Dominance of US!

Have you realise that you favorite show such as , American' Next Top Model, Heroes, Survivor? ( well , I am a fan of ANTM ) are all from America! Yes, the always "big
Brother " US.



Constantly, their production are always hot topics of our daily chat or latest gossips. And as a-matter-of-fact, US is the current largest exporter of television programmes. They are the main supplier to those countries who are not able to produce films. So, what you think about think about this issue?

I think is terrible?! WHY? This is because have you not realise the on going of westernization through food joints , like MacDonald's, and Burger King? I am like having more and more friends who cannot really appreciate the art of holding a chopsticks. SO you think America have not invaded our lives ?

Now, with the help of new communication transmitter, they are more "into" our lives. Even their own people are thinking this way.


SO with more and more films showing kids that how their lives should be, and with parents finding it plain harmless, what will the future generation turn out to be?

Now you turn onto any English language based channels, you are bound to identify at least one that is America's production. So, how are we suppose to avoid it? Especially when we are now encourage to watch more English programmes to boost our English standard. I mean we are all human, we are only attracted to things that are interesting ( for majorities). If all the films are conveying message that are full of America's Culture, very soon, I believe there will o only be one "country" that will be called America.

Everywhere you see is PCK!!!

as a Kick Start, take a look at this?



in Courtesy of weicong123 (youtube.com)



in Courtesy of LTAsg (youtube.com)

Do these videos seem familiar to you?
What about these?




You can even recite what what the video, or what are the words in the posters.
SEE! Mass media has gotcha you!

Mass media is everyday in our lives (especially in urban countries ). This is because of the four media functions identified by Charles Wright : surveillance ( information), correlation ( analysis and evaluation) cultural transmission ( education and socialisation of receivers) and entertainment ( enjoyment and gratification).

In urban countries where mass media , such as television programme, radio station, and leaflets are more commonly seen , the impact of mass media is much greater. However, at the same time, one is able to use mass media to convey whatever message they want to the receivers.

For instance the PCK rap used. Singapore government is out to educate the people, wanting them to behave the correct way when required. This is a way of which they solve problems such as criticism that Singaporeans are ungracious.

There are actually a lot of other signs which serve these purpose.



For example, in Japan train stations, such signs are used to inform the user of the transport to be appropriate in their behavior.

I personally find it very ineteresting that the media that we are receiving (willingly or unwillingly) daily, we are able to deduce their functions. In addtion, if the media is to convey a message or make us remember certain aspets of things, it is pretty effectie, especially if it is being aired, featured or seen everywhere. This is because in COM101 we learnt that the frequency of the information will increase the probability of us remembering it. Therefore, I feel that if government or any insitutuion are to convey an important message to the majority he should adopt all possible media so as to increase the frequency.

Now, think about the posters or television programmes or advertisements you see daily what you think they are trying to convey to you?

Think CUlture Do not affect you ?

Different People in different culture has different point of views(POV). Why is it so? This is because culture is an invisible control mechanism operating in our thoughts,and also our "templates for living". Below is an article which trigger you thinking how does your culture affects you.

Gay Marriage
( from http://pewforum.org/ )


In recent years, the debate over same-sex marriage has grown from an issue that occasionally arose in a few states to a nationwide controversy. Indeed, in the last five years, the debate over gay marriage has been heard in the halls of the U.S. Congress, at the White House, in dozens of state legislatures and courtrooms, and in the rhetoric of election campaigns at both the national and state levels. Moreover, the battle over whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to wed shows no signs of abating. In the last year alone, three states have banned same-sex marriage and four states have legalized the practice. As the debate rages on, the American religious community remains deeply divided over the issue.

As I Mentioned early that culture is something like a mechanism that controls you, telling you the "do's" and "Do not's" . This mechanism not only restricted our actions and behaviors, it also conformed our thoughts.

Many different religious groups or people from different social groups may have very different POV on this.

For instance, or you are from an Asian heritage such as traditional Chinese, or Malays, you might think that such marriage are unspeakable! why? This is simply because that the society and the culture you are in . They are generally conservative and do not approve such so-call unnatural relationship. The social guidelines are :
- If you fall for someone of the gender, you are not okay and mentally well!
- Either you have sinned or your parents have sinned that is why you are having such "abnormal" appeal to the same gender.
-You should go repent, hide yourself, keep it a secret.
-You should force yourself to marry a lady ( if you are a man) and have children like all the normal man.

BUT! If you have been in a very open environment , that is very receptive to human rights issue maybe you might think another way. You might think that it is perfectly okay. everyone has the right to choose the person you like, and who you should be marrying. It is your right to do whatever you want to yourself.

Although this issue is very debatable, you get my point right? Your POV of things are very affected by the culture you are in . This is because in all culture, you ar force to follow a set of rules that are seen as the norms to most people in your society.

Another typical example is that you are to dress appropriately in public ( in Islamic countries). If you are a lady, and you only wear a sleeveless top and a pair of hot pants with no other attempt to cover yourself, you might be grope by any male on the street. this is because, the guys are viewng you as a prostitute and there is no way you can sue that guy. WHY!? Because that is their culture, their view on ladies dressing skimpily; however, if in Singapore, that guy would most properly be caught and waiting for his sentence of molesting you. WHY? Because that is viewed as sexually harassment in our nation.

Now, think again, what are actions or beliefs do you have that is shaped by the culture you are in ? ;)

Love Love Love....

Love is in the air.:)

i bet you definitely have experience, or at least heard of love. Today I am gonna discuss with you how love started.

Do you still remember a movie,"The ugly Truth." which was in cinemas last month? Here is a simple plot of the story :
"Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) is a romantically challenged morning show producer whose search for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single. She' in for a rude awakening when her bosses team her with Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), a hardcore TV personality who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick."


Taken from Youtube uploaded by moviestoyou.

Clearly, from the above clip, you would have known and guessed that Heigl definitely hates Butler. At the same time, she is attracted to the super hot neighbour, Colin. If you had watched it last month, you would have known that Heigl and Bulter are together in the end. Yes, I known this is the you-can-predict-what-happens-in-the-end movie.So what exactly cause these two completely different persons to be actually attracted to one another romantically? Dissimilarity, one of the many factors mentioned during relational formation.In simpler term,it is what makes you go into a relationship with someone. During lecture 8 factors was mentioned :Physical appearance, Similarity, Dissimilarities, Exchange, Proximity, Reciprocity, and Competency.

Take a look at the couples in your social circles, can you identify some of them in their relationship?

For my own social circle, it is more of Similarity that i see in couples together. You will see them liking the same things, having the same taste and choice of clothes ( attitudinal similarities), sometimes, they are even in the same school or sports team (social preference similarities)! Having similarities assist one another to understand one another better in a relationship, and if conflicts or misunderstandings are to arise, it will be easier for one to put his, or her shoes into another person's. Point of views of different individuals will be much easier understood, hence, resolving the conflicts!

However, I myself will be much attracted to someone pretty different. Although a lot of understanding from each other point of view is tedious and necessary, I enjoy such relationships, be it friends or boyfriends. This is because, I believe in interactions between two in a relationship, so if you are dating someone who are much different from you, you will have much things to tell him or her about. Many will rebut saying,"means you will not have much common interest or topics to share." Yes, I agree, but when i say i prefer dating someone who are different from me, does not mean I want to date some from out of my society ,or culture. I mean someone who are different,yet similar. ( ha ha. difficult to understand?)

Perhaps similar in attitudinal aspects, and different in character is okay with me. Because I believe in couples complimenting one another, no one is perfect , hence everyone need another counter part to compliment you. For instance, I have a hot-temper. You cannot expect me to date someone as hot-tempered as me, or making friends with such people. This is simply because more than often the friendship might end sooner than you expect it to be! Take a look around you now, every bossy person, will definitely have a close friend who has follower-like characteristic.

Besides these two points mentioned, I shall be superficial and talk about physical appearance.I am being pretentious if I am to say that I do not go for looks at all. As the saying goes, " first impressions counts." I feel that what first impressions will you have is largely base on the appearance. I guess that is also partly why the word vanity is created, people are conscious about how they look as they want to give good first impressions, and , maybe, at the same time help in finding their Mr. or Miss Right. That may constitute to why Heigl in the movie find Butler for help in giving her a makeover! BUT always remember, looks do not last forever, so although appearances contribute to factors why a couple are together, it usually is not a major factor.

Above are only few point of views of mine to what attract you to the opposite sex, feel free to voice out more about them here ! =)