Tabloid's executives 'knew about hacking'
Surprised? Well I was outraged.
Just a few days back, Clive Goodman, News of the World former correspondent, has sent a letter stating that the News of the World executive stuff had known about the hacking incident. So, contrary to Murdoch's statement, which states that this phone hacking was only carried out by Clive Goodman, a new controversial was sparked.
Well, after reading the article with wide-eyed 'amazement', I would really like to comment on the News of the World's stand towards this whole incident. For one, if what Clive Goodman has claimed was really true, I am really disgusted with the executive staff of News of the World. We now know that the truth that phone hacking were carried out is not only confined to Murdoch and specific individuals, but the executive staff as well. As such, I really do want to question the staff's attitude towards the phone hacking incident.
If the information about the phone hacking is only known to Murdoch, and not to the rest of the staff, and the company was caught doing so, I would place all the blame to Murdoch. But the situation we face now seems to be otherwise.
How could an entire company allow phone hacking to be carried out?
How can anybody not stand up to question the morality of doing so?
In my perspective, the fact that the staff knew about the hacking reflects on their own moral values. Just because Murdoch allows it and wants it do be done, it does not mean that the staff has to follow accordingly and blindly. Someone with high moral standards would stand up and question Murdoch's action.
This also clearly shows the moral standards and working attitude of people nowadays. Are we becoming people who would carry out instructions even if they are wrong to ensure that we have a job place for us? What exactly is happening to one's moral values in doing so? The people of our present world seem to be prioritising their pay cheques above their own morality.
I believe in the process of this whole incident, we should really take some time to reflect on ourselves. As we study in school, aiming to be top-notch people of the society in the future, are we going to be people who would value the money we earn higher than the the moral values so heavily emphasised when we were educated? Perhaps, even if it does mean going against our own morality, would we still do wrong things and try to keep it a secret, as long as it guarantees the money?
I really do wish that the youth of the world would be able to decide for themselves, of what should be done and what should not be done.
Hopefully.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Blog Prompt #6
"The news media should be blamed for the unhealthy paparazzi culture and going to the extremes for sensational news. How far do you agree?"
I believe this was gone through in class a few days back. But anyway, I agree to a very small extent as to whether the news media should be blamed for the unhealthy paparazzi culture and going to the extremes for sensational news.Firstly, the readers play a part as well. This unhealthy paparazzi culture is not something new but has been going on, and is definitely not oblivious to the reader. But, the readers have not been speaking up in outrage about this, but rather, they have been buying this tabloid news at great numbers. So in a way, the curiosity of the reader which drives them to buy the tabloid news in turn drives the publisher to continue hunting for sensational news. As such, the readers who have been actively supporting and not taking a clear stand against this unhealthy culture acts as a form of drive for this unhealthy paparazzi culture.
Next, the law too is not doing anything against this culture. The law enforcers themselves are timidly hiding in their safety zone, by not publishing and openly criticising this culture that is already prevalent in our society. Instead, they choose to take a neutral stand, in fear of offending the publishers of these tabloid news, which may lead to them seeing themselves in headlines the following day. This lack of courage and the fact that nothing have been done to this culture allows this unhealthy culture to be carried out, without any opposition.
However, the news media themselves are to blame as well. News media is probably the most potent weapon that the people are using to spread this unhealthy paparazzi culture. Right now, news media enables news from different corners of the world to be spread in a matter of seconds. Also, this unhealthy paparazzi culture is also caused by the greed for money of the news media. As readers swarm to read about tabloid news and gossips, it is the people at the back scene who profits with the money earned from all the tabloid newspapers and magazines sold to each and every customer.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Blog Prompt 5
By the end of the trial scene, do you think true justice and mercy was delivered? Reflect and write on the following questions.
1. Is there true justice? Why?
2. Is there true mercy, as expounded by Portia? Why?
3. Justice and Law can be manipulated by people in power. Comment on this with reference to the text and other real-life cases and examples.
1) I believe that there is really something called true justice. It is just receiving what you are suppose to receive. I feel that in the case of Merchant of Venice, the trial scene, there was no true justice. It is rather straightforward, Antonio makes a deal and fails to meet the deal that he gave his consent to, so he has to pay the price. But in the end, Shylock is tortured under the play of words Portia uses and does not get what he really deserves. The most upsetting thing is people find that this is reasonable because of Shylock's evil character displayed.
I mean, seriously, does a person's character makes him unable to receive what he deserves? If a good man fails to fulfill the deal he makes with another evil man and has to pay the price of his life, should he be spared because he is good and the other is evil? Absolutely not. It is a clear line, a mistake done is a mistake done and one shall receive his due punishment.
2) I do not think there is true mercy. Mercy is basically taking away the punishment or things that causes pain one should receive because of the things he has done. But in the case of Portia, she forces Shylock to forfeit whatever he has and lose the bond, even though she knew that this would cause Shylock sorrow.
3) Indeed, it is undeniable that justice and law can be manipulated by those with power, as seen from our present examples and reflected from the text. In the text, Portia uses her power as a fake learned scholar sent by a wise judge to twist the law against Shylock. What she exacted against Shylock is not the law, it is just a play of words. The law exists to give the people what they deserve fairly. I feel that Shylock does not deserve to be forced to change his religion, to lose his properties and to lose the meaning of his life. Instead, Antonio deserves to be killed after giving consent to the bond and Shylock deserves to receive the pound of flesh. However, the law does not exist in this case to fulfill what both of them deserves.
In our world, or shall we narrow down to Singapore, I do not think justice and law can be so easily manipulated anymore. We Singaporeans are learned, educated people and we do not forgo things such as the law. Instead, when one tries to bend the law, no matter how much authority that person has, we react with utmost displeasure and stop him. I believe that if there is a case of anybody with power abusing his authority, we would stand up against him. Thus, there is no such thing that people with power manipulate justice and the law in Singapore.
1. Is there true justice? Why?
2. Is there true mercy, as expounded by Portia? Why?
3. Justice and Law can be manipulated by people in power. Comment on this with reference to the text and other real-life cases and examples.
1) I believe that there is really something called true justice. It is just receiving what you are suppose to receive. I feel that in the case of Merchant of Venice, the trial scene, there was no true justice. It is rather straightforward, Antonio makes a deal and fails to meet the deal that he gave his consent to, so he has to pay the price. But in the end, Shylock is tortured under the play of words Portia uses and does not get what he really deserves. The most upsetting thing is people find that this is reasonable because of Shylock's evil character displayed.
I mean, seriously, does a person's character makes him unable to receive what he deserves? If a good man fails to fulfill the deal he makes with another evil man and has to pay the price of his life, should he be spared because he is good and the other is evil? Absolutely not. It is a clear line, a mistake done is a mistake done and one shall receive his due punishment.
2) I do not think there is true mercy. Mercy is basically taking away the punishment or things that causes pain one should receive because of the things he has done. But in the case of Portia, she forces Shylock to forfeit whatever he has and lose the bond, even though she knew that this would cause Shylock sorrow.
3) Indeed, it is undeniable that justice and law can be manipulated by those with power, as seen from our present examples and reflected from the text. In the text, Portia uses her power as a fake learned scholar sent by a wise judge to twist the law against Shylock. What she exacted against Shylock is not the law, it is just a play of words. The law exists to give the people what they deserve fairly. I feel that Shylock does not deserve to be forced to change his religion, to lose his properties and to lose the meaning of his life. Instead, Antonio deserves to be killed after giving consent to the bond and Shylock deserves to receive the pound of flesh. However, the law does not exist in this case to fulfill what both of them deserves.
In our world, or shall we narrow down to Singapore, I do not think justice and law can be so easily manipulated anymore. We Singaporeans are learned, educated people and we do not forgo things such as the law. Instead, when one tries to bend the law, no matter how much authority that person has, we react with utmost displeasure and stop him. I believe that if there is a case of anybody with power abusing his authority, we would stand up against him. Thus, there is no such thing that people with power manipulate justice and the law in Singapore.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Blog Prompt (4)
1) To what extent do you agree with the issues that the student has raised here? Point out some issues of agreement and possible contention.
To be honest, before I read this article, I have been thinking and pondering about this topic for a really long time. And I really do feel the same way as Janelle.
"Maybe I don’t know exactly what type of education system I want, but I know one thing: I want a system where I’m not a product on a factory line, but a real human with an inquisitive mind, always taught to ask and wonder. Memorizing is indeed the fastest way out. Fastest way to good grades, the fastest way out of poverty, the fastest way to a good job and a good salary and a good life. The fastest way to a First World Country. But is it really the best way to educate?"
This was the sentence which I always wanted to express from the bottom of my heart but did not know how to put it in the right way.
Are we all products of this factory line Singapore has created? Personally, ever since Secondary 2 started, I have been rushing assignments, doing work all the time and stuff like that. But it has come to a point a few months back when I asked myself, what exactly am I rushing for? Unsurprisingly, I could not answer myself and I find it rather saddening. For all my life I have been rushing so much and yet I am unsure of why I am doing this for and just for a moment, it all seems so meaningless. I am just caught in this Singaporean life, where everyone rushes to get a good grade, a good job and undeniably, a good life. Janelle has put my point across in an excellent way.
For all the things we are rushing for, are we really being educated?
As mentioned in his letter as well, when we are met with problems, is our only solution regurgitating facts? Or are we really able to solve the problem with practical manners?
Ever since I pondered over this topic, I have come to realise that school really only teaches us how to get an A1. The true essence of education is being disregarded, students mindset of education are horribly distorted in my opinion. It really seems to me that students no longer learn for the sake of learning anymore, instead, they learn to score A1 instead.
And pardon me, but I am truly disgusted.
Isn't education suppose to be learning things purely because we yearn to gain knowledge? Learning things that we love and want to know more about? Where exactly is the innocence and the sincerity to just seek for knowledge purely without any intentions?
Everyday I see people raising their hands to ask questions, but what really just make me frustrated is they raise their hands not with the main intention of clarifying doubts, but with the intention of scoring Oral Participation points. Well, I cant deny that there are people who really want to clarify their doubts, but the main bulk of my class seems only to be concerned with the OP points. As such, repetitive questions are ask by students, with them hoping to get extra points.
However, despite saying so, I cant agree entirely with her. Indeed, this problem we face right now is caused by the government, but I feel that it is not entirely the government's responsibility to change this. This is also caused by our people themselves, the intent to strive for a comfortable life, the pleasures of life, has changed us, entirely. I believe in order to change this situation, everyone, and I really mean everyone must have the will to change. The change of the government is simply not enough. Every person counts, and when everyone have the same determination, that is when change really begin.
2) Examine her tone and attitude in this letter. Do you think it’s a well-crafted letter with the appropriate tone?
Although I agree with this letter to a large extent, I feel that the tone and attitude of this letter could be taken note of. I believe terms like "Sir" and "Please" should be used when appropriate, however, this letter does not exactly take note of the mannerism involved in writing a letter to a minister. Instead, terms like "Minister", instead of "Sir" are used to address the education minister himself and it inevitably suggests a little rudeness on his part.
However, she does take note of thanking the minster for reading her letter and does not use any rude terms which suggest anything wrong.
3) If you should write a letter to Minister of Education, what are some issues you would raise? Remember- your intention is to make the system better for society’s betterment via CONSTRUCTIVE ideas.
As mentioned above in the first question, it really seems to me that school no longer teach the students to gain knowledge sincerely, but rather, school teaches us how to score A1 instead. Isn't education suppose to be learning things purely because we yearn to gain knowledge? Learning things that we love and want to know more about? Where exactly is the innocence and the sincerity to just seek for knowledge purely without any intentions?
This is basically the main issues I am concerned with because all the other issues mainly arise from this mentality students have.
To be honest, before I read this article, I have been thinking and pondering about this topic for a really long time. And I really do feel the same way as Janelle.
"Maybe I don’t know exactly what type of education system I want, but I know one thing: I want a system where I’m not a product on a factory line, but a real human with an inquisitive mind, always taught to ask and wonder. Memorizing is indeed the fastest way out. Fastest way to good grades, the fastest way out of poverty, the fastest way to a good job and a good salary and a good life. The fastest way to a First World Country. But is it really the best way to educate?"
This was the sentence which I always wanted to express from the bottom of my heart but did not know how to put it in the right way.
Are we all products of this factory line Singapore has created? Personally, ever since Secondary 2 started, I have been rushing assignments, doing work all the time and stuff like that. But it has come to a point a few months back when I asked myself, what exactly am I rushing for? Unsurprisingly, I could not answer myself and I find it rather saddening. For all my life I have been rushing so much and yet I am unsure of why I am doing this for and just for a moment, it all seems so meaningless. I am just caught in this Singaporean life, where everyone rushes to get a good grade, a good job and undeniably, a good life. Janelle has put my point across in an excellent way.
For all the things we are rushing for, are we really being educated?
As mentioned in his letter as well, when we are met with problems, is our only solution regurgitating facts? Or are we really able to solve the problem with practical manners?
Ever since I pondered over this topic, I have come to realise that school really only teaches us how to get an A1. The true essence of education is being disregarded, students mindset of education are horribly distorted in my opinion. It really seems to me that students no longer learn for the sake of learning anymore, instead, they learn to score A1 instead.
And pardon me, but I am truly disgusted.
Isn't education suppose to be learning things purely because we yearn to gain knowledge? Learning things that we love and want to know more about? Where exactly is the innocence and the sincerity to just seek for knowledge purely without any intentions?
Everyday I see people raising their hands to ask questions, but what really just make me frustrated is they raise their hands not with the main intention of clarifying doubts, but with the intention of scoring Oral Participation points. Well, I cant deny that there are people who really want to clarify their doubts, but the main bulk of my class seems only to be concerned with the OP points. As such, repetitive questions are ask by students, with them hoping to get extra points.
However, despite saying so, I cant agree entirely with her. Indeed, this problem we face right now is caused by the government, but I feel that it is not entirely the government's responsibility to change this. This is also caused by our people themselves, the intent to strive for a comfortable life, the pleasures of life, has changed us, entirely. I believe in order to change this situation, everyone, and I really mean everyone must have the will to change. The change of the government is simply not enough. Every person counts, and when everyone have the same determination, that is when change really begin.
2) Examine her tone and attitude in this letter. Do you think it’s a well-crafted letter with the appropriate tone?
Although I agree with this letter to a large extent, I feel that the tone and attitude of this letter could be taken note of. I believe terms like "Sir" and "Please" should be used when appropriate, however, this letter does not exactly take note of the mannerism involved in writing a letter to a minister. Instead, terms like "Minister", instead of "Sir" are used to address the education minister himself and it inevitably suggests a little rudeness on his part.
However, she does take note of thanking the minster for reading her letter and does not use any rude terms which suggest anything wrong.
3) If you should write a letter to Minister of Education, what are some issues you would raise? Remember- your intention is to make the system better for society’s betterment via CONSTRUCTIVE ideas.
As mentioned above in the first question, it really seems to me that school no longer teach the students to gain knowledge sincerely, but rather, school teaches us how to score A1 instead. Isn't education suppose to be learning things purely because we yearn to gain knowledge? Learning things that we love and want to know more about? Where exactly is the innocence and the sincerity to just seek for knowledge purely without any intentions?
This is basically the main issues I am concerned with because all the other issues mainly arise from this mentality students have.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Blog Prompt (3)
In your opinion, is money important in a relationship? Consider the 'transactional' element observed in the relationships between the couples. Do you think there is an upward trend of relationships and marriages valuing money over other qualities? Provide examples for your responses.
I believe this question really depends on one perspective. In my opinion, when I look for a partner, I do not put money as a main priority but I cannot deny that without money, a relationship has a high change of not working out. For me, in order for me to let a relationship work out, I do need the basic amount of money to sustain the basic needs of life.
I feel that there is no upward trend of relationships and marriages valuing money over other qualities. For a relationship to work out, it is essential not to cross either borders and end up valuing one side over the other. Prevalent in our society, teen relationships hold love above anything else, otherwise known as infatuation. There is no denying that there are teen couples having relationships even without having the substantial amount of money needed to sustain the relationship well. Pertinent to that, it is a fact that as a marriage grows older, couples do tend to value money over love and other qualities mainly because the initial infatuation has faded away and inevitably, reality comes crashing in.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Blog Prompt (2)
In your opinion, how has war evolved from the past to the present? Please use examples to justify your opinions.
In my opinion, war has changed progressively from the past to the present, in accordance to the leaps and bounds made by technology itself. As the world heads towards a technology based society, the use of society is much more prevalent in our present society. As man hungers to make things to provide convenience for themselves, technology is developed to meet the seemingly insatiable appetite of man. On the other side of things, when man have conflicts with one another, technology is used in the wrong way - to combat one another. No matter how sharp a sword is, its ability is entirely dependent on the way its wielder decides to use it, just like how human have used technology for warfare, leading to the evolvement of war from the past to the present.
Adapting from the article, "This time its different", technology has allowed information, be it good or bad, to be spread across the country, across the world, into all our ears. When this happens, warfare becomes increasingly intense. With external sources with different information coming from all directions, the people are easily influenced. An excellent example would be the case of the Middle East war happening right now. The situation that was initially regarded as a minor conflict within Tunisia led to many different Middle East countries rebelling as well. Why? Because technology made it all possible. Social networks transmit information faster than anyone can imagine a few decades ago and certainly, war rises faster than we can imagine.
But we should not neglect the fact that the nature of war remains unchanged, and shall remain unchanged till the end of time. War starts because of hatred, and yet, it breed hatred itself. It is a never ending cycle, where hatred cause war and the hatred caused by war starts another war. The idea of a world free of wars is indeed superficial and unreachable to us right now, but let us work towards that target, no matter how long it takes, no matter how arduous the road is, lets hold on till the end, with hands held together.
But we should not neglect the fact that the nature of war remains unchanged, and shall remain unchanged till the end of time. War starts because of hatred, and yet, it breed hatred itself. It is a never ending cycle, where hatred cause war and the hatred caused by war starts another war. The idea of a world free of wars is indeed superficial and unreachable to us right now, but let us work towards that target, no matter how long it takes, no matter how arduous the road is, lets hold on till the end, with hands held together.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Book Review (2)
This book review will be on the book "To Sir With Love", a beautiful classic I found from my cousin's long forgotten book shelve, written by E.R Braithwaite and decorated by his superb illustration of his life.
The book basically talks about Rick Braithwaite, from South America, going to the eastern part of London to find a job. Initially, he witnesses the racial prejudice that is evidently present in his life and the situations he faces and the fact that he is unable to find a job. He then lands himself being a teacher. But never did he expect that his group of students he would be teaching were rebellious students who were regarded as "bad" students by many. However, he manages to make a change in these students, by his special way of treating them. Unlike others, he treats the students as mature adults and talk to them in a matured manner, with the hope of them treating him the same way. In the end, he did received the due respect a teacher should receive from his students just because his respect towards the students was reciprocated. These students who never did respect their teachers and adults in this case, were changed thoroughly.
Although Rick, because of racism issues, was thrown with unpleasant comments by other teachers, he never did retaliate and placed the students as the highest priority. He made sure that his class would not be affected by this.
This book has earned by utmost admiration just because the fact that Rick has gone through so much, tolerated hardships, faced adveristy, all to change the students has touched my heart deeply and the students, who were thought as hopeless, were changed because of this undying determination of their teacher.
It has reminded me of how important my teachers are to me and I would appreciate if those who have not read this book take this book and start reading it.
The book basically talks about Rick Braithwaite, from South America, going to the eastern part of London to find a job. Initially, he witnesses the racial prejudice that is evidently present in his life and the situations he faces and the fact that he is unable to find a job. He then lands himself being a teacher. But never did he expect that his group of students he would be teaching were rebellious students who were regarded as "bad" students by many. However, he manages to make a change in these students, by his special way of treating them. Unlike others, he treats the students as mature adults and talk to them in a matured manner, with the hope of them treating him the same way. In the end, he did received the due respect a teacher should receive from his students just because his respect towards the students was reciprocated. These students who never did respect their teachers and adults in this case, were changed thoroughly.
Although Rick, because of racism issues, was thrown with unpleasant comments by other teachers, he never did retaliate and placed the students as the highest priority. He made sure that his class would not be affected by this.
This book has earned by utmost admiration just because the fact that Rick has gone through so much, tolerated hardships, faced adveristy, all to change the students has touched my heart deeply and the students, who were thought as hopeless, were changed because of this undying determination of their teacher.
It has reminded me of how important my teachers are to me and I would appreciate if those who have not read this book take this book and start reading it.
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