Communication and the Mass Media

Source

I recently caught 500 Days of Summer with my friends. The movie goes like this: Boy meets girl. Girl meets boy. Boy believes in love but girl does not. Boy and girl fall in so-called love anyway but at the end of it all, girl marries boy number two. Well, it was not an ending I particularly favoured.

Ever since I started this communication module, it has made me think more about the media objects I take in. I would actually analyze the media object in greater detail and like you can guess, catching a movie like 500 Days of Summer was just not the same like before.

I found myself thinking about what were some of the objectives and communication tactics used behind producing of 500 Days of Summer. Sure, 500 Days of Summer served as a form of entertainment but is there more to it? Was the show trying to warn society of the future dynamics of relationships which could be potentially heartbreaking for most? Or are they hinting at the increasing power and control of women over men?

I felt that the producers had used the agenda setting function to capture the audience’s attention and perhaps seek to raise more awareness on love in the modern world and the changing dynamics of relationships. Given modernization and globalisation, it is inevitable that with it comes changing mindsets too. I felt that Summer (the girl) was representative of the increased freedom that individuals in a “relationship” seek these days. She did not want to have a status with Tom (the boy) and she did not want to think about their future. This definitely showed the contrast between relationships then and now. In the end, she left him for another guy and Tom was left heartbroken. 500 Days of Summer sure portrayed love to be something that was increasing unattainable and complex.

500 Days of Summer also promoted alternatives to relationships. Instead of the traditional marriage, living together and having kids, the movie was the contrary. In the movie, Tom and Summer lived together even before getting married. Also, they did not think and plan for the future unlike most traditional relationships. The show definitely brought to light the changing dynamics of relationships these days such as cohabitation and lack of family planning.

Overall, like any movie, there will bound to be hidden meanings behind the movies. It is only whether we, as audiences, are able to decipher these hidden meanings and judge for ourselves. Movies can certainly influence us but ultimately, we are the ones who make meaning to the movie. Although the movie does not promote love in a positive light, I am still a believer of love. I still believe that there is love out there somewhere sometime and as far as the dynamics of relationships go, why bother so much when two people are in love?

This brings me to the end of my final entry for my communication module. I hope you have enjoyed your journey with me these 7 weeks! Adios!

Reflection: What is Singapore's culture?

What exactly is culture? There are many different definitions but I know one thing is for sure: culture is a complex phenomenon with no definitive answer to it. How I see it: It is a way of life, thinking and attitudes by a group of people.

So have you ever thought of what makes Singapore truly Singapore? Well, we do not have a well-defined culture as we consist of a diverse mix of people. I would say our culture is diverse and is constantly changing but there are some trends I have noticed over the years here. So I would like to share with you some of the increasing cultural trends in Singapore in the paragraphs to come.

Think Satay Bee Hoon and Katong Laksa and most would think of Singapore. Over the years, the number and types of food outlets have grown. There has definitely been an increasing interest in food here. After all, Singapore has been well-known for being a food paradise for some time. It hosts a variety of cuisine from all over the world. Perhaps why I say Singapore has a food culture is because one of many Singaporeans’ pastimes is food hunting! Also, there is the annual Singapore Food Festival and continual expansion of the food industry here. Just look at the newer malls such as Vivo City and Ion Orchard, which boasts new food outlets from across the world. You can also be assured you can find 24-hours food outlets here such as those 24-hours Kopitiam outlets and fast food chains which span across the island. If you do not call this a food culture, what is it then?

Then, there is also the culture of entrepreneurship being cultivated increasingly in Singapore. According to statistics, Singapore is the world’s best place to do business! It is no wonder there is proliferation of the entrepreneur spirit in Singaporeans these days. Take for instance local companies such as Schu, Charles and Keith, Raoul and Thai Express. These are just some of the many successful household names that have gone regional and global. There have definitely been many government efforts to encourage entrepreneurship too. SPRING Singapore for example, just launched its young entrepreneurship scheme called YES! Startups November last year with the aim of nurturing and encouraging young entrepreneurs. Therefore, many have come to know Singapore as a leading hub for entrepreneurship these years.

The last trend I have observed is the increased attention being paid to the performing arts scene in Singapore. Just look at the success of The Esplanade, which hosts an increasing variety of global class acts, signalling the growing demand by Singaporeans. How about the growth of TheatreWorks and stand up comedy in Singapore? There is also the annual Singapore Arts Festival which only gets bigger and better year by year. Other evidences of a growing performing arts culture scene in Singapore include Baybeats, Live ‘n’ Loaded, Fuel Festival, SingFest and Ballet Under The Stars. See, there is a whole host of performing acts each year to cater to the growing demand that you will be spoilt for choice!

Above are just some of my interpretations of Singapore’s growing culture. It is not wholesome due to Singapore’s diversity but it is some of the things I would associate Singapore with. How about you?

Group communication

Newspaper article source

The link to the newspaper article above is taken from The Financial Times on October 11, 2009. It shows us the climate talks between a group of world leaders at Bangkok. This group of people are discussing about the details of a climate deal that is to take place in Copenhagen later in December this year. However, this climate talk between the group was not efficient, evident by their lack of progress in their discussion.

Group communication is something that everyone partakes in at some point or another in their lives. So what are some of the main characteristics of group communication?

Firstly, we see interdependency between the members of the group. In the newspaper article, the members of the group count on each other to cooperate with one another to attain shared goals – to improve the climate of the world.

Secondly, there is obviously interaction between the group members as seen by the talks they engage in. Without this fundamental interaction, members would not be able to communicate ideas and information across to the others.

There are also shared behavioural standards where members are expected to behave in a certain way. The members involved in the climate deal for example, are expected to carry out and uphold certain climatic actions and failure to do so could lead to arguments and perhaps even getting “kicked out” of the group.

Sometimes, people communicate in groups because they want to tap on this larger pool of energy and resources. With this, they are better able to meet their own interpersonal needs such as cost-savings and a better climate to live in in this case. Plus, with common goals, it is easier to garner support and commitment from members of a group, which makes working towards the goals an easier one.

The problem with group communication is that there will almost always bound to be disagreements between members. In this instance, the developing and developed countries are in disagreement because both of them feel that the other party is not doing enough. Perhaps they feel like they are being “cheated” as they have done their part and the other has not. Although they are both working towards the common goal of slowing down climate change, there are arguments over how each handles the process of doing so.

So the question I am curious about is: Should group members be more concerned over fulfilling one’s individual needs or the group’s needs?

The natural instinct is for humans to serve one’s own needs over others’ first. Perhaps most can only truly help others after one’s needs have been met. If we are dissatisfied over our unmet needs, how can we be in the right frame of mind to cater to others’ needs?

However, sometimes achieving the group’s needs first actually promotes a more conducive environment for members to help one another meet individual needs.

Having said all that, I feel that whichever way, as long as both the individual and group’s needs are met at the end of the day and everyone’s contented, anything goes. There are different ways to go about doing things but there is one thing everyone should work towards: understanding the many approaches available and satisfying both our individual and group’s needs eventually. This is what I call effective group communication.

Reflection: Communication in interpersonal relationships

Today, I will be focusing on communication in interpersonal relationships. I am sure this is one topic that is close to many of our hearts. Communication is vital and the role of communication in interpersonal relationships can be further divided into three sub groups: engagement, management and disengagement.



Shown above is my personal drawing of the engagement process, which starts from the first interaction with the other partner. At this stage, it is probably known to many of us as the dating process, where partners “chase” one another and get to know one another better. I personally love this stage of a relationship the most because of the butterflies I get in my stomach and that warm fuzzy feeling. Does anybody feel me?

Anyway, at this stage, communication speeds up. It picks up in terms of frequency and breadth. We interact more with the person with the aim of achieving a richer interpersonal relationship with the person. Communication helps us to decipher whether we are suitable for the other person or not.

I personally feel there are too many reasons to name as to what makes one person gravitate towards the other but physical attractiveness and similarity are top on my list based on personal experience. Whatever the reason, as long as it makes you happy and you are able to deal with your conscience at the end of the day, that is all that matters I feel.



The second drawing is the management process of interpersonal relationships. During this stage, communication is vital to maintain the relationship. Communication here is also often more in-depth and thus, the quality of the relationship greatly increases too.

Communication comes in the form of self disclosure here where parties share information about one another, to maintain and further build trust, the basis of all relationships. Without trust, the relationship would crumble over time because we would not feel secure with the party, leading to a spiral of problems.

During this period, there would also bound to be conflicts and couples have to communicate to resolve their issues. They use communication to dictate if they should continue to develop the relationship or break the relationship up.



Communication, or the lack of it, can often lead to relational dissolution. There is disengagement of communication here where there is little or no communication. Since two parties decide that they do not want to have much to do with one another anymore, it is only natural that communication is minimal at this stage.

To me, the top reasons for break ups are betrayal of trust, violence and differences. However, I feel that break ups can be prevented with enough quality communication. With communication, you are able to clear things up with one another and bring across your thoughts, feelings and ideas. It might be possible to work things out but I understand this is easier said than done and it all depends on the context of the situation.

Interpersonal relationships on a whole need lots of quality communication and commitment for it to last. So, you should only enter into one if you are serious enough and ready for it! All the best for all your future relationships people!(:

P.S Pardon my not-up-to-artist-standard drawings!!