Media and Trump

It seems like for the past few days, all I get to see on the news, on my Facebook and Twitter feeds is about Trump and Star Wars. The more the media sheds attention on Trump, the more ridiculous his campaign speeches become and the more support he gets.

It seems like Donald’s trump campaign is just out to get media attention and no matter what he says, he gets to pick up more supporters. So why does the media give him so much attention?

From a PR point of view, Trump is newsworthy. He is a presidential candidate of one of the bigger party in the United States. He is touching on a lot of controversial topics like immigration and religion. He is also taking on unpopular views, which many considers racist. And now, he is the front runner of the GOP.

As you may know, different media reports do report news with different tone and opinions, but many independent media try to put out facts and the audiences connect the dots. Listening to media on both conservative radio and liberal radio, I realize that many of the programs on the radios are condemning Donald Trump, and some even resort to call him a liar and a racist, yet his reach and support seems to increase.

I realize that even now, as I’m writing this article, I’m doing research and reading more about Donald Trump. And I guess everyone has their own view and opinions, and when facts are presented to different people, they piece this information together and come up with their own conclusion.

So should the media be to provide the truth and help the audience understand the truth, however, when the media tries to explain too much and share one side of the story, it may feel as though it is not a balanced view. But for many of the viewpoints, is there even a balanced view?

With Trump’s aggressive media use and shocking statements, he does get a lot of coverage, and yet, how do you put a balanced opinion on Trump’s call to ban Muslims from travelling to the US. If the media ignores him, he can still reach many others on social media, and when media covers him, does it put the US in a bad light for having so many racist supporters?

Do we not agree on racism? Do we not know what racism is?

It is very clear that our society is fragmented, and our values and ethics differ a lot. On one hand, the statistics show that even with Trump’s stance on Mexicans and Muslims, 36% support him. But this 36% is 36% of the Republican Electoral Support not even 36% Republicans which is the minority of people in the US.

I feel that the media is covering Trump because in today’s digital media world, it is hard to get attention. Will we see Trump as Republican Presidential Candidate? It is hard to tell. Even in the country with free speech, many media don’t call a spade a spade. When Trump lies and does not check facts, it is the responsibility for the media to inform and call him out, and not to mislead.

Even when the role of media is not to protect and censor out all the racist comments, the role of media is to inform – to uncover the truth as best as it can and to put it together in a way that the audience can understand the truth, without opinions, without name calling.

-- Robin Low

Online rants turned Sedition

Amos Yee is now a know person in Singapore. His online rant on Youtube is treated by the government as Sedition, even though he was 16 years old and there was actually not much of an audience until the media decide to pick it up and make it popular.

Primarily, his rant was targeted at the late Lee Kuan Yew, and as many may know this proves to be very unpopular and there were several individuals, including a grassroots leader of the PAP threatening to cut off the boy's Penis.

Most of the time, it is State media that flamed the flames towards Amos and publicized his video. Because Amos cannot be charged saying bad things about a dead person, He was charged under sedition act, because his video contained a rant against Christians as well.

I do not believe that the use of sedition law in this case is justified. It seems to be politically motivated, even towards this 16 year old seeking attention, who is obviously no threat.

In law, sedition is overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority to tend toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent (or resistance) to lawful authority.

Clearly, on Digital Media, the laws are still relatively new and this will set precedence and if Amos is convicted, the Sedition Act seems to be able to clamp down on any dissent online.

I've asked many Christians about the incident, and even after watching the video, they do not really feel offended, and agreed that the boy needed help. For those that felt offended, a lot of them were supporters of LKY who have not viewed the video and were all up in arms about prosecuting the 16 year old.

After engaging with 16 year olds, I realized that swearing and rebellious nature was a common thing. This has of coursed because more serious than it should and Amos may need some punishment, but clearly, this is not Sedition.

However, the Straitstimes is also used to stir up negative emotions towards the boy as "31 March that Amos’s mother, Mrs Mary, filed a police report on her son." However she did not. They painted a picture of this uncontrollable boy which must be stopped.

I would say people need to take a lot less offense of what's going on online. If you think the title offends you, why click on it and get angry?

-- Robin Low

Mouse & Mountain Dew Experiment

Can you find a mouse in a can of Mountain Dew?



A man found a mouse in a can of Mountain Dew? Is it possible?

Well some people are crazy enough to do the test in the video above.

Do you have more videos to test things you read online?

Please share with us.

-- Robin Low

“I’ve decided to stop wearing underwear” Facebook Update Explained

Don't be confused when you see a lot of friends suddenly stop wearing underwear (on Facebook)

It’s a 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness game and you will get caught up in it if you liked or commented on your friend’s Facebook status. If you haven’t been tricked into it already, here’s what you can accept the second you respond to the status!

A message that reads as such:

LOL, you should not have liked or commented!!!! Now you have to pick one from these below and post it to your status. This is THE 2014 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS game. Don’t be a spoilsport, pick your poison from one of these and change your status, 1) Damn diarrhoea 2) Just used my boobs to get out of a speeding ticket 3) Anyone have a tampon, I’m out 4) How do you get rid of foot fungus? 5) Why is nobody around when I’m horny? 6) No toilet paper, goodbye socks. 7) Someone has offered me a job as a prostitute but I’m hesitant. 8) I think I’m in love with someone, what should I do? 9) I’ve decided to stop wearing underwear. 10) It’s confirmed, I’m going to be a Mummy/Daddy! 11) just won £900 on a scratch card 12) I’ve just found out I’ve been cheated on for the last 5 months. Post with no explanations. So sorry I fell for it too!!!!! Looking forward to your post Ha ha.

Haha, it might be funny, but when too many people do not get it, it may quickly stop being funny. Well now you know what's going on.

If you have been pranked, now at least you know why...

-- Robin Low

How to turn off video autoplay on Facebook

Have you noticed that on some browsers, your surfing speeds become reduced once you are on Facebook? As some people may have a limited mobile plan, Facebook actually autoplay videos for you.

To turn it off, the most straight forward way is to go here.
https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=videos

Don't worry if you do not have the tab. If you don't, it means autoplay does not happen for you.

Enjoy!

Remember, on your mobile phones, there is also an autoplay setting which you need to turn off.

For Apple products go to iOS settings, not Facebook. Scroll down to under app settings and then click Facebook. Click settings. 2nd section down there is choice for autoplay. Click it and change to off.

For Android, go to Facebook, click on settings. Scroll down to under app settings (Not Account settings)
Click on a section on Video-Autoplay and click it and change to off.

-- Robin Low

Sri Lanka with my 75 year old mom

I've recently visited Sri Lanka with my 75 year old mum and updated the "Visit Dambulla, Sri Lanka" webpage. And I've asked my mum her thoughts after visiting Sri Lanka.

I love Sri Lanka, it has great beaches, nice waterfalls, great wildlife, interesting ruins, beautiful temples and cool highlands and tea plantations. However it does have its problems. Recently, I was in Sri Lanka in July 2014 with my mom and here is her thoughts I'd like to share so others will know if it is suitable for them to go.

1) Sri Lanka is much better now. With a highway connecting the airport to Colombo, travel time from 2.5 hours is cut to slightly over an hour.

2) Everyone is out to get your money. Within a week of travel, you can hear plenty to horror stories.

• Cab driver (or Tuk Tuk driver) never have change. A 300LKR ride becomes 1000LKR
• Driver does not recognize roads or read maps. Very often a tourist with Google Maps have to direct driver.
• Prearranged fee to airport can change. 2500LKR can become 3300LKR with a 300LKR toll on the highway and sometimes 3300LKR per passenger if passenger decides to pay more.
• Taxes and Service Charge is not shown till you get the bill
• Entry to some locations is US$30 to Tourists and less than $1 for local. (or even free)
• There is always a local menu and local price for food and things.
• Traffic is a mess, 40km trip can take 1.5 hours.

3) Service in many hotels is simply amazing. Luggages carried, rooms made with nicely folded towels, and staff happy with 100LKR tip.

4) Weather can be very bad for people not used to the tropics. Its HOT, MUGGY or RAINY. Humidity is always high and showering 3 times a day is common. On top of that, you get lots of bugs, mosquitoes and such. To make it worse, not a lot of places have airconditioning.

5) Many locations are very relaxing, the beauty of nature, amazing star gazing opportunities makes your troubles go away.

6) Quality of food is hit or miss. Buffets generally have low quality food and the spices are especially strong. May make your stomach upset. Outside Colombo and Kandy, it is hard to get options if your stomach does not agree with Sri Lankan food.

7) Tea is amazing... Simply amazing... Nothing like the ones you get overseas.

8) There is a lot to see, ruins, temples, waterfalls, beaches. And what do they have in common? LOTS OF WALKING AND STAIRS! OMG! Stairs everywhere! Wore kneeguards cushioned insoles and comfortable shoes and still have aches and pains everyday.

On the bright side, this 75 year old lady made it up Dambulla and Temple of Buddha's tooth in Kandy.

Overall, it was an enjoyable experience for my mom. She liked it and enjoyed herself  but will never do it again.

-- Robin Low

Cat + Man = Batman

How to be Batman with low cost?

1) Find black cat
2) Befriend a black cat
3) Put cat over your head.

You are now Batman! (For photos)

No cats hurt in making this photo.
Caution, be gentle or be prepared to be clawed.