Do you dare to speak up?

Mass media has been playing a big part in our daily life. Its impact and significance is something we are unable to deny. I feel that the spiral of silence theory is one that amazes me. This theory states that people have tendency to refrain from expressing unpopular ideas or views.

First, let me talk about why this theory amazes me. In general, most people are more than willing to provide their own opinions on certain issues. For instance, most of us would not hesitate if we are asked to comment on a new movie XYZ. XYZ may be a very lousy movie and not worth watching. However, if magazines reviews wrote that it’s a fantastic movie and not watching it will be your lost, what would you tell your friends? In most cases, people either follow what the magazines say (due to their credibility), or just choose to keep quiet since their opinions belong to the minority group. Why do we choose to hide our opinions even though what the reviews mention is wrong? Is that self-denial or?

So, why do we choose to keep quiet about our opinions? In my perceptive, I feel that there are various reasons. We, humans, fear isolation. “No man is an island.” Who would want to be the odd one out and stand against the crowd? I believe that no one wants to be the centre of attraction in the negative aspect. People often view another person as “weird” if his or her views are different from the majority. To avoid being the “special” one, we would shun ourselves away ourselves instead of follow the views of the majority.

Another reason is the fear of authority. Who would actually go against the government and criticise them? Who would actually dare to voice out their opinions and say that the government’s plan is wrong? To encourage certain behaviours of viewers, most of the time the media would only report the positive side of the government. In addition, which media company would actually go against the government? Our fear to commit crimes has stopped us from expressing our views that will offend others.

So how should we solve this? I feel that the media should not only report about the positive side of certain issues. Neither should they only acknowledge the views of the majority. Very often, it only through knowing the different perspectives of people, then only we realized what is wrong or we can find ways to improve certain things. By ignoring certain views become a disadvantage instead. Maybe it’s time we open up ourselves and be readily to accept any criticisms.

After all, the media should not only entertain us. Exchange of ideas and information is very important as well. Maybe we should not keep num about certain things but stand by our views and voice it out. The minority views should be acknowledged all together. What do you think?

How successful is health campaigns?

Breath of health for youth in healthy lifestyle campaign.
Website: http://www.todayonline.com/pdf_open.asp?id=1010NSL014
Date: 10 October 2008

In this generation, I guess everyone would agree that mass communication plays an important role in our life. It provides us with information, entertainment etc. And most importantly, the mass media has been trying to instil certain values and ways of life into us. For instance, the anti-drug campaign.

I came across this article in TODAY. It talks about how Health Promotion Board aims to create a healthier lifestyle for youths. We can see that HPB is trying to influence the habits of youngsters in both physical and psychological ways. Most of us would agree that the cultures of Singaporeans, especially teenagers, like to dine in fast food restaurant. It is an eating habit that is ingrained in many kids nowadays. The association is trying hard to break the monotonous way of introducing a healthy lifestyle by conducting new and interesting games, and also the use of television programmes to promote this campaign.

Now, the question is, will it be successful?

For many reasons, I think that this campaign would fail instead. Firstly, let me ask you, how many of you would actually go for this campaign even if you know about it? I guess not many would make the effort to.

I feel that mass media has a very great influence on us in many ways. Be it fashion, education or any other things. However, when it comes to health, not many would actually abide the rules. Who will want to forgo their delicious and yet unhealthy food? Your coke, McDonald’s, KFC etc. Isn’t that ironic? Although we know that it’s unhealthy, we still choose to go ahead and eat it. We will only start to regret when illness strike us. Isn’t that too late? I guess our taste buds are immune to all kind of influences, except good food.

Another reason why I feel that it will not be very successful is because not many youngsters would be aware of this event. Unlike the anti-smoking campaigns and anti-gambling campaigns, this Healthy Lifestyle campaign is not mass broadcast over the television etc. Because of this, the message did not reach many of the youngsters around.

Eating healthily seems to be quite a difficult task in Singapore. With the fast moving pace of society, with both parents working, who will have the time to whip up some dishes at home? For the sake of convenience, many would choose to “da bao” in food centres or fast food restaurants. In this case, how can we healthy?

So what can HPB do to create more awareness? Maybe they should teach youths how to cook some simple dishes for themselves? They can advertise more frequently to attract more attention. I feel that it is not easy to persuade youths like us. After all, some of us can’t live without those foods! Maybe mass media may not be that powerful at all?

In your opinion, what do you think HPB can help to raise awareness in us?

Me? Us?

....................................... Group?

........................................Individual?

As the saying goes, “No man can be an island”. Is it true? Will there be more group synergy if we are in a group which we chose to be? Or in a group we are put in?

One of the reasons why we should communicate in a group is because of group synergy. This is true to a certain extend.

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First, let me start with working with people whom you know but have never work with him or her before. Yes, you are right. You do know them. However, are they both good team mates and friends? Or do they belong to one of the categories only? One can be a good listener, but not a good team player. Although group synergy may not be that much, we can learn how to compromise and work with other people. In conclusion, working with your best friend may not help in creating group synergy.

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Next, collaborating with people you know and have worked with in the past. In school, we always have the luxury to choose who we want to work with. I guess everyone would like to work alongside with their friends, who are good team players as well. When such groups are formed, I believe that group synergy is at its maximum. Not only can the group perform well for the tasks given, they are also able to lend support and encouragement for one another since they understand each other. This is the ideal type of group, which is capable of performing the task well, and to take care of each other’s well-being.

Lastly, working with people you do not know or meet before. This kind of situation is frequently seen in workplaces where you do not have the choice to choose who you want to work with. Companies hire people according to their competency. So if you are put alongside with someone else, most likely the group members would complement each other to perform. In such cases, group synergy is prominent. However, we must not neglect that if members do not know each other beforehand, it will be difficult for them to satisfy both their individual and group needs. In such cases, conflicts might arise and hinder the progress of the group instead.

So, joining forces with people who are good friends and team players may benefit us more right?

Before I end this entry, let me share a story with you. I believe everyone has been in this kind of situation before. And from there, we will see how group communication can be a real hassle as well.

Imagine you are out with a whole group of friends, with around six of them. Well, I guess you do not have to imagine this, as it always happen. It is time for lunch, and all of you are standing in the middle of the shopping mall (or anywhere). What would happen?

In the first type of situation, if you are asked about where shall we go for lunch, everyone would say “I don’t know,” “Anywhere also can.” Everyone is trying to “satisfy” everyone by letting everyone make a decision. This is especially common in girls (no offence) and this is what guys hate most I suppose. In the end, we get nothing out from there. And finally, the brave soul stood up and makes a decision.

In the second type of situation, everyone has their own preference for dining. Suggestions came up one by one, from the clockwise direction. Seven different suggestions, including yours. Oh gosh! Which one should the group support? In the end, you will be spending time voting, or the brave soul would stand up again.

We can see that in some situations, individual decision making is much easier as compared to group decision making. Simple decisions can be made if you are alone. However, full support of group is needed if you are in a group. Moreover, you might unknowingly offend someone by disagreeing when you are in a group situation.

So, which is better? A bird or a flock of birds?