What has been dubbed; Ghostnet is an independent study performed at the University of Toronto that recently uncovered a multitude of underground computer hacking rings based primarily in China, operating all over the world.
Chinese hackers have apparently been hijacking and compromising highly classified documents from countries all around the world by tapping into their networks and extracting the data. Although reporters and analysts are unsure as to what the information is actually used for, Chinese government officials refute claims made against them, suspicious of their participation in the program.
Chinese Foreign ministry offical Qin Gang said in a statement released last week:
China is opposed to and would seriously deter hacking activities, and had enacted clear laws against hacking
Time will tell as information is still being gathered after 10 thorough months of surveillance. At this point only one 27 year old chinese man has been charged.
One of Canada's national treasures the CBC has been facing a major economic whiplash, is bracing itself to lose nearly 500 employees as government cut-backs reduce this nationally funded broadcasting network, while corporate stations such as CTV revel in bailout bonds thanks to the Harper government.
The recession should aim at re-structuring our societies to be more cost efficient and wary of expenditures, and if there is one Canadian medium that serves the interests of the people more than any other it is the CBC. Aside from losing immediate capital, I do not see why the government would compromise the well-being of its most treasured news outlet. However, it ultimately boils down to a question of money, as these big bailouts for CTV and Canwest represent the influence of affluent individuals in political hierarchy, and the manipulative means by which they wrest control from the government.
What is best of all is how corporate managers are only experiencing a 5% decrease in their paycheques as nearly 10% of the CBC's workforce loses a job, and its senior managers in turn receive a 20% decrease in pay.
Help fight for the cause, sign the petition! http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_cbc/?cl=211765420&v=3123
This week let's take a look at a man mentioned in last weeks posts titled "What do an old white guy and a dead black man have in common". JACK JOHNSON, quite possibly the greatest boxer in fighting history, and without question a monumental figure in the black civil rights movement
Did you know?
Jack Johnson was the first black heavyweight boxing champion
Before him, white boxers never gave black men the chance to fight for a title
Actually chased the world heavyweight champion during his time (Tommy Burns) around the world to get a title shot
Was eventually ousted out of boxing and sentenced to imprisonment for having an affair with a white woman (a crime according to the Mann act)
Died around the age of 70, after crashing his car as a result of a sharp turn. Story has it he was so mad because the breakfast diner he was at prior would not serve coloured people food.
With just one more week before our final presentation I thought it necessary to share my views on the importance of wish-sharing. Here's an awesome video from the movie, "The Secret" (also available in paperback and cd)
So what does it mean to wish? To me, wishing is a means of aligning yourself with what you "wish" (for lack of a better word) to see in yourself, in those around you, and in the universe that encompasses every being and thing. A real wish is not to be forgotten after the candles are blown out, but rather to be embellished as a promise.....a promise to oneself to bring about everything that they "think and thank about" (taken from The Secret)
Many people forget that a wish is basically a spark, a mental state that allows one to define that which they desire. If I wish for a brand new car, I can not simply lay back and expect a car to drop out of the sky, but rather while invoking positive thought, feeling, and formulating an image in my head of the desired car, I will in a sense meta-physically attract the means by which I can attain that car. Perhaps I will notice the desired car for sale more often than other cars, or may search for it in the classifieds to see if anyone is selling it for a reduced price, or even so look for a job that may lead towards a higher income and thus the means to purchase that car.
Realistically, it is dangerous to place all of our hopes and desires on wishes and aspirations. Sometimes, barriers in life make it difficult or near impossible for us to achieve our goals (it may be difficult to become an NBA superstar if you are only 5'2), but the eventual goal of any wish is to propel you in the direction of your goal. Although you may not actually become an NBA superstar, perhaps you will make great strides in the college circuit, which would not have happened had you not had enough faith in yourself that you could get that far.
Thus, I guess the question is inverted. Why shouldn't we wish? What do we have to lose when we wish for things in our life? Perhaps we may be let down that we have not achieved everything we desired or expected, but inevitably by wishing we propel ourselves to move towards a direction, and let the universe in a sense manage the rest.
As a man of hope and inspiration once said,
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. Martin Luther King Jr.
SO GET OUT THERE AND MAKE YOUR WISHES!! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56151545059
Hey all I'm gonna be trying something new! Every week I'm going to be bringing up a topic or issue of interest, and doing a bullet point outline of some of the key and interesting facts. So let's start it off this week with the April Fools Edition!
DID YOU KNOW?
The origins of an All Fools Day (as it was known in Medieval Times), may have dated all the way back to Greek times, from the mythological tale about Ceres Goddess of Harvest and her daughter Proserpina
Most trace back the origins of an April Fools Day to the transitional period from the Julian to Gregorian Calendar, where New Years day was changed from April 1st to January 1st. As a result, those who celebrated New Years on the first of April were considered to be April Fools
Since April 1st 2007 google has launched a yearly April Fools campaign. This year it's the Gball, a calculating football capable of computing algorithmic calculations upon contact.
Iranians celebrate their version of April Fools Day on March 13 coinciding with their New Years celebration
Betcha never heard this one: In parts of French speaking Canada residents place a poisson D'avril (April's fish) on a person's back, hoping that they won't notice it. This tradition of placing notes on people's backs supposedly dates back to the mid 1600s in Scotland (originating with the epic "Kick me" signs.
And now you know a little more about April Fools Day.....and in the spirit of celebrating, here's a creative video on how to pull an AWESOME prank.
Taking place the afternoon of April 1st, The G20 Summit taking place in London England started out as a peaceful colour and creative protest against the actions of the World Bankers and corroding financial institutions. World leaders met to discuss the future of the world state, but apparently the crowd began to get out of hand and mob mentality went into full swing, as riot police were radioed for backup against an onslaught of aggressive and angry protesters. Check this shot out of rioters breaking into the Royal Bank of Scotland in London and throwing a FRE,
By no means do I support absolute anarchy, but you have to give some credence to the efforts of these rioters. They are supporting a cause that has been YEARSSS in the making. Underpaid workers, minimum paying jobs, absolute polarization of wealth. Humans are greedy creatures, and you canguaran-DAMN-tee that after getting pushed into the corner for so long, they are bound to push back! Institutions are merely ways for those at the top to appease the low and middle classes into working for them and controlling their As mentioned in my previous posts, I do not think it is the fault of capitalism for the woes of the financial crises but rather the misappropriation and abuse of the creditors and chief executives within the capitalist system. You gotta wonder how many banking accounts are going to be effected with the destruction of that one computer terminal....
Perhaps this is what Marx envisioned as the end of capitalism, the ultimate battle between the proletariat and bourgeiouse, a never-ending conflict and struggle for power in the money market. This isn't the first time there have been riots by against the G20, and it definitely won't be the last. History is destined to repeat itself.......when will we ever learn?
Nothing, other than what seems to me like a publicity stunt, the latest from the U.S. Republican party. After an abhorring display of oral cantor from the mouth of the Republican Parties newest mouthpiece, Bobby Jindal, John McCain has jumped onto the diversity bandwagon and is campaigning to pardon the first African American Heavyweight Title holding boxer, Jack Johnson for charges placed on him in 1913.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for equality, liberty, and for undoing past wrongs........but this just seems like McCain's trying to save face. While I don't want to delve too deep into progressive politics, Barack Obama's historic win clearly represented a reformed view on politics, as a minority was voted in by the majority. I don't know John McCain.....neither will anybody reading this blog, BUT I still can't help but be sceptical and question the integrity and authenticity of this pardon. Although the article concludes by stating that Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove apparently turned down the idea, Rove's spokeswoman denies that allegation.....
Even if McCain was attempting to pass this pardon out of the goodness of his heart and to strengthen the image of Black America, the verdict is still out on whether the pardon will be passed or not.
With forecasts showing snowfall for April 4th, you know somethings off in the global ecosphere. I was driving back from Niagara Falls the other night, it must have been around 2 am, and as I was approaching London I began to notice snow-like objects falling from the sky. BUT IT WAS THE END OF MARCH......needless to say, if it looks like snow it probably is and I woke up the next morning to a winter wonderland (ironic because I live on wonderland road HAHAA.....k maybe not). Although the snow subsided by mid-day, you gotta wonder how much of this is due to the eco-crisis, and how much of it is just plain coincidence....time will tell
YEAH RIGHT......that's what i've got to say first and foremost. The media is probably the most transient and illusive form of technology that has ever existed and rather than eliminating any form of media, radio television and print continue to innovate and integrate themselves into one another.
The internet has experienced a massive surge in the last two decades but irrespective so have radio, television, and print.
Radio has had its humble beginnings, first used in military operations for commanders to contact one another during times of war and then after transitioned into the live radio feeds that we have today. Sirius radio exploded a couple of years back, allowing listeners to tune into their favourite radio broadcasts worldwide, connecting to satellites orbiting in outer space. God how technology has changed, and sure it might be a little un-nerving to think when it's all going to "end", but radio will always have a place in society as a means of listening intuitively. Sure video broadcasts such as television give stimulate us visually and audibly, but relative stats show over 1 billion listeners worldwide, and in canada an average of 6 stations are tuned into by listeners every week. The demand is there, and it's definitely a medium that's not going anywhere. Satellite radio is the future, and it's here to stay.
How about television? I keep seeing those annoying ads warning us of the impending doom and the forthcoming switch by television companies from analog to digital television. Boo hoo, so your not going to be able to use your old analog television
But who needs analog anyway? Analog was the past, this is the future of television
I'm talking about 64 inch plasma screens with personal t.v. where you can tape and record live television watching your favourite progamming over and over again. Now tell me.....does that sound like a medium that's going anywhere? GIMME A BREAK
And of course there's print......now i'm no religious fanatic but when you consider that this book is probably older than anybody in your family times 10 (yes even including that whacky grandma of yours), you've got to keep in mind that print has done something right.
It is THE most fundamental form of information transfer, with millions of books printed yearly and print being the most cost efficient and user friendly form of acquiring knowledge. Let's not forget the awesome feeling of getting to that last page of a great book, and the experience is tantamount to any electronic alternative, like this baby...
From the geniuses at Amazon, it is version 2.0 of their e-reader the Kindle. Retailing for just over $300 and with a monthly subscription, this baby plugs into the databases of the New York Post and of course the insurmountable Amazon library. Sure it's becoming more popular, but print is here to stay. The day I see a sermon read aloud by one of these things is the day I truly lose faith in religion. PRINT IS HERE TO STAY
So my conclusion? A fun documentary providing some interesting insight into the development of mass mediums, but ultimately foreshadowing anything but an apocalypse. Radio, television and print are merely resources that will continue to evolve but will always remain in some shape or form.
In a press release sent to me through humanitarian group Avaaz.org the pope apparently released a statement late last week stating
"[AIDS] cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems".
What? What is going on with people these days? Has the world gone absolutely loony? Since when has using condoms aggravated any problems? And since when has an old guy who is clearly disconnected from issues of HIV and AIDS been the go-to guy on preventative measures towards STDS?
I did some research of my own to investigate the issue and even the H.I.V. and AIDS minister from the World Health Organization released a statement stating that there is no evidence that condom use aggravates or increases the likelihood of contracting STDS....
So where does the problem lie? A vatican minister apparently mentioned that "The church teaches that fidelity within heterosexual marriage and abstinence are the best ways to stop AIDS." Now while that is probably true it does not help the problem whatsoever. People are going to have sex, sex is a natural human function, and actually a functional part of every living organism as a means of reproducing. It just so happens that humans actually enjoy having sex, and that's why they have so much of it. Same goes for dolphins too.
While I don't think the Pope's intentions were to disregard the insurmountable evidence that condom usage actually prevents the spread of HIV and AIDS, it seems ludicrous by any account to suggest that we should not encourage people, particularly in the third world not to wear condoms and become "educated about the issues". Preventative measures need to be taken, and encouraging people not to use condoms is anything but a step forward.
After the death of Robert Dzieanski a while back as a result of over-exposure to shock treatment from the use of police tazers the logical thing for any responsible government would be to limit and restrict the use of tazers as a result of this incident? Right? RIGHT?
WRONG
An excerpt from the article suggests that the ruling committee that was put in charge to insure these incidents never happened again called for "clear restrictions" on officers discharging stun guns multiple times and recommended they limit use to cases where the suspect is combative or poses a "risk of death and grievous bodily harm." Any reasonable and rational person would see the reasoning in doing so but nevertheless the federal government has not only ruled in favour of allowing tazer use but has also removed TWO PREVIOUS RESTRICTIONS on their intended usage, give police more leeway to utilize them.
You have to wonder where is the responsible governance in all of this? There was a public outcry, the committee in charge determined that tazer use should be limited, and a Montreal professorPierre Sauvard who studies the effects of electrical shock on the heart agreed with much of what the committee appointed said. The result? Less restrictions and more liberty for police officers to use tazers to incapacitate delinquents.
I do not believe we should totally abolish physical incapacitation for people that are getting out of hand but the fact of the matter is the officer charged with the death of Mr. Dzieanski was caught on footage tazering him four times....while he was on the ground. We are all human and make mistakes and act irrationally at times, and I am sure the officer did not intend to kill Mr. Dzieanski, but ultimately that's what happens when you put weapons in people's hands. Why don't they create a stun gun that only has a maximum life of 30 seconds before it requires a 5-10 minute cooldown? I don't doubt the technology exists to create such a unit.....but time will tell if these newly lifeted restrictions lead to more avoidable deaths.
What do you get when you take one of the most prolific, and lyrically gifted hip hop artists to ever grace the mic..........and the shrew media tactics of Fox News?
SLY FOX
Off of his newest album "Untitled" Nasir Jones spits absolute fire at Fox News, here's a little excerpt:
"Watch what you watchin' Fox keeps feeding us toxins Stop sleeping Start thinking Outside of the box and Unplug from The Matrix doctrine But watch what you say Big Brother is watchin"
Bringing to light issues of selective reporting, biased journalism, and monopolization, Sly Fox is one of Nas' tightest rhymes to date. At the end of the youtube clip he includes an interview with a young lady who encourages liberal reporting and independent journalism AKA blogging.....Now all we need is a hip hop track titled "blogger".....
So here's the deal.....I used to work at McDonalds and I can't lie, I still LOVEEEE the food. Who can resist a tasty big mac or some chicken nuggets......or my personally favourite an insider's trick....a double cheeseburger dressed like a big mac....mmmm!
Now obesity has been a big issue in the media, and a couple of years ago Mcdonalds actually donated $2 million to fund research on child obesity and has taken preventative measures by introducing their lineup of healthier alternatives.
HOWEVER!!! Health officials might wanna head over to the little leagues to geta taste of this....
The ingredients? 5 slices of beef patties 5 slices of cheese nearly a cup of chili half a bag of tortilla chips and green peppers
Dear god, what are these people THINKING? You know, I don't have any problem with eating whatever you like, i'm all for it, but when are we ever going to get it through our heads (particularly in a minor league environment where plenty of impressionable children will be attending) that eating right is KEY to living a healthy life. Let's not forget that over 50% of Americans are obese......and to make things even better........you get a t-shirt if you can finish the whole thing....It's big enough to wipe out the 4800 calorie doodoo plopping into your toilet that night.......what happened to buying peanuts and cracker jacks??
By far one of the GREATEST movies I have ever seen, City of God is a coming of age story about a group of children in Brazil's biggest ghetto compound known as the "City of God". Left for dead, the story weaves through the hardships of everyday life in the ghettos, and the growth and change that the characters go through in their everyday struggles. Although I had to read through the subtitles I guarantee that you won't miss a beat as the story is shared through its emotional cutscenes and impecable directing. City of God shares the troubled times of a group of friends who learn that their own lives and happiness are more important than one another, ultimately leading them to follow their own paths to surmount the obstacles they faced in their life. If you're looking for a great foreign film with an AMAZING twist at the end, look no further
Hip hop music, particularly rap music has been a passion of mine since I was a weeee little boy. The title is an iconic line from Nasir Jones' life's a bitch,.
I just finished writing up a paper for my first year soc course about hyper masculinity in rap. Although I've studied rap music in the past, I came upon some pretty mind boggling statistics that I wanted to share
1/15 African Americans are in jail 1/9 African Americans aged 20-34 are in jail 43% of African American university graduates enter university but never graduate 63% of African American at Michigan University enter the university but drop out within the first two years
I hope just acknowleding these statistics will put into perspective a lot of the struggles and pitfalls associated with rap music, rather than just the glamour and glitz pop-rap that seems to consume the top 40 charts week in and out.
What happened to conscious hip hop? Virtually NOTHING on the airwaves has anything remotely close to the ghetto ballads of Tupac Shakur, or the effervescent stylings of Nas, what about the activism promoted through Public Enemy's fight the power? It seems that every genre has its golden age and I can also finally admit (after denying it for years), that the lineup of hip hop artists these days just don't cut it when compared to the legends who defined the scene. It seems like hip hop has lost its flair, its desire to be creative, edgy and inventive. all we get these days are recycled vocoders, way too flashy bling, and one hit wonders. Maybe I'm part of the minority but it is clear to most people that the quality of rap music is deteriorating, and although there is a great pool of talent, it seems that fewer and fewer artists are actually pure hip hop artists, and seem more interested in the lavish lifestyles associated with hollywood. But considering that most hip hop artists come from impoverished living conditions.......can ya blame em?
It's easy to see why people could get offended, but really what's the point? Sometimes you just have to laugh at the unfortunate circumstances that have led you to the point that you are at in your life, laughter is the best medicine after all. It bothers me how much negative controversy is surrounding this project but I think it'sbrilliant! I was watching Tv London today and they had a piece about 3 4th year students at Western who have been campaigning for the homeless the past week by subjecting themselves to homeless conditions on UWO campus, and trying to raise money for a local London shelter. Regardless of however we wish to see change, sometimes we need to change the way we want to bring about change, and creativity captivates people to no end! If you would like to donate to the UWO homeless campaign check it out at http://www.5days.ca/region/
Have you ever wanted to make a wish? OF COURSE YOU HAVE! So why not share your wish with the world?
Emily Innes, Lisa Byers and myself have jump-started a campaign called "I have one wish", designed to help users share their goals and wishes with one another in an attempt to create greater communal involvement in the efforts of making individual wishes come true! Check us out at
http://ihave1wish.blogspot.com/
Make your wishes come true, dream big everyday and be inspired to create the changeyou wish to see!
I'm not a tech freak by any means, but I can not even begin to share my love for Google. By far the most accurate, systematic and user friendly search engine available on the internet, as well as the most comprehensive email service, dozens of other projects and gadgets released (including this very site, although it was bought out by Google not created initially by it), have thrust Google into the upper echelons of the technosphere.
In fact, Google allows 20% of its employees time to work on their own side projects and develop their own ideas, ensuring that the creative mill never runs dry. Add this to the fact that they have literally pioneered the internet revolution and for so many years have continued to redefine the web.......you're talking about a powerhouse of ideas.
Google's focus is on the continual innovation of its products and services, continuing to market itself not through advertisements or mass media marketing (e.g. Yahoo), but with the same consistent top notch quality that ultimately makes it King amongst most web and software developers.
Now Google is stepping out of its element and utilizing its satellite, now venturing into the world of telecommunications, working on its next project....a net phone. Call me crazy, but knowing Google, if they do this right.....we may very well see the gradual decline of home phones and the emergence of the net phone through VOIP. Call me a tech-freak if you want, but you have to give credit where credit is due.
In a period of great self-reflection, sometimes we should think about the man in the glass. Here is a famous poem that I initially read when I was 10 years old and have held on to until this day. Its meaning becomes more profound year after year.
THE MAN IN THE GLASS
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
Who judgement upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may think your a straight-shootin' chum
And call you a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life
And get pats on your back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
2:Find a social issue you're passionate about: Let's face it, the world can be a great place, but there are so many issues to tackle that trying to surmount them all is ludicrous. Perhaps your concern is with animal welfare, or global warming. Look for an issue that excites and invigorates you to make a difference everyday. We can't do everything, we can certainly start somewhere.
5: Talk to your local members of Parliament. If we believe in the right of the government to act in favour of the people, then let our voices be heard!
6: Turn it off: Not in your room? Turn the lights off! Leaving the house for class? Turn your desktop off. The more we appreciate the everyday resources afforded to us the more value we will find in minimizing our consumption
8: Explore: Probably the best means of learning about over-consumption is to experience the adverse effects of it firsthand. Check out a junk yard, or a garbage heap, I GUARANTEE the odour and stench will be an eternal reminder of how important it is to keep our world clean
9: Reuse: Buy a coffee mug instead of getting a new cup everyday, and get a reusable water bottle for everyday use!
10: Educate yourself: There are a ton of resources online so check em out!
Have you ever wondered where all the stuff you have comes from? Activists from the Tide Foundation and Funders Workgroup created a twenty minute video to explain just that!
Chronicling the extraction, processing, transportation and disposal of "stuff", this video gives us some insight into product manufacturing worldwide. It's aim: to demonstrate the unstable and unsustainable modes of production that are used to create all this "stuff". Sustainable development is a big issue these days, and now that we are feeling the credit crunch, more and more of us are starting to notice the inevitable failures that our system has willingly created. Someone had to question the dangers of debt, the potential pitfalls of lending money with exorbitantly high interest rates with the laughable expectation that the return would be made. So Let us consider United States in particular wastes 27% of food available for consumption, and makes up less than 1/20th of the world's population. Furthermore, the United States is also the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and has refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. The fundamental problem at hand is that our governments are REFUSING to take the necessary pre-cautionary measures to prevent a global meltdown, as we stand by by idle. Canada is not much better off, particularly when we consider the fact that we USED to be the BEST place on Earth to live, and now according to the United Nations Quality of Life Index the best place in the world to live in right now is..........NORWAY???? Ask your friends, bet you they would have had no clue, and keep in mind they have been on top for the past SIX years!
We've got to take matters into our own hand, if competition drives the economy, let the spirit of competition guide us towards doing what is best for the world.
Check out my next post to find out how you can contribute to the solution.
So this past week was my fraternity's, the Kappa Alpha Society's, annual reunion. After weeks of planning and contacting alumni and active members alike, we were able to round out gentlemen all the way from New York and Toronto to join us for an unforgettable weekend.
A lot of people question the integrity of fraternities, criticizing the morality behind their hazing processes, as far as I'm concerned, I can't not even begin to share (for sake of secrecy of course), the eternal bond that I share with my brothers, and the incredible experience I have had in the previous 3 years. Fraternities are stereotyped for their lack of rigorous intellectual activity, but rest assured, as a literary society my fraternity encourages diligent studying and active citizenship. Long live the spirit of Kappa Alpha, and cheers to many more years!
In professor Michael Wesch's youtube video about the anthropological contributions that youtube has had on the global community, it is incredible to see how life's everyday moments have permeated the screens of millions of viewers worldwide.
Throughout the video we are entertained by snippets of popular youtube videos such as those posted by "lonelygirl15", or "the numa numa guy", everyday ordinary individuals whose antics propelled their respective videos into the highest echelons of youtube stardom. However, what makes these videos so compelling? Aside from entertaining aspects of these videos, youtube has become a global speaker's corner. It has become the world's soapbox, where users share their everyday lives with those around them candidly. It has become a forum of rigorous political and social debate, eliciting video responses from users, going back and forth. In emogirls example, we witness the romanticized love story of two strangers, only to find out that we had been fooled all along.
Youtube has become a wanna bes dream, giving rise to the asian backstreet boys, and popularizing the bizarre talents of Tay Zonday. Youtube is one step of the gradual merge between man and machine, and unity between the virtual and real worlds. Users such as Lonelygirl, used youtube as a social experiment, fabricating personalities and characters geared towards drawing user views.
There is nothing bizarre about the numa numa guys video, i'm sure all of us have danced around when no one was looking, but even more so is his willingness to share this moment with all those watching. Think about it, day in and out people post videos, inviting us into their everyday lives, their thoughts, hopes and dreams, and more than anything, it amazes me how much emotional attachment we place on absolute strangers.
In this sense, Youtube becomes a means of anthropological study. As we follow the lives of everyday strangers, we begin to see bits of ourselves in their everyday struggles. Whether intended to put a smile on your face, or bring tears to your eye, we share moments together on Youtube with our friends, pulling up the "star wars kid" for the millionth time for a midnight laugh. Youtube continues to re-define itself through the input and support of its dedicated user base and un-wavering legion of followers who continue to capture life's everyday moments that shape our ordinary lives.
Web 2.0 has created an unparalleled social community, and it makes me wonder what Web 3.0 has in store.
Many of us (including myself) are awaiting vacation this year, ready to tackle the so-called "real world". Many others are returning back to further our education and as many studies display, applications and enrollment in masters programs. It seems like the general consensus is that more education is the way to go and that as we continue to educate ourselves moreso, we will open up the path to more jobs, more opportunities and greater success in our field of choice.
I find this view misconstrued, lacking an adequate understanding of market economics and the potentially devastating over-saturation of students with university degrees
Consider this, if there is a 20% increase in enrollment for master's degrees, then that means that when these masters students graduate, they're going to enter an overly competitive workforce. Just as how a bachelor's degree these days doesn't provide the opportunity it did years ago, so the same will happen to masters degrees, as they become the "new" bachelors. Thus, if you're really trying to avoid the recession blues....here's what I think.
Follow your heart, find your passion and exploit it for all it's worth. Travel, do an exchange, teach english in a foreign contry.....EXPLORE. Education is incredibly important, and if more education is what you feel is best, then by all means don't look back. However, education is not confined to books, or school, but to every facet of your life. Educate yourself about the things you are interested in and the more you engage your passion, the greater it will reward you. As the old adage goes, "learn something new everyday", and i guarantee there's a lot more to life than what you learned in school.
When I came across this video after a friend sent it to me, I nearly peed my pants laughing. I thought it was brilliant! Than I realized that sometimes I feel like people need a dictionary to understand me
The Oxford Dictionary has approximately 171,476 words in its complete edition, but even that pales in comparison to the considerable amount of slang found in hip hop, let's take one example
The word sick in standard english suggests being of poor health e.g. "I am sick"
In hip hop culture, the word sick is used to show an interest or liking to something, "that is sick"
There are tons more examples to consider, but demonstrates the malleability of language. Either way, I love slang and i'm sticking to it......kn'aw mean??
Let's face it, the credit crunch sucks and as students we're definitely getting the short end of the stick. Here's one way to manage your money so you can keep rocking hard amidst the market blues.
1: Pack a lunch
I can't stress this one enough, absolute must!
2: Work your phone bill
I can't tell you how many times I've called into my phone company complaining that there was "some" mixup on my phone bill. Result? $20 off for the next 12 months....$240? Not bad :)
3: Pre Drink
I don't think this one needs to be mentioned since out of the countless times I've gone out at night, I think there may have literally been a handful of times where I did not pre-drink.....BUT, if you aren't a pre-drinker, it's about time you become one.
4:Use the bus
Got a bus pass? USE IT! Sure it's nice to drive around all the time but when you think about the gas consumption, the parking costs.......and in my case the inevitable ticket I receive by the end of the night, it's hard not to get on the big ol' bus and kick it old school......
5:Coupon
God......I'm not gonna lie, I hate those folks who take forever to search through their stack of coupons to save $1 or $2, but use em on a regular basis and you'll be saving anywhere from $20-$30 a week, GUARANTEED!
6:Look for sales
A given, but again, very key. With the recession in effect, many retailers are aiming for the lowest price point to attract as many customers as possible. Remember.......the early bird gets the room. I got a $150 wireless home phone set for $25 two days ago...SWEAR!
7: Chill in
When we're being subject to weather that feels like it's F)#*!$! -27, can't hurt to stay in and watch a movie. Get some friends together, chill out and shoot the shit!
8: Get a job
If you need extra cash you can always try a campus job, great rates and flexible hours. Perfect if you need to constantly blog all the time.
9: Odd Jobs
Try some of those campus surveys, you could probably squeeze in a couple of em every week, that could be upwards of $40 for just a few hours of your time!
10:Don't consume???
Maybe this doesn't really fit in with the theme...........but have you ever thought about how the recession MIGHT be a good thing?? Weird eh?? Maybe we shouldn't be consuming so much in the first place, that's how we got into this mess didn't we? Think twice about getting that extra bag of chips, or buying that 3rd pair of shoes this month......but that's just a thought
The financial meltdown that tipped to a boiling point when the housing market in the United States collapsed, has given rise to a whole new way of shopping.
Retail stores, restaurants, large scale corporations, automobiles.......to name a few are part of the industry wide recession that has resulted in a rollback of spending on behalf of consumers. In an article by the North Bay Journal, restaurant owners in particular have noted an up to 50% drop in revenue from last year.
Now many of us have possibly been feeling the squeeze as well. For those who live, or have family who live in toronto, there will be a 4% rise in property tax in the coming year. It is no doubt that graduating students are now considering further education at a record high to avoid the job hunt crunch now that companies are laying off employees in the thousands. However, with all of these implications, most of them I feel represent the greater good for society, particularly north american society, and the fall of consumerism.
Perhaps we can blame the media, or we can blame movies, but ultimately, the housing crisis that spun the recession out of control, was a direct result of people decieving themselves. People were buying homes from banks, and banks were so willing to take money, that they began to offer mortgages with almost $0 down. People were living out dreams and forgot about reality, watching television and being envious of the rich and affluent. They fell into the trap, that money was the solution, and were compensating for themselves through this belief and consumerism.
That lie had to end somewhere, and when these banks were unable to retrieve any of the money for these homes that they had sold, the system began to collapse because there wasn't enough capital to continue this rapid consumption, this onus on debt. It has shaken the very foundation of capitalism to a world audience and finally reminded people of their abusive ungrateful lifestyles. While we are afforded almost anything that a rational person would desire, people experience incredible hardships of an unfathomable magnitude. Thus our only way to appease this desire is to consume more, and soon enough it consumes ourselves.
The recession represents a shift in philosophy, that consuming is not the means to our happiness. When you consider that in 1995, Canada's ecological footprint was 4.3 in comparison to the world average of 1.8, you begin to see the bigger picture of global disparity.
Before we used to live in a society of wants, and now many of us are mainly concerned about our needs.The needs of the average person in most parts of the world are not only oppressed, but undermined, and it's about time we make a change.
Check my post tomorrow as I will lay out 10 everyday things you can do to limit your spending, and remain debt free!
So I went to the Campus Rec gym and hit the weights for the first time inages yesterday!I felt like superman, breezing through set after set...invigorated andPUMPED...until I woke up the next morning and my body felt like it had been crushed by a wrecking ball. It's a good kinda pain though, you know?
There's TONS of machines to work with at the new rec centre, it's awesome, and even offers an indoor track! Nothing compares to a great workout, and especially considering exam season is creeping up for most of us it works well as a de-stresser as well.
It's really important to make sure you have a solid meal after a good workout to replenish your body and load it with nutrients to help it recuperate (might I suggest the Banana Bread Shake??) and most of all.........REST! Resting is KEY!
And of course, I gotta leave you with some wise motivating words from the Governator himself
So amidst all those who seek to demean this overly commercialized holiday, I prefer to appreciate the positive message it offers. When was the last time you sat down and REALLY spent time for the SAKE of spending it. Valentine's day is over done with chocolates, candies, flowers....take the time this year to just spend time with that significant other, or if you don't have one, get together with some friends and just kick back and relax......SPREAD THE LOVE!
So all that being said........my girlfriend and I spent valentine's yesterday at the extravagant (that about sums it up) Windermere Manor!
Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a romantic night, and great food!
It is BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLL OUTSIDE! The sun bright rays seem to have brightened a lot more people today at work. People were coming in with big smiles on their faces, and I can't help but think that a lot of it is attributed to the weather!!
Studies have shown that warm weather boosts mood, and broadens minds. Although humans are warm blooded and thus regulate our body heat internally through increased heart rate for example. Here is what I think is going on. We rely more upon our environment to give us warmth, and in that sense in frigid conditions it becomes more difficult for our bodies to compensate in sub zero temperatures. As such, if our bodies aren't pumping as much blood as they should, then that means we're getting less blood pumped into our brains, and with an inadequate amount of blood going into the brain, our brains don't function appropriately.
Now that's not an empirical statement by any means, but it's worth a shot. However, even more importantly, and something I've always wondered about is the relation between good/bad days and the factors that underlying factors that affect them. Check out my response tomorrow
In class we had a thorough discussion about the campaigns of the numerous USC presidential candidates. From Tabitha to Stephen (WHO THE ****??), we explored the numerous mediums that these candidates have, and could have used. From facebook (the obvious favourite between the presidential candidates) to creating a campaign blog, viral videos (I love my western), question and answer forums, clearly the candidates have a lot more than their two hands can muster.
So where does all of that extra help come from? The selfless and tireless efforts of the campaign managers, hype teams, PR folks, results in an incredible display of tenacity, guts and the desire to allow someone to actualize their dreams. That's deep........that's profound, that's some serious love!
But I wanna take the time to give a shout out not only to the candidates for doing a phenomenal job (well most of them.......STEPHEN WHO THE ****???), but to ALL the people for making it happen. Kudos to the altruistic nature that is inherent in the spirit of competition, I'll be back tomorrow to round out this post with the results!
I found an AWESOME video demonstrating the correct way to meditate. The narrator does a great job as well. Sure it may not seem like the "hip" thing to do, but I'm telling you, meditating for just 5 minutes a day can make a world of a difference in adjusting energy levels. Experts may suggest 15 minutes or more, but you can always work your way up.
For anyone that knows me I HATE HATE HATE WAL MART. I refuse to shop there, and try my best to avoid the store like the plague. Sure dirt cheap prices are appealing, but not in exchange for slave labor.
Now before the critics jump in and argue that most products sold here are likely produced through slave labor and that Wal Mart is just "playing the game"....that simply isn't the case. Wal Mart systematically:
eliminates competition, in some cases ridding a city of 3 jobs for every person it employs
manipulates the world market to the point that it has a greater capital share than many countries
Utilizes government subsidies, which cost American tax payers over 1 billion dollars in medicaid to support its under-paid employees. That starkly contrasts the fact that the company has more capital and assets than many countries around the world, such as Saudi Arabia for example
Forcing ma and pa stores out of business, unable to compete with their under-paid and under-privileged sweatshops where most of their products are distributed
Subjecting people in third world countries to working for less than 15 cents an hour
Eating babies
Okay........the 10th one might be pushing it, but you get the point.
You know....for years people have been asking me....what the heck is M.I.T. anyway? I can come up with a flowery presentation of words acknowledging the programs goals of....well why don't you just read about it here
Even with a synopsis like that, it is still hard to describe what it IS that we are trying to develop, or gain from being M.I.T'ers. I think that question depends on the individual and their goals within the program, those looking for a more technically oriented approach may venture into programming or graphic design, while those with a knack for writing could become journalists. The results are endless, but if there's one thing for sure, M.I.T. is an ever-evolving study of the implications of mass communication and how our world is continually shaped by technologies everyday. Michael Wesch's video on youtube presents just that
The video made me nostalgic, for years I've wondered "where does my education fit in", what the heck am I going to be able to do with an MIT degree? While there is no definitive answer, paradoxically it has encouraged me to think and question. Implications are integral to understanding the nature of communicative technologies, and it is these implications which encourage us to think critically about the world around us.
It is on coincidence that the program's abbreviation is the same as the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and it is evident to me that this drive to become a pioneer and revolutionary in its field is being pieced together day by day by the students and individual contributors who continue to find greater meaning behind those three letters.
Web 2.0 is a fascinating example of how our lives are interwoven with the technologies that surround us, and in effect not only change, but shape our perspectives on our lives and the lives of others. Professor Wesch oriented us with Youtube crazes that spawned Lonelygirl15, and explores the allure of everyday life. We are plugged in, spectators to the world stage, and at times forget the joy derived from the most trivial and simple things in life.
Youtube brings that simplicity to life, sharing life's little moments for the world to view. Whether it's watching a guy falling down stairs
Or watching the music video for a song and asking yourself "WTF??"
We realize that we really have become a technoculture, and I dunno about any of you....but i'm certainly not complaining....
UWO along with many other Ontario universities have recently put in a mumps awareness initiative, and are encouraging students to drop by campus health clinics for a free vaccination.
The mumps, characterized by swelling and pain in the salivary glands according to the middlesex health unit, is a threat to those aged 17-37 who have been targetted as the main victims of infection. Although thee are no immediate threats from contracting the mumps, if left untreated increases the likelihood of other diseases such as brain infection.
Since the symptoms are prevalent, make sure that you go get checked out to be safe. Wouldn't want to miss out on the beautiful weather we have been having the last few days...especially considering spring break is RIGHT around the corner.
Ever had those days where just keeping your eyelids open was a chore on its own? Those days when you felt tired and achy right when you woke up? I felt like that today, I was in Hamilton Ontario last night hosting a hip hop show and had to drive back at 1 am. I took a back road route (BADDD IDEAAA) to avoid the police as I was speeding home hoping to get as much shut eye as possible since I had work at 10 am the next day.
Needless to say, I woke up groggy, tired, agitated, and was just downright pissed off. It's easy to see why; studies on sleep demonstrate the increase in stress as a result of lack of sleep, and the greater likelihood that people will not be able to function properly or worse even doze off at the wheel.
So here are some sleep tips I've compiled from a variety of sources around the net! Enjoy and sleep easy!
Get 6 or more hours of sleep each night
Keep your sleeping patterns regulated (meaning try not to sleep 4 hours one night and 8 hours the next, throws your body's rhythm right off)
Avoid eating anything too filling or heavy before you sleep
Give yourself 5-10 minutes to cool down before you hit the hay (read a book!). Let your mind ease into sleep
Try not to sleep if you're stressed or anxious. Refer back to tip 4, and try to mellow out, allow your mind to calm itself.
If you've been drinking alcohol, water is a must!
And here's an interesting tidbit.....according to a sleep deprivation study by the National Center on Sleep Disorders, in the U.S. alone, $15.9million dollars are lost every year from unproductive workers as a direct result of sleep loss, and$50 - 100 million are indirectly lost as a result of sleep loss as well! Seee???? Sleeping does pay off!
This is by Far one of the COOLESTTTT things I have ever read about.
Ladies and Gentlemen........meet...........THE GOD MACHINE!!!(DUM DUM DUMMMMMMMMM)
Justttt kidddingggg.........clearly a picture wouldn't do any God Machine justice, so that's why we have Youtube.
So basically, to paraphrase an article from the Guardian, the Large Hadron Collider (AKA the God Machine) will create two particle beams that will run in opposite directions engaging in multiple head on collisions that will supposedly (according to scientists) recreate the moments right after the big bang.......pretty much right when the entire universe supposedly began.
Needless to say, the $9 billionmachine has peaked the interest of religious advocacy groups, government officials and scientists alike. When you nickname something the "God Machine" you better believe you're gonna attract serious attention, but I wonder if is all the result of an elaborate marketing/advertising scheme, or a cruel joke by those who are part of the God bashing scientific community.
I'm really looking forward to the insight that the machine is gonna have into the world of particle physics and more philosophically digging deeper into a question asked since the beginning of time "where did we come from". I'm mainly concerned with the likelihood of bandwagoners of this project who are going to presume that this machine is going to be the end all, the answer to all of our questions, and another example of how science triumphs yet again. I'm gonna wait for some results until I start putting my two cents in.
Whilst the U.S. and World economies have been failing issues in the news recently, along with the failed administration of President George W. Bush, according to David Sifry's (founder of Technorati, the web's leading blog search engine) 2007 blog post titled, STATE OF THE LIVE WEB, "The state of the Blogosphere is strong, and is maturing as an influential and important part of the web."
In Sifry's 2007 blog post, he marks explosive growth in the Blogosphere, from overall posts, to overall blogs to the marked increase of splogs as well. Sifry states, "Blogs continue to become more and more viable news and information outlets", and follows up by suggesting that users are now blurring the line between conventional and mainstay news outlets (such as the New York Times), and their blogosphere counterparts.
Globally, Japanese edged out English (37% to 36% respectively) as the language of choice for bloggers on the web, and the top 10 charts also introduced a new language bloggers language of choice, Farsi, marking the entry of the first Middle Eastern dialect since the inception of the blogosphere.
Tags (the means of linking blog keywords to posts or references outside of the blog, demonstrated with the purple highlighted text in this post) have also becoming increasingly popular. Nearly 35% of all users adopt the usage of tags in their posts.
So with all of that layed out, how does it all come together? This post is outdated, and with the explosive rate of growth of blogging (although the article also suggests that growth was levelling off in many ways aswell), it is unlikely that the numbers suggested in this article from 2007 are accurate. However, that is not to say that the trends remain the same and as a recent blog initiate, who started their own blog not too long ago, it is easy to why the blogosphere is growing so rapidly. The ability to seamlessly transition from article to article and the inter-connectedness of the blogosphere, has become and will continue to be one of the fastest growing web 2.0 techologies and within some years, may be the leading means of acquiring information.
There has been a lot of talk lately about the possible banning of water bottles, and London Ontario is expected to be one of the first cities in Canada to pursue the new law. Council officials voted overwhelmingly to ban the distribution and sale of water bottles on the grounds that it is environmentally immoral. Water is necessary for humans to survive, but the amount of pollution as a result of plastic waste is anywhere from 90 to 10000X the ecological footprint of tap water.
Personally, my family consumes water bottles like no tomorrow and neglects the environmental impact that each of these bottles has. For $3-4 you can get a 24 pack of water and with it being so cheap it's easy to undervalue and underappreciate the impact that the product has for the environment. Score one for the green team, and kudos to the Forest city for its assertive stance on the issue. I'm really hoping the rest of Canada keeps this ban moving along!
I'm of Arab origin, 100% Iraqi...scratch that, I'm about 1/4 Turkish three generations back which probably has something to do with the whole Ottoman influence in the Middle East years ago (gotta love history). I was born in the United States (Georgiaaa............Georgiaaaaa), raised in the T Dot, and moved over to the big L'Y (pronounced L, E....L dot is just lame) during my first year of university here at UWO.
I never really had too many Arab friends growing up outside of family, but when I got to UWO I became consumed with developing my Arab-ness. I was president of the Western Arab Students Association during my second year and dedicated everyday of that academic year to developing the club in anyway possible. Fundraisers, culture shows, parties, social issues, political issues, you name it! I loved every moment of it and although it was INCREDIBLYYYY FRUSTRATING at times, it was a key moment in my life as I began to identify myself with a culture that was truthfully quite foreign to me. Hence, the frustration :P
So for those of you who feel like Arabs are on a completely different spectrum, I thought I'd share this vid with you! Being in MIT and of Arab descent it's hard not to notice the media's slant on middle eastern culture being serious, non-conformist and oppressive in nature. Sometimes humor is the best way to get insight into foreign concepts and cultures (Russell Peters anybody????). Black Americans have poked fun at themselves for years. Whether or not it has had direct significance, I think the ability of Black Americans to satirize and parody their everyday lives has been essential to their liberative movement. Whether it was the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The Jeffersons, or the Cosby show, the implications of these mainstream sitcoms can not be under-valued in their efforts in helping to educate the massess about the racial struggles of the black community. So with that........check it out.
It's amazing how strangers have a profound impact on our lives at times.
I'm a credit card solicitor and at work last week signed up an older gentlemen for one of our cards. Before he left, he asked me a short question which ultimately snowballed into a plethora of questions and philosophical inquiry. He was a guy in his 60s, born and raised in Windsor, and then moved over to London in his middle age securing a job as a special education teacher at one of the high schools in the city. He was retired now, and began to share his unique perspective and experiences in his life with me. I just stood there and listened, and multiple times he asked me if I needed to get back to work......and although my manager would kill me if she read this, I told him to continue.
I was enthralled by this man's unique disposition, he was very blunt as he tackled issues ranging from social conscience, the recession, family, friends, culture, travelling, teaching, education.......the list went on and on. The issues flowed seamlessly from one to the next representing the unique spectrum of his views and beliefs that he had accumulated over his multitude of years that were now winding down the last few of his life. He laughed when I told him that I didn't want to take any of his time......."I'm retired son" he said, "Time is the only thing I've got now....".
It's funny how the oddest things in our day can make a world of a difference, but we pass by people day in and out without the slightest acknowledgment of their existence. People standing beside us in lineups, sitting beside us in class, walking beside us on the street. I sometimes forget just how big of a difference a simple hello can make in a person's day. We don't have to bend over backwards for people to make a difference. Those of you who have heard about"Free Hugs Day" know what I'm talking about.
One day we will be feeble and old with only our memories to hold onto, and sometimes having someone who listens is all we need. Thanks for giving me YOUR time of day Mr. Fitzgerald, I won't forget your touching words.
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