masterwordsmith-unplugged

Is your mobile ruining your sex life? Men who carry phones for 4 hours a day are more likely to be IMPOTENT, study claims

• Researchers found a link between mobile usage and erectile dysfunction 
• They studied 20 men who had issues with impotence, plus 10 healthy men 
• There was no significant difference between age, weight and testosterone 
•  Men with erectile problems did carry their mobiles for a 'significantly longer time' than healthy men

It's well known that mobiles can kill the moment - just as you lean in to make the next move, your phone rings or a work email flashes up that you just can't resist checking. But mobile phones might be having a more sinister effect on our love lives, according to new research. Scientists found that men who hold their mobiles for more than four hours a day are more likely to suffer from impotence than those who limit usage to less than two hours.

They said that more research needs to be done to establish what causes the problem and the extent of damage mobiles can cause. For the study, researchers recruited 20 men who had experienced problems with erectile function in the six months prior to the study, known as Group A. They also studied 10 healthy men with no history of dysfunction, known as Group B.

CLICK HERE to read more from The Daily Mail.

Facebook is betting huge on mobile with an eye-popping cash-and-stock deal worth up to $19 billion for Internet Age smartphone messaging service WhatsApp.

The surprise, mega-deal announced on Wednesday bolsters the world's biggest social network -- which has more than 1.2 billion members -- with the 450-million-strong WhatsApp, which will be operated independently with its own board.

It fits with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's focus on being at the center of lifestyles in which billions of people around the world share whatever they wish over the Internet using smartphones or tablets.

It is Facebook's biggest acquisition and comes less than two years after the California-based Internet star raised $16 billion in the richest tech sector public stock offering.

Zuckerberg said that WhatsApp -- a cross-platform mobile app which allows users to exchange messages without having to pay telecom charges -- was worth the steep price because its blistering growth around the globe has it on a clear path to hit a billion users and beyond.

"Services with a billion people using them are all incredibly valuable," Zuckerberg said while discussing the purchase price during a conference call with analysts.

CLICK HERE for more.

Is your conversation adding value to someone else’s life… or are you just talking to hear yourself talk?

How many times do you find yourself in a conversation that has absolutely no merit? You know the ones I’m talking about…

The ones that begin with, “Girl, did you hear” or “Don’t tell anyone, but…”

These types of conversation offer no value to your life or to anyone else’s. You have a right NOT to be a part of negative conversations that tend to do more harm than good!

Meaningful conversations, on the other hand, have a significant impact on your life and your relationships.

Are You Having a Conversation or Just Talking?

Although conversations are plentiful, unfortunately, many of these are merely talking and not true conversation.

Webster’s Dictionary provides one definition of talking as, “to speak emptily or trivially: chatter.” You can undoubtedly recognize those people who demonstrate this definition…

When you talk to them, all you hear back is “Blah, blah, blah!”

Conversation, on the other hand, is defined as “verbal exchange of ideas or opinions.”

You want to maximize your conversation to end up being meaningful — if you value your time and aim at being productive and contributory.

Keep Your Conversations On Track

CLICK here for the rest of this entry.

Having counselled young people for decades, I know it is quite normal for couples to fight. For women, it is a natural tendency for them to want to 'change' their partners whilst for men, most do not give in for it is perceived as not being macho to comply. Of course, there are many other reasons why couples fight as no one is alike, not even twins.

Fighting is one thing and making up is another...Here's one article that shares powerful secrets that couples can use to stay together.

CLICK HERE to read.

Have a lovely weekend!

When one partakes in fallacious thinking and then divides the world into black and white spheres where neither shall the twain meet, it could either signify the effects of subliminal programming or could herald the dawn of a new age whereby immaturity and narrow mindedness rule the day.

I believe that when people disagree, it shows they care, albeit to different degrees about different aspects of a particular issue/problem/situation. The argumentative state could indicate attempts to unravel better solutions to the issue. If that is the case, why are there others who try to stifle any expression of opinion - supportive or contrarian?

To disagree is not equivalent to betrayal, unkindness, disloyalty or insensitivity.

There is no use in:

• sweeping issues under the carpet
• being delusional by pretending with a smile that all is well
• being blind by living in oblivion that a particular issue does not exist when many are aware of its existence
• condemning voices of dissent
• taking an angry or retaliative or childish stance

If the rough and rocky road of angry rumblings is taken, surely tension will be the name of the game and it does no good at all. In fact, it only exacerbates the situation because progress is not attained and the cold wall of denial or confrontation or inertia drains people thereby making it even more difficult to reach conciliation. Then, the longer the problem will be unresolved and the more frustrated and negative would be one's reaction or perspective to change for the better when mutual respect fizzles through the air.

To me, it is largely due to how different individuals/groups communicate their frustration or concerns and how the other party reacts - positively or negatively. That makes all the difference.

At the same time, some may choose to remain silent. If that be the case, this cold wall can be interpreted as support, tolerance and/or ambivalence to the heart of the matter. Some may say they don't have the courage to say or do anything about it and then they are written off.

The more vocal ones are more than often ready to vocalise but have inertia in really getting down to the brass tacks of serious work. It is easier to be an arm-chair critic than to be in the thick of things doing real serious work - as an employee, team member or a volunteer.

In an environment where critical thinking skills are absent, where herd mentality rules, when the pressure to conform reigns or when one is subject to propaganda, it is very easy to forget that each concerned person should review and discuss critical issues and work it out together for a favourable win-win situation.

For example, I have my concerns about the state of education here. And I do have legitimate reasons to rant because I am directly involved in education and can see and assess the downhill trend. At the same time, apart from ranting, I have also given many suggestions many times as to why the problem exists, how it can be tackled and why there seems to be no progress, only regression.

However, there are also non-teaching Malaysians who share similar views and they can listen to explanations, make rational observations and discuss honestly in an environment where positive energy can flourish. In that way, differences in opinion can be appreciated, valued and taken into consideration while viable solutions are being worked out.

To me, there is nothing wrong in looking at what's happening, listening attentively and questioning passionately because of a heart that cares.

I advocate inquiry and not the dogma of advocacy or authoritarianism where one party says 'SIT' and everyone else sits.

Honestly, I perceive this is the root of the matter in this country where differences are played up, loyalties questioned, inquiries treated with disdain and quelled and then opinion leaders proclaim only theirs is the right way with the right answer and the right solution. Everyone else is wrong so zip up. Tragically, such overtures reflect the immature and low mentality of leaders who indulge in the 'gospel' of advocacy and then avenues of dialogue are slowly sealed one by one.

Why can't we have healthy debates? Why must it be angry debates/accusations in a win-lose kind of communication model?

We have to differentiate diversity, freedom of expression and also accountability. To give a blanket judgement that one has to accept A and reject B and that is the way it goes for otherwise, you are an outcast is a move which robs us of our thinking faculties to differentiate and to assess what would be the critical problem.

And this situation begins in the classroom right from kindergarten to even university or at the work-place. For instance, I always tell my students that they are free to disagree with me in issues discussed in class. If they feel natural disasters is an act of God whereas I may feel that it is due to man's irresponsible acts, it is completely fine with me and I will still give them the marks they deserve based on the rationality and maturity of their arguments, style and flair in sewing the whole case together and other aspects of the marking scheme.

The reality is this - for at least two to three months, few dare to offer their opinions. Why? Because they were shot down by teachers or classmates or they faced negative responses such as 'This is not in the syllabus' or 'Don't try to be funny..' and other attempts to derail their journey to inquire and to learn. When they grow up, they may carry with them this baggage of nonchalant ambivalence  and kow tow to others who are perceived to be more credible and vocal and in a better position to argue to fight the case.

We see this in the political sphere. When one party says one thing, attacks ae launched, denials churned out at supersonic speed and red herrings thrown along the way for good measure.

Tragically, a few intelligent ones even spin the whole story to detour the whole focus of the discussion to a topic based on popular sentiment that is known to trigger umbrage. And then - tar da - people are led by their noses and rant and curse on that non-related issue, forgetting the main issue all the way. And they also forget to pick out nuances in the main issue because they forgot to ask, to inquire, to do research and then to collate, digest, analyze before they verbalize.

Sighs.

And that, dear reader....is the state of affairs in this country.

Where outspoken ones take the wrong track, miss the journey and face consequences.

Or how cunning ones are employed to confuse the masses.

Or non-thinking ones go with the flow.

The time has come to be rational, logical and fair in our assessment of conflict/issues/people.

Pin point the main issue and do not target the person. Forget not who is affected. The victim has the right to voice the heart of the matter. On-lookers may not have the same frame of reference. As such, they would view the problem or the road to the solution differently.

Let us focus on solutions and stay away from dramas and problems. Leave that to Hollywood, Bollywood, Hong Kong tv stations or Korean soap opera experts.

Observations should come first before opinions and we have to do our research to test the veracity of arguments/evidence.

Give others respect and listen to their arguments without any interruption or cajoling.

Question to illuminate, not to humiliate or to interrogate unless we are in a formal position that empowers us to do so,

Ask pertinent and not leading or loaded questions that could affect the response of the receiver.

Respect others always. Speak when we have the opportunity or else remain silent until the next opportune moment arises.

I always tell my students that they need to pay special attention to the tone and style of their writing and I try to practise what I teach.

Much like fashion where one adopts a particular style of dressing by choosing certain types of clothes, style in communication is our choice of words used in any form of communication.

Tone is the effect of those words.

Hence, to maintain peace, harmony and order in our society, especially during the election campaign period, let us respect and honour fellow citizens and set the right tone in our forms of communication be it at a ceramah, dinner, email, interposed or interpersonal communication and encourage a healthy discussion and debate.

Sometimes there could be no right or wrong response but it is important that we do not comment on what others say lest it triggers a row. The best bet would be to listen respectfully. I know it is very difficult, especially when one is aware of certain problems or unresolved issues and all one can see is the brick wall ahead with no road behind it.

Laughing is a good way to defuse a tensed situation, especially when we listen to witty, clever and amusing responses. Such a relaxed ambiance could encourage congeniality and a willingness to accept differing opinions till we agree to disagree.

However, logically speaking, each of us must now list out pressing issues of this country, our concerns. And to question our outgoing ADUN, candidates who are contending for those seats and to ask them to present their views and solutions.

Now I am not at all proposing conflict avoidance because the absence of a healthy debate and/or dissent and differences could be causal factors for faulty decisions!

That way, we can have a healthy and open debate to empower us to make intelligent decisions in our voting when deciding WHO IS THE ONE WORTHY OF OUR VOTE and whether or not, THEY CAN DELIVER - based on their record of service, character, manifesto etc.

As the nation moves into a major decision-making mode, may diversity be celebrated in such a way that we can attain harmony and unity, not factionalism.



Let's embrace differences without compromising ethics, values or principles. May God bless Malaysia with leaders - fine men and women of God who are intelligent, courageous, ethical, responsible and the heart to serve the people - truly, honestly and sincerely.

It is about time responsible leaders exhort us to vote for the character of a candidate based on their campaign manifesto, aspirations,  ideas and service record. To that end, each of us must take responsibility and do our homework by undertaking research to find out the background and worthiness of the candidates without being influenced by any other kind of political propaganda. Then only can we rightly vote for the best candidate.

At the rate we are being fed on a staple diet of disinformation and misinformation, whither Malaysia?

CLICK HERE for a paper on misinformation.




 This link  reports that "an intriguing new study released last week in Psychological Science in the Public Interest reveals why people are more apt to believe false information being fed to them by the media and politicians.

According to the team of psychological scientists working on the study, led by Stephan Lewandowsky of the University of Western Australia, the main reason that people are more likely to believe false information (for example, that climate change is a hoax) is because it actually takes less brain power to believe a statement is false than to accept it as truth. Finding the truth takes time and effort that people often don’t care enough to spend on particular issues that aren’t of immediate concern.

A few excerpts from the report:

The main reason that misinformation is sticky, according to the researchers, is that rejecting information actually requires cognitive effort. Weighing the plausibility and the source of a message is cognitively more difficult than simply accepting that the message is true – it requires additional motivational and cognitive resources. If the topic isn’t very important to you or you have other things on your mind, misinformation is more likely to take hold. 

And when we do take the time to thoughtfully evaluate incoming information, there are only a few features that we are likely to pay attention to: Does the information fit with other things I believe in? Does it make a coherent story with what I already know? Does it come from a credible source? Do others believe it? 

Misinformation is especially sticky when it conforms to our preexisting political, religious, or social point of view. Because of this, ideology and personal worldviews can be especially difficult obstacles to overcome. 

Even worse, efforts to retract misinformation often backfire, paradoxically amplifying the effect of the erroneous belief. CLICK HERE for more.

Time carried an article here which discusses the same research and why misinformation sticks and corrections can backfire. 

Sora Sing's The Upside of Gossip: Social and Psychological Benefits discusses how engaging in behind-the-back talk actually had meaningful social benefits. It lowered gossipers’ stress, prevented exploitation and promoted more generous behavior.


This site also reported something interesting:

A new study about media misinformation and media users’ ignorance is only the latest wakeup call for anyone who worries that the American press has gone badly astray. From the summary of “Misinformation and the 2010 Election” comes this bottom line:

• The public is thoroughly cynical about political campaign advertising.
• Much of the public is misinformed about major issues.
• Fox News viewers are especially prone to believing things that are not true.

The report, from the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, won’t surprise anyone who’s been paying attention to national affairs and the media. We have an information crisis. Influence peddlers and opinion launderers can now spend unlimited amounts of money, much of it raised from anonymous sources, to push political issues and candidates. A system that has absolutely no accountability is almost guaranteed to become a sewer, and this one certainly has.

Meanwhile, “news” outlets are becoming not just advocates but outright partisans in the worst sense of the term. They treat policy as war, and in wars the truth comes second to winning.

In some respects, the survey is heartening. Nine in 10 voters believed they’d seen ads that were misleading or false, and more than half of the voters thought such ads were a frequent occurrence — and that the misinformation was accelerating. Why is this good news? Because the more skeptical people become about political ads, the more likely they are to disbelieve all political ads. It’s the only rational approach at this point, given our political system’s unwillingness to address the poison it spews, and I hope that by 2012 the public will have a universal belief that any political advertisement they see is probably a lie. MORE HERE.

The Washington Post  says that misinformation is the norm at political conventions and discusses how "by its very nature, that means downplaying unpleasant facts, highlighting the positive and knocking down the opposing team."

So, what then should we do? Read carefully and cautiously. Think, analyze and then only accept it if you are fully convinced it is the truth.

Check out my post on The Politics of Misinformation.

When writing this post, I realized that so many types of governments have this problem. Then, why do even more succumb to both disinformation and misinformation???

In closing, allow me to quote from THIS BLOG:

Nothing affects the lives of average citizens than the pervasive, endemic, and widespread cronyism that has infected cities and states across the entire country, again, driven by the ability of corporatist cartels to buy off politicians with special favors, campaign contributions, lucrative jobs, and many times, old-fashioned bribery and influence peddling. 

Nothing is more damaging to society than the existence of a two-tiered legal system, where average citizens are subjected to increasingly punishing and draconian laws, while the rich and powerful get pass or a slap on the wrist. 

And finally, there are the issues related to our disappearing constitutional rights, the widespread expansion of a total-information-awareness surveillance security/police state, and again, a lot of it pushed by nefarious corporate interests, acting behind close doors, hidden from public scrutiny. 

Something that should be very concerning to progressives is the trend on the so-called liberal media, which has now become obsessed with reporting on every single "outrage" committed by Republicans and the right wing.  The reporting mainly serves to inflame emotions of the "liberal" viewers, but really have very little effect on addressing the real issues we should be confronting. CLICK HERE for more.

If there is any reason why the situation is so bleak in this land, it is largely due to the pathetic standards of education. Whoever it was that made all the wrong decisions effectively destroyed our human resources, the pool of leaders, thinkers and citizens who could together develop Malaysia.

Alas, with the slow death of the thinking mind and the manner in which we are losing our international or even regional competitiveness, I dread to think of the kind of messages and information that we may get in the future. Just take a look at how some politicians respond to citizens who express their concerns about mega projects. CLICK HERE to read a letter written by an old friend whom I have not seen for many years. Is it wrong to question when it appears that ome decisions seem to have been made without public consultation or EIA and then the public are confused about subsequent statements?

If you do have time, please read Lies, Damn Lies…and What We Believe Anyway by Jeff Cobb where he dargues that fundamentally, we need to place more emphasize than ever on developing and practicing good learning habits – like critical thinking and reflection – that prevent misinformation from making inroads in the first place.



As the report suggests, once the truth gets twisted, straightening it back out is no easy matter.

The telecom phenomenon that helped earn “LOL” and “OMG” spots in the Oxford English Dictionary seems to be past its peak. Text messaging is on the decline, according to a new study by mobile industry analyst Chetan Sharma. That doesn’t mean teenagers are going to stop burying their noses in their iPhones at the dinner table— cell phone users are actually finding free solutions that offer most of the efficiency of texting without the annoying monthly charge.

During the third quarter of 2012, the average American sent 678 texts per month. That’s a big number, but it’s actually the first time America’s texting habit has declined, down from a peak of 696 texts per month over the summer. Experts say the decrease is likely a sign of a permanent shift away from SMS messaging carried over the same network we use to make phone calls.

“With social networking and other platforms, they really take the messaging feature away from that usual channel,” says Wayne Lam, a wireless communication analyst at IHS Technology. “Consumers are messaging, but text messaging as a whole is competing with other forms of messaging.”

Five years ago, cell phone owners had two options for communication: call or text (maybe email if you were fancy and had a Blackberry). Now, with smartphones having a majority stake of the mobile phone market, most users have plenty of options for text-based communications. Facebook Messenger allows users to talk with their Facebook friends in real time on the go. The messaging client WhatsApp, which works similarly to a phone’s default texting program, has been downloaded 100 million times on Android phones alone. All iPhones now come preinstalled with iMessage, a texting client that lets users communicate without using up the texts on their carrier’s plan.

All these programs rely on wireless Internet connections or cellular data networks instead of the traditional voice networks that regular texts are sent through. These free options are cutting off a key revenue stream for telecom companies, which generate an estimated $20 billion from texting each year. Tactics like charging users 20 cents per text have maintained incredibly high profit margins in the sector but has also given way to competitors that are starting to challenge traditional messaging.



Read the rest of this entry AT THIS LINK.