There are a wide variety of computer games prevalent today. Tetris, Mario, Solitaire are some of the ever-popular games indulged in by millions. From the simple Tennis For Two played on the analog computer to Final Fantasy on the PSP with its dazzling graphics, computer games have come a long way.
Games are interesting, exciting which provide a very good entertainment and a means of escaping boredom. There are professional gaming leagues which provide a platform for enthusiastic gamers. There are a lot of positive aspects to gaming. For example, there are organizations, like Gamers Outreach Foundation, which collects charity out of gaming events, Research proves that action games are good brain exercises and help sharpen the brain. Also they encourage teamwork and cooperation when played with others, increase children's self-confidence and self-esteem as they master games, develop skills in reading, math, and problem-solving, improve eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills. For example Nintendo’s Wii2 is used for improving health by exercising (though not as good as the real thing,it doesn’t make you a couch potato). Infact in some countries ,doctor’s recommend patients to play on the wii console so as to ward off the alziehmer’s disease. However, unfortunately, playing computer games can be addictive and become an obsession for some. Children missing out on their meals, not studying, avoiding outdoor activities, misbehaving are some of the common outcomes of addicted gaming. A 1998 study by Simon Fraser University, Video Game Culture, showed that one out of every four teens who plays video games feels addicted to them. Just like a drug addict experiences withdrawal symptoms when he does not get the drugs so do the gaming addicts experience withdrawal symptoms when they do not get their “fix’ of time with their computer game. According to one addict “Whenever I go through periods of Counter-Strike withdrawal, I cannot make myself focus on the serious tasks at hand even without the distraction of gaming. Instead, I often elect to find alternative ways to waste my time, such as surfing videos on YouTube, watching B-minus movies on TV or even playing mind-numbing, sophomoric free games online. That's how I came to the realization that Counter-Strike is but an excuse for me to procrastinate - a deliciously entertaining excuse, yes, but an excuse nevertheless.”
For Gamers spending greater part of the day shooting down aliens or rash driving on city roads the gap between the virtual world and the real world begins to diminish. Recently in Thailand, a teenager inspired by the popular game Grand Theft Auto IV robbed a taxi driver and stabbed him to death. He was just checking out whether this could be done as easily in real life as in the game!! As horrible as this incident may be we should not completely write off the scenario as unredeemable and adopt harsh measures like banning games altogether, or censoring their content.
A discipline needs to be maintained to ensure that the games remain a pleasant healthy entertainment and do not turn into a disease. Some common solutions for gaming addicts include setting time limits, parents rewarding their children with computer time for doing something like completing an assignment (this will make them feel like you're not trying to 'stop' them from using the computer as such), developing interest in other activities like reading, imposing stringent rules on the sale of adult rated games.
While surfing the net, I came across a blog of an ex-game addict who has provides the following perspective on the addiction:
“. . . the ultimate problem, as well as the solution, lies not within the games but the addicts themselves. In other words, many gamers are not addicted to the games - they are addicted to burning their time on gaming. The problem for me, as well as many others, is the lack of motivation coupled with slack self-control. Identifying life's priorities and regaining self-control are the corresponding measures to the problem, though this is often easier said than done. Taking one step at a time and staying persistent are the keys to a successful recovery.For the most part, I am now in control of my gaming addiction. Sparing gaming is now just another form of recreation, and that's the way it should be.”
In other words, to avoid the pitfall of addiction to gaming, it is important to have alternative recreational activities, setting one’s priorities right, be motivated to do other activities and exercise self-control.
I myself enjoy playing a variety of computer and video games ranging from adventure to word games and I’ll be utterly disappointed if in the coming years I see electronic stores void of game CDs because they are considered as “undesirable”. True, the M rated games do excite you to dare but the same is valid for movies, which have an amazingly large audiences across the globe.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
TRAFFICKING CUM TRADE
THE GLOBAL ARMS BUISNESS...
“I have seen how easy it is for nuclear contamination to occur, and how hard it is to clean it up…. Do nations possess nuclear, chemical and biological weapons because of fear of attack from some other nation, or is it mainly because without them the stronger cannot otherwise exploit the weaker?”
These words of Dr. Andreas Toupadakis( former Research Scientist of Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories ) truly reveal the jeopardy of international security. Trafficking, trade, globalization, and corruption whatever the means, the sale of arms around the globe has lubricated, making them almost ubiquitous.
Procuring arms has become a child’s play. Now other than a Harry potter book, $15 can also fetch an AK-47. No cash? Don’t worry; we have an M-16 available in lieu for 6 cows (offer valid for residents of Somalia, Ethopia and Kenya).Technology has also catalysed the sail of arms. Cell phones and the Internet allow people to easily conduct business around the world. Even small rebel groups in remote areas can buy weapons from people in Europe, Asia or the Americas. The black market, which facilitates illicit trade, contributes 80% to arms trafficking.
Nations that feel threatened increase arms purchase and spending to improve their defensive capabilities, consequently neighbouring countries often feel the need to keep up,” just in case”.
Many nations around the world today possess, or have the means to procure, weapons of mass destruction. They may be nuclear, chemical, biological or other types of weapons.
Global trends reveal that developing nations are the top recipients although the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council (US, Russia, France, United Kingdom and China), together with Germany and Italy account for over 80% of the arms sold between 2000 and 2007.
As the more powerful countries show less commitment to reducing their own arms substantially and continue to pursue their own “national interests”. The consequence of this lies in the killing of at least 500,000 people across the world, each year. Of the four million war-related deaths in the 1990s, 90 percent were civilians and over 80 percent were women and children, mostly due to the misuse of small arms and light weapons.
Arms are but a cornerstone of suffering and poverty. Concrete and joint efforts made by the UN and other nations should aim at efficient disarmament of potentially harmful and destructive groups.
In the words of Andre Gide,” It is easier to lead men to combat, stirring up their passion, than to restrain them and direct them toward the patient labors of peace.”
“I have seen how easy it is for nuclear contamination to occur, and how hard it is to clean it up…. Do nations possess nuclear, chemical and biological weapons because of fear of attack from some other nation, or is it mainly because without them the stronger cannot otherwise exploit the weaker?”
These words of Dr. Andreas Toupadakis( former Research Scientist of Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories ) truly reveal the jeopardy of international security. Trafficking, trade, globalization, and corruption whatever the means, the sale of arms around the globe has lubricated, making them almost ubiquitous.
Procuring arms has become a child’s play. Now other than a Harry potter book, $15 can also fetch an AK-47. No cash? Don’t worry; we have an M-16 available in lieu for 6 cows (offer valid for residents of Somalia, Ethopia and Kenya).Technology has also catalysed the sail of arms. Cell phones and the Internet allow people to easily conduct business around the world. Even small rebel groups in remote areas can buy weapons from people in Europe, Asia or the Americas. The black market, which facilitates illicit trade, contributes 80% to arms trafficking.
Nations that feel threatened increase arms purchase and spending to improve their defensive capabilities, consequently neighbouring countries often feel the need to keep up,” just in case”.
Many nations around the world today possess, or have the means to procure, weapons of mass destruction. They may be nuclear, chemical, biological or other types of weapons.
Global trends reveal that developing nations are the top recipients although the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council (US, Russia, France, United Kingdom and China), together with Germany and Italy account for over 80% of the arms sold between 2000 and 2007.
As the more powerful countries show less commitment to reducing their own arms substantially and continue to pursue their own “national interests”. The consequence of this lies in the killing of at least 500,000 people across the world, each year. Of the four million war-related deaths in the 1990s, 90 percent were civilians and over 80 percent were women and children, mostly due to the misuse of small arms and light weapons.
Arms are but a cornerstone of suffering and poverty. Concrete and joint efforts made by the UN and other nations should aim at efficient disarmament of potentially harmful and destructive groups.
In the words of Andre Gide,” It is easier to lead men to combat, stirring up their passion, than to restrain them and direct them toward the patient labors of peace.”
NOT JUST ANOTHER BESTSELLER
On a Sunday afternoon as I browsed through the Brunch magazine, I came across the suggested reading section. A book titled Tuesdays With Morrie with a simple yellow cover and brown border to boast about, caught my attention. One sentence, ‘A young man, an old man, and life’s greatest lesson’ was printed on it. At once, I felt an instinctive liking towards it and felt that there was something very deep and astounding behind that ordinary cover. Within a few days, it was in my very own hands.
The book basically reveals a true story about a professor, Morrie Schwartz unveiling a different perspective to life with his ex–student Mitch Albom. Struggling with ALS, an incurable and brutal disease of the nervous system that ends with a dose of death, Morrie tries to make the best of his last days and gives everyone a new vision of life.
The book is the thesis, Morrie the coach, Mitch the student. The class met on Tuesdays and the subject was the meaning of life. It was taught from experience. The author, Mitch Albom evidently has a unique style of writing that is simple yet gripping.
With chapters titled as the curriculum, the student, the audiovisual to the graduation and conclusion, Albom and Morrie unravel through life’s many complexities like love, money, marriage, family, emotions and death. The story is adorned with several of Morrie's aphorisms. "The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. and you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it." is among my favourites. Not to be mistaken as a ‘preach-preach’ kind of book, Tuesdays With Morrie, as phrased by critics is, “a wonderful story of the heart told by a writer with soul”.
If you are in a mood for an inspirational classic, it is the quintessential novel and as for me, this book tops the charts!
The book basically reveals a true story about a professor, Morrie Schwartz unveiling a different perspective to life with his ex–student Mitch Albom. Struggling with ALS, an incurable and brutal disease of the nervous system that ends with a dose of death, Morrie tries to make the best of his last days and gives everyone a new vision of life.
The book is the thesis, Morrie the coach, Mitch the student. The class met on Tuesdays and the subject was the meaning of life. It was taught from experience. The author, Mitch Albom evidently has a unique style of writing that is simple yet gripping.
With chapters titled as the curriculum, the student, the audiovisual to the graduation and conclusion, Albom and Morrie unravel through life’s many complexities like love, money, marriage, family, emotions and death. The story is adorned with several of Morrie's aphorisms. "The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. and you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it." is among my favourites. Not to be mistaken as a ‘preach-preach’ kind of book, Tuesdays With Morrie, as phrased by critics is, “a wonderful story of the heart told by a writer with soul”.
If you are in a mood for an inspirational classic, it is the quintessential novel and as for me, this book tops the charts!
WE,THE IP
(DISCLAIMER: the following article can be considered as an ode to the IP 2008;IP should not be accused of pompous attitude!!)
Ah! The arrival of November. It has a new air to it and I’m not referring to the weather; DPS-MUN is back in action! I remember being extremely thrilled and anxious about getting into IP.
IP then: full form international press, agenda-reporting committees and a big full stop after that.
I think I started discovering IP on the day of the auditions. After racking my brains to write a 500 word essay on one of the two topics, I found myself sitting in the D Block classroom the next day, all set for a three hour audition. Finally at around five o’ clock, hungry, tired and exhausted, yet satisfied, excited and elated, I began offering my prayers to god, trading my hopes for getting an iphone with being selected. Tada!! soon the results were out and I found myself as a part of the IP team. But the fun had just begun.
The following days saw the IP in the making. We sat together brain storming and putting our thoughts in ink for the Clarion. Eat, sleep, breathe and write - we were instructed.
The first edition came out with a slight complication (my fellow friends would agree that that’s an understatement), we had 3000 copies to be folded and stapled and thus compiled into a newsletter. With a spluttering Xerox machine, it wasn’t all romantic. Fuelled with coke (who the hell said it has pesticides??) we managed to compile the first edition (you can’t imagine the relief and joy….) within a few hours and all the while I tried to keep the picture of paper planes out of my mind. Yes, this newsletter in your hand, is a lot more than just four pages. It is an outcome of blood(by convention,if you please), sweat, paper, yes lots of paper and staple pins. And coke.
Whoever would see the two letters ‘IP’ written on my id card,would do either of the following:
Look upto me in awe
Stop the conversation in midway
Start doing weird stuff to catch my attention
Recall an IP ‘mischief’ and make a face
IP now: fun, running around, convincing messengers to pass us frivolous chits, sneaky, gossip desperate,supersonic typing,quick lunch hours,reporting through monotony,the heart of MUN..All in all,it had been an extremely wonderful and memorable experience of being a part of DPSMUN 2008.Can’t wait for the next one.All hail the IP.
Ah! The arrival of November. It has a new air to it and I’m not referring to the weather; DPS-MUN is back in action! I remember being extremely thrilled and anxious about getting into IP.
IP then: full form international press, agenda-reporting committees and a big full stop after that.
I think I started discovering IP on the day of the auditions. After racking my brains to write a 500 word essay on one of the two topics, I found myself sitting in the D Block classroom the next day, all set for a three hour audition. Finally at around five o’ clock, hungry, tired and exhausted, yet satisfied, excited and elated, I began offering my prayers to god, trading my hopes for getting an iphone with being selected. Tada!! soon the results were out and I found myself as a part of the IP team. But the fun had just begun.
The following days saw the IP in the making. We sat together brain storming and putting our thoughts in ink for the Clarion. Eat, sleep, breathe and write - we were instructed.
The first edition came out with a slight complication (my fellow friends would agree that that’s an understatement), we had 3000 copies to be folded and stapled and thus compiled into a newsletter. With a spluttering Xerox machine, it wasn’t all romantic. Fuelled with coke (who the hell said it has pesticides??) we managed to compile the first edition (you can’t imagine the relief and joy….) within a few hours and all the while I tried to keep the picture of paper planes out of my mind. Yes, this newsletter in your hand, is a lot more than just four pages. It is an outcome of blood(by convention,if you please), sweat, paper, yes lots of paper and staple pins. And coke.
Whoever would see the two letters ‘IP’ written on my id card,would do either of the following:
Look upto me in awe
Stop the conversation in midway
Start doing weird stuff to catch my attention
Recall an IP ‘mischief’ and make a face
IP now: fun, running around, convincing messengers to pass us frivolous chits, sneaky, gossip desperate,supersonic typing,quick lunch hours,reporting through monotony,the heart of MUN..All in all,it had been an extremely wonderful and memorable experience of being a part of DPSMUN 2008.Can’t wait for the next one.All hail the IP.
Monday, October 27, 2008
To my son,the terrorist
A love letter to a terrorist,one of the most beautiful articles I have come across..
Does a mother have to write a letter to her son through the newspapers? But then, does a mother who hasn’t seen her son in eight years, have to see his photograph splashed on TV? Does her heart leap at first flash, her mind a rush of all the possible causes of claim to such prime-time fame? And where does she hide when the answer follows immediately after? They say, ‘Don’t show pictures of those killed and mutilated in a blast because the family would go into shock to get such terrible news from TV’. Are the parents of the suspect not entitled to such courtesies? In our case, the cruelty is burdened with humiliation. It is as if every man, woman and child in the locality has rushed to the window to stare right through our door and bore holes into our very souls. How terrifying it is to open it to the police. How terrifying it is to open it at all. Answering the bell of the breadman and the milkman, stepping out for the bazaar — suddenly there is no such thing as routine in our lives. And to think we used to complain about our ordinariness. That television screen has become the symbol of our instantly changed life. It was the same one on which we watched our humdrum programmes, the one over which you were punished for sticking to instead of to your books. But not all that often, because you were, all in all, a good boy. We praised you for your quiet, self-contained ways. Should we have worried instead? Yes, the split second of that revelation changed everything. Hindsight is brutal; it stains everything. All that we had considered commendable — from your tech-wizardry to your religious devotion — has become a pointer to the coming doom. Even everything that we had considered innocuous all these years now seems like an ominous mask of what would happen. What has happened? The newspapers tell the world, day after day, that you are a mastermind. ‘Mastermind’ such an apparently admiring word with such a sinister subtext. In a sense, it reflects my own predicament. Outwardly, I stoutly defend your innocence, but my fears creep up as insidiously to confront me with the possibility of your guilt. I try to push these thoughts out of my mental frame. The police are notorious for arresting innocents, and then finding nothing to stick on them, aren’t they? The media is equally trigger-happy, isn’t it? Look at the way they present ‘evidence’, and pronounce judgment only to look even more red-faced than the police when it all falls apart. But that small voice inside me hammers against my head, ‘What if?’ Indeed, ‘What if?’ Zubeida, mother of that other so-called terrorist, Abdul Subhan Qureishi or Tauqir or whatever, appeared boldly on TV some weeks ago, threw back her burqa, and pronounced that if her son was indeed guilty he should be hanged right in front of her. Words, just words. I doubt if I would be able to make such a dramatic statement, and I know for certain that I would not be able to look at such a sight without flinching. Or look at all. Alas, Tikoo, being a mother isn’t only a Bollywood device. I don’t know how to condemn you, and I don’t know how to absolve you. I see you in the gruesome image of the young man with his arm torn off. Sometimes the face is yours. And sometimes the intact arm is yours, in the act of dropping a lethal bag into a dustbin. Or I see the photograph of another alleged terrorist spread-eagled in his own blood. And mine runs cold because I see you in him too. And I don’t know whether to wish you had died instead of killing us with this shame. Or to be thankful that you are alive, that whatever you may have done for whatever skewed crusade, it does not alter the fact that you are still our son. It is both our consolation and our tragedy that we might hate you, but we cannot stop loving you.
Yours, Mom
Does a mother have to write a letter to her son through the newspapers? But then, does a mother who hasn’t seen her son in eight years, have to see his photograph splashed on TV? Does her heart leap at first flash, her mind a rush of all the possible causes of claim to such prime-time fame? And where does she hide when the answer follows immediately after? They say, ‘Don’t show pictures of those killed and mutilated in a blast because the family would go into shock to get such terrible news from TV’. Are the parents of the suspect not entitled to such courtesies? In our case, the cruelty is burdened with humiliation. It is as if every man, woman and child in the locality has rushed to the window to stare right through our door and bore holes into our very souls. How terrifying it is to open it to the police. How terrifying it is to open it at all. Answering the bell of the breadman and the milkman, stepping out for the bazaar — suddenly there is no such thing as routine in our lives. And to think we used to complain about our ordinariness. That television screen has become the symbol of our instantly changed life. It was the same one on which we watched our humdrum programmes, the one over which you were punished for sticking to instead of to your books. But not all that often, because you were, all in all, a good boy. We praised you for your quiet, self-contained ways. Should we have worried instead? Yes, the split second of that revelation changed everything. Hindsight is brutal; it stains everything. All that we had considered commendable — from your tech-wizardry to your religious devotion — has become a pointer to the coming doom. Even everything that we had considered innocuous all these years now seems like an ominous mask of what would happen. What has happened? The newspapers tell the world, day after day, that you are a mastermind. ‘Mastermind’ such an apparently admiring word with such a sinister subtext. In a sense, it reflects my own predicament. Outwardly, I stoutly defend your innocence, but my fears creep up as insidiously to confront me with the possibility of your guilt. I try to push these thoughts out of my mental frame. The police are notorious for arresting innocents, and then finding nothing to stick on them, aren’t they? The media is equally trigger-happy, isn’t it? Look at the way they present ‘evidence’, and pronounce judgment only to look even more red-faced than the police when it all falls apart. But that small voice inside me hammers against my head, ‘What if?’ Indeed, ‘What if?’ Zubeida, mother of that other so-called terrorist, Abdul Subhan Qureishi or Tauqir or whatever, appeared boldly on TV some weeks ago, threw back her burqa, and pronounced that if her son was indeed guilty he should be hanged right in front of her. Words, just words. I doubt if I would be able to make such a dramatic statement, and I know for certain that I would not be able to look at such a sight without flinching. Or look at all. Alas, Tikoo, being a mother isn’t only a Bollywood device. I don’t know how to condemn you, and I don’t know how to absolve you. I see you in the gruesome image of the young man with his arm torn off. Sometimes the face is yours. And sometimes the intact arm is yours, in the act of dropping a lethal bag into a dustbin. Or I see the photograph of another alleged terrorist spread-eagled in his own blood. And mine runs cold because I see you in him too. And I don’t know whether to wish you had died instead of killing us with this shame. Or to be thankful that you are alive, that whatever you may have done for whatever skewed crusade, it does not alter the fact that you are still our son. It is both our consolation and our tragedy that we might hate you, but we cannot stop loving you.
Yours, Mom
Media bias
Day 1:
"It was the father",screamed the headlines of the daily journal." Cops make a breakthrough in murdercase...shocking revelation...Aarushi Talwar mudered by her father...Aarushi Talwar's gruesome murder by the hands of her father has left ... "
Day 2:
"News channels go overboard ... police made the sensational revelations about the Aarushi Talwar murder case.."
Day 3:
"Putting all rumors and speculations into rest, the Noida police finally arrested Arushi Talwar's father Dr. Rajesh Talwar. ..."
Day (god knows what):
"Rajesh Talwar was released from Jail after being wrongfully confined for 50 days after being.."
I wouldn't be surprised if these were quoted from a gossip magazine but its appaling to know that the media is behind this fickle natured ..um..what do they call it..ya.."news".
While crucial issues like global warming,education,employment occupy the later pages, sensational issues,invariably, are splashed on the front page.The news channel biggies escalate their TRPs by gainnig fodder from murder,rapes,riots,controversies..and as for the minor ones,they deserve a ticket to bollywood.
India being a developing nation with more than 50% of the population uneducated and living in rural areas ,has a long way to go.Many issues have to be tackled,many journeys to be scaled.Awareness,unity,integrity,understanding,inspiration,support,help,liberty,perseverance,grit,willpower..are some key elemnts to jolt india awake and turn dreams into reality.In today's fast paced and dog-eat-dog world news channels and newspapers prove to be vital sources about whats happening around you.By showing murder and related issues,the viewer is expected to be sensitized,not entertained.
True,some news channels conduct open discussions which include suggestions,advice and precautions about the concerned issue but its impact is dimnished with parallel programmes showing journalists reporting about haunted houses or asking amusing questions like,"you are a blast victim ,how are you feeling?".
I hate to quote,but some channels like IndiaTV,Live India,News X,Azad news and many more are busy discussing the daily soaps,celeb lifestyles,ways to scare off ghosts and other irrelevant,uneccessary and brain numbling issues.They unfortunately attract the attention of the people living in the rural areas and,I daresay are a bad influence.
In a nutshell,lets hope that in the future we experience more mature,useful and expedient stuff from the mass media.
"It was the father",screamed the headlines of the daily journal." Cops make a breakthrough in murdercase...shocking revelation...Aarushi Talwar mudered by her father...Aarushi Talwar's gruesome murder by the hands of her father has left ... "
Day 2:
"News channels go overboard ... police made the sensational revelations about the Aarushi Talwar murder case.."
Day 3:
"Putting all rumors and speculations into rest, the Noida police finally arrested Arushi Talwar's father Dr. Rajesh Talwar. ..."
Day (god knows what):
"Rajesh Talwar was released from Jail after being wrongfully confined for 50 days after being.."
I wouldn't be surprised if these were quoted from a gossip magazine but its appaling to know that the media is behind this fickle natured ..um..what do they call it..ya.."news".
While crucial issues like global warming,education,employment occupy the later pages, sensational issues,invariably, are splashed on the front page.The news channel biggies escalate their TRPs by gainnig fodder from murder,rapes,riots,controversies..and as for the minor ones,they deserve a ticket to bollywood.
India being a developing nation with more than 50% of the population uneducated and living in rural areas ,has a long way to go.Many issues have to be tackled,many journeys to be scaled.Awareness,unity,integrity,understanding,inspiration,support,help,liberty,perseverance,grit,willpower..are some key elemnts to jolt india awake and turn dreams into reality.In today's fast paced and dog-eat-dog world news channels and newspapers prove to be vital sources about whats happening around you.By showing murder and related issues,the viewer is expected to be sensitized,not entertained.
True,some news channels conduct open discussions which include suggestions,advice and precautions about the concerned issue but its impact is dimnished with parallel programmes showing journalists reporting about haunted houses or asking amusing questions like,"you are a blast victim ,how are you feeling?".
I hate to quote,but some channels like IndiaTV,Live India,News X,Azad news and many more are busy discussing the daily soaps,celeb lifestyles,ways to scare off ghosts and other irrelevant,uneccessary and brain numbling issues.They unfortunately attract the attention of the people living in the rural areas and,I daresay are a bad influence.
In a nutshell,lets hope that in the future we experience more mature,useful and expedient stuff from the mass media.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)