The new/social media is the craze of the moment and everyone seems to be lapping it all up. The beauty of new/social media is that it makes for dialogic communication which is inherently human except that now it bridges distances and makes the world truly a McLuhanian global village or better still a town hall.
However, consumers and users of new media are the same old human beings with their virtues and vices. So, what you find is that the same attitude that is present offline has been transferred online. Abusers and haters still ply their trade and put their caustic trademark on news and events as well other person’s comments. The cynical type will coolly point out that it does not add up reporting that the Boko Haram suspect arrested in Enugu who came out of his forest hideout to buy cigarettes but could not find his way back would then lead the Nigerian Police to the same forest hideout that he had trouble finding! The “why always me” (pardon my Balotelli) will recount and lament all the woes that have befallen them. The chauvinists’ throats (hands this time, as in for typing) spew a continuous stream of venomous tirade. The exhibitionists flaunt curves, six packs ….And the beat goes.
What many do not consider is the implication of their postings and comments given that governments and others are now paying attention to social media postings. Perhaps a few examples will serve to bring this home more clearly. Two British tourists were denied entry into the US for tweeting the following: “free this week for a quick gossip… before I go and destroy America” and “3 weeks today we’re totally in LA p-ing people off on Hollywood and diggin Marilyn Monroe up”. They were taken aside when they arrived at Los Angeles Airport, questioned for five hours and deported as in back to sender. How did the US authorities access the humorous tweets between friends? Another valuable lesson from new/social media – there aint no hiding place (pardon my Americanism).
Liam Stacey was jailed for 56 days for racist abuse of Patrice Muamba who suffered a heart attack during the Tottenham and Bolton match at White Hart lane. He had tweeted “LOL (laugh out loud). F*** Muamba is dead!!!” In passing the sentence, the judge according to the Daily Mail noted that: “not just the footballer’s family, not just the footballing world, but the whole world were literally praying for Muamba’s life. Your comments aggravated this situation. I have no choice but to impose an immediate custodial sentence to reflect the public outrage at what you have done.”
Authorities in the West are also mulling jail time for teenagers for sexting – sending sexually suggestive messages and pictures. When an adult wades into these murky waters especially when it concerns minors they will soon be neck deep. Ask Wesley A. Phillips a former Hoquiam High School teacher who was sentenced to thirty days in jail for sending two 12-year-old girls sexually suggestive messages (including the photo of a penis!). It didn’t end there; he was stripped of his teaching certificate and made to register as a sex offender. There is outrage over employers asking employees for their Facebook password.
Justin Bassett got more than he bargained for when during a job interview, after a few preliminary questions, the interviewer started to search for his Facebook page. She could not see his private profile so she asked him for his login information. The profile would presumably speak volumes about the kind of person he is, beyond his slick and prepared answers about his personality! Even in terms of interpersonal, platonic and life-long relationships, a point to ponder- Does your new/social media footprints make you a good candidate?
So before you hit the post button, pause and reflect; probably better to keep your bad behavior offline. Or better still do something about it.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Am I becoming a Cyborg?
I think in Flickr and Instagram; speak in SMS and emoticons; dream in YouTube and Lulu HD; RSS my news; PVR (and DVR) my movies and sports; Avatar my online games, Relax with my Playstation and XBox; BBM, Skype, Facebook my relationships; instant message my contacts; twitter my thoughts; iPad my memories; GPS my driving; compass and map my journeys; Blackberry travel my travels; Master Card and Visa my spending; Blackberry Protect and Find iPhone my cell phones; iTunes, Digital7 and Shazam my music; Siri my commands; Drivesafe.ly and Vlingo my messages; podcast my radio listening; Dictionary.com my spelling and grammar; Google my search; Google Scholar my research, iBooks my books; Weather Channel my weather forecast; iSpeech translator (translate) my Spanish and Swahili emails, Photo Editor my pictures… And the beat goes on, and the beat goes on.
Believe me, my Desktop Computer wrote this while I was sleeping, spell checked and sent it to my blog. Talk of computers having a mind of their own!
Believe me, my Desktop Computer wrote this while I was sleeping, spell checked and sent it to my blog. Talk of computers having a mind of their own!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Freedom of Information Act and the Nigerian Press and Public as Big Brother
I have just read a news story titled “Kaduna free Ramadan feeding controversy: It’s highly deceptive –ACN]” in the online edition of The Sun newspaper. The Kaduna State government has refused to disclose how much it is spending on Ramadan feeding of Muslims in the state and the Action Congress of Nigeria is accusing the government of going against the spirit and letter of the FOI: “In Kaduna State however, some government officials appear to still be living in the past, as they still find it difficult to volunteer information, as little as the cost that would be required in allegedly feeding certain category of residents of Kaduna, free, throughout the 30 days period of the Ramadan fast.” I knew this was going to happen sooner or later and expect more of these kinds of issues. The reason being that public officers and [s]elected officials in Nigeria are masters of the art of making public (government) business private and shrouding same in secrecy.
The New York State Freedom of Information Law; specifically, Public Officers Law, Article 6 Section 84 Legislative Declaration captures the essence of the FOI Law: “The people’s right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the document and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society. Access to such information should not be thwarted by shrouding it with the cloak of secrecy or confidentiality. The legislature therefore declares that government is the public’s business and that the public, individually and collectively and represented by a free press, should have access to the records of government in accordance with the provision of this article. On a related note, and one of the few times that I am proud to be a Nigerian is contained in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Nigerian FOI Act: "An Act to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information, protect public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy, protect serving public officers from adverse consequences for disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization and establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes and; for related matters.”
But I do know that the noble and ambitious intentions of the FOI will have to clash with the reality of the conduct of the Nigerian government business. The Kaduna issue is just the beginning of the Titanic battle. Even in the U.S., Government agencies have been known to flout the spirit and letter of the law. Treasury Department, the US Air Force, CIA at one time or the other won the Rosemary Award; a doubtful distinction named after Ex-President Nixon’s Secretary –Rose Mary Woods - who erased about eighteen minutes section of a key Watergate conversation on the White House tapes. The beauty of the Nigerian FOI Act is that it anticipates this behavior: “It is a criminal offence punishable on conviction by the Court with a minimum of 1 year imprisonment for any officer or the head of any government or public institution to which this Act applies to willfully destroy any records kept in his [or her] custody or attempts to doctor or otherwise alter same before they are released to any person, entity or community applying for it.” Now, to which past Nigerian leader, master of the art of secrecy and corruption, should we institute and name the Nigerian version of the Rosemary Award after?
In practical terms, the FOI Act means that our servants - the President, Vice President, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Governors, Local government Chairpersons and the plethora of public servants who I do not have the space to mention need to cultivate the habit of looking over their shoulders as big brother (the public; sounds too good to be true ehn?) is watching your every move. When you decide to give that contract to the company that has promised you ten per cent of the contract sum, engage in nepotism so that you less qualified relation gets the position instead of the more qualified compatriot, blatantly steal public funds, embark on a jamboree to foreign lands with wife and children in tow in the guise of attracting investors and all the other misdeeds that have come to characterize government business in Nigeria, know assuredly that we shall apply for that information, which you will provide in seven days! And that is a promise. You would of course try to stall and hide behind all kinds of barriers. The FOI Act also anticipated that move: applicants who do not need to demonstrate any specific reason for asking for the information can approach the courts which will hear the case ex parte. Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
The press which has a bounded duty to hold government accountable on the public’s behalf have a duty to apply for any and every information about government (I mean public) business and make this available. The dry news days are over all of a sudden; this is a news goldmine given the present arrogant and insensitive disposition of public office holders who go against the letter and spirit of the Nigerian constitution that specifies that the welfare of Nigerians is the main purpose of government.
And if the press fails or is compromised, Citizen Imoh, Preye and Zoaka can apply for the information and all that s/he is required to pay is the cost of photocopying the material that can assist in instituting impeachment proceedings against the president, governors and whoever. And when these big men and women, formerly invisible and untouchable demigods begin to fall like a pack of cards, a clear signal would have been sent to the effect that if you do not have the interest of the people at heart, don’t seek public office.
And to public servants and other category of government officials who might be pressured into destroy incriminating records to protect fraudulent and criminal “Excellencies”, the bill protects you as a whistle blower. So, sing like a bird and let their (not our) Excellencies go down alone instead of dragging you down with them. The FOI act has firmly put power back where it was supposed to reside all along – with the Nigerian people. I see a glorious dawn: “Nigeria we hail thee” and so “Arise O Compatriots”.
The New York State Freedom of Information Law; specifically, Public Officers Law, Article 6 Section 84 Legislative Declaration captures the essence of the FOI Law: “The people’s right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the document and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society. Access to such information should not be thwarted by shrouding it with the cloak of secrecy or confidentiality. The legislature therefore declares that government is the public’s business and that the public, individually and collectively and represented by a free press, should have access to the records of government in accordance with the provision of this article. On a related note, and one of the few times that I am proud to be a Nigerian is contained in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Nigerian FOI Act: "An Act to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information, protect public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy, protect serving public officers from adverse consequences for disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization and establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes and; for related matters.”
But I do know that the noble and ambitious intentions of the FOI will have to clash with the reality of the conduct of the Nigerian government business. The Kaduna issue is just the beginning of the Titanic battle. Even in the U.S., Government agencies have been known to flout the spirit and letter of the law. Treasury Department, the US Air Force, CIA at one time or the other won the Rosemary Award; a doubtful distinction named after Ex-President Nixon’s Secretary –Rose Mary Woods - who erased about eighteen minutes section of a key Watergate conversation on the White House tapes. The beauty of the Nigerian FOI Act is that it anticipates this behavior: “It is a criminal offence punishable on conviction by the Court with a minimum of 1 year imprisonment for any officer or the head of any government or public institution to which this Act applies to willfully destroy any records kept in his [or her] custody or attempts to doctor or otherwise alter same before they are released to any person, entity or community applying for it.” Now, to which past Nigerian leader, master of the art of secrecy and corruption, should we institute and name the Nigerian version of the Rosemary Award after?
In practical terms, the FOI Act means that our servants - the President, Vice President, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Governors, Local government Chairpersons and the plethora of public servants who I do not have the space to mention need to cultivate the habit of looking over their shoulders as big brother (the public; sounds too good to be true ehn?) is watching your every move. When you decide to give that contract to the company that has promised you ten per cent of the contract sum, engage in nepotism so that you less qualified relation gets the position instead of the more qualified compatriot, blatantly steal public funds, embark on a jamboree to foreign lands with wife and children in tow in the guise of attracting investors and all the other misdeeds that have come to characterize government business in Nigeria, know assuredly that we shall apply for that information, which you will provide in seven days! And that is a promise. You would of course try to stall and hide behind all kinds of barriers. The FOI Act also anticipated that move: applicants who do not need to demonstrate any specific reason for asking for the information can approach the courts which will hear the case ex parte. Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
The press which has a bounded duty to hold government accountable on the public’s behalf have a duty to apply for any and every information about government (I mean public) business and make this available. The dry news days are over all of a sudden; this is a news goldmine given the present arrogant and insensitive disposition of public office holders who go against the letter and spirit of the Nigerian constitution that specifies that the welfare of Nigerians is the main purpose of government.
And if the press fails or is compromised, Citizen Imoh, Preye and Zoaka can apply for the information and all that s/he is required to pay is the cost of photocopying the material that can assist in instituting impeachment proceedings against the president, governors and whoever. And when these big men and women, formerly invisible and untouchable demigods begin to fall like a pack of cards, a clear signal would have been sent to the effect that if you do not have the interest of the people at heart, don’t seek public office.
And to public servants and other category of government officials who might be pressured into destroy incriminating records to protect fraudulent and criminal “Excellencies”, the bill protects you as a whistle blower. So, sing like a bird and let their (not our) Excellencies go down alone instead of dragging you down with them. The FOI act has firmly put power back where it was supposed to reside all along – with the Nigerian people. I see a glorious dawn: “Nigeria we hail thee” and so “Arise O Compatriots”.
Monday, June 6, 2011
SWAZILAND WAS RAINING PROFESSORS, RECENTLY
It was raining professors or better still, it was a deluge at the University of Swaziland. As I flew in the midst of egg heads, I noticed the cloud overhang with chances of a few showers (that is me thinking aloud, not a meteorologist, as you would have imagined). The cloud cover would not break as we drove through captivating scenery with gentle-rolling hills, nature-manicured lawns, man-made and well-maintained roads snaking up and down the mountain ranges. I could almost kick myself; why didn’t I know this place when I was getting married donkey years ago. It would have been my first choice for a romantic get away. What a way to start a life-long journey together viewing the mountains, exploring the virgin forest and taking and breathing in, deeply, the traditional ways. But that is a story for another day.
The welome party was at the go as we cleared Customs at the small and compact Swazi Airport; I must remind myself to wake up leisurely on departure day, have a sumptous breakfast and stroll to the Airport one hour to the flight. Afterall, it is not the commotion and complexity of Lagos, Johanneburg or Nairobi airports; where one hour to departure is a sure guarantee that the flight will leave without you. Now the thunder and lighting that accompanies a West African deluge takes centre stage and is to be taken seriously; not empty threats of the Botswana fire and brimstone that passes away with out rain.
The University of Swaziland staff separated luggage into one Kombi (mini-bus) and the visitors into another. To many on this train, I mean mini-bus, this was their umpteenth goings and comings and yours sincerely was just coming for the first time. The novelty of it all inspired this blog (for the records, of course, so you know). Everyone was addressed as “Professor” and the flood, keep in mind the deluge that we kicked off with but you don’t have to suspend disbelief (it is not that complicated) were herded off to Ezulwini Sun Hotel and Resorts, where else but in Ezulwini (what did you expect?). As we checked in, Heads of Deaprtments and other officials started arriving (forget that Saturday is officially a rest day) with graded scripts for the external examiners (who all happened to be professors!) and thus officially kicked off the University of Swaziland annual external examination ritual from Monday May 30th to Friday June 2nd, 2011 or thereabout.
By the afternoon, another rain of more professors and we (I will drint to that) had, officially, taken over the Hotel. How to know this? You just needed to listen to the conversations. It went something like:
“Prof, when I was here last year, this and that was the case”
“Prof, where are you based now? I learnt you left University of Botswana ...”(mum is the word, here)
“Prof, I’d like you to meet, Prof. ...”
“Prof, are you off to town...”
Even the receptionist got into the show. she rang me up, “Prof Akpabio (very professional, did I mention “very professional”?), there is someone at the reception for you”. It turned out to be the Head of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, bringing more work! How exciting.
Even the Customs and Immigration officers knew their clients were different, I believe the University must have given them a crash induction course as they addressed everyone who moved as “Prof”. Just to be sure, some of the faces, I saw at the airport were not at the hotel and couldn’t possibly have been one of us.
If only the money that academics are paid was commensurate with the respect, acclaim and respect of being a professor, I would have gone on my second honeymoon to Swaziland, of course. Now, wait a minute; did we have a first honeymoon? But as it is, the best I can do is work hard, pray hard for a consultancy so that next year when the University of Swaziland sends me a ticket, I can take my loving wife along for the ride. And as in Germany, where the wife of a PhD holder has a title befitting her remarkable (bold and italics, sometimes Google blogger neglects this, just in case it did again) choice, she can drink in the title (she does not need to exhale, gives more lasting effect, you see) from the University, hotel, customs and Immigration, airlines staff etc. What a honeymoon to remember! What a honeymoon to remember!!
Back to the exercise though; being able to muster so many eggs heads into one space is indeed a remarkable achievement for the University. Mark my words: the institution and country will go places. And I don’t just mean up the ubiquitous mountains that dot the entire country!
The welome party was at the go as we cleared Customs at the small and compact Swazi Airport; I must remind myself to wake up leisurely on departure day, have a sumptous breakfast and stroll to the Airport one hour to the flight. Afterall, it is not the commotion and complexity of Lagos, Johanneburg or Nairobi airports; where one hour to departure is a sure guarantee that the flight will leave without you. Now the thunder and lighting that accompanies a West African deluge takes centre stage and is to be taken seriously; not empty threats of the Botswana fire and brimstone that passes away with out rain.
The University of Swaziland staff separated luggage into one Kombi (mini-bus) and the visitors into another. To many on this train, I mean mini-bus, this was their umpteenth goings and comings and yours sincerely was just coming for the first time. The novelty of it all inspired this blog (for the records, of course, so you know). Everyone was addressed as “Professor” and the flood, keep in mind the deluge that we kicked off with but you don’t have to suspend disbelief (it is not that complicated) were herded off to Ezulwini Sun Hotel and Resorts, where else but in Ezulwini (what did you expect?). As we checked in, Heads of Deaprtments and other officials started arriving (forget that Saturday is officially a rest day) with graded scripts for the external examiners (who all happened to be professors!) and thus officially kicked off the University of Swaziland annual external examination ritual from Monday May 30th to Friday June 2nd, 2011 or thereabout.
By the afternoon, another rain of more professors and we (I will drint to that) had, officially, taken over the Hotel. How to know this? You just needed to listen to the conversations. It went something like:
“Prof, when I was here last year, this and that was the case”
“Prof, where are you based now? I learnt you left University of Botswana ...”(mum is the word, here)
“Prof, I’d like you to meet, Prof. ...”
“Prof, are you off to town...”
Even the receptionist got into the show. she rang me up, “Prof Akpabio (very professional, did I mention “very professional”?), there is someone at the reception for you”. It turned out to be the Head of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, bringing more work! How exciting.
Even the Customs and Immigration officers knew their clients were different, I believe the University must have given them a crash induction course as they addressed everyone who moved as “Prof”. Just to be sure, some of the faces, I saw at the airport were not at the hotel and couldn’t possibly have been one of us.
If only the money that academics are paid was commensurate with the respect, acclaim and respect of being a professor, I would have gone on my second honeymoon to Swaziland, of course. Now, wait a minute; did we have a first honeymoon? But as it is, the best I can do is work hard, pray hard for a consultancy so that next year when the University of Swaziland sends me a ticket, I can take my loving wife along for the ride. And as in Germany, where the wife of a PhD holder has a title befitting her remarkable (bold and italics, sometimes Google blogger neglects this, just in case it did again) choice, she can drink in the title (she does not need to exhale, gives more lasting effect, you see) from the University, hotel, customs and Immigration, airlines staff etc. What a honeymoon to remember! What a honeymoon to remember!!
Back to the exercise though; being able to muster so many eggs heads into one space is indeed a remarkable achievement for the University. Mark my words: the institution and country will go places. And I don’t just mean up the ubiquitous mountains that dot the entire country!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wanted: An Organic Spouse
Not me; I am settled! I mean you, because are young, single and available. Thing is, people are getting increasingly dissatisfied with their bodies. No thanks to the media that is busy making people in the image of the film stars, super models and beauty contestants that is the fare and hallmark of popular culture. And couch potatoes do not just watch, they try it at home; damn the admonition that prefaces difficult tasks and challenges performed by professionals and experts. Any wonder the epidemic of bulimia and anorexia as well as intensive exercise regiment so that one can have the figure of a model; preferably 8 for females and 6 pack for males.
Manufacturers of slimming pills and medicines as well as muscle building concoctions and the medication that ensures that you gain the desired inches are having a field day. The hedonistic, materialistic life style that defines us has spawned a whole industry whose spin offs includes waxing, boob job, booty job, lip job, nose job, Botox, Steroids and enhancement etc. I read a poster once that indicated that enhancement was a process, not an event, so go with our product. The cheek of it all!
Basically, people are becoming genetically modified (GM) creatures. I knew there was something in them GM foods! That is why I am of the considered view that in classifieds as well as dating sites we may soon begin to move away from lonely hearts seeking love, Black girl seeking a Caucasian man, White girl seeking the Black athletic type, recently divorced seeking stable and reliable partner, older males/females on the look out for young, vibrant lovers … to people actually specifying that in addition to the usual honesty, reliability, sensitivity, companionship and the unspoken but implied fat back account, sexual prowess …, that interested persons should be wholly organic!
Let me break it down. Being organic means being exactly how God made you; warts and all - Fat legs, big hips, oblong face, curly hair, thick African lips, thin Caucasian lips, kinky African hair, curly black Indian hair, Chinese eyes, full colour (as in green, yellow, blue, indigo, orange and what have you) White eyes, receding hairline, bow legs, short, thin, fat, tall, Chinese ears, full African booty (as if on steroids), flat Caucasian and Japanese booty (as if they were hit by a plank), Jewish hooked nose, Black flat nose, White pointed nose, small, medium, large and XXXL body sizes. Warts is just a figure of speech, the Maker deliberately went for variety in body sizes and looks to deliberately spice up our lives. But when we become one-dimensional human beings; what is there to choose from?
Mark my words about specification for spouses and give me the credit when the world turns round to demand the organic. But then, am I also among the prophets?
Manufacturers of slimming pills and medicines as well as muscle building concoctions and the medication that ensures that you gain the desired inches are having a field day. The hedonistic, materialistic life style that defines us has spawned a whole industry whose spin offs includes waxing, boob job, booty job, lip job, nose job, Botox, Steroids and enhancement etc. I read a poster once that indicated that enhancement was a process, not an event, so go with our product. The cheek of it all!
Basically, people are becoming genetically modified (GM) creatures. I knew there was something in them GM foods! That is why I am of the considered view that in classifieds as well as dating sites we may soon begin to move away from lonely hearts seeking love, Black girl seeking a Caucasian man, White girl seeking the Black athletic type, recently divorced seeking stable and reliable partner, older males/females on the look out for young, vibrant lovers … to people actually specifying that in addition to the usual honesty, reliability, sensitivity, companionship and the unspoken but implied fat back account, sexual prowess …, that interested persons should be wholly organic!
Let me break it down. Being organic means being exactly how God made you; warts and all - Fat legs, big hips, oblong face, curly hair, thick African lips, thin Caucasian lips, kinky African hair, curly black Indian hair, Chinese eyes, full colour (as in green, yellow, blue, indigo, orange and what have you) White eyes, receding hairline, bow legs, short, thin, fat, tall, Chinese ears, full African booty (as if on steroids), flat Caucasian and Japanese booty (as if they were hit by a plank), Jewish hooked nose, Black flat nose, White pointed nose, small, medium, large and XXXL body sizes. Warts is just a figure of speech, the Maker deliberately went for variety in body sizes and looks to deliberately spice up our lives. But when we become one-dimensional human beings; what is there to choose from?
Mark my words about specification for spouses and give me the credit when the world turns round to demand the organic. But then, am I also among the prophets?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The snooping habits of journalism, media and communication students: Teachers beware
Having been a student of mass communication and now a teacher of the same subject, one can’t help but be amazed by the level of curiosity that this discipline engenders in those who have been bitten by the bug of journalism, media and communication (JMC). My students, naturally and instinctively, scan my desk any time they come for consultation in my office and I suspect that they are on the lookout for news worthy items. You can search me for the outlet that will want to publish such boring stuff: because there are no sex, lies and videotapes here!
Telling them the story I picked up some time back to the effect that Americans train spies so that they can go spy on other countries on behalf of their principal; the moral being that we train journalists so that they can go snoop on others not us, their hapless teachers, does not seem to make too much of a difference. Old habits do, indeed, die hard.
I suppose the up side is that we as teachers are doing our job too well. It is said that the purpose of education would have been achieved if the attitudes and behaviours learnt under instruction continue after the instruction has seized. The snooping habit of our students starts from the time of instruction and develops horns and hoofs even before they graduate!
So, if you are a JMC educator, the moment you hear a knock on your office door and students walk in clear your desk immediately if you do not want to cry foul about invasion of privacy as their eyes rove all over thus detracting from the important discussion at hand. But, before they leave point them to government offices, the private sector etc as avenues for them to ply the trade you have taught them. Hopefully, one day, we shall overcome by getting them to snoop outside and not on us.
A parting shot: I have two words for governments, newsworthy persons and organizations seeing the level of monitoring/close marking that we JMC teachers are subjected to by our very own students – brace yourselves!
Telling them the story I picked up some time back to the effect that Americans train spies so that they can go spy on other countries on behalf of their principal; the moral being that we train journalists so that they can go snoop on others not us, their hapless teachers, does not seem to make too much of a difference. Old habits do, indeed, die hard.
I suppose the up side is that we as teachers are doing our job too well. It is said that the purpose of education would have been achieved if the attitudes and behaviours learnt under instruction continue after the instruction has seized. The snooping habit of our students starts from the time of instruction and develops horns and hoofs even before they graduate!
So, if you are a JMC educator, the moment you hear a knock on your office door and students walk in clear your desk immediately if you do not want to cry foul about invasion of privacy as their eyes rove all over thus detracting from the important discussion at hand. But, before they leave point them to government offices, the private sector etc as avenues for them to ply the trade you have taught them. Hopefully, one day, we shall overcome by getting them to snoop outside and not on us.
A parting shot: I have two words for governments, newsworthy persons and organizations seeing the level of monitoring/close marking that we JMC teachers are subjected to by our very own students – brace yourselves!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
GPS and my Driving Experience in Botswana and South Africa
When I wanted to drive to South Africa (SA) recently, a breath of fresh air from my usual flying, I was naturally concerned about how I would find my way around, until a friend told me to get a GPS device (I wish to assure you this is not a sale's pitch or an advertisement even though it sounds like one; one of the few times when it walks, sounds, quacks and taste, yummy, yummy like a duck but it is not one). Now where was I before that long digression? My trip to SA. So I abandoned the road maps; really, a candidate for the museum in this days of IT.
I shell out two thousand five hundred Pula (about $400) for the device mount it on my dash board and off I go. "Turn left at the rotary and follow A1 for 400 kilometers (Kms)" and similar commands in a female American voice (my preference over and above the stodgy British and Afrikaans laced English accent) until a matter of fact: "You have reached your destination" statement; which, if you ask me, is stating the obvious being on the lookout anyway.
You can't but be impressed with the device as it plots your way to your destination giving the approximate time you would arrive (provided
you are not involved in an accident; my life is in your hands, O Lord). It recalculates the arrival time if there is a traffic jam or other delays. It also gives a clear indication of the road with various twists and turns so you know when to overtake that annoying truck billowing thick, black smoke in front of your car for the past thirty minutes.
Even when you need to drive around a foreign town, you have no need for those annoying persons who tell you "go straight ahead, turn right at the intersection and then left again', instead of admitting that they do not know the street you are looking for. Also, the GPS unit tells you where all the speed traps are so that you drive within the speed limit in those places. You can plot a route that avoids all the SA toll gates; but be ready for some not-too-smooth road for your troubles.
Now, to it's weaknesses. It is not able to inform you of the mobile speed traps like the ones used in Botswana. It tells you to go on even if the road has been temporarily closed. And when you follow the digression, it annoyingly reminds you to "turn around as soon as you can" while the arrow points out that you are going in the wrong direction for the past twenty Kms, for good measure.
And a friendly advice: Don't use it in Botswana if you do not want to get lost. Let me share a personal experience. I was invited to Molepolole and told to use the first Engen Petrol station as a landmark to get my bearings. I dutifully typed in Engen, Molepolole. Guess where the GPS Unit led me to? Engen Petrol station, Mogoditshane. Based on this experience, I limit my use to finding the main road from tricky side roads and then switch it off and follow the road signs. So far, I can tell you, so good.
The manufacturer expects you to go on the Internet to buy more up-to-date road maps so that you can drive with greater peace of mind because as they say "7% of the road has since changed". "Tell me something new",I quip. I will make do with the road as it is until it hit the 50% mark. I mean, the world is just coming out of recession and every thebe, kobo, shilling and cent counts!
I shell out two thousand five hundred Pula (about $400) for the device mount it on my dash board and off I go. "Turn left at the rotary and follow A1 for 400 kilometers (Kms)" and similar commands in a female American voice (my preference over and above the stodgy British and Afrikaans laced English accent) until a matter of fact: "You have reached your destination" statement; which, if you ask me, is stating the obvious being on the lookout anyway.
You can't but be impressed with the device as it plots your way to your destination giving the approximate time you would arrive (provided
you are not involved in an accident; my life is in your hands, O Lord). It recalculates the arrival time if there is a traffic jam or other delays. It also gives a clear indication of the road with various twists and turns so you know when to overtake that annoying truck billowing thick, black smoke in front of your car for the past thirty minutes.
Even when you need to drive around a foreign town, you have no need for those annoying persons who tell you "go straight ahead, turn right at the intersection and then left again', instead of admitting that they do not know the street you are looking for. Also, the GPS unit tells you where all the speed traps are so that you drive within the speed limit in those places. You can plot a route that avoids all the SA toll gates; but be ready for some not-too-smooth road for your troubles.
Now, to it's weaknesses. It is not able to inform you of the mobile speed traps like the ones used in Botswana. It tells you to go on even if the road has been temporarily closed. And when you follow the digression, it annoyingly reminds you to "turn around as soon as you can" while the arrow points out that you are going in the wrong direction for the past twenty Kms, for good measure.
And a friendly advice: Don't use it in Botswana if you do not want to get lost. Let me share a personal experience. I was invited to Molepolole and told to use the first Engen Petrol station as a landmark to get my bearings. I dutifully typed in Engen, Molepolole. Guess where the GPS Unit led me to? Engen Petrol station, Mogoditshane. Based on this experience, I limit my use to finding the main road from tricky side roads and then switch it off and follow the road signs. So far, I can tell you, so good.
The manufacturer expects you to go on the Internet to buy more up-to-date road maps so that you can drive with greater peace of mind because as they say "7% of the road has since changed". "Tell me something new",I quip. I will make do with the road as it is until it hit the 50% mark. I mean, the world is just coming out of recession and every thebe, kobo, shilling and cent counts!
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