Being politically correct

I've just had interesting discussion in one of my communications classes about the wonderful and wacky world of the BSA (broadcasting standards authority), and the ethics and codes that are involved when one complains about a particular advertisement. AND it's official the world is as we know it is getting Way too PC!

According to http://www.urbandictionary.com/ (a website that allows you to write you own urbanised definition of words) Being politically correct originates from a "Movement in America founded on well-meaning intentions to promote equality in language and representation of diverse groups. However, this has now been oversimplified and misused by politicians in their attempt to win the favour of as many "minority" and interest groups as possible. The struggle to be "politically correct" has made common people easily irritable and oversensitive to the words of others and their own words. It has created a society that walks on eggshells and that has difficulty being personal with each other because coworkers and potential friends can't joke around for fear of offending the other." I have used a definition that incorporates America in it, as they are the main over-PC culprits.

Political correctness has one basic flaw. The definition explains that all views should be equal, but why do some who embrace this view feel the need to push this agenda as the "correct" one and at the same time demonising other views as "incorrect"? Seems a little too similar to communism for me?

In New Zealand we have particular organisations that have been created to primarily source out politically incorrect actions made by the media, in way of a complaints process. This being the BSA.

The BSA's mission is to "Support fairness and freedom in broadcasting through impartial complaints determination, effective research and informing stakeholders." GEEEZ I feel sorry for them... With New Zealand gradually getting on the PC band wagon, I can bet the BSA has been getting more and more complaints every day.

However, most of these complaints are not upheld and dismissed, it is amazing to see how many people complain about the most innocent things being portrayed in the media today.

I say, get a sense of humour, you've been brainwashed to think that innocent activities are always compromising and take a chill pill. We have a lot more things to worry about then a provocative or compromising advertisement or news item.

Heres a humerous cartoon that takes the mickey out of the pollitically correct.

PR Stunt?

In the media lately, there have been particular events which have been a bit wacky even in the world of celebrities. OK, so you’re probably wondering what I’m talking about, well I am talking about the ingenious world of PR stunts.

Website http://www.prstunts.co.uk/ takes the liberty of explaining what I mean about the “ingenious world” of PR:

“Chances are you’re reading many news and magazine articles every week, probably without realising many stories are the result of a meticulously and cleverly thought out process. PR differs from advertising in its approach. Advertising is a paid for space or slot in publications / billboards / television etc. PR is more cunning. It aims to get media coverage from more indirect ways, such as linking a product to a news story, either blatantly or subtly. To promote a product, PR companies may create a newsworthy story, submit a press release, organise an event, or get a company name accredited to an article.”

If you watched TV 3 news last Wednesday at about 6.55 pm, you would have seen Lily Allen and Elton John get into an argument while co-hosting the GQ Men of the Year Awards at London's Royal Opera House.

The Reason for the “scuffle” was because; the 23 yr old pop star had the champagne flowing from as soon as she stepped onto the awards stage.

The argument went as follows: John goes in for the kill "What, you are going to have another drink?"
Let the catfight begin. "F@#% Off, Elton" Allen threw back, "I'm 40 years younger than you. I have my whole life ahead of me."

John, 61, replied, "I could still snort you under the table."

Then slurry Allen tried to play it off by saying, "I don't know what you are talking about."

She continued to make a fool of herself when Tony Bennett took the stage to accept the Inspiration Award. As John introduced the 82-year-old singer, Allen declared, "I'll still f@#% him."

Then the icing on the cake; Allen had some good news for the press. She revealed that her younger brother, actor Alfie Owen-Allen, is engaged to actress Jaime Winstone, introducing her as "my very soon-to-be sister-in-law." The actress accepted the award telling Allen to “shut up” and that “nobody is meant to know”. Woopsey!!!

Now my dilemma; was this a stupid act of unconsciousness or a carefully crafted PR stunt? What half brained person would even consider getting drunk on international television, in front of millions of people, unless there was a reason behind it?

Lilly Allen’s publicity has recently sky rocketed all around the world with a massive number of hits increased on her official website. So I think…Wait…I know, this incident, considered ghastly to Elton John and probably many other people, was actually a crucial event in Lilly Allen’s career and I think it couldn’t of been better handled. This exposure of the pop star would have reached not only the NZ shore but many others, including the USA where the publicity was most likely needed.

I suppose we will never know for sure, but PR stunt or not, it was a definite move in the right direction for Lilly Allen’s career and I’m sure there will be more to come.

Just look at Michael Jackson.

Any publicity is good publicity!

References used: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1593992/20080903/allen__lily.jhtml

Getting your foot in the door

While searching through del.icio.us I found an interesting blog about How to choose achievable goals that discusses a new website called 43 things. This website is used predominantly for people to discover and list their goals e.g. what do you want to do with your life? 43things.com will help you decide. It is also a great way to cheer people on, who inspire you. You record your progress by writing entries and it allows you to ask questions and talk with people who share similar goals.

This website is another of the many social networking sites flooding the internet, which brings me back to my previous post, The newest form of communication: "Social networking is the newest most addictive form of communication, I believe one day it will out run texting, as it already has done with emailing. With these new forms of communication it really gives you an insight of how fast technology is changing and that socialising is not just done at a party anymore, now it’s done on the web”. This just really confirms the novelty of social networking sites and my blog post.

Now to get onto the actual issue at hand I will be discussing in the post. The links above have inspired me to expose my passion for reaching my career goals and the best way to get your foot in the door.

I will use myself as an example; after completing my communications degree I will be working in the media industry, and let's face it, media is one of the most cut-throat industries out there. It’s really not what you know it’s WHO you know. I believe I am really going the right way about it, by making sure I create contacts in the industry whether its radio, TV, newspaper, or communications, I know I will manage to find a good job after I graduate and work my way up the media scale.

Another person who is managing really well so far in the journalism industry is Sarah Byles (I hope she doesn't mind me using her as an example) she has managed to start her career in the motor sport industry by exposing HER PASSION for rally car racing, by writing for different motor sport magazines about the current motor sport in NZ, AND she is only in her second year of her degree. Do you need anymore inspiration? I will carry on with my spiel then...

If you are in a situation where getting contacts is your main source of employment well I suggest you start NOW! Get out there, put your neck on the line and ask. You never know what kind of luck you may get.

Remember, you are in full control of your future, it's just how you go about getting there that matters the most. A little cheesy I know, but a little hard work now can get you far in your chosen career path.

The newest form of communication

According to the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication: Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship, by Danah M. Boyd from the School of Information at University of California-Berkeley, social network sites are web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. In other words, social networking sites are away to create public discourse between friends and strangers, used to consistently create and with-hold relationships, either verbally; through commenting or non-verbally; through viewing peoples profile to see what they have been up to.

The first recognisable social network site was launched in 1997. The website SixDegrees.com allowed users to create profiles, list their friends and, beginning in 1998, surf the site for other “Friends” to start a relationship with. Each of these features existed in some form of six degrees of separation. These profiles existed on most major dating sites and many community sites. Voila, and social networking online is created.

Since then, the social networking phenomenon has taken off and the creation of many more websites has been the outcome. Some of the popular ones such as; Myspace, Facebook and Bebo, are now hitting the world by storm, and a new form of communication has been created. These social networking sites are particularly popular in New Zealand, and have created such a buzz that almost every kiwi teenager has at least one account with these sites generating a lot of publicity for social networking in New Zealand.

The result of all this has been people creating fame through Myspace, e.g. Tila Tequila, relationships forming and the use of these sites to create publicity for particular companies, people and campaigns (a far cry from the original use of social networking).

I personally am addicted to these types of websites, Bebo and Facebook being my main choices. I find it a great way to keep in touch with friends, talk to old friends and make new friends. I also love the fact you can share images for all to see and also comment about what you’re doing at that moment.

Social networking is the newest most addictive form of communication, I believe one day it will out run texting, as it already has done with emailing. With these new forms of communication it really gives you an insight of how fast technology is changing and that socialising is not just done at a party anymore, now it’s done on the web.

To learn more about the new social networking phenomenon check out http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html.

Technology is a puzzling thing

This post was inspired by another blog I read recently by an ex journo student from Wintec, Greer. Heres her blogsite take a look and comment: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost//blogs/greer.

Continuing on from Greer's rant about the forever mistaking technology we rely so much on, and yet it happens to fail us at the most crucial of times... I digress with a technical communication barrier which grinds my gears and has concluded with me in a bit of hot water; When texting, emailing, facebooking (ahhhh is that a word?), or sending any communication that includes typing the message, you cannot be completely sure the recipient understands the tone you are trying to convey, without the visual aspects of communication, e.g: facial expressions and tone of voice. Sometimes the recipient could take a sarcastic tone offensively, as they do not realise you are joking (story of my life), or a professional tone, eg: straight to the point, could be taken as annoyed or angry.

I personally come across this barrier on a day-to-day basis...very annoying. Thank God for emoticons, otherwise everyone would consider me as a mean person when I am usually just teasing or being sarcastic.

One thing that could stop these misunderstandings could be Pxting but we all know that takes time and money. I think there could be a lot of money out there for the next person who creates the perfect piece of technology that resolves my dilemma, and, I’m sure, many other people’s as well.

Oh the puzzling world of technology, I'm sure there will always be unavoidable cracks in the system we will never fully comprehend.

A question about guys?

Why is it men are incapable of telling the full truth? Can anyone answer me that? I am not taking a dig at all you men out there, I am just very passionate about this matter and speaking from experience. Maybe, you can enlighten me on this particular topic.

My scenario consists of a male (not naming any names), who always finds himself never telling his partner the full truth:
The male goes motorbiking one day and decides to not inform his partner the fact that he is going motorbiking with a girl, an ex... Also you must take into consideration he has refused on several occasions to teach his girlfriend how to motorbike because "Girls are bad luck when motorbiking, its so boring motorbiking with them they just go slow." Hmmmm seem a little odd to you? Well I know im puzzled. Unfortunatly, the girlfriend finds out this from her flat mate. I would hate to be the male right now!

This is just an example of the many occasions when the truth has been told half pie. Don't get me wrong i'm not saying all men are like this i am just attempting to find out WHY???

I have come up with a couple of reasons behind all this white lying:
- He is just lazy and can't be bothered in telling the entire truth.
- He believes it is insignificant.
- He knows his partner won't like it, so he trusts in the "what she doesnt know won't hurt her" motto.
- Lastly, he is doing it to you in spite, because you have had an argument or something along the same lines.
(Feel free to agree/disagree or give other reasons also)

After searching my trusty bible www.cosmopolitain.com, I found some handy tips on men's body language, so one can know whether or not your man is lying:
- If he is shifting in his chair whilst talking to you automatically think he could be nervous. However, you will actually find that he is lying about something.
- Another form of body language that indicates untruthfulness is when he covers his mouth with his hands; he is trying to block the truth from slipping out. DA nah nah naaaaaa!
- Lastly, when a guy is being deceptive it is common for blood to rush to his face. His nose and ears will begin to itch causing him to scratch.
So next time you are in these sort of situations observe carefully because you may just have a fibber on your hands.

How do you feel about blogging?

Semester one of 2008 was the first time I attempted to start writting a blog: A) Because it was part of two assessments in several of my assignments, and B) Because It's a great way to start a writing portfolio for our future employers to see.

The whole blogging process is definately an insight into how the media has changed over the years and makes one realise how important learning about writng for different mediums actually is for an up and coming journalist.

I find blogging quite theraputic. It is similar to writing a diary but usually the topics you write about are a little more controversial then "how much you hate your boyfrirend right now". This aspect makes it possible for you and the readers to get passionate about what you are writing about. This type of writing is a good way to put out there what you are thinking and feeling about the subject/issue, which makes it possible for you to get good feedback, whether it be positive of negative.

My philosophy on feedback/comments is that any kind of feedback is relevant it pretty much means that your work is getting read and it influenced someone so much that they wanted to comment about your issue/topic.

Overall, Blogs rule!

Finding a gym while on a budget

This is obviously going to be an important factor for most students. Eating crappy food combined with barely having time to exercise can stop you in your tracks when you’re a poor, unorganised student.

However, don’t fret I am here to help you. Many students cannot afford the high priced memberships and personal training fees that some elite clubs offer. This does not mean you have to shy away altogether however. If you are smart about it, often you can find ways to lower the cost.

1. Discount Seasons
The first thing to do is consider the season when buying your membership. Most gyms will offer discounted rates at the peak joining times such as right after the New Year and in after the Christmas holidays, when most Uni students go back. This is when the gym clubs anticipate a greater enrolment population as people are either trying to keep their New Year's resolutions or are just getting back into the swing of things after taking the summer off. The Uni Rec Center, at Waikato University, also has discount days for any student at Wintec or Waikato just as Uni starts back at the beginning of the year If you can, try and hold off getting your membership until either of these times and your chance of paying a lower rate is greatly increased.

2. Avoid Extras
When you have found a gym that you feel comfortable with, don't succumb to some of the pressures that the salespeople are going to try and get you to buy into. They are professionals at what they do and are trained to make you think you need things you don't. You may find yourself paying for extra privileges that you won't ever use or might use only on a few occasions such as; Vibatrain (it’s so last year anyway) or the sunbed. It's important when you are sitting down before signing the contract to have someone thoroughly go through the entire membership, explaining all the terms, for example; Guest fees, payment methods.

3. Avoid Long Term Agreements
One thing that gyms are notorious for doing is trapping you into long term agreements where you sign to become a member for 1-3 year blocks. This is generally not the best approach because if you find yourself unhappy with the gym after a short period of time you are basically locked in and will be paying regardless of whether you go or not. Cruel, I know.

4. Equipment
When looking for a gym, one thing you should make sure you do is go inside and take a good walk around. There are so many different types of equipment out there today and you will want to be sure that the gym has the ones you most often use. And don’t we want to get what we paid for huh? Some gyms will also offer added features to their members such as day-care, massage or physical therapy (usually at a cost), and a juice or snack bar. Some gyms also have nutritionists working on board so if this is an aspect of your life you wish to get help with, you may want to make use of this as well. I would definitely recommend a nutritionist if you are after a weight management programme.

5. Accessibility
You will want to take into account where the gym is relative to your house. The farther away the gym is, the less likely you will find yourself going. Especially when you would rather walk then spend $2 a litre on petrol. Another option would be to consider how close the gym is to your Uni. This may be more convenient for you, so you can stop at the gym in the morning on your way to class or after on your way home. The Uni Rec Gym is conveniently allocated on the University campus so for you people staying in a hall you want even need to leave the premises.

6. Cleanliness
This may not seem like that much of an important consideration to begin with, but once you are there and working out, if the gym has not been maintained and cleaned on a regular basis, you will find yourself uncomfortable using much of the equipment.

7. Opening Hours
Everyone has a different preference for when they like to work out. Some people are early morning people where others would rather wait until the gym is empty and go late into the night.
Some gyms are open 24 hours for their members and this may be something you will want to look for.
Inquire about their holiday gym hours. Are they closed on all statutory holidays? What about weekends? Do they have reduced hours on these days?

So hopefully with these helpful little tips, you are on your way to finding the perfect gym for you. If you are interested in looking into the Uni Rec Centre based at Waikato University it is a great way to keep fit while on a budget. To find out more visit www.unirec.co.nz or contact them on (07) 838 4177.

Why Men Don't Dance

The 50’s and 60’s were a great time to be alive. The men were polite; the women were gorgeous; the fox trot was in and regular socialising as we know it, was out. Whatever happened to those Fred Astaire’s, Gene Kelly’s and Danny Zuko’s (Grease)?

Why is it that most kiwi blokes think dancing is feminine? New Zealand’s society is slowly changing into a world where meterosexualism is all the craze. However our “tough kiwi blokes” still seem to think dancing; whether it be ball room, jazz or ballet, is for “homos”.

When doing a quick survey with the males that I know 98% of them were in agreement that “dancing is for homos”. The other 2% explained that dancing was a good way to “pick up chicks in town” so they don’t mind it.

I have collated several scenarios that are oh so very frequently happening in our society today.

Scenario l: Intermediate girls dance with each other at the social because the boys are lining the walls, looking tough and pretending they prefer each other’s company. The girls are definitely having way more fun.

Scenario 2: A well-dressed, middle aged woman sits at a wedding reception, abandoned because her husband won’t go out on the dance floor. "I don’t know the steps," he whines. Neither of them are having fun.

Scenario 3: A random group of men who don’t know each other are inspecting a display of power tools at a mall when an impromptu ballet performance for the late night shoppers begins. Something instantaneous and un-verbal passes between them, it has to do with their discomfort of seeing a man in tights. They glance uncomfortably and then all turn back to the tools.

If this was a movie, the title would be "Real Men Don’t Dance." What is it that keeps men from dancing? I believe a lot of it is simply because they don’t know how, mixed with male pride and insecurity.

While investigating this article I discovered information that seems quite ironic to me. Dance writer Clive Barnes, in a Dance Magazine article on the “Shortage of male performers”, wrote: "Most anthropologists would endorse the view that in tribal patterns the men fought, hunted and danced, and the women cooked, reared the children and governed the society." But it was the men who danced.

Now it’s come full circle. Men who dance are more likely to be considered wimps than warriors, no matter how many Patrick Swayzes put on tights. Not everyone likes to admit it, but wimp is just another word for suspected homosexual.

While doing my survey I managed to get reasons out of the boys as to why men don’t dance:
1. They are not drunk enough. After filling them with drinks you may have a chance.
2. They won’t even consider stepping out on the dance floor until there are at least six guys out there who are undeniably, inarguably, unquestionably worse than them..
3. They are afraid that we girls might think that if men can’t move on the dance floor then they can’t move in bed.
4. Men are concerned they are going to break your toes when they step on them.
5. It could be too early in the night and they don’t want to be known as the first guy to hit the dance floor.

Since these reasons are clearly never going to be good enough for us girls I have come up with some reasons why men SHOULD dance.
1. Dancing can play a sexual role in a relationship. The movement of the body and the hands, and even certain turns are seductive. Dancing could be classed even as some form of foreplay.
2. Guys, it’s definitely one way to get into the “good books.”
3. If single, knowing a few salsa moves can get men a long way, if you know what I mean.
4. Even though we women don’t like to admit it, we love to be lead by a strong masculine man and dancing is the best way to do so.
5. Lastly men should learn to dance or at least attempt to dance because there are wonderful, gorgeous ladies out there that yearn to dance. We crave to feel the movement of men’s bodies moving simultaneously with ours.

So after an extensive look into the male ego several conclusions have stirred up. For men; don’t be afraid to dance, it is a great way to socialise and women go absolutely crazy for a man who knows how to kick up his heels. For women; give him a break the male ego is so sensitive he is afraid, by dancing, he is showing his insecurities thus, he is open to any kind of mockery.

My opinion? Dance like nobody’s looking!

If anyone is interested in learning to dance as a couple, a great place to start is salsa classes. For more information go to www.hispanicclub.co.nz or contact your local club on 08004SALSA