Computers Evolve

When using your computer on a daily basis, have you ever pause and think about how our computers have evolved over the time? From a huge machine to a small and portable one, or from one which can hardly store any memory to one which can store millions of software and documents.

Well, the below video will show the revolution of computers through the Computer History Museum. 

It first introduce the architecture of the stored-program computer which was invented by John von Neumann. This computer can store a memory of 4k which is only about 4 pages of text. Yes! It may seem like a joke and we're probably wondering what kind of storage is that even accounted for. But, without his invention, we'd probably not be able to enjoy having our computers containing all our documents and photos and softwares and musics, etc. 

They then introduce the 1st hard drive, followed by the SAGE and the German Enigma machine and Google's First server.

 

This is probably one way to illustrate Technological Diffusion because through time, as computers are recreated, people come to a point to adopt them (compare today's computer with the earliest ones). If people have not decided to adopt the new ones, we would

 probably still be using the huge and bulky computers without any colours. 

Furthermore, the only reason to why generations after generations continue to adopt the new technology is due to all the reasons under Technological Diffusion:

1. Cost-benefit tradeoffs 

    where it is way cheaper nowadays to get a computer

2. Functionality 

    it has the latest system to help us reach out to everyone else, 

    contains the latest functions, etc.

3. Substitutes 

    replacing the heavy and bulky ones which takes up alot of space

4. Complements 

    ability to use with the latest gadgets such as our mobile phone, 

    internet, video conference, etc

So next time, when you decide to complain how heavy your laptop is, compare it with the older ones which could probably take up the entire space of your room and try thinking how you're going to move it from one place to another. 

cough! cough!

Have you ever realize that the media is constantly shaping our views? The mass media is constantly shaping our values and views as we're in contact with it. 

Take for example, the recent H1N1 case. Previously, when Singapore isn't affected by it, Singaporeans have already been shaped by the news which was constantly telling us to be aware of our hygiene, to constantly take our temperature and make more consistent effort to wash our hands. So, when H1N1 hit Singapore, most Singaporeans became paranoid and started avoiding people beside them who are coughing. 

I've recently saw on Stomp (Singapore Seen), when this commuter was coughing while he was on a bus. And this old man was grumbling about the coughs. When this commuter stomped about this man, other stompers came to comment and even told him that he shouldn't even be traveling around since he is sick. 

Kiasi Man Grumbles

Yet, somehow I feel that Singaporeans shouldn't be acting this way. I understand that we should all be on our guard against H1N1; however, we shouldn't shun those around us just because they are coughing. People cough when they clear their throats or sometimes they are just suffering from sore throat. 

Recently, I just had a bad sore throat. Thank god I didn't receive such reactions from anyone. If not, I'd probably feel so embarrassed. I clearly understand that I wasn't suffering from H1N1. That's why I didn't stay home to rest. So, I guess the responsibility lies in every Singaporean, especially those who are feeling unwell. 

Furthermore, I think that the media has done a very impressive job in scaring all Singaporeans, especially so when all of us reacts this way when we see people coughing. I think even I am guilty of it. I saw a few people walking down the streets wearing a mask and I immediately told my friend that the person is suffering from H1N1. 

"decent" singapore

Sexual Slavery in Decent Singapore

Singapore is known to be a "fine" city; clean, green, stable and safe. But in the midst of this wonderful city, there are ugly happenings around. I came upon this article, Sexual Slavery in Decent Singapore (Singapore Democrats), shocked to find out that the place I thought to be safe has its dark side around. 

It talks about the jargon of those who fight human trafficking, Thailand is the "source and transit" country while Singapore is the "destination". Recently, a Thai girl came to Singapore, thinking that she was going to work at a restaurant. Instead, she found herself working above a restaurant, locked up and forced against her will to provide sex to customers. Even though we are govern by the rule of law, having strict laws against sex trafficking; yet, somehow the rule of law does not serve to sexual servitude. 

As a Singaporean, I've gotten so accustomed to our culture, growing up and thinking that this country that I live in is safe and peaceful where I can be assure that the government will protect each and every one living on this tiny island and having no fear for any injustice. Even when I grew up to find out that there are places which provides sexual services, like in Geylang, I always thought that these girls who are involved in these practices are willing. However, through this article, I've found out that sometimes, things aren't exactly what we see or think. 

We learnt through our cultural values which clearly justifies that we should not be engaging in sexual slavery. And somehow, we've programmed our mind to thinking that our society does not engage in such practices. I wonder if these practices will ever come to an end. Roaming down Geylang on saturday night with my friends caused me to ponder if these prostitutes I see on the streets and behind the alleys were forced against their own will to engaged in this business. I definitely hope not. Then again, how often do we read and news on the prostitutes in Singapore being forced into this industry. Is our government stopping the media from publishing on these stories? Or perhaps we do live in a safe and stable society, and that this may just be one story of the Thai girl becoming a victim to sexual slavery. 

I Guess You'll Do

Have you ever thought about the process of getting into a relationship then getting married? Basically, it's like the Knapp Model of Relational Development. And yes, I'll be doing a write up on it. But only for the portion of "Coming Together" which illustrates the first 5 steps. 

Basically, below is a funny stickman video which illustrates on how a girl and a guy come together as a couple, get married and continue with their life until they die.

This video clearly illustrates the 5 steps:

Step 1: Initiating

"some girl" initiates the start of the relationship with "some guy". 

Step 2: Experimenting

Since "some guy" is 2 years older than "some girl", they concluded that they have the same level of attractiveness. And so, they've begun the typical relationship.

Step 3: Intensifying

They started engaging in sex, going to the movies and concerts, get into fights and make up, then go camping.

Step 4: Integrating

They the cohabit together for a year and attends a memorial day barbeque at "some girl's" parent's house.

Step 5: Bonding

And now, they decide to get married. Where "some boy" kneels down to propose to "some girl" on new year's eve instead of putting the ring in "some girl's" wine glass or getting a sports mascot to bring it to her at a game. After a year of her wedding, they decides to buy a house and when she has nothing to talk to her friends anymore, they'll decide to have children.

The video just continues until both "some boy" and "some girl" dies.

I think the video is hilarious. Where it just shows technically how people just come together, get married, settles down and continue with their life. And I really do agree that's how things will end up to be. Most of the times things are so technical and boring. People come together because it's just part and parcel in life that when you reach a stage, you should get married. 

I know that situations aren't all the same in current day context since many don't get married nowadays but cohabit for life or until they decide to part. 

Child Abuse

Recently, there is an article published in Straits Times, 26 May 2009, relating to child abuse. The abuser who plead guilty a year ago was sentenced to 12 months jail on Tuesday.

Child Abuser Jailed A Year

He abused his 2 year old daughter by dripping hot wax on her as well as clipping the toddler's nipples and private parts with clothes pegs. He then move on to hang her from the ceiling by tying her hands to one of his wife's night gown.

When I read this article, I was astonished to why a grown man who is able to think logically would perform such a violent action to his daughter. I wondered if sentencing him to 12 months jail would justify the amount of trauma he had implicated on his daughter. I felt very much disgusted by his actions and question why any father would abuse his daughter just because she wet herself. 

Furthermore, this 2 year old girl has urinary incontinence. Shouldn't the father then take up responsibility and be more patient towards his 2 year old daughter?

I would like to consider a reason which may lead to his violent action. Studies have linked touch deprivation to depression, alienation and violence. Could this be a reason to the violence which he has implied onto his daughter due to a lack of haptics when the father himself was young? 

Since haptics are a basic need to people because it gives us comfort and love. Therefore, when there is a lack of haptics in the father himself, it might have lead to him suffering from depression, causing him to become violent, thus abusing his daughter. 

However, does the possibility of the father being a victim himself gives him a reason to abuse his daughter? Perhaps the father was abusing his authority, domineering his position as a father and expressing his power in an unwanted manner since the 2 year old is in a helpless situation and was not able to stop the violence. Yet, the mother of this 2 year old was unable to help her vulnerable daughter when she witness this scene. Although the portion relating to the 2 year old's mother was not mention in depth, I assume that she was unable to stop this act of violence which lead to her decision to move out with her 4 children. 

In this context, haptics certainly do play an important role. Either in which the father may be deprived of touch or probably in the manner in which he was trying to express his power. I certainly hope that these negative haptics do not continue. Instead, parents should make use of touch to portray loving and comfort to their children. 

scripts to leaving a great impression on your date

Are first impressions important? Does it mean that a pretty face will tend to leave better impressions on others? The following article illustrates on the importance of leaving a good impression on your date as well as a script to looking good in order to have a higher chance for second and subsequent dates.

First Impressions: Look Good When Dating

I strongly agree that first impressions are usually long lasting. During the first 30 seconds upon meeting, one would start observing and speculating the character of the person. These impressions can immediately get someone interested to know you better or to shut down completely and not be bothered to understand you further. In addition, who wouldn't like to go out with someone who looks good? Would anyone like to go on a date with someone sloppy, 

unattractive and untidy?

This particular article list out on the things in which a guy should consider before turning up for his first date. It first talks about why one shouldn't turn up with sweatshirts or sports top even though it may be comfortable. Basically, it is important to make an effort in the attire you pick since it would show how sincere you are about the date. 

It then moves on to talk on the importance of shoes because the ladies would tend to zoom in and look at the pair of shoes their date has on him.

On personal experience, a guy once asked me out on a date at the movies. And when he turned up, I saw him in shorts, t-shirt and a pair running shoes. I felt a little embarrassed to walk beside him. I mean, I wasn't expected to head down to the gym with him on that day, neither were we going to join a marathon. I was not expecting him to dress in a suit. But probably a pair of jeans and a decent pair of shoes would be great. Furthermore, it was our first date. It was also our last date because it showed me how sincere he was on the date. So, I guess shoes do play an important role and for that pair of running shoes, it ruined my impression of him.

I do agree that it is important to feel comfortable in the attire you're in. Like how the article illustrates, it's likewise important to dress smart and casual. I think it's alright to be in a pair of jeans and a plain top. But preferably not in a crumpled and huge top which hangs loosely on your shoulders or torn and baggy jeans since it would portray to being sloppy and inattentive to details.

 

And moving on to a man with career, the article scripted down a long list on the things which a man should have in his wardrobe, such as:

1. a black, classic, single-breasted, good quality suit and the same in navy blue

2. a casual jacket and a collection of plain colored well-made cotton shirts

3. 3 pairs of good quality leathered shoes, in black and brown, and they should be modern and good condition

4. a good quality masculine watch

5. a good quality leather wallet, preferably in black and not stuffed with receipts

It continues that one should pay attention to his scent and smell good, like using aftershave or cologne. I agree that scent is really important. I don't think that it is necessary for one to drown in a strong or pungent fragrance to smell good. I just feel that it wouldn't be all that polite to reek of perspiration. Furthermore, people tend to be attracted to one's scent. And scent are usually one of the things which people remember, like the familiarity of the scent. 

I do understand that rarely do guys nowadays bother to dress up appropriately for dates. But I feel that this article is one-sided, where it refers to majority of man not knowing how to create good impressions on their dates. What about ladies? Do majority of the ladies dress appropriately for dates? 

I observed that many ladies nowadays do not know how to dress appropriately too. Walking down the streets, one can immediately notice girls who dress skimpily. I mean, dressing skimpily doesn't necessarily means sexy. I feel that even a demure lady can also show her attractiveness not by revealing her body but on how the clothes she wears hangs perfectly on her figure. While some females have no idea to the type of outfit they wear, others do not bother to have their hair neatly brushed, their eyebrows neatly trim or wear some basic make-up. I understand that it is great to look natural, thus, a simple lip gloss or the blusher and mascara will greatly help to bring out the facial features. 

Therefore, by practicing to dress appropriately for occasions, and in this case dates, it'd become a script to us since we would be so accustom to it such that we would no longer find it a chore but something which is effortless. We would then no longer feel uncomfortable at dates and wonder what impressions we leave on the other party since we clearly know that we have followed the script well and that we can expect to leave a great impression on our date.

Perceptions of Tattoos

I personally feel that our perceptions are shaped by the environment that we live in. This includes the friends and family around us, the culture in which we are exposed to as well as the society's acceptance.

I would like to "utter" about tattoos today. Basically, the perceptions of people having tattoos.

Firstly, Tattoos used to be perceived as individuals associated to gangs. Like in Japan, all yakuza members are marked with tattoos to depict their clan's crest.

Some yakuza members tattoo a black ring around their arm for each crime they have committed. Basically, these tattoos were a mark of strength and it marks them as a group of people who are unwilling to accommodate themselves into societies, rules and norms.

Although tattoos have now become mainstream in Japan, many onsen (Japanese baths places) and some capsule hotels still do not admit people with tattoos. They would often place a sign at their entrance to indicate that people with tattoos are not allowed to permit. This shows that these owners still continue to have a perception that whoever who is marked with tattoos are associated to being a yakuza member and they are afraid of having anything related to the yakuza.

Like the yakuza who marked their body with tattoos, many

tribes too has tattoos which act as a tribal identification.

In these tribes, tattoos are perceived to be a symbolism which marks a person's passage into adulthood. In some tribes, girls are expected to undergo tattooing because if a girl cannot endure the pain brought by tattooing, she is considered weak and cannot bear the pain of labour during child birth, thus, making her unmarriageable. On the other hand, if the boy cannot take the pain of tattooing, he would be considered a coward. He may then be segregated from the rest of the tribesman and will never be considered a warrior.

However, in modern days, tattoos are considered as a form of art. The tattoo may symbolise many different meanings. Some may represent as a memory of a love one, others just marks as an individual's love of art or even to distinguish himself/herself among others.

Although there are still societies who do not accept that tattoos are another form of expressing oneself, many societies have come to the fact that tattoos are no longer associated to being a part of a gang.

Shows such as Miami Ink, LA Ink and many others allows the society to learn that there are many individuals who inked themselves with tattoo because they want a permanant marking on their body to constantly remind them something. For example, in one episode, this father wanted a tattoo of his daughter on his chest because she who was diagnosed with a illness and he knew that she would depart the world before him. And so, he just wanted to leave a permanent mark on him to remind him of his beautiful daughter. The tattoo lives an image that his daughter is sleeping peacefully on his chest.

I hoped that these shows continue to influence the society and change the perceptions of many viewers that tattoos nowadays represent many different meanings and that it should no longer classify individuals with tattoos as a gang member.