Qotw9: STOMP it like you just don't care (cause i sure don't)

As every one gets more and more versed in the ways of the Internet, it can be seen that whatever practices are carried out in the ‘real world’ can also be translated into the virtual world, including but not limited to news/information broadcasts and discussions on interesting current affairs. One upside about having such activities going on online as opposed to in reality is the drastic amount of freedom given – say or suggest anything you want with the least bit of judgment being passed on you or the subject matter. A result of this impeccable freedom is what we know today as ‘citizen journalism’.

Known also as ‘participatory journalism’, citizen journalism is the act of citizens ‘playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information’ (Citizen journalism, 2007). It’s sort of an opportunity for kids with weird fetishes about the journalism world to play ‘pretend journalist’ and not be gawked at for. According to Gillmor (2004), this is only possible ‘because of new publishing tools available on the Internet’. With technology at our fingertips these days, all we need for citizen journalism to take place is some form of a discussion avenue where the sharing of information/news can occur. In essence, every one can participate in citizen journalism with the emergence of the Internet and more social networking sites such as web logs, message boards, chat rooms, mobile computing, and Wikis. It is so easy that’ Every Citizen is a Reporter’ (Oh, 2000).

STOMP is an example of such an online community in Singapore, which clearly shows that “[t]he Internet has enabled citizens to contribute to journalism, without professional training” (Citizen journalism, 2007). It’s basically a 3-in-1 centre (chatroom, forum and announcement board), catering to locals with various interests and helping them find the right ‘clique’ to join or be a part of. With what we have learnt in online communities, people can then report on anything at all and and have others responding or adding on to their reports or comments.

A key feature seen in such articles published by citizen journalists is that the reported news appears to be written in a more informal and personal manner – such as that of a blog – and often biased. Although not as accurate as proper news reports and articles, it does often give the reader a fresh and different perspective of the issue – the citizen journalist’s point of view.

Even though STOMP might seem to not be a total waste of time and even a decent avenue for citizen journalism to take place, I do believe it’s got room for growth (a lot, actually) and development. The ‘reporters’ can sometimes write on totally irrelevant issues such as shopping or how they feel suicidal and that smoking is bad or some poppycock like that. It’s becoming a dumpsite of random news that no one would ever care about, not even their own parents which is probably what drove them to write about their sad lives anyway (just like people who blog which I apparently am but only because it’s required and it justifies me having a computer). I feel that moderators should monitor the news posts to determine whether they’re worthy of people’s time.


References:
“Citizen Journalism” (March 29, 2006) From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Retrieved March 29, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_journalism

STOMP (2006) From Singapore Press Holdings
Retrieved March 29, 2007 from
http://www.stomp.com.sg/

Bowman, S., Willis, C. (2005). Nieman Reports: The Future Is Here, But Do News Media Companies See It?. Retrieved March 29, 2007, from Hypergene Media Blog Web site: http://www.hypergene.net/blog/comments.php?id=327_0_1_0_C

Bowman, S. & Willis, C. (2003). We Media. Retrieved March 31, 2007, from http://www.hypergene.net/wemedia/download/we_media.pdf

QotW8: I'm Not Wearing Any Pants

Finally, an exciting topic such as this! Politics makes me dance and jump for joy on the inside, just like how Mikey gets when he passes a childcare/maternity ward. Yeah politics sure does a number on me! I lie.

So I googled ‘political blogs’ and the search came up with some interesting (not really, more dry and mundane) blog links and being the adventurous boy that I am, I clicked on the very first one entitled ‘Alfian’s Secret Wank Shed’ (http://alfian.diaryland.com/.html) that apparently is pretty… shall we say racially provocative? Loves it.

One particular entry (also the latest one, not because I was/am lazy) invoked much interest in me, well as much as an absolutely un-ambitious 17-year-old who reads web logs as much as he says nice things about people (never) – the post ‘the scolding repertoire of malay mothers’. In this entry, he meticulously analyzes the manner in which Malay mothers reprimand their children (which does in fact explain a lot) e.g. 5) She resorts to the obscene to make her point: "Why must you turn on the toilet light when it’s afternoon, are you counting your pubic hair?" Well it’s no Jerry Seinfeld but it certainly makes for good reading (seeing how it’s probably the only thing I’ve read all day)! The rest of his 6-year-old blog just about runs along the same path – racism.

Although treading on pretty thin ice with his controversial views on such politically sensitive issues such as racism, I feel that Alfian should continue writing provocatively and expressing himself in a similar manner. Well actually it’s because I want to see him get arrested and beaten with the same ferocity expressed by Mel to the Jews. I’m a sadist like that.

Finally, with its definition being: ‘the rule of people’ (Wikipedia, Democracy 2007), I do think that blogs allow for greater democracy in Singapore, only that the already- ‘democratic’ government, which obviously allows the jury system (just to name ONE) to be established in the local justice scene, will quash it. Even though ‘the government has seen this trend of blogs and even started blogging’ (Giam, Gerald, 31st December 2006). Although having blogs will make the general public feel that they can say whatever they truly feel instead of what they’re supposed to. I also believe that many people in Singapore would feel safer voicing their opinions online as opposed to off, for fear of being prosecuted, which is an irony when you consider the definition of democracy.

Colbert gets his own ice cream because he is witty and has his own show.



References:

Giam, Gerald (31st December 2006), Review- The politics of Singapore’s new media in 2006.
Retrieved on 22nd March 2007 from http://theonlinecitizen.com/2006/12/31/review-the-politics-of-singapores-new-media-in-2006/

Wikipedia 2007. Democracy. Retrieved on 22nd March 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy

Thornton, A. (2002, October). Does Internet Create Democracy. Retrieved March 23, 2007 from http://www.zip.com.au/%7Eathornto/thesis_2002_alinta_thornton.doc

Alfian’s Secret Wank Shed (26th September 2006), The Scolding Repertoire of Malay Mothers

Retrieved on 22nd March 2007 from http://alfian.diaryland.com/motherscold.html

QotW7: Online Communities and i think the more you take a dump, the more weight you lose

Yes I guess I’d consider Twitter to be an online community. When the term ‘online community’ comes to mind, we usually associate it with a place where individuals come together to communicate and exchange views and opinions. However, according to Wikipedia, an online community might also be defined as ‘a group of people that may or may not primarily or initially communicate or interact via the Internet.’ (Virtual Community, 2007)

There’re many approaches to communicating in an online community, with such advances in technology. One way is the use of pseudonyms, where your real name needn’t be used in order to send instant messages or share ideas. Who knows; the really cool chick you’re constantly e-mailing and IM-ing might just turn out to be your own mom! Gross! Every one has the ability to control the information they wish to offer and receive – forums in websites such as LastFM.com specify and cater to the music-inclined. Of course, as with any domain whether virtual or real, rules do exist and have to be abided by to maintain the level of order and harmony that goes on within the community. In an online community, the world can be brought together just by contributing in an online community: ‘The advance of technology brings nations together and narrows the differences between the experiences of their people.’ All you need to join up is an open mind and more importantly, a decent Internet connection!

Okay so why’s Twitter an online community? Besides the fact that it’s easier to suggest that it is rather than isn’t, Twitter allows for strangers (strange people) to communicate with one another, as perverse and creepy as it might seem, and share ideas (or lack thereof in the case of most who just want to have a realm that they can pretend to feel that they ‘belong’). Personally I think it’s quite sad that people need online communities to join so that they feel less of a tool and an outcast that they actually were already born as, but hey, that’s just me. Twitter lets you leave comments and messages, which are obvious tools for interaction and is mainly why I consider it an online community. It also allows you to add friends and strangers from around the world ‘without regard to race, creed, gender or geography.’ (Wellman & Gula, 1996) Awwh… ain’t that sweet!

Having used Twitter for two days now (no, not really I just joined up because I thought it’d make me appear more sociable since apparently every one needs friends), I’ve come to find it very much like iChat and MSN Messenger, where you send instant messages to friends and sometimes strange people or strangers, only you don’t get as instant a response. Every other aspect seems somewhat similar – the sharing of thoughts and offering of advice and all that jazz.

Online communities and forums are like support groups – they have a specific agenda, a loyal following from the defective individuals and they discuss their thoughts/problems with the group; however the ‘Hi my name is Julius and I’m a junkie’ bit is replaced with claims of hypothetical scenarios and pseudonyms.

Have a good life!


References:

Rheingold, H. (1993). The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier. Retrieved March 16, 2007 from http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?sid=4AAFDF98-AA07-4D29-9B42-A356DC54A8D7&ttype=2&tid=3823

Fernback, J. & Thompson, B. (1995). "Virtual Communities: Abort, Retry, Failure?" Retrieved March 15, 2007 from http://www.rheingold.com/texts/techpolitix/VCcivil.html

Wikipedia (2007). Virtual Community. Retrieved March 15, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_communities

Wellman, B. & Gulia, M. (1996). "Net Surfers Don't Ride Alone: Virtual Communities as Communities." Retrieved March 15, 2007 from http://www.acm.org/%7Eccp/references/wellman/wellman.html