STATE WHETHER YOU LIKE THE ENDING OF THE STORY.
RESPONSE 1 - LIKE
At the end of the story, Rassendyll returns the throne to the real King but he does not take Princess Flavia with him to England because Flavia chooses to remain in Ruritania . Flavia decides to remain in Ruritania because she too is a woman of honour and duty. She believes her true role is to lead Ruritania as their queen. She is determined that Honour must come first. Her honour compels her to stay in Ruritania as she cannot run away from her duty. She is willing to serve her country. Her determination shows us that we cannot ignore the call of duty just to fulfil our personal desires. I like the ending of the story because it teaches us that we should be dedicated to our duty and responsibility, no matter whether it is to ourselves, our king or our country. We should also be brave and we should not be thinking of ourselves only.
RESPONSE 2 - DISLIKE
I dislike the ending of the novel The Prisoner of Zenda. I think Black Michael should not have been killed but instead punished. Then, justice would have been served.
Furthermore, Rudolf and Princess Flavia have to sacrifice their love for the kingdom of Ruritania. Even though the princess does not love the King, she has to marry him. I would have preferred a happy ending where love conquers all.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Character I like in the novel "The Prisoner of Zenda"
I like Rudolf Rassendyll because of his physical attributes. He is tall , dark and handsome. He is also kind and loving to Princess Flavia.
In addition, he is very brave. He has certainly faced numerous challenges especially in the scene at the summer house where he got away unhurt even though he was outnumbered. Furthermore, he single handedly fight three of the famous six and this proves that he is a good swordsman. It is not everyday you could see a person who would sacrifice himself for the king and the country and what more, Rassendyll is not a Ruritanian.
Another example that shows that Rudolf Rassendyll is very brave is during the coronation procession. There, he asks his soldiers to ride fifty-yards ahead of him. Then he rides alone even though he knows he is risking his life especially because people in the old town like Duke Michael more than the King. This is because Duke Michael has promised them many reforms.
Another quality about Rudolf Rassendyll that I like is he is very loyal to the king. When he impersonates the king, he has a chance to take over the kingdom and becomes the king himself, but he does not do that because of his loyalty to the king.
I also like him because he is very wise and intelligent. This is proven when he arranges a brilliant plan to rescue the king. He is also well educated. He had finished a German University and was able to speak French and German as perfectly as he spoke English.
In addition, he is very brave. He has certainly faced numerous challenges especially in the scene at the summer house where he got away unhurt even though he was outnumbered. Furthermore, he single handedly fight three of the famous six and this proves that he is a good swordsman. It is not everyday you could see a person who would sacrifice himself for the king and the country and what more, Rassendyll is not a Ruritanian.
Another example that shows that Rudolf Rassendyll is very brave is during the coronation procession. There, he asks his soldiers to ride fifty-yards ahead of him. Then he rides alone even though he knows he is risking his life especially because people in the old town like Duke Michael more than the King. This is because Duke Michael has promised them many reforms.
Another quality about Rudolf Rassendyll that I like is he is very loyal to the king. When he impersonates the king, he has a chance to take over the kingdom and becomes the king himself, but he does not do that because of his loyalty to the king.
I also like him because he is very wise and intelligent. This is proven when he arranges a brilliant plan to rescue the king. He is also well educated. He had finished a German University and was able to speak French and German as perfectly as he spoke English.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Do you have Facebook Addiction Disorder?
Do you have Facebook Addiction Disorder?
2010/08/01
CHANDRA DEVI RENGANAYAR
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Many people are setting up profiles, uploading photos and adding friends on social networking sites. For some, it is a means to keep in touch and share events with friends. But there are those who are addicted to such sites, especially Facebook, writes CHANDRA DEVI RENGANAYAR
NOT taking their bath for days, forgetting to eat and not getting enough sleep are some of the signs of being addicted to Facebook.
It has become so widespread that psychologists in the United States have labelled it as a new mental health disorder known ominously as Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD).
The number of Malaysian youths exhibiting similar symptoms is on the increase, says Professor Dr Mohamad Hussain Habil, director of Universiti Malaya Centre of Addictive Sciences (UMCAS).
"It is similar to Internet addiction. It is a type of behavioural addiction similar to pathological gambling, sexual and shopping addiction. It is a brain disorder as a result of neurochemical dysfunction where normal behaviour becomes abnormal."
Besides teenagers and young adults, he says Internet addiction is also common among working adults. Although the problem is not as serious as it is in China where the government has taken measures to prevent Internet addiction, Dr Hussain says Malaysia will see the effect soon.
He says the centre has seen an increase in the number of such "patients" over the years.
Dr Hussain says parents have brought their teenage children to the centre thinking that they were under the influence of drugs.
"When they noticed their teenagers performing poorly in school and not interacting as usual, the parents assumed their children were addicted to drugs. The fact was these children were addicted to the Internet.
"These teens were so obsessed with their virtual activities that they were willing to forego their meals, sleep, responsibilities and leisure activities. They felt life was not complete without online connections.
"There was a constant craving and they did not care when they went online. Some even had sleep disorders because they stayed up late at night to go online to avoid their parents."
Like any other addiction, he says, being in denial of their addiction is a common characteristic of Internet addicts.
"Although they know there is a problem, addicts will not acknowledge it and will look for justification to continue their habit."
He says early identification is important to ensure Internet users do not become addicted.
"We cannot eliminate such technologies altogether. What we can do is encourage the usage in a healthy way.
"Parental supervision is important. There must be monitoring and regulations about computer use. If advice and parental punishment does not work, it is best for parents to refer their children for counselling.
"Employers can take measures to detect and identify employees who spend many hours on social networking sites.
"If they continue with irresponsible surfing despite many warnings, it will be advisable to ask these employees to seek treatment."
Read more: Do you have Facebook Addiction Disorder? http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/02cdsns2a/Article#ixzz0vMPgxJXK
2010/08/01
CHANDRA DEVI RENGANAYAR
Share |
Many people are setting up profiles, uploading photos and adding friends on social networking sites. For some, it is a means to keep in touch and share events with friends. But there are those who are addicted to such sites, especially Facebook, writes CHANDRA DEVI RENGANAYAR
NOT taking their bath for days, forgetting to eat and not getting enough sleep are some of the signs of being addicted to Facebook.
It has become so widespread that psychologists in the United States have labelled it as a new mental health disorder known ominously as Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD).
The number of Malaysian youths exhibiting similar symptoms is on the increase, says Professor Dr Mohamad Hussain Habil, director of Universiti Malaya Centre of Addictive Sciences (UMCAS).
"It is similar to Internet addiction. It is a type of behavioural addiction similar to pathological gambling, sexual and shopping addiction. It is a brain disorder as a result of neurochemical dysfunction where normal behaviour becomes abnormal."
Besides teenagers and young adults, he says Internet addiction is also common among working adults. Although the problem is not as serious as it is in China where the government has taken measures to prevent Internet addiction, Dr Hussain says Malaysia will see the effect soon.
He says the centre has seen an increase in the number of such "patients" over the years.
Dr Hussain says parents have brought their teenage children to the centre thinking that they were under the influence of drugs.
"When they noticed their teenagers performing poorly in school and not interacting as usual, the parents assumed their children were addicted to drugs. The fact was these children were addicted to the Internet.
"These teens were so obsessed with their virtual activities that they were willing to forego their meals, sleep, responsibilities and leisure activities. They felt life was not complete without online connections.
"There was a constant craving and they did not care when they went online. Some even had sleep disorders because they stayed up late at night to go online to avoid their parents."
Like any other addiction, he says, being in denial of their addiction is a common characteristic of Internet addicts.
"Although they know there is a problem, addicts will not acknowledge it and will look for justification to continue their habit."
He says early identification is important to ensure Internet users do not become addicted.
"We cannot eliminate such technologies altogether. What we can do is encourage the usage in a healthy way.
"Parental supervision is important. There must be monitoring and regulations about computer use. If advice and parental punishment does not work, it is best for parents to refer their children for counselling.
"Employers can take measures to detect and identify employees who spend many hours on social networking sites.
"If they continue with irresponsible surfing despite many warnings, it will be advisable to ask these employees to seek treatment."
Read more: Do you have Facebook Addiction Disorder? http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/02cdsns2a/Article#ixzz0vMPgxJXK
Should online chatting be allowed?
Why networking sites can be addictive
HUNDREDS of online social networking sites (SNS) are available these days catering to various interests -- friendship, dating, business networking, among others.
Sites like Facebook, MySpace, Urkut, hi5, Bebo and Friendster are very popular.
Almost 85 per cent of Malaysia's online population belongs to one or more of these sites. Of the many SNS, Malaysians have taken a liking to Facebook which has a 77.5 per cent reach of the web population.
This phenomenon, states a report on social networking activities by comScore Inc, is common in most Asia Pacific countries such as the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore.
What drives online users to Facebook?
The ability to establish and maintain relationships is the primary drive, says Dr Adrian M. Budiman, a senior lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia. It could be real contacts (established in real life), virtual contacts (established online), or old relationships.
Adrian, who conducts research in new media and culture, says there are several interesting reasons why Facebook appeals to the online population.
"It is a tool for members to boost their self-esteem. The more friends they have, the more popular they feel. They receive feedback for the content they publish though the site.
"There is a sense of constantly being surrounded by a circle of friends."
Another reason, he says, is the voyeuristic tendency to view other people's information in private.
"People want to explore other people's personal lives without suffering negative social consequences. It also provides a platform to rekindle old relationships.
"The ability to search for old friends and colleagues, former romantic partners, and discover their current status is quite appealing for some members."
He says the majority of the younger generation (21 years and below) embrace social networks more comfortably than the older generation, and tend to be more liberal in revealing personal information through the site.
While younger people are interested in making new friends, the older generation is more interested in maintaining existing friendships through this medium.
"For younger people, it is their primary method of communication in some cases. In my study, I have discovered that the older generation still has a tendency to value human communication as superior and have greater respect for traditional values and morality," says Adrian.
He believes it is not all bad.
"It may enhance social interaction. The ability to communicate through interactive media allows more options and more frequent interactions with our contacts. I have found that existing relationships formed in real-life may be strengthened through Facebook."
Nonetheless, he agrees that some relationships initiated through Facebook may be superficial.
"Before the popularity of interactive media, a 'friend' was associated with a person with whom he had a positive relationship with. This is no longer true with the advent of new media.
"The idea of 'friend' itself degrades the value of friendship since a Facebook 'friend' can be as distant as a friend of a friend of a friend whom we know nothing about."
Julian Hopkins, a doctoral student at Monash University Sunway Campus who researches social media, says for some people, retreating into the virtual world to make friends can be a means to overcome social awkwardness or loneliness.
"I think that is in the minority, and is not the main reason for people using SNS."
The fascination with self-display as seen on SNS is not unusual says Hopkins. It only seems more obvious because it's online and archived.
"We all self-display all the time. With technological advances, especially digital photography, a lot more of that is happening now.
"Doing something such as posting photos of a party online is a way of reinforcing ties with other people who went to the party."
One of the biggest mistakes in the public debate on SNS, says Hopkins, is that it is assumed the generation of "digital natives" are not concerned about privacy.
While these platforms offer users the ability to disclose a wide variety of personal information it also differentiates between public and private, where public means that a profile is available to anyone and private means that it is only for selected friends.
"Facebook is popular because users think that they are only sharing with people they want to share with.
"Teenagers, for example, may want only people like them to see their profile but they do not want the same attention from an adult.
"One noticeable trend in this regard is that, as more and more parents go into Facebook, young people are creating multiple profiles -- one for the 'parent public' which includes their school, potential employers and one for their own public."
Generally, he says, people are ignorant about the risk factors when using these platforms. Many don't understand that their indiscretions will be online indefinitely.
"Users must realise that anything that goes online may be seen by their parents, their teachers, their future partners, their future employers and even their children.
"I don't think social networks are damaging. It only becomes a problem when people reveal things that come back to haunt them or they become addicted to it."
Read more: Why networking sites can be addictive http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/02cdsns1a/Article#ixzz0vMOZwm00
HUNDREDS of online social networking sites (SNS) are available these days catering to various interests -- friendship, dating, business networking, among others.
Sites like Facebook, MySpace, Urkut, hi5, Bebo and Friendster are very popular.
Almost 85 per cent of Malaysia's online population belongs to one or more of these sites. Of the many SNS, Malaysians have taken a liking to Facebook which has a 77.5 per cent reach of the web population.
This phenomenon, states a report on social networking activities by comScore Inc, is common in most Asia Pacific countries such as the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore.
What drives online users to Facebook?
The ability to establish and maintain relationships is the primary drive, says Dr Adrian M. Budiman, a senior lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia. It could be real contacts (established in real life), virtual contacts (established online), or old relationships.
Adrian, who conducts research in new media and culture, says there are several interesting reasons why Facebook appeals to the online population.
"It is a tool for members to boost their self-esteem. The more friends they have, the more popular they feel. They receive feedback for the content they publish though the site.
"There is a sense of constantly being surrounded by a circle of friends."
Another reason, he says, is the voyeuristic tendency to view other people's information in private.
"People want to explore other people's personal lives without suffering negative social consequences. It also provides a platform to rekindle old relationships.
"The ability to search for old friends and colleagues, former romantic partners, and discover their current status is quite appealing for some members."
He says the majority of the younger generation (21 years and below) embrace social networks more comfortably than the older generation, and tend to be more liberal in revealing personal information through the site.
While younger people are interested in making new friends, the older generation is more interested in maintaining existing friendships through this medium.
"For younger people, it is their primary method of communication in some cases. In my study, I have discovered that the older generation still has a tendency to value human communication as superior and have greater respect for traditional values and morality," says Adrian.
He believes it is not all bad.
"It may enhance social interaction. The ability to communicate through interactive media allows more options and more frequent interactions with our contacts. I have found that existing relationships formed in real-life may be strengthened through Facebook."
Nonetheless, he agrees that some relationships initiated through Facebook may be superficial.
"Before the popularity of interactive media, a 'friend' was associated with a person with whom he had a positive relationship with. This is no longer true with the advent of new media.
"The idea of 'friend' itself degrades the value of friendship since a Facebook 'friend' can be as distant as a friend of a friend of a friend whom we know nothing about."
Julian Hopkins, a doctoral student at Monash University Sunway Campus who researches social media, says for some people, retreating into the virtual world to make friends can be a means to overcome social awkwardness or loneliness.
"I think that is in the minority, and is not the main reason for people using SNS."
The fascination with self-display as seen on SNS is not unusual says Hopkins. It only seems more obvious because it's online and archived.
"We all self-display all the time. With technological advances, especially digital photography, a lot more of that is happening now.
"Doing something such as posting photos of a party online is a way of reinforcing ties with other people who went to the party."
One of the biggest mistakes in the public debate on SNS, says Hopkins, is that it is assumed the generation of "digital natives" are not concerned about privacy.
While these platforms offer users the ability to disclose a wide variety of personal information it also differentiates between public and private, where public means that a profile is available to anyone and private means that it is only for selected friends.
"Facebook is popular because users think that they are only sharing with people they want to share with.
"Teenagers, for example, may want only people like them to see their profile but they do not want the same attention from an adult.
"One noticeable trend in this regard is that, as more and more parents go into Facebook, young people are creating multiple profiles -- one for the 'parent public' which includes their school, potential employers and one for their own public."
Generally, he says, people are ignorant about the risk factors when using these platforms. Many don't understand that their indiscretions will be online indefinitely.
"Users must realise that anything that goes online may be seen by their parents, their teachers, their future partners, their future employers and even their children.
"I don't think social networks are damaging. It only becomes a problem when people reveal things that come back to haunt them or they become addicted to it."
Read more: Why networking sites can be addictive http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/02cdsns1a/Article#ixzz0vMOZwm00
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