Journalism: The Wrong Way

I may not be a journalist or ever thought about studying to become one, but as an "Average Joe", I am still able to distinguish the difference between Breaking News and "Breaking News". As I would put it, the Royal Couple travelling around Australia, visiting different parts of the country doesn't qualify as Breaking News, or should I say "Breaking News".

I notice this isn't an Australian thing, exclusive only to the land down under, unlike certain wildlife, but instead, it a very global phenomenon which quite frankly should be abolished.

Turning on the television for the last couple of days in a row, it is nothing but reporting on where William and Kate are landing, where they will be visiting and quite disgustingly even retorting to reporting about the fashion labels of what Kate is wearing. Journalism is at its lowest point right now, having to invite fashion experts onto the news station and try and break down where the dress is from. Appalling if you ask me.

If you must put the Royal couple on the news, then please do so without 'Breaking News' as it does not deserve the attention of being at the front of the headlines, let alone be the core focus of the bulletins day in and day out.

Breaking News stories should be reserved for, you guessed it, actual news breaking stories, such as a natural disasters or mysterious discoveries and deaths. A celebrity getting married, divorced, seen in public does not classify as breaking news. Actually, let me rephrase that: ANYTHING to do with a celebrity isn't worthy to be news in general.

I'm quite disgusted at the level of journalism going on these days. It seems that most things can appear on television as long as you contact the right people and get enough attention through social media. One hundred thousand views on Youtube apparently is so mind-boggling to the media that it has to be reported about. Maybe because they don't get that many ratings. Who knows.

Conclusion: Bring back the proper form of Breaking News.

Lend me your ears...

...because The Fox said so.

No, not really.

While we do have "super"star singers, we also have those Super "super"star singers who are able to break into the international market with one song which for some reason, everyone latches onto and follow.

Lets look at the hit sensation of 2012. I'm talking about Gangnam Style by Psy. It is the first video to hit more than 1 billion views on Youtube. Remarkable feat no less, but I suspect most of that came from lonely trolls sitting at home and hitting refresh on all their devices at once. Well, how did it become so popular?
Firstly because it was a foreign language song. I'm being serious. The fact that most westerners cannot understand a single word being said makes it all the more special. On top of that, the song being Korean makes it even more enjoyable because honestly, when haven't you heard a western person be slightly racist and make fun of the Asian languages? I'm not saying every western person does it, that's being too general, but ask the average western person what Asian languages sound like and you're more than likely to get the same response from them all.

I'll get to the dance later, but first, I want to stick to the language side for now. When it comes to foreign language songs, everyone has this obsession to mimic the noises and sounds they hear, as if they really speak the language. People then start singing in front of their friends, coupled with the dance, laugh at how stupid they sound (which is quite frankly extremely rude to laugh, because in a sense, you're mocking the language and laughing at the mockery) and then this gets passed on through social media and word of mouth.

Here's a video showing what I mean. The second half is the same person and having dramatically improved the language.

Next, a breakdown of the Gangnam Style dance. Well, it's quite easy to analyse why people love it. It's simple and easy to learn. There are a total of 4 different moves. Out of the 4, two of those almost anyone can do (and will know), the third one is a little bit trickier and the last one nobody remembers. Because of its pure simplicity, people are able to join in and have fun dancing to a mildly catchy beat. Not I. I don't like dancing. Especially when there are millions of other people making a fool of themselves already, I don't need to add to that pool.

With the history lesson out the way, let's look at slightly more recent phenomenon: What does the fox say by Ylvis. I have no idea how to pronounce that, but since it's a foreign word, I'll let Google Translate do it for me: http://translate.google.com/#auto/en/Ylvis

Why is this song so popular? Because it's simply absurd and stupid. It's Old MacDonald Had A Farm for adults, but on some form of hallucinatory drug. I mean sure, it's a legitimate question, but not in a song, and especially not when the answers they give are just pure excrement.

If you want answers, you turn to science. Cue the video:

That is the red fox, which is probably the one Ylvis was undoubtedly singing about since he dressed up like one. Okay, now you know the answer, let's get back to the topic at hand.

The song was popular for its absurdity. We know that the fox probably doesn't make those sounds, but since most of us probably have never heard or seen a fox make any sounds, all of the sounds that Ylvis claims they make, then become legitimate answers.

Next, the dance. It's terrible. Enough said.

So if you're not a "super"star singer like Katy Perry or Michael Buble, and you're thinking about wanting to make it famous worldwide, either sing in a foreign language with a really catchy beat or sing about a question, then come up with ridiculous answers. If you don't know a foreign language, well learn one or make up your own. LOTR and Star Trek had theirs, you can too.

Oh, don't forget the dance. You need a weird, but simple dance.

Speak talking.

I've been listening to a lot of rap music these days. No, not because I like rap music. I listened to rap music because I wanted to test out a theory, and let me tell you, was it tedious to sit through. A four-minute rap song felt like 20 years. Maybe not that ridiculous, but it was begrudgingly difficult to sit through for so long.

What theory you ask? The theory that every rap song contains the name of the artists who are singing it. I'm not talking about amateur rap songs or comedic rap songs such as the Epic Rap Battles of History, but I'm focusing on the professional rap songs, by professional artists.

Have you ever noticed the trend? Maybe because it's due to my lack of knowledge, that I had to Google rap songs and then proceed to find them on Youtube one after the other, or that I had to ask other people for suggestions, but out of all the rap songs I have listened to so far, my theory stands.

Maybe you should give it a go yourself. Post any rap songs you find which breaks this "tradition" and I will be "happy" to listen to it and see if it is true.

An explanation required.

I'm bored. Really bored. What do you normally do when you're bored? You might play a game online, or surf aimlessly on Youtube, perhaps read articles on Wikipedia if that's your thing. Well, I didn't feel like doing anything in that list and opted instead, to browse pictures of my friends on Facebook. I know right? Crazy idea you say.

As I rummaged through the thousands of photos posted, I came across a...trend (if you will) of photos which, to me, are certainly peculiar and most certainly incomprehensible as to why people will do such a thing. Allow me to continue the list:

1. People who take photos of themselves and their friends via the medium of a mirror.

Why? Just...why? The glare makes the photo hard to see, let alone there being an ugly looking piece of thing being held up to take the photo emitting some form of blinding light. It looks disgusting and I don't understand why people do so. I don't want to be looking at your messy room. At least clean the area behind you so that there aren't any under garments spread across the bed or in some rare cases, sex toys strewn across the shelf. This needs to die. Seriously. Either learn to take a picture without a mirror, get someone else to do it for you, or not take one at all. They are sickening to look at.

2. People who flip the bird in pictures.

These offenders are idiots in my opinion. A perfectly decent photo ruined by stupidity. Was it really called for to flip the bird at the camera? What message is trying to be conveyed, that "I'm having a really good time, can you just please F*** off?" It can't be too difficult to get a picture taken of yourself without the temptation or need to stick the middle finger out in full frontal view. I've accomplished that task many times. Maybe it's because I'm a teacher and I'm more aware of my public image, but just because one is not a teacher, does not impede on the natural human decency to resist urges to flip the bird at the camera. What is worse are people who flip the bird AND simultaneously drink alcohol at the same time. Now I know why I avoid parties when certain people are invited.

3. People who stick their tongue out in photos.

Only acceptable when you're with a large group of people and everyone is making some "funny" face. Rarely do I come across a photo where someone actually does pull a funny face. Most of the time, it's not funny. If you're not involved in the above circumstance, then there is no need for me to look at the bacteria ridden surface inside your mouth. Just, put your tongue away inside your mouth and smile like a more mature, civilized person. Except if you're Gene Simmons. He's allowed.

4. People who try too hard to look good.

This group only includes a handful of people. These are the male population with abs and muscles who feel the obsessive compulsive need to upload photos of themselves without a shirt on. We get the point, now get lost with those photos. Maybe I'm just jealous because I don't have abs and instead, have a big, fat belly, but I'm sure there are girls out there who prefer a buy with a big belly and not abs. You don't see me posting photos of me topless do you? For the female population, it's those who must show off their beautiful body as some object of desire. What disappoints me more is when the male population post comments about the sexiness of the body and how they want to "tap that", whatever that means. I'm sure they're just thirsty. Maybe these girls are lacking confidence in themselves that they must seek out positive comments to promote their ego and self-esteem? Perhaps.

I want an explanation to these peculiar behaviours. It confuses me as to why people continue to post such pictures of themselves. Unlike me, they don't really have a public image to uphold, but like me, they probably don't want any of these photos to be used as evidence against them in the future.

EDIT:
I seem to have forgotten several groups of people which has been made aware to me.

5. People who do the "duck face".
A good friend of mine said he doesn't understand why people pull this ugly face. Women are worse offenders than men. Especially the younger population. I think SOME are okay. Please note the emphasis on the word 'some'. I'm going to leave this update at an end here.

6. People who make the "telephone call me sign" with their hand or hands.
I don't know what era or time period you're living in, but those phones have been out of fashion for years now. Who even uses a home phone these days? Well I do as well, but my point is, mobile phone usage has increased a lot more. It does a LOT more than a home phone does. The politically correct sign to make is this:

That says: "Call me on my iPhone". Or smartphone if you don't like Apple products.

Delays and Hiatus

It really has been an extremely long time since I posted anything here. Well, the reason is the exact same reason why I haven't proceeded to make any Youtube videos for quite some time now.

I started making Youtube videos because I thought it would be fun. It was an interesting experience while it lasted and I enjoyed all the positive and negative comments. I loved the negative ones the best because they offered me an opportunity to reflect on myself and my thoughts. I stopped because it was no longer enjoyable. I guess you could say I was never really interested in making videos. Perhaps you're right. It very quickly became a chore, a bit like a part time job, rather than something I enjoyed doing out of pure enthusiasm. I lost the interest. To be perfectly honest, I love making the videos. I still tend to record myself ranting now and then, just so I am able to document my thoughts and review them later on if I ever need to. I just don't spend any time editing the videos. That takes much too long and it really isn't fun.

I put aside this blog because I had a lot of other things to worry about in my life. This blog quickly became a chore since I had to constantly think about what I had to write. I was better off putting my brain power elsewhere.

This blog post really doesn't serve any purpose other than the fact that I wish to bring this blog back to life again. I've managed to sort myself out better and I think I'm ready to dedicate a bit of time to posting more often here.

Not that anyone reads it.

Aussie Teens Making The News

It's the time of year again when a number of teenagers make the news for well, dying and behaving like twats. Somebody please explain to me what Schoolies are all about. From what I can see, it's just booze, drugs, fornication and stupidity wrapped up in one bundle of money. I honestly don't see the point of this event. Surely, there must be more sensible but equally entertaining ways of spending a couple of weeks to celebrate the end of your High School education without risking your future and quite possibly your life.

Call me a party pooper, but dying doesn't sound like a very good reason to make the news. Is our generation really so stupid as to engage in these sort of activities that they think it's fun? What has our generation come to? If this is what we are experiencing already, then I have grim outlooks on the future. Not everyone is senseless. Not everyone think Schoolies are a good place to spend time and money. I know that.

Lets be fair here. Not every person who goes to Schoolies is a total twat. But a handful of them certainly ruin it for everyone else. I'm going to be controversial here and ask, For what purpose are they alive for?

Well, I can't speak for every country, but a handful of Australian teenagers seem to be extremely out of their mind and senses (that is if they even have any). It may be quite obvious now that I have not been on Schoolies. Why? Because as mentioned before, I certainly don't see the point of it. I spent my time somewhere far away from that bunch and that area.

I guess a lot of people who went on Schoolies had a wonderful time without any hiccups/hiccoughs (or however you spell that word), but looking at the so called "news" has certainly made me think Schoolies is a moderately dangerous place with a few people who spoil everyone's fun by dying.

I don't know about you...but,

Oh dear. How it annoys me when it comes to dancing. I personally can not dance. I know I can't dance. I am frustrated and angry at people who try and get you to dance. I really can't dance and because I know I can't dance, I don't want to dance. I have danced before and I have humiliated myself. It would be so much better if people didn't constantly try and drag you to do things you really don't want to do. I know my mind, it has been made. It just makes me want to punch them in the face or kick them in the shin. The utter anger when they won't let it go and physically try to get you to do what they think is "fun". Quite frankly, dancing is not my idea of fun.

I enjoy watching dancing. But only on specific grounds. The dance must be choreographed and have shape and meaning. I hate watching people on dance floors just moving to the beat, without any form. Just head bopping, arm swaying, leg cropping, body swaying, grinding nonsense. Very uncivilized in my opinion. Choreographed dancing, whether it is hip-hop, jazz or ballet, I enjoy watching it. It has shape, line and a form. There is order and structure. Not chaos.

Another thing which annoys me is how people who don't understand your character and conditions make it seem so simple and just generalise you. Especially my parents about me not being able to swim. I apologize, but I do fear large areas of water. Anything bigger than a pond and I'm already terrified. If it's raining, I shiver. My parents, and a lot of other people, keep telling me, "Oh swimming is easy. We can just put you into a pool where the water is only up to your waist and you will never drown." Oh really? I won't drown? I don't know about you, but you're not in my position and I know you're trying to help me with my fear but chucking me into an area of water isn't helping. If anything, I am more terrified at what your logic is of trying to help me. Imbeciles. People who have fears don't just "get over them". There must be a process. Otherwise, you're going to freak the living daylights out of them and then what would you do? Spend more time trying to calm them back down having experienced the trauma of a dumping method used to treat fear. Well done.

So I end my rant here. I am annoyed at people trying to convince you to do things you quite frankly, just don't want to do. I hope those people who are out there convincing others persistently will stop. Recommendations are fine. Persistent nagging is not. There is a fine line between the two.

Enjoy the upcoming Easter break everyone!

Fireproof plan.

I haven't posted in a while. University has destroyed any time I have to spend blogging. Anyway, new post.

I live in an apartment and my fire alarm always goes off. It's always a false alarm but the fire stairs are always accessible. The question however, is why stairs? Thinking about it, stairs are not the most efficient nor effective way of escaping any building that could be on fire. Think about handicapped people, either on crutches or wheelchairs. Stairs would means that they are forever trapped in the burning building, when the lifts are not accessible to be used in the case of a fire.

A much better design would perhaps be ramps. You can run down them faster and if you do trip, you won't have to worry about cracking your skull open on the edge of a step. It also makes escaping a building easier for everyone. If the building is on fire, you won't be running up into the building so ramps are a good idea. Of course, things such as gradient would have to be taken into account so you're not descending like absailing down a cliff face.

I propose a safety change to all building complexes. Stairs are not the best way to escape out of a building in case of a fire and when the lifts can not be used.

I guess asking for a slide is going too far isn't it?

The ambiguous right to complain.

When I was in year 10, about to do my School Certificate, I remember telling the younger years that they don't have the right to complain about their workload since I 'obviously' have so much more to do. Except it doesn't stop there.

In year 11, I tell the year 10 students they have no right to complain about their workload and the School Certificate since I have so much more, in year 12, I tell the year 11s the exact same thing, and now I'm in uni, telling the year 12 students they have no right to complain about the HSC since uni 'obviously' requires more work and discipline.

So where did my right to complain come from? As well as my right to tell others they don't have the right to complain? I would be in the workforce in a few years time, telling anyone in school they have no right to complain because 'real life' is obviously harder.

Except I hope it stops there.

I can see you, but you can't see me.

Imagine a park with hundreds of people sitting down, perhaps having a nice picnic, or just taking a break from all the stress in their lives. Suddenly, music starts being played from the large building across the road to try and promote a more cheerful environment, people enjoying what they do. A person gets up and starts dancing to the music. Nobody gets up at first and it can be said that the person dancing is rebelling against the norm and not conforming to the rest of the group. The people sitting down are conforming to each other. However, a second person decides to get up and join the first, then a few more, and more. Soon, you have every person but one dancing to the music. The person sitting down is rebelling against the new norm and is not conforming.

The questions I propose in this scenario is: At what stage did conformity shift? When did the rebellious person become a leader of conformity?

I ask this because conformity itself is a very strange concept. There is no universal definition of what conformity is composed of and no standard of measurement to express when conformity occurs. So if there is no universal way of knowing what conformity is, how do we know we are conforming to anything at all? If a lawyer turned up in board shorts to a courthouse, we say he/she is not conforming to the traditions, but if all the lawyers turned up in board shorts to a courthouse, are they still not conforming to the traditions? Who established these traditions anyway? Well, humans did. So if we can establish traditions about conformity, can't we also change them?

Why do we need to change traditions? Well, Australia is a multi-cultural society and currently, we are in the debate of whether Middle-Eastern women should be allowed to wear those things that cover their entire faces and show no facial features apart from the eyes (Sorry, I don't know the proper name). So the argument is that they should be banned from wearing them in Australia (in the public) because it is quote: "un-Australian" and not part of the Australian culture. They are not conforming and accepting Australian "values". Well, that's all nice, but if women didn't wear them in the Middle-Eastern countries, then the Western people are not conforming to their culture. If every woman wore it in Australia, does it change the idea about conformity? Vice versa in the Middle-Eastern countries.

We say we need to accept other cultures and 'tolerate' them, yet we ask them to conform to the Australian way of life, dubbing everything that seems unusual "un-Australian". Perhaps we change our traditions and our perceptions to change how conformity is viewed.