Social Networking

The way society communicates have changed beyond recognition from say 20 years ago. I still remember then the only electronic communication I knew was the electronic messaging that was available to me in my alma mater's computer lab. We only could use it on the dumb terminals connected to the university's main frame. Back then there were no internet and mobile phones.

Today, not only the internet and mobile phones are available publicly, the two media has been converging rapidly and is fast becoming a seamless entity! For example, we can use GMAIL, TWITTER , FACEBOOK etc on our mobile now and the phone is looking more and more like a personal computer albeit with a smaller screen. This has invariably changed the way society communicates and interact.

If we are to get ahead in society or be in the know, we cannot ignore any more the utility that such communications tools provide us. We should fully embrace such blessing but at the same time be careful not to get caught in the web of deceit and also the alienation from society that addiction to the electronic media might bring. The human race has always produced inventions that in both useful and destructive. For example, nuclear power and nuclear bombs.... Electronic media is also a double edged swords. Scandals can be spread instantly with clicks of the mouse and politicians have use the internet extensively to their selfish gains.

Lets look at the bright side though. The convergence of the internet and mobile networks allows us access to information and electronic mails even when we are thousands of miles away from home. We can talk to our family members as well over the phone across thousands of miles and do our banking from any where in the world. The question therefore remains ; are we paying too high a social price to utilise the benefits of the electronic communications age?

Japan's Charms

There are some places in the world that tourists will remember for life and for me the memory of my travels to Japan is probably one of my favorite. Japan is one place which agrees with  me in terms of temperature and food, although the most interesting point for me, when I was there, is how friendly and helpful the locals are although they are essentially very busy (real or otherwise) people. Cleaniless is also one of the thing that strikes me as public street toilets there can even put our shopping centers' loos to shame. 

To many, the perception is that Japan is a very expensive place to travel to but if you plan properly it can be quite affordable.  My family (my dear wife, myself and daughter) enjoyed the trip and was able to see many places just by using a rail pass which we bought in Malaysia before embarking on the trip. The rail pass cost less than a RM 1K per person and the value of travel we used (including bullet trains) amounted to more than RM2K per pax! During the trip we managed to visit all around Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nikko, Nagano, Sendai and Kobe! We had a great time. (Photo of the Golden Pagoda above was taken in Kyoto)

Please share your travel experience in this blog.