The internet - An asset or a Liability? You decide.

The Internet - An asset or a Liability? You Decide.

The internet has become a global phenomenon. Children nowadays spend more time on the internet than on anything else. Many would argue that it is beneficial that children, our future leaders learn how to be technologically-savy from a young age. But others would argue that it could do them more harm than good.

It is a known fact that the teenage population in Singapore today has developed an unassuming dependency on the internet; many are suffering from symptoms of internet addiction, and those who are classified as the more serious cases may even spend up to 20 hours daily on the internet.

One might say that the increasing amount of internet addiction cases can be attributed to the youth culture in Singapore, in which a teenager has to expose himself/herself to the various tools that the internet provides in order to kep 'up-to-date'. Such tools include social media platforms such as Facebook and twitter.

Facebook has a phenomenon ever since its introduction. A recent study by The Nielsen Company, found that 52 per cent of the Singapore population are participating in at least one social networking website, with the most popular being Facebook — at 42 per cent.

The features that Facebook boasts captivate and intrigue both the young and old alike. Games and 'kiddish' elements aside, it is undeniable that this social media platform is an important channel for sharing information, communication and interection. With a myriad of games, activities and gimmicks that Facebook has to offer, it comes as no surprise how people can spend up to 20 hours a day on it.

“ Every time I switch on my computer, I log in to facebook first.” exclaims Victoria Lynn Tan, a 18 year-old Singapore Polytechnic student. Royston Tan, a 38 – year old marketing executive confesses that he's so addicted to the Facebook that he “ has to check it when he wakes up, in between breaks, and before he goes to bed, just to see if there are any updates.”

Not even the young teenagers are spared from the pervasiveness of the internet which may explain why the number of internet addiction cases are getting higher but the ages of those affected are getting lower. However, most will argue that these children are not to be blamed. They have been exposed to the wonders of the internet from such a young age from parents, siblings, friends, society and even school.

Nowadays, there has been great emphasis of on-line learning. Even primary school children are taught the importance of being technologically-savy. No doubt, Kayla Lim, a Primary 1 student already has a facebook account which she updates 5 times a day since November 2009 when her older sister introduced her to it. With so much exposure, it is no wonder why these young children are starting at a tender age.

Social Media platforms and learning, research material are one thing, the other thing that has captivated hordes of teenagers’ attention on the internet is gaming.

Warcraft, Left4 Dead, Dota, Maple story among many others dominate the online gaming world. These games require gamers to spend large amount of time on them in order to succeed. There are parents who feel that gaming is beneficial to children because it trains them to think strategically and that it helps to hone concentration. However the dangers could very well far out-number the advantages. “ These children may take the game too seriously and harm themselves if they fair badly in the game” explains Julie Tan, a private child psychiatrist. “They might also get too involved in the game, placing it at top priority and abandon school work amongst other more important things.” She adds.

In this day and age, everyone is so hooked on the internet that Online Dating has become extremely popular. Photo credits: www. alessiotrei.it

Gone are the days where one has to sift through a huge pile of books to find information. Now, With one click of a mouse, a world of information is at your disposal. Physical bonding and interaction has been replaced by online bonding. With the advancement in technology, human beings are getting lazier because with technology, almost everything is at the tip of your fingers and as easy as 1,2, 3. It is no wonder why everyone is so hooked on the internet.

As with most things in life, there are pros and cons to the internet. Whether it will be a greater asset or disadvantage, it is ultimately up to the individual to decide how the internet impacts his or her life.

Are fire alarms that alarming?

Are fire alarms that alarming?

On the afternoon of the 30th of January, Saturday, a fire alarm went off in Bugis Junction. Shoppers looked warily around them, but the sales personnel in all shops continued about their business. Life went on.

Then the fire alarm went off again. This time round, it rang shrilly for a long period, and the automatic shutters of some shops came slamming down. Shoppers looked around in panic. A Watsons salesgirl ran down the corridor to look for her colleagues. But outside of the shops a mother let her son play on the stairs. People stood around wait for instructions and when there were none, continued shopping.

Not too long before, shoppers at the Golden Mile Complex reacted to the fire alarm with nochalance and continued shopping as well.

Fire alarms have lost their impact on Singaporeans. With schools and offices constantly enforcing fire alarm drills, the sense of emergency so important to every crisis and evacuation has become lost. People no longer take fire alarms seriously because it could just be another drill.

But with this attitude, what will happen when there really is a fire? People are still going to stand around and wait for instructions, or worse, continue to shop.

Frequent Bugis Junction visitor Jonathan Woo thinks “people will leave if you tell them to, maybe you can do it via the PA system.” However, that might not be the most effective way to inform people of a fire; given the hubbub of malls nowadays, especially with the Chinese New Year songs blaring from shops, people are not going to hear much.

So what can be done to help Singaporeans break free of this nonchalant mindset? One way would be to do away with regular fire drills. Instead, informing tenants and visitors of exit routes out of the building, and displaying signs in prominent areas, would better facilitate evacuation.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Shereene Lim agrees: “ The fire drills are not only a waste of time but we go through it so often that we feel that every time the fire alarm goes off, it is 'staged'.”

Another way would be to check fire exits regularly. Most of the time, people are the focus of a fire drill. There is never, if ever, someone going around checking that all the doors and exits are accessible, that the sprinklers are working, and et cetera.

Finally many suggest that there should also be a harsher punishment for people who insist on smoking indoors. Even Temasek Polytechnic, an institute of education, fails to enforce this: student Mary-Anne Lee says she often gets a whiff of stale cigarette smoke when using enclosed staircases. “ It's been like this for three years so evidently these rule breakers don't feel the need to stop because they get away with it so easily.”

However it is hard to tell whether these measures will work unless they are actually implemented. It is up to the individual to take his or her own initiative in the meantime. Though Singapore is a safe place where real fire alarms rarely occur, such peace should never be taken for granted.

The Cinematic Experience

The Cinematic Experience

Home theatre systems are growing in popularity, but there are somethings it cannot replace

Could it be the whining children, the ringing cell phones or the annoying people whispering during the movie? If these reasons have you resorting to renting a dvd instead of heading to the cinemas, you are not alone.

At one time, going out to the movies was an event that was fun and enjoyable. However, times have changed with the dawn of home cinema. The advantages of having a home cinema have become irresistible such that the option of watching movies at the cinema has been abandoned for reasons which are not very difficult to see.

For one, the price of a movie ticket has sky-rocketed and is constantly going up – it is like the price of gas. If you calculate, you will find that it will cost you more than $40 for a family of five to see a movie just once.

Unquestionably, food is an important part of movie watching. Here, you will also be shelling out another $5- $10 for just simple popcorn and drink. At home you can have any snacks you like and drink whatever you want. More importantly, the prices at home are neither inflated nor taxed.

At the movie theater the floor is nothing but litter with sticky soda pop residue, popcorn, and who knows there might be a sticky bubble gum or worst, nose dirt sticking on the very chair you are about to sit on.

Comfort is key but unfortunately, at the cinema it an entirely different story. "Not only are most seats small and cramp, it is so irritating that I'm itching half the time," Sheryl Lim, self-professed movie-junkie complains.

At home on the other hand, comfort is the order of the day. You can use your favorite chair or an overstuffed leather recliner and relax and watch the movie in peace. Rubbing elbows with your neighbors is not an issue either.

Moreover, cell phones have acquired a nuisance value at places like movie theaters. DespitE countless reminders, there will still be someone yacking away on the phone. If you are unlucky, the ringing of a hand phone will distract you at a critical part of the movie.

Mrs Lily Ang, a frequent movie-goer laments that there has never been an occasion in the cinema where a phone has not rung. "It's really frustrating sometimes. What's worst, those people don't really care who they disturb."

Given, there are many benefits and reliefs from watching movies in the comfort of one's own home. However, many argue that a movie has to be watched in the theater in order to enjoy the 'full cinematic experience'.

There's just something magical about a movie theater. Once the trailers stop and the lights dim, the collective masses of movie-goers stop talking, rush to their seats, and cast their eyes upon the giant screen in anticipation. Then, when a stream of projector light hits the screen's silver surface, everyone in the theater is transported to another world.

“Watching movies at home are a far cry from catching a movie in the cinema” reveals Royston Tan, a 26 year-old Marketing Manager.

Fact is, the use of sound in a theater plays a crucial role. Surround sound heightens the experience.

Yes, many would argue that you can get surround sound at home too but clearly, the ambiance and 'feel' is incomparable. Those sound effects help take the movie-goer deeper into the movie's world, for it surrounds them in every direction.

Finally, movie theaters are constantly evolving. Whether it's 3-D, digital film, or IMAX, movie theaters keep up with the times and offer the latest and greatest entertainment technology.

“Just take 3-D movies for instance, the effects are so cool, everything feels so real and those glasses and bizzare” Victoria Lynn Tan, a secondary school student gushes.

Despite the advantages of watching movies at home and at the cinema respectively, many people forget that the movie itself plays a huge part in the whole 'movie experience'.

“Action or drama-packed movies like Titanic or Avatar will be better appreciated at the cinema because of the sound quality and atmosphere that the cinema provides” Singapore Polytechnic film student Dannel George comments. “Somehow, when you watch it at home, it loses it's 'feel' and 'power'.”

“Chick flicks don't need to be watched in the cinema because they just don't have that cinematic element in them” Mary Chia , a final year film student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Can you get the full flavor of Milk or (500) Days of Summer at home? Probably. G.I. Joe? Probably not.

So next time, when you are deciding where to watch your movie, think of it is nature and genre first then decide in order to maximize your movie experience.

Critics review: PBL - * * * (three stars)

PBL- Practical Based Learning

After months of understanding, utilizing and implementing PBL, it is no more as foreign as it once was. With better understanding, FILA charts have become as easy as ABC and 123. No doubt, I have applied PBL effectively not only to subjects that consist of it but to others as well such as Law.

Undeniably, PBL is a very practical learning tool from which work is easier planned, organized and executed. It has greatly benefited me and my group whenever we need to identify or solve problems encountered. Honestly, I think this is something that I would actually put to good use when I pursue my studies or enter the workforce. I guess PBL was of some use after all.

Recession? Not all youths feel the pinch.

Recession? Not all Youths Feel the Pinch

She blows hundreds of dollars on clothes, dines at expensive restaurants and heads to clubs twice a week. In Noelle Tan's world, recession ceases to exist. The 18 year old Meridian Junior College student receives a monthly allowance of five hundred dollars each month from her parents.

Despite the 2008 recession, she was given the same monthly allowance and insists the global downturn has not affected her spending habits. “My parents have not cut my allowance and I still spend whenever I want. I don't think twice just because of the recession.”

Anthony Chia, a 22 year old student, expresses the same minset. “My parents still give me money when I ask for it so I have no reason to cut down on my spending.”

Interestingly, despite the recession, Noelle and Anthony are not the only youths who receive spending money from their parents. Studies show that 75% of youths are receiving the same or more spending money this year than they were last year.

Perhaps the reason behind their nonchalance is the fact that they do not have to worry about their source of income. Mrs Laura Choi, a mother of two teenage girls, gives her take: "Most youths who receive a steady allowance from their parents tend to spend without limiting themselves because they can always go back to ask for more money."

Singapore's shopping belt, Orchard Road was still flooded with shoppers despite recession.

On the other hand, studies show that students who are earning their own money and supporting themselves are deeply concerned about saving as much as they can. Said 22 year old Derrick Koh: “I give tuition everyday after school and I know how difficult money is to earn but easy to spend. I don't splurge anymore and try to refrain from buying unnecessary things.”

Though most youths do not deny that they are affected by the recession to a certain extent, they are still unwilling to give up shopping and leisure activities until they absolutely have to.

Majority of youths expressed that life still goes on with recession and only if they have a tighter budget would they sacrifice certain things.

It is evident that the current economic circumstances are causing youths to prioritize their spending in specific areas. When asked what would be the first thing they would spend less on, most answered 'food and leisure activities' like clubbing.

Why?

“That’s because they are not so important” explains Jason Chuah, a 20 year old student who absolutely refuses to cut down spending on clothes.

Mr Henry Chia, a financial adviser at American International Assurance Company, Limited (AIA Singapore), believes that spending less is not important, but shopping smarter is. Studies show that most youths feel the same way too.

The Great Singapore Sale never fails to entice Singaporeans to hunt for the best deals in town.

4 out of 5 youths say they are waiting for items to go on sale, half are making fewer “impulse purchases” and 2 of 5 are more likely to "comparison shop for the best price. “With recession, so many stores are having sales to attract more customers. Shoppers should target such stores and then it will be a win-win situation” Mr Chia advises.

Thoughts on PBL

Honestly speaking, I'm not a huge fan of PBL. I think its redundant and a waste of time.However, I admit that it has introduced me to a more organised way of solving problems. It allows my thought process to flow in a systematic manner which will greatly aid in the effectiveness and efficiency of my problem solving.

With all that's been said and done, all I can say to PBL is thanks but no thanks!