If it is not here already then it is on the way. I am talking about the world recession that is going to put a nasty dent in our lifestyle.
I am talking about the recession that will engulf our lives and threaten to repossess our mortgaged homes.
Share markets are tumbling. Blue chip businesses are still just hinting about what is to come.
An ill wind is brooding discontent. The leaves on the trees tremor in nervous anticipation.
How will you insulate your life against the wolf approaching the doorstep?
If you are reading this then you are already into blogging or reading blogs, or you are steeped into the digital world in some manner.
How will you survive the lifestyle change the next era will usher in?
When the cash reserves dissipate how will you improvise?
I will bury my woes by sinking further into the surreal world of my notebook pc.
As cash strapped citizen I will look for a better life in virtual games such as “Second Life”.
I will stuff my sinking share portfolio documents into the bottom drawer of my wardrobe and cover them with the happier colors of my sports socks.
I will become a superhero in the game of “Crysis” and use my powerful weapons to fight virus toting aliens who seek to take over our imminently recessionary world.
My world will be imaginary where reality is blurred.
Only the online world will exist and it will wash away the harshness
When the winds of discontent once again turn and leave us to return to affluence, I will once again draw the curtains across and gaze upon the new opportunities that await us.
Showing posts with label Popular culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Popular culture. Show all posts
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Self Censorship. Is It Necessary Sometimes?
A few years ago the responsibility for publishing and censorship rested with the mainstream media of newspapers, radio and television.
In a world where any one of us can publish to the masses, these responsibilities have been passed to us.
There are times when we want to express our thoughts and honest opinions on a particular topic that we have very definite opinions on.
The writer wants to be honest and to the point with his readers, but in certain instances the topic is explosive and embroiled in controversy.
At the least this honesty can offend others and at the worst it can lead to an escalation into violence.
I recently was involved in an online discussion where I put forward some rather forthright views on a particular topic. This topic concerned a country where I had spent some time and formed an opinion on.
Problems occurred when my comments aroused the ire of the Filipinos who were reading my posts.
My posts concerned my views on corruptive forces plaguing the Philippines.
I found myself shouted down because according to the contributors to the discussion, no foreigner could point the finger at the weaknesses and failings of their country unless he had experienced the hardships as an inhabitant.
I went to great lengths to explain that my posts were based on my own observations and experiences.
The overwhelming response from readers was that I should consider the ramifications of what I write.
I am the first one to admit that I tend to focus on the negative because it makes for interesting reading.
Do I have a responsibility to balance negative comments with the positive?
On one side I had my personal experiences and observations and on the other side I had the responsibility of not portraying The Philippines in a bad light. The fact is that I enjoy my time there and portraying the Philippines as a “no go” country to visit was not my intention.
It seems that there is a rule that foreigners do not have the right to criticize, and Filipinos simply do not like foreigners to make judgments.
Perhaps they are right?
The fact is that negative posts affect the standing of their country in international eyes and that the writer should consider the big picture.
Although my rantings would hardly cause ripples on a large scale, I can see that sometimes the enticement of writing something controversial should be balanced against the harm a foreigner can cause to industries such as tourism and international labor markets.
In a world where any one of us can publish to the masses, these responsibilities have been passed to us.
There are times when we want to express our thoughts and honest opinions on a particular topic that we have very definite opinions on.
The writer wants to be honest and to the point with his readers, but in certain instances the topic is explosive and embroiled in controversy.
At the least this honesty can offend others and at the worst it can lead to an escalation into violence.
I recently was involved in an online discussion where I put forward some rather forthright views on a particular topic. This topic concerned a country where I had spent some time and formed an opinion on.
Problems occurred when my comments aroused the ire of the Filipinos who were reading my posts.
My posts concerned my views on corruptive forces plaguing the Philippines.
I found myself shouted down because according to the contributors to the discussion, no foreigner could point the finger at the weaknesses and failings of their country unless he had experienced the hardships as an inhabitant.
I went to great lengths to explain that my posts were based on my own observations and experiences.
The overwhelming response from readers was that I should consider the ramifications of what I write.
I am the first one to admit that I tend to focus on the negative because it makes for interesting reading.
Do I have a responsibility to balance negative comments with the positive?
On one side I had my personal experiences and observations and on the other side I had the responsibility of not portraying The Philippines in a bad light. The fact is that I enjoy my time there and portraying the Philippines as a “no go” country to visit was not my intention.
It seems that there is a rule that foreigners do not have the right to criticize, and Filipinos simply do not like foreigners to make judgments.
Perhaps they are right?
The fact is that negative posts affect the standing of their country in international eyes and that the writer should consider the big picture.
Although my rantings would hardly cause ripples on a large scale, I can see that sometimes the enticement of writing something controversial should be balanced against the harm a foreigner can cause to industries such as tourism and international labor markets.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Culture Of Corruption
“Why do you think the culture of corruption is so endemic in Philippine society? Is it because of poverty? Is it a Filipino culture?”
The culture of corruption is strong in other Asian countries not just The Philippines.
The cruel reality is that even though corruption is prevalent in countries such as Thailand and Vietnam, their economies and standards of living are advancing at a rapid rate.
The Philippines is not faring well under the same constraints.
The Marcos era has passed and yet somehow the people have been duped into falling once again for similar models. Estrada has come and gone. He is now free.
It seems Arroyo did a tradeoff with him for her power grab.
It still amazes me that Imelda Marcos is free.
The world outside The Philippines does not comprehend how a wicked and unrepentant first lady can be a free person after all that has transpired.
Poverty will always breed some degree of corruption. The only way to stem corruption at least among the lesser power brokers is to improve social resources.
This can’t be done if there is no money for social welfare and a turnaround is not going to happen any time soon.
There will have to come a point when revisionists see PP1 and PP2 as failures.
The way things are deteriorating PP3 is a forgone conclusion.
PP3 must see a complete restructuring of the administration. It must breed transparency and accountability.
No ifs and no buts.
The culture of corruption is strong in other Asian countries not just The Philippines.
The cruel reality is that even though corruption is prevalent in countries such as Thailand and Vietnam, their economies and standards of living are advancing at a rapid rate.
The Philippines is not faring well under the same constraints.
The Marcos era has passed and yet somehow the people have been duped into falling once again for similar models. Estrada has come and gone. He is now free.
It seems Arroyo did a tradeoff with him for her power grab.
It still amazes me that Imelda Marcos is free.
The world outside The Philippines does not comprehend how a wicked and unrepentant first lady can be a free person after all that has transpired.
Poverty will always breed some degree of corruption. The only way to stem corruption at least among the lesser power brokers is to improve social resources.
This can’t be done if there is no money for social welfare and a turnaround is not going to happen any time soon.
There will have to come a point when revisionists see PP1 and PP2 as failures.
The way things are deteriorating PP3 is a forgone conclusion.
PP3 must see a complete restructuring of the administration. It must breed transparency and accountability.
No ifs and no buts.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Pinoys Fighting Corruption
Ok Pinoys. Let’s be realistic. You will not succeed in stamping out corruption by changing one corrupt administration for another.
I am trying to use some lateral thinking.
Why focus on the top hierarchy when corruption can be seen so easily in the lower echelons?
When do pretexts of being business minded give way to the realization that each one of us plays out his part in the grand scheme of corruption?
When does a bible reading Pinoy who is in a privileged position stop kidding himself into believing that god would understand he is only trying to survive?
What about when a schoolteacher complains about the administration but at the same time accepts bribes to give good marks?
What about when a policeman pulls up a taxi driver for a farcical on the spot fine and still wears his uniform with pride?
It is up to every single person to disentangle himself from the web before pointing the finger.
Corruption is only relative to positioning of power. The only difference between the above examples and The Philippine administration is the price.
Until Filipinos can resist the lure of ill-gotten rewards, even in the face of poverty, there will never ever be a better Philippines.
I am trying to use some lateral thinking.
Why focus on the top hierarchy when corruption can be seen so easily in the lower echelons?
When do pretexts of being business minded give way to the realization that each one of us plays out his part in the grand scheme of corruption?
When does a bible reading Pinoy who is in a privileged position stop kidding himself into believing that god would understand he is only trying to survive?
What about when a schoolteacher complains about the administration but at the same time accepts bribes to give good marks?
What about when a policeman pulls up a taxi driver for a farcical on the spot fine and still wears his uniform with pride?
It is up to every single person to disentangle himself from the web before pointing the finger.
Corruption is only relative to positioning of power. The only difference between the above examples and The Philippine administration is the price.
Until Filipinos can resist the lure of ill-gotten rewards, even in the face of poverty, there will never ever be a better Philippines.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Heard the one about the Arab comedians?
Comedy has developed and changed over time. Creative comedians are using the power of laughter to break down cultural and religious barriers. There are still certain things you don’t joke about if you are an Arab comedian and more particularly a Muslim Arab comedian, and even more particularly a female Muslim Arab comedian.
One positive aspect of being an Arab comedian is that it helps break down the stereotypes of minorities as seen in the non Muslim community.
Maysoon Zayid is a Palestinian actress, comedian who has caused some ripples of anxiety by challenging socially acceptable and religious doctrines.
At the start of her performance she introduces herself as a Palestinian Muslim virgin and adds.
“I just want you guys to know that I am a virgin by choice…..and that’s my father’s choice.”
“My father has spent the majority of my life terrified that I will accidentally lose my virginity, so there’s a list of activities I am not allowed to do. There is no horseback riding, not even on a carousel.”
Zayid won’t joke about 9/11 or go so far as to mock her own religion.
She pushes the envelope as far as she can, but is always aware that Arabs are vilified in the media and going too far can get somebody killed.
Further reading.
http://imeu.net/news/article004946.shtml
http://maysoon.com/news/maysoons-kids.shtml#43
One positive aspect of being an Arab comedian is that it helps break down the stereotypes of minorities as seen in the non Muslim community.
Maysoon Zayid is a Palestinian actress, comedian who has caused some ripples of anxiety by challenging socially acceptable and religious doctrines.
At the start of her performance she introduces herself as a Palestinian Muslim virgin and adds.
“I just want you guys to know that I am a virgin by choice…..and that’s my father’s choice.”
“My father has spent the majority of my life terrified that I will accidentally lose my virginity, so there’s a list of activities I am not allowed to do. There is no horseback riding, not even on a carousel.”
Zayid won’t joke about 9/11 or go so far as to mock her own religion.
She pushes the envelope as far as she can, but is always aware that Arabs are vilified in the media and going too far can get somebody killed.
Further reading.
http://imeu.net/news/article004946.shtml
http://maysoon.com/news/maysoons-kids.shtml#43
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