Me, myself and him

Looking back on how life has changed, I started to reflect on what made him into that very person he is today. Can media really make a person? Oh yes it can, that’s according to the communication module I’m undergoing and this very project I am currently studying. A passive subject at the hands of the media.

For those of you who’ve seen Fight Club, in my opinion, the greatest movie of all time would have actually seen Brad Pitt in his prime. The rugged dressing Tyler Durden with such suave hairdo and uncanny but stunning dress sense ate into poor him. The movie was first screened in 1999 and it possessed a hypodermic needle sting so potent that influenced his view of the perfect looking man till this very day.

Tyler Durden in Fight Club


What am I trying to say? That hairdo and patch of grass (although too thick) under his chin tells me of the roots of his influence. After much persuasion by me to understand his inner thoughts, I realized the truth about his insensible influence and ideal persona.


“He reminds me of a gangster, at least in the way he speaks” was the remark i got when I asked for someone’s opinion on him recently. Well, I’m not surprised as the classic four letter word has been deep-rooted in almost every sentence that shoots out from his mouth. I can attribute that to the lists of crude and violent Hollywood films that occupy his movie rack from young.

Hitmen John Travolta and Samuel L jackson in Pulp Fiction.


A movie buff, he has seen movies from Pulp Fiction to Reservoir Dogs to Trainspotting, films that have crude language in almost every dialogue.(Pulp fiction holds the current record for the amount of profanities it has)

Quentin tarantino's second classic - Reservoir Dogs


I’ll like to blame Quentin Tarantino or Irvine Welsh for this, but it doesn’t help when one from a young age allows such a deep cut to his tongue by that very needle.


Before I go, I’ll like to share with you how the recent rise in race car movies has influenced this man so deeply that I almost lost my life sitting in his car. Remember Gone in sixty seconds and 2 fast 2 furious - Tokyo Drift? I literally had that experience on the PIE some time back; only difference was that the medium for speed was a Ford Mondeo meandering and drifting from left to right and such a maniacal speed. Seems like the needle stung his brains and sense. Kindly observe the meter below.



This is what it looks like at that speed


I'd like to think that you've seen this someone around no?

Like it or not, the media influences us in one way or the other. How we dress, wear our hair or even speak. It affects our perspectives and beliefs in life. In my opinion, it makes us another person then who we originally will be if not for media. Media makes us who we are and who we’re not. One way or the other, we are victims of the Powerful effects theory; consciously or unconsciously.



I wonder what would happen if everything on this planet became Ground Zero one day

Do you?

White Chrysanthemums, Mama Mia!

There are so many different cultures in the world surrounding us. Different societies are bounded by different cultural norms and rules. It’s always interesting to observe or experience another culture’s way of living, communicating or perspective of things. I was in Barcelona sometime back and it was interesting to find out that the Spaniards only have dinner at around ten or eleven at night! Well, I only saw a handful of people eating at the diners during my trip for obvious reasons.

Nevertheless, when two people from different cultures meet, there is a high chance of misinterpretation or misunderstanding. Kindly take a look at the clip which is only a minute long.




We see a clash of two cultures here. The English lad (as by his accent – 0.21-0.23s) was unprepared for intercultural contact and his insensitivity has ended in a calamity. The donna in this case was left with people mourning for her. Even more “comical” later is the commercial's message that the two women had seen a ghost coming to life. In this clip of classical cultural conflict, the Englishman’s perception and interpretation of his reality contradicts the Italian culture with regard to the white chrysanthemums as a floral gift. In British culture, the white chrysanthemum symbolizes truth or genuineness, whereas it is only acceptable for funerals as it is a symbol of death in Italy. In my opinion, there is also an assumption of similarity as the man obviously assumes that the Italian woman would see the white flower in the same way he does, thus overlooking a major cultural difference.

The many different features of culture


My point being that we people should be sensitive and updated on an unfamiliar culture if we do ever have intercultural contacts. What is acceptable for us may be extremely taboo to another and slips like these could severe friendships, relationships or even a business deal.

I can safely say that HSBC have made efforts to understand cross cultural norms, knowledge and values worldwide. Have you?

I,Mayhem

World War Three has arrived, not literally but in the notion that we are struggling in a war against terrorism. These men of “self-righteousness” will forever continue to recruit those around them, namely immediate family members or friends. The numbers of carnage fanatics will continuingly increase and society is, in my opinion, fighting a lost cause. Yes they’ve caught Hambali, killed Mushin Musa and probably Mas Selamat as well, but these are just a few of the, I dare say, hundreds of thousands goons around the world.


Terrorism will never stop and Bush’s promise (look up 2001 quotes) to America that the heads responsible for September 11th will pay is utter bullshit. Let’s be honest, there’s no way America’s going to nab all of them is there? Finding Al Qaeda’s leading boys will be like finding needle in hay.

Even a magnifying class will not find you the needle.


I know for a fact that there will surely be more bombings, deaths and anguish worldwide in the future. What makes it even more dangerous is the fact that detonation happens at the most common and trivial of places like the MRT or even in a bus. Has it ever crossed your mind that you could just blow up into pieces all of a sudden?

Efficiency is key to achieving goals and objectives, as explained in the cartoon.


Nevertheless, it is key that society should be well-prepared to faced or foil these threats. Symbolic occurrences such as those of September 11, the Bali, Madrid and London bombings will leave a scar among the many whose friends and family perished in. More recently, the string attacks that were the result of three consecutive car bombs in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad claimed 32 and injured as many as a hundred.




People standing at the site of car bombing in the Shurta Rabaa district of west Baghdad, Iraq, Monday Sept. 29, 2008.



These men make flawed decisions because group pressures lead to a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment. Terrorist cells have a tendency to ignore alternatives and take irrational actions that cause chaos. A group is especially vulnerable to groupthink when its members are similar in background and insulated from outside opinions. This is a good example of why Islam contributes the largest collection of terrorist as the founders of leading terrorist groups are of Islamic origin. Moreover, prejudice and destestation towards the west has been in cultivated from a young age as a result of growing up in such an environment.(I personally don’t have any grudge against Muslims so if you are one, kindly do not take this personally). However, I feel that these Middle Easterners tarnish the reputation of Muslims around the world.



The evil amongst men - Clip on 9/11, London and Madrid bombings

I can say that these maniacs of destruction are blinded strongly by the four of the eight symptoms of groupthink:

1. Illusion of invulnerability – Terrorist groups believe that they are the best and are delusional of the destruction and sufferings they cause.

Consistent attacks worldwide are non-verbal cues to their belief of invulnerability that they as a collective unit can stand strong against anti-terrorism, anything and anyone.
2. Collective rationalization –They justify their ill-action as the “holy war”


3. Belief in group’s own morality – These terrorist organizations believe that their acts of carnage and mayhem are morally correct.


4. Shared stereotypes – Al Qaeda and Jemmah Islamiah has massive animosity and hatred for the West(America) or any of the American allies.

They feel that they are against the majority of the world and in truth; the world is also against them due to the reputation that these terrorist have.

Has mayhem in anyway ever been part of your agenda?

Source : 1)Associated Press (AP)
Photographer - Hadi Mizban

SIZE matters

We all know the power of sex and how beautiful that gift is to mankind. Remember that latest seductive role play you’ve had with your significant other before “kickoff’? Okay, I’m just stimulating your fantasy but I shan’t go into details as the Lady Gaffer might not be too pleased.

My point is that sex is the most pleasurable activity men will ever have and what baffles me even further is that how some seem to disregard or downplay sex as a conversational topic, especially among women (ladies, Do correct me if I’m wrong.) With that said, I am impressed with advertisements that use seductive and sexual scenes to promote their brand. One, I think it’s a hell creative to do something like that, and two, I do not see a need to hide our true primitive nature. Whoever in the world associated outright sexual scenes as taboo and why does society, especially Asian culture, equate it to almost a sin?

Let me explain to you the definition of “art”. You may want to click on the picture to view clip.




I was impressed with the non-verbal cues in the clip and what first hit me is the usage of novel stimuli (something unique). How often do we see a sandwich at that unique position? I’ve never and I bet you’ve never. Secondly, notice the interesting representation of environmental objectics, in this case, the sandwich to convey the meaning of the absolute obvious. Thirdly, the man shows of a non-verbal intentional classic symbolic behavior of D.I.Y. at 0.08 seconds (I’m sure you boys are familiar with this, sorry ladies.) Next, Vocalics (giggling and laughter) and affect displays (“pole dancing”) both regulate the flirtatious act between the two individuals. Lastly, her affect displays and oculesis (eye movement) at the end when she conceals her flesh shows her unwillingness to flirt with a “smaller burger”. Hence the very interesting message for the audience is that a bigger burger attracts a lady,



thereby promoting the long and bigger chicken burger. A gem of an advertisement……. Does size matter to you?

Source : 1) www.funnyplace.org

Message Sent.

Whilst studying for this coming monday's Communications Mid Year paper, I came across a section in Unit 3 about Knapp's Model of communication and without thinking, updated my blog.

I got a little distracted studying communications and decided to drop her one of my monthly sms asking about her well-being and wishing her a good night's sleep about 24hours back. I cannot exactly remember the time but it wasn't late to begin with. Like Many of the gazillion text messages i sent her, she hasn't even replied any since a good one year ago. Ok yes, thats stage nine of Knapp's model, avoiding me (Im obviously not avoiding her) giving the "hint".

She has sealed the channel of communication from me in more ways than one. Not a single word despite one of those lovey dovey stupid boxes that contains goods seeking one's atttention and reconcilation appearing at her doorstop about a month back.Well, to be honest, i fear this..........whatever you wished to call it....is already one and a half foot in Stage 10. No calls, emails, letters, or even replies. Guess that qualifies for stage 10 doesn't it? A capsized boat in the Bermuda triangle, at least from my point of view. I could also link this relationship disengagement strategy to behavioural de-escalation; totally avoiding contact from me.

I'm gonna leave you people here,silence isn't that golden afterall is it?

The Cold Shoulder


The anxiety of waiting for a text you know will never come is excruciating for one's soul. Believe me, espeically if a text comes from another in the midst of your wait.

(If you're out there, i hope to hear from you.) -----------------------------------------> Message Sent.

Source : 1) Me, Myself and a girl called M

Pentagon's 184

9.37 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), September 11, 2001. American Airline Flight 77 crashes into the west side of The Pentagon killing a total of 184 people, 125 people in the building and 59 passengers on board; the third plane of the September 11 attacks. I remember that very day when I was in secondary school and still a little too naïve and ignorant to empathize with such an issue. Anyway, exactly seven years after, I found an article on the Straits Times that i would like to share.



Clip explaining the significance of the memorial benches


In commemoration of the 184 who perished, a two-ache park with 184 cantilevered benches was built with each and every victim’s name inscribed on a single bench; the new memorial officially opened to the public about a week ago on September 11, 2008. The benches are positioned in progression according to the age of the victims with the youngest, age 3, to the oldest, age 71. What is more significant and memorable about the site is that it is built where the plane hit.


On an academic note, the American government has non-verbally communicated to the world through physical objects (artifacts) the respect given to the perished ones. The benches signify the deaths associated with September 11, 2001. The monument is also an honorable gesture from the government to the victims and their families and also a symbol of arguably America’s darkest moment.The positioning of the benches is also personalized depending on whether the victim died at the Pentagon or onboard the plane as explained in the clip. In my opinion, the American government commendation’s of the victims, to an extent, strengthens the unity within the nation and their war against terrorism, a notion of supremacy and stability in turbulent times.

However majestic or artistic the monument is, it can never replace the mourning and tragedy that the American people have suffered. We people are fortunate enough not to have experienced such a crisis and with fingers crossed, I hope we will never. If Washington is ever on my list of destinations in America, an afternoon walk on Virginia’s hallowed ground will be on the cards; a walk filled with worlds of respect and sentiments…..

Care to join me?

Sources : The Straits Times Saturday
September 13th 2008 Pg C15

The Art of Deception

Its amazing how creative people can be.



I do not exactly know how many of you out there are aware of, in my opinion, this unique and brilliant advertisement that supports the theme “Get the full story”. Firstly, I am fascinated with the way the advertisers make us go “what the……” or “Jesus…..” (For me) and then sinks reality in by the simplest of actions. We experience two different emotions in a space of thirty seconds. Secondly, notice the additional effort to sway the audience to disgust at 0.15, the “bouncing” action when we boys piss, we all know that happens at the very end of the session now don’t we gentlemen? Sorry ladies, I’m not exactly sure if bouncing is a part of your urinating session, but I can guess it might not be. Also, not to be missed is the classic posture of the hands; I definitely don’t piss with one or both hands at my hips. Thirdly, appreciate the timing in which the advertisement encourages us to find out about “Singapore’s worst restaurant” (or so we thought), evidently supporting an atrocious action – pissing in the kitchen. Timing is just as good when it completes the sentence – “and the best” evidently incorporating the normal kitchen scene at the end.

The audiences are being forced to draw conclusion (closure) during the first 18 seconds courtesy of the chef. This can be also considered as one of the points of the idols of the tribe, the tendency for us to jump to conclusions. Interpretation is also influenced by the nonverbal cues as seen in the clip, back facing screen coupled with the “bouncing” and water-dripping sound effect have us thinking about only one possible action.

"Am i or am i not?"


Message sent: Don’t draw conclusions without having the full story, communication may be deceptive. Have you drawn any conclusion of your own?

Source : 1) Mediacorp 93.8 Live.
(youtube clip)

"Showbolting"

___________________________________________

I stared at the television in absolute awe after the Men’s Olympics 100 meters sprint, embracing and relishing that very moment. I had not only witnessed history but had also seen a Bolt of Lighting flashed across Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium almost as invincible as light. Usain Bolt had taken a human being to a speed of 10.319 meters per second.

The man not only set a new world record timing, he smashed his own world record timing of 9.72 seconds set in May. The scoreboard flashed 9.69, 9.69 seconds! For those who do not share my astonishment or seem oblivious to sporting records, just imagine running ten meters in under a second, need I further elaborate the height of sporting brilliance?

When Bolt realized that he had the race in his pocket and was way ahead of the chasing seven, he indulged in a bit of showmanship before hitting the tape. Bolt slowed down and shifted his focus towards the spectators with arms slightly wide opened instead of focusing on a full-speed finish. His non-verbal action implied a “catch me if you can” pose and I felt it expressed the confidence and pride he possesses. A clearer picture would be on the Straits Times issue on August 17th where it pictured the Jamaican “mocking” the other runners with his flamboyant yet teasing pose prior to the finishing line.


"Catch me if you can"


The aftermath celebrations were even more theatrical, his infamous gesture, one arm pulled back and the other reaching forward portraying an archer shooting upwards was to me an indication that he had risen to the pinnacle of the fastest man in the universe. With that, I perceived Bolt as saying to himself “Lighting Bolt shoots down Swift Seven”, and no one ought to disagree. Actions such as Mr. 9.69 kneeling before the crowd, right hand on his chest and his left extended outwards as if to thank his fans and the Jamaican people signified the importance this race meant to him.


The image of the 2008 Olympics


On a personal note, I disagree with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) interpretation of Bolt’s gestures as having a lack of respect for his opponents. The IOC president Jacques Rogge was quoted as saying “That’s not the way we perceive a champion, I think he should show more respect for his competitors and shake hands…….” That could be considered an Interactive model of communication with feedback on Bolt's non-verbal message, which could possibly be due to Jacques's view on ideal sportsmanship after the race. The Belgian, jacques, possibly has a less upbeat and more modest character compared to that of the outgoing "reggae come punk rocked influenced" (cultural influence) Bolt. However, I believe being the fastest ever throughout the chronicles of mankind deserves some sort of a majestic celebration. It is impossible to identify with that immediate uncontrollable feeling of exuberance and ecstasy of having the World at your feet unless one has experienced (influences feedback) glory at such level. I can safely say Mister Jacques never did except for a few Olympic yachting experiences and a stint with the Belgian Rugby team, not quite the same level as Bolt’s annus mirabillis.

On that historical night in the Forbidden City, Bolt was innocently showing the watchful eyes of the World the uncontainable joy of being crowned the “World’s fastest ever man alive”. As from this very moment, London awaits the lighting that is Jamaica’s Golden Boy. Any thoughts on this one?

Sources : 1)The Strait Times
Thursday, August 21, 2008 Pg B10
Author - Marc Lim
2) The Strait Times
Friday, August 22, 2008 Pg B23