Sign here!
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/mamp
Cheers
Clarissa
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Freedom of Ideas/Information? Forget it!
I received a post not too long ago regarding the banning of the movie "Sweet Sixteen" by Ken Loach (I have yet to seen it but this incident made me want to watch it more!) because it was construed as highly immoral (though one of the lame excuse given was that the heavily accented Scottish language would not be understood by the Malaysian audience. Yeah right. You think we are all frogs living under the coconut hus, is it?) because of its used of explicit expletives (I love pairing words like these!). This coming from a well known academic (well, at least within Malaysia). They, are supposedly our last bastion of enlightenment. We are living in a dark age indeed.
Also, being a minority member of a Muslim society that is becoming succeedingly rigid (it stupefies and worry me that the people who might one day change a progressive thinking society into the bastion of Jumud . Best way to explain this is that it means ignorance and regression into the dark age and has its origin in Arabic) regressivity and probable repression are actually of my own age, some younger, some slightly older. I have actually met some of them, and they personally seemed rather nice. I am sure most people are rather nice, until you attack their ideologies.
Many of the discussions happening tend to happen in the Malay language, so an outsider exploring might not be aware of all that is going on. It seems that many equate liberal interpretation of Islam with hedonism. While I would shy with overly extreme interpretation of any religion, regardless of which end of the spectrum their veer towards, one must realise that there is no way that one can actually no the actual intention of the founder to the dot. We can only approach as close as possible. And as the religion travels through time, there would have been certain amount of additions and deletions to the knowledge, though I know that I would be crucified for saying this by the religion I belong to.
Yet religion shapes the very core of a person's being, so when that gets challenged, they will rise and close ranks to protect themselves from the infidels and the polluters. I wish I have something more substantial to contribute now, but being in the throes of much confusion and needing time to sort it out, I could only offer such generalised views. Perhaps I might be able to say something more cogent a few months from now. One hopes.
In the meantime, keep adding to my comment box. I feel really lonely, you know (:
And ongoing debate that never wanes is that of moral policing. Somehow, this has to do with the need for power. Perhaps it is high time I should read The Prince properly. But I have got another controversial religious scholar to read now. And yes, my ever-unfinished thesis to do :(
Also, being a minority member of a Muslim society that is becoming succeedingly rigid (it stupefies and worry me that the people who might one day change a progressive thinking society into the bastion of Jumud . Best way to explain this is that it means ignorance and regression into the dark age and has its origin in Arabic) regressivity and probable repression are actually of my own age, some younger, some slightly older. I have actually met some of them, and they personally seemed rather nice. I am sure most people are rather nice, until you attack their ideologies.
Many of the discussions happening tend to happen in the Malay language, so an outsider exploring might not be aware of all that is going on. It seems that many equate liberal interpretation of Islam with hedonism. While I would shy with overly extreme interpretation of any religion, regardless of which end of the spectrum their veer towards, one must realise that there is no way that one can actually no the actual intention of the founder to the dot. We can only approach as close as possible. And as the religion travels through time, there would have been certain amount of additions and deletions to the knowledge, though I know that I would be crucified for saying this by the religion I belong to.
Yet religion shapes the very core of a person's being, so when that gets challenged, they will rise and close ranks to protect themselves from the infidels and the polluters. I wish I have something more substantial to contribute now, but being in the throes of much confusion and needing time to sort it out, I could only offer such generalised views. Perhaps I might be able to say something more cogent a few months from now. One hopes.
In the meantime, keep adding to my comment box. I feel really lonely, you know (:
And ongoing debate that never wanes is that of moral policing. Somehow, this has to do with the need for power. Perhaps it is high time I should read The Prince properly. But I have got another controversial religious scholar to read now. And yes, my ever-unfinished thesis to do :(
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
More links on POD
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/printondemand.html
http://www.booksandtales.com/podframeo.htm
Haven't gotten around to looking through them all yet, but will do so later.
Cheers!
http://www.booksandtales.com/podframeo.htm
Haven't gotten around to looking through them all yet, but will do so later.
Cheers!
Best-selling books.
This is for those who make it their business to know the provenance for future best-sellers. Surfers and lurkers are welcome to browse.
http://bookpagebuzz.blogspot.com/
And a newspaper article about a Cambridge student who wrote her first novel while still doing A-levels (The Icarus Girl).
I actually read about it last year but forgot to blog it down, so here is a rather late entry.
AS I have discussed in my earlier postings, I think there are many interesting tales to be told at a local level that could excite an international audience. One needs to know one's audience, the right publisher and most importantly, maybe the right agent?
I've surfed to many sites belong to publishing houses and I can assure you that no big publishing house worth its salt would take on an unrepresented author, unless if you are planning on academic monographs or you are a close kin of the publisher?
And something more recent. I have seen many articles in Malaysian newspapers (I apologise to my international readers who might not care) touting the latest fad in POD (Print on Demand) publishing. Before that, was E-book publishing as a cost-cutting measure for people desperate to get books out (though some established authors have had their books reprinted as an e-book. I know because I'd be asked if I wanted to review e-books published by a big publishing house. Apparently, most book reviewers didn't like that idea). Somehow, I was rather skeptical as to the whole process. With so many books needing my attention, would I want to buy a book promoted by an unknown author when I am inundated with not-so-good books published by major publishing houses (this is my take as a book reviewer). Somehow, I am old-fashion in the sense that by not going through the editorial process, one might somehow end up with an inferior ware. Not every author is born a Virginia Woolf, and even she has her misses.
Anyhow, two articles on E-Publishing and POD might be of interest in light of the above discussion. Somehow, in some ways, POD books just a stone throw away from vanity publishing (or perhaps adjacent to?). However, the concept of printing books on demand might work for more academic or avant garde works that might not find a ready receptive audience. However, I believe it needs to go hand-in-hand with old fashion reviewing and editing. Meaning, find probable subscribers (or reviewers) for the first print run (wasn't that what they used to do in bygone days?), with some extras for just-in-case, then gauge from there and print more in the next runs. But, working in the production line of publishing, I do realise that it can be more cost-effective to sometimes print in bulk, especially paperbacks.
Any takes on this?
http://bookpagebuzz.blogspot.com/
And a newspaper article about a Cambridge student who wrote her first novel while still doing A-levels (The Icarus Girl).
I actually read about it last year but forgot to blog it down, so here is a rather late entry.
AS I have discussed in my earlier postings, I think there are many interesting tales to be told at a local level that could excite an international audience. One needs to know one's audience, the right publisher and most importantly, maybe the right agent?
I've surfed to many sites belong to publishing houses and I can assure you that no big publishing house worth its salt would take on an unrepresented author, unless if you are planning on academic monographs or you are a close kin of the publisher?
And something more recent. I have seen many articles in Malaysian newspapers (I apologise to my international readers who might not care) touting the latest fad in POD (Print on Demand) publishing. Before that, was E-book publishing as a cost-cutting measure for people desperate to get books out (though some established authors have had their books reprinted as an e-book. I know because I'd be asked if I wanted to review e-books published by a big publishing house. Apparently, most book reviewers didn't like that idea). Somehow, I was rather skeptical as to the whole process. With so many books needing my attention, would I want to buy a book promoted by an unknown author when I am inundated with not-so-good books published by major publishing houses (this is my take as a book reviewer). Somehow, I am old-fashion in the sense that by not going through the editorial process, one might somehow end up with an inferior ware. Not every author is born a Virginia Woolf, and even she has her misses.
Anyhow, two articles on E-Publishing and POD might be of interest in light of the above discussion. Somehow, in some ways, POD books just a stone throw away from vanity publishing (or perhaps adjacent to?). However, the concept of printing books on demand might work for more academic or avant garde works that might not find a ready receptive audience. However, I believe it needs to go hand-in-hand with old fashion reviewing and editing. Meaning, find probable subscribers (or reviewers) for the first print run (wasn't that what they used to do in bygone days?), with some extras for just-in-case, then gauge from there and print more in the next runs. But, working in the production line of publishing, I do realise that it can be more cost-effective to sometimes print in bulk, especially paperbacks.
Any takes on this?
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Human cyborg?
It all started with http://202.186.86.35/services/printerfriendly.asp?file=/2005/5/13/nation/10943441.asp&sec=nation
So I did a search and unearth plenty of information about this man who wants to be in one (sync, harmony,) with his computer.
The scientist in me tells me that I should be both excited and sceptical about this. The wanting to realise the pomo (oops, I mean postmodern) dream of syncing the human as being a gentic makeup of ideas with the greatest human creation (well, maybe not that great) sounds like a wet dream to all hardcore nanotechnologists. But of course, there are many sceptics, and I wonder that if he really is a step closer to finding the ultimate cure for Parkinson, why isn't this being shared more widely?
Remember the 'Bad Science' column run by The Guardian? Well, I do wonder if anyone has posted anything on this. Here are some news from Wired
Anyhow, you can always google for it (see, a trademark that has become a ubiquitous verb) yourself. I have captured a link for you under note it. Also, check out http://www.disinfo.com/archive/pages/dossier/id174/pg1/
Have to be careful as to what I do at work today as many big-wigs are around (not that they wear wigs anymore. We need to find a less cthnonic word).
A lot of work out there, both discussing the merits of popularly written science books and badly written science books.
Can someone tell me how I can be a freelance science writer? I've got a degree in science! Anything to get out of this place where everyone above production seems to think that they are doing such important things that the world will come to an end should we fail to satisfy their highnesses requirements, when all of them, up to the highest boss, are merely slaves to the monied beings..called THE CUSTOMERS. Yeah, they pay my salary too. Bleah.
One lesson I learnt from my job... Forget about climbing up the ladder to reach for that eponymous carrot. Trust me, the higher you go, the more likely it will be moved up. Work for your own money and for yourself. Be rich. Then you can dangle everybody's weenies. Yes, even that of the big big big obese boss you once worked for, and do sexist and politically incorrect things.
From a disgruntled employee
So I did a search and unearth plenty of information about this man who wants to be in one (sync, harmony,
The scientist in me tells me that I should be both excited and sceptical about this. The wanting to realise the pomo (oops, I mean postmodern) dream of syncing the human as being a gentic makeup of ideas with the greatest human creation (well, maybe not that great) sounds like a wet dream to all hardcore nanotechnologists. But of course, there are many sceptics, and I wonder that if he really is a step closer to finding the ultimate cure for Parkinson, why isn't this being shared more widely?
Remember the 'Bad Science' column run by The Guardian? Well, I do wonder if anyone has posted anything on this. Here are some news from Wired
Anyhow, you can always google for it (see, a trademark that has become a ubiquitous verb) yourself. I have captured a link for you under note it. Also, check out http://www.disinfo.com/archive/pages/dossier/id174/pg1/
Have to be careful as to what I do at work today as many big-wigs are around (not that they wear wigs anymore. We need to find a less cthnonic word).
A lot of work out there, both discussing the merits of popularly written science books and badly written science books.
Can someone tell me how I can be a freelance science writer? I've got a degree in science! Anything to get out of this place where everyone above production seems to think that they are doing such important things that the world will come to an end should we fail to satisfy their highnesses requirements, when all of them, up to the highest boss, are merely slaves to the monied beings..called THE CUSTOMERS. Yeah, they pay my salary too. Bleah.
One lesson I learnt from my job... Forget about climbing up the ladder to reach for that eponymous carrot. Trust me, the higher you go, the more likely it will be moved up. Work for your own money and for yourself. Be rich. Then you can dangle everybody's weenies. Yes, even that of the big big big obese boss you once worked for, and do sexist and politically incorrect things.
From a disgruntled employee
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
It has been a long week until today...
With three different deadlines, and the dissertation I did not manage to start revising, it had been a very long week.
Managed to complete the first two deadlines, and also migrated my website onto the new server, which has more funky features. As you might notice, the look for the blog has changed slightly. Meaning, there is now an archiving feature for my personal blog. This is to streamline the look and make it less chunky and more searchable. As the year goes on, there would be some changes here and there made to the look of the site. But being the busy person that I am, I can't be bothered to do too much tweaking at a time.
Work is both fine and boring. Have to deal with a lot of administrative and human problems. As well as technical problems. Consolidating amending acts into legislation publications is no fun way to spend the best part of one's day.
I'll write more when I feel less cranky.
Managed to complete the first two deadlines, and also migrated my website onto the new server, which has more funky features. As you might notice, the look for the blog has changed slightly. Meaning, there is now an archiving feature for my personal blog. This is to streamline the look and make it less chunky and more searchable. As the year goes on, there would be some changes here and there made to the look of the site. But being the busy person that I am, I can't be bothered to do too much tweaking at a time.
Work is both fine and boring. Have to deal with a lot of administrative and human problems. As well as technical problems. Consolidating amending acts into legislation publications is no fun way to spend the best part of one's day.
I'll write more when I feel less cranky.
Monday, May 09, 2005
NAM women's meeting
Taken from The Star, 9th May 2005
A good turn-out
DELEGATES from more than 76 countries who have confirmed participation in the NAM Ministerial Meeting on the Advancement of Women (MMAW) in Kuala Lumpur from May 7 to May 10 began arriving on Friday.
As delegates began to converge for registration, security at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), where the meeting is being held, was tightened.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, as host minister, said she was pleased with the good response from NAM member countries towards the meeting.
The main objectives of the two-day meeting, themed “Empowering Women in Facing the Challenges of Globalisation”, are to share experiences among member countries on best practices, achievements, and gaps and challenges in empowering women; and on achieving gender equality, peace and development.
It was preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), which was held on Saturday. Chaired by Women, Family and Community Development secretary-general Datuk Faizah Mohd Tahir, the SOM met to draft the Putrajaya Declaration on the Empowerment of Women in NAM countries.
The declaration will be considered for adoption on the second day of the Ministerial Meeting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope that something good will come out of this meeting.
A good turn-out
DELEGATES from more than 76 countries who have confirmed participation in the NAM Ministerial Meeting on the Advancement of Women (MMAW) in Kuala Lumpur from May 7 to May 10 began arriving on Friday.
As delegates began to converge for registration, security at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), where the meeting is being held, was tightened.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, as host minister, said she was pleased with the good response from NAM member countries towards the meeting.
The main objectives of the two-day meeting, themed “Empowering Women in Facing the Challenges of Globalisation”, are to share experiences among member countries on best practices, achievements, and gaps and challenges in empowering women; and on achieving gender equality, peace and development.
It was preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), which was held on Saturday. Chaired by Women, Family and Community Development secretary-general Datuk Faizah Mohd Tahir, the SOM met to draft the Putrajaya Declaration on the Empowerment of Women in NAM countries.
The declaration will be considered for adoption on the second day of the Ministerial Meeting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope that something good will come out of this meeting.
long weekend
It begun with me falling ill on Thurs. However, I still had to prepare for a presentation which I had to give on Saturday morning. Hence, between long drowses, I managed to scrap up a rough draft of the paper. Helps that I took half day off
Fri morning. On leave because I had lots of admin to take care of, including going to the police station to get my road accident case decision, and have them posted back to the workshop for insurance claim. It was a rather busy Friday. At night, finally managed to get my butt into the hotel where the seminar was going on, with a former lecturer of mine giving a talk on a paper which I had to comment on the next morning. Had to do a lot of fact-checking on what he said, and spent the time flipping through my reference book. After much problems, managed to get a room to stay for the night so that I need not make that arduous journey from home in the early hours of the day the next day.
Saturday was a long day. Talk went well. Many things happened. Shan't talk too much about it now as I am supposed to be working. It resulted on me being sleep deprived on Sunday because I couldn't get enough sleep on Sat ..arrgh
Anyway, now I have to settle down to sober work and earn my keep. Good news is, my univ has reimbursed some of the money I have spent on my dissertation research, which helps to ease the expenditure (especially since reimbursement is not in full). I wish I can get a nice part time job in publishing. Anybody wants to hire me? :/
Also, here is a link to an article I did on philosophy, in Malay. I have the English version. If anyone is interested to read or publish it elsewhere, in English, let me know.
Here is the Malay version Wittgenstein dan Popper: Benarkah Falsafah Mereka Berselisih?
Orite, back to work
Cheers!
Clarissa
Fri morning. On leave because I had lots of admin to take care of, including going to the police station to get my road accident case decision, and have them posted back to the workshop for insurance claim. It was a rather busy Friday. At night, finally managed to get my butt into the hotel where the seminar was going on, with a former lecturer of mine giving a talk on a paper which I had to comment on the next morning. Had to do a lot of fact-checking on what he said, and spent the time flipping through my reference book. After much problems, managed to get a room to stay for the night so that I need not make that arduous journey from home in the early hours of the day the next day.
Saturday was a long day. Talk went well. Many things happened. Shan't talk too much about it now as I am supposed to be working. It resulted on me being sleep deprived on Sunday because I couldn't get enough sleep on Sat ..arrgh
Anyway, now I have to settle down to sober work and earn my keep. Good news is, my univ has reimbursed some of the money I have spent on my dissertation research, which helps to ease the expenditure (especially since reimbursement is not in full). I wish I can get a nice part time job in publishing. Anybody wants to hire me? :/
Also, here is a link to an article I did on philosophy, in Malay. I have the English version. If anyone is interested to read or publish it elsewhere, in English, let me know.
Here is the Malay version Wittgenstein dan Popper: Benarkah Falsafah Mereka Berselisih?
Orite, back to work
Cheers!
Clarissa
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