What Hath Come Of the World?!

<insert dramatic face here>

I always complain about how my parents don't understand me because of the major generation gap. They don't understand why I am always on my phone...or laptop...or iPod...or anything really. They always ask me to make use of my time and do things constructively. Use time productively. Having aims and goals in life.So on and so forth.

I hated those long lectures. It's bad enough I have my own philosophical thoughts going on in my head, with my parents yapping away on the other end about reality of life.

But today, as I was reading an article about how one should live in their 20s (it was directed at the male audience, but I think readers are sane enough to generalise and adapt some of the points to our situation...or in this case, gender), I realised how correct my parents were.

What's stupid is, it was an article that made me realise this. What's sad is, we have people writing articles to tell us how to live. I mean, I don't think my parents, or their parents, or their parents' parents read articles and lead life. And they turned out to be perfectly fine!

Which is why I generally do not appreciate the media and technology. They influence our thoughts waaaaay too much and we start to have this weird cyber personality. I can talk a shit load here on my blog and on Facebook and Twitter, but stare at you like a wide eyed raccoon in person and say nothing.

Having said all that, it's ironic. Because I am a media student. And this is technology that I'm using to convey this message. What hath come of the world? Where it just goes around in circles? The quest for answers hath lost its meaning. There are no answers. Just circular journeys. 

It's that time of the year again!

It's exam season again! Oh joy. Sense the tone bro.

Anyhu. It's that time of the year where we don't care what we look like, what we eat, when we eat, when we sleep, if we sleep and so on. It's that time of the year when all you can think about is "Am I going to pass?" "Will I fail?" "Submissions" "Reading" "Studying"...grr...so many things!

Why are exams always so stressful? I mean, I'm not one to speak. I've one exam. But I'm speaking for students in general. Why is it such a big deal?! Is this pass or fail going to determine who you are? Define your personality? Create your future?

Deadlines!
Photograph by Author

Then again, to a certain extent, it does define who you are. After all, you are studying your course because you like it. Unless you're being forced to do it. In which case I would advice you to actually do what you like and not do something to impress or satisfy people. But what you study defines you. I study Media and English Literature and that does define me. I love art. I love media. I love writing. Everything I like is related to my course, which is a huge part of my personality. Furthermore, I am eventually going to head for a career that is related to what I study. So I guess it matters. Darn it!

There's really no point in this post really. If you're a regular reader, you'll understand that this is my stress buster. For all those with exams coming up, good luck! Just keep calm and go ace those papers! Peace! 

Films!

I haven't blogged in a while. And I really don't have an excuse for it either. Busy with work? Nope. No internet? Nope. Nothing. No reason. Well, one reason - been watching way too many movies! I've watched eight movies in the past two weeks. For some of you, that may not be much. But considering I'm not one to sit in front of a laptop and watch movies (I prefer the television or the theater), it's a huge deal for me.

Talking about movies, I've been working on my first coursework on screenwriting (which I handed in yesterday). Hmm. Screenwriting is not as easy as many people would assume. I mean, people think it's just sitting down, gathering ideas then jotting them down like it's an easy flow of water. Sigh. I wish.

Firstly, I had to learn how to use a specific software for screenwriting. Yes. Software. Actually, it's not that bad. The software is called Celtx and is available to anyone really. After learning the software, I had to think of a book (or event or celebrity) which I will base my script on, as the first coursework was based on adaptations. After deciding which book to base my script on, the writing process began. First with a bullet draft then with the actual script. Whew!

So film-making is a process and a half. I know many people find it easy to go and watch a movie and then rate it accordingly. It's easy to say "Oh gosh! This movie sucked!" But before you say that, try to realise or imagine the amount of work that went into making that movie. I know you would argue saying you need to watch a movie to relax yourself or to escape reality. But there's a lot that goes into making a movie. If you didn't like the plot, see if you enjoyed the acting; if you didn't enjoy the acting, see if you enjoyed the music; if you didn't enjoy the music, appreciate the camera angles; there will always be something to appreciate in a piece of art.

I am speaking from a media student's perspective so it may seem biased. But in life, we move on by saying that it's the effort that matters, even if the result is negative. Keep that in mind.

No music, but enjoy this scene:

Barfi! - Bank Robbery Scene

The Rape Case

The People;

The lower class, unaware

The middle class, aware but no time

The upper class, aware, have time to protest

But, no results.

The Media;

News sensation, exaggeration

What is the reality?

Blowing out of proportion

New stories: Has Bollywood got to do anything with this? 
Are the media to blame?

Again, no results.

International viewers;

Sympathise, discuss

Look down upon India

It does not affect them;

Again, no results.

Social Media;

Endless RIP tweets,

Sharing n number of notes and photographs about the case

Organising walks and protests

All lasted for a few weeks.

Today? Hardly anything seen on my newsfeed.

What’s the point?

Was justice served?

Was it served despite all these expressions, protests, walks, news, reactions, discussions?

What really happened?

R.I.P, the woman who fought, the woman who awakened India with her sleep.

No Relation

The past four years have been a really long journey, filled with joys, adventures, cries and secrets. A typical teenage life is what I lead. As I read through my old Facebook messages, I could sense a level of immaturity and childishness in my words and sentences. "What was I thinking?!" I thought, as I read my horrible grammar mistakes, the then "cool" SMS language and the constant dots between each and every sentence. As if murdering the formalities and structures of the English language was not enough, my content was even worse. Things like "Chocolates are better than ice cream" and constant attention seeking status messages like "I am depressed." and "Sigh." were seen on my profile. Curse Mark Zuckerberg for having introduced and incorporated the Timeline. Ugh.

Source: Google

Then again, thank Mr Zuckerberg for giving me an easier and less creepy way to stalk my momentary teenage crushes. No am not a creep and yes we all stalk people on Facebook. Get over it. I never understood the big deal about Facebook. I was, obviously, like others, impressed with Facebook at the beginning. It was like shifting into a new house from hi5 to Orkut to Facebook. I bet you guessed my new home even before I could say it, Twitter. Facebook has become a nuisance. Depressed status messages, people making their lives publicly available to all their friends (even those that they haven't spoken to in years!) I did a little experiment myself. It was during my fourth semester examinations and hence more convenient and helpful. I deactivated my Facebook account for a month. During that one month, I realised that I had spoken to my friends more than I usually do, because I was not aware of what was happening in their lives and they weren't aware of what was happening in my life. So tell me again how Facebook helps me become a more social person?

But, do you see the irony? If you are my friend, it is most likely that you're reading this blogpost because I shared it on Facebook. Ah the circles of life. But its like some Hindi serials tell me, "It may look useless, but you can manipulate it and use it to your own advantages." No I am not evil.

I don't see the point of this blogpost. Is it about Formalism? Structuralism? Globalisation? Socialisation? Social networks? All I can say is that I am writing for the sake of writing. I am expressing my feelings through this blogpost. If you'll notice, the first paragraph of this post and the last, have no relation what-so-ever. In the same way, my past does not reflect who I am today and who I will be tomorrow. Live life like it's meant to be - the way you want it. And don't I don't support the whole YOLO jazz (Sorry Drake fans) because I believe in reincarnation, thank you very much.

PS - For those of you who think Twitter is crap: "@autocorrects TWITTER makes you improve your writing. The 140 character limit forces you to master the art of getting right to the point."

The Steps to my "Career"

"I want to become a nurse..no! A mother!! Then I can cook, eat and sleep." - I could barely think (2 to 3 years old).

"I want to become an architect because Akka* wants to become one too! Then, me, Akka and Appa** can start our own company!" - I looked up to my role model (7 to 8 years old).

"I shall become an engineer. Because I like Math. It's so easy." - Did not know what I was talking about (Middle School).

"I don't know what to take as a career! Parents want me to become an engineer...I have weird subject combinations! Blah!!" - When Math became tougher and I didn't care (High School).


"I have never really had any interest in science, philosophy or literature. I would not mind a heated discussion with a few pals and a chilled out setting. However, if you ask me to write a paper on Plato or Shakespeare, I would go nuts." - When I was still in High School but more "mature".

"I like Photoshop. I should probably think of Graphic Designing...hmm..." - When I took a year off and discovered the beauty of Digital Art.

"I am a Media Student. My 3 major subjects are Psychology, Literature and Media." - Today...just bearing it.

...to be continued when am older...

*Akka - Elder Sister
**Appa - Father/Dad