Citizen Journalism

With easy access to social media and microblogging sites, the majority of us chip in – either knowledgeably or innocently – in sharing information that is of any sort and gravity.

This circumstance commonly referred to as ‘Citizen Journalism’, in which every citizen engage in an act of reporting is a noble phenomenon believed to be nurtured so as to scaffold the democracy’s tongue of empowering freedom of speech. Simply put, in an environment that allows the right to speech, citizen journalism functions like a peripheral limb of a mainstream media business by opening the closed stories, bringing far close, and making the unheard heard. It cultivates the ethos of participating and involving the total citizenry which is generally failed by many mainstream media for endless motives.

Image courtesy: Click LINK

The momentum of citizen journalism is rapid and so easy to pick up. With the dawn of technological gadgets such as smartphones and video cameras, the keyboards have been more like a basement of the printing press to generate news. And as one unfurls the information on the screen of the social media, at times, it is the news that contains less meat of fact that travels at a lightning speed and goes viral. The consumers at the receiving end never bother to measure the calorie of truth it encloses but rather share the already diseased and contaminated information.

Judging by the writing ability of a person, media consumers like us, never question the reliability, validity and accuracy of the content that one posts. Unlike the trained media professionals who are bound with the standards and etiquette of reporting, citizen journalism is likely to have some dust of falsity, inaccuracy and subjectivity. Thus, getting swayed by citizen journalism is risky and perilous to a small nation like ours where information can hop from east to west within a heartbeat.

Under the banner of democracy and chanting the verse of freedom of speech, a lot of people with pseudonyms are crafting the stories with their origin and depth of severity unknown and immeasurable. Confidential and classified materials are getting enormously exposed. Fraud, rumour and catfishing are rampant. But as responsible citizens, realizing what is illegal offline is illegal online, we have to be media literate and diagnose the content instead of clicking like or sharing the story that is known to have even an ounce of truth. A media literate citizen would behave online as we would offline.

“I would trust citizen journalism as much as I would trust citizen surgery” – Morley Safer

Sex is Everywhere

Sex is everywhere. It has noticeably invaded the public square than ever before. Music is sexually toned while the music videos are highly galvanized with sexually explicit content. Songs postulated to produce quixotic flavour are genetically mutated with degrading lyrics that would either objectify feminism or reify the supremacy of masculinity. Advertisements and endorsements are increasingly becoming the brothels of obscenity by the growing use of immodest sexual imagery believed to elicit sexual responses and in so doing invite consumers. And almost intolerably, sex has developed itself into a language of social media that is understood by the culture of any origin.

While sex has openly colonized practically almost every sphere of human space, it has undoubtedly remained injured after the collision of numerous existing cultural and religious taboos in discussing it within a family circle. Restrictions of these measures are highly detrimental that the adolescents are often risked to gather misconstrued knowledge and irrelevant myths from various sources that may be passed down to the generations.     

Attending the National Seminar on Combating Sexual Violence for a Better Society as one of the speakers, I have learnt that comprehensive sexuality education has to take roots initially at our own home. When the children are bathed with the information on sexuality and reproductive health during that crucial period of transition from childhood to adolescents, its reinforcement later in the educational institutions like schools and colleges can advantage them in making healthy decisions regarding their physiological and psychological wellbeing.

The presenters of the seminar held at Samtse College of Education

Parents are accounted as one of the most reliable influential socializing agents that can shape adolescents sexual behaviour, minimize sexual risks and realize the potentials of adolescents becoming sexually responsible. Empirical studies have revealed that the adolescents exposed to early introduction of sexuality education are potentially impacted with positive knowledge, sexual beliefs and attitudes, delay early sexual debut and gather skills to overcome sexual health risks.

However, despite shreds of evidence that it is imperative and beneficial, information on sexuality education is largely inaccessible and often limited to the discussion within our family premises. Because it is so delicate and sensitive in nature, many parents shy away and nonetheless find it daunting. Literature has it that some parents fear encouraging early sexual experimentation by triggering sexual curiosity if open discussions on sexuality are initiated by them to the children.

But this is not true because early parental interventions during adolescence regarding sexuality education, even if the teen has not yet encountered sexual experience is worthy in fostering adolescents sexual maturity. As parents initiate sex education to their children at a tender age, when the time grows, it would be easier to extend involving the entire family members. By then, talking about reproductive issues would be serious family stuff and nothing else. Also, parents shouldering responsibilities such as these can largely help the educators in the schools to share the responsibility in generating productive citizens. And the productive citizens whose education is sound not only in terms of academics but as well as reproductive issues can save the government coffers in millions specifically in a nation like ours where education and health amenities are provided for free of cost.

Nonetheless, materials of this sort may not have been realized if Samtse College of Education financially supported by the UNFPA, Bhutan, did not offer me the privilege to conclude my manuscript and present it. Not only have I learnt a lot, but my social circles also expanded after interacting with scholars from RUB colleges, UNFPA, RENEW, lawyers, NGOs and the teacher trainees. So, I am immensely grateful to these institutions. 

Thank you Ms Kinley Seday for the encouragement and support rendered beyond measure. No adjective can suffice to describe the inspiration you gave me in making me travel a journey thus far. Also thank you Ms Bijoy Hangmo Subba for the succinct and timely email correspondence.

“Parents aren’t sex education experts just because they are parents” – Pepper Schwarty.    

Dr Sonam Rinchen welcomed the participants

Mr Kezang Namgay speaking on Buddhist Spiritual Perspective on Sexuality

Mrs Karma Chhoden speaking on LGBTI as an Emerging Discourse in Bhutan

Mr Ugyen Norbu speaking on Implication of Sexuality Education

Mr Ugyen Phuntsho presenting on Prevalence of Sexual Behavior in Trongsa District.

Presenting my findings on adolescents perception of parental communication about sexuality

Mr Jangchuk Dorji, a Legal Officer presenting sexual violence based on legal perspectives

Receiving the certificate from the Resident Officer, UNFPA, Bhutan,       Mr Yeshey Dorji

Dr Tashi Gyeltshen during the wrap-up session of the seminar

No Longer a Safe Haven

Bhutan, globally branded as the Last Shangri-La is certainly losing some glamour to be the last haven on earth.

The tiny Buddhist kingdom that was totally isolated from the rest of the world until the 1970s – not due to its rugged mountainous terrain or thick vegetation – but secluded calculatedly by the reigning Monarchs of the Wangchuck Dynasty to defend its sovereignty, is witnessing a sea of change over a wee epoch of time, particularly Thimphu, the Capital city of Bhutan.

Thimphu City at night. Picture courtesy: Click LINK

As many won’t deny, no slice of the earth in Thimphu is excused from the blades of booming constructions of varying sizes and shapes, strangulating the green and serene Bhutanese niche. No section of street is exempted from a convoy of ceaseless automobiles of various brands and marque, prostituting the otherwise halcyon night and untainted oxygen. And more eccentrically, no dusk is spared from the footsteps of bellicose adolescent gangs of diverse colours and pigments which arithmetically outnumbers the pacific street canines, converging for different engagements at these odd hours and incommoding the ritualistic evening walk-goers.        

       

Thimphuians are certainly immune and resistant to such strange pooling of youths in the town at night I observed.

That late night as I was waiting in the parking lot for my friend who was in the night duty shift, a maroon Hilux rested its wheels beside my car. An earsplitting voice by the passengers inside followed with a thunderous applaud, supposedly indicating a triumph over a safe arrival or succeeding something. On seeing them in a squad, my timid mind which was already enduring the fever of dread and angst hearing the recent stab case due to a violent youth clash, further turned pale and cold. My posture had involuntarily shrunk to an inch size C-shape. Within a short while, I heard two loud successive smacks on my car, which further aggravated me to tremble in fear and hum the prayers even more in a fast-forward mode.

But it didn't last long. As the volume of the howl by these scoundrels lowered, I gradually raised my head, only to observe 6 inebriated teens in proportionate gender equality, heading towards the town by supporting each other’s shoulders.     

Although that hell-like moment in heaven Thimphu was brief by time, it has generated a lasting scar of shockwave in my mind. I immediately quitted the place and drove towards the well-lit part of the town, and inspected my car. It was sustained with some bruises, possibly due to a forceful door opening after they narrowly parked beside my car.

Since I valued my life more than those material properties, I thanked the Almighty for extending my dateline to register in the death logbook. Had I reacted to them instantly for hitting my car, my name might have probably appeared in the “Headlines” of the national television or might have reserved the front pages of our newspaper or social media to earn some “Rest In Peace” comments or occupy some obituary column.

So after giving a huge sigh of relief, I murmured, these days our people don’t need a reason to get enraged, pick up a fight, or stab each other.

Being an educator by profession, witnessing a wide spectrum of wild behaviours by our very own domestic kids nowadays, makes me wonder: Where are our youths heading to? What are our dear parents doing and why are our parents not able to smell the whereabouts of OUR own kids? And of course, what lucrative business does our society run at that very late night?

While hearing the gamut of such juvenile delinquencies is one, experiencing, in reality, is another. The latter engulfs with the hell lot fear that even if one has some genuine reasons to travel at night, one is obliged to forbid, experiencing some bitter taste of a living hell in this Last Shangri La.

“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference” – Nelson Mandela

Some Common Uncommon Whys - 3

15. WHY does the surrounding become cold when the snow starts melting? 

When the snow around the surrounding melts, we experience cold weather. This is due to the specific latent heat of the fusion of ice. The specific latent heat of fusion of ice is relatively high at 336000 J/kg. This means that in order to melt one kilogram of ice, it requires 336000 Joules of heat. So to melt the whole mass of snow around our surroundings, it certainly needs a large amount of heat. Consequently, the heat available in the surrounding is absorbed to melt the snow.

16. WHY does the steam at 100ºC causes severe burns than boiling water at the same temperature? 

This is because of the high specific latent heat of vaporization of steam which is almost 2268000 J/kg. this means that 1kg of steam contains 2268000 joules of heat energy which is comparatively more than the boiling water at the same temperature. 

17. WHY are fishes able to float and sink in water? 

Fishes have special organs called swim bladder precisely known as air sacs. To rise, the fishes allow the gases to fill in their swim bladder thereby increasing the volume. Since upthrust (upward force exerted by the liquid when an object is immersed in it) is directly proportional to the volume, the fishes are able to float. On the contrary, the removal of gases from air sacs will enable the fishes to go deep into the water. 

18. WHY does a body weigh less in water? 

Based on the Archimedes Principle, whenever an object is immersed either wholly or partially in the liquid, it experiences an upthrust which is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Due to this buoyant force (upthrust) exerted by the liquid on the object immersed into it, the weight appears to weigh less in water. 

19. WHY do we feel cold when we take bath with cold water? 

Heat is a physical quantity that flows when two bodies in contact have differences in temperature. It flows from a body having a higher temperature to the body having a lower temperature. Since cold water has a lower temperature when compared to our normal body temperature (37.5 ºC / 98.6ºF), heat from our body is transferred to the water, thus making us feel cold. Also, water has a high specific heat capacity, it needs a huge amount of heat to raise its temperature. 

20. WHY are 2 think blankets warmer than 1 thick blanket? 

When two blankets are used, a layer of air is trapped between them. Since air is the poor conductor of heat, it doesn’t allow the heat from our body to escape to the surrounding, thus keeping us warm. 

21. WHY are thermos flasks able to keep the contents inside it very hot or cold for a long time? 

A thermos flask is constructed in such a way that it reduces the loss of heat through conduction, convection or radiation. It consists of a double-walled glass container inside with a vacuum in between the two walls to prevent the loss of heat by conduction and convection which requires a medium to transfer heat energy. The inner surfaces of the walls enclosing the vacuum are silvered so as to reduce the loss of heat by radiation. A plastic or wooden cork used on the top curtails the loss of heat by convection.

 

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious”- Albert Einstein
  

Some Common Uncommon Whys- 2

8. WHY do we have sex?

Seriously, sex is not only for pleasure!

A myriad of scientific studies has revealed the psychological,   physical and mental boosts due to this fantastic exercise. The enhancement of the immune system which ultimately ensures longevity, warding off cancer, reduction of stress and depression are reported by various empirical studies among others. One vigorous sex episode is calculated to have burnt almost 300 calories thereby losing a considerable amount of weight besides improving circulation and lowering cholesterol.

But most importantly of all, humans are classified to be a very slow producer. We need a minimum of years to bear the offspring. So abstinence of sex might mean lowering the rate of reproduction and hence jeopardizing the extinction of the human species.     

 9. WHY do men want sex?  

The main hormone that induces sexual drive in men is testosterone. This hormone is almost 10-20 times more in men than women, making the sex drive in males so strong. Women prefer more love than sex because they have a higher level of oxytocin – a hormone responsible for people falling in love. It is revealed that when people fall in love, the level of testosterone decreases and oxytocin increases which enhances the lovemaking process to be faster. Among men, the one who is married and bears the role of a father is reported to have a significantly lower amount of testosterone and more oxytocin than singles – because of their nurturing roles and parental associations.

10. WHY do women talk more and listen more than men?

A study conducted at the University of Maryland concluded that women talk more – almost 20,000 words per day which is 13,000 times more than an average man. They are talkative and chattier because their brain contains more Foxp2 protein, popularly known as ‘language protein’. Females are reported to have 30% more Foxp2 protein than boys. This is also one reason why girls learn to speak faster than boys.    

11. WHY do we close our eyes when we kiss?

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance by psychologists Dalton and Murphy have revealed that closing our eyes while kissing is more natural to appreciate the physical feeling experienced due to kissing. Any visual stimuli caused due to non-closure of eyes might distract our brain to focus on taking the task at hand. So to gather the feelings and intensify the intimacy between the kissers, we close our eyes while kissing.

12. WHY do we close our eyes when we pray?

The primary logic behind closing our eyes when we pray is to enhance focus (concentration) and limit distractions. The visual distractions are so strong that they can last in our brain even if we close our eyes for some time. When we close our eyes, not only can we notice any kind of visual distractions, but also can concentrate religiously on our prayers to God.

13. WHY do we wear watches on the left hand?  

There isn’t any general rule that we have to wear a watch on the left hand. A right-hander usually wears it on the left while the left-hander on the right hand because it is easier for one to see the time and manoeuvre the work simultaneously with our preferred hands with ease. Wearing watches on the left hand was apparently popular as the majority of the watches designed during that time were operated by a wind-up clock mechanism. The crown – part of the watch used to wind and located at the right side of the clock, making it easier to rotate if worn on the left hand.   

 

Courtesy: Click LINK

14. WHY do people shake hands with the right hand?

Even if one is left-handed, we ended up shaking hands with the right hand. Ever asked why?

Many probable theories are put in, to explain this phenomenon that exactly does not have concrete findings as yet. However, considering it as disgraceful, some cultures forbid shaking hands with the left hand – the hand that usually wipes. One doing with it is an affront. Another postulate believes that during ancient times, weapons were dominantly used with the right hand as a majority of the people were supposedly right-handed. So shaking with the right hand was a sign to indicate that one is free of weapons.

But in Scouting, the scouts always shake hands with the left hand as a sign of trust and friendship. A story has it that, when colonel Baden Powell, Founder of the scouts visited Kumasi, the capital city of Ashanti in Africa, he met with one of the great chiefs. On seeing him, Powell saluted and then offered a handshake with his right hand as a gesture of friendship. But the chief, after transferring the shield and armours from his left to the right hand offered his left hand in return. Traditionally, the left hand was used to hold armours and shield for one’s defence and protection. By offering the left hand, it indicated that the person is no more armed and that he trusted the person with whom he shakes the hand.

“Every day learn something new and just as important, relearn something old” – Robert Brault

Some Common Uncommon Whys - 1

Despite my infant limbs of linguistic and semantic understanding, I was fortunate to have embarked on working as an editor for 2 class magazines under the professional guidance of Mr K.C Jose, Senior Lecturer, which was further reinforced by a collegial cohort of fanatical classmates. The 2 magazines published successively within a year in 2007, nearly a decade ago today, was the first of its kind in the history of Samtse College of Education then. For undertaking such academic enterprise – a brainchild of Mr Jose, I was even privileged to have been crowned with the most coveted Institute Prize for Valuable Contribution award. 

“Sometimes it is uncomfortable to leave even the slightest things which are common in our life: They remain as little things in life that are too small to be discerned, yet too big to be overlooked” wrote the editorial.

Today as I revisited the contents of its publication, I found it worth sharing. This publication attempted to cover a range of common questions that we encounter in our daily life which are often omitted to hunt why. Thus, this uncommon practice of being oblivious is what stimulated our curiosity to stuff those life’s infrequently asked questions with their stunning answers into the magazine entitled, “Some Common Uncommon Why’s”.      

However, the contents contained within are highly compressed, which in a process might have lost some limbs of absolute and factual interpretations. As like begets like, the inclusion here is only intended to trigger and breed curiosity in the minds of readers so that they can do the home works of their own.  

 

The cover page of our Magazine, "Some Common Uncommon Whys?"

1. WHY do we wear a ring on the 4^th finger on the left hand?

Before the medical sciences have discovered the circulatory system, people in ancient times believed that a vein ran directly from the 4^th finger of the left hand to the heart. In Latin, it is called vena amoris, meaning ‘vein of love’. Since the heart is on the left side of the body, the 4^th finger on the left hand is considered as the closest to it.   

2. WHY do fingernails grow faster than the toe nail?

Our fingernails grow two or three times faster than toe nails. A better blood supply probably helps them grow. Since the feet are the farthest in the circulatory arrangement as compared to hands, it is perhaps due to this reason that it grows slowly. Interestingly, some studies have also suggested that the nails grow faster in hot weather, during the times of pregnancy, on our dominant hand (middle finger), and faster in men than women.

3. WHY do we close our eyes when we sneeze?

We sneeze whenever an irritant comes into contact with the nasal mucosa, which in turn stimulates the pons and medulla of the brain, thereby setting additional nerve reactions. As a result, immense stress is placed on our body in general and huge pressure on our eyes in particular. This pressure is enough to pop our eyes out of our heads. To avoid this, we close our eyes to prevent it from extruding.

4. WHY can’t we smell someone else’s garlic breath if we too have eaten garlic?

The garlic has a powerful odour due to the presence of a compound called organosulphorous allicin. As we eat garlic, this compound affects and overpower our sense of smell and taste, thus, making us incapable to smell garlic breath in others, if we too have been eating it.

5. WHY some blinds see dreams while some don’t?

Studies suggest that for a blind to see a dream one needs some visual imagery. So, a child born as blind from their birth cannot see it as it does not have one. People who were blinded in adolescence, adulthood or afterwards usually see dreams because their mind retains some visual imagery.

6. WHY do we close our eyes while aiming at the target?

It is important to have a proper line of alignment while aiming at a target. As we aim, we experience 2 lines of alignment due to our eyes that are set apart from each other. This confuses our brain to concentrate. So to correct this confusion, we close one of our eyes to form only one alignment.  

7. WHY do we yawn?

To be more precise, it is to inject oxygen into our blood. When we are at rest, tired or bored, we don’t breathe as usual to the lung capacity resulting in an increase of carbon dioxide and a decrease of oxygen. In such situations, we use an air sac called alveoli. These air sacs tend to collapse and the lungs in turn become stiff if it doesn’t get fresh air. So as to have a supply of fresh air into the lungs, our brain signals the body to either yawn or sigh.

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning” – William A. Ward