Survey on Blogging and Mainstream Media
———— Forwarded message ————
From: Benjamin Cheah <>
Date: Sep 15, 2010
Subject: Request for assistance for a survey
To:
I hope this e-mail finds you well. I’m currently doing a research project as part of my diploma in media management. This project investigates consumer perceptions of Singaporean socio-political blogs and the mainstream media. In particular, I am looking into what people think of socio-political bloggers, and why they think what they think of them. I am also looking for correlations between these perceptions of socio-political bloggers, and gender, perceptions of the mainstream media, frequency of consumption, or a combination thereof.
I started this project because I realised that there is virtually no information about consumer perceptions of Singaporean socio-political bloggers. This is very odd: existing research points out that blogging is an inherently audience-oriented activity, but as far as I know there has been no formalised academic attempts to cover perceptions of blogging from the consumer’s perspective in Singapore. Nobody outside maybe a few academics can say for sure that they know what the readers want, and why they want what they want. My project aims to fill in this gap (if only partially so) by means of research and the survey mentioned in the title.
You’re either a regular consumer of socio-political blogs and media, or you (probably) know someone who is. Could you please help me by participating in this survey? It should take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. I’ve pasted the URL below.
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/367870/Perceptions
if you like, please forward the URL to people whom you think may be interested and suitable for this survey. This includes word of mouth, e-mail, posting on Facebook, advertising on your blog, or whatever else you can think of. In fact, I would like to encourage you to do so; I’ll need as many respondents I can get.
As a gesture of my thanks, I’ll forward my research findings to you when I’m done (and if I pass) if you want it. I know that you are involved in blogging about Singaporean politics in some way; I’m certain that this paper will prove useful to you or people whom you know. While I do intend to release the project under a Creative Commons 3.0 licence (if it’s good enough), you’ll get to receive it before the ‘official’ release. I reckon it’s not much, but this is my contribution to the shared pool of knowledge about blogging.
Thank you for your time, and I hope you respond favourably. If you have any inquiries, you may contact me and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible,
Regards,
Benjamin Cheah (
http://benjamincheah.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/survey-on-blogging-and-mainstream-medi/
)
Flowers are Red, Young man
The little boy went first day of school
He got some crayons and started to draw
He put colors all over the paper
For colors was what he saw
And the teacher said.. What you doin’ young man
I’m paintin’ flowers he said
She said… It’s not the time for art young man
And anyway flowers are green and red
There’s a time for everything young man
And a way it should be done
You’ve got to show concern for everyone else
For you’re not the only one
.
And she said…
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There’s no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen
But the little boy said…
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one
.
Well the teacher said.. You’re a naughty boy
There’s a way that things should be
And you’ll paint flowers the way they are
So repeat after me…..
And she said…
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There’s no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen
But the little boy said…
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one
.
The teacher put him in a corner
She said.. It’s for your own good..
And you won’t come out ’til you get it right
And all responding like you should
Well finally he got lonely
Frightened thoughts filled his head
And he went up to the teacher
And this is what he said.. and he said
Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There’s no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen
.
Time went by like it always does
And they moved to another town
And the little boy went to another school
And this is what he found
The teacher there was smilin’
She said…Painting should be fun
And there are so many colors in a flower
So let’s use every one
But that little boy painted flowers
In neat rows of green and red
And when the teacher asked him why
This is what he said.. and he said
Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There’s no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen.
.
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This is another performance by Marie Little, who also performed the song Wings , that i put up in my last blog post.
It makes me wanna cry.
ACRES
I was at the ACRES fundraising dinner recently. Heard of them when i was back in sch nearly a decade ago. Thought i'll finally do my part & contribute, after i heard all the wonderful work they're doing. At the dinner they played this song. It's the most beautiful song i've ever heard. It's called Wings I could have been a giant said the bonsai tree But someone bound my roots and held me down I could have reached for heaven said the snowy owl But they clipped my wings and kept me on the ground I think I heard them tell me that they love me And care for me, without them I would die Oh but what's the use of roots if you can't spread them And what's the use of wings if you can't fly I could have been a singer said the miner bird But they caged me and they told me what to say I could have run forever said the pony But they bridled me and made me go their way I think I heard them tell me that they love me And care for me forever, so it seems Oh but what's the use of voices without freedom And what's the use of living other's dreams Why do people cage the things they love the most Is it simply that they fear to be alone If you give your love it's freedom it may stay a while If it leaves you it was never yours to own I could have found adventure said the angel fish Now my world's so small there's nowhere left to go I could have ruled a kingdom said the lion Now the land inside my head is all I know I think I heard them tell me that they love me And care for me, and tell me it's alright Oh but what's the use of life without adventure And what's the use of strength if you can't fight Why do people cage the things they love the most Is it simply that they fear to be alone If you give your love it's freedom it may stay a while If it leaves you it was never yours to own If you give your love it's freedom it may stay a while If it leaves you it was never yours to own
Beyond Freedom: Dignity
How many times have we heard people tell us : What are you complaining about? You’re free to do whatever you want what! What more freedom do you want?
.
We’ve been told: Yes, you can say whatever you want –– At Speakers’ Corner
We’ve been told: Yes, you can love whoever you want —- We’re not going to police folks for 377A
We’ve been told: Yes, you can worship however you want —- But do as we say or you go to hell
.
Freedom is a good thing to have. We need Freedom. It’s our basic human right.
We applaud those who advocate for the Freedoms humankinds deserve, the Freedoms that do not hurt others
But Freedom can’t be enough.
We need Dignity.
.
We need to speak with Dignity. Not in a corner.
We need to love with Dignity. Not in a closet.
We need to worship with Dignity. Not in disgrace.
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I’ll like to salute 3 new/upcoming initiatives & appeal for everyone’s support.
Share the links on Facebook. Tweet them. Tell your friends about them.
Remember them when you’re in need of resources.
.
A newly launched website , written after much inputs & research from/by straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered & questioning people :
An Sg website to set things straight. To help set people’s thinking straight.
A website guided by this conviction:
Everyone has the right to an opinion, but no one has the right to pass off an opinion as a fact. When incorrect facts are populated, when opinions do not match reality, innocent people suffer the consequences. We aim to cross out these self-perpetuating cycles of misconception and misunderstanding by presenting the facts accurately and without bias.
Our goal is to spread the message of non-discrimination and equality, so that we can make Singapore a better place for everyone, queer and straight, religious or non-religious, rich and poor.
.
.
<
http://pinkdot.sg/
> <
http://pinkdotsg.blogspot.com/
>
May 15, 2010 (Saturday), 5:00pm - 6:30pm , Speakers’ Corner
You don’t have to be LGBT to come
You don’t have to have LGBT friends or family to come
.
Just like you don’t have to be a tree to protect the environment
Just like you don’t have to be an animal to be kind
Just like you don’t have to be a child to believe they have rights
.
This is a 100% legit, 100% family event.
.
.
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Have you ever wondered why every country in the world seems to have women or children trafficked into the sex trade except Singapore?
Could it be that we’ve simply called them whores & overstayers here?
and
http://www.thebodyshop.com.sg/en/values_trafficking.aspx
are doing a research study to determine the reality of sex trafficking and the sex trade in Singapore. The results would be out in the 3rd quarter of 2010, so do watch out for that (Info was shared at a bloggers’ outreach event where UNIFEM, BodyShop and H.O.M.E made presentations)
.
BodyShop is funding this critical piece of research through its STOP Sex Trafficking campaign. 
The ENTIRE proceeds (not just profits) of this handcream that customers purchase goes towards UNIFEM’s research project.
So the next time you need a gift for your friend —- Go grab a tube of handcream from BodyShop!
Wisdom of Whores – Elisabeth Pisani
Elizabeth Pisani is an expert working on HIV prevention. Much of her work was done in our neighbouring country Indonesia, which lots of our local men visit.
This is an excellent TedTalk she gave, if you haven’t caught it yet
http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_pisani_sex_drugs_and_hiv_let_s_get_rational_1.html
and this is an excellent book she wrote, called “Wisdom of Whores”. Much of it is set in Indonesia.
http://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Whores-Bureaucrats-Brothe
ls-Business/dp/0393337650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271255397&sr=8-1
Upcoming Conversations on Poverty, Education & Mainstream Values
Looking for interesting conversations? 3 very interesting ones happening next Saturday:
Neigbours in Need – Why I Get Involved
http://com.passion.sg/?p=137
A sharing and discussion on how individuals and groups dedicate their time, efforts and resources to help those in need. Participants will also get to know the challenges faced by the low-income and how they are overcome. If you are concerned about our neighbours in need, find out how you can get involved at this session.
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010
Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Venue: Tiong Bahru Community Club, 67A Eu Chin Street (off Seng Poh Road) S169715\
Programme
- Challenges faced by neighbours in need, and the support received by the community (Ms. Ho Hoy Fong, Vice President of Evercare Welfare Centre)
- How a civil society activist and a business brought food to more in need (Ms. Heather Chi, Director of Food for All; Ms. Nichol Ng, Managing Director of FoodXervices Inc.)
- Students share their charitable experiences (Ms. Jacyntha England, Shanghai Singapore International School)
- Facilitated by Mr Jolovan Wham
=======================================================================
Seminar on Education
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=231270716589
They will be discussing the following issues: 1.What are the education policies needed to prepare our next generation? 2.How can we make education as the key means of enhancing social mobility and employability of Singaporeans? 3.What are the education plans for Special Need/Disabled Children?
Mr Tan Kin Lian, who is unable to join, has penned a paper to share his thoughts on the education system. His paper will be circulated during the seminar. Their panel of speakers include Mr Tony Tan, Ms Hazel Poa and Mr Justin Ong. The invited external speaker for the seminar is Mr James Gomez.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
1:30pm – 4:30pm
Berkshire School Pte Ltd, 100 Beach Road #02-19A, Shaw Towers
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Whose Mainstream Is It Anyway?
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=239326063386&ref=mf
Mainstream values, mainstream culture, mainstream population. In the past few years, the word “mainstream” has been bandied about in our mass media, on a wide range of issues such as family values, global warming and death penalty. But what are they referring to, exactly?
Do they refer to the values or opinions held by the majority of our population? Or those few who are most vocal and persuasive? How do we know if these values are right or rational? Whose mainstream is it, anyway?
Although consensus may be hard to reach, come to this month’s SHM and have a fun-filled afternoon discussing in small groups a range of issues from varying perspectives.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Venue to be announced.
Fees : $5
Eligibility : All SHM members. You can join here
http://www.meetup.com/Singapore-Humanism/
for free.
Photography Enthusiasts: Open Call for works, Themed : Text and Image
My friend’s planning an exhibition and calling for works. Thought the theme was really interesting to explore!
Dear friends,
I’m currently working on a group exhibition based on Text and Image (working title) with 2902 Gallery. As this stems from my interest to explore the interplay between text and images in art, artworks could thus be in a variety of forms (photography, installation, video etc).
Just a few things to note:
1. If you have a work/body of works suitable for this show, please let me know. They may even be works in progress as the exhibition is scheduled to take place in Dec (there is still some time… fingers crossed). However, I’ll need you to express your interest by 25th Oct (Sun). Do not be put off by the paperwork and tight deadline.
2. I’ll be happy to elaborate on this exhibition as well as to send you a short write-up so you can better comprehend its motivation. Drop me an email at somemoreplants@yahoo.com if interested.
3. It’ll be great if you can forward this to any friends whom may be keen. They can also reach me at the above email address.
OK, here’s the lengthy bit!
About the exhibition
Text and Image calls for artists whose works explore the various relationships between the two through writing and photographic images. Both are ubiquitous mediums given our media-saturated world, we encounter their complementing and at times conflicting relationships through our everyday activities, be it through reading, blogging, shopping or travelling.
The exhibition aims to put together an interesting body of works that highlight the dynamic discourse between these two quotidian, communicative mediums. It is scheduled to take place 18 December 2009 to 30 January 2010 at 2902 Photo Gallery.
Open Call Submission
1. The exhibition is looking for:
a) Completed works that fit the exhibition’s theme.
b) Works in progress that are relevant and can be completed by the stipulated deadline.
c) Proposed works that are relevant and could be completed by the stipulated deadline.
An artist can submit up to a maximum of three different bodies of work for this exhibition.
This exhibition is open to interested parties based locally or overseas.
DO NOT submit actual works at this stage, see below for more details.
2. How to submit:
Note: Only JPEG and Word document will be accepted
Each project submission should include:
1) a resume (not more than two A4-size pages),
The resume should include your
a) name and contact details (handphone number, email)
b) date of birth
c) nationality
2) a one-paragraph bio (about 200 words)
3) an artist’s statement (not more than two A4-size pages).
The artist’s statement should include:
a) your name
b) a clear explanation about your work/s
c) how the work/s should be presented (prints, self-made books, video, etc)
d) year(s) in which it is made.
4) Jpeg images (in a zipped folder, if possible)
a)Do not send more than eight images for each body of work.
b)Each image in 96 dpi, compression 7-8, and with its shorter side at 10cm.
c)Image should reflect clearly how the text and photographic image are meant to work together.
d) Images should also reflect how the works are meant to be displayed
e) If necessary, paste images onto a Word document and further illustrate the relationship through writing
Pls Note:
Send one project in one email. All documents (1 – 3) should be in Microsoft Word format.
Do not resend your resume and bio if you are submitting more than one project.
Do not send prints or CDs/DVDs.
Curator may contact artists for more details if necessary.
Submissions must be made electronically to :
2902gallery@gmail.com
All submissions to have name/country on email subject line
Example: Text & Image: Your Name/Country You Are From
Submission call will close on 25th Oct 2009
For general enquiries, please send to info@2902gallery.com
3. About Exhibition’s Call for Submission
There is no specific theme apart from the exhibition’s intention to explore Text & Image. Photography must be used in the process of creating the work. All genres of photography as well as digital manipulation are accepted. Submitted works may be presented in prints, self-made books, video, or any other format as suggested by the artist.
The exhibition is open to all nationality, however, overseas artists, if selected must be willing to bear the cost of insurance and postage for their works. Selected artists should install their own works. However, the curator and her team can help look into the installation of works for those artists who cannot be around. These artists must be able to produced a detailed and comprehensive plan.
Only selected artists will be notified via email by 30th October 2009. Artists will then be expected to submit their chosen works latest by end-November. The exhibition aims to put together the works of about 6 artists, with about 1 – 2 bodies of work representing each artist. Works for the exhibition will spread over 3500 square feet, with 22 meters of white wall space available. For more information on gallery space, please go to http://www.2902gallery.com
Other important information:
All works will be for sale and the gallery takes a commission of 33% the price of the work sold. The gallery will take care of all publicity events which include writing to press, emailing its contacts, organising an opening reception & publicity material to complement the show. Please note GST 7% is applicable in all sales transaction in the gallery.
2902 GALLERY
Source: http://www.2902gallery.com
Marital Rape documentary on Channel News Asia
Jolene Tan sent a message to the members of
http://www.facebook.com/l/27bab;NoToRape.com
——————– Subject: 14 Sept 8.30pm CNA documentary on marital rape
We are pleased to announce the exciting news that Channel News Asia is airing a documentary on marital rape – and No To Rape will be featured.
We know that the producers have been looking at the issue from many angles and expect it to be well worth watching.
Series 8, Episode 4 of Get Rea! will be first televised on Monday 14 September 8.30pm with follow-up broadcasts at the following times:
Monday 14 September at 11.30pm
Tuesday 15 September at 1.30pm
Wednesday 16 September at 5.30pm
The Channel News Asia TV guide offers the following blurb: “She falls in love and gets married. It’s a ritual every girl looks forward to. But what happens when her husband starts forcing himself on her?”
Those located overseas can also watch the programme via streaming at Channel News Asia Live:
CNA Live:
http://www.facebook.com/l/27bab;www.channelnewsasia.com/live/
Tell your friends and family, and be sure to tune in!
No To Rape team p.s. please sign the petition at
http://www.facebook.com/l/27bab;www.NoToRape.com/Petition/
if you haven’t yet done so!
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