Now that the iPhone can connect to my blog, I wondered about it’s uses? I guess it could be another type of Twitter. Or, maybe it’s key use is to capture and share life’s moments.

Or, are we being given yet another device to hype ouselves and who we think we are.

Considering this, maybe the first decade of the 21st Century is all about propelling one’s image. What is missing is the need to create awareness of the importance of community and helping others. Maybe mobile blogging can help identify causes. All we need is respondents who blog back with solutions.

Popularity: 25% [?]

It is an honour to meet people who are so intelligent and so full of wisdom that what they say is profound enough to have an impact on how one views life.

Over the weekend I was fortunate to interview a wonderful scholar. He implied or one could say that I gleaned from him the importance of making a stand. As a Sikh we need to ensure that we are defending the defense-less.

On a day when the Olympic torch was lit to embark on its journey to Beijing, it was interrupted. Protesters from media rights group, ‘Reporters Without Borders’ broke through the cordon of 1,000 police officers in Olympia as China’s envoy spoke.

China’s occupation in Tibet is clearly negative. Its influences in Dafur and Burma all point towards apathy. I recently viewed a documentary (Unreported World) where I witnessed how China is desperate for resources in Africa, incidentally driven by the West’s desire / demand for cheap consumer goods. The programme (Unreported World) suggested that China is walking away from ensuring that workers are not exploited.

The BBC also reported that, The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, has defended the decision to hold the Games in China saying:

The major political leaders don’t want a boycott.

In his speech during the ceremony, Mr Rogge said the Olympic torch relay and the Games should take place in a peaceful environment.

The torch is the link between all athletes and citizens of this world; between all of us who believe in Olympism and the virtue of sport. It has the force to unite humanity and to stand for harmony.

Today China has an opportunity to show that it can change its political stance. Is unity for humanity only achievable on a platform of athletic competition? I looked up the word ‘Olympism’. Its Ancient definition is in the beliefs of the ancient Greeks, who encouraged people to develop their physical, moral, intellectual, cultural and artistic qualities harmoniously. Modern Olympism promotes a way of life based on:

• The balanced development of the body, will and mind
• The joy found in effort
• The educational value of being a good role model
• Respect for universal ethics including tolerance, generosity, unity, friendship, non-discrimination and respect for others.

The Goal of Olympism is described as the use of sport to promote the balanced development of people as an essential step in building a peaceful society that places a high value on human dignity.

In one sense Olympism is confined to sport influencing change.

Where are the obligations for the country that is hosting the games. If they (any Olympic host) do not believe or respect the Olympic ideals how can the participants respect the associated country?

Before it becomes too late, China needs to adhere to the Olympic ideals of peace and understanding. Right now we all know that the games are important to China. Post games what aspect of influence will remain from the rest of the world?

We all need to make a stand and encourage dialogue for change, especially where there is a clear demonstration of apathy from either the host or any participating country. I am confident that the more of us that talk about the ideals of peace and unity the greater the potential that someone will listen and lives will be changed.

Popularity: 50% [?]

One of the great things about the Internet is the way it has dramatically facilitated greater creativity and innovation. Once somebody said that the difference between the latter two words is that Creativity should be considered as creating something new, whereas Innovation is a variation of the idea yet still original!

For example, take a look at the following two videos (for text readers, head for http://www.saviarora.com) :

The first is the original film edited and directed by Aaron Platt. (It is actually the music video for Apologize by One Republic, the same band who has written Bleeding Love, a seven week UK number one single by Leona Lewis, winner of last year’s X-Factor. The second is involving probably a lower budget production cost model but in my view creating a great impact.

I have always been a fan of using technology that is more accessible, i.e.: Creating a similar affect but at the fraction of the cost is in my view an innovation. Maybe this praise of the, ‘underdog’ is a kind of backlash against extravagance!? Or, is it my desire to avoid waste. The real reason is probably a sense of hope and anti-celebrity. This assumes that whatever one produces, whether it is commercially or for personal pleasure it is done in a humble manner.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that YouTube with all its value in bringing people together has both a positive and negative aspect. From a positive perspective it is a platform for self-expression, hot news and reminiscing – Yes, I watched an old episode of Monkey Magic the other night organized into 4 different 20 minute segments! YouTube’s negativity is the compulsion for fame. One hears of the crazy individuals who have posted items before creating havoc in a shooting spree! In addition, female exploitation is terrible.

In terms of available content, if you ignore the silly videos, every week there is more content being uploaded. A few years back I completed a project for a Video-to-video phone company. They were adamant that video calls would be the next big thing. At this stage of our mobile communications path, this is still not the case. Generally, people prefer text messages or voice calls. Maybe it is not possible from a practical perspective.

What is interesting is that people are still recording video albeit using increasingly better mobile phone technology but instead of sending recordings to each other, they are using video upload sites, like YouTube to broadcast them.

Therefore, the future of television and what we watch will be changing for the better. This is good news as on TV, especially in the UK is still obsessed with Reality TV programmes. They still rule, I counted 9 on terrestrial channels last week!

We now have an opportunity to enjoy entertainment that we the public create. We maybe a long way off from quality formatted programmes. NB Traditional media outlets know that this change is coming, especially when it comes to exposing truth.

I also wonder if the media will still retain editorial control. The risk of losing control is the potential loss of advertising revenue and targeted markets! Is Television only about money, I guess it really is!

Popularity: 84% [?]

Its seems that the whole world is now on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com) and literally, pardon the pun (!) every time I pick-up a copy of The (UK) Times, there is always an article from a journalist / writer providing an opinion on its use and potential abuse. However, rarely do I find a piece on its social implication.

I wonder sometimes if Facebook is just a case of a fad or the development of another evolution in the world of online communication. Remember Friends Reunited? They are still around and have also innovated further. I guess the question to really ask is if it such technology brings people closer together?
Facebook is a great tool to connect and reconnect with people we know or have known. There is potentially the fear of rejection if they do not wish to engage with you any more. There is also the potential for your personal profile to be restricted or running an application within the system called, ‘Top friends’!

Of course there those that strongly resist its charm, don’t believe that they need it and many others who are techno phobic. Does this mean that we are creating a society that will have multiple levels of Information Technology competence and dependency. Certainly, Facebook like Instant Messenger (MSN, Yahoo) can be addictive. In addition, there are some users that believe that it is all about competition, i.e.: How many friends they can accumulate. I’m surprised that at this stage that know one is chasing specific people online!
In addition, some employers have begun to restrict its use in the workplace.

Ultimately, it can be peer pressure that bring some online. Or, businesses that believe that it can add to a customer experience. I’ve heard some people, Facebook opponents, suggest the following:

* It was always a student thing!
* How sad that you have to use it!

With regard to the latter, serious users will appreciate that Facebook is not the only social networking site but a potentially an extension to everyday living.
In this context it can be a potentially, ‘excluding technology’, i.e.: a system that prevents people from engaging with each other.

Facebook also makes a huge assumption that it is easy to share, video, audio and picture. The latter, appears to be the most popular form of content that is shared today. For example, over 8 million pictures are uploaded to Facebook daily.

So what is next in the world of online communication.
There is the potential that networks that are purpose built, private and even more exclusive could develop.
Ironic, in the context that a technology that has the potential to bring people together can also be divisive in keeping humanity apart!

Today, more than ever we need people to connect with each other.
I just realised that today is Sept 11th and as I am writing this, it was 6 years ago that we witnessed the awful Twin Towers attack. It is one of those events that automatically makes people remember where they were and what they were doing. It was two years before I started blogging (I wrote my first online journal in Oct 2003) or blogging was even heard of. Online tools can help people share their experiences and most of all potentially bring out the best in people!

If you get a chance, check out, ‘Facebook not for close friendships’ research results…

Popularity: 64% [?]