Entry 7: Globalisation of New Mass Media

I had just saw this news on the internet. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/technologynews/view/1012972/1/.html#
It is about Microsoft, Google integrating Twitter into search results. This brings globalisation of the new mass media. Globalisation of media is the competitive process by which media companies attempt to acquire a larger share of the profits available in the international markets.

With this technology advance, finding information is more efficient and convenient now. There are several benefits in this new collaboration. Through intergrating Twitter into search engines, more people globally can obtain more information, like the details on other people lives, and accessing these information faster too. This leads to more people gaining knowledge about others globally.

Twitter

Twitter icon

With this new collaboration between the new media companies, information of other people lives that are harder to acquire can be known through search engines. These information involve people thinkings and lives, like celebrities. People can search their celebrity idols on the web and get the fastest updates on their celebrities’ days at work. This collaboration is convenient for both parties, the ones uploading the information and the ones want to know about the information, as it makes the process easier and more accessible.

Also, with the easy use of twitter by just typing and few clicks on the phone or through the web, information about one’s daily life can be known to others. Search engines now can have these “tweets” in real time and allow people to access more information about certain topics through searching. Hence, it makes one able to keep up with the trend and stay top of the world with more information.

Twitter

 The below videos  are from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGbLWQYJ6iM&feature=player_embedded. They are about how twitter and twitter search works.

 Besides these conveniences, racial and cultural harmony can be promoted globally. It is promoted as, eventually, more knowledges on cultures and races will be known to others. People will tweet about their daily lives and happenings. Festive events will be known to people globally. Therefore, some people may change their perspectives on other races and cultures.

The new medias, interenet and twitter, also further increases globalisation as they allows more people globally to interact and express their views. Besides increasing the interactions between people globally, it also increases the amount and content of conversations. Information about one’s daily life can be known through twitters and people can comment on it. This leds to more people to be closely connected to one another in their lives internationally.

This new collaboration acts as a complementary expansion. Search engines users can now access “tweets”, messages sent through twitters, efficiently. This will further increase the use of twitter and search engines, as most people in modern societies will not want to be left behind with the social norms and trend. Hence, this leads to globalisation of the new mass media and further benefits people internationally.

Entry 6: Advertisement in Mass Communication

I had just seen an advertisement on The Sunday Times today.

It’s an advertisement on http://www.rednano.sg/, the first local search and directory engine.

rednano.sg

The below picture shows the advertisement in the newspaper.

rednano advertisement

The caption of the advertisement reads,” Hungry? Try the sizzling new MAKAN on Rednano’s latest menu today”.  The starting question on hunger and the tempting food picture in the advertisement, are combining the written words and pictorial effects. This result attracts most people attention to read on the advertisement as it addresses a human basic need – food . This advertisement is mainly directed at the local food-lovers as food reviews are shown on the phone in the advertisement above.

Had you ever ask or recommend anyone to good Makan (eating) places? Had you ever queue up 30mins for something you crave to eat? Had you ever travel 45mins just to eat a bowl of laksa?

Yes, I believe most of the locals in Singapore did at least one of the questions I have posed above. Most Singaporeans can go to great lengths just to get their hands on their savoury dishes and satisfy their tummies.

As most Singaporeans are food-lovers, this advertisement is relevant to us in Singapore. With the download of RednanoLOCATE, it will be convenient to be able to locate good makan places nearest to you at a faster speed than asking verbally. It is also time-saving.

This advertisement has also cleverly made use of the local food-lovers culture to attract people attention to it. Also, in the modern society, most people looks for time-saving, convenient and efficient tools and devices. Thus, this tool will appeal even more to modern people in Singapore, as Singapore is a developed country.

Also, Rednano.sg had been reported recently on 13th Oct 2009 in a newspaper article. You can view the article at http://www.sphsearch.sg/news_Rednano_Mobile_partners_StarHub_and_M1_to_offer_an_exciting_new_food_directory_for_mobile_users.html.

The existence of Rednano Locate is then made known by the newspaper article to the large public, who read newspapers. This medium plays an important role. Newspapers reach out to the vast public in Singapore as most Singaporeans are literate nowadays due to their educations. Also, most literate people have knowledge of using technology and hence, they should be able to use this new technology tool. In addition, the news coverage of this tool address an unobtrusive issue in Singapore, it has a greater effect as more locals can relate to the food-loving and the modern culture. Hence, I feel that this new technology tool will be a success.

However, the example here follows a moderate effects model as the public can choose whether they want to download this tool in their phones. Even though it appeals to the local context here, people will still have to think about other factors like the costs and the reliability of the food reviews.

Entry 5: Cultural Differences and Americanization

This week entry will be on culture differences of international communication.
What is culture? To me, culture is a form of classification for certain groups of people based on their common beliefs, thoughts,  influences and behaviors in different races, regions, town, cities and countries.

Look at the picture below. What is the message being conveying here?

A Hand Sign

Yes! The message conveys here is, usually thought by us, Singaporeans, as an O-K sign. It means it’s alright and approval. However, let’s take a look at the illustration below.

Illustration of the hand sign

 extracted from http://www.1000ventures.com/

According to this illustration, this sign can be meant as money in Japan, zero in Russia and even an insult in Brazil! This shows that different cultures/ countries have different views on the same object. One man’s meat can be another man’s poison. Imagine showing an O.K sign to a Brazilian businessman after a meeting, guess what will happen? The image of the other party will be tainted and the deal may fall off. Hence, it is vital for people to know these differences when communicating with other people of different nationalities and races.

We can also observe around us that there are forms of Americanization in countries globally. There are several forms of Americanization found in several countries, examples are American brands, like Microsoft, Coca-Cola and Fast Food Restaurants like McDonald’s, KFC, so on and on.

                   

Let’s focus on the American Fast Food Restaurants that have influenced many countries.

Take a look at the pictures below.

McDonald's Global Locations

KFC Global Locations

 The above four pictures are extracted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KFC, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s

These two lists show how many countries have McDonald’s and KFC (Fast Food Restaurants originated from America). They also show how successful and influential these two fast food corporations are, globally. Fast food culture is a part of America culture, which has slowly turning into a global culture with more and more countries being influenced by it.

However, there are steps taken by these restaurants to allow people globally to be more willing to accept their products. They have tried to use the cultural aspects that the country has on food, and incorporate them into their products.

For examples, the different menus of McDonald’s in other countries.

Ebi Filet-O in Japan

Green Tea Mcflurry in Japan

McDonald’s in Japan has Ebi-Filet-O, a shrimp burger with special sauce and lettuce to suit the Japaneses’ likings for seafood. They also have Green Tea McFlurry for Japaneses’ great liking of green tea.

And in India:

Mcdonald's in India

Maharaja Mac in India

In India, there are McAloo Tikki, vegetarian burger for Hindus and also, spicy food like McCurry Pan to suit the locals’ likings for spicy food in McDonald’s. There is also no Big Mac there as Hindus can not eat beef, so instead, McDonald’s have the Maharaja Mac, a burger look like Big Mac that is made up of chicken meat. 

To conclude, there are different McDonald’s/Fast food menus for various countries. The form of Americanization differs in countries as fast food restaurants take in various cultural aspects of food in countries. They amend their America fast food culture to fit in to other countries’ food culture and thus, creating new fast food cultures and menus in countries globally.

Entry 4: Interpersonal relationship

I had just came across this on-going manga that my sister is watching, Half Prince, which have several scenes that related to interpersonal relationship.

Half Prince

[The story takes place in year 2100 A.D. where humans have developed highly realistic virtual reality games. The protagonist, 19 year-old female college student, Feng Lan, is challenged by her twin brother, Feng Yang Ming, to play the newest popular virtual reality game – Second Life – without using the advantages of being a female character in game. She decides to play as a male character (Prince) and prove her skills as a swordsman. In the game, she makes many friends and her adventures begin.] citing from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1/2_Prince

Below, the two photos show the main character of this manga, Feng Lan ( Female), who played Prince (Male character) in the game world of the manga.

Feng Lan

Prince

The author had created some scenes that involves several stages of relationship development.

I have included some of these pictures below, showing the process of interpersonal relationship between two characters (Prince and Guiliastes) in the game world- Second Life, of the manga. (Extracted from: http://www.onemanga.com/12_Prince/)

Introduction

Introduction

First Meeting

Intensifying 1

Intensifying 2

Intensifying 3

Differentiating 1

Differentiating 2

 The first three pictures show how Prince and the other in-game character, Guiliastes met. Feng Lan (female), in disguise of Prince (male) in the game world, is attracted to Guiliastes by his music and physical appearance.

The next three photos show how their relationship intensify with Guiliastes kissing Prince’s hand.  In the “Intensifying 2″ photo, Guiliastes expresses his feeling to Prince. Also, Prince reciprocates the feelings by accepting the kiss in the photo ” Intensifying 3″ .

However, the second last picture shows that Prince (male), Feng Lan (female) in disguise, finally realised that Guiliastes kissed her hand without actually knowing her actual gender. She immediately stumped by the fact that Guiliastes was kissing her male in-game character’s hand, thinking Guiliastes is a homosexual.

Then, she could not take the situation anymore and sent Guiliastes to the rebirth point in the game by killing him in the last picture shown above. These last two pictures show the process of differentiating in a relationship.

The above six pictures are Feng Lan/Prince view of this situation. However, Guiliastes views it differently.

 The below three pictures show how Guiliastes view this situation.

Guiliastes view 1

Guiliastes view 2

Guiliastes view 3

Though it is the same issue,both characters have different views on the situation and results in miscommunication. Guiliastes thought Prince is a homosexual and wants to play with him, whereas, Prince, the other way round, thought Guiliastes is gay and do not want to involve with him. This unique situation interests readers to read on to find out the outcome of their relationship.

Entry 3: Hongbao Headache and Weddings

I had just saw an article recently regards to the topic of the amount of ‘hongbao’ money should be given to a relative’s or friend’s wedding. http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_435032.html

Hongbao

‘Hongbao’ is the mandarin pronunciation of red packets. In East Asian and Chinese societies, red packets are given at celebrations like lunar new year and weddings. It symbolises good luck and blessings from others. The “hongbao” money given by the guest/s in weddings, are normally intended to cover the costs of the guest/s and to give blessings to the newly weds, citing from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_envelope.

 The amount of “hongbao”money given by the guests to the newly-weds can vary. There is also a general perception of guests giving more “hongbao money” to closer friends’ and relatives’ weddings.  But how much is more? Different people have numerous perceptions of how much money is considered more. Due to the various prototypes in people minds, different amount of money is given. These prototypes formed by people are mainly from their real experiences like their own weddings. These guests will give roughly the average amount of “hongbao money” they received from their weddings.

However, there are several factors to consider the amount of “hongbao money” that is to be given, for example, if the relationships between the guests and the groom/bride are close, or the wedding venue is at a classy place, the guests will tend to give more.

Newly-weds

In weddings, there will be wedding photos to display to guests. This above wedding photograph is an good example of attracting people attention through the existence of nonverbal cues. From this photo, one can see that this newly-weds are looking blissful from the way they smile and how they are positioned. The photographer is successful in portraying the wedding message of blissfulness to people through nonverbal communication of kinesics (body language). Also, the background shows a traditional building structure,that acts as a form of objectics, which gives people a peaceful feeling which matches with the wedding mood.

Through this photograph, this newly weds are seemed intimate as they are positioned very close to one another with their arms holding onto one another. According to Edward Hall’s four zones of personal space, they are within the intimate distance. This furthermore gives people the impression that they are loving.

Back to the topic of amount of “hongbao money” should be given, it will be unpleasant for guests to”undergiven” the amount of “hongbao money” as wedding can be an once-in-a-lifetime event.  If the guest/s “undergiven” the amount, the newly-weds will have negative impression of them and may think they do not take their wedding seriously and not sincerely blessing the couple. Hence, it may strain the existing relationships between friends and relatives. Guests should at least give an amount of money that cover the expenses spent on the wedding dinner seats. Here is a link for reference of the costs of wedding dinners in some hotels. http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/BgSty_435032_1.html

Hotel Wedding Dinner Prices

To conclude, the amount given in the “hongbao” must be carefully thought, as it will affect the relationships between the wedding couple and their family and friends. Also, a social ocassion like wedding, needs lots of communication, many preparation and efforts of the people surrounding the wedding couple to make the big day end successful and happily.

Entry 2: Malaysia Food Fight

Chilli Crab

I had just read the news recently and saw two articles, ( http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/SE+Asia/Story/STIStory_431428.html ,
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_432221.html ),
published regards to the claims of Malaysian tourism minister Dr Ng Yen Yen made recently. She had claimed that famous local dishes, like laksa, nasi lemak, hainanese chicken rice, chilli crab and bak kut teh are all Malaysian and accused countries for ‘hijacking’ them.

I feel that this perspective is illogical. No country can claim ownership over food dishes. Food dishes are ever-changing to suit people tastes in different global regions over the years.  For example, there is Japanese style of pasta. Furthermore, there is perception formed internationally for dishes. Pizza, which is commonly known to people as an Italian dish, but,  it actually could be originated from ancient Mediterranean people, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans. The ancient greeks had their “pizzas” with herbs, onion and garlic whereas Italians had theirs with tomato, cheese and basil.  Nowadays, when people thought of pizza, they will normally think of the Italian version as it has formed the international recognition and global perception of pizza in people.  In fact, a country do not need to claim a popular food as their cuisine, as dishes are normally recognised and perceived passively by people internationally as a country’s cuisine (Idols of theatre). It will be unnatural for a country to have claims over food dishes.

It may be true that some of these dishes mentioned by Dr Ng Yen Yen, are originated from Malaysia. However, most people over the world related theses dishes as Singaporean dishes, as Singapore has made them internationally recognised. Also, some of theses dishes have different versions in both countries.

Talking about the origins of theses food dishes, Chilli crab is an original Singaporean dish even though it is popular in Malaysia,(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilli_crab) and vice versa for bak kut teh, which is orignated from Malaysia but popular in Singapore, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bak_kut_teh). As for Hainanese chicken rice, with its name, one can guess it’s originated from Hainan, China and Nasi lemak is similar to Nasi Uduk and most probably originated from Indonesia too. However, Singapore and Malaysia have similar versions for theses dishes, it is  mainly due to the simplicity of the dishes and our similar perspectives. In fact, Singapore has other versions of food dishes that are recognised to people globally, like yu-sheng, lor mee, bak chor mee, satay beehoon, rojak and fried hokkien prawn mee, but Singapore do not claim theses dishes, instead, they are recognised by other people internationally as Singaporean dishes.

Another example, Singapore’s laksa is commonly known as Katong laksa, whereas, Malaysia’s laksa is known as Penang laksa. Even though both are named laksas, they are different.

Katong Laksa

Penang Assam Laksa

The above illustration of laksas shows us that different countries have different interpretations of the same food dishes and also, dishes are usually cater to suit the local tastebuds. In conclusion, it will be hard for Malaysia to claim ownership over theses food dishes, as even though they are the same dishes, but there are different versions of theses dishes in other countries. Furthermore, food has no boundaries. When people love these dishes, it is natural that they may learn to cook them and promote them in other countries. It is impossible to control dishes to be only available in one country.

Entry 1: F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2009

I was walking along Orchard Road and saw lots of Formula One SGP posters along the streets and in bus stops. 

F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2009 Poster

I love the photo on the posters. It creates excitement for this major event with its vibrant colours on the posters. Also, it’s nicely portrayed, with relevant information about the race, like venue, dates and enquiry channels like website and number. The poster is like a form of pathos to the public as it appeals to the people who love to be at such an exciting or major event.

There is lots of publicity going on for the event.  Another example for its advertising campaign is the television commercial.

With its loud and exciting sounds in the commercial, interests more people for this event. Even, someone like me, who know nothing about racing, may develop interest and wants to know more about it. We perceive, from theses advertising channels, that this event is going to be cool and exciting one. 

Also, there is also a F1 Rock concert coming soon! With lots of pop stars, like Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, performing, will furthermore attract more people for this event. Citing from http://www.f1singapore.com/news/Organisers-of-F1-Rocks-say-event-is-getting-bigger.shtml#singaporegp, ” The F1 Rocks concert will be shown on MediaCorp’s Channel 5 after the event is over and organisers are also in talks with over 100 broadcasters around the world to televise a one-hour special show of the event. “, shows that more interest will be aroused for this event globally.

On the other hand, there is also an official website for this event, http://www.singaporegp.sg/index.php. This allows more information regards to this event, to be passed on to more public, including global viewers.

The above advertisements are like forms of a linear model of communication, where there is only one-way communication. Hence, there are other channels provided for people to respond like facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Singapore-GP-Official-Page/102227592190, which acts like an interactive model for people to give their feedback. However, there is time lapse in between for responses and feedback to be carried out.

 Another better channel of communication for this event is the enquiry number, 67386738. It is a form of transactional model, where people can have immediate responses to their enquires, and better communication about this event.

Hence, to conclude, I feel that the advertising campaign for Formula One Singapore Grand Prix is very good as it makes use of the three models of communication to the public and also widens the range of advertising for more people to know about this event.