http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/canada/2009/05/10/9411096-sun.html
I refer to this article that talks mostly about how online networking habits have changed our way of thinking and how it might even be making children more perceptive by strengthening mental responses. There a small section near the middle that talks about the evolution of the meanings behind relationship and interpersonal communication in this new "Internet generation".
In it, psychiatrist Dr. Himanshu Tyagi presents a view about how the Internet and websites like twitter and facebook, is making the perception of relationships and interpersonal communication something that is not as treasured as in the past. However, a rebuttal argument by one Professor Barry Wellman is that online communication is not deteriorating the idea of relationships but rather, strengthening it and complementing it.
There are many factors as to how such online sites can complement relationship building and interpersonal communication. One such factor, i feel, is the increasing ease of engagement and management of a relationship.
How does communication over the Internet complement the engagement process? There are many factors that affect one's willingness to engage in a interpersonal communication and relationship. The most common one is physical appearance. However, the Internet does away with the need for physical appearance as many users are hidden behind the glamor of an attractive avatar or a beautifully photo shopped image. Not being "hampered" by the requirement of a physical appearance, many people tend to be more open about themselves over the Internet and have no qualms about disclosing more personal stuff, due to the false sense of security one has when staring at a screen as opposed to staring at another person's face. Internet allows one to search out others with similar interests. There are chat rooms and forums for various interest groups ranging from comics to gardening.
Next, the Internet complements the management in that it closes the "proximity" between people. People are more connected nowadays and more frequently stay in touch. They are constantly updated about their friends' status and can start a conversation online at the click of a button. In a way, it might even strengthen weaker relationships
My fear however, comes at the disengagement process. Relationships over the Internet can be disengaged also at the click of a button. And due to the same factors that helped in the engagement process, disengagement gets so easy that it might "de-value" the concept of a relationship and interpersonal communication. Hence, relationships might end up becoming "disposable".
Another fear of mine is the fact that lying is made so much more easier over the Internet. A person can present a false image and personality over the Internet and there are many cases of such unscrupulous people using such Internet sites to bait youngsters.
In summary, the main fear i personally have is that through such online networking sites would tend for the users to favor a more impersonal, quantitative approach to interpersonal communication as opposed to a qualitative one. Online networking sites has their good points but they have their dangers as well. An integration of proper education of online usage with a deeply instilled value of face to face communication in our youth today would be the best way to go.
In this way people will still value a face to face interaction over an online one while utilising the benefits the Internet gives in engaging and maintaining a relationship. Also they would be well aware of the dangers such sites may present.
We are after all, active individuals with the ability to make choices and filter what is good and not good for us. We should be able to make the right choice.
All in all, it comes down to the individual and whether they are able to inter grate the benefits of the Internet without succumbing to the temptations and dangers. The underlying question is "are you wise enough?".
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Week 3) The Latest Body Trend
I refer to the article "Lean Is In", written by June Cheong and published on May 21 2009 in the "Mind Your Body" section of the Straits Times. It speaks of the current obsession many people have nowadays with their body shape and how that obsession came about. Also, it goes on to talk about a small but rising trend of keeping a "Lean and athletic" body shape over the idealized "Muscular" shape for males and "curvaceous and thin" for females.
The question of how the body shape obs session came about can be traced to the media. All forms of media be it American, Japanese, or even local, tend to idealise a certain body shape and image as being "attractive". Most of the time, it involves females with extremely thin but curvaceous bodies.
Due to the frequency at which people are bombarded by such images of the idealised attractive person, they would then form their own "prototype" of sorts on what an attractive person ought to look like, despite statistics showing only one to two percent of a population actually achieve that image.
First impression definitely counts, and anyone would want to give a good first impression. This led to a rise in cases of eating disorders like anorexia and increased business for plastic surgeons all in a bid by the average female to achieve the idealised body shape.
However, I am glad to see that more people are realizing how unrealistic such a idealized image is. Whats more, eating disorders just to stay thin is an unhealthy practice with many undesirable consequences. The rising trend, thankfully, is not a "stick thin" image, but a athletically built frame with a decent amount of "meat" and fats on the body without being overly meaty or fatty .
I think this is not just due to the media, but rather, the non-verbal cues that a lean figure presents. A lean athletic build presents an image of health, first and foremost. Not being overly thin means shows that one is eating a proper diet and not being overly fat shows that one is not lazing around all day.
And it would not be the first time body shape trends of attractiveness were influenced by the non-verbal cues a shape represents. In the past, a round and well-fed body shape was a non-verbal cue that a fat person was a wealthy person since he could afford lavish meals. Now that society is becoming more health conscious, it is a relief of sorts to see that the unrealistically thin or muscular body shape trend is losing steam. People are becoming more rational and not being influenced solely by what they see. Though it would still be some time before the thin idealized prototype of attractiveness is purged from the minds of the people.
The question of how the body shape obs session came about can be traced to the media. All forms of media be it American, Japanese, or even local, tend to idealise a certain body shape and image as being "attractive". Most of the time, it involves females with extremely thin but curvaceous bodies.
Due to the frequency at which people are bombarded by such images of the idealised attractive person, they would then form their own "prototype" of sorts on what an attractive person ought to look like, despite statistics showing only one to two percent of a population actually achieve that image.
First impression definitely counts, and anyone would want to give a good first impression. This led to a rise in cases of eating disorders like anorexia and increased business for plastic surgeons all in a bid by the average female to achieve the idealised body shape.
However, I am glad to see that more people are realizing how unrealistic such a idealized image is. Whats more, eating disorders just to stay thin is an unhealthy practice with many undesirable consequences. The rising trend, thankfully, is not a "stick thin" image, but a athletically built frame with a decent amount of "meat" and fats on the body without being overly meaty or fatty .
I think this is not just due to the media, but rather, the non-verbal cues that a lean figure presents. A lean athletic build presents an image of health, first and foremost. Not being overly thin means shows that one is eating a proper diet and not being overly fat shows that one is not lazing around all day.
And it would not be the first time body shape trends of attractiveness were influenced by the non-verbal cues a shape represents. In the past, a round and well-fed body shape was a non-verbal cue that a fat person was a wealthy person since he could afford lavish meals. Now that society is becoming more health conscious, it is a relief of sorts to see that the unrealistically thin or muscular body shape trend is losing steam. People are becoming more rational and not being influenced solely by what they see. Though it would still be some time before the thin idealized prototype of attractiveness is purged from the minds of the people.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Week 2) Perception of a character: True to the Original?
G I Joe: Resolute is the latest animated installment in the long running G I Joe franchise. Originally conceived back in the 1980s as a TV series that is based on characters featured in the famous "G I Joe action figures" line of toys, the G I Joe animated series won over the hearts and minds of children all around the world with its wide array of memorable characters, surpassing the original toy line in global popularity and fame. One such character in particular is the series' main villain, Cobra Commander, who is set as the main antagonist in three of the four previous G I Joe animated series and three of its animated movies.
Cobra Commander re-appears as the main antagonist in G I Joe: resolute which premiered in April 20 2009. An appearance that caused an uproar among the G I Joe fan base. Here is a video with made of clips showcasing the new attitude and personality of the new Cobra Commander
The main issues raised was how different this incarnation of Cobra Commander was from previous incarnations. In the past TV series, the character of Cobra Commander was always portrayed in a rather comedic light. He had a flair for the dramatic, frequently coming up with new, and sometimes logically absurd, plans for global domination. Plans which would always be foiled either by the anti-terrorist "G I Joe" forces or by his own clumsy undoing. Cobra Commander in the past would be caught in the most silliest of situations, and frequently retreats from battle in comedic fashion.
Due to the frequency of such comedic portrayals of the Cobra Commander character, the viewers' perception of that character has been one of a "goof up", a comic relief villain. That perception was challenged with this latest incarnation. This new, merciless, bloodthirsty tyrant of a madman received mixed reaction from viewers. Many long time fans especially, disliked this portrayal as it did not stick to their pre-conceived perception on what the "Cobra Commander" character should be like.
However, if one were to research further, this incarnation of the character is the closest in keeping with the character's original intended personality.
As referenced from the character description which came with the original Cobra Commander toy(the product which Cobra Commander in the animated series is based on)
So even though this latest animated portrayal can be considered the most "true to the original", since G I Joe was based on a line of action figures, viewers' perception over the years about the character made it difficult for most of them to accept his latest, non-comedic portrayal.
So how far can one take "being true to the original", if doing so would alienate long time viewers and fans by going against their pre-conceived perceptions that are based on past experience?
I am sure anyone would have an experience of seeing a character adapted to different media from an existing one. And I am sure many of said characters may keep more toward the general perception of who the character is and not so much the spirit of the character as intended by its creator. I say, if a remake of a character is true to the original it has to be true to the intended spirit of original character and not the prevailing perceptions of said character. It is the same case for any remake of an old movie, or an adaption of a comic book story into a tv series.
What is your take on that?
What is your say?
Cobra Commander re-appears as the main antagonist in G I Joe: resolute which premiered in April 20 2009. An appearance that caused an uproar among the G I Joe fan base. Here is a video with made of clips showcasing the new attitude and personality of the new Cobra Commander
The main issues raised was how different this incarnation of Cobra Commander was from previous incarnations. In the past TV series, the character of Cobra Commander was always portrayed in a rather comedic light. He had a flair for the dramatic, frequently coming up with new, and sometimes logically absurd, plans for global domination. Plans which would always be foiled either by the anti-terrorist "G I Joe" forces or by his own clumsy undoing. Cobra Commander in the past would be caught in the most silliest of situations, and frequently retreats from battle in comedic fashion.
Due to the frequency of such comedic portrayals of the Cobra Commander character, the viewers' perception of that character has been one of a "goof up", a comic relief villain. That perception was challenged with this latest incarnation. This new, merciless, bloodthirsty tyrant of a madman received mixed reaction from viewers. Many long time fans especially, disliked this portrayal as it did not stick to their pre-conceived perception on what the "Cobra Commander" character should be like.
However, if one were to research further, this incarnation of the character is the closest in keeping with the character's original intended personality.
As referenced from the character description which came with the original Cobra Commander toy(the product which Cobra Commander in the animated series is based on)
So even though this latest animated portrayal can be considered the most "true to the original", since G I Joe was based on a line of action figures, viewers' perception over the years about the character made it difficult for most of them to accept his latest, non-comedic portrayal.
So how far can one take "being true to the original", if doing so would alienate long time viewers and fans by going against their pre-conceived perceptions that are based on past experience?
I am sure anyone would have an experience of seeing a character adapted to different media from an existing one. And I am sure many of said characters may keep more toward the general perception of who the character is and not so much the spirit of the character as intended by its creator. I say, if a remake of a character is true to the original it has to be true to the intended spirit of original character and not the prevailing perceptions of said character. It is the same case for any remake of an old movie, or an adaption of a comic book story into a tv series.
What is your take on that?
What is your say?
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