YouTube has become one of those websites I check whenever I have free time along with Facebook, Twitter and my email. Actually, YouTube was one of the first of these websites that I started checking regularly. Twitter and Facebook came after. Soon enough, I created an account where I could subscribe to my favourite channels, making it easier for me to watch newer videos. It has evolved from simply allowing users to post videos to what it is now; essentially a social network. Allowing users to comment on videos, share videos onto other social platforms and post video responses has never been seen before. The video view count can say a lot about the video you are just about to tune into.
There’s just one problem that I feel cannot be worked around, no matter how many times they change their layout or their policies. There will always, always be internet Trolls around. Troll is internet slang for someone on the web who posts or comments with unimportant, off topic and sometimes offensive material. Basically, they are the arseholes of the internet. They can strike at any moment and pounce on the vulnerable. Videos and users on YouTube are no exception too.
Most videos posted will have negative comments, but those are expected. Its right to give people an opinion, constructive on not, it’s an opinion that’s worthy of note. However, in my opinion its not right when comments are in bad form and in bad content. Time magazine wrote an article in 2006 about Web 2.0 praising it for enabling
“Community and collaboration on a scale never seen before”, but then later on says that Web 2.0
“Harnesses the stupidity of crowds as well as its wisdom. Some of the comments on YouTube make you weep for the future of humanity just for the spelling alone, never mind the obscenity and the naked hatred”.
I am intrigued by what they meant by ‘naked hatred’. When people’s social lives start to dissolve with social networking, I think they find themselves becoming more comfortable in being negative rather than finding positives out of the finer things on the web. Like how does a person negatively bring comment a 4 minute video viewing it just once?
The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph also punched in with their opinion on Youtube keyboard warriors.
“Juvenile, aggressive, misspelled, sexist, homophobic, swinging from raging at the contents of a video to providing a pointlessly detailed description followed by a LOL, YouTube comments are a hotbed of infantile debate and unashamed ignorance – with the occasional burst of wit shining through.” I don’t think you could put it any better than that.
Time Magazine – (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1570810,00.html)
The Guardian – (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/nov/03/youtube-funniest-comments)
Sport. Music. Sneakers. Live. Love. Death.
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Now the Kids Know
Normally sport games arent meant to educate the ones who play it religiously, certainly not those who play them online and get caught up so much in it that they feel they are actually competing for real. Thats on the brink of being just bad for you.
I dont feel thats the case with NBA 2K11 however.
NBA 2K11 is probably the most anticipated sports game ever, simply because of the inclusion of Michael Jordan, the man who changed the game of basketball forever. Its anticipated by those who were fortunate enough to watch him play from the mid 80s right up until the end of the 90s because they will have understood what it meant to play with a hero, an idol. For those maybe younger than 18 years old, the game may have less meaning.
I am 20 years old and through my father I learnt about the greats of yesteryear. If I tell him that there's something about Michael Jordan in some magazine, he'll say he's read it all before. Its true, he probably has, but I haven't. But now, what about those younger than me? When they are constantly slapped in the face with stars of today such as Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard. The media in today's sport is so intense, that you cannot get away from these players.
But that's no disrespect to today's elite players, where would we be without them? But how about asking a younger audience where would basketball be without MJ? Even today, years and years after he dominated, he's still around and he's still the benchmark. The media love to pit Kobe's achievements against MJ's, they love comparing Lebron's rise to MJ's, calling Derrick Rose 'The Second Coming' and so on. So clearly he's still around, what this latest instalment from 2K Sports does is to open the eyes of their younger audience.
When you first start up the game, it shoves you into playing a game in the 1991 NBA Finals against the Magic Johnson led Lakers. There's your first bit of history, MJ's first title and arguably best highlight/circus play. Dig deeper into the MJ's greatest moments mode and you have 10 Challenges in which you must recreate his best performances. Younger gamers will be having a hard time accepting how the hell he managed to do all of this.
The game should also squash any argument about Kobe vs MJ. For fuck sake, there is no comparison. I have enough respect for Kobe, he's the best alive now and even if he surpasses Jordan's 6 Rings, he's not there yet. Kobe Bryant never changed the game of basketball so that millions worldwide could watch it. Jordan globalised the game and the rest are all following the benchmark.
I dont feel thats the case with NBA 2K11 however.
NBA 2K11 is probably the most anticipated sports game ever, simply because of the inclusion of Michael Jordan, the man who changed the game of basketball forever. Its anticipated by those who were fortunate enough to watch him play from the mid 80s right up until the end of the 90s because they will have understood what it meant to play with a hero, an idol. For those maybe younger than 18 years old, the game may have less meaning.
I am 20 years old and through my father I learnt about the greats of yesteryear. If I tell him that there's something about Michael Jordan in some magazine, he'll say he's read it all before. Its true, he probably has, but I haven't. But now, what about those younger than me? When they are constantly slapped in the face with stars of today such as Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard. The media in today's sport is so intense, that you cannot get away from these players.
But that's no disrespect to today's elite players, where would we be without them? But how about asking a younger audience where would basketball be without MJ? Even today, years and years after he dominated, he's still around and he's still the benchmark. The media love to pit Kobe's achievements against MJ's, they love comparing Lebron's rise to MJ's, calling Derrick Rose 'The Second Coming' and so on. So clearly he's still around, what this latest instalment from 2K Sports does is to open the eyes of their younger audience.
When you first start up the game, it shoves you into playing a game in the 1991 NBA Finals against the Magic Johnson led Lakers. There's your first bit of history, MJ's first title and arguably best highlight/circus play. Dig deeper into the MJ's greatest moments mode and you have 10 Challenges in which you must recreate his best performances. Younger gamers will be having a hard time accepting how the hell he managed to do all of this.
The game should also squash any argument about Kobe vs MJ. For fuck sake, there is no comparison. I have enough respect for Kobe, he's the best alive now and even if he surpasses Jordan's 6 Rings, he's not there yet. Kobe Bryant never changed the game of basketball so that millions worldwide could watch it. Jordan globalised the game and the rest are all following the benchmark.
Monday, 30 August 2010
Joke Ting
Not many things make me laugh anymore. I rarely laugh during films if something is funny. If theres mass word on some video thats been posted on Facebook or Youtube I probably wont find it funny.
Now, im talking about side-splitting, cant breathe, need to see it twice funny. The only real time ive done that is when im with friends, but that's why they are your friends. So whens the last time someone you've watched on TV or on your computer that's made you cry with laughter?
3 things have made me laugh over this summer and Ive seen them again when Im in a shitty mood because they are that funny. First was a stand up from American comedian Kevin Hart. I saw a clip of a show he did in Cleveland and I had to see the whole thing. Not since Katt Williams and even before that Richard Pryor have I laughed so much watching stand up comedy. Here's a clip:
I dont know what it is about this man, but he is too funny for his size. Its amazing how a man of his size can command a crowd of that size.
After seeing the whole show, I looked him up on Wikipedia (shout out to everyone's favourite reference point) I saw he was in Death at a Funeral which had a host of black comedians so this I had to see. I'll tell you, it made me laugh but the scene where Danny Glover had to lay a brick whilst Tracy Morgan struggling to help and the aftermath of it all, brilliant.
Now, the 3rd thing I watched that made me seriously 'LOL' (I saw 'lol' alot in texts and online conversations but usually when I saw 'lol' its because I have nothing else to add into that converstaion..lol) was 2009 All Star Comedy Jam presented by Cedric the Entertainer and Shaquille O'Neal. There were four comedians on the bill and every single one of them held their own. Aries Spears and Kevin Hart once again stole the show for me.
Yeah, Im asking you to support these comedians! Go buy this shit! We are running out of good, original comedians.
Now, im talking about side-splitting, cant breathe, need to see it twice funny. The only real time ive done that is when im with friends, but that's why they are your friends. So whens the last time someone you've watched on TV or on your computer that's made you cry with laughter?
3 things have made me laugh over this summer and Ive seen them again when Im in a shitty mood because they are that funny. First was a stand up from American comedian Kevin Hart. I saw a clip of a show he did in Cleveland and I had to see the whole thing. Not since Katt Williams and even before that Richard Pryor have I laughed so much watching stand up comedy. Here's a clip:
I dont know what it is about this man, but he is too funny for his size. Its amazing how a man of his size can command a crowd of that size.
After seeing the whole show, I looked him up on Wikipedia (shout out to everyone's favourite reference point) I saw he was in Death at a Funeral which had a host of black comedians so this I had to see. I'll tell you, it made me laugh but the scene where Danny Glover had to lay a brick whilst Tracy Morgan struggling to help and the aftermath of it all, brilliant.
Now, the 3rd thing I watched that made me seriously 'LOL' (I saw 'lol' alot in texts and online conversations but usually when I saw 'lol' its because I have nothing else to add into that converstaion..lol) was 2009 All Star Comedy Jam presented by Cedric the Entertainer and Shaquille O'Neal. There were four comedians on the bill and every single one of them held their own. Aries Spears and Kevin Hart once again stole the show for me.
Yeah, Im asking you to support these comedians! Go buy this shit! We are running out of good, original comedians.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Jay-Z x Nike Air Force 1 'All Black Everything'
Jay-Z x Nike Air Force 1
As part of the inaugural World Basketball Festival – brought together by Converse, the Jordan Brand and Nike Basketball – recording artist JAY-Z will take the stage at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on Thursday August 12, 2010, following an on-court showcase featuring finalists for the 2010 USA Basketball World Championship Team.
In addition to his performance, JAY-Z has joined forces with Nike to create an iconic collection of Air Force Ones – the All Black Everything collection inspired by the World Basketball Festival. Nike has donated the shoes to the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation who in turn have linked up with eBay on a charity auction that begins on August 12th at www.ebay.com/jayznikewbf. Only two pairs of each of the five designs will be created, one for the winning bidder and one for the man behind the design, JAY-Z.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Gone Til November huh?
Well, you kinda did expect this to be the outcome anyway, Lil Wayne shaving months off his jail time.
Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne will reportedly shave off four months from his one-year jail sentence as new reports suggest he will depart Rikers Island this fall.
According to reports, Weezy F. Baby is set to come home by early November.
Lil Wayne is approximately halfway through his one-year jail sentence, which began March 8 when the superstar MC turned himself into authorities after reaching a plea deal. According to prison records accessed by MTV News, the rapper has a projected release date of November 4. Pending any violations or infractions for behavioral issues, the rapper is expected to see the light of day eight months after entering prison. (MTV)
This week, Wayne released a letter to fans detailing his daily routine behind bars.
"So I've been writing and let me be the first to tell you that the lyrics that I'm writing are... well there's no word that I can think of that properly defines them. Amazing would be too typical and perfect would be unfair. I listen to the radio sometimes, emphasis on sometimes, and I hear the new music. I like some. I applaud my Young Money family for what they're doing. As I'm not surprised. This is what we're supposed to do. Congrats to Drake and Nicki for all their recent success. Those 2 are going to have me retiring early. I love my team. Much love to Tez and Mack. I know that people are inquisitive of what I do all day, so here goes. I wake up around 11AM. Have some coffee. Call my kids, and my wonderful mother. I then shower up. Read fan mail. Have lunch. Back on the phone. Read a book or write some thoughts down. Have dinner. Phone. Pushups. Then I listen to ESPN on the radio. Read the bible, then sleep. That's my day." (Weezy Thanx You)
Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne will reportedly shave off four months from his one-year jail sentence as new reports suggest he will depart Rikers Island this fall.
According to reports, Weezy F. Baby is set to come home by early November.
Lil Wayne is approximately halfway through his one-year jail sentence, which began March 8 when the superstar MC turned himself into authorities after reaching a plea deal. According to prison records accessed by MTV News, the rapper has a projected release date of November 4. Pending any violations or infractions for behavioral issues, the rapper is expected to see the light of day eight months after entering prison. (MTV)
This week, Wayne released a letter to fans detailing his daily routine behind bars.
"So I've been writing and let me be the first to tell you that the lyrics that I'm writing are... well there's no word that I can think of that properly defines them. Amazing would be too typical and perfect would be unfair. I listen to the radio sometimes, emphasis on sometimes, and I hear the new music. I like some. I applaud my Young Money family for what they're doing. As I'm not surprised. This is what we're supposed to do. Congrats to Drake and Nicki for all their recent success. Those 2 are going to have me retiring early. I love my team. Much love to Tez and Mack. I know that people are inquisitive of what I do all day, so here goes. I wake up around 11AM. Have some coffee. Call my kids, and my wonderful mother. I then shower up. Read fan mail. Have lunch. Back on the phone. Read a book or write some thoughts down. Have dinner. Phone. Pushups. Then I listen to ESPN on the radio. Read the bible, then sleep. That's my day." (Weezy Thanx You)
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Monday, 12 July 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)