Should I or shouldn't I? That is the question. I have been teaching for five years part time with one of the fast food English Language chains in Japan. A pleasant enough experience once in a while. Helps fill the time and puts money in the pocket.
But alas, my patience, being saintly as it is, is wearing thin. This type of conversation 'school' is more a beauty and popularity contest and much less an actual educational experience. In fact, it could be refered to as talkingt to a wall and then expecting the wall to talk back.
Yes, ok, once in a while people do walk in who actually want to learn something. They are a pleasure to speak too and one can actually have an intelligent conversation which helps them to increase their skill. On the other hand you have a great many who are so emotionally immature that if you look at them sideways they fall apart.
It really is no wonder that instructors either leave soon after starting, or just decide they are talking to a wall and enjoy the wall paper. I have one friend who has a smile that looks glued on.
Ah, well ... what should I do next to stay entertained while living in this 'safety' country?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Boycott Samsung!!
Samsung doesn't find satirical spoof amusing. Samsung shows its arrogance as former criminal, Chairman Lee Kun-hee convicted for tax evasion and bribing two former presidents, re-takes control of Korean chaebol, by suing British columnist for satiric Christmas story.
Samseong-eul Saenggakhanda. One wonders how you can be sued for damage to its reputation if the one suing has already damaged itself.
Samsung doesn't find satirical spoof amusing
Oh, and just so you don't think this is a one off thing" They've done it before many times: Samsung can't take a joke or real criticism, resorts to bullying: Samsung, the great vampire squid
And this: "'Isn’t this a comedy?' Mr. Kim, 52, said in an interview. 'I am challenging them to slap my face, to file a libel suit against me, but they don’t. They treat me like a nut case, an invisible man, although I am shouting about the biggest crime in the history of the nation.' 'Think Samsung': Corporate corruption and unethical government influence
And from 2006 - old but the phone isn't the issue, how they deal with the 'little people' is:
Samsung Lets The World Know Its Phones Are Breakable
And if you think it's bad for the customers - think about the workers of this chaebol corporate monster:
"While Samsung corrupt practices are being revealed, at the same time the dead left by Samsung's refusal to allow trade unions and to fully protect its electronics workers, are now coming to haunt him. Already 10 workers have died, of leukemia or other blood cancers, and a total of at least 26 have been known to have fallen ill. Most recently, former semiconductor factory worker Park Ji-yeon died at the tender age of just 23, after working only 3 years."
For more from the group of workers and victims who demand accountability from Samsung (SHARPS), see Samsung workers die on the job
More: Samsung Tries to Sue Its Way to Mohammunity
Samseong-eul Saenggakhanda. One wonders how you can be sued for damage to its reputation if the one suing has already damaged itself.
Samsung doesn't find satirical spoof amusing
Oh, and just so you don't think this is a one off thing" They've done it before many times: Samsung can't take a joke or real criticism, resorts to bullying: Samsung, the great vampire squid
And this: "'Isn’t this a comedy?' Mr. Kim, 52, said in an interview. 'I am challenging them to slap my face, to file a libel suit against me, but they don’t. They treat me like a nut case, an invisible man, although I am shouting about the biggest crime in the history of the nation.' 'Think Samsung': Corporate corruption and unethical government influence
And from 2006 - old but the phone isn't the issue, how they deal with the 'little people' is:
Samsung Lets The World Know Its Phones Are Breakable
And if you think it's bad for the customers - think about the workers of this chaebol corporate monster:
"While Samsung corrupt practices are being revealed, at the same time the dead left by Samsung's refusal to allow trade unions and to fully protect its electronics workers, are now coming to haunt him. Already 10 workers have died, of leukemia or other blood cancers, and a total of at least 26 have been known to have fallen ill. Most recently, former semiconductor factory worker Park Ji-yeon died at the tender age of just 23, after working only 3 years."
For more from the group of workers and victims who demand accountability from Samsung (SHARPS), see Samsung workers die on the job
More: Samsung Tries to Sue Its Way to Mohammunity
Sunday, May 2, 2010
What is the definition of a journalist?
1. One who collects and disseminates information about current events, people, trends, and issues.
2. A person who collects and edits news.
3. A writer for newspapers, magazines and other media outlets.
4. An objective and unbiased reporter of sourced material.
5. A person who keeps a journal.
6. A person who interprets current events and their meaning.
7. One who conveys information for the good of the people
8. One who conveys information to inform the people
9. A person who sits at a desk all day turning wire copy into a story.
10. A person who reads a prompter on TV informing the people.
All of the above? Various parts of the above? None of the above?
What would you say?
2. A person who collects and edits news.
3. A writer for newspapers, magazines and other media outlets.
4. An objective and unbiased reporter of sourced material.
5. A person who keeps a journal.
6. A person who interprets current events and their meaning.
7. One who conveys information for the good of the people
8. One who conveys information to inform the people
9. A person who sits at a desk all day turning wire copy into a story.
10. A person who reads a prompter on TV informing the people.
All of the above? Various parts of the above? None of the above?
What would you say?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Who are the most influential 'truthmakers'?
Who is the most influential 'truthmaker'in the world today?
My vote goes to the press secretary for POTUS. After all, he would never lie ... right?
Who do you think?
My vote goes to the press secretary for POTUS. After all, he would never lie ... right?
Who do you think?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thank you Mr. Bryant ...
... and to Mr. Scott Rosenberg I say, bloggers are the modern day reincarnation of the 19th century muckrakers. Some of their methods are sensational and irresponsible and they surely intend, as did their grandfathers (John Steinbeck, Lincoln Steffens, Ida Tarbell, David Graham Phillips, Ray Stannard Baker, Samuel Hopkins Adams, and Upton Sinclair), to stir up public opinion as it is that very opinion that moves the heart, mind and soul to action.
Without the competition of the muckrakes, the mainstream press would continue to degenerate into the "1984" mouthpiece of the brave new world lapdog. So to Mr. Rosenberg and his ilk I say, please retire quickly as the chains of servitude to the 'truthmakers' ensconced about your neck are weighing too heavily on the rest of us.
Without the competition of the muckrakes, the mainstream press would continue to degenerate into the "1984" mouthpiece of the brave new world lapdog. So to Mr. Rosenberg and his ilk I say, please retire quickly as the chains of servitude to the 'truthmakers' ensconced about your neck are weighing too heavily on the rest of us.
Monday, April 26, 2010
A Free Press? Where's the money?
Why is the press so easily cowed, manipulated and coerced into submission?
1. In previous times, being a news reporter fell into two categories:
a. The town crier. This person was hired by the government to make announcements regarding public safety and news the government felt the people needed to know. This was a good safe and secure job as long as you did not let your opinion in anyway interfere with the 'official' view.
b. The rumor mill. These people were the sneaky busy bodies that made it their business to spread the bad and selacious gossip on everyone. This job really wasn't a job at all. More like a hobby. It often led to broken noses, death threats and a bad image in the community.
2. It cost money to put out the news. Where to get it and what do they want for it?
In ages past, the proclamation, a paper 'town crier,' was pasted on or tacked to a wall, door or other publicly accessible place or handed out on the street. It was paid for by the government and regularly disparagingly refered to as propaganda. Money wasn't a problem and the only editorial view was the official line.
The 'rag' or rumor mill was put out by hobbyists with an ax to grind or grievances against whatever and who ever. It was paid for by the hobbyist and his (no her) friends. It was often distributed in secret and posted to walls, often placed surreptitiously overtop the official sheet. If you were found in possession of said rag you were often beaten, jailed, shot or otherwise frowned upon. It was financially independent of everyone but the close knit group that put it out and lasted as long as their fortitude, fortune or life.
The muckraking press of the 1900's, especially in New York was an exaggerated example of this where the hobbyist was Hearst and the writers dedicated idealists and/or thrill seekers even in the face of great personal danger, with papers and offices often burned by the outraged and reporters beaten or killed - not usually by the government.
3. Today and the 'free' press.
Where does the term 'free press' come from and what does it mean? "A press not restricted or controlled by government censorship as to politics or ideology." Notice the definition says nothing of support by or access to the government (kind of like 'freedom or religion').
A free press allows you to print your views on anything without the government stomping on you. This was a hard fought right granted in the Bill of Rights to the American people. Not to the British, French, Japanese or any other. For those groups it is still an ideal, but not a right. Those dedicated reporters, as in yesteryear are few and far between, and like in ages past (being somewhat suicidal) have a tendency to get killed while their weak willed cowardly colleagues stay in cushy offices and do great imitations of 'town criers'.
So, "how goes it America? Is the press still free?" Why yes it is. In fact it's booming: newspapers large and small, blogs, tweets and all sorts and manner to let the world know you’re there.
Really? Sure, if you can afford to print it and you have no fear of losing your job by offending someone who could otherwise make your life hell (not the government of course), you can tell it to the world.
What happened? Why don't reporters ask probing questions? Why don't they write inspired undercover stories exposing the ills of society like their brothers of 100 years ago? Why are present day reporters just sitting in their office writing stories from wire services? Easy answer: Points one and two as above, paraphrased:
1. Writing real news is dangerous and hard work done by dedicated hobbyists who are willing to risk everything for the dedication or thrill. It is ever so much safer to imitate a town crier and get your news from the official wire.
2. Real news is written by publications and reporters, bloggers, etc who have the money from like minded people with the resources to ignore pubic and advertiser’s opinions or are willing to risk what they have for the thrill or dedication to an ideal.
The government is under no obligation to help you and it is not supposd to hinder you. If you depend on the government or anyone else for money you can't very well complain when they tell you they don't want you to print something and if you do they won't give you any more money. And if in your zeal, you steal someone's property or secrets just to get a jump on a story for your own self-satisfaction, you should not be surprised if they are upset about it and seek redress.
1. In previous times, being a news reporter fell into two categories:
a. The town crier. This person was hired by the government to make announcements regarding public safety and news the government felt the people needed to know. This was a good safe and secure job as long as you did not let your opinion in anyway interfere with the 'official' view.
b. The rumor mill. These people were the sneaky busy bodies that made it their business to spread the bad and selacious gossip on everyone. This job really wasn't a job at all. More like a hobby. It often led to broken noses, death threats and a bad image in the community.
2. It cost money to put out the news. Where to get it and what do they want for it?
In ages past, the proclamation, a paper 'town crier,' was pasted on or tacked to a wall, door or other publicly accessible place or handed out on the street. It was paid for by the government and regularly disparagingly refered to as propaganda. Money wasn't a problem and the only editorial view was the official line.
The 'rag' or rumor mill was put out by hobbyists with an ax to grind or grievances against whatever and who ever. It was paid for by the hobbyist and his (no her) friends. It was often distributed in secret and posted to walls, often placed surreptitiously overtop the official sheet. If you were found in possession of said rag you were often beaten, jailed, shot or otherwise frowned upon. It was financially independent of everyone but the close knit group that put it out and lasted as long as their fortitude, fortune or life.
The muckraking press of the 1900's, especially in New York was an exaggerated example of this where the hobbyist was Hearst and the writers dedicated idealists and/or thrill seekers even in the face of great personal danger, with papers and offices often burned by the outraged and reporters beaten or killed - not usually by the government.
3. Today and the 'free' press.
Where does the term 'free press' come from and what does it mean? "A press not restricted or controlled by government censorship as to politics or ideology." Notice the definition says nothing of support by or access to the government (kind of like 'freedom or religion').
A free press allows you to print your views on anything without the government stomping on you. This was a hard fought right granted in the Bill of Rights to the American people. Not to the British, French, Japanese or any other. For those groups it is still an ideal, but not a right. Those dedicated reporters, as in yesteryear are few and far between, and like in ages past (being somewhat suicidal) have a tendency to get killed while their weak willed cowardly colleagues stay in cushy offices and do great imitations of 'town criers'.
So, "how goes it America? Is the press still free?" Why yes it is. In fact it's booming: newspapers large and small, blogs, tweets and all sorts and manner to let the world know you’re there.
Really? Sure, if you can afford to print it and you have no fear of losing your job by offending someone who could otherwise make your life hell (not the government of course), you can tell it to the world.
What happened? Why don't reporters ask probing questions? Why don't they write inspired undercover stories exposing the ills of society like their brothers of 100 years ago? Why are present day reporters just sitting in their office writing stories from wire services? Easy answer: Points one and two as above, paraphrased:
1. Writing real news is dangerous and hard work done by dedicated hobbyists who are willing to risk everything for the dedication or thrill. It is ever so much safer to imitate a town crier and get your news from the official wire.
2. Real news is written by publications and reporters, bloggers, etc who have the money from like minded people with the resources to ignore pubic and advertiser’s opinions or are willing to risk what they have for the thrill or dedication to an ideal.
The government is under no obligation to help you and it is not supposd to hinder you. If you depend on the government or anyone else for money you can't very well complain when they tell you they don't want you to print something and if you do they won't give you any more money. And if in your zeal, you steal someone's property or secrets just to get a jump on a story for your own self-satisfaction, you should not be surprised if they are upset about it and seek redress.
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