Content Creators = Amateurs

I am battling with my new found opinion of writer Andrew Keen. His book titled, The Cult of the Amateur painted the picture (although, in my humble opinion, is way too harsh)of how the Internet today has created a world of facts with doubtful accuracy and has undermined subject matters' authorities.

Welcome to the world of amateurs, where everyone and just anyone who has Internet connection can create content by uploading a piece of their photo, video, post their comments or creating a website.

With "agents" of the Internet like social networking tools like MySpace, Facebook etc and blogs, content creators which are us, are simply self-advertising, according to Keen. Well, quite true, as no doubt ,the way we use Facebook can be thought as self-glorifying, at worst. But at best, it is also a tool for us to keep in touch with our friends by simply replacing any physical forms of contact of the yester-era. No more phone calls, no more birthday cards, just "wall-to-wall messaging" or simply updating our "status" to make our presence felt, isn't that simple?

Hence, with this thought-provoking subject that came to my knowing, I felt obliged not to write anything that is too personal, which I have planned to write about how my year, 2008 had ended. Well, leaping into a brand new year, I can only hope that, with a new year, there'll be a fresh perspective!

Werner's

A night to remember, as I would put it. A perfect restaurant with great food and wine, accompanied by the people whom you always wanted to see when you were away for too long...what a night!

The much anticipated and planned meeting finally came true. The tone of the evening was set by a flamboyant maestro's suggestion of Raoul shirt with cufflinks for the gentlemen and the ladies, in their best frock of designer's labels and well-specified Christian Louboutin pumps. I couldn't help but planned early on what to wear and pack for the trip! Although, in reality, the best dress could be anything that we are comfortable in. Somehow, what I have learnt lately, do know what brings out the best of your body.

We started with conversations pertaining our current lives, injecting the stories with our latest encounters, dramas, jokes and of course gossips, before moving briefly to a more serious tone of the economic situation. Of course, our flamboyant maestro came up with the most thought-provoking question of the night! What is the best and the worst thing that had happened to you in 2008? I just love how his mind works, sometimes!

Thank goodness I managed to say something that would win approval from myself, at least, if I would have to recall back my answer in the future. It sounds nothing like a Miss Universe's answer of how she has touched someone's life but indeed, the best thing that had happened to me was somewhat self-indulging of a great holiday with Danny to Santorini and to have him for a full year with me in Singapore...

p/s : The photos have no significance at all...

Beijing : Post Post-Olympics

I am now in Beijing. The lowest temperature recorded today is -5 degrees celsius. I was welcome into Beijing with the smell of polluted air which reminded me of our South East Asia haze problem back in 1997 and 2006. Despite the cold weather, which I normally like, I am not so please this time around.

What has happened to the fresh air I breathed in a few weeks back when I was here in Beijing? What happen to the pledge for cleaner air when the Olympics were taking place?

Nonetheless, the low temperature or the smoky smell did not deter me from going out. I had a Japanese meal in a familiar chain, Yoshinoya. It must be my appetite for something oriental and Yoshinoya just happened to be the most convenient one.

Interestingly, when I was in the restaurant, I could not help but notice a Caucasion woman surrounded by locals. She spoke fluent Mandarin which would definitely put me to shame with my very limited vocabulary. Dressed in smart corporate wear, holding a complimentary Radisson bottled water, I just admired how comfortable she behaved, out of her comfort zone. I may be observing and forming a conclusion rather superficially, but I know what it takes to master a foreign language and custom, especially when your native culture is so distinct from the Chinese. Truly, our world is converging!

She won my adoration while I was turning the pages of Mark Penn's Microtrends and a copy of China Daily in hand. Sitting in a restaurant, in a Chinese city, with the people of my skin colour and a foreign woman who speak my tongue can be rather fascinating...