Social networking

The development of technology, particularly in the areas of transportation and communication, create social networks or social websites, which is connecting intermediately between a person with another person for a particular purpose. Social websites can connect the individual with other individuals throughout the world. Today, a huge number of social websites existed to be the mediator throughout the world. Among the most popular websites, especially for adults and students are Facebook, Twitter, Friendster and MySpace. These social websites allow peoples communicate quickly and also save a lot of time.

Conan Milner wrote an article ‘Social networking can increase feelings of isolation’ in the Epoch Times mentioned that the study conducted by MTV's 24-hour college network, The Jed Foundation, and The Associated Press examine that mental health of college students and their relationship with technology is importance in students' lives. It is increasing the feeling of isolation among students. They are willing to spend hours in front of the computer surfing the social web applications which is available in the Internet. With this, they will be less mixed directly with the public because they spend a lot of time alone in front of computer.

Influenced by smoking scenes

In the article written by John Delaney, ‘Cut smoking in movies, doctors tell Holllywood’, which has been published by the Epoch Times shows that the existence of a negative moral value in television, DVDs and the Internet raises a serious problem among the youth. Moreover, the media is considered as one of the influential factors that brought threats to the youth. Some medical professionals, particularly in the United States and Canada say that smoking scenes in Hollywood movies influence young people on smoking. They also want smoking scenes eliminated in youth-rated films.

Based on studies and research conducted by the World Health Organisation, the U.S Institute Medicine and the U.S National cancer Institute showed that smoking scenes in movies is the greatest place for youth getting addicted to the smoking in their life. Research Director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada argues that estimated at 43,000 from 130,000 Canadian teenagers would die prematurely from smoking.

Actually, the right to determine good or bad it’s depend on the individual, but without control and observation from parents, the adolescents are more vulnerable to negative elements such as smoking and drugs which is influenced by the movies.

It can be concluded that the producers of the film as being individualistic and more concerned about the profit while don’t aware on the adverse effects of long-term impact on the youth. The film industry should play an important role and more effective ways to reduce the spread of movies that are less healthy. 

In order to protect the adolescents, the government can also play an important role by increasing cigarette prices and tax. We also need the young generation remains healthy all times. They are lining the country’s future, hence, the element of moral education and exposure to smoking scenes in movies should be controlled in order to build healthy young generation.

Related links:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/41370/

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/22974.php

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/apr/29/uk-film-smoking-product-placement

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/08/20/smoking-scenes-decline-movies-study-says/

Growing kid's appetites

The Week of Tastes is an annual program that was launched in Crave Sydney International Food Festival which starts from 14 October until 24 October2010. It is designed specially to change the perception of children's relationships to food and give them the opportunity to explore and learn about the various menus. Before launched in Sydney, this program first developed in France since 20 years ago and it has been proven successful.

A few famous restaurants around Sydney participated in this program has offered a variety of dishes and special menus with affordable packages to introduce the children a new taste and texture of their food. It is also provided activities that allow children to participate to be creative and self-serving. Among participating restaurants are Bei Amici, Tastevin Bistro and Wine Bar, Courtney Brasserie and many more.

As we know, food is an important aspect in life of providing energy and growth, especially among children. Therefore, parents are expected to play an important role in educating the children about making a fresh and nutritious food to boost minds development. They also need to be exposed to the touch, smell and taste of food rather than enjoying it. As such, they also need to be taught how to create menus from the ingredients which was being given to children. So, they are indirectly involved as well and know how to prepare to dishes. With this interest, children are likely going to change their perceptions and would try a new food even they don’t taste it before.

In conclusion, this program can assist parents in educating children. Furthermore, the chefs are also willing to share their knowledge and teach children recipes. Children are definitely happy and interested on the program.  And guess what! Their tastes have definitely improved because they had an opportunity to enjoy the dishes which was produced by them.

Related links:

http://www.cravesydney.com/

http://www.weekoftastes.com.au/

Health vs Technology

The rapid advances in technology today have changed the lifestyle of people to be more convenient and comfortable. The existence and sophistication of modern equipment like mobile phones, computers, television, neon lights, hair dryer, microwave ovens and other electrical equipment much more negative impact on our health because there are electromagnetic fields that produce electromagnetic radiation (EMR) through the equipment.

Last night, I read an article written by Dr. Gifford-Jones, a medical journalist, on 12 September 2010. According to international expert on electromagnetic radiation, Dr. Magda Havas, the effects of electromagnetic radiation have been developed worldwide, but most people are not aware of the presence of and implications for health, but for animals such as birds, bats and bees perceive it. It is evident when a mobile tower or substation is built, these animals that live nearby to leave their habitat.

Baby 'Online'

Image via Wikipedia

Today's medical world increasingly sophisticated with new technology that Live Webcam Video Streaming ( audio is not recorded) to be placed at five private hospitals around New South Wales starting next month. The Sunday Telegraph, 26 September 2010, published the article “Never too young to get online webcam babies” mentioned that the aims of online webcam babies is to facilitate the parents monitoring a newborn or baby who is requiring treatment directly from a distance. The webcam has been operating earlier in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Canberra.

A company known by the name of Look @ MyBaby operating in Melbourne is responsible for providing the video camera assembly which is placed in the cribs with an iPod sized at the hospital. According to the Executive Director Clayton Neilson, by the year 2011 is expected to be a video camera installed in 100 hospitals and an estimated 200,000 babies a year may be filmed. In addition, this technology will also be implemented in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Cooking school

Last night I read an article ‘Pound for glory’ written by a journalist Sue Bennett in the Sydney Morning Herald. She was peeling topic of Thai cooking school called Amita Thai Cooking School, which emphasizes the arts and traditional cooking techniques are becoming extinct among modern Thai society. Today, the young generation is taking the easy way to visit the stalls and restaurants rather than to cook their own meals at home. She also took the opportunity to learn cooking techniques and share the secrets of success with the owner of Amita, Piyawadi Jantrupon or Tam for short.

Commercialization of cooking show

A new reality TV series, "Iron Chef Australia" will start airing on October 19 at 7.30 pm for Australian audience. The program is derived from the Japanese TV series “Ryori No Tetsujin”, which translates as Ironmen of Cooking; and it has been aired almost a decade which then controlled by the chairman of the Iron Chef Takeshi Kaga. The show also been highlighted in the U.S. market about two times in 2001 and 2004. However, only the second show in 2004 has successfully attracted of the audience and captured the hearts of viewers after it was failed in the 2001.