Media & Society_25 - Singtel New App

http://www.straitstimes.com/digital-life/more-digital-life-stories/story/singtel-launches-free-messaging-app-wavee-20150410

Recently, Singtel have came up with a free messaging application called Wavee. It works like your regular messaging application like WhatsApp or Line. You are able to make high quality voice and video call, sent images, messages and even locations to the recipients. It really works the same like WhatsApp. You are able to set up your own profile and some other stuff that you could do in a messaging application. Basically, it's just Whatsapp but Singtel's own version.

I think nowadays there are too many of messaging application available for us to download. To me WhatsApp is already good enough to use. They should create other kinds of application which is something different and new and useful as well. 

Media & Society_24 - Night Vision Eyeballs

http://www.discovery.com/dscovrd/tech/biohackers-inject-night-vision-into-human-eyeballs/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_466043

http://mic.com/articles/113740/a-team-of-biohackers-has-figured-out-how-to-inject-your-eyeballs-with-night-vision

A team of Biohackers has successfully injected a substance that could transformed your eyes in having night vision sight. They used a special chemical substance that a deep sea fish use to treat night blindness. Within an hour of injecting the substance on his eyes, researchers are able to see what the person see at night and this might be revolution for modern warfare. You don't have additional head gear or goggles to see in the dark anymore.

It's very cool and futuristic but it looks kind of dangerous though. I would not want to try it as you could see that the Biohackers injected the eyes with the substance I would probably look horrible after that.

Media & Society_23 - Antidote for HIV??

http://www.discovery.com/dscovrd/tech/hiv-antibody-therapy-shows-promise-in-trials/

Not really a cure but it will help the HIV patients to have better lives by reducing the amount of HIV cells in the body. It's a new form of therapy that will reduce the HIV cells in their blood. But it is still under go testing and to see if it's successful and ready to be launched to the hospitals. 

Hopefully, it will be a success and available to the patients out there. It's sad to see those HIV patients left to die without any cure. I am sure that one day, there will be a cure to this horrible virus and a way to stop it fully. Let's just hope that the undergoing testing will have a tremendous feedback and it will benefit those patients to live their life to the fullest and not dying with regret and sadness.

Media & Society_21 - Mood and Colour

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150402-do-colours-really-change-our-mood

I came across an article on how colours affects someone's mood. I think it's an interesting topic to read about as I always have inconsistent mood swings and changes. So, this article have helped me to understand more about the colours that are surrounding me and how it has affect my daily life. 

Example, red colour was made me feel bad and negative about something while blue colour made me feel so calm and relax. Just like how you see in your essay or work marked by your lecturers. You will be disappointed to see a lot of red markings everywhere, overpowering you written document which is in blue. We also take a lot of time in deciding on what colour our shirt or clothes is. Or even the room colour of our choice. So, colours do affect our lives.

Media & Society_22 - Famous Amos

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/police-confirm-arrest-of/1755782.html

The whole nation was saddened by the death of our nation's founding father, the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. But not all people was sad for his passing. Teen, Amos Yee, 16 years old, made a negative feedback about Lee Kuan Yew's death through a video on YouTube. I've watched the video and I was disgusted with his act. 

In my opinion, what he said might make sense and true but c'mon, he's only a teenager. But who is he to say that? He's only 16 years old! He still don't know nothing about whatever is happening! Just an immature kid who is trying to seek attention from the public.  

Media & Society_20 - Acidic Ocean

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32236676

A new discovery have been made. Researches have found out that not only the asteroids were the main culprit of the extinction of the prehistoric life but also the acidic ocean that caused mass extinction in the aquatic life. Rocks and sediments from the United Arab Emirate have shown signs of acidic water. Scientist believe that the release of carbon have contributed the acidity of the ocean's water. This discovery has also made the scientist worried about our current ocean's situation has there have been high amount carbon being emitted every single time.

Well, it's a good thing that we could study the past by studying the rock's samples and its sediments. A very interesting way for us to learn about the past.

Media & Society_19 - Deep Deep Down

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150129-life-at-the-bottom-of-the-ocean

Since I was a kid, I kept thinking and imagining how does life in the bottom of the sea like. I've always imagined that the bottom of the sea would be dominated by gigantic terrifying sea monsters. How I wish could travel deep down the ocean using a high tech submarine and explored the unknown parts of the Earth. But after I came across with this article, I think I would think twice on going deep down there.

Fellow scientist have discovered very monstrous looking sea creatures that roam the deep sea. Since there s lack of light and oxygen, the creatures tend to be disfigured and has a certain unique trait to adapt to it's environment. The combination of temperature and pressure have also contributed to its disfigured look. And yes, they do look something that is out of this world. 

Media & Society_18 - Sun has Seasons??

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150410-explosive-sun-ripples-discovered

Like Earth, Sun do has seasons. Our most distant star, the Sun do have changes and seasons. It's a fascinating discovery made by the astronomers. You see, there are so much to learn about solar system that we lived in. New discoveries have been made throughout the course of history. With the intelligence that have evolved through time, it has maximise the human potential to achieve something greater.

Based on this article, Sun do experienced changes. Like Earth, we have the 4 seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter but the Sun has a cycle whereby there are increase and decrease of energy of the solar flares and hot gases. 

Media & Society_17 - The ITE Slasher!!!

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/caught-in-the-act/slashing-at-ite-college-west-see-how-how-one-guy-swings-parang-at-another-during

One of the most horrible and stupidest thing that could happen in a school. Upon reading this news, I laughed and made me think why on earth are they in school. Such an uncivilised act to do in a public property especially a school. In my opinion, if you are really not happy with someone, just approach them nicely and try to compromise about it. You don't have show your might by using weapons to injure the other party. Learn how to be patient and not use violence as your last resort.

According to eyewitnesses and the news, the fight occurred due to some unhappiness about some boy girl relationship. The motive was not that clear but luckily the vicim suffered injuries from the slashing and not death. 

Media & Society_14 - ISPY

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150318-i-use-a-drone-to-spy-on-people

Have you ever wanted to be a detective or a spy like James Bond? Well, with this drone would allow you to film the surroundings and spy the neighbourhood. It's a latest gadget owned by private investigators to monitor the activities and keep in track with the progress. Very fast and efficient way to spy without getting caught.

Besides using this for filming especially ariel shots, people have came out different usage of such drones. There are pros and cons to it. On the bright side, its a very cool gadget to use to spy on people and it's very efficient to use. But on the other hand, it might be bad thing as it will kind of be a threat to national security and your own privacy. Anyone could just fly this drone near your house and look at what you are doing without even noticing. 

Media & Society_11 - The Worst Place on EARTH

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150402-the-worst-place-on-earth

In Mongolia, there exist a place where waste materials are dumped in a big deserted plain, turning it into a dystopian futuristic land. This wasteland is hidden in and unknown area of Mongolian desert and it is deemed prohibited to enter. It's chemical waste deposited by a factory and refineries nearby. Pipes are every where linking it to the lake which now looks like a futuristic apocalyptic landscape.

An extreme one's desire has caused destruction and catastrophe over mankind and our home planet, Earth. It's a very selfish act. Let's not take things for granted and stop this once and for all. If one or two can do this, imagine what could dozens of factories and refineries could do. It will be the end of humanity...

Media & Society_13 - The Ray of DEATH

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150331-nasas-cosmic-death-ray-spy

A cosmic ray could devastate Earth in seconds. Its a very deadly force of nature and it's something really unpredictable. It will just kill you in seconds. Scientist claims that it could be one of the factors that could end the world at any point of time. 

The Observatory satellite, Swift has help NASA to study and research about this cosmic phenomenon. It has been on observatory for the past 10 years. This drones or satellites have been a great way for the astronomers to have a better understanding about our galaxy. The galaxy is very far from our reach, billions of light years away. Thankfully, this innovation existed and it will help u monitor the activities out there.

Media & Society_12 - Deepest Hole Dug by Hand

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150327-the-deepest-holes-dug-by-hand

This is one of the interesting article that I came across. I have been amazed the extraordinary innovations and techniques that mankind have created to explore the planet. Architecture was one of the achievement that we should appreciate. Just look at the Great Pyramids of Egypt  and the Great Wall of China. Isn't amazing how the people in the past uses the natural resources to build a marvellous marvel without any modern day machineries. A big respect to them...

In this article, it was saying about how humans have came out with the different techniques in digging up the Earth and how the invention of machineries have helped the process to be much more easier and faster. 

Media & Society_15 - Lost Turtles

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32237231

When a baby turtle hatches from it's egg, it would travel slowly from the nesting grounds to the sea slowly and sometimes only some survive. Some may be eaten by the lingering predators, others lost in the sea, drifted to nowhere. Scientist have came out with a device that could help a lost turtle find its own way during the maturing stage of it's life. 

This device will be attached at the back of the turtle's shell and this device is solar powered. It's very innovative way to safe species from extinction. 

Media & Society_16 - Meet T-Rex Cousin

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32233105

Dinosaurs have been fascinated me since I was small and T-Rex was my favourite dinosaur of all time. T-Rex is very vicious predator equipped with sharp razor teeth and their strength and speed are superb. But now palaeontologist have discover a new species of dinosaur which share the same traits as the mighty T-Rex. It's name is Daspletosaurus. 

Not only the Daspletosaurus was a vicious meat-eating predator but it shows signs of cannibalism. It would eat it's own kind and many wounds were found its fossils suggesting that they fight with each other. It's slightly smaller than the regular T-Rex. 

Sometimes I wish that Jurassic Park exist unreal life as I would love to get close with any kinds of dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are a very interesting creatures and it has left scientist and palaeontologist ponder about their existence. 

Media & Society_10 - The Earthquake App

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/technology/earthquake-warning-on/1777814.html

Earthquake is something which is hard for us to predict as it may happen at anytime and anywhere. We can still detect the signs but it will take time to transfer the data to warn the public. Now, a smartphone application has been made that could save millions of lives. Using the GPS, it enables the phone to detect the incoming earthquakes or tsunamis and warn at the same time. 

I think this is a really good piece of innovation that the researchers have created. Since many countries like Indonesia and Japan are probed to earthquake and tsunamis, this app will help to save the millions of innocent lives. You don't have to always depend on the siren and you can just flee to safety.

But on the other hand, I think it's a bit useless if you don't own a smartphone though...

Media & Society_09 - The Singapore Sketch Book

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sketch-book-of-artists/1779272.html

A sketch book depicting sketches of the memories of our nation by different artist. It will be publish around mid-May. This would be the second volume to the issue. The first one was published in the 2011. The sketches were made by 80 artists from a hobby group called, Urban Sketchers. 

In my opinion, this is a good initiative to appreciate our local arts scene and at the same time commemorate our nation's 50 years birthday. Its very different way on how we capture our nations growth, not just by using photos and videos. Well, I'm looking forward to check the book out. 

Media & Society_08 - DC v.s. MARVEL

http://screenrant.com/dc-vs-marvel-movie-rivalry-debate/

DC and Marvel have been in rivalry since it was first published. Many even claims that Marvel was a complete rip off of DC comics. Right now, the Hollywood film industry were dominated by comic book movies. Marvel studios which has created the Marvel Cinematic Universe (The Avengers) has prevailed more than DC does. Many were impressed by what Marvel did to their cinematic universe and right now, DC and Warner Bros. Picture are stepping up the game to adapt their comic into live action.

In my opinion, rivalry between DC and Marvel is good as we as fan will have a more option on what to watch and read. We also have a better knowledge about the stories and characters as well. I'm a fan of both sides so I'm really looking forward what both productions has to offer.

Media & Society_07 - Spiderman joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe

http://marvel.com/news/movies/24062/sony_pictures_entertainment_brings_marvel_studios_into_the_amazing_world_of_spider-man

Spiderman has been one of the most popular superhero ever. Several movies were made based upon this character but all have failed to deliver the right Spiderman film that the die hard marvel comics fans deserve. The recent reincarnation of Spiderman, The Amazing Spiderman 2 has failed to capture the die hard fan's attention!

Due to the high demand of fans requesting the Spider man to be introducing the Marvel Cinematic Universe that Marvel Studios have created, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios decided to share the rights of the character to be inside the universe and introduced in future Marvel movie. It is something that many fans have been waiting for. Hopefully, they will do it right this time!

Media & Society_06 - #SG50ShadesofGrey

Fifty Shades of Grey has inspired many twitter users in Singapore to come up a funny yet erotic local hashtag in twitter, #SG50SahdesofGrey. It was also a parody of the SG50 that we are currently celebrating in Singapore. It was quite funny and entertaining. Some of my friends did tweet about it..

Media & Society_05 - Oscar 2015

Oscar 2015 was packed with impressive and outstanding films. All of them deserved it. Thanks to their dedication and handwork. Neil Patrick Harris was such an amazing host. His opening performance with Anna Kendrick and Jack Black was entertaining and funny. Birdman, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, took home most of the awards, dominating the Oscar.

But my favourite film of 2014 was The Grand Budapest Hotel, directed by Wes Anderson. Even though it didn't won an award for the Best Picture or Cinematography, it receive an award for Best Original Score, Achievements in Production Design, Costume Design and Make-up & Hairstyling. I was really impressed with it's art direction and the style of the film.

But the best film in my opinion was Interstellar. Though it did not won a lot of awards, I was happy that Interstellar won for Best Visual Effects even though I was expecting either Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Guardians of the Galaxy to claim the trophy.

I really admired the handwork and passion that the directors and the crew have put in. As a film student myself, I picture them as an inspiration. Hopefully one day, I am able to produced a really good film and get nominated in the Oscars. It's okay to dream big!

Media & Society_04 - Lady Gaga OSCAR 2015

This year's Oscar Awards was really good. The films that were nominated are all very impressive and outstanding. I've watched most the films and all of them deserved to win an award for their amazing achievements. Sadly, only the best were chosen.

But what caught my attention from this year's Oscar was, Lady Gaga's performance. Her tribute for Julie Andrew's Sound of Music was amazing and it's my first time seeing her in such way. Typically, we would see her in a very experimental wild performance but this time round, she really impressed everyone with her singing skills. This proves that she actually can sing very well.

Here's the link for the performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5tpec1Y78c

Media & Society_03 - YouTube Kids

Recently, I read a news from the web that Youtube will be creating a new app, YouTube Kids which will accommodate their specific contents. The free app will be launched in the late February this month and it will feature minimal and kid-friendly design.

In today's generation, YouTube has been a part of the childhood's play. I think it's good that they create an app which is specially for kids as there are pretty much disturbing and inappropriate content in YouTube and this might influence them in a bad way. Social media has also been a big influence in their lifestyle too, not only them but to us adults as well.

Media & Society_02 - Ah Boys To Men 3

Ah Boys To Men 3: Frogmen is the third instalment in the Ah Boys To Men franchise. It's not really a direct sequel but rather a standalone film, a spin-off film I can say. I've watched the first two films and I was really impressed by what Jack Neo have done with it, in terms of the action and the visual effects. I've yet to watch the third one. But from the trailer itself, I think it will be better than the first two as they are not being recruited as The Navy. It will be something different. I've seen many Singaporean films depicting the army and I think it's time to think of something different. I believe that Ah Boys To Men 3: Frogmen will do well in local box office!!

Media & Society_01 - MH370 Disappearance

MH370 DISAPPEARANCE

The Disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 was one the most regrettable tragedy ever happened last year 2014. It has shocked the whole world and it was one of the worst air accident happened in human history although its causes and traces was not found till today. This is my first time hearing or came across such an air tragedy that involves Malaysia Airlines. 

On the 8th of March 2014, Flight MH370 was reported missing and was off chart of the air radar. It went disappeared without a trace. It's causes and where did the flight have gone to still remains a mystery. No one really knows what happened to it. Neither the bodies nor the debris was found. Many speculations were made about the disappearance. 

In my opinion, God knows what happen to the flight and the poor souls. Only time will tell. It's a big loss for Malaysia's tourism as many would be afraid and less confident in Malaysia Airlines. Many tourist would prefer other airlines as it is much more safer. But incident like this are unpredictable. It can happen anywhere and anytime without any warning no matter what airlines you take. Just have faith..