The recent thing taught in my comms class was Haptics. It means using touch as a way of communicating to another person.
The use of Haptics in our everyday life:
WHEN COMMUNICATING. When we communicate, we do not necessarily need to use words all the time. As we all know, actions speak louder than words. & applying haptics in our communications, it translates a stronger message across to the intended party. For instance, when we are angry at a person, we might slap a person. In this case, slapping is a form of communication through haptics, informing the victim that of our unhappinese. In another scenario, when we feel happy, we tend to hug the other party or give an affection stroke on the arm. It lets the other party know that we are comfortabl with their prescence & in turn they will fee comfortable as well.
WHEN APPLIED IN GAMES. Some low-end haptic devices are already common in the form game controllers, in particular of joyaticks and steering wheels. An example of this feature would be the simulated automobile steering wheels that are programmed to provide a "feel" of the road. As the user makes a turn or accelerates, the steering wheel responds by resisting turns or slipping out of control. The Wii wireless remote uses a simple "bump" for feedback (e.g. moving over an onscreen button). Another concept of force feedback was that of the ability to change the temperature of the controlling device. This would prove especially efficient for prolonged usage of the device.
Hence you can see that haptics play a crucial role be it to express our emotions or to in the form of entertainment.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
High Context & Low Context Culture
High context culture is an Asian culture whereby people believe that non-verbal communication is the key. & If you speak incessantly, you are considered rude. Whereas in a low context culture - westernized. They believe that being descriptive being ale to speak -alot- is the way to go, much emphasisis placed on the spoken words and that non-verbal cues are despicable and deceptive.
In an Asian society, not everything is spelled out to us. We have learnt to read non-verbal cues, from the awkard silence to the raising of the eyebrows, and the wide open mouth to express shock. Because of this, we tend to physco-analyse every little action and read too much into it. As such, we often twist the message and a miscommunication might occur. Personally I feel that we Asians should stop beating around the bush, get straight to the point and score.
Whereas in a low context culture like the States. You know how they are always portrayed - holding a glass of wine, standing akimbo and looking as if they have endless stuff to say. They are very descriptive and they have the ability to paint a vivid image of the subject they are discribing. For example, when an Asian describes a tree, he goes "A big tree". When an American describes a tree he goes, "With roots sinked into the earth, the thick wrinkled trunks needs little effort to hold up the decaying leaves of the 100 year old tree."
Hence, proving that westerners are more descriptive and that is why they believe that Asians are deceptive because it seems like we deliberately left out information as to cloud their understanding of a particular subject. In this case, the tree, without further description, one will not be able to identify the specific tree out of say,maybe 3 trees.
In an Asian society, not everything is spelled out to us. We have learnt to read non-verbal cues, from the awkard silence to the raising of the eyebrows, and the wide open mouth to express shock. Because of this, we tend to physco-analyse every little action and read too much into it. As such, we often twist the message and a miscommunication might occur. Personally I feel that we Asians should stop beating around the bush, get straight to the point and score.
Whereas in a low context culture like the States. You know how they are always portrayed - holding a glass of wine, standing akimbo and looking as if they have endless stuff to say. They are very descriptive and they have the ability to paint a vivid image of the subject they are discribing. For example, when an Asian describes a tree, he goes "A big tree". When an American describes a tree he goes, "With roots sinked into the earth, the thick wrinkled trunks needs little effort to hold up the decaying leaves of the 100 year old tree."
Hence, proving that westerners are more descriptive and that is why they believe that Asians are deceptive because it seems like we deliberately left out information as to cloud their understanding of a particular subject. In this case, the tree, without further description, one will not be able to identify the specific tree out of say,maybe 3 trees.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Technology
I was late to school on many occasions because I had to turn back home to retrive my mobile and my laptop. Not a good excuse for being late but I can't survive a day without these items. My social life and whatever other life depends on it. I believe there are plenty out there like me. We have became so reliant on technology, we treat it as if it was drugs.
As we all know, drugs is bad & since technology to us is somewhat like a drug. Technology has its cons as well. The internet for example. With applications such as Facebook & Friendster, whereby your particular preferences - food you like, music you listen to, books you read, interests etc. are shown outrightly to the world. People can 'study' you & actually know all about you even before a first date. Because of this, technology has replaced the genuine, curious, feeling so dating a person.
On the up side, technology has proven to be useful in other ways. With the interenet, we are exposed to a plethora of unlimite knowedge! Just type -anything- in the search engine and you will get an answer within a matter of seconds. You can even try Googling yourself, amazing isn't it! There is also MSN, which is widely used to communicate to people through the computer. Be it your pen-pal or next door neighbour,it is not even a second for your message to be shown on the message screen. Thus technology exceeds time & space.
As for our mobile phones, if it actually goes flat while we're outdoors. Most of us would panic & not know how to even search for a pubic phone. We have became so reliant on this tool, we are a slave for it. It has taken away our inependence & yet, it has proven to be so helpful in times of crisis! For example, remember the time you forgot to bring your notes to school or to work, just a push of a button, your dad answers the phone & you get him to bring your notes down.
Hence this proves that technology goes beyond space & time, it has proven to be an indispensable tool in our lives.
As we all know, drugs is bad & since technology to us is somewhat like a drug. Technology has its cons as well. The internet for example. With applications such as Facebook & Friendster, whereby your particular preferences - food you like, music you listen to, books you read, interests etc. are shown outrightly to the world. People can 'study' you & actually know all about you even before a first date. Because of this, technology has replaced the genuine, curious, feeling so dating a person.
On the up side, technology has proven to be useful in other ways. With the interenet, we are exposed to a plethora of unlimite knowedge! Just type -anything- in the search engine and you will get an answer within a matter of seconds. You can even try Googling yourself, amazing isn't it! There is also MSN, which is widely used to communicate to people through the computer. Be it your pen-pal or next door neighbour,it is not even a second for your message to be shown on the message screen. Thus technology exceeds time & space.
As for our mobile phones, if it actually goes flat while we're outdoors. Most of us would panic & not know how to even search for a pubic phone. We have became so reliant on this tool, we are a slave for it. It has taken away our inependence & yet, it has proven to be so helpful in times of crisis! For example, remember the time you forgot to bring your notes to school or to work, just a push of a button, your dad answers the phone & you get him to bring your notes down.
Hence this proves that technology goes beyond space & time, it has proven to be an indispensable tool in our lives.
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