.est.in.villa.

The pains of a thesis aka I hate academics..

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:25:47 GMT

Seeing, as I haven't posted in a while, and I've managed to write quite a few words today, I thought I might rant a bit about academics.

I know, I know, I want to be one, thats why I'm doing this darned Honours thesis (and the following PhD...yes I am crazy, no you may not have a bite of my sandwich)...but seriously, some of the readings I've read today are just plain...well stupid.

I'd try and be more diplomatic, but I spent all day doing that (and failing...miserably).

Take for example, this little excerpt:

“As predicted, the world of video games is largely populated by aggressive, White, male adults in roles of power. Females, minorities, and older adults are grossly underrepresented as heroes in both violent games and games in general. […] Given the link between depictions of sexualized aggression and violence toward women, even smaller amounts of sexualized violence, if consistent, are a concern.[…] Another lesson learned is that women behave in stereotypical ways: Namely, they are generally unimportant, are inferior to men, and function many times as the objects of sex and violence (Dietz, 1998). Thus, negative concepts such as sex role stereotypes and aggression are reinforced in video games.”

- Dill, K. E. et al (2005).

Now, there are quite a few things which piss me off about this particular extract:

First and foremost, it references an old study of 33 Nintendo and Sega games (we're talking Tetris, NHL 95, Dr Mario and the original Mortal Kombat here folks) which analysed the content of these games, and came out with some conclusions:

That 79% of the video games were aggressive in nature;
21% depicted violence aimed at women;
Nearly half of the games involved violence directed specifically at other characters, with the majority being human or human-like and including graphic violence;
And that 41% of games featured no female characters at all.

This study, kept popping up in quite a few of the studies I was researching, and I thought to myself, wow this must be a revolutionary study published in 1998 and STILL being referenced for the current world today.

Boy was I wrong... This study was seriously outdated, had bad methodologies which involved little to no attempt at contextualising the apparent aggression or violence in these games, and questioned why games like Tetris, The Lion King, and Dr Mario did not feature female characters! Further investigation on the last point (that of 41% of games not featuring a female character at all) led me to believe that out of the 14 games (yes folks, 14) games which were earmarked as not featuring females, 5 had been of animals or puzzle games, 3 of them involved sports with no female league (NHL 94, 95 and NFL), and one was Dr Mario. Which left a mighty 5 games (amongst which were Mega Man and Ren & Stimpy).

Secondly, the study propagates the Active Media approach, something which I would've thought in this day and age of ultra-violent films, ultra-realism in news, and the Internet, we would've realised just isn't true.

For those of you still with me but going "Huh?!" at the moment, let me explain:

There are generally two schools of thought when talking about media effects: the Active Media and the Active User.

Now the Active Media is your conservative, moral panic induced position of theory, which basically states that we are sponges, and the mass media is the drunk guy at the party, taking a piss in the gutter...except he's hitting us square in the eye. It contends that for the most part, we are powerless slaves to media and that we will become what we watch. Of course you can see the value of such a stance when say, theres a tragic school shooting or similar moral-panic-inducing event, and thats what its there for, to find the next scapegoat and keep people in line.

Of course this is bullshit, and has been proved time and time again, namely from people in the Active User school. This school takes the other extreme, we're all Harlem globetrotters and we're confidently and expertly undressing Little Miss Media's clothes as we get to her naked message. This however, is also problematic, since people ARE taken into some forms of media moreso than others.

So this leaves us in a bit of a middle ground, taking information in but also being smart enough to comprehend (for the most part) what it is we're absorbing.
Thirdly, and finally (since this is getting longer than I expected)... this study sprouts the more radical feminst bullshit on males/sexualisation and representations. Its a case of you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you dont ladies and gentlemen. And perhaps it is this that really irks me the most. You see, if a female game character is seen as 'normal' she's seen as portraying the stereotypical female caste (whatever the fuck that is), if she is a femme fatale, she is simply hyper-sexualised for the male audiences, if she is helpless or kidnapped, it propagates the idea that females are powerless and going out to save her from harm is inherently a bad thing (so is not saving her I presume but thats another story altogether). So where does that leave the female character? It leaves her a liability in game...and that my friends is the worst kind, because she'll either be OVER PC-friendly and even more stereotypical or just non-existent.

It is kind of disconcerting that these so called 'academics' are simply getting away with these concepts, and that not only are they considered 'elites' in the field but also, and more importantly I think, sprouting this stuff to the masses of parents out there who just have no idea about video games. And thats the hardest pill to swallow, as the parents become more and more suspicious of the unknown and what their children are getting up to, it becomes harder and harder to separate these issues of truth and rhetoric. Take this article for example, which details that parents:

"[...] concluded that drinking beer and watching pornography were less objectionable activities for children than playing certain video games. Further, viewing violence was more acceptable than seeing content involving sex and sexuality within games."

Conclusion

Thankfully, I think that most of the mainstream media in Australia is fairly level headed when it comes to this stuff, save for the trash that is TodayTonight and A Current Affair, so thankfully, coverage and the paranoia hasn't set in like it has in the US. Admittedly, there are things that could be improved, like the recognition that gamers are not teenage boys sitting in the dark, nor are they simply males (41% of the gaming population is now estimated to be females in Australia!).

Unfortunately for these media-effects researchers, the mortality rates from 40 foot giant robots armed with weapons of mass annihilation, fireballs being shot from hands and dragons emerging from fists, or even spine-rippings with a booming god-like voice shouting out 'FATALITY' remain at all time lows.

I haz a new car!

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:35:58 GMT

Thats is all!

Pics after the break!

This years moving way too fast

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 09:49:01 GMT

Seriously, I can't believe its been almost a year since I was celebrating my 21st, and now its just crept up and I don't really have anything planned or care that I don't have anything planned. Too busy with other stuff, and frankly just couldn't be bothered organising stuff.

I think I'm getting too old for this stuff haha

Some new material

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:11:34 GMT

Haven't touched a guitar in a while so

http://www.sendspace.com/file/sedgo1
http://www.sendspace.com/file/gh0f2z

Yahoo!7

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 05:01:04 GMT

Recently started an intership there and I love the place!

Some pics after the break!

OMFG I GOT INTO INTERNSHIP UNIT LAWL

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:22:07 GMT

Dear Michael,

I am pleased to inform you that your application for MAS300 has been accepted.

It might be somewhat difficult to secure a games-related internship - it seems game development is an off-shore activity.

If you have some suggestions on that, please let me know, otherwise, you will be assigned a multimedia placement in the initial meeting for MAS300.

The MAS300 meeting will take place 27 July, on Friday before the semester starts. You will be receiving an e-mail confirming the timing and place in the next few weeks.

Best
Renata

TERRORISTS!

Wed, 02 May 2007 12:45:12 GMT

"A Chinese student was removed from Clements High School in Fort Bend, Texas after parents complained he had re-created the school grounds in a game and uploaded the map for his friends to play. The boy was placed in the district's alternate education school and later arrested, as the police considered him a "terroristic threat". The Chinese community and the boy's mother have rallied behind him, saying the school has acted too harshly in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings. No charges were filed, though the boy won't be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies."

http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2847/chinese-community-rallies-behind-student-removed-from-clements-over-pc-game-map

Ahh where would the world be without scapegoats.

By popular demand!

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:51:28 GMT

(1) Tell you why I friended you.
(2) Associate you with something. A fandom, a song, a color, a piece of fruit. SOMETHING.
(3) Tell you something I like about you.
(4) Tell you a memory I have of you.
(5) Associate you with a character/pairing.
(6) Ask something I've always wanted to know about you.
(7) Tell you my favorite userpic of yours.
(8) In retort, you must spread this disease in your LJ.

An ode to the year that was

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 18:42:41 GMT

Another year over, so what have I done?

* Tried and failed, but tried nonetheless.
* Found the will to succeed, somewhat re-awakened my competitive side
* Lost 5 kilos and feel healthier than the previous years
* Turned 21 :|
* Found even more cool friends and re-affirmed old ones
* Responsibility, though I try and shrug it off, I do enjoy it
* A 07 filled with possibilities

All in all, its been a great year, and I'm really looking forward to 07. Its been a whirlwind last quarter of the year as some may know, and while some things didn't go my way, most of what I tried and put the effort into did.

Feeling quite content, this is my ode to 06 :)

Jimmy's 21st ( Dinner in the city)

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 12:09:24 GMT

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 05:22:58 GMT

What does your handwriting say about YOU?
The results of your analysis say:

You like to be surrounded by four solid walls.
You are a shy, idealistic person who does not find it easy to have relationships, especially intimate ones.
You are diplomatic, objective, and live in the present.
You are not very reserved, impatient, self-confident and fond of action.
You enjoy life in your own way and do not depend on the opinions of others.

twenty one!!!

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 00:42:58 GMT

OgmWTF bBQB I'm 21!!!!!!!!!1111111

Thank You!!

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 00:24:21 GMT

Thank you to all those that made last night such a wonderful and memorable night, it was truly a joy to catch up with old friends, introduce new ones to the old ones and I hope you all had as great a time as I had!

The Big TWO - ONE sooon.....

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:48:29 GMT

Yes, I feel old, and yes I really do mean that.

A year to contemplate, one full of changes and still changing, one which I hope I'll not soon forget.

Thanks for all those people who have made my life a pleasure to wake up to over the past 20 odd years, to those I have met, I hope to have made at least some contribution to your lives as you have made to mine.

Mike. :)

music-madness

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 10:09:33 GMT

thanks to shuimei for this, basically, she gave me a letter, (D) and you have to list 5 songs for others to listen to! :)

Reply and I'll give you a letter and you have to find five songs that start with that letter and post them to your journal.

Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
If you haven't heard of this song, and been touched by the magic of Neil Finn, then this is probably a great place to start. Love it.

Iron Maiden - Dance of Death
It was a tough choice between this and Dream of Mirrors, my favourites from the two latest Maiden albums, but Dance of Death wins because I'm currently obsessed with it. Its the perfect reflection of the mastery of the three guitars, story telling, beautiful drumming and of course the ever present bass.

Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
Freddy at his best, a tribute to the great man!

The Bones - Denial
A little known band, but some great straight out punk sounds in the vein of The Misfits

Exodus - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC Cover)
One of their better works, great stuff :)

Its 3am so...

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 17:44:21 GMT

Heres some music reviews!

In this week's edition:

The Grates - Gravity Won't Get You High [2006]

After hearing about them through my younger brother, and consequently grabbing their The Ouch, The Touch, I had held somewhat high hopes for a raw sounding punkishly deceiving pop-rock album, and waited with baited breath on the release of the full length album.

When it arrived however I was bitterly disappointed, none more so than with the Sukkafish album version, which now featured what appears to be a banjo in the intro, and a more polished sound, reminiscent of the whole album. It was also missing Message, a favourite of mine with its stop-start screams and general head-nodding attitude.

But...it grew on me, songs I had previously passed over started to turn up on my random, and I quite liked them. Patience definitely has a marvelous ability to turn her voice into the flexible and creative thing that it is, and while the guitar and drums are more polished on the album, they retain some of that rawness which they are so famous for.

Songs like Lies are so much fun, Trampoline and Science is Golden feature that underlying catchiness and raw edge which has become the trademark of their live shows and there are even a couple of ballads! But for the most part, it is an album which screams, rants, teases, and ultimately seduces you in bursts of 3 minutes.

I'd give it 7.5/10, but I must admit it took sometime for me to get accustomed to their new sound but give it a shot, definitely something there for everyone.

<s>andwich - Five on the Floor [2006]

<s>andwich is a band from the Philippines formed as a side project and can be considered some sort of 'super band' of the OPM industry. Almost 5 years after the release of Grip, Stand, Throw and the loss of a vocalist, the group is back with Five on the Floor. Released under EMI Philippines, this came fast on the heels of Thanks to the moon's gravitational pull... an album which I must admit didn't strike me as much as their previous two outings (Grip, Stand, Throw and 4-Track Mind). But with Five on the Floor, they've rediscovered that certain funkyness in their lyrics and regained the ability to experiment as per Thanks...

Starting off with the 'celebratory' song Sugod and continuing through with the summer track Sunburn, it is evident to see where the rawness of Grip, the funk and polished sound of 4-Track and the experimental nature of Thanks shine through. The songs go from strength to strength and feature catchy, stop-start and call and response styled themes which is great with the three guitar lineup they now have going again. Each instrument is given an equal share of the sound space with nothing totally overpowering or being left as a residue, but rather you can pinpoint each exact instrument, its role and what they're playing. Perhaps most evident in DVDX, a stab at the Philippine piracy culture, is the beautifully layered and produced sound which they have now perfected with this album.

A personal favourite is In case of fire, almost a ballad, but with a <s>andwich twist, the song exhibits a much simpler sound, but it is here that Raimund's branching out and making the vocals his own after the departure of Marc Abaya. All in all definitely an album I highly recommend if you're looking for something a bit different. 9/10.

mojofly - now [2005]

Another filipino band which also went through a vocalist switch, the departing being the now successful singer-songwriter Kitchie Nadal, mojofly went into hibernation for a while, with fears they might disband after the departure. But 2 years on, and after a teaser EP comes the full-lenth album now.

With only Ricci Gurango left from the inital band, the new members, singer/songwriter Lougee Basabas and drummer Ali Alejandro, now join Gurango for the third mojofly album. So how does it sound? Lougee definitely has taken the plate from Kitchie, and dare I say it, outwritten the former lead. The album features a versatility and range which Kitchie perhaps didn't possess, and its apparent with songs such as Turn, Mata and Sa Uulitin. The sound is very well produced and as always has that 80s sound to it, a signature of Gurango's production.

While the OPM market is filled with singer/songwriters and acoustic ballads, mojofly add a certain twist to it all and with Lougee at the helm, now brings them a wider and spunkier sound which has become one of my favourites. 8/10.

Woo!

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 05:17:26 GMT

Well, as a result of me enjoying my life and uni more these days, it seems its actually translating into actual results!

2 HDs, and a D for this semester have me totally stoked!

new layout

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 09:01:24 GMT

Well, I don't know if its a new LJ thing, but I decided I was bored enough to make a new header and edit this page a bit, other one was kinda boring :p

So enjoy, I call this the necro-audiophile :)

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 15:18:41 GMT

Asian Kung-Fu Generation **releases**

Kimi no Machi Made [2003] - 128 kbps

01. Kimi to iu Hana
02. Rocket No.4

Mirai no Kakera [2003] - 320 kbps

01. Mirai no Kakera
02. エントランス (Entrance)
03. Sono Wake Wo

Head over to here for the new releases

More ramblings

Mon, 15 May 2006 18:55:22 GMT

2:56 AM...

The time stared him in the face, teasing at his blood-shot eyes. Quickly turning back towards the screen, he continued, a look of determination, a look of tiredness, a look of someone who was totally lost...

1,568 words...

What was it he was trying to write? He glanced back towards the question, it made as much sense as it did 5 minutes ago, which wasn't saying too much. He grabbed the texbook in a bid to find some sort of guidance, a quote, anything.

The house was dead quiet bar the humming of the fridge and the whirring of his computer fan. Why was he up again? He pondered on this for a while, not quite sure himself anymore. This doesn't make sense...

Trying to find some cohesion through his arguments, he could only find one disconnected paragraph after another. There was no structure, no argument. Just words after another, seemingly arranged by a madman. His eyes stung, the darkness and the lack of sleep had started to take its toll. Bed was looking quite nice at this stage, but he knew that wasn't an option. No he could do this. He could write the next thousand words in an hour or so...

...3:56 AM

He looked at the time again, sure it was laughing, taunting him. If only he could wring its neck, then he could show it who was b--What in the hell... He was now in the midst of hallucinating about killing time. He needed some sleep, but this essay was not going anywhere. Perhaps it could write itself, artificial intelligence had made great leaps nowdays--no who was he kidding, it would be the pixies and leprachauns who would help him out, and maybe leave some gold while they're at it, he was a poor student. The eye twitched again, yes--I'll just rest them, they need it...

Breathe...

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 18:01:25 GMT

"Breathe."

Barely audible past the monstrous sounds of metal thrashing about against metal, it faded just as quickly as it had been spoken. The bullets whistled around above them, a swarm of death zipping past, looking to sear flesh, bone and blood into a violent mix.

"Breathe."

The air hung around heavily, smoke, debris...the smell of gunpowder overpowered it all. Breathing was a task in itself, what gasps you could take. Looking down at the gun, he surveyed it again, uncertain, undecided. Fucking scared. Roughly finished, the gun was reflective of his own experience, merely belted into a rough shape to accomodate another hand in this attack. Yes, this inanimate amalgamation of metal and wood would be his weapon.

Surveying the rest of the floating hunk of metal which was littered with blood, puke and 18 anxious bodies, the soldier wondered just how quickly they would die. There was no talk, but they knew it. Nothing was more fearsome than facing the onslaught of the MG-42's deathly grasp once the targets were over you.

It was frightening. Knowing you were going to die...Knowing that your chances of surviving were slim to none. Knowin--

The thoughts left the soldier just as quick as the bullet had travelled through the air. It ripped through the metal helmet, little more than a paper wall to a tank, the brain matter exploding into the back of the ship.

At last he had found some kind of peace.

Know thyself..

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:05:35 GMT

Your view on yourself:
Other people find you very interesting, but you are really hiding your true self. Your friends love you because you are a good listener. They'll probably still love you if you learn to be yourself with them.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:
You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?

Your views on education
You may not like to study but you have many practical ideas. You listen to your own instincts and tend to follow your heart, so you will probably end up with an unusual job.

The right job for you:
You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.

How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.

Who is your true self:
You like privacy very much because you enjoy spending time with your own thoughts. You like to disappear when you cannot find solutions to your own problems, but you would feel better if you learned to share your thoughts with a person you trust.

Give it a try

Thanks nancy.

A few things...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 04:43:40 GMT

Some stocks, and a few others I've been working on lately :)

Featuring the beautiful Song Hye Gyo and Jeon Ji Hyun

A different shade...

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 23:21:33 GMT

Well, using the $50 Myer card I acquired from my services working on some notes for boredofstudies, I finally bought myself a jacket which ISNT black! Haha, I know, I know, I still have mostly black clothes, but yay! Haha, now I just gotta find what to wear with it...haha!

I'll test run it sometime soon me thinks, so keep an eye out for it! :p

...anyway, it will all return to nothingness

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 09:53:28 GMT

Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Konayuki

kono boku de wa kimi no sabishisa mo
kono boku de wa kanashimi mo iyasenukai?

kono boku de wa kimi no itami nado
kono boku de wa kurushimi mo iyasenukai?

kono futashika na yasuragi sura
boku ni wa igokochi no ii mono desu
izure subete ga mu ni kaeru tomo
boku no me, boku no te de sou tashikameru yo

it's my crazy song for alive
it's my crazy song for your love
it's my crazy song for my time
Please me, tell me how find my style

kono machi de wa kurikaeshi no gou
tsumori yuku kako
kaze ni mau konayuki

aa, itami sura
aa, kanashimi sae

kono futashika na yasuragi sura
boku ni wa igokochi no ii mono desu
izure subete ga mu ni kaeru tomo
boku no me, boku no te de sou tashikameru yo

it's my crazy song for alive
it's my crazy song for your love
it's my crazy song for my time
Please me, tell me how find my style

kono machi de wa kurikaeshi no gou
tsumori yuku kako
kaze ni mau konayuki

itami sura, kanashimi sae

=============================

この僕では君の寂しさも
この僕では悲しみも癒せぬかい？

この僕では君の痛みなど
この僕では苦しみも癒せぬかい？

この不確かなやすらぎすら
僕には居心地のいいものです
いずれ全てが無に帰るとも
僕の目、僕の手でそう　確かめるよ

It’s my crazy song for alive
It’s my crazy song for your love
It’s my crazy song for my time
Please me,tell me how find my style

この街では繰り返しの業
積もりゆく過去
風に舞う粉雪

嗚呼、痛みすら
嗚呼、悲しみさえ

この不確かなやすらぎすら
僕には居心地のいいものです
いずれ全てが無に帰るとも
僕の目、僕の手でそう　確かめるよ

It’s my crazy song for alive
It’s my crazy song for your love
It’s my crazy song for my time
Please me,tell me how find my style

この街ではくり返しの業
積もりゆく過去
風に舞う粉雪

痛みすら、悲しみさえ

====================================

Can’t I cure your loneliness, as I am now?
Can’t I cure the sadness, as I am now?

Can’t I cure your pain, as I am now?
And can’t I cure the anguish, as I am now?

Just this indefinite peace alone
Is a good and comforting thing to me
Anyway, it will all return to nothingness
My eyes, and my hands, these are the things I’m certain of

It’s my crazy song for alive
It’s my crazy song for your love
It’s my crazy song for my time
Please me, tell me how find my style

The same karma repeats in the city
The past plans it
The powdered snow dances in the wind

Ah, even the pain
Ah, and even the sadness

Just this indefinite peace alone
Is a good and comforting thing to me
Anyway, it will all return to nothingness
My eyes, and my hands, these are the things I’m certain of

It’s my crazy song for alive
It’s my crazy song for your love
It’s my crazy song for my time
Please me, tell me how find my style

The same karma repeats in the city
The past plans it
The powdered snow dances in the wind

Even the pain, and even the sadness

==================================

Loving this song right now, the lyrics are beautiful, if somewhat a bit fobbish near the middle :p