101 Communication ...

COM 101 Week 8: Media

2009-10-24T14:02:00.002-07:00

Sad to say... we have come to the final blog post of Communication 101.

This week, the topic will be focusing on how Media Influences our perception and the effects of Media Influences.

http://www.hkvpradio.com/artists/andylau/

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1002347/1/.html

When the name "Andy Lau” being mentioned, people will normally relate him to one of the "Four Heavenly Kings in Hong Kong". The image portrayed by the media of the well-known singer-actor then is, "a very dedicated and hardworking personality in Hong Kong, who persevered, advanced and conquered for two decades". Having been around in the entertainment industry for more than two decades, people developed the interest in getting to know more about his personal life. Through the media, Andy said that be it single or married, he promised to let everyone know about it.

Due to the recent change of events, his upright personality shattered within seconds. Paparazzi discovered that Andy and his girlfriend; Carol Chu had registered their marriage at Nevada, United States in 2008. Images of the certificate became the highlight in all Asian broadcasting media overnight. For example; in newspapers and television. Media and fans of Andy became utterly distressed about the whole issue. People then questioned the integrity of the artiste, on why make an empty promise, which he could not fulfill. Inevitably, Andy's loved ones became affected.

Alongside, paparazzi also uncovered couple of other artistes whom also kept their marriage under wraps. Nonetheless, this incident has the greatest impact on the people due to the promises made. With the constant repetition news coverage of the "Andy Lau" incident, the media raises the importance of the issue in people's mind. Media also indicate to us the importance of "Artiste's Personal Life" that this has a direct impact to people's daily lives.

People should not under-estimate the power of Media. It "represents the views of the powerful elite and influenced by those who hold economic and political power."It has the influence to raise issues or to complement people to a higher level. Andy rose to the top of the entertainment industry and fell to the bottom within seconds through the influence of media. For this matter, although people have come into acceptance of the fact, more time will be required for the issue to subside, before people can move on completely.

We have come to the end of COMS 101 Blog Posting. Despite being the last post of the semester, we can still keep in contact through my personal blog @ Pre-School Madness.

As a reminder, do leave comments before you leave (=

Thank YOU ALL for your support <33333

COM 101 Week 7: Culture

2009-10-17T14:01:00.003-07:00

This week, the topic will be on Culture. Focus will be on the different perspective of Individualism and Collectivism.

http://hypebeast.com/blog/jj/2009/10/order-and-chaos-invitation/

http://www.streething.com/archives/14490

http://rcgntn.com/blog/2009/10/17/interview-jj-lin/

Presenting this week's article, is the collaboration between Singapore's Latest Street-Fashion Label, Smudge (SMG) and Japanese Ebisu, Tokyo-based label, Devilock (DVLK). With this, SMG will be the official carrier label for DVLK products in SIngapore.

Two Individualists, JJ Lin and Endo, who have decided to work in partnership due to similar beliefs and themes that they have. Being two influential bodies in the Street-Culture Industry, they both aim to bring across the message, "struggle in a positive light", which leads to the theme of their partnership, "Orders and Chaos".

Collaborating with an organization that shares similar beliefs and themes helps to pull in the elite resources of both companies. Both organizations have more options to explore different ideas in the street-fashion and come out with an idea that caters to more people. Like-minded people who share the same culture are likely to support the idea.

As Well-Known Personalities in the Entertainment and Street-Fashion Industry, both JJ and Endo does not want to use their popularity to boost sales to their product. It is inevitable that fans are likely to chase after the label because of their idol, but both still seek to reach the stage whereby people do not co-relate their labels to their achievements in the Primary industry. To them, fans and their business are two separate matters and should not be piece together as one and they do not encourage fans to pursue the label just to support them.

Taking this individualist approach helps to garner valid support from supporters and ensure stability in the long run. Should their popularity diminish, at the very least it will not affect their businesses, as compared to just catering to the fans. It also magnifies their scope in venturing into a wider area of products and services, catering to the larger market available out there.

For the youth fans especially, they pursue the label because it belongs to the artistes, they are taking the approach of a Collectivist. By acquiring the entire collection of the products, they themselves may not use it. Ultimately, these fans just want to support the artiste in all aspects. However, artiste advised that fans do not need to go to the extreme of buying the entire collection and that are other ways to show support by purchasing originals.

Overall, it is commendable that artistes take an Individualistic approach when it comes to business and not mixing it with their Primary Industry. However, more measures needed when it comes to educating youths in terms of differentiation between artistes and businesses.

Do tune in to my final post next week~ Till then!

COM 101 Week 6: Group Communication

2009-10-10T13:59:00.006-07:00

In this week, group communication was the focus topic of the lessons. The following is an example of my experiences during polytechnic days, based on the Model of Five Stages by Moreland & Levine.

Hating life to be just studiously studying, I decided to join a club to make school life as fulfilling as possible. Experiential Learning Facilitators (ELF) appealed to me the most as it coincides with my mottos of life-long learning and supporting others in terms of teamwork.

Several of us who joined in the orientation had opportunities to try out the various high and low obstacles, and at the same time learn to overcome challenges such as fear in heights for an example. Being a facilitator requires one to be able to identify and minimize any potential risks when participants are attempting the obstacles. We then decide if we like to be part of their team.

At that time ELF was a relatively new club; so anyone who decides to join the team of facilitators were all immediately recruited as new members. As they wanted to recruit as many members, the stage between prospective members and new member was fast track. If their focus was on quality of members instead, prospective new members would be filtered based on their abilities.

Belonging to a group is not always a breeze. There are bound to be differences among members. As the old saying goes, it takes two hands to clap. We need to recognize each other differences.

To become a full-fledge member of ELF, new members are required to pass a series of test and activities, which includes Safety Precautions, theory and practical test on the various high and low obstacles. Without these basic requirements, members are not equipped with the knowledge to participants and may pose additional risks to the participants involved.

Members may move on to assume leadership roles to help improve or to implement changes in the club. Leadership roles were based on club members’ voting to avoid disagreement among our own people. With voting, leaders are likely to garner support from members when implementing decisions. On the other hand, promoting some to senior positions helps junior members blend into the family. The role was equally important as they are still contributing to the club.

At this moment, it is time to recruit new blood to the family. This time round we implement improvisations. Selections are now base on quality of members as compared to previous batches.

As our graduation day approaches, my batch decided that it was time to pass on our responsibilities to our juniors. We then became Marginal Members, whereby we set aside, to let juniors take over the various roles from us. We remained around, helping junior to adjust to the environment and ensuring that they are able to handle their newly assigned tasks; even with problems, they can still approach us for advice. While we adjust ourselves to be their advisor, at the same time they also adjust themselves to assume respective responsibilities from us.

Overall, maintaining a team may not be an easy job. However able to recognize each other difference helps maintain cohesion in the team.

COM 101 Week 5: Interpersonal Communication

2009-10-04T06:14:00.011-07:00

This week’s lesson, we students learnt about interpersonal relations and the focus subject is Boy-Girl Relationship, otherwise known as BGR. Let us analyze the following video clips, which I think has a good example of Interpersonal Relationship in the beginning stages, including usage of Verbal and Non-Verbal Theories. For myself, I will be focusing mainly on Mark Knapp’s Model of Relational Development as it is one of the most influential models of relationship and uses much in today’s context. Despite the clips being in Mandarin, our Non-Chinese friends need not worry, as it has English subtitles, so sit back all and ENJOY~~! Do watch the two video clips one after another to better understand the situation. =)

A Starry Night Episode 37 - New Boyfriend

A Starry Night Episode 38 - Making a Choice

Perception versus Perceptual Errors
In the first clip, the admirer (Yue Hao) had asked female lead (Cai Ling) if she met someone new. Cai Ling immediately linked to Sky (her artiste manager) and concluded that he must be the one telling him about it. Yue Hao then explains that he was the one who witness them being together. To Cai Ling it is a norm for her artiste manager to tell Yue Hao her personal matters, which influences her perception.

As for Yue Hao’s case, asking Cai Ling if she has another man in her heart, he was not presuming. He did saw them together and wanted to reconfirm if they are a couple. Therefore, I would say it is an affirmation that he wanted before revealing his actual feelings towards her.

Verbal versus Kinesics

In the first clip, Yue Hao turned his face away before looking back to ask if Cai Ling met someone new recently. We can also sense his hesitation when testing her out, and the probable reason he is having the uncertainty in him is that he may be afraid to hear the truth.

Verbal versus Oculesics

In the first clip, Yue Hao waits outside the place for Cai Ling and she looked and sounded astonished to see him. She also hesitated when he asked if she would want to invite him inside. Cai Ling seems surprised when Yue Hao questioned if she was had another man in her heart and was caught off guard when she learnt that he had witnessed them together.

In the second clip, Yue Hao confesses his feelings indirectly to Zhong Cai Ling and is eager to know how important is him in her life. However, the female lead is still unsure of her feelings, which is first noticeable through the expression of her eyes.

Verbal versus Paralinguistics
The level of assertiveness is seen through language. In the question part of the first clip, his level of assertiveness was low. When Cai Ling denies, he went on being more assertive using the fact that he saw them being together.

Later on in the second clip, Yue Hao softens his tone by giving a scenario, “All couples started off as friends”, as he wanted to know her feelings towards him.

While Cai Ling calls out Yue Hao’s name, notice that she muffled through her verbal communication, which displays her uncertainty of their relationship.

Verbal versus Proxemics
In the first clip, there is a part when the female lead’s new friend (Bo Wen) puts on the coat for her. According to Edward Hall’s four zones of personal space, I think this would be place under Intimate Distance, as both parties are at ease, whereas the Cai Ling and Yue Hao would be place under the category of Casual Distance. In the second clip, an example of which Yue Hao senses and notices the uncertainty of Cai Ling, he quickly hugs the other party perhaps to calm her feelings; however, Cai Ling could not help being uncomfortable and later on pushes him slightly away. Over here, it was one party Cai Ling, who determines the distance between herself and Yue Hao.

From the above analysis, I conclude that both Cai Ling and Yue Hao are in the Stage 2 of Mark Knapp’s Model of Relational Development called Experimenting. The affirmation of wanting to know if the female lead has someone else in her heart and the small talk between both parties are the main factors that determines the stage of their relationship.

However, I think the relationship between Cai Ling and Yue Hao is likely to premature, and develop into the later stages of Coming Apart. That will come to the end of their relationship Stage 10. From the last part of the second clip, it shows that Cai Ling’s heart is wavering. She questioned herself, “If Li Bo Wen shows up at my door some day, will I invite him into my house without hesitation”, shows that Bo Wen has a “heavier weight age” compared to Yue Hao in her heart.

Whether will she be true to herself and accept Bo Wen is still another matter altogether.

COM 101 Week 4: NDP Song 2009

2009-09-27T00:45:00.002-07:00

What do you See (Official National Day Parade Theme Song: 2009) Electrico

Naturally, any audience will be able to comprehend the meaning of this official parade song.

This is another version by Mr Brown and band Electrician: Le Kua Simi.

Imagine if a local and foreigner were to view the second music video (MV) at the same instance, what would their reactions would be? A possible conclusion: the local viewer would probably be laughing while the foreigner might be thinking, “What exactly is the MV trying to convey”?

What is the connection between the local viewer and the second MV? What makes the first MV more understandable than the second MV? Let us analyze the different factors.

Similarities in Style

Both MVs uses informal words. The first MV uses “cos” while the second MV uses jargons, slangs and Singapore’s signature language, Singlish, such as “liddat”, “chiongster”, “ger” etc. to communicate his message to the viewers. The usage of these terms forms a culture identity, to distinguish the country from others.

Language

To begin with, the first MV uses Standard English and there is no issue in understanding, while the second MV title, “Le Kua Simi” itself forms miscommunication. It is likely that Singaporeans and dialect communities are the only groups that are able to understand the language. We are the only group of people who could probably make meaning out of the whole MV. Foreigners who do not understand the language will find it difficult to relate to the MV, which leads them to think, “What exactly is the MV trying to convey”?

Non-Verbal

Usage of the non-verbal language in the MV, can be identified before the first chorus; “Le Kua Simi?” means, “What are you looking at!” The main actor – Mr Brown, conveyed a “None of your business” look – the use of Oculesics, with his eyes. Following which he also showed a non-verbal hand sign under “See what See”, the use of Kinesics; which signifies body language.

Meaning

The first MV coincides with the parade theme: Reaching Out. Reaching Up, while the second MV represents a part of the dysfunctional side of Singapore. Things such as the “I know my car is not last forever, because of COE”. COE is a representative of Singaporean’s lifestyle, a certificate that determines the car’s lifespan and value. Example the term “chiongster” is a reflection of Singapore’s kiasu-ism. It mean “to work very hard”, reflects part of Singapore’s lifestyle.

Overall the shared experience a local viewer has, allows him or her to understand the meaning behind the second MV while Foreigners will need some time and explanation before they can fully relate it. Perhaps the author of the second MV can include some text to explain the Singlish terms.

MOBTVSG - A Substitute or an Alternate way to Conventional Television?

2009-09-19T10:03:00.001-07:00

Recently, I chanced upon an online subscription promotion for MOBTVSG Mediacorp Channels Package, and I decided to try the service. So what exactly is MOBTVSG? MOBTV (MediaCorp Online Broadband Television) allows users to download or stream digital television programs from a wide range of genres: such as comedy, children, current affairs, info-ed, drama, variety and specials through paid subscription. Users can choose from two different packages; one is Mediacorp Channels Package, and the other is Asian Channels Package. Mediacorp Channels Package caters both local and international users while Asian Channels Package caters only to local users.

Remember to check your system configuration before subscribing to any services. To determine whether your computer's configuration is compatible to MOBTVSG services, go through an automated "Step-By-Step Pre-Registration Wizard" by MOBTVSG.

	Conventional Television	MOBTVSG
Cost	TV License - $110 per annum.	Mediacorp Channels Package- and Asian Channels Package- $10 and $9 per month respectively
Variety	Mediacorp Channels + Asian Dramas	Current Mediacorp Channels + titles broadcast in the previous years.
Access	Access per scheduled	Local and International Access Unlimited viewing; until the media expire.
Convenience	Only at subscribed place, does not require internet access	Anywhere and anytime. Requires internet access to download the video
Quality	Analog Standard Quality	Digital When screen resolution enlarges, video becomes blur on a PC
Compatibility	Conventional Television.	SnaZio* Net Cinema HD, Archos AV500 and AV700 Windows XP and above Not compatible to MAC OS
User-friendly	Viewed as per scheduled	Media can be downloaded and viewed later. Able to rewind and fast – forwarded

A comparison- based on Mediacorp Channels, between conventional television and MOBTVSG.

Although MOBTVSG's Mediacorp Channels offer international access, certain areas block the access. For example, certain parts of China cannot gain access to MOBTVSG due to the country's access rights.

Similarly, the quality of videos viewed on a PC may be compromised, but it seems that the issue has been resolved. MOBTVSG collaborated with V One Multimedia Pte Ltd to present
Snazio Net Cinema HD. This allows downloaded media titles to have the same viewing quality as conventional TV.

Unfortunately, good things do not last. MOBTVSG periodically review titles offered to users by including an expiry date. Once it reaches the expiry, media titles will be removed from the database.

In today's modernized society, I find that this service is more useful to busy people like you and me. There are many a times when we find ourselves saying, "Oh no = (, I totally forget about today's episode", or "I can't return on time to catch the last episode of XX drama because of YYYY event!" MOBTVSG service instantly solves this issue. We can now gain instant and unlimited access by downloading our favorite shows or episodes that we have missed. Just by pre-downloading the video, we can access the content anywhere and anytime.

MOBTVSG also appeals to users who like to enjoy customizing their own programmes. With the introduction of Snazio Net Cinema HD, users can choose to enjoy quality medias at their own timing without comprising the viewing quality through broadband.

Sources: http://www.mobtv.sg/Faq.aspx

http://www.snazio.com/Links/SnaZio_Mobtv_Home.asp

COM101 Week 2: The First 7 Days of a Hamster Life

2009-09-10T13:29:00.025-07:00

Day 1 - Birth of the Baby Hamsters

Name: 宝贝 (báo bèi)
Species: Dwarf Russian Hamster (Winter White)
Age: close to 6 Months.

Her First Pregnancy - giving birth to 5 babies; who are born blind, deaf and without fur on 5th September 2009. This video just basically showcase her transporting her babies to its feeding place, the tunnel.

P.S. This is my first video editing as well.

Traces of birth-giving

Day 2 - Missing Mother Hamster
Mother hamster "took a private holiday" by escaping through one of the tunnels, that was not securely intact; leaving only the babies in the tunnel. (partly due to my overlook). It was around 12pm when I found out about its escape.

At the end of the day around 8.49pm, Mother hamster reunites with her babies, with the help of some her favorite treats.

Day 3 - Loss
Unfortunately, we lost one of the babies at 4.10am.

When I took out the baby to examine, there wasn't any sign of being endeavored : Its legs, head and hands were still intact. =)

Still unsure if its death was related to yesterday's incident. Anyway I returned the baby back to the cage; hoping that it will provide Mother hamster with the additional nutrients needed, for her as a nursing hamster.

Aftermath
When I returned home at 6.50pm, part of the dead baby was already eaten by the Mother Hamster.

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/TaoKaeNoi/Hamster/CIMG2639.jpg

Sayonara, little baby~

Day 4 - 4 remaining babies
Colors and shades of the babies began to show distinctively and ears start to develop.

Day 5 - Babies begin their 1st step
Babies attempted to walk on their own, but still feeling wobbly and not able to stand on the ground firmly.

Day 6 - Babies legs are more firmed.
Babies have grown in size and legs are well developed.

Day 7 - 3 Winter White, 1 Sapphire
I have finalized the colors of the 4 babies - 3 Winter White (like its mum) and 1 Sapphire (grayish with black dorsal strip - like its dad)

As earlier mentioned, the babies are born blind, deaf and without fur; therefore they are solely dependent on their mother for nutrients and warmth. It is such an amazing act of love: Snuggling the babies under her belly provide the babies with both warmth and milk.

My only regrets were: Not able to witness the birth of the babies with my own eyes. It was my wish to be able to witness the birth of the babies; however both pregnancy and the babies came too sudden, and I was simply not prepared for it.

Why? It was an unexpected pregnancy that was not pre-planned beforehand. Besides, the signs of pregnancy were not obvious until the day before she deliver.

No doubt, knowing about the babies’ arrival brings joy to one’s life; yet on the other hand facing the death of a baby brings about unfound sorrow.

Please beware of Emails Starting with : Fotos dd/mm

2009-09-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

DELETE them immediately and do not click on the links.

Such emails have been circulating since July 2009 and Senders are usually Friends / Email Contacts.

Sample:

(Contacts/emails are edited due to respecting other's privacy)

Yoz fellow schoolmates, friends and readers~

2009-09-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

Wonder why am I blogging? Purpose is for SCHOOL Assignment.

Sounds Boring?

Okay what's with the change of attitude prior to my previous post?
Never will it be boring! I hope to introduce the best part of my Life in here. However I am totally new to Blogging so I really need you guys/gals help. Do comment or tag me whenever. Many thanks ^o^.

Pre-School Madness~ Rawrx!

2009-08-30T12:14:00.001-07:00

I am so excited~! Tomorrow is my 1st Official day @ SIM-UB University; cant wait to meet anyone and start school right away~!

You must be asking: Are you Out of your Mind? Why would I be so excited about First day of University? Well I have been away from school for 1½ years (working as Customer Service in Insurance). Simply just miss the fun old Rar-Rar days where I can just make friends and be myself. Haha besides I HATE Politics @ Work.

~ Looking Forward to 31st August 2009 ~