Two days ago, I read that a small and peaceful anti-racism protest occurred in
Nottingham; the protest consisted of this small group temporarily blocking the tram routes to draw attention to their cause. While they received praise, there was significant public outrage, especially on social media, which referred to the protesters as "jobless losers", "unclean" and an "annoyance for
workers and people going on holiday", as well as referred to them as
"thugs".
Yesterday, the English Defence League, which is known for its extreme
racism and history of violence, held a protest in Nottingham. While extra
police officers were called in to guarantee peace and attractions in the Market Square were closed because of "the risks [the protest] could pose to children and families", there was no equal outrage on social media. In fact, there was nothing that I observed to condemn the protest, despite the EDL's bigotry and reputation for violence.
I found these double standards saddening. That people would be outraged at a small anti-racism protest - even if it did delay public transport users a little - while ignoring a much larger and potentially dangerous racist protest is highly disappointing.
A news article about the protest can be found here.
Showing posts with label Social media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social media. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 August 2016
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
"Where The Weirdest Internet Links Come From" - CollegeHumor
This CollegeHumor video addressed the "clickbait" (and often gross) links at the bottom of some articles on the Internet:
While it isn't covered in the video, an aspect of social media I find annoying is when "gross" articles appear in my feed, even though I have never clicked on any such articles before. I stick to what I want to read.
While it isn't covered in the video, an aspect of social media I find annoying is when "gross" articles appear in my feed, even though I have never clicked on any such articles before. I stick to what I want to read.
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
"Look Up"
In one of the past few days, my friend and fellow blogger Stephanie shared this elsewhere on the Internet:
I have sometimes wondered what moments and experiences are lost by so many people being glued to their phones. Whenever I go out for walk, I see at least one person who is looking down at their phone while they walk. Sometimes they're walking with another person yet their attention is focused on a device in their hand; they appear to have completely forgotten that a living, breathing human is walking alongside them. I don't it's healthy for society for so many people to go around ignoring each other.
I note that some people in the comments section of the video have criticised the maker for hypocrisy over his use of social media to promote the video. Given that the video is aimed specifically at heavy users of social media, I don't consider it to be hypocritical at all and I think such comments miss the point of the message and are a deliberate distraction.
I should also note that I am not against social media. If I were, I would not have started this blog and there are some great people whom I would not have met. I just think it should be used in moderation and we shouldn't neglect face-to-face contact; even a Skype call with a friend - something I did earlier today - counts as face-to-face contact, despite the people participating not being in the same room together. If I were given the chance to meet my online friends in person, I would happily accept it.
I have sometimes wondered what moments and experiences are lost by so many people being glued to their phones. Whenever I go out for walk, I see at least one person who is looking down at their phone while they walk. Sometimes they're walking with another person yet their attention is focused on a device in their hand; they appear to have completely forgotten that a living, breathing human is walking alongside them. I don't it's healthy for society for so many people to go around ignoring each other.
I note that some people in the comments section of the video have criticised the maker for hypocrisy over his use of social media to promote the video. Given that the video is aimed specifically at heavy users of social media, I don't consider it to be hypocritical at all and I think such comments miss the point of the message and are a deliberate distraction.
I should also note that I am not against social media. If I were, I would not have started this blog and there are some great people whom I would not have met. I just think it should be used in moderation and we shouldn't neglect face-to-face contact; even a Skype call with a friend - something I did earlier today - counts as face-to-face contact, despite the people participating not being in the same room together. If I were given the chance to meet my online friends in person, I would happily accept it.
Thursday, 18 April 2013
"Goodbye" - Kristinia DeBarge
In the spring into the summer of 2009, one of my favorite songs on the radio was "Goodbye" by Kristinia DeBarge; it is the first single from DeBarge's debut album, Exposed. "Goodbye" received frequent airplay for a couple of months before almost vanishing entirely from my local radio station and its programs; Debarge herself has vanished, too, as she is supposed to be releasing a second album, but I've read little about it and she is hardly mentioned in any news sources.
I'll be glad when she releases a second album, but for now we can enjoy this track:
"Goodbye" is also a song I listened to (twice) on the flight from Portland to Amsterdam, although the sentiment expressed by DeBarge in "Goodbye" is not how I felt about leaving the United States!
I'll be glad when she releases a second album, but for now we can enjoy this track:
"Goodbye" is also a song I listened to (twice) on the flight from Portland to Amsterdam, although the sentiment expressed by DeBarge in "Goodbye" is not how I felt about leaving the United States!
Thursday, 7 March 2013
The train baby
A light post for tonight; I spotted this article about a baby girl who was born on a train:
I agree with the part of the article where a Twitter user said that the baby should be entitled to free rail travel!
I agree with the part of the article where a Twitter user said that the baby should be entitled to free rail travel!
Saturday, 2 March 2013
"Some Hearts" - Belinda Carlisle
Anyone into country music or American Idol will know that "Some Hearts" is one of Carrie Underwood's best known songs, but did you know it was written by Diane Warren and originally intended for Belinda Carlisle?
Carlisle's version of "Some Hearts" was leaked out onto the Internet in its demo form; it is not an official single or song from her. I'm used to Underwood's famous rendition, but Carlisle's original is still a good track in itself.
Carlisle's version of "Some Hearts" was leaked out onto the Internet in its demo form; it is not an official single or song from her. I'm used to Underwood's famous rendition, but Carlisle's original is still a good track in itself.
Saturday, 23 February 2013
"Pachelbel's Canon in D Trance"
A music post for today; this is Pachelbel's Canon in D Trance, a trance remix of Johann Pachelbel's famous musical piece:
I have a longer post for tomorrow; most of it is already written but it needs some touching up and I don't have the time to complete it tonight.
I have a longer post for tomorrow; most of it is already written but it needs some touching up and I don't have the time to complete it tonight.
Sunday, 17 February 2013
"Soak Up the Sun" - Sheryl Crow
I only have time for a short post tonight, and it's a music link. Here is "Soak Up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow:
It's an appropriate song because the daylight weather today was wonderful. Clear blue skies from morning until the late afternoon, followed by a moderately cloudy evening which illuminated the sky with a beautiful orange colour when the Sun set. I spent the afternoon in Coventry meeting with friends and definitely had a good day.
It's an appropriate song because the daylight weather today was wonderful. Clear blue skies from morning until the late afternoon, followed by a moderately cloudy evening which illuminated the sky with a beautiful orange colour when the Sun set. I spent the afternoon in Coventry meeting with friends and definitely had a good day.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
"Kiss Me" - Sixpence None the Richer
It's Valentine's Day, and for this day I thought I'd link to a romantic song. Here is "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer:
"Kiss Me" was released in 1997 from Sixpence None the Richer's self-titled debut album. It was also used on the soundtrack for the film She's All That. It's also occasionally played on Heart. I love this song.
Have a lovely Valentine's Day!
"Kiss Me" was released in 1997 from Sixpence None the Richer's self-titled debut album. It was also used on the soundtrack for the film She's All That. It's also occasionally played on Heart. I love this song.
Have a lovely Valentine's Day!
Friday, 8 February 2013
"Just a Touch" - AlunaGeorge
When the BBC announced their Sound of 2013 winner and the other top nominees for the award, I discovered AlunaGeorge, an electronic/pop duo from the United Kingdom and the runner-up to the aforementioned award. I'm not usually into electronic/techno-style music, but I liked the sound of the voice of the lead singer, Aluna Francis, to want to listen to more of their music. Here is one of their songs, "Just a Touch":
AlunaGeorge have also collaborated with another group, Disclosure, on the song "White Noise", which is currently charting high here in the United Kingdom. After reading about AlunaGeorge on Sound of Music 2013, I'm glad to see them on the main charts.
AlunaGeorge have also collaborated with another group, Disclosure, on the song "White Noise", which is currently charting high here in the United Kingdom. After reading about AlunaGeorge on Sound of Music 2013, I'm glad to see them on the main charts.
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Bruno Mars
On February 2nd, 2010, "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars was released. At that time, I did not anticipate that "Nothin' on You" would become one of a handful of songs I associate with the final months of my family's life in the United States, nor did I think that the track would pave the way for one of today's biggest artists: Bruno Mars.
"Nothin' on You" was a massive hit from B.o.B and his featured artist in 2010; I heard it almost daily from the song's release up until June of that year. Its heavy airplay at a time when my family was in the final stages of packing and moving meant it became somewhat of a comfort song for me — odd, considering its lyrical content. "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy and featuring Mars was released three months before we left the United States, and a few months later, Mars' debut solo single, "Just the Way You Are" — which earned him a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance — started to play on British radio.
Three years after the release of "Nothin' on You"', which artist do I hear nearly every day? The answer is Bruno Mars. B.o.B and McCoy have both been successful, but Mars' is one of the biggest musical artists in the world right now. Every track from his solo debut to one of his recent singles, "Locked Out of Heaven", has been a success, as was "Lighters" — a song which he was featured in by Bad Meets Evil, and "It Will Rain", from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1's soundtrack. An "official parody video" was even made for one of his singles "The Lazy Song", which featured Leonard Nimoy as the star (I wrote about this once before). His songwriting for other artists, which he's done prior to and since his fame, helps to cement him as a vital part of current pop music.
Mars doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon; with the amount of airplay he receives here in the United Kingdom, I'm glad I like his music! For old times' sake, even though it's just been three years, here is "Nothin on You":
"Nothin' on You" was a massive hit from B.o.B and his featured artist in 2010; I heard it almost daily from the song's release up until June of that year. Its heavy airplay at a time when my family was in the final stages of packing and moving meant it became somewhat of a comfort song for me — odd, considering its lyrical content. "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy and featuring Mars was released three months before we left the United States, and a few months later, Mars' debut solo single, "Just the Way You Are" — which earned him a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance — started to play on British radio.
Three years after the release of "Nothin' on You"', which artist do I hear nearly every day? The answer is Bruno Mars. B.o.B and McCoy have both been successful, but Mars' is one of the biggest musical artists in the world right now. Every track from his solo debut to one of his recent singles, "Locked Out of Heaven", has been a success, as was "Lighters" — a song which he was featured in by Bad Meets Evil, and "It Will Rain", from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1's soundtrack. An "official parody video" was even made for one of his singles "The Lazy Song", which featured Leonard Nimoy as the star (I wrote about this once before). His songwriting for other artists, which he's done prior to and since his fame, helps to cement him as a vital part of current pop music.
Mars doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon; with the amount of airplay he receives here in the United Kingdom, I'm glad I like his music! For old times' sake, even though it's just been three years, here is "Nothin on You":
Friday, 1 February 2013
"Scream & Shout" mashup
I've written in the past that I like mashups. A friend of mine recently shared a version of will.i.am and Britney Spears' "Scream & Shout" mixed with Eminem, Hilary Duff and Lady Gaga:
It's bizarre, but it's fun. The only part I was confused by was a lyric from "The Bad Touch" by Bloodhound Gang, as it didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the mashup; it didn't spoil the song, though. I had to look the lyric up to see what song the lyric came from and who sang it.
It's bizarre, but it's fun. The only part I was confused by was a lyric from "The Bad Touch" by Bloodhound Gang, as it didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the mashup; it didn't spoil the song, though. I had to look the lyric up to see what song the lyric came from and who sang it.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
"Who's On Heart" for 2013 (2)
I've found a clip for 2013's "Who's On Heart" competition:
It's nearly a month into the contest and no one has guessed any of the names yet; among the most common wrong guesses are Jo Brand, Tom Daley, Mariella Frostrup, Dannii Minogue and Kylie Minogue. I don't listen to the competition every day and I've lost count how many times I've heard these five people come up!
It's nearly a month into the contest and no one has guessed any of the names yet; among the most common wrong guesses are Jo Brand, Tom Daley, Mariella Frostrup, Dannii Minogue and Kylie Minogue. I don't listen to the competition every day and I've lost count how many times I've heard these five people come up!
Sunday, 27 January 2013
"Joints & Jam" - Black Eyed Peas
I've long been a fan of the Black Eyed Peas; the first song of theirs I ever heard was "Let's Get It Started", from their 2003 album Elephunk, but I didn't really get into them until "Don't Lie" and "My Humps, from Monkey Business in 2005, were released (I'd always been a fan of Fergie, though). Until this afternoon, I had never heard any of their pre-Elephunk work, and so I decided to listen to "Joints & Jam", one of their earliest singles, from their debut album Behind the Front:
"Joints and Jam" was released in late 1998 and is a vastly different style of music to the more dance-oriented tracks from the Black Eyed Peas' recent two albums, The E.N.D. and The Beginning. Fergie isn't present in the song since she was in the band Wild Orchid back then; Kim Hill is the lady featured, and she left the Black Eyed Peas in 2000. "Joints & Jam" was also featured on the soundtrack for the film Bulworth.
"Joints and Jam" was released in late 1998 and is a vastly different style of music to the more dance-oriented tracks from the Black Eyed Peas' recent two albums, The E.N.D. and The Beginning. Fergie isn't present in the song since she was in the band Wild Orchid back then; Kim Hill is the lady featured, and she left the Black Eyed Peas in 2000. "Joints & Jam" was also featured on the soundtrack for the film Bulworth.
Thursday, 17 January 2013
"Party in the U.S.A." - Miley Cyrus
This hardly seems like an appropriate song for the winter, but this afternoon I thought of "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus. The track was a hit in the late summer of 2009:
It should be noted that the song was co-written by then-publicly unknown British singer Jessie J; she thought that "Party in the U.S.A." would be an amazing song, but did not think it would be suitable for her own album. Given the success the song had, I think Cyrus must have been glad it was passed to her!
It should be noted that the song was co-written by then-publicly unknown British singer Jessie J; she thought that "Party in the U.S.A." would be an amazing song, but did not think it would be suitable for her own album. Given the success the song had, I think Cyrus must have been glad it was passed to her!
Sunday, 6 January 2013
"T-Shirt" - Shontelle
2008 brought about its fair share of good artists and music; a particularly pleasant song from that year was "T-Shirt" by Barbadian singer Shontelle:
"T-Shirt" was released in the summer of 2008, from her debut album Shontelligence. I was reminded of the track recently because her hit single of 2010, "Impossible", was covered by the newest winner of the UK X Factor (I don't watch the show; the cover has been played on the radio a lot since their win). I remember feeling pleased about hearing the second single because it meant Shontelle was no longer at risk of becoming a one-hit wonder.
"T-Shirt" was released in the summer of 2008, from her debut album Shontelligence. I was reminded of the track recently because her hit single of 2010, "Impossible", was covered by the newest winner of the UK X Factor (I don't watch the show; the cover has been played on the radio a lot since their win). I remember feeling pleased about hearing the second single because it meant Shontelle was no longer at risk of becoming a one-hit wonder.
Sunday, 30 December 2012
"United State of Pop 2012 (Shine Brighter)" - DJ Earworm
When my brother and I were listening to the radio in Oregon, in each December on Open House Party a special mashup would be played. The composer, DJ Earworm, would merge each year's biggest hits into one song; to my knowledge, he began the mashup-making tradition in 2007 and has released a "United State of Pop" track for every year since. 2012's version is "United State of Pop 2012 (Shine Brighter)":
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
Christmas 2012 - "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas", Pet Shop Boys
For the fifth and final Christmas song by a modern artist I've chosen "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas" by the Pet Shop Boys. I kind of agree with the title, as I've rarely experienced snow on Christmas Day, although I should note that Southern Oregon is receiving a barrage of Christmas weather! Here's the song:
I hope you all have an amazing time today. Merry Christmas, everyone!
I hope you all have an amazing time today. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Thursday, 20 December 2012
"Sleigh Ride" - fun.
Today's song of the season was extremely easy to find: it's fun.'s cover of "Sleigh Ride". I didn't even need to search for this track - I heard it on the radio earlier:
There are now less than five days to go until Christmas! Heart Northamptonshire (not the station I heard the aforementioned song on) has been playing a daily "...Sleeps Till Santa" song this month to count down the remaining days to Christmas.
There are now less than five days to go until Christmas! Heart Northamptonshire (not the station I heard the aforementioned song on) has been playing a daily "...Sleeps Till Santa" song this month to count down the remaining days to Christmas.
Saturday, 15 December 2012
"Shake Up Christmas" - Train
For today's song of the season it's "Shake Up Christmas" by Train. Unlike the previous Christmas songs by modern artists I've posted this month, this one is an original rather than a cover; Pat Monahan, the lead singer of Train, is one of its writers:
I quite like this song, but other than the lyrics it has more of a summer sound to it than a feeling of Christmas; change some of the words, and I could imagine this being a July/August hit. Regardless, it is a good track; kudos to Train for making an original Christmas song.
I quite like this song, but other than the lyrics it has more of a summer sound to it than a feeling of Christmas; change some of the words, and I could imagine this being a July/August hit. Regardless, it is a good track; kudos to Train for making an original Christmas song.
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