A journalist just contacted me asking to list down my top 10 favourite books and authors. It’s ironic considering I don’t read much. But here’s what I gave. I read 4 and 6 many many times over and over during teenage years until I finally decided to try pickup reading habitually and moved on to new books once one was done. The mark of that, was the first on the list. Around the same time ‘envy’ in that video came about.
For some reason, I took to great liking Ory Okolloh’s talk from TED Africa. Probably because it had a lot to do with perception, an issue I’ve always taken to discussion, debate and argument, more so since I started working in communications. But I just saw a video (above), that relates to another point Ory made, which is scalability. (See her talk here)
This hit me a little bit stronger because I’ve been recently asked to be a guest judge on national television for a show where people propose their own ideas (in view of something indirectly bigger) and then money is granted to the winners. And along with the cliche word sustainability, scalability is one of the first few requisites that popped in my head when the invitation was extended to me should the show go through.
Scalability is often something that is tangible and measurable, in respect to what is being done. Relation to it, is often required to be direct, and somewhat immediate. However, somethings require a great more foresight for you to visualize how far can it actually go and I believe this is a view that many not neglect, but fail.
Very recently, a rapper did a song to recap current affairs of 2010. I must say I’m crossed at 50-50, between liking the song and the fact that (probably) the most significant project I’ve done, was acknowledged in the song. (Bottom most video).
I would like to leave it at that, but there’s a chance many would be wondering what I’m referring to. In January 2010, there was a court case deciding the usage of the word Allah, which led to the attacks on places of worship.
The mood in the country was simply said: dark. Even some rational people, weren’t level headed due to emotional knee-jerk reaction. So I was part of a group of people that wanted to do something, that said a lot, without saying much. And we had a 6 day timeline.
Me, Juana and Jennie came up with Tali Tenang. An event where everyone was invited to come to Bangsar LRT, bringing a piece of string as long as their arm, in a white t-shirt with a Malaysian flag. Together we formed one long piece of string and walked together to Bangsar Village, then sports centre.
Our objective was not to make a stand on either the court ruling, nor how we felt about the attacks. We were just there to send good vibes by smiling and waving to anyone who saw us. The rest, let them make what they want of it. The support and love received for this project, could jerk a tear.
Anyway, the project received mention on the 30th second of the song below. Many days ago when twitter was buzzing what some people there liked the most about 2010, Tali Tenang was also mentioned.
Just came across this, and tonight the show opens. Curry has to be my favourite character by Jo. Briliant. Am making plans now to get tickets. Good stuff Jo and ICT.
Click here for event page on FB. Click here for Instant Cafe Theatre’s page on FB.
Some months ago I posted an extreme sports video (I think) by Redbull, in which I fell in love with the wingman suit base jump. Last night I came across this, speedflying.
Shortly, at 9.30am I’ll be on BERNAMA TV. And last night I did the talk at Bangsar Village* and above are two videos of me speaking at it. Click here to watch videos from other speakers. A few very good points were raised by Marina Mahathir and Sivin Kit. I’m not sure which video it is, but try looking for that video on that youtube channel.
As a member of the audience Niki Cheong asked a very good question/raised a very good point, if there’s any move to educate teachers about child abuse because to him parents and teachers who expect and impose upon their children to get straight As for example, is considered child abuse. He relates this story to his niece/nephew who was crying after receiving her UPSR results, because he/she didn’t receive top grades and the teacher was telling her about how she had told the student to focus on that subject.
*Click here to read about these two things I’m talking about event.
Thank you Yeoh Ee Ping for taking the effort to record the session and promptly uploading it. Very much appreciated.
I hope the people viewing this, can apply the same view towards other groups of people and society in whatever category of segmentation. Nothing to do with how much I enjoy Iranian food, but my what a brilliant initiative this is. Well written as well, shot and conceptualize, not falling into the cliche trap.
Brilliant idea I suppose, though somewhat obvious. There are two points I’d raise from this. One from the idea, and the other on the video.
1- Building a plant that could generate a region far from it, would mean heavy reliance on one (or few) sources, which is/can be risky if not damaging, politically, socially and economically, even if sht doesn’t hit the fan. Following that, somewhat flipside to it, the growth of relations from trade, knowledge and society between the source of the power, to the location it covers.
2- Notice how it’s always the same (background) music used when covering this region of the world? And for some reason, to some extent, music is not even used when footage of say, a different part of the world is being shown. I.e. Europe, northern America. Which says two things, either stereotype, or the target audience of this video. It’s meant to be viewed by people who needs this sound media to hit home to them to appreciate/acknowledge the different/foreign part of the world this video is narrating. I agree that most probably that was not the mindset or conscious perspective of the video producer when making it, but high chance he is at least towing the subconscious line of story telling tradition of the west, and to some extent, the world.
