resonance

Testing #2 Productivity growth issue

2010-08-19T01:31:00.001+08:00

You sometimes hear that, even GDP grew in a period, unemployment actually increased because labour productivity grew so strongly during the period that fewer new workers were needed than the additional entrants into the workforce during the period. As a result, unemployment went up. Some see this as an argument against technological advance and attempts to achieve the highest possible rate of productivity growth.

It is certainly true that a lot of technological change may in short run throw some workers out of a job in a particular firm or industry. However, technological change will also create jobs in other firms and industries. It is easier to identify the short-term losers and, unfortunately, such identification seems to make for more sensational media stories. They are usually concentrated and more vocal than the diverse groups who gain jobs, especially when these gains may come gradually over time. The fact that there are some losers from technological change is no reason to resist it. However, there is an important role for government to play here in that appropriate transitional arrangements need to be available to enable the displaced workers to retrain or relocate to find gainful employment again elsewhere in the economy.

As a simple analogy, imagine an island economy where the inhabitants live on fish, coconut milk, fruit and nuts. They fish using spear, grow and gather coconuts and so no, and then they exchange ther products at going rates of barter system. Now suppose one morning the inhabitants wake up to find a few boats and fishing nets in good repair washed up on the beach. The inhabitants find out that using a boat to go out into deeper water and using a net, could catch a whole heap more fish in half the time. And some of them practise it. After a few days, the others in the fishing industry catch on to the fact that they are using outmoded technology and find they are being undercut by those using the new methods. The spear makers are also concerned at developments. WHAT DO THERE GROUPS DO? They immediately band together to decry the unfair practices of the few with the new technology and try to get the community's elder to ban it. They finally succeed and the boats and nets are immediately burned and things quickly return to the way they were before.

Given this outcome, the community is no worse off than before but it is no better off either.Think about what alternative actions could have been taken when the little island community found itself with the potentially very beneficial, but socially disruptive, new technology. What could have happened to the community's well-being?How could short-term transitional costs have been handled? What lessons does this parable teach us?

Comment:
As a decision maker, we must be far-sighted, showing foresight and good judgement. We must not knuckle down on short pain as success never comes easy in life. As the saying goes 'No venture no gain', we have to really put some effort in something, with eternal perseverance, miracle is just a stone's throw away. Crisis, however, is an opportunity to make change. Genius or mediocrity. is up to you to choose.

Testing #1 - ICU or EU?

2010-08-03T11:01:00.002+08:00

At the Brussels summit in mid-May, Nicholas Sarkozy threatened to pull France out of the euro if Germany didn’t help Greece with its debt crises. Disagreement is common in any organization, especially in a big and complex one like the European Union (EU).
However, the threat to quit is uncommon: it depicts the seriousness of tension within EU. Just like in a family, when a couple threatens to get a divorce, the situation must be very serious.
The problem began with the 2008 economic crisis that cost the EU economy tremendously. Despite the $800 billion rescue package put forward by various EU governments in 2009, GDP shrank by 4%- deeper than 2.4% in the US, the epicenter of the crisis. The EU job market contracted by almost 5million, creating a more challenging political climate in several countries, especially those with strong labor unions.
Before any light could be seen at the end of the tunnel, another crisis erupted. This time, the source was inside EU, in Greece. Ironically, the ‘crisis’ comes from the ancient Greek ‘krinein’. Economic integration is a two-edged sword. In good times, it has easily spread economic opportunity among EU members. Through trade of goods and services (free trade), wealth grows and is distributed. In bad times, economic integration has enabled risk and crisis to also spread out quickly trough the decrease in trade, the shrinkage in asset values and capital flight.

COMMENT:
The financial bail-out could also worsen the degree of moral hazard. This provides a lesson for other EU members. Instead of working hard and saving a lot of money, some will prefer to work less and spend more because if something happens they will have strong and generous colleagues to help.
The EU has given plenty of carrot to its members, so it has the right to give the stick to those who don’t comply with their commitments or try to cheat. The EU should not hesitate to expel any member of the union if necessary. This would not only be a lesson to the other members, but it would also cleanse the EU of free-loaders.
The EU has played an extremely important role in the world in the past and hopefully will continue to do so in the future. The global economy cannot afford a failing EU.
At the moment, the EU is in the Intensive Care Unit. We hope it will be able to take advantage of the situation to reflect and to reform.

homework #1

2010-05-24T01:19:00.002+08:00

Is homework harmful or helpful?

Homework is defined as an out of class task assigned to students to help them practice and prepare for their future. It is set and traced as a tradition of having teachers assigning work and students completing it. However, the system is scrutinized when students spend average time of two to three hours a day doing homework rather than spend with their family. This has drawn utter attention from parents and schools. Since it has no link between homework and achievement, I strongly agree that homework can be detrimental to student as it can lead to frustration and exhaustion, lack of time for other activities and loss of interest in study.

Homework is a burden that can spark frustration and tears. There is some difficult homework that seems far-fetched to be done by the student. Children can be certainly disturbed and bothered with the thoughts of having punishment on the following day. Children will be extremely fatigue with their load of homework after having half day class in school. Some parents may keep on nudging their children just to remind them to complete their homework in time. Having hectic life at both school and home, children may not have a healthy growing process. It is too much to overwhelm a child who is still in the process of shaping their future.

In addition, doing homework reduces the accessibility of other activities. It contributes to the opportunity cost of other more beneficial activities such as exercise and social interaction. Children spend less time outdoors enjoying nature or a good round of sports and physical activities. Children are being physically inactive, and this can pave way for obesity and other related diseases. It may also take time away from families having fun together. This will lead to frail bond between children and their family.

Moreover, homework extinguishes children’s interest in study. Homework is just a mere chore that a typical student had to do. It does not play upon any intrinsic desire to learn things but just to force learning that can even make students hate certain subjects and learning in general. Student is not practicing smart study but barely memorizing facts and formulas without understanding the genuine meaning. Besides, the flawed thinking of teachers and school districts believing that homework correlates to academic benefit treat students as experiment. More homework is being piled on children despite the absence of its value. To no avail children do everything they are assigned, they become dispirited and apathetic towards studying.

In a nutshell, I stand at the side claiming that homework is harmful to children as in causing frustration and exhaustion, lack of time for other activities and loss of interest in study. Most of what homework is doing is driving kids away from learning. Most children dread homework, or at best see it as something to be gotten through. Thus, even if it did provide other benefits, they would have to be weighed against its likely effect on kids’ love of learning. Some naysayers may claim that less or no homework can lead to lower grades. Then lower grades were indeed a small price to pay for getting back curiosity and emotional health.

Television viewing #2

2010-05-23T23:53:00.002+08:00

More than ninety per cent of households in developed countries own at least one television set (Sharif 1999). This confirms that the children can gain easy access to television. This draws utter attention of many psychologists and parents as extensive television viewing is detrimental to children. Argument has been further escalated by American Time Use Survey (2003) as individuals spend an average of two to three hours a day in watching television. I strongly stand with the notions claiming that television viewing brings more harm than good. Children are ignorant to the negative implications caused by extensive television viewing of which can affect development of the thinking process, aggravate academic performance and trigger health problems.

Firstly, extensive viewing of unsuitable programs can deteriorate children’s thinking process. Since children are still naïve about the world, they are likely to be mislead by the ideas and beliefs portrayed by the programs they watch. They become easily frustrated when they encounter unprecedented reality in real life. Research has further justified that those children who watch violent programs eventually become desensitized to violence (Sharif 1999). They will think that violence is a part of life and a natural way of solving problem. Children may also be stereotyped by the superficial movies which narrow down the characteristic of life to sexy, tough, good and bad (Sharif 1999).

Secondly, extensive television viewing worsens the children’s academic performance. As television programs are designed to demand undivided attention, children will be difficult to focus on things like homework, causing a lapse in school work. Study has been done, and it concludes that heavy viewers are among the lowest achievers at school (Leigh 2001). Besides, Flicking between channels searching for something of interest, children indirectly procrastinate the period scheduled for homework. This would lead to further more severe problems such as a dip in academic capability and a decrease in athleticism.

Thirdly, extensive television viewing triggers various health problems. This can be explained when families have their meals in front of the television (Rutherford 2002). The improper dining manners can dampen the digestion process and further affect our health. In addition, it cannot be denied that television can be detrimental if it is watched constantly in prolonged periods to the exclusion of other activities. Children are not being physically active as they waste hours in front of the television viewing the programs they ‘must’ see. The adverse effects on health can be worse when this sedentary activity is indulged in with snacks, causing obesity and related diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases (Rutherford 2002).

In a nutshell, I fully agree that excessive television viewing will definitely bring more harm such as affect the development of thinking process, worsen academic performance and trigger health problem. According to UK Time Use Survey (2000), not only children who are addicted to television viewing, but also full-time workers as they spend most of their free time on TV, video and radio. The crux of the problem is the self-control and self-moderation that withhold us from over viewing television. It takes very little effort to press the button and turn the television off, and what we have to do is to keep up our mind rational and press it.

Television viewing #1

2010-05-20T20:30:00.008+08:00

What are some of the negative effects of extensive television viewing? How can television viewing benefit the viewer?

More than ninety per cent of households in developed countries own at least one television set (Sharif 1999). This confirms that the children can gain easy access to television. This draws utter attention of many psychologists and parents as extensive television viewing is detrimental to children. Argument has been further escalated by American Time Use Survey (2003) as individuals spend about two to three average hours a day in watching television. I strongly stand with the notions claiming that television viewing brings more harm than good. Children are ignorant to the negative implications caused by extensive television viewing of which can affect development of the thinking process, aggravate academic performance and trigger health problems.

Firstly, extensive viewing of unsuitable programs can deteriorate children’s thinking process. Since children are still naïve about the world, they are likely to be mislead by the ideas and beliefs portrayed by the programs they watch. They become easily frustrated when they encounter unprecedented reality in real life. Research has further justified that those children who watch violent programs eventually become desensitized to violence (Sharif 1999). They will think that violence is a part of life and a natural way of solving problem. Children may also be stereotyped by the superficial movies which narrow down the characteristic of life to sexy, tough, good and bad (Sharif 1999).

Secondly, extensive television viewing worsens the children’s academic performance. As television programs are designed to demand undivided attention, children will be difficult to focus on things like homework, causing a lapse in school work. Study has been done, and it concludes that heavy viewers are among the lowest achievers at school (Leigh 2001). Besides, Flicking between channels searching for something of interest, children indirectly procrastinate the period scheduled for homework. This would lead to further more severe problems such as a dip in academic capability and a decrease in athleticism.

Thirdly, extensive television viewing triggers various health problems. This can be explained when families have their meals in front of the television (Rutherford 2002). The improper dining manners can dampen the digestion process and further affect our health. In addition, it cannot be denied that television can be detrimental if it is watched constantly in prolonged periods to the exclusion of other activities. Children are not being physically active as they waste hours in front of the television viewing the programs they ‘must’ see. The adverse effects on health can be worse when this sedentary activity is indulged in with snacks, causing obesity and related diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases (Rutherford 2002).

In a nutshell, I fully agree that excessive television viewing will definitely bring more harm such as affect the development of thinking process, worsen academic performance and trigger health problem. According to UK Time Use Survey (2000), not only children who are addicted to television viewing, but also full-time workers as they spend most of their free time on TV, video and radio. The crux of the problem is the self-control and self-moderation that withhold us from over viewing television. It takes very little effort to press the button and turn the television off, and what we have to do is to keep up our mind rational and press it.

Junk food # finale

2010-05-11T14:31:00.001+08:00

Should the sale of junk food in school canteens be banned?

The term ‘junk food’ refers to any food that is perceived to be unhealthy and of low nutritional value (Smith 2005). Having junk food in school is becoming prevalent and common as junk food sale brings the most profits to the canteens. Survey on Cook High School has been revealed that the canteen earned profit on junk food sale for more than $10000 per year according to School news (2005). It has therefore fuelled the unhealthy habits of students, leading ultimately to obesity and behavioural problem. Hence, I strongly agree with the voice of banning the sale of junk foods in school canteens because it causes health problem, behavioural problems and litter problems.

Junk food is unhealthy. It is long being blamed for the increase in childhood obesity. Study has been done down on the junk food production. High level of fat, salt and sugar are actually contributing to the problem of youth weight gain (Lin 2005). Most junk foods also contain chemical additives to enhance flavor and colour to increase shelf life and attract potential customers (Smith 2005). Students are too ignorant to the artificial flavouring and colouring which may exacerbate the dental health. Besides, the nutritional value of food eaten by the children may be falling progressively because of increased availability and excessive consumption of fast food.

Moreover, behavioral problems lie vastly under the junk food consumption. According to the child psychologist, Mary Caputo (2005), high contains of chemical additives can trigger behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and collapse in concentration. Students may cause further severe problems such as an increase at each other's throats and vandalism. It is further justified by The Food Show (2005), that teachers have noticed that the removal of junk food and soft drinks from the school canteen can dramatically perk up the students’ behaviour in class. Thus, immediate ban in the sale of junk food in canteens is demanded to ameliorate students’ behavior.

In addition, junk food packaging is the major contributor to litter problems. Littering is hazardous to safety and health. Not only has it weighed down the cleaning costs, it also deteriorate the image of our communities (Smith 2005). Litter like cans, crisp packets, cartons and plastic containers are ubiquitous, thus burdening the school groundsman to spend a relatively long time to clean the ground. As a result, other maintenance projects that benefit the school are less heeded (Green 2005). Therefore, schools have to prohibit the sale of junk food in their canteens in order to trim down their little problem.

In conclusion, junk food sale in school canteens has caused major problems such as health problem, behavioural problems and litter problems. According to Australian Nutrition Journal (2004), foods eaten at home by most of the 12-14-year-old Australian children are beyond the recommended intake. This is not merely of parents' responsibility, schools is too a part of the pitfalls. Less of easy access to junk foods can always be the key of shifting the diet habits of the students. Thus, I strongly agree that the schools should ban the junk food sale in canteens for the sake of the students.

Junk Food #2

2010-05-08T22:17:00.004+08:00

Should the sale of junk food in school canteens be banned?

The term ‘junk food’ refers to any food that is perceived to be unhealthy and of low nutritional value (Smith 2005). Having junk food in school is becoming prevalent and common as junk food sale brings the most profits to the canteens. Survey on Cook High School has been revealed that the canteen earned profit on junk food sale for more than $10000 per year according to School news (2005). It has therefore fuelled the unhealthy habits of students, leading ultimately to obesity and behavioural problem. Hence, I’m strongly agreed with the voice of banning the sale of junk foods in school canteens because it may cause health problem, behavioural problems and litter problems.

Junk food is unhealthy. It is long being blamed for the increase in childhood obesity. Study has been done down on the junk food production. High level of fat, salt and sugar are actually contributing to the problem of youth weight gain (Lin 2005). Most junk foods also contain chemical additives to enhance flavor and colour to increase shelf life and attract potential customers (Smith 2005). Students are too ignorant to the artificial flavouring and colouring which may exacerbate the dental health. Besides, the nutritional value of food eaten by the children may be falling progressively because of increased availability and excessive consumption of fast food.

Moreover, behavioral problems lie vastly under the junk food consumption. According to the child psychologist, Mary Caputo (2005), high contains of chemical additives can trigger behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and collapse in concentration. Students may cause further severe problems such as an increase at each other's throats and vandalism. It is further justified by The Food Show (2005), that teachers have noticed that the removal of junk food and soft drinks from the school canteen can dramatically perk up the students’ behaviour in class. Thus, immediate ban in the sale of junk food in canteens is demanded to ameliorate students’ behavior.

In addition, junk food packaging is the major contributor to litter problems. Littering is hazardous to safety and health. Not only has it weighed down the cleaning costs, it also deteriorate the image of our communities (Smith 2005). Litter like cans, crisp packets, cartons and plastic containers are ubiquitous, thus burdening the school groundsman to spend a relatively long time to clean the ground. As a result, other maintenance projects that benefit the school are less heeded (Green 2005). Therefore, schools have to prohibit the sale of junk food in their canteens in order to trim down their little problem.

In conclusion, junk food sale in school canteens has caused major problems such as health problem, behavioural problems and litter problems. According to Australian Nutrition Journal (2004), foods eaten at home by most of the 12-14-year-old Australian children are beyond the recommended intake. This is not merely of parents' responsibility, schools is too a part of the pitfalls. Less of easy access to junk foods can always be the key of shifting the diet habits of the students. Thus, I strongly agree that the schools should ban the junk food sale in canteens for the sake of the students.

Junk Food #1

2010-04-19T15:33:00.002+08:00

Should the sale of junk food in school canteens be banned?

The term ‘junk food’ refers to any food that is perceived to be unhealthy and of low nutritional value. (Smith 2005) Having junk food in school in school is becoming prevalent and common as junk food sale brings the most profits to the canteens. Survey on Cook High School has been revealed that the canteen earned profit on junk food sale for more than $10000 per year according to School news (2005). It has therefore fuelled the unhealthy habits of students, leading ultimately to obesity and behavioural problem. Hence, I’m strongly agreed with the voice of banning the sale of junk foods in school canteens because it may cause health problem, behavioural problems and litter problems.

Junk food is unhealthy. It is long being blamed for the increase in childhood obesity. Study has been done down on the junk food production. High level of fat, salt and sugar are actually contributing to the problem of youth weight gain. (Lin 2005) Most junk foods also contain chemical additives to enhance flavor and colour to increase shelf life and attract potential customers. (Smith 2005) Students are too ignorant to the artificial flavouring and colouring which may exacerbate the dental health. Besides, the nutritional value of food eaten by the children may be falling progressively because of increased availability and excessive consumption of fast food.

Moreover, behavioral problems lie vastly under the junk food consumption. According to the child psychologist, Mary Caputo (2005), high contains of chemical additives can trigger behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and collapse in concentration. Students may cause further severe problems such as an increase at each other's throats and vandalism. It is further justified by The Food Show (2005) that teachers have noticed that the removal of junk food and soft drinks from the school canteen can dramatically perk up the students’ behaviour in class. Thus, immediate ban in the sale of junk food in canteens is demanded to ameliorate students’ behavior.

In addition, junk food packaging is the major contributor to litter problems. Littering is hazardous to safety and health. Not only has it weighed down the cleaning costs, it also deteriorate the image of our communities. (Smith 2005) Litter like cans, crisp packets, cartons and plastic containers are ubiquitous, thus burdening the school groundsman to spend a relatively long time to clean the ground. As a result, other maintenance projects that benefit the school are less heeded. (Green 2005) Therefore, schools have to prohibit the sale of junk food in their canteens in order to trim down their little problem.

In conclusion, junk food sale in school canteens has caused major problems such as health problem, behavioural problems and litter problems. According to Australian Nutrition Journal (2004), foods eaten at home by most of the 12-14-year-old Australian children are beyond the recommended intake. This is not merely of parents' responsibility, schools is too a part of the pitfalls. Less of easy access to junk foods can always be the key of shifting the diet habits of the students. Thus, I strongly agree that the schools should ban the junk food sale in canteens for the sake of the students.

Text Production Essay #final

2010-04-18T13:07:00.002+08:00

What are the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change and how can they be arrested?

Global warming, a phenomenon of gradual rise in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere due to an increase of greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide, has always been the biggest challenge for every nation in the world. With the visible pattern in the atmosphere within our entire planet, scientists have projected into the future where we are heading. By the end of the 21st century, global warming is likely to cause a rise in Earth’s temperature of around 2-5 degrees centigrade which may cause uncontrollable and dreadful catastrophes. (Woodford 2006) In facts, global warming has caused climate change, crushing the earth with enormous impacts, forcing the human beings to implement efficient solutions in order to get out from the long-
lasting predicament.

One of the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change is the rise of sea level. Tremendous rise in temperature at North and South poles warm the oceans and if the oceans get warmer, it has an impact on melting the ice shelf. (Woodford 2006) When the floating sea-based ices crack up and no longer hold back the ices on the land, the land-based ice starts falling into the ocean. Melting of land-based ice causes the sea level to rises significantly. Due to this, low-lying places like Florida, Shanghai and Calcutta are predicted to be absolutely devastated by water. Millions of homes are destroyed, forcing the people to become refugees.

On the other hand, global warming is damaging the ecosystem that human being too rely on. Global warming deteriorates the climate change and thus affects massive amount of vulnerable ecological natures. After years of warming, the growing season of some species has been altered. (Riebeek 2007) Billions of creatures have to face extinctions but pests are propagating vigorously. Lots of vectors for emerging infectious diseases climb to higher altitude due to global warming. They are also expanding their range, causing new diseases like Arena Virus and SARS that cause tremendous problem.(An Inconvenient Truth 2007) Overall, species loss is escalating
and diseases are wild spreading.

Another potential effect of global warming in terms of climate change is erratic weather patterns. Significant rice in temperature is very likely to alter the weather patterns that we have been adapting with so far. (Riebeek 2007) It may lead to more frequent natural disasters such as heat waves, more intense droughts and rain events and storms. According to the An Inconvenient Truth (2007), the main character, Albert Gore says that the Hurricane Katrina on 29 August 2005 would be an example of erratic weather behavior that had devastated the entire New Orleans.

To nip the problem in the bud, prompt actions have to be taken by each one of us to cut down the emission of greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide. Rectifying Kyoto is also a policy to share their hands in compensating the aftermath of global warming. It is recommended that we use energy saving fluorescent lamps, utilize renewable energy, and practise fuel economical approaches when behind the wheel (Woodford 2006). Renewable energy like solar and wind power is also indispensable to replace the main culprit in carbon emission, fossil fuel. Also, political will should be taken into account to stop obscuring the real facts and lead the society to cope with the environmental crisis.

As a conclusion, our mother earth has groaned inaudibly and punished us with completely unacceptable cataclysm due to the rocketing global warming. More and more imminent calamities are sneaking up on us. This is a global issue that needs cooperation from every nation in the world. With the thing we buy, the electricity we use, the car we drive, we can make better choices to bring our individual carbon emission to zero. The solutions are in our hands. We just have to have the determination to make a better future. (An Inconvenient Truth 2007) Choosing between gold bar and the earth, the earth for all time comes first!

Text Production Essay #2

2010-03-29T21:38:00.002+08:00

Global warming, a phenomenon of gradual rise in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere due to an increase of greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide, has always been the biggest challenge for every nation in the world. With the visible pattern in the atmosphere within our entire planet, scientists have projected into the future where we are heading. By the end of the 21st century, global warming is likely to cause a rise in Earth’s temperature of around 2-5 degrees centigrade (Woodford, 2006) which may cause uncontrollable and dreadful catastrophes. In facts, global warming has caused climate change, crushing the earth with enormous impacts, forcing the human beings to implement efficient solutions in order to get out from the long-lasting predicament.

One of the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change is the rise of sea level. Tremendous rise in temperature at North and South poles warm the oceans and if the oceans get warmer, it has an impact in melting the ice shelf. (Woodford, 2006) When the floating sea-based ices crack up and no longer hold back the ices on the land, the land-based ice starts falling into the ocean. Melting of land-based ice causes the sea level to rises significantly. Low-lying places like Florida, San Francisco bay, Netherlands, Beijing, Shanghai, Calcutta, Manhattan World Trade Centre and New York City are absolutely devastated and obliterated by water. Millions of homes are destroyed, forcing the people to become refugees. If this has really happened, the map of the world would have to be redrawn! (Blair, 2005)

On the other hand, global warming is damaging the ecosystem that human being too rely on. Global warming deteriorates the climate change and thus affects massive amount of vulnerable ecological natures. After years of warming, the growing season of some species has been altered. (Riebeek, 2007) Nature’s plan is distorted when the growing season of the prey and predator are in the vague and absence of any item in the food chain will cause a zoological disturbance. Billions of creatures have to face extinctions but pests are propagating vigorously. There are a lot of vectors for emerging infectious diseases that climb to higher altitude due to global warming. They are also expanding their range, causing new diseases like Arena Virus and SARS that cause tremendous problem.(Gore, 2007) Overall, species loss is escalating and diseases are wild spreading.

Another potential effect of global warming in term of climate change is erratic weather patterns. Significant rice in temperature is very likely to alter the weather patterns that we have been adapting with so far. (Riebeek, 2007) It may lead to more frequent natural disasters such as heat waves, more intense droughts and rain events, storms, hurricane and flash floods. An example of erratic weather behavior would be the Hurricane Katrina on 29 August 2005 that had devastated the entire New Orleans. (Gore, 2007)
To nip the problem in the bud, prompt actions have to be taken by each one of us to cut down the emission of greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide. Electricity end-use efficiency, passenger vehicle efficiency and CCS & supply efficiency have to put into practice. Rectifying Kyoto is also a policy to share their hands in compensating the aftermath of global warming. Renewable energy like solar and wind power is also indispensable to replace the main culprit in carbon emission, fossil fuel. Also, political will should be taken into account to stop obscuring the real facts and lead the society to cope with the environmental crisis. (Gore, 2007)

As a conclusion, our mother earth has groaned inaudibly and punished us with completely unacceptable cataclysm due to the rocketing global warming. And more and more imminent calamities are sneaking up on us. This is a global issue that needs cooperation from every nation in the world. We have to meticulously transform our tread that we relied on the past. With the thing we buy, the electricity we use, the car we drive, we can make choices to bring our individual carbon emission to zero. The solutions are in our hands. We just have to have the determination to make a better future. (Gore, 2007)Choosing between gold bar and the earth, the earth for all time comes first!

Text Production Essay #1

2010-03-21T17:06:00.001+08:00

What are the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change and how they can be arrested?

Global warming, a phenomenon of gradual rise in temperature of the earth’s atmosphere due to an increase of greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide, has always been the biggest challenge for every nation in the world. With the visible pattern in the atmosphere in our entire planet, scientists have projected into the future where we are heading. By the end of the 21st century, global warming is likely to cause a rise in Earth’s temperature of around 2-5 degrees centigrade (Chris Woodford 2006) which may cause uncontrollable and dreadful catastrophes. In facts, global warming has caused climate change, crushing the earth with enormous impacts, forcing the human beings to implement efficient solutions in order to get out from the long-lasting predicament.

One of the potential effects of global warming in terms of climate change is the rise of sea level. Tremendous rise in temperature at North and South poles warm the oceans and if the oceans get warmer, it has an impact in melting the ice shelf. (Chris Woodford 2006) When the floating sea-based ices crack up and no longer hold back the ices on the land, the land-based ice starts falling into the ocean. Melting of land-based ice causes the sea level to rises significantly. Low-lying places like Florida, San Francisco bay, Netherlands, Beijing, Shanghai, Calcutta, Manhattan World Trade Centre and New York City are absolutely devastated and obliterated by water. Millions of homes are destroyed, forcing the people to become refugees. If this has really happened, the map of the world would have to be redrawn! (Tony Blair 2005)

On the other hand, global warming is damaging the ecosystem that human being too rely on. Massive amount of ecological natures are vulnerable and affected by global warming. After years of warming, the growing season of some species has been altered. (Holli Riebeek 2007) Nature’s plan is distorted when the growing season of the prey and predator are in the vague and absence of any item in the food chain will cause a zoological disturbance. Billions of creatures have to face extinctions but pests are propagating vigorously. There are a lot of vectors for emerging infectious diseases that climb to higher altitude due to global warming. They are also expanding their range, causing new diseases like Arena Virus and SARS that cause tremendous problem. There are also reemergence of some diseases that are once under control like Avian Flu and West Nile Virus. Overall, species loss is escalating and diseases are wild spreading.

To nip the problem in the bud, prompt actions have to be taken by each one of us to cut down the emission of greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide. Electricity end-use efficiency, passenger vehicle efficiency and CCS & supply efficiency have to put into practice. Rectifying Kyoto is also a policy to share their hands in compensating the aftermath of global warming. Renewable energy like solar and wind power is also indispensable to replace the main culprit in carbon emission, fossil fuel. Also, political will should be taken into account to stop obscuring the real facts and lead the society to cope with the environmental crisis. (Al Gore 2007).

As a conclusion, our mother earth has groaned inaudibly and punished us with completely unacceptable cataclysm due to the rocketing global warming. And more and more imminent calamities are sneaking up on us. This is a global issue that needs cooperation from every nation in the world. We have to meticulously transform our tread that we relied on the past. With the thing we buy, the electricity we use, the car we drive, we can make choices to bring our individual carbon emission to zero. The solutions are in our hands. We just have to have the determination to make a better future. (Al Gore 2006)Choosing between gold bar and the earth, the earth for all time comes first!

australia news

2010-02-23T17:13:00.001+08:00

carbon pricing works in the long term
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/the-evidence-is-in-carbon-pricing-works-in-the-long-term/story-e6frg6zo-1225833182909

Movie review - Australia

2009-08-30T13:51:00.010+08:00

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman are stars in director Baz Luhrmann’s sweeping epic 'Australia.' Kidman plays an aristocratic English woman, and Jackman is a tough cattle drover. They couldn’t be more different, yet they find their lives inextricably intertwined as they embark on a remarkable journey across hundreds of miles of the country’s most brutal terrain.

Lets talk about the Jackman's character, the Drover.

The Drover is an Australian version of a cowboy whose job involves taking cattle across one of the most inhospitable parts of the world for long periods. He is a strong and muscular man with an incredible massive body. He is an extremely good-looking man that will always obsess you entirely.

The Drover shows bravery in the movie. He dares to accept the risky job offered by Lady Sarah Ashley which is to drive the herd through a brutal terrain to Faraway Downs to sell off her cattle to the military. Moreover, he risks his life to search for Nullah on Mission Island during the war time with just two partners, even though the island had just been bombed and guarded by Japanese soldiers.

The Drover is a caring companion to Lady Sarah Ashley and a loving stepfather to Nullah. He has quite a strong father-son relationship with Nullah although Nullah is a “half-caste” child. He treats Nullah as his own child and protects him. Moreover, he struggle on painfully and feels guilty to leave Lady Sarah Ashley and Nullah when he knows that Lady Sarah Ashley has died, and Nullah has been caught to be civilized under the church’s supervision when the Japanese sudden attack begins.

Furthermore, the Drover is a fair person. He treats everyone equally and disagrees with the discrimination. For example, he forces the bartender to treat his black friend same as other white customers by serving him drinks with proper glass. The Drover also forcibly asks the barman to serve Lady Sarah Ashley in male lounge as she deserves for it. Then, he does not look down to aborigines. He trusts Nullah’s grandfather, King George for the magical power mentioned to find the water supply during the deserted journey to Darwin.

The Drover shows his strength and toughness in the movie. He meets a lot of difficulty in the way to Darwin such as scarce water problem and horrible incident of cattle charging over a cliff. He never gives up, not hesitating to fight until the goal is achieved. Finally he manages to win Carney and successfully drives the cattle onto the ship before Carney's does.

The Drover is generous too! The Drover doesn't blame or scold Nullah every time he interrupts whenever Drover and Lady Sarah Ashley are kissing!

Movie review - Coach Carter

2009-08-29T23:13:00.004+08:00

Coach Carter is an educational movie. It is a story of a basketball coach’s mission to remake high school athletes from inner city losers into student athletes. The coach, Carter is a self-made businessman who lives by moral absolutes. He accepts the job of basketball coach for his old high school in a poor area of Richmond. This team is the loser in both the tournament and academic, and the players are totally rude and indiscipline. Carter doesn’t give up of them, but tries to change them in both play performance and academic result. He immediately imposes a strict regime typified in written contracts that include stipulations for respectful behavior, wear jackets and ties on game days, sit at the front of their classes, and good grades (minimum 2.3 point average) as requisites to being allowed to participate in the basketball team in an attempt to make the boys win both on and off the court. Besides, late comers and rude players have to get the push-ups and suicides as rewards. Soon, the initial resistance of the boys is successfully dispelled, and the team becomes unbeatable. Continuous winning makes the boys over-confident. They start to show off and scorn their opponents whenever they score. In the other hand, Carter finds out that too many players are doing poorly in class. They do not get to the mark for their academic results or even skip lessons. Carter takes an immediate action. He cancels all team activities and locks the court, despite their undefeated record. He asks the team to study in library until the team shows acceptable academic improvement. This has triggered controversies between the town’s community and Carter. The boys’ parents cause a stir concerning how grades aren’t as important as their sons’ destiny. They even force Carter to quit the team. Carter insists and fights to keep his methods. And the team has finally got through their academic problems. A basketball match between Richmond and St. Francis ends the movie. Although they lose the match, some of them win the scholarship of the college, they all win the future.

The main issue in the movie is the bad attitudes of teenagers. The players are rude and impolite. They mock Carter's suits, his shiny pate and his articulation. Timo Cruz even quarrels with Carter because of the dissatisfaction. They also vicious enough to insult people with awful words like nigger. They will easily come up to a fight just because of the offensive words. So, they need guidance and discipline, or else they are likely ended up in prison.

Education system in the movie has revealed that the parents and school officials concern more about winning basketball games than making sure the players graduate. Carter's principles get him in trouble with the principal who doesn’t know why he keeps bothering about the player’s academic results and performance. The community also thinks that canceling the games is an insult. It is why there is more black men wind up in jail or get killed compare to the graduation rate.

Teenage pregnancy is another issue in the movie. The character, Kyra is a pregnant underage girl. She has to give up her studies and spend all effort to take care of the baby. Kenyon, the father of the baby instantly loses his boundless future, and he has to start working to feed the baby. Moreover, conflicts are easily sparked between underage parents. And this will always lead to abortion.

In addition, this movie shows the struggle and ambivalent thinking of teenagers in order to get what they really want. We learn that Timo Cruz hates his extracurricular life as a drug dealer and sees basketball as a way to stay out of trouble. There are struggles in his deep heart, hesitating to choose which way he should take until the incident happens, Renny gets killed. He knows that drug dealer is no longer a proper future for him. He finally gets back to his expected route.

Kyra is h0t & sexy.

Ex-6szhong

2009-07-18T18:05:00.006+08:00

Click on it to zoom.

From left Daniel (Nottingham), Kawai (Nilai Inti), Leejin (Cempaka International) and me (Nilai Inti).

Love 6szhong indeed. friendz 4ever.

Ex-classmates

2009-07-17T01:33:00.012+08:00

He is a boy which is now single and available still.
He is a good friend of mine.
He knows what i don't know - playing guitar.
He sleeps early. He is not as talkative as I.
He is just like a ready-to-erupt volcano, his sudden words or phrase may shock you and you will most probably come up with "d*i*u".

He is a cute-emotional-talkative "boy".
He had spent his unbelievable 17th-birthday with me in my house.
My parents had misthought that he fall in love with me. (what !?)
High-pitch and hearty laughter goes wherever he goes.
Feeling he had been wronged, he would go off in a fit of pique.
but still he is a good friend of mine too.

He is a pure boy who is vicious enough to use his middle finger.
He speaks ridiculously. He is fond of telling jokes and funny stuff.
He likes words that begin with D and F.
He will deliberately trigger and spark controversy and end up with D and F.
In case he never have D or F in his results.
His result are always inversely proportional to his preparation.
Of course he is my good friend teee.

GG.com again

2009-07-16T09:51:00.011+08:00

Taller than me since standard one

A pair of sparkling big eyes perches below his clear forehead
Has a slender body that every guys dream of. (exaggerate rhetoric is used)

Stingy guy that would not easily treat you

Leering smile always on his face when obscene thing comes to his mind.

He is interested in girls, no doubt. Peek every girls that pass by him when he is walking in the crowd. If there is possibility for him to likes boys, I'm sure not the one.

Always in high mood, like somebody took his power dial and notches it up to full amps.

Truth to be told he is kind friendly and sexy indeed.
But he has gone

to australia

Talk !

2009-07-15T16:14:00.015+08:00

Stand against the fear.

Try not to hold paper as reference. It will solely expose your weakness – your quivering hand. And obliquely affects your performance.

Try to pretend that you are full of confidence and ready to move on, though you are extremely frightened. Of course you must have more or less prepared something.

Make eye contacts from time to time with the audience you have trusted that he/she will lull you with mild response. Do not dodge the eye contacts from audience.

Subtly make use of body languages. No exaggerate movements is allowed unless your body language is funny enough to make fun of others.

Do not rush. This is a sheer mistake that will cut down the value of your speech. Tell yourself ‘this is your chance, make full use of it’.

Speak firmly. Crank the stereo up to ten and pull down the base to zero. Pronoun each words with suitable pitch and intonation. Avoid stuttering.

Pace around the stage makes you look either expert or stupid. Depends how you present it. But make sure you don’t have a back-forth motion.

If something backfires when you are on the stage, don’t be panic; sincerely say ‘thank you’ and stride slowly down the stage like nothing has happened.

Think !

2009-07-14T16:35:00.007+08:00

Here comes philosophy talk.

Recently i realize that there's always two ways of looking at things. I'm not sure whether there is more ways of thinking, but for me, it isn't.

Seeing what is positive about a situation is a lot more fun and gets you a lot further than looking for what might be wrong with it. Trust me it makes sense. Think in this way makes you feel good.

Feel free to contact this number if u feel stressful - 1300131300. You'll loving it.

Retch me out

2009-07-13T16:06:00.011+08:00

Tongue speaks. Tongue frames words. It is indispensable either in creating peace or inciting cataclysm.

Tongue bites. Tongue can give out slanderous words, leaving sore that will not fade as time goes on.

Tongue kills. Tongue might be as lethal as a sharp sword. It would kill you in silence.

Don't be a telltale and once you have become one, don't flinch and dodge or otherwise just seal your big dirty mouth.

GG.com

2009-07-12T15:20:00.015+08:00

Has big round face tat is caused by overtaking McD

double-layered chins make him look cool

wat-the-hell emotions when he came to a paid

Has a ordinary american-typed body which obscures his timidity

Dumped his girlfriend with a damn excuse " 我喜欢打篮球多过你"

Indeed, he is kind

He was my neighbour. He had gone

to rawang.

Event a month ago

2009-07-08T16:34:00.014+08:00

Our very first get-together had successfully held at kawun house at 6/6/09 (Saturday). Although it was quite a tiring and sweltering party, it made a chance for all 5szhongers to gather round at that day at that moment. And of course I have to apologize for those who can’t make it on that day. I’m sorry.

Here comes our memorable pictures.

Aduh!

2009-07-08T00:22:00.015+08:00

The guy looks like woeishin. No Offence!

Let's the photo speaks in silence
They have same face emotions and both are mouth-opened. EXACTLY a pair of twins !!

Treat English seriously

2009-07-03T16:43:00.003+08:00

We have just gone through our extremely interesting English briefing session.

Hmm! What the professor just mentioned about is sarcastic but pretty correct. "Please dun let u guys' 20As or 40As to get over your head. Nobody cares about ur As! English just stands a A in your 20 or 40 subjects!"
"Master your English very well or u will suffer in English speaking country. Only students who know English very well can succeed."

Of course I'm suffering now.

I'm still naiveee to it

2009-07-03T00:42:00.017+08:00

I had been waiting for this day for a long long time. When i first stepped in the INTI Nilai university college, i portended that it will be a tough journey with tons of difficulties.
Requitement to maintain JPA scolarship
-for SAM students, marks must be higher than a damn high guardline which is 85%
-for AUP students, marks must be higher than a crazy point which is 3.5/4.0
"JPA akan mengambil tindakan jika mendapat keputusan yang tidak memuaskan. Jangan nak rayu-rayu jika tidak mendapat markah yang ditetapkan."

Instantly, all my mindset had to reset again(coz i tot i just nid to pass the exam) so that i can get over the condition and stand a chance to fly oversea. I knew tat i must get rid of games, laziness, shyness, satan and those stumbling block. One more thing tat annoyed me a lot is my English speaking. "Ah.. Er?.. Erm.. i dunno.." is my normal reflect action when i met difficulties when i was chitchatting. I'm not competent enough. To curb this unforgiveable weakness, hardworks must be paid.

I had taken time to snap some photos of my hostel room.

This is a twinsharing room for JPA scolars. It is just comfortable.

This is my personal table and chair and of course my lovely new laptop with extremely slow wifi.

This is my sweet roommate who is in the same course under same programme with me. I'm taller obviously.

A unbelievable pool center is located inside INTI skul with rate of rm9.80 per hour.

I promised kawai to treat him play if he won any round within an hour. Unfortunately i won all 5 rounds. Sexy me.

"INTI-ans!!" " yo!!" This is the very first slogan of the orientation.
"Wei Wei??" "Halo Halo." This is the very second slogan. O my..o my

Even though i had drifted apart with u guys, i won't forget the joys and togetherness that we went through. Take care guys

Sexy & Foxy

2009-06-24T18:18:00.009+08:00

2 hours and 24 minutes i have sufferred in the freezing cool cinema just for the movie Transformer: the revenge of the fallen. Ya it's cool and fantastic if it costs less than rm12. I thought it might be cheaper than that on wednesday.

There is something attracted me -- Megan Foxx.

Megan Fox has been named the sexiest woman alive for the second year in a row by FHMonline. This is the second time ever that the same person takes the number one spot two years in a row.

I have obsessed wif her by the first look on her in the transformer 1. How shud i describe her? Sexy lady with unbelievable body. i think she is more foxy than Angelina Jolie because of her killing eyes and younger age.

P.S. Earnestly focus on their eye and rationally estimate their age. Am i right? Megan Fox owns a pair of crystal-clear-eyes which has deeply invaded up to my spine.

Nearly forgot another seductive artist - Jessica Alba.

I have no idea if they had some make-over or any surgery. Lots of ppl greet this with scorn and objections. But if it bring us these wonderful ladies, why not ? =.=

Me & me

2009-05-24T16:18:00.004+08:00

Nigel had his new hair cut. Yansheng had his new hair cut too.

His is roller-coaster type but mine is roacket launcher type..Xp

Before:

After:

Kawun says my haircut is disgusting.. sad xP

But he says again " 不用紧啦,头发会长的.."

I "....." 纳闷

18th birthday

2009-05-24T15:45:00.006+08:00

Finally it comes to my 18th birthday, the day i ponteng just not to take the mid year exam though it might be my last exam. I had procrastinated at home not much and not less for 7 days. I am pretty bored by the computer games and playing basketball during these days. Btw, the “behavior" is legitimate now and pls play safe.

My mum bought a tiramisu cake from secret recipe which i dun like. btw thx mum.

Im holding a very cute cousin of mine.

Take a look in a nearer position. Isnt she cute?

Finish a satisfactory meal

She's trying to tell us that she is full too.

road of degeneration

2009-05-15T16:03:00.000+08:00

when chkia are having their english and physics test...

im having breakfaz wif kawun, the tall and dirty-minded boy.

"lets go watch a movie" "Ok lo, u drive ya"

7 empty..ops i forgot it is 11am on weekday..

"wow, y my car is there?"stupid kawun asked innocently.

professional photographer

no doubt..he is 18

no doubt..i gona 18 too..

lastly, we take time to snap tis..

the show begins

JPA

2009-05-14T09:39:00.000+08:00

JPA overseas scholarship admitted list have been announced. Fortunately there r some lucky dude from my former class. congratz to rachel, leejin, daniel, kokpin, kawai and nigel. By the way, im one of them. And when i knew the news, i know i would have a diverging path in my future and i merely got pushed into one with more bumps.

NO GET JPA --- continue study for UEC --- ASean country

GET JPA --- College study ---Europe country

WaT A Tough study landscape of me! Sign..

So now im having a rest before my new starting. I plan to have a total revamp of my old personality. I have reached another setback. My English speaking is terrible. I feel puzzled why i am in the JPA admitted list. LAME!!

However, truth to be told, i am pleased with my current self, which is superb in SPORT games. HAHAHA...And Dota...

I have taken time to have a quick check at the jpa forum. I noticed tat sum of the JPA scholarship holder are not competent enough. Lets take a look of these.

Spm result : 5A1, 2A2, 1B3, 1B4, 2C5
course applied : social science
PILN result : Successful
Location : Oversea
Other Offer (s) : Matrix, asasi kejuruteraan UIA
Cocu achievement : dunno the marks but get A for it
living place : rural area in Sabah
family background : both teacher..

SPM result: 6A1 2A2 2B4 ( Not excellent rite, )
Course applied: Engineering for Germany
PILN Result: Successful
Location: Overseas
Other offers: Penang Matriculation College, Asasi kejuruteraan Uitm Shah Alam
Living place : Luar bandar
Family background : Both are teachers

Compare wif tis..

SPM result: 13A1 (A1 in all subjects includin GCE-O english and LCCI accounts) according to a local newspaper, a 13A1 student is rank in the top 70
Course applied: Engineering, english speaking countries
PILN Result: Unsuccessful but get ipta (its not wad i applied for so i would say i was unsuccessful)
Location: Local
Other offer(s): Matric
Living place: sungai petani, kedah
Family Background : both of my parents are gov servants.....

pity bud
lets us shout as loud as we can.. MALAYSIA BOLEH!! Woho0 !!

Frankly speaking, today's students are really leading a hard life. So we have to be more hardworking to mould our future so tat there is no any regrets in our life.

Sincerely wish those who gona appeal for the JPA good luck!

first blog first post

2009-05-11T19:05:00.000+08:00

1.我的大名 : 林彦盛

2.我的生日 : 18-5-1991

3.誰傳給你的 : copy 人家的blog的

4.說出五個好朋友 : 全部都是好朋友

5.生日想要得到什麼禮物 : 很多愿望

6.近期開心的是 : JPA

7.近期壓力大的是 : 英文差

8.未來想做什麼啊 : A MAN

9.有沒有喜歡的人 : 有

10.同學會要回去找老師嗎 : 要！

11.跟誰出去最好玩: 朋友

12.如果你的兩個好友吵架了 : 在旁边看

13.跟情人出去最想去哪 : 很难讲

14.聖誕節要做啥 : tok

15.最想跟誰過聖誕節 : 家人

16.有沒有起床气 : 什么意思

17.有幾個兄弟姐妹 : 一个bro，一个sis

18.最喜歡的一只歌(女生的) :

19.最喜歡的一只歌(男生的) :<祝福> (自己唱的)

20.喜歡什麼顏色: 黑白

21.上廁所會不會先沖水 : la了就走

22.愛不愛我 : 什么毛题目来的?我是自恋族的

23.喜歡男生還是女生 : 女的！

24.最想大聲說什麼 : FUck

U ！！25.半夜敢不敢自己上廁所 : 怕lin

26.上廁所會不會脫褲褲 : 不脱小鸟怎么吐口水

27.誰很欠打 : hon我的人

28.現在很迷什麼 : 打机

29.睡相很差 : =.=才怪

30.現在的時間 : 7.17pm

31.是否痛恨傳給你此卷的人 :自己copy回来的

32.體重多少: 52.12kg

33.今天天氣 : 7 晒

34.你懷孕了嗎 : 可能

35.你若中樂透最想做什么 : 中多一次

36.大學生一定要玩的活動 : 做

37.想不想游泳 : 想