Influence of mass media in society

In a typically urbanised area such as Singapore, a normal person wakes up, check the television news or newspaper first thing, goes to work, make a few phone calls, and makes his/her decisions based on information that he/she has gleaned from their friends, co-workers, news, television or financial reports.

Out of all the media that have been invented, television has been the most influential of all. We are constantly exposed to thousands of images of violence, sex, advertisements, celebrities and many other more. According to research, a child is exposed to 40, 000 ads a year. What about teenagers? What do the mass media do to the teenagers today?

Teenagers buy what they see on television, what their favorite celebrity advertise and think that what is acceptable to society based on fashion that the media has imposed is also acceptable for them. Yes, there are negative and positive influences by the television.

The media has a positive influence in one instant; if there is a particular sport that is getting a lot of attention from the media, and gains popularity among your friends and society, you will want to practice this sport and be cool in front of your peers. The end result is that you will have fun with your friends and be healthy at the same time.

Negatively, there are many celebrities who are taking cigars, adding to the 'cool' image that teenagers are so obsessed with. The constant exposure of sex images, excessive violence and exposure to numerous junk food ads are negative influences too.

Teenagers are in the stage of their lives where they want to be seen as successful and be loved. Above all, they want to be accepted by their peers. They feel that the media has created an ideal image of beautiful men and women, with their characteristics of a successful person. It is a subliminal way to tell teenagers that they are not up to the media's standards because they did not buy the products that make the celebrities look beautiful. Take models for example, only those who are extremely thin may be up on stage, or be seen advertising products on television. These teenagers will then be obsessed with going on diet and engage in eating disorders which lead to severe health issues and even death in order to look as thin and 'beautiful' as the models.

Is it worth you life just to live up to the media's image on what is considered beautiful or popular?

culture

Culture is inherent to everyone, and culture influences an individual in everything he does; from his perception or interpretation of reality to the language or to his sense of self. Take the popular singer Jay Chou (JC) for instance. His music is predominantly influenced by the Chinese culture. However, other cultures or styles such as classical music and rap still influences his songs. But all of his songs still contain the Chinese style.

At the same time, he exerts an enormous influence on popular culture as well, in Asian countries as well as Non-Asian countries, selling several million copies everytime his album debuts, and being recognized with hundreds of awards. JC's albums are one of the few Asia-media products to be distributed outside of Asia because there is a great demand for his songs in Non-Asian countries like the US.

JC's music is a form of low context culture because he uses lyrics in his songs to express himself, to clarify and influence. Every album of JC has at least 1 Chinese style in it. For example, the song 'ju hua tai' (菊花台)('Chrysanthemum Terrace') is distinctly Chinese. It incorporates the Chinese traditional instruments such as the yang qin with the western instruments like the violin. Some songs which are oriental in style is accuentauted by the pentatonic scale as opposed to the diatonic scale. Besides his own culture, JC also incorporates the Spanish guitar in 'hong muo fang' (紅模仿)('Red Imitation') and American techno in 'ben cao gang mu' (本草綱目)('Herbalist's Manual'), to name a few. These songs are examples of the influences culture has made on him.

Communication in the workplace

Communication is a part of our daily life. Wherever you go, whomever you may be with, communication is the key to a successful relationship. In this case, it is communication in the workplace. Whether you make a deep impression or no impression on your superiors at all largely depends on your communication with your boss and your colleagues.

I recently read an article in a magazine titled "Why aren't you the boss?" It emphasizes that relationships and communication in the workplace are the key to working one's way to the top.

First, bonding with the boss (relationship) is a good way to start. You have to interact and forge a more personal (friendly) relationship with the boss. This allows for a building of trust and lets him or her understand the way you work (your strong points and talents), making it easier to attribute credit to you when it is due.

Second, bonding with your colleagues is also a stepping stone. Be the first to lend a helping hand when your colleagues are in need. This is to ensure that when you need the favor to be returned, the chances are high that your colleagues will help you. Also, you will be seen as the dependable person that all your colleagues will turn to you for whenever they need help or advice. This will increase your chances to be recommended for a promotion (because your colleagues can't do without you!).

Next, we have the communication that is extremely vital. The art of persuasion is very hard to master, but if you know the right way and technique, it will do you good. If you recommend yourself for the promotion, don't show your boss everything you have done and the hours you have put in for the company. Instead, show your boss how you have value-add to the company.

Also, during a meeting, show your boss that you have leadership skills by stating or finding out the purpose of the meeting, the points your boss will want to hear and the summary of your presentation.

When all is said and done, communication and relationships are very important to the workplace, because it is where the company as a whole is successful or not. What makes a company a multi-international corporation (MNC) and what makes companies fall? It is the very art of communication. Of course, there are other factors that lead to the success and failures of companies. However, don't you agree that communication is the very heart and centre of the success?

Gaming

Cabal

Dota

Runescape

WOW (World of Warcraft)

Does all these names and images sound familiar to you? Then you are most probably a gamer, or you keep yourself updated on the latest games.

Do you need to play these kind of games everyday so that you will not feel deprived? Are you one of those people who cannot get unstuck from the computer once you are started on a game? BEWARE! You are rapidly becoming a game addict, or already one!

Getting addicted to online games are fast becoming a major issue for the distancing of oneself from loved ones. For instance, many teenagers (mostly boys) are addicted to online gaming. They would closet themselves in their rooms for long hours; not coming out to eat lunch or dinner, not even to sleep, not to talk to their parents, siblings, or friends, and not even to go out to have fun. They live and breathe gaming. In time to come, it may have adverse effects; not only for the individual, but for their loved ones as well.

Recently, there was a newspaper article where a secondary school boy was practically glued to his computer once he came home from school to play WOW. He had a character in this particular game and the character "died" when the boy fought the character with other characters in the game. He could not seem to get over the knowledge that his character had "died" (as the newspaper indicated), and so he jumped off the building in his own home. His parents and girlfriend were devasted by this sudden loss of a loved one. What will you do if one of your close friends or family member committed suicide because of a failure in gaming?

I personally feel that gaming as the name suggests, is in itself a game; that is; it is not to be taken seriously. It is good and relaxing for small doses, and not long hours everyday. Not communicating with friends or family is a sign of becoming addicted to the game. If there is anything an individual is unhappy about, whether it is something as inconsequential that his character in the game had "died", it would make the individual feel a lot better if he talked with his loved ones. That way, the individual will not entertain any thoughts of committing suicide or anything that will harm himself and his loved ones.

The question we have now is: Is gaming an entertainment to relax oneself or a tool to stressing oneself?

Gay marriage?

Gay marriage. What comes to your mind when you see these two words linked together? Disgust? Awe? Wonder? Should a woman marry a woman? Should a man marry a man? Are you against it because it is not a norm in your culture?

Many gays are slowly owning up to their sexuality; embracing it, in fact. Walking on the streets these days, one look at a person and you can differentiate the heterosexuals and the homosexuals by the way they dress(Objectics: personal objects). If you see two members of the same sex walking quite closely together(Proxemics), their manner a little intimate ~ ahh, then you will have absolutely no doubt that they are 'going steady.' (the local words for being in a relationship together)

However, embracing their true sexuality is one thing, having it legalised into a marriage is another. Why is it illegal and frowned upon still in so many parts of the world? In my opinion, it is absurd and cruel to deny two men or two women the desire to marry one another. It is the same as denying two people of different races the right to marry. Is not marriage the "pursuit of happiness"; the beginning of a new life with your loved one? Then why is the law in most countries denying these people the right to enjoy legal priveleges accorded to marriage of people of the opposite sex?

Because of their sexual identity, they are being ostracised by others. For instance, some parents simple could not take fact that their son or daughter is gay, and disowned them; the family court denying them child custody rights; getting fired from their job because coworkers feel 'uncomfortable' about him or her. Is this the right way to judge a person, regardless of his or her competency? But will denying them the right to marry change their sexual identity?

I personally feel that a marriage, no matter gay or not, should not be decided by the court of law, where only several individuals have the right to decide the fate of millions of ordinary citizens who simply want the freedom to love, cherish and legally commit to whomever they choose.

With this tattoo, I thee wed

Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/fashion/14tattoo.html

I recently read an article from the NYTimes dated 12 September, 2008. As the title suggests, wedding rings are replaced by tattoo rings. It may be the names of their spouses or a symbol of their love for each other.

This article speaks of the rising number of people; especially celebrities; getting their ring fingers tattooed instead of wearing a wedding band and also of the journalist's own experience in getting a ring tattoo.

Celebrities such as Tommy Lee, Pamela Anderson, Levi Johnston and Ashlee Simpson,among many others has permanent wedding "bands" has set a micro-trend. However, just because the celebrities are doing it, does that mean that we ordinary people have to follow this fashion too; to appear trendy? Should we not consider that tattooing; no matter how small or how slight the design is going to be, will having adverse effects to those with skin sensitivity, not to mention that if you get divorced or annulled your marriage, you have to see about getting that tattoo off with laser that may cause permanent scarring on your skin? Are we just idols of the theater then; following fashion uncritically?

According to the journalist himself, he cannot wear a wedding band because he was allergic to it; as he had discovered in his previous marriage. However, his intended wanted him to wear one because she did not want him to be unfaithful. His fiancee wanted other women to know that he was a married man. (Organizational principles: similarity)

In order to honor his wedding vows, he decided to tattoo his intended's(now wife) name on his ring finger right after their honeymoon. This action caused a major shock for both sides of the family; his wife's and his. His wife's English relatives were appalled; perhaps due to the English being more conservative, thus their interpretation on this news. His wife's friends, however, found it romantic while his own daughters, from his previous marriage, found it disgusting. Apparently to them, it is unheard of to find that their parent whom they respect and look up to getting a tattoo at the age of 52.

What will people think when they see a tattoo on your person, regardless of where it is or what it represents? Will they ostracize you? Labeling you as one of the gangsters or rebels? Perhaps it is common in America, but if you decide to follow fashion and get it inked onto your ring finger here in Singapore, what will Singaporeans think of you? Have we embraced the culture of tattooing here? Is tattooing cool or stupid? I leave you to decide.

Hana Yori Dango the Movie

this video is adapted from veoh.com (NO english subs)

Hana Yori Dango the movie is the finale of the hugely popularized drama adaptation of the original hit manga series by Yoko Kamio. This movie is based on a girl called Makino Tsukushi, who comes from a lower-middle class family, attends Eitoku Academy, an elite school which caters to children of the rich, upper-crust of society in Japan. The school is ruled by F4, four boys whose parents contributed the most money, and in turn, they are given free rein in school. Sparks ignite when Domyouji Tsukasa, leader of F4 takes an interest in Makino, because she is the only girl in school who does not bow down to him. After facing many obstacles, both characters are finally together. The finale is centered on a major incident that the five main characters (Makino, F4) become involved in, whilst depicting the ups and downs of the relationship between Makino and Domyouji.

In my opinion, the plot was a little unbelievable. Based on the heirloom called “Venus Smile” where there were four priceless jewels on the tiara, Makino and Domyouji were tested on their mutual trust and bonds of each other. The style and delivery of the speech were at most times informal; sometimes meant to please, persuade and scold, depending on the situation. At several times in the film, Makino or other members of F4 was instructing Domyouji on his use of language because of his bad puns and poor use of Japanese language. In this film, the vigorous style (based on pathos) was used because it was eloquent and emotional. Persuasive appeal of one’s character or credibility was also applied; in the case of Makino accusing Hanazawa Rui (one of the members of F4) to be in cahoots with the burglar who stole the heirloom because she had seen the former conversing and even shaking hands with the burglar. Idols of the cave where special allegiance to discipline was addressed when Domyouji wanted to bet $50 million in order to raise money to get back the heirloom, while Makino; because of her upbringing, wanted to play it safe and bet in small amounts, so they would not lose everything at one go.

In the end, Makino and Domyouji found out that the other members of the F4 and their parents were in cahoots all along, and that there was no such family heirloom. They just wanted to make sure that Makino and Domyouji would not have doubts about their marriage, through the obstacles that were decreed for them. In order to overcome all this, they discovered that they needed to trust mutually; because love would not be enough, strengthen their bonds, depend on each other’s strengths and dispel any miscommunication that existed between each other. Above all, the film also deepens the friendship bond between the members of F4 and Makino.