has entirely changed the way we view our world, Marshall McLuhan’s Global Village (A communication theory in COM101).

The question that bothers me is the purpose of Facebook (or twitter); other than for sharing information and ‘keeping in touch’, I believe, lies a desperate need for acceptance and identity. We find out who people are even before we meet them personally. We put selected parts or all our lives up online to create interest in others or be ‘liked’. We are now our own celebrities. We find comfort in strangers and in the phrase, ‘misery finds company’. I feel we are on the verge of decadence. However, I find myself unable to delete my Facebook, its almost mystical. Twitter is also another social networking arm, fantastic for business and hearing the first-hand news (including the latest breakups/gossips) but do you really want your conversation broadcasted to the world? But then again, who really wants to listen to you.

As the old saying goes, careful what you upload. Privacy laws are already being fought. Ryan giggs found himself in a hot mess on Twitter. Can anything really be private?

Omega Ωω

2009-03-15T19:42:00.001+08:00

Manchester Utd 1 : Liverpool 4

http://ballhype.com/story/man_utd_1_4_liverpool_highlights/

As many of you might have heard, Liverpool won Manchester United 4-1. :( It was a highly entertaining match with many funny happenings, for example TEVEZ trying to hard to push the ball in. Overall, i think it showed how much a player means to a team. The chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

I was humourously reminded, of cultural imperialism. "Eh, dun watch already la, Man utd playing like S-league leh!", said one of my friends.

What is cultural imperialism? In lay-man terms, in the domination of a foreign culture. For example, the typical example, Macdonalds. It has dominated the world; You surely would be able to find a Macdonald store anywhere you go.

So how does soccer relate to cultural imperialism? The English Premier League.

Our local league, The S-league does not impress us. We find ourselves supporting ENGLISH clubs that is of no relation to us. Would it matter that they won or lost? Why are we even watching something that geographical-wise is a million miles away. We have always considered the western culture superior. (Of course, time might have changed) We rather watch Hollywood than support Jack Neo, listen to Chris Brown rather than Joi Chua and support Liverpool rather than Gombak United.

http://www.sleague.com/

I have always thought it is because the S-league's game play cannot be compared with the EPL. The EPL is much more exciting than S-league. But then again, Who says the S-league cannot be entertaining? There might be exciting games in the S-league and boring games in the EPL. If you would support a club, you would accept its flaws and stand by it through thick and thin.

The real reason i believe is that EPL is a form of cultural imperialism. You will find many asian countries supporting English clubs too instead of their own. Singapore is such a multi-cultural society that it is easily influenced. I do not think this invasion is a bad thing, however if we do not give support to our local sportmen, how do we expect them to do well?

As the Singapore Sports scene progresses, perhaps one day we'll reach the world cup. Singapore Vs England. Who would you then support? Even Westerners are picking up Mandarin. Its time we embraced our own.

Zeta Ζζ

2009-03-06T20:55:00.000+08:00

In which part of town would you see large groups of teens? Cineleisure.

There you would find all sorts of identities. Ranging from the gothic look to the retro individual with his *cap*. They stick in groups, show rare signs for formality, appearing oblivious to any stress or troubles.

So what are groups? 2 or more people who congregate together?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23502379@N06/2252997820/

A group is a collection of individuals who, as a result of interacting with one other over time, become interdependent, developing shared patterns of behavior and a collective identity. In short, a group is people whom you will feel a certain sense of belonging due to collective experiences.

Our theories tells us that if a groups have certain symptoms, they are experiencing groupthink and result in undesirable effects. It makes me wonder if those groups are cineleisure are facing such symptoms? Can we prevent groups of people blasting their music in public places like the bus?Are all gang fights due to such theories? If so, what are ways to prevent such repercussions?

"It is a necessary condition (high cohesion), but not a sufficient condition" (Janis, Victims of Groupthink, 1972). There is a possibility but not certainty that you might face groupthink.

Some symptoms:

- Illusions of invulnerability (They take risks and feel nothing can stop them)
- Stereotyping (Classifing others as weak or stupid, inferior to those in the group

- Pressure to conform (Do things together, ignoring the consequences of their actions. If you can beat them, join them)

- Self censorship (Remain silent about alternative views from the group)
- Illusions of unanimity (If no one says anything, silence is consent)

How to avoid?

- Groups should have a "critical evaluator”. This will allow each member to freely air objections, doubts and alternative.

- Leaders should not air their opinions about the issue.
- External experts should be invited and members should be able to consult them individually.

- A devil's advocate should be appointed to keep the group active and less complacent.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hampehbetul/2620067259/

Groupthink seems to only appear in a workplace or school project where everyone is just comforming but i think it happens also in everyones social circle. Being with your social circle you sometimes feel empowered to do anything, ask for a girls number? Vandalise property? Talk loudly/blast loud music? How do we then combat these groups with their Illusions of invulnerability?

I think the pragmatic solution would be for the group to realise it themselves, through education. What other solutions do you think people outside the group's circle can employ?

Epsilon Εε

2009-02-28T19:42:00.001+08:00

2008 Paramount Pictures

"I was born under unusual circumstances." And so begins 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,' adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. We follow his story, set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be. Directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett with Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas and Julia Ormond, 'Benjamin Button,' is a grand tale of a not-so-ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.

- Synopsis taken from http://www.benjaminbutton.com/

I enjoyed The curious case of Benjamin Button. The fantasy film is about the life of Benjamin Button, being born an old man, leads his life growing younger. The takeaway, "You never know what's coming for you". In other words, be postitive, you might think you are going to die soon (in his case) but lead a long and fulfilling life. The movie was pretty touching, especially the love scenes with his childhood sweetheart. It didn't help I was with a all male group. Haha. Knapp's Relational Development Model of coming together also can be seen in his relationships/affairs.

Benjamin button was born old. Although he had the mindset of a young boy, he could not run about or play with other children. He meets a young girl named Daisy in the old folks home where he lives. With child-like faith, she believes it is possible for him to grow biologically younger. It is amazing how the director is able to keep the movie so realistic despite the riduculous idea. How would you feel if you had to lead your life the opposite way? I think it would be hard, enduring the final years of your life without tasting the first innocence.

At the age of 17, still looking like a grandfather, he leaves his family to look for work.*(That is what they do during those times).
Daisy pursues her career in ballet.
They then meet again after a long period of seperation. Having lead their own lifes for so long, they find it difficult to rekindle their friendship. As circumstances would have it, they decide to start their lives together. This is when both their physical ages meet. This blissful romance between Benjamin and Daisy part will warm your heart.

As 'The Time Traveller's Wife' would have summed it, "Had we but world enough and time".

http://www.benjaminbutton.com/

*Knapp's Relational Development Model (Coming together) can be seen in his affair in Russia when he found work on a tugboat.

1: Initiating (One night when he couldn't sleep, he found her reading in the lobby. They had tea)
2: Experimenting (They started to meet frequently in the night, talking over tea till day break)3: Intensifying (She confesses she wants to have an affair and states her terms. Benjamin agrees)
4: Integrating (Part of her terms was not to be seen publicly together. Their social lives never met)
5: Bonding (As all affairs go, she left a day after The pearl harbour attack. They never started a family)

Personally, i think the most important aspect of this model is the stage 2. Experimenting. Phatic communication (small talk). This will eventually lead to self-disclosure and allowing each other to see how one truely is comfortably with the other. What stage do you think you are at in your relationship/friendship now? Are you ready for the next step? Which stage would you enjoy being in the most?

Delta. Δδ

2009-02-21T11:05:00.000+08:00

Everwood.

This is one of the best U.S. teen sequel/drama/love story/chic flick/how to build successful relationships/ I have watched for the past 21 years of my life. You guys should watch it! Although it would be hard to find it in Singapore. Anyhow, the story goes like this...

Ephram lost his mum in his angsty teenage years. His dad, Andy, a very famous surgeon, was always busy working. Andy then regrets and moves the family to a place called, Everwood. It was where the mum always wanted to live at. Ephram angry at his dad for moving him from New York to his countryside then meets Amy. Amy is attached. Shit. Her boyfriend, the college superstar, is in a coma after a car crash. She then makes friends with Ephram to get him to ask Andy for help.

As you can tell, there's alot of space for debate the way the plot is created, addressing teenage issues as the charactors grow up. Ephram falls in love with Amy but she has issues and when she is ready to take the leap of faith, he has issues. Did they ever get together? I'll leave you to find out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingmonumental/2090501420/

So how to we enter relationships in the first place?

According to Steve Duck filtering theory, we use a series of filters to judge how close we want to become. In otherwords, its a process of elimination. So if you just had a lonely valentines, you might want to read on and NOT get eliminated next year.

S0ciological or Incidental Cues - Factors that determine the probability of contact, e.g. workplace, school. We cannot form relationships with people we do not know. Physical proximity is the secret. By increasing the frequency of interaction, familitarity leads to attraction. However in this new age and time, you might find hope in virtual dating and online relationships. (Less likely to succeed though, you might end up with a online dinner)
Preinteractional cues - Nonverbal impressions. e.g physical beauty, dress. First impressions last the longest. So remember to make a good first impression.
Interactional Cues - After making contact, comes the hard part. Making comfortable conversations. In order to increase attraction, one must manage conversations and make interaction rewarding. This can be learnt by observation and practice. For example, humour, light-hearted topics. If these does not work, enrol in SIM-UB COM101 module.
Cognitive cues - Long-lasting and stable relationships are psychological. Shared values and beliefs are more important than physical appearance. So it is important to talk about your own opinions, values and be open to other possibilities.

There isn't much you can change about your beliefs and values. It is like a lucky draw. Similiar, you tio already la! (win). Different, wha damn suay (not your luck). But in order to reach the last step of making good friends or romantic partners, you have to survive the first 3.

Any skills you could share to use in the first 3 steps? Like pick-up lines? "Ms, my lips are pretty dry, can i use yours?!"

Gamma. Γγ

2009-02-15T18:32:00.000+08:00

The beauty of language.

It varies in the WAY we communicate (British and Australian accents), HOW we want it to be communicated (politeness, sacarsm, guilt etc.) and THE PEOPLE we communicate with. (Engineering, Legal Jargons)

Many of you may or may not have heard TWITS in action but it shows how the english language changed to meet the needs and express values of its users. THIS WILL CRACK EUUuusss UP!

http://www.museum-of-twits.blogspot.com/

Now, this was the very first thing both of us saw as we entered the game. I swear our reactions were coincidental.

I told Cam to practise her twitishness for a while, and she starts bullying me.

We knew nuts about what we had to do, so we went around to explore. (AND WE DIED!?)Yes. Both killed by a stupid red snail. PWNED.

Nevermind that. Then we realised we needed money to buy the simplest equipments, or even potions which gave us HP. But we were very poor, so we went around to look for people who would spare us some money.

Camry then suggested we should probably pay Cai Shen Ye(God of Wealth) a visit, he might drop us some money for all we know. :)

Ok. No offense to those who play this game.

So WHO ARE THESE TWITS (a jargon used to indentify this group of people) ?

Teenagers aged 13 and up (you might be guilty of it), Exhibitionist who constantly takes photos of themselves with, Superb typing skills (Twits have amazingly mastered their fingers to type with alternate caps at amazingly fast spEePeed) Horrible language (A very prominent factor of a twit. You will never spot them without lehs, lors and lahs in their sentences. Most of the time its incomprehensible. You can forget about finding verbs, nouns, etc. because it could be all of it.)

"forget it, euie tis kinda of ppl r hard to interact wif,dunnit to use cheem english to de miie , i noe i`m nt good inenglish"

English with Chinese would be "wo men ish..."

English with Hokkien would be "they ji siao me lor"

English with Malay would be "my boifren lagi yandao"

Twitionary!!!

peepuhh

Definition: People

"shaeyy sh0 muchhiies ab0utt peepuhhx. thiinkk ab0utt urrselffx fiirsttx larrhhs~"

Synonyms:pipos / piipp0px

lydat

Defination: Like that

"eeYerZ~.. y eU lyDaT dE..~ haO eRxIn wOrz`!"

Synonyms:lidat / lydis / lyk dat

Well too many examples spoil the broth, interestingly enough, in phonology (the sound we make during speech), french speakers pronouce words this and that with "zis" and "zat". Maybe twits are just french gone wrong.

Ever wondered how the British and American's English came about? During the 16-17th century when there was no establishment, people used to spell everything differently, including their own names. Shakespeare - Shakespere, Shackespere, Shaxper.

The 18th century brought forth the rise of newspapers and people started to create dictionaries. Noah Webster (American) came along and sold his spelling book, 60 million copies in the first 100 years. A reform of the english language was in place. He decreed, "all superfluous and silent letters" should be omitted". Letters such as u was dropped. "Colour" became "Color". "Honour" became "Honor". As was the letter, l, in traveller. "Centre" and "theatre" became "center" and theater".

The beauty of language is that it adapts to different cultures at different periods of time to suit their needs. Perhaps the twits are just one of those adaptations.

We all have our individuality. Sosss EeeuSs goTx AnIeSx VerBal ComUniCAtioEEsx tAts InTerueSts EuSx? (Whao, that was difficult to type!)

Beta. Ββ

2009-02-06T20:27:00.000+08:00

SMOKING IS MAGIC!!!

Anti-Smoking campaigns are always littered with gruesome depictions of the effects of smoking, how it affects your loved ones etc. Mostly these campaigns utilize Pathos. (the appeal of emotions e.g. pity, ampathy, compassion, rage, shock). Often, these messages are often conveyed VERY clearly.

Heres a few:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxlUCIqbD8M&feature=related

This commercial concentrates on pegnant mothers, urging them to kill the habit in order to save their child. I personally thought the cinemotography (music, background) was quite nicely used.

WARNING!!! (Not for the faint-hearted!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3W2fmYz2os&feature=related

This video was shown during my COM101 module. It shows the disasterous effects of smoking, a pale-faced looking lady with deformed teeth with her tag line: "Quitting is hard. Not quitting, is harder." This ad was so shocking that after many complaints from parents (Singapore) it had to be rescheuled to timings when children were less likely to be watching.

However other than using shock-tatics, ampathy (Pathos) how do we get our listeners to listen?

Our very own magician shows us how,

http://www.razortv.com.sg/site/servlet/segment/main/entertainment/20192.html;jsessionid=759FF030CDB3A2B4F1031944EC6E44EF.01

http://www.razortv.com.sg/site/servlet/segment/main/entertainment/20194.html

He uses what we learn during COM101:

-Frequency: He uses tag-lines of the anti-smoking posters put up the health ministry.(Although not as effective as Macdonalds frequent signboards)

-Contrast: He does not really stand out like a red dress in a funeral, however he approaches you in a mild manner, asking for aid then shocks you with his array of tricks.

-Intensity: His tricks will continually shock you (the coin switching hands) and hopefully you'll register his message.

-Novel Stimuli: It is a new way of presenting the campaign, getting the younger generation more interested in what he has to say. Instead of boring and too-frequently-used/ignored media forms.

His bag of tricks might capture and hold your attention, however, I do not feel that the message is efficiently brought across compared to the commercials above. The subtle messages have to be captured and perhaps more mnemonic devices could be used.

Some information he (AN EX-SMOKER) felt could be helpful,

If you feel like putting something in your mouth or an itch to light up a cigarette with your hands, eat a sweet or play an instrument, just do something else to ease that itch.

Change your routines of smoking. For example by prolonging the time between lunch and lighting up that smoke, you'll feel there is no need to. Change the habit.

I do not smoke so i would not know how effective is his advice, what do you think? And in light of this how do you think our country should be campaigning for a smoke-free nation?

Alpha. Αα

2009-01-24T23:48:00.033+08:00

I realised it's very daunting to talk about anything on a blog, be it about your personal life or any other 'interesting' topics. It requires a great deal of confidence or ignorance. (depending on how you want to perceive it) There's always a certain aspect of ridicule in the reactions, we would want to prevent. But 'No mother's son can ever please the world' - F. Chopin

Source: The Sun-Herald

The NEED for war.

As far as recent events have happened, the Gaza Strip topic has stucked to my mind lately. I have always felt when War happens, there's always a reason for it, a need. So what was the need there?

In lay-man terms, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been there for centuries, where the area was ruled by many in succession including King David, Ottoman Empire, Egyptians, Israeli and Palestinians. What is in debate is who is in control of the territory? Its is like two boys fighting over a girl. (not to undermine the war but a small analogy) But the girl cannot speak and as love goes, there is no black and white writings just the fight for it.

It has also caused many other debates to the actions and reactions of those 'boys', who punched who first? Or how could aid be given to the girl when the boys still fought during their ceasefire etc. However, what I want to bring forth is the need for the fight.

War has been around for many decades. We have all learnt about the cruelness and evilness of the perpetrators, the suffering of the victims, the crimes committed during the Occupation of our country. Yes, blood is spilled, lives are lost, children became orphans and many die of hunger! Why should we ever want it to happen? Because people believe in THE cause.

If you were to truly love someone, wouldn't you fight for her? If your brother was punched, won't you want to punch the person back? Israel wants Gaza, so does Palestine. Hitler wanted a 'better' society. Alexander wanted the world.

We would do all those things mentioned (in red) but not consider the consequences. So what's the difference?

Through these thought processes I realised much of Singaporeans communication in this modern day are elements of a Social Constructionist Model (One of the 4 models of communication). We never actually experience our forefathers sufferings of war, but we hear about them. We form conclusions about the Gaza strip conflict but most of us has never even been there. We have been taught values and beliefs. To value life, to be a peaceful cosmopolitan society, that war should be opposed but I beg to differ.

The Social Constructionist Model cannot be said to be the whole form of our communication but a large part of it. Knowing this, we should have to be responsible for our talk (things we say in our blog) and not stereotyping situations (The Gaza Conflict). How do we achieve this? We have to experience it for ourselves, to find out the reality of it. Does it mean we have to physically experience it? No, I believe alternatively we can find our answers by forming our own individual opinions and discussing about them. It is only through friction that light can be ignited.

http://www.ctv.ca/

As Israeli troops pulls out of Gaza, the Palestinians control the territory. The girl has found her man. The war has ended and many rejoice. As people start to pick up their lives, they will wonder, " Why did it ever happened? "

Because it has to. Diplomacy can only carry you thus far.