Well, it could have been worse for the town I currently live in. But not by much.
According to findings published in today's Mirror my home town is in the top 10 of Facebook users but it is not top - that honour/shame goes to Sunderland.
This story, highlighted on Channel 5's The Wright Stuff, means I might consider a move to Kilmarnock or Motherwell as they had the fewest users.
Not exactly sure how this was judged - I know a few of my friends on Facebook who are pretty much dormant despite having profiles and each city/town has different numbers of people so was that facted in and how?
There is an argument for Facebook being used in a productive way but the majority (me included) use it as something to pass a bit off time now and then and (for some reason) I feel the need to share what I am up to with a possible 23 million users across the country and more worldwide.
It is useful for me to keep in touch with university friends and especially people I meet while in Australia but it brings a slight feeling of shame to me to know that my home town is up near the top on using Facebook - maybe we should concentrate on real things outdoors before sorting out our online image?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Scanning for signs of life
I have been against body scanners since I first heard about them although I have not been through one just yet.
However, today highlights the news that they may be unlawful from the Equality and Human Rights Commission under the Human Rights Act.
I missed the story that concerns were actually raised about a month ago and I have to admit (before I saw this) I was very surprised more people weren't against full body scanners that leave you "naked."
Passengers who refuse to submit to a scan will be barred from their flights and I know it is mostly a security issue after the attempted plane bomb over the holiday period but these things were rushed through so fast I am as dubious about them as most people.
It is a tough issue because on one hand, of course we want to do everything to stop potential terrorists and "if we have nothing to hide" and so on. But on the other measures like this have got to mean terrorists are winning the mental battle as our privacy in this democracy is being massively invaded in the hope of deterring potential attacks.
Even putting aside all the privacy uproar would these things even work - apparently not from the Independent, any health risks from these sounds and the cost?
I'm not sure who officials are trying to kid when they say people are chosen at random but come on? I mean who is more likely to be chosen - a middle-aged white man with a wife and kids or a teenage black man? You do the maths - another reason why I don't like these scanners. We certainly haven't heard the last of this because as soon as more younger people are targeted, of those of specific minorities it could be blown out of proportion from the media.
This morning watching the Wright Stuff on Channel 5 actor Jonny Freeman made a sound point saying that even if the terrorist threat disappears completely, it would be highly unlikely the scanners would be removed and I agree.
On a lighter note, watching Mock the Week recently Andy Parsons joked it was only a matter of time before groups such as stag do's etc start have a laugh by going through the scanners and it is true they can be abused and mates "set-up", however unlikely.
Manchester Airport, Terminal Two already has one and Terminal One and Three will have soon so well just have to wait and see what happens with this but I stand against them.
Our privacy has been invaded day in and day out from CCTV and now a "naked" body scan - think I'll pass, hold on I can't or else you won't let me fly? Great, very British...
However, today highlights the news that they may be unlawful from the Equality and Human Rights Commission under the Human Rights Act.
I missed the story that concerns were actually raised about a month ago and I have to admit (before I saw this) I was very surprised more people weren't against full body scanners that leave you "naked."
Passengers who refuse to submit to a scan will be barred from their flights and I know it is mostly a security issue after the attempted plane bomb over the holiday period but these things were rushed through so fast I am as dubious about them as most people.
It is a tough issue because on one hand, of course we want to do everything to stop potential terrorists and "if we have nothing to hide" and so on. But on the other measures like this have got to mean terrorists are winning the mental battle as our privacy in this democracy is being massively invaded in the hope of deterring potential attacks.
Even putting aside all the privacy uproar would these things even work - apparently not from the Independent, any health risks from these sounds and the cost?
If a material is low density, such as powder, liquid or thin plastic – as well as the passenger's clothing – the millimetre waves pass through and the object is not shown on screen
I'm not sure who officials are trying to kid when they say people are chosen at random but come on? I mean who is more likely to be chosen - a middle-aged white man with a wife and kids or a teenage black man? You do the maths - another reason why I don't like these scanners. We certainly haven't heard the last of this because as soon as more younger people are targeted, of those of specific minorities it could be blown out of proportion from the media.
This morning watching the Wright Stuff on Channel 5 actor Jonny Freeman made a sound point saying that even if the terrorist threat disappears completely, it would be highly unlikely the scanners would be removed and I agree.
On a lighter note, watching Mock the Week recently Andy Parsons joked it was only a matter of time before groups such as stag do's etc start have a laugh by going through the scanners and it is true they can be abused and mates "set-up", however unlikely.
Manchester Airport, Terminal Two already has one and Terminal One and Three will have soon so well just have to wait and see what happens with this but I stand against them.
Our privacy has been invaded day in and day out from CCTV and now a "naked" body scan - think I'll pass, hold on I can't or else you won't let me fly? Great, very British...
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
And it's all going down the drain
The link between Guardian Media and Manchester is to be condemned to history, it seems.
What waits ahead for staff at the Manchester Evening News and 21 other titles in the north-west? Who knows but I would guess it won't be the creation of too many jobs.
The good news is Channel M, Sky digital channel 203, and newspapers in Woking are not included in the £44.8m deal expected to be completed by the end of March.
I am a sentimental old soul which is why I see this as bad but realistically GMG are apparently losing too much so this does make sense.
Guess us north-west based journalism job hunters have to hope Trinity Mirror can do a decent job as they aren't too many places going at the moment even at the bottom of the ladder.
What waits ahead for staff at the Manchester Evening News and 21 other titles in the north-west? Who knows but I would guess it won't be the creation of too many jobs.
The good news is Channel M, Sky digital channel 203, and newspapers in Woking are not included in the £44.8m deal expected to be completed by the end of March.
I am a sentimental old soul which is why I see this as bad but realistically GMG are apparently losing too much so this does make sense.
Guess us north-west based journalism job hunters have to hope Trinity Mirror can do a decent job as they aren't too many places going at the moment even at the bottom of the ladder.
Friday, February 05, 2010
One WHOLE year
Yes, that is right it has been one WHOLE year since me and my grandad first boarded the plane to fly to Melbourne, via Dubai.
The plane had to defrost its wings at 8:10pm but arrived to 40-0dd degree heat on what will forever be known as Black Saturday in Melbourne on February 7.
I remember me and my grandad arriving at 06:35 from Dubai and we were both jetlegged (obviously!) but even at that time could feel the heat and were aware of "some bushfires".
I unpacked a bit of my stuff went outside and the breath was taken away by the heat so early in the morning - not used to it being English!
After a sleep the rest of the day was spent acclimatising and growing ever increasingly aware of how horrific the bushfires were actually turning out to be.
I know I will never forget that time and working for Fairfax, whilst not having too much of an active role during the actual fires, I was heavily involved in the reporting of the aftermath right until I left in September.
The anniversary was marked by services for the 173 that died and for all the survivors, some who lost everything others who, I am guessing, are still haunted by what happened but hopefully the rebuilding and the Royal Commission's findings can do some good to prevent any bushfires being this bad ever again.
The plane had to defrost its wings at 8:10pm but arrived to 40-0dd degree heat on what will forever be known as Black Saturday in Melbourne on February 7.
I remember me and my grandad arriving at 06:35 from Dubai and we were both jetlegged (obviously!) but even at that time could feel the heat and were aware of "some bushfires".
I unpacked a bit of my stuff went outside and the breath was taken away by the heat so early in the morning - not used to it being English!
After a sleep the rest of the day was spent acclimatising and growing ever increasingly aware of how horrific the bushfires were actually turning out to be.
I know I will never forget that time and working for Fairfax, whilst not having too much of an active role during the actual fires, I was heavily involved in the reporting of the aftermath right until I left in September.
The anniversary was marked by services for the 173 that died and for all the survivors, some who lost everything others who, I am guessing, are still haunted by what happened but hopefully the rebuilding and the Royal Commission's findings can do some good to prevent any bushfires being this bad ever again.
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