Is There a Best Time for Writing?

(Thought - Random)

           Sometimes I ask myself:  why ever do I write?  Do I for the pleasure of my pen gliding through my paper or for the musical cadence from my computer keyboard? Is it because I want to tell a story or is it because there is a story to tell? ..... because I want to remember... or rather because I'd want to forget?  I don't know.   No, I'm not sure - that's what it is.  But perhaps I could venture to describe the feeling writing gives me as a beatific or even seraphic rapture. Almost unexplainable for me and kind of beyond my senses.

        But whatever it is that I write about,  most often than not,  depends on the time of day that I do.  People, of course, variegate on a  number of aspects and the best moment for writing doesn't escape the list.   Some, for instance, write best at dawn -  2 o'clock in the morning or about 4.... a couple more of minutes  before that magical sunrise.  Some go for the dead of night, starting, say, between the witching hours of 11 and 1.  Some sit down for it at about 4 in the afternoon and go on while the sun sets and on to the night.  Still, others go for that tight span of time before going to a specific commitment like work, a speaking engagement, an interview.   I've also heard of some being able to write only within the embrace of darkness;  some only when close to the sound of running water; and some when music, soft or deafening, is available in the background.  Idiosyncratic? I'd say, yes!  Everybody knows about Edgar Allan Poe as being able to write only when dead drunk!

        So when might  be the best time for  writing?  Well,  if I were to talk about myself,  I'd confess that I do all the above one time or another; that is, except being dead drunk ... although I have in mind to try that some time. I know of  some writers who put themselves on a rigid schedule - something like choosing a particular time of day and sticking to it on a regularity, whether or not they are productive.   I mean, they just have to write something like a page or two, or write a specific number of lines - whether or not they like what they have written at all.   But it turns out that after some time, great poetry, or great fiction is generated out of such scribbling, if it may be called such.

        Now I'm not sure if I could do that.  For me, there are random times as when I sit down  in a coffee shop to enjoy how my coffee satiates both my taste and smell pleasures - and  I decide then and there to jot down exactly what feeds my senses that very moment.   I'd see the color of the grass and the skies from out of the window...notice the  people as they go in and  out,  listen inadvertently to greetings, discussions, arguments.  And these are a handful... enough to make my pen work a while.  Other times,  I sit down at my cellphone's call and as a text message flashes before my eyes,  my mind travels past the shadow of the friend who just texted me to remembrances of thoughts, activities, and feelings he has shared with me -and I have a handful.... enough to make my pen work a while.  What I am saying is that random times can open up my eyes to a waterfall of ideas available right on my hands and at my disposal.

          Of course, the flash of inspiration is one that comes at most unguarded moments - inspiration that I must catch and write about immediately lest I lose it. These are the times when I have the nicest, most appropriate words to work with come effortlessly and most languidly,  Unfortunately, these magic moments  come only when they decide to and not when I'd want them to. Which makes it just one more of the good times for writing. In other words, if you ask me - there would be not just one best time for writing because for me, there are a whole lot of these good times.  Definitely, the 'best time' would be any of those times when my heart and my mind are at their complementing best... very much like I would look into the yin and yang of tai-chi.

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Word Choice in Writing

(Thought - Random)

   
          'One pearl is better than a whole necklace of potatoes!'  very much applies to writing!  This is from author, Constance Hale, as she goes on to state that strengthening out grammar and syntax is not the be all and end all of writing but the need  of a command of language as you need a commanding idea.   Your basic ability as a writer to discriminate between pearls and potatoes - because choosing the words fit to be strung in sentences should lead to well-crafted writing.

        So  let me here pick up some of Ms Hale's  suggestions on word choice that could lead to writing that can 'plunge deep and pulsate with life'.  For instance,  try not for big shot words but for big ideas... use short common words that name big things like hope and pride and commitment.  Don't use nine words where three is sufficient.  Just remember, however, that to eliminate expressive words that intensify or vivify meaning in writing is not simplicity.

        In choosing nouns, choose those that are rich in connotations of emotion or sensation.  When you have the word house in your mind, wouldn't you rather take cottage, or duplex, shack, or bungalow or even  A-frame?  Pick bungalow, however, if you want to capture coziness and a homey atmosphere.  If you think  terms like abode, dwelling and residence are colorless and opt for Victorian, hacienda or manor,  you're okay, I guess... just remember that plain nouns can also be strong.

        The use of the active voice in verbs makes for a strong, direct and mascular effect: - the sky hangs languidly, the mountains glower darkly, the fireflies glimmer playfully.  But instead of using walks, why not  paces, skips, skedaddles!  Instead of says, why not wails, whispers, insists! For stronger impact, opt for the substitutions:  he has a plan to - he plans to;  team had 10 loses - team lost 10 games;  she left the company - she quit;  make contact with - call, fax, email;  exhibit a tendency to - tend to;  cause an investigation - find out;  is not in a position to - cannot!

       So the nouns, you will remember from grammar school, are the substantives while the verbs are basically the action carriers.  The following modifiers would now be the adjectives (noun modifiers) and the adverbs (verb and adjective modifiers).  They function as meaning enhancers:  beautiful girl, interesting comment,  incredible discovery.....rapidly responded,  frighteningly beautiful,  super fast!  To reverse the adjective-noun pattern though is poetic license as in:  light fantastic, bliss eternal, hot cup of coffee.  But watch out for doublers or redundancies like: free gift (gifts wouldn't be gifts if paid for), afternoon matinee, true facts, vast majority, serious danger, grave emergency.  Or coining opposite adjective-noun confusers like:  new tradition, original copy, partial cease fire, or limited lifetime guarantee.  As for adverbs,  clip those hedges, you don't need the adverbs here:   screeched loudly, rudely insulted, gently caressing, meld together.   And instead of saying, quite happy,  go for thrilled; instead of wiped out, or very tired, say lethargic; instead of truly moved, say touched.

        If nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs are known as content words, prepositions and conjunctions would be two of what are termed function words.   Prepositions are there for spatial relationships and parallel structuring but rid your writing of them whenever you can and lodge your ideas directly in nouns and verbs. Avoid as of now, at present, at this point in time.  Use if rather than in the event that.  Use many rather than a great number of.   Use about rather than with reference.   Use for rather than in the interest of.  Prepositions aren't verbs so say he dances hula rather than he's into hula.  Conjunctions, on the other hand, are connectors - they help to smooth prose.  Just remember that like is followed by a noun:  looks like Matt Damon...and that as introduces a clause:  do as I say.   You say you can learn this as I have rather than like I have.  An overabundance of ands is to be avoided....although a conjunction can start a sentence as in And God said:....!

        Thus your basic ability as a writer to discriminate between pearls and potatoes....and to choose the words fit to be strung in sentences should lead to well-crafted writing.  As C. Hale expressly states:  One pearl is better than a string of potatoes!
         
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Persona and Tone in Writing

(Thought-Random)

   
         When you read words written on the sand, you normally would want to know who wrote them, wouldn't you?   You'll have to agree with me that it's kind of a natural human response to language to seek out the source... the someone who created it.  And one reason could be is that the feeling of someone talking to you brings a great satisfaction out of reading.  You get to think and feel like the one who is communicating to you  and you tend to see things from his perspective.  And this sense of being one with the writer somehow makes you want to read further what he has written. 

        To take the other side of the coin now, let me invite you to consider the task of the writer in choosing how best to engage his audience in terms of point of view.  Writers normally adopt a  Persona, - a self for the purpose of addressing particular people in particular situations.  And this speaker or character would take one of three points of view: - the First Person 'I' ,  the Second Person 'You', and  the Third Person 'He, She, They'. 

          The narrator or persona is not necessarily identified with author or speaker, nor is the listener necessarily the reader of the piece of writing.   But the 'I' speaker either plays a role in the events narrated or speaks directly to his audience and commands some credibility.   When the writer addresses his audience as 'You',  it is an invitation to a relationship with him, at least for the duration of the essay.  And the Third Person point of view would refer to what are known in the trade as omniscient narrators who know everything that  happens and know what all the characters are thinking and feeling.  Now if you might just ask me, - my personal favorite in trying to engage my reader is the use of the 'You' persona.  And why?  Because I, myself, am automatically magnetized to a written work that invites me to share the author's thoughts and sensibilities. I find it effectively grabs my attention... I find it  enthralling to be allowed to look into another person's mind.

        Aside from Point of View,  one other significant aspect in writing  would be Voice - also sometimes called, Tone, or Style, or Diction.  Human attitudes towards people, subject matter, or even to one's own self are conveyed with Tone.  Among these attitudes could be included the following: -  sincere, enthusiastic, angry, amused, ironic, pleading... and the list could go on.  What is of interest here, however,  is the fact that the ordinary meaning of words does not always indicate speakers' attitudes because a speaker, or a writer for that matter, may say one thing but mean another.  Or meanings may be inferred either from context or  from relationships of power and solidarity.  Simple statements like 'Shut the door!' or 'It's raining!', for instance, may be given diverse meanings depending on the situations they were said, and who said which and to whom it was said.   Would you care to play around with interpretations to those two utterances?

        Both persona and tone are critical in writing.  From your readings, you certainly come upon diverse versions of writings that convey same or similar contents;  but certainly, as well, you get to recognize differences that make you decide which would be more interesting.  In terms of persona, this, of course, rests on what particular subject matter it is or to  what particular audience the text was meant for.  But with these and  your considering the use of tone, you surely will find that one is more arresting and compelling - which, in turn, could just give you a head start in being that engaging writer!

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Some Pre-Writing Thoughts

(Thought-Random)

   
          Notice that when you come across a written piece, - a story, an essay, a letter, or perhaps even a poem, -  your reaction could be "I like it!" or "I don't like it"!   You respond one way or another. You might even say, "I didn't get it!"... or perhaps say, "I want to read that again"!  A lot to say about these responses but let me streamline my thoughts for now and share with you a couple; one being that responding  to what you read is somehow a movement  towards appreciating not only writing you like,  but also writing you might not like.    After all, to be a competent writer, you first have to be an attentive reader.

        Thus when you are an engaged reader,  you get to have an insight into the elements of  successful writing.... you get to recognize the writer's skill,  the effort he made....  you get to admire the emotions he or she is able to make you feel.  And from a sea of written language where in you swim,  you usually respond in writing to what you read.   Usually.   Because sometimes,  you just write whenever you feel like.... and then wait for others to respond to it.   If at all!

        Now from your readings, you normally catch  a purpose, wouldn't you?    You would identify three broad categories of writing as classified and explained as such by academicians like Judith Ferster,  namely:  the expository, which is informative;  the argumentative, which attempts to persuade you to think or do something;  and the expressive,  which conveys thoughts and feelings.  If you were to think of the audience to which written texts are addressed, however, you'd distinguish between two kinds:  civic writing, which speaks to communities of any membership and academic writing,  which speaks to students or experts on subjects of study in academic disciplines.

        This invites your attention now to what they call the communications triangle in which the corners representing the message,  its sender, and its receiver,   all center on a common subject matter. What's interesting here is the fact  that these above points are interdependent.  If,  for instance, you'd like to describe your instructor to your best friend; imagine how you'd describe the same instructor on a formal report or evaluation to be submitted to his dean.  Or,  on another situation,  take for granted you were to write two versions of a letter to support a friend applying for job.  One of these would be sent to the prospective employer asking you for the friend's strengths and weaknesses while the other would be for the friend himself to read.  In both cases, the differences between the two sets of writing will likely be different in terms of format,  word choices,  and tone, among other things.

        But it is said there is one other kind of writing often called imaginative which doesn't quite fit comfortably into any of the above-mentioned categories.  Sometimes it is informative, sometimes argumentative and sometimes expressive... sometimes it is addressed to the world, sometimes it is meant only for a particular group or even just for the writer himself - like you or I might be. I'm sure examples of what we are calling imaginative literature or writing fill your mind right now.  But one significant thing is that published or not,  this type of writing - the imaginative kind of writing - can violate the normal rules of genre and still find its place among creative arts.  It is interesting to note that it isn't governed by the formal rules that do letters to the editor, for example, or to laboratory or business reports.  And imaginative writing offers versions of reality with insights into human life.

        So active reading would help you determine not only what a work says but also how it says it.  It helps you shape your responses to what you read....makes you delve deeper than surface meanings,  for one.   But these thoughts, of course,  just begin to scratch the surface of the process of writing.  For now,  it is just to understand and to be aware of the expansive nature of a reading background necessary for you to be a competent writer.  Perhaps not just a breeze but doable when you set your heart to it.  And therefore,  to understand why you 'd respond to a written text with "I like it!" or "I don't like it"; with "I didn't get it!" or "I want to read that again!" -should  help you become an effective and persuasive writer.
              
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Neil Diamond - BBC Concert 1971 - FULL VERSION

That Oneness in Diversity

(Thought-Random)

       No, I’m not looking out through a window of a Starbucks coffee shop as I write this out. Neither am I through one of an aircraft. It is a free period for me from my English as a Second Language classes here at the university where I now teach and this time, I am looking across the expanse of the main library. It’s not the volumes of books and bookshelves that arrest my interest! Not the convenience of tables and chairs for quiet study and writing and computer research. Not the luxury of lounging sets all around where one could rest out both one’s physical and mental exhaustion - or could exhaust one’s self mentally.  I am taking in the diversity of academic people sharing this moment with me and I am over-whelmed with realization.

          A good number of our students with the ESL Program are basically Chinese.We used to have hundreds more of Japanese at one time even. But this Fall Semester, I have had the pleasure of coming into contact with other nationalities, not only within the student body, but also in the faculty and in the administrative staff as well. Okay, I am in America, thus, it goes without saying that the academic population is necessarily and at best American. But what makes for the icing on the cake is, if I may say so - the presence of a host of other nationals. We have Brazilians, among others...... Frenchmen, too, - Russians, Albanians, Lithuanians, Serbians, Germans, Austrians, Ecuadorians, Turks, Britons, (and I may not yet have mentioned others I haven’t met),  added to one Filipino more than me. It is certainly not just the number of diverse nationalities I interact with that spells phenomenal for me but the diversity of cultural aspects that unfold to me that simply fascinates me.

          Starting with language, I can’t explain the pleasure I get out of listening to the way they,  the above mentioned nationals in my university, would speak English with an accent that gives away their country of origin.  I smile at how the feeling that the sounds of a foreign language, superimposed on the English language I am so familiar with, simply transports me to that very country the non-English sounds belong to - what with the melodic interference of phonetic items like pronunciation, stress intonation, and all those other supra-segmental aspects as indicated in the world of  Phonology.

          And when they share with me strains of their music, these, in turn, transform into stories of their native loves and friendships, of courtship and marriage, of their own ways of family and home, of their own idiosyncratic expression of joys and sorrows. These stories further bring me to a world of discovery in terms of tradition and modernity and into levels of comparison and contrast, not only among this diversity of nationals but also between them and my own beloved countrymen.

          In this ethnic diversity am I also given an enchanting panoramic vision of distinctive ways in greetings, for instance. According to the dictates of their culture, some comment on  the weather, some will ask how healthy you are, some will ask you where you’re going, some will hug you with a kiss, - and the number of kisses depending on what country they come from. The point of contact may not only be on the cheek because it could be on the forehead or on the hands. Some will even have to greet another in silence if only to show respect, rather than with language or with gesture and more.

          Naming males or females can be a cultural distinction too. Forms of address can vary from country to country where some put a lot of significance on relationships, especially within the family

hierarchy, in which case, among others, there is such a thing as honorifics, or terms of respect, for elders or for authority and strangers. But on campus at my present moment, some faculty encourage

students to address them by their first names rather than be called Professor or by their formal titles, and this is especially for foreign students who may find it difficult to pronounce names.  Of this, I

 must be honest and say I, for one, am not sure if I am comfortable with it.

          As for time and concerns of appointment, I find that this, too, can be a cultural item. Some find it a necessity and a sign of respect to be punctual while others look at it in a different way.   Some nationals, thus, consider being late as normal. In fact, the more respectable and prominent a person is in their native lands, the less punctual he is expected to be. So I am guessing that for our students from such countries, they must have some difficulty adapting to the American demand for strict punctuality, be it   academic, business, or social.

          Space, on the other hand, is yet one more aspect I find interesting. Some nationals apparently need certain dimensions in space like distances to be near or far - when conversing with people who are not within their comfort zone. Others simply find the same constraints comfortable enough and aren’t bothered a bit. Some have their sensibilities confronted with the local food and clothing and still, others worry about climactic conditions and many other things - which might naturally be expected.

          But with all this diversity identified in the international community of my present academic world, I feel that the cultural idiosyncrasies of each individual is actually synthesized in the English language. Whatever his food or religion; however he greets me or decides to express his thoughts and feelings, whenever or whyever might he digress from the protocols of the university, one thing will definitely draw them together for me - the English language. Which is why, even if their morning greeting in class would sound like either Miremengjes!, or Zaoan!, or Bonjour!, or Guten Morgen!, or Bom Dia!, or Dobroe Utro!, and so forth and so on, - each of these, in my heart, will be a smile that translates to Good Morning, Professor!

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The Very Best Of Enya

SLU Forensics Online Discussion Excerpts-7 (On the use of Facebook)

(Thought-Random)

Topic #1 - Jun 11-17, 2012

By Ernie Reyes and Sonja Chan in Saint Louis University Forensic Society (Files) · Edit Doc · Delete

 

Topic: Facebook is just about one of the best things that has happened to the communications world. What's your take on this?

Facilitator: Sonja Chan

Sher Moran - June 12 at 2:21am
 " Facebook is just about one of the best things that has happened. . ." is indeed an understatement, it has revolutionized the speed of communication and bridged time and distance by the slightest touch of "send" or "enter" on the key board. It has placed on the spotlight memories that now has updated photos to a name and yes, more importantly made us get together again in a wider "classroom environment" with mam Sonja Chan gathering of students that now comprises this discussion group. FB has multiplied friendship, knowledge and kept us abreast with events, photos and ideas that are seemingly infinite. . . it is powerful!

Sonja Chan - June 12 at 2:54am
While I think along the same lines, Sher, I'd also ask why a lot of people I know have deactivated themselves from facebook....

Marl Rosal - June 12 at 6:12am
 My view on the matter is that Facebook is a good communication tool. It reconnects us with our past and our present. We try to input everything in, basically baring our soul.. BUT. we don't really know who we are dealing with. True, it has the privacy settings, control and all, yet there are still people being robbed of their identity and privacy. I personally don't use Facebook that much and when I do, it is with caution. Yet, being cautious is still not a guarantee. I know of friends whose accounts have been hacked and I also have friends who are totally not into Facebook because they are sceptic and paranoid. Being in Facebook means you are gambling your privacy and your personal life.. exposing yourself to the world of the unknown!

Sher Moran - June 12 at 6:58am
True, Marl! I feel the same. To add to that sharing I opened a facebook account because important messages were being sent through FB. To access it I had to open one. I strongly agree with the privacy intrusion, the downside is learning how to manage FB well without revealing too much. I still a struggle with it.

Marl Rosal - June 12 at 7:10amThanks, Sher! Yup, we all are in the learning stage.. and when we get to master it another app is added thus, making it impossible to cope up and in the end.. just letting it be.. hoping and praying that our account will not be hacked.. :)

Maria Lorna Cusi - June 12 at 10:16pm
I agree, for as long as we are talking about communications per se, and not the art nor the science of it. And because it uses the uncensored, unpoliced medium that we call the internet, users and fanatics are, somehow somewhat someday in mostly the hard way, learning the responsibilities of freedom freebies: freedom of speech during their free time on a free social networking channel (Facebook) where opinions and thoughts are conveyed free-style. And I mean no spell-checks, too. However, it is only because Facebook was fast-thinking enough that they were able to gain many patrons and members. I still give credit to Friendster for being the first social networking site that promoted multi-media sharing and storing to a wide number of members. I'm still not converting to Timeline, though I'm considering pulling out of LinkedIn.

Sonja Chan - June 13 at 9:43am
On Marlie's point re caution, - I guess, there will always be loopholes regarding that. The privacy tools available are just help, right, which is why, when I am on fb, I actually throw caution to the wind and just thrill to the connection with friends and loved ones like you, guys! Don't you all , too? Now Lorna talks about uncensored stuff and freedom. Nice points, Lady. probably would open up to diverse sub-threads as well. My interest, though is, as you'd expect, also the freedom aspect of mutilating language. hehe. Too much freedom out there.

Glenn Gattud - June 13 at 10:41pm
Try working 3 timezones like I do (Philippine, Australian Eastern and US Mountain) and you dont care about dates anymore (just the alarm on your Outlook and Microsoft Calendar)....but that's another topic. Senior moments...that's another topic as well...Facebook as one of the best things...agree its one of the best things to keep from being bored while waiting for a call at 3am (which would be 12noon in Denver)...still miss pen and paper though...the suspense of waiting, the perfumed stationary, the stylized pen strokes, a ketchup stain or a lipstick mark - they dont have equivalents in FB :-)

Sher Moran - June 13 at 11:16pm
A point well taken! :-) it can never compare Glen. You just reminded me of romantic Tina Bejar.

Tina Bejar - June 13 at 11:18pm
And here i was playing with my new calligraphy pen set in Bangalore...

Sonja Chan - June 14 at 1:20am
Glenn, you're so right about Facebook making you "miss pen and paper...the suspense of waiting... the perfumed stationery....the stylized pen strokes...the ketchup/lipstick stain"! But let me add to that. How about the thrill of opening the mailbox to an envelope with the handwriting so familiar...... the enclosed hundred dollar bill or perhaps just a pressed orchid .... the handwritten lines that choose to go diagonal on the page.... the crazy folds you can make out of your statio... these among a lot more! Facebook does give you a hundred nice things, it's true, but it can't give you these, can it? ;)

Glenn Gattud - June 14 at 2:53am
Call me old-fashioned but those are things you cant get on FB or any social media for that matter. True, FB gives you the speed of response and the economics of not having to spend for stamps but a "like" or an emoticon doesn't convey the emotion that one gets from a coffee-stained postcard with just a "can't wait to see you"

Peterjules M. Agustinll - June 14 at 6:33am
It depends on the user....it has advantages and disadvantages..for mark z,he is building a mobile phone...for me its the cheapest way to communicate,hope they can get skype that would be a real threat...Free of charge

Sher Moran - June 14 at 8:32am
Skype. . . to talk freely and see the person up close and personal does not just connect on what mam Sonja and Glen shared. I guess it is feeling, smelling, seeing distinct character scribbles and fancy ideas, corny or sentimental is what's missing in skype and FB. The effort given to a piece of paper that wishes to convey a thousand words appeals to all our human senses. I guess what Peterjules M. Agustinll appreciates in the world of technology is the speed of communication, right? :-)

Bryan Peñafiel - June 14 at 10:31am
I totally agree with the proposition. There may be some drawbacks but these are relatively minor compared to the benefits. Consider this: we wouldn't have this intelligent discussion, initiated by our mentor 20 years or so back who now lives in another part of the globe, joined by society members from another era ( 80's and 90's) now living their lives who knows where in the world, yet still moved by their passion for intellectual argumentation? Where else but in Facebook! Who would have thought then this could be possible without meeting face to face? Only through Facebook! Agree or disagree? I am open to discussion...

Bryan Peñafiel - June 14 at 10:38amSLU BS Psychology 1995. SLU Forensics member 1990-present. Presently building my business empire (haha) in the food industry here in Toronto, OntArio, Canada.

Sher Moran - June 14 at 10:53am
Of course agree Bryan! :-)

Bryan Peñafiel - June 14 at 10:59am
‎@sonja @glen : i miss the pen and paper too, the pressed flower or the monetary bill pressed inside the letter, etc etc etc....but let me play the Devil's Advocate to get the discussion rolling...Isn't all these a bit passe? In about a fraction of your time waiting for a personalized

Bryan Peñafiel - June 14 at 11:08am
‎"hAndwritten response from the person you are communicating with, I can send you the same respose in about a second or two. Personalized? Yes, because it comes from my unique email adress. And yes i can send you the same greeting card on your special day with an electronic signature very quite similar to my handwritten signature! Come on guys, lets stimulate our brains by intellectual argumentation!

Glenn Gattud - June 14 at 3:56pm
‎@Bryan - good point there but - and this is me being obstinate and keeping it within the context of the discussion meaning FaceBook and not email - while I enjoy the quick response and the semblance of privacy with personal messages - those are the same qualities that make social media impersonal and less intimate. I know a guy who poured out his soul on a PM and then the girl quickly adds several of her "friends" on and what was meant to be personal went viral breaking the guy's heart and making curse the day FB went online. Cant do that with pen and paper unless someone in the post office decides to open your letter, scan it and post it on his status :-P Even with email where - as a Groupware and Systems Administrator some time ago I am aware of the vulnerabilities that go even with electronic signature (I remember an instance where a guy sent out a secure email to someone to secure some photos he attached. Unfortunately, the dope forgot toadvice the other party how to open the thing so they looped me in and lo and behold after opening it, we had to call in the Ethics committee to give some disciplinary action on proper use of email). So.....if its speed you want - with publicity on the side - Facebook tops. For more intimate exchanges - stick to calling and - if you need to slip that pressed flower......send it via UPS, DHL and not the US Mail or PhilPost :-D

Glenn Gattud - June 14 at 3:57pm
‎...actually I would prefer the 100 dollars over the pressed flower too :-)

Sonja Chan - June 14 at 6:13pm
Impressive arguments, Bryan! Good Job! I agree with you that Facebook is indeed awesome... that it has conquered time and space, so to speak.... that were it not for Facebook, we would be far off enjoying our Forensics place and more - particularly this discussion! But those bits and pieces we put forward as joys Facebook is unable to offer are anchored on the fact that man is made up of 2 basic faculties: that of thought and of emotion. Take away one from him and he becomes non-human. So yes, you could send me an electronic birthday card complete with electronic images of you and electronic sounds from you and even an electronic signature quite similar to your handwritten one but all that - in all it's impact loaded presentation is not the real you greeting me. My thought faculty will appreciate the concrete value of the electronic aspects of your greeting but my emotion faculty will seek the reality of it in terms of your physical presence, the sound of your voice, the sight of your signature that comes out of the pen in your hand. So for Facebook to totally satiate a human's need, I say it must address both the thought and emotive aspects of his faculties. And for this reason, Bryan, the enclosed hundred dollar bill, ...the pressed orchid.... and more - are not passe! :)

Sher Moran - June 14 at 9:28pm
Agree to all sides presented. Being "old fashioned" becomes a choice. It is giving in to sentimental reasons that we want to grasp a bit of the habits of the past and that does not make it passe. The choice of being highly updated with the latest electronic programs and softwares which can be so tempting to try and "must try" is obviously winning over the more tedious but worth doing old fashioned paper and pen, crayons, pencils and pressed flowers and what not, done only for very special people and - very rare moments. There is just so much IT advancement now that it can be overwhelming. Again, since time is always of the essence and time valued in $ is a thousand times more now per second, we can all agree why FB becomes a choice of communication. But don't we stop a moment to show our kids how we went out a mile to just drop off a letter? We are the generation that bridged the generation "X" , as our parents were the ones that ushered the "baby boomers" . True and kinda sad that we are the last vestiges of corny letter writings with kiss marks and perfume scented envelopes. . . and no one can beat that. :-)

Maria Lorna Cusi - June 15 at 2:17pm
I could use an enclosed hundred dollar bill rather than an electronic image of it...

Reu Ildefonso - June 15 at 5:27pm
If I may humbly add my two cents worth. It's true that FB has become an on-demand, instant communication and content sharing tool (online na ang kodakan). It's a useful tool, not to mention cheap, for the Pinoy diaspora to keep tabs with family, friends and colleagues.

However, it's become a dangerous minefield as well. It's best to treat it, I thought, as an extremely indiscreet friend - once it's out there, it's not really private.

Besides, it's a home to inappropriate relationships, inane status updates, show-offs, those who stage-manage their image, or worse, objectionable content, paedos, creeps, stalkers and thieves stealing identities and property from people announcing holidays on FB, etc., etc.

Then you've got unwanted, unnecessary reunions that should have never happened in a social media free world. People lost their jobs and broke relationships after a careless post. There's even news of employers and schools demanding FB and social media passwords from applicants and students.

There are kids who are addicted to FB. Seniors even -- like my parents who have been transformed into prolific FB "likers", "commenters" & photo "uploaders" ever attached to their smartphone. (As an aside, I really find it funny and fascinating when my father complains each time he loses his internet access - parang reaction sa mga brown-out nung 1990s, kasing halaga na ng kuryente)

Then with the recent IPO, FB released how much revenue they derive from each user and it's just hit home hard. We the users, our content (which I personally believe is owned by us even if it's in their servers) and private details are the product - up for sale to anyone who wants to sell us something.

I'm sure there are a lot more issues out there - and unintended consequences - which we all have to grapple with in the age of social media. Watch this space, as they say.

I agree, something was lost in the new social media world, or I've just refused to move on and go with the flow;-)

Glenn Gattud - June 15 at 5:49pm
Excellent point, Reu especially that one on FB addicts....how true...and how sad

Charmaine Chan - September 23 at 7:29pm
 I've been reading everyone's posts on the matter and I'm astounded -- and educated -- by the broad range of topics (un)covered in the discussion on Facebook, from privacy and legal issues, to bridging the generation gap, and even discussing the pros and cons of modern electronic messaging compared to the old-school snail mail.Facebook has certainly become a useful communication tool. It has allowed us to interact and get to know people such as the Forensics from different batches. Facebook has helped us reconnect online with old friends or connect with people we otherwise wouldn't normally be "friends" with in real life. It's both a good thing and a bad thing, though. There are some people out there who "mine" FB accounts and gossip about you; some use FB to pester you; some, even to cyberstalk you. Thank goodness for a variety of options in restricting one's access to our FB contents! I certainly wouldn't mind receiving a hundred dollar bill in the mail, and I'd appreciate even more a wad of Ben Franklins. 

Sonja Chan - September 23 at 12:44 pm
 Way to go, Charmaine...:) Might there be any face even other than that of Ben Franklin to outdo the one hundred number?... because I certainly will go for it! :)

Lester Cusi - June 16 at 7:53pm
Ok, FB and "old fashioned mail" as means of communication are both attended by danger and need for personal caution. Stealing personalities did not start in FB but in printed material, mostly passports. Slander and libel were conceptualized in the printed and verbal media, but FB has still a lot to learn on imposing that. Maybe an international law that allows one to just smack a court case from Timbuktu to one who defiled him in the Arctic region. The way I see it there are only two differences these means of communication have: a) time -- FB is faster, but it looses the thrill of knowing a mail is coming through the mailbox, kahit na alam mong sasagot din ang pinadalhan mo the next minute or day; and b) personal touch-- old mail in print will give you the closeness to someone via the senses of smell, touch, vision but FB gives you sight and sound and some emotional conveyance too. Wala nga lang yung smell ny pressed flower or crisp $100 bill. That would be very very nice. By and all, they share the same characteristics, pitfalls and advantages, save a few. and if need be, after FB, go out and send a letter to a friend, and let get so anxiously near heart-attack waiting for it after you inform them on FB, hehehe. But, I am reminded of the film "Surrogates" with that Die Hard guy, Bruce Willis. The IT age was able to send out communication to a point that even personal touch was possible, but as Mam Sonja said, it isn't you. I want to touch YOU! They can't do that. The metaphysical bond is absent, and that what makes us human and connected to each other. So, Bruce killed off all the mannequins and took his wife, I think. FB may be able to even provide a kind of 5-D system, where you can smell the flower you receive, open a crumpled paper and smell a parched Eucalyptus bark, or even feel the texture of a dollar bill, but it will lack that magical touch that one would feel on an actual item a friend or loved one sent especially "sealed with a kiss". Pero ako, I prefer both. Sa court, we are meticulous that we even record the demeanor and the movements or even smells we get in evidence sa transcripts ng hearings, because we know the judge or justice on appeal will not be able to experience the same thing as we did if we bring him the case. Why is that important? So he can feel what we feel and hear and touch and smell what we experienced PARA he will decide in the same way we think it should be.

Albert Froilan G. Gaerlan - June 18 at 12:24am
the first time i read ma'am sonja's post of a FB account for the Forensics I was hooked. Whatever postings members of the group upload I read them point by point and try to fashion my everyday life according to the posit should it be appropraite to my lifestyle. . I never gave my opinion though on any of the postings, i'd rather enjoy reading each and every issue raised and wait for another to come. it is a joy to see how erudite and cerebral members of the Forensics have become. However, at this point, after reading all the discusions presented on the issue at hand, I have finally decided to give my unbriddled opinion, after a painful deliberation on the arguments forwarded, I have come to the conclusion that "I DON'T APPEAR IN ANY OF THE PICTURES POSTED ON THIS ACCOUNT." This is FB and in FB, no thinking man will bother to read your posting unless there is a picture attached. I AM AN FB ADDICT AND AM A MEMBER OF FB ANONYMOUS. (Hello ma'am sonja, hello sherry, hello bing, ola lester, hello winston, hello everybody, i'm tired arguing and making erudite explanations, just want to see everybody) ciao.

. Sonja Chan - June 18 at 9:59pm
Well Guys, I am overwhelmed by your positive response to the Discussion Project we have put up, thanks to Sheree's initiation. Much appreciate it all. Thus, - Facebook? As it is a controversial issue, there had to be plusses and minuses to it even as we do agree that the benefits outweigh the latter. It was the usual highly intellectual and professional manner by which the topic was approached that made it all just phenomenal! But isn't that how we in the SLU Forensics are best known for! :) So let me wrap it up by thanking you for your input and participation: Sheree, Glenn, Marlie, Lorna, Jules, Lester, Bryan, Reu, Abet, Charmaine,( Eric and Tina) and all......see you at the next Discussion Box!

SLU Forensics Online Discussion Excerpts-6 (On the Law of Accelerating Returns)

Thought-Random)

Topic #6: July 15-21, 2012

Facilitator: Ernie Reyes

Ray Kurzweil is a futurist famous for the "Law of Accelerating Returns" that in summary, states that intervals between technological breakthroughs are becoming shorter.  He stated that, "... the rate of technical progress amongst humans has also been exponentially increasing, as we discover more effective ways to do things, we also discover more effective ways to learn, i.e. language, numbers, written language, philosophy, scientific method, instruments of observation, tallying devices, mechanical calculators, computers, each of these major advances in our ability to account for information occur increasingly close together. Already within the past sixty years, life in the industrialized world has changed almost beyond recognition except for living memories from the first half of the 20th century."
True enough, we are daily witnesses to the rapid growth of technology and its effects on our lives.

Topic:   What do you think are the most significant impacts of our generation's accelerated technological advancement (positive and/or negative) on human existence?  Where do you think we're headed?

• Sher Moran Ray Kurzweil focuses on breaking research and cutting edge technology from information technology, bioengineering, Robotics to what not. His concept on the “Law of Accelerating Returns” which is exponentially increasing applies to man’s being more efficient. The question posted: “what do you think are the most significant impacts . . . and where it’s heading?“ Personally I will not touch on these accelerated technological advancement, as it is one too many but will skim a bit on two very important terms today: “Quantum leap” and “Synchronicity”. I hope my few chosen words can do justice to these concepts. Quantum leap and synchronicity are what is happening today. Even the energy of our minds transcends time and space. This 4&6s FB page is not just a coincidence, it was meant to be because of synchronicity. At its simplest analogy to better explain, why do birds form the V shape when they migrate or a school of fish turn left or right, up or down together without “speaking to each other”? The accelerated technological advancement worldwide is a result of these brilliant ideas and mind flow, which to me is the most “mind blowing” realization of information flow. Where is it heading? There is the good and evil, the yin and yang, the risks and karma. Let us just hope that the good type of synchronicity prevails.

  July 17 at 6:53pm ·
  
  
• Rey Anthony A. Chan I think we're headed to a wired wireless world where everything has an internet address (v6) and we (some Big Brother) can monitor things remotely.

  July 20 at 6:03am 
  
  ·
• Rey Anthony A. Chan Its not something to be afraid of. Its something to embrace and work with. Theres no turning back.

  July 20 at 6:03am 
  
  
• Rey Anthony A. Chan Resistance is futile.

  July 20 at 6:03am ·
  
  
• Ernie Reyes No turning back, indeed! In this day and age, being "left behind" takes on a whole new meaning - if you don't have access to the internet, an email (or even a Facebook) acct, or a mobile phone, you're the odd one out. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing either. Anyone remember the simple joy of playing in the neighborhood with your friends with just two sticks and some stones? :)

  July 20 at 9:07am 
  · 
• Sonja Chan I remember even farther than that! Reason enough to look forward to the future, what with this Exponential Growth Technology of Kurzweil. His Singularity Theory is at best impressive, at least, to me but while his futuristic views are optimistic, he himself admits, and warns us, that there are downside effects. He tries to cushion this, though, by saying we do have ways of countering the negative aspects even if not as yet well developed. So a vast new world is up and coming - still to develop from the many technological innovations we have already experienced! One of my interests on this, though, as you would expect, would be on the language area. It is phenomenal how machines now enable the deaf and the blind to experience language like a normal person does. I am most fascinated, in fact, with the text-to speech technology myself, among other things, of course - goes so well with my kindle. :) But side by side with my admiration for the language aspect is my concern with how virtual reality can handle human emotion. I am not really very comfortable with the idea. Are you?

  July 20 at 11:53am 
  ·
• Ernie Reyes His take on the theory of technological singularity is very intriguing. He was even so bold to predict 2045 as the year this comes about. This "event horizon" supposedly marks the beginning when humans can no longer predict what their future would look like, primarily because the super intelligent computers we create to solve our inefficiencies would do so beyond the capabilites of the human mind. I guess we'll find out in 33 years. :)

  July 20 at 4:07pm ·
  
  
• Sonja Chan Right! and as he says, Singularity is Near! 33 years is indeed near! But think about this: - computer intelligence to surpass human intelligence? computers to be present
  everywhere in the environment like in your furniture, in your jewelry? distinctions between humans and machines to no longer exist?.... because humans and machines will merge in both the physical and mental realms? That's what his Singularity means! Well, it is true that all these predicted technological advancements benefit mankind specially in the military, the medical, and the educational areas. Among a lot of other things, talk about a reckless driver and the computer will come in to avert an accident! There's even a chance of agelessness! Who wouldn't like that! But the possibility of a computer to be more intelligent than all humans combined scares me...humanity could be then be exterminated by a machine. I detest the fact that the faculties which define me as human be merged with the machine in terms of virtual reality! No turning back? Still I like myself as unadulterated human and you can fight me there!

  July 20 at 10:54pm · 
• Ernie Reyes We can certainly see that the outlook for the near future will be one focused on technology. Both ends of the spectrum will include techno-junkies, relationships in cyberspace and virtual realities, to a wireless world that seeks to improve and/or rather impose on our privacy. Advances in artificial intelligence and robotics will soon blur the line between humans and machines, but can never replace what truly defines humanity - feelings and emotions. Those are the two things that, regardless of how "intelligent" a supercomputer may be, prevent it from composing a concerto or writing a sonnet. It is predicted that society will soon be divided into the technologically-savvy and the disenfranchised hold-outs of the modern world. We already see traces of this around us, but the reality is that we cannot stop the forward march, and all we can do is wait - and pick a side.

  July 22 at 9:57pm ·
  
  
• Glenn Gattud ....or we can just sit back and watch the world burn :-)

SLU Forensics Online Discussion Excerpts-5 (The favorite room back home)

(Thought-Random)

Topic #11 Sept 2 - 8, 2012

Facilitator: Maria Juana Palaraon-Paredes

I would like to keep up the light tone of the discussion and delve a little into the quirky.

Harold B Lee said: "The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes."
Growing up, I had a myriad of activities that kept me busy - from daydreaming in my siblings' shared bedroom, playing in the front yard, climbing the roof and gazing at stars during some evenings - without learning much of the constellations (hehe), coloring books & working puzzles in the living room floor, singing in the shower, help prepare meals in the kitchen and so on...
But my most favorite of all was singing in the shower - which makes the bathroom my favorite room in the house. In there, I can imagine myself a young Regine V or Whitney Houston while belting out their hits. It hasn't made much difference because outside the bathroom my mother is the only one who thinks I can sing. But in there, I knew I had a fighting chance in the recording world. Hehe! So share with me -

Discussion topic: Which part / room in your home is your most favorite and why?

• Sonja Chan Guess what, Marie.... my favorite in my childhood house was not a room! it was out in the backyard! Why? Inside the house, kids had chores: help in the cleaning, in the caring for the younger members of the family, in one hundred and one other chores (I may be exaggerating! :))... there was also the study time, the homework time, the family prayer time (yes, we did have this!).. thus, the backyard! It was here where my brothers and my cousins could enjoy the carefree world - a break from inside-the-house responsibilities! It was out in the backyard where we could run and chase each other in wanton glee... even run up the guava trees of my grandfather and swing up and down the branches to tag the other. Did I ever do that? Believe it! Lol!

  September 2, 11:02 am 
  
  
• Maria Cristina Bejar Gallardo Nice question Marie! My favorite room while i was growing up was my own room. It was my sanctuary. There i could paint, read, write stories, listen to music for hours. I think for an introvert like myself, there was no better haven. ♥

  September 2 at 5:49pm ·
  
  
• Sher Moran Mine was on the rooftop! Remember the library in our house that I talked about in one of the discussions? One side of the window opened up to the roof. Being motherless at age 7, I was more a stray cat that would bring things up the rooftop, considering I kinda had no “parental guidance” with my father more absorbed with work after my mother died. I had a wide rug that I pulled out one of the rooms, permanently following the contours of the roof as it got rained on and dried to a crisp the next sunny season. I had my pillow and blanket, books and magazines, game boards, a small table to keep steady the food and drinks I prepare on long afternoon breaks. In my comfort zone, I literally sleep on the roof as often as I can on clear starry nights. Come to think of it, I guess this began my romancing the outdoors.

  September 2 at 7:24pm 
  
  
• MariaJuana Palaroan-Paredes Wow Dr. Chan - i can tel you had a great childhood with the luxury of the backyard outdoors, siblings & cousins & climbing guava trees. I remember i do love the outdoors too. So much that when the time comes to roost at home, I had to avoid my grandparents from coming at us with brandished sticks to chase us home! Hehe! Maria Cristina - yes, one's room is one you can call your own. Where one can nurture artistic talents & indulge in personal liesure such as yours. I never had my own room bec I had to share with siblings & sometimes they tease you to embarrassment when they chance upon a a wierd antic of mine. Harumphft! ;)

  September 2 at 7:57pm 
  
  
• Glenn Gattud Loved the quote from Harold B Lee. Are you LDS? On the topic. mine was neither a room nor any part of the house but a fallen avocado tree in our backyard (before a broken sewer line eroded it away). It was my Laputa, my castle in the sky where I just lay back and watch the clouds do battle with the wind and count the butterflies which back then were as large as a hand and as yellow as butter. I remember falling asleep there once and waking up to a cricket chorus with a toad chirping a unique solo.

  September 4 at 1:10am · 
  
  
• MariaJuana Palaroan-Paredes Hi Glenn! :) It seems that many of us have marked the outdoors or part of the outdoors as a favorite place from home. It provides us access to the expanse of nature from a comfy place & enjoy what they offer. And with the kind of imagination kids have, its perfect for more than that. Your avocado tree, tho fallen, provides an excellent spot. Would have enjoyed it too. These days its quite rare to find huge butterflies even in the province - they look the size of big moths these days. Btw, what's LDS? Hehe!

  September 4 at 2:11pm
  
  
• Glenn Gattud Totally agree. I live in the boundary of Antipolo and Angono with a couple of mango trees in my backyard so I can still hear a cricket chorus and see a couple of moths every now and then. Well when you share a room with three brothers it is kinda difficult to find a space to call your own but if it has to be indoors that would be the drawing table in the corner between the kitchen and my parents bedroom where I kept all my stuff and spent my high school freetimedrawing all over my notebooks. I remember I had several artbooks there, a couple of Rotring pens, HB, F and B pencils, kneaded rubber and a few broken pieces of pastel chalk (not crayon). Felt like an artist then :-) Few folks who arent LDS know who Harold B Lee is, or for that matter David O mackay who said, "No other success can compensate for failure in the home" :-)

  September 4 at 7:15pm · 
  
  
• MariaJuana Palaroan-Paredes Ah. =) To be honest I dont know Harold B Lee much except that he said what I quoted above. I appreciate good thoughts about home & family because that is where we all grow from. Esp now that im starting my own. =) my grandma used to get us pastel chalks too to draw on pads & design our shirts (then iron them to keep fast). I love pastels. But im more fascinated with the kneaded rubber that can erase marks so neatly & leaves very little trace of previous marks. =)

  September 5 at 12:43am · 
  
  
• Glenn Gattud I had a mentor, the late UP Professor and La Trinidad Counselor, Jeff Carantes who taught me how to use kneaded rubber to make white highlights on charcoal drawings (I previously used white pastel chalk but they tended to be messy). Yup, Harold B Lee had lots of thoughts on raising good families. Best of luck and have fun building up your family. Best experience one can ever have

  September 5 at 1:06am ·
  
  
• Lester Cusi Hope this one still counts. Been battered with lots of problems at work, I hardly had time to visit my account here in FB. It is interesting that some of us really like that big room under the sky. Outdoors is fun and exciting. But my outdoor experiences were farflung-- Sorsogon, Cagayan Province, Quezon.... very far from Angeles. So my favorite room is the T&B. There I can visit the same places, re-live the moments, hear the beach through the faucet, reminisce the very bad smell of Apun-apung (a king of flower that smells like cow dung, but so strong you cannot come within 8 meters of it-- about 2 feet in diameter), hang on to the shower of rain and the curtain rod as the trees I used to climb; its where I can be the king of the world and a superhero who saves the day; dream of the beautiful damsels available in my mind and the most important thing--- it is where I have a clear and serious communication with the Almighty. Weird huh?

  September 8 at 7:10am
   
• MariaJuana Palaroan-Paredes Hi Lester! Of course your thoughts count. Technically, this topic still has appr. 36 hrs. But anyone can just add beyond this time if they feel like it. =) you have a very creative imagination in & with the T&B! And I couldn't agree with you more on the possibilities even if T&B is one of the smallest rooms at home. I do have some friends who also love their T&B that they have small shelves of books close to the "throne" for reading to pass the time while waiting for relief! Heheh! =)

  September 8 at 8:27am 

  
  

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