29 April 2010

Unpacking Justin Bieber's (un?)popularity

So why exactly is Justin Bieber so popular? I think it's safe to say that he's loved by hoards of screaming girls at least, from the video of his arrival at Auckland airport taken 2 nights ago. At the same time there are countless facebook groups (yes I am citing facebook as a reliable source) that 'bash' him.

Many people can't see why he's so popular, what with his questionable intelligence (What's 'German'? I don't know what that means. We don't use that term in America.) and undeniable cockiness (The best thing about being famous is the girls; since I'm famous I can get any chick I want). At the same time, there are many who adore him and can't see why anyone would dislike him. So, I decided to see if I could unpack (crudely and amateurishly) exactly what kind of psychology is going on here...

Honestly, it could just be that he's a good singer who's around teenagers' age. If you look at any of the other guys who are 'hot' musicians, they're usually in their 20s and it's more like a 'dream crush' kind of thing rather than something that's actually plausible. But these girls may believe that they actually have a shot with JB because he's around our age, hence the more obsessive reactions.

But wait, teen idols in the past were never this popular. Jesse McCartney, Aaron Carter, both were 15-17 when they first became popular (and I have to stop here to add that Jesse McCartney was much MUCH hotter than JB will ever be), yet they never had screaming girls crying over them and stealing their hats. Why? Maybe people are just getting more obsessive in general. Maybe because they never did international tours so girls never got a chance to spaz as much over them. Maybe because they debuted in the time before internet communication became well connected, which is possibly a big factor for JB since he was found through youtube, and the medium that seems to be spurring hate/love is social networking sites where a lot of people gather in one place.

All that said, girls are a lot more obsessive about this than guys. REGARDLESS OF HOW HOT A GIRL IS, guys have NEVER been this obsessed with a girl. Recall twilight obsession... a lot of lovers, a lot of haters, very extremist fandom. mostly female. What is the most obsessed guys have been with anything on this scale? NEVER. Anything that came close was either megan fox (who, btw, has about 50/50 female/male ratio who think she's the hottest woman ever) or leah dizon.

Then again we must recognise that the more lovers something has, the more haters as well. It's almost like tall poppy syndrome in an indirect kind of obscure way. Basically, people start not liking something just because other people like it. Maybe in an effort to be 'different', but in doing this the whole thing blows up because you get extremist lovers and haters and a lot of namecalling and "YOUR OPINION IS STUPID" kind of things... And people come in to back up their friends' and their own opinion, leading to world war 3 over JB... no jk, but come on, it's getting ridiculous.

There is some degree of mob psychology going on here too. Think about it, one person says JB sounds like a girl and can't sing and a million do. The fact that he sounds like a girl, I'll admit, is a fact. But let's face it, he can sing. That's why he's famous. Honestly the empty insults are really quite sad; I'd bet that 99% of the people who say he can't sing can't sing even half as well as he can. JB is a good singer: He has almost perfect pitch, and can handle songs that many singers who are older than him cannot. The only thing is I feel like his voice is going to deteriorate from wearing it out so much and singing so high while he's young like Keita Tachibana's did (KT from w-inds, japanese band). Keita is still a good singer even tho he can't reach the octaves he used to be able to though, so it's not like JB will sound totally terrible after his voice breaks.

I'm not defending him, he's still cocky as and too short for the girls in his videos, but come on guys, let's not get so extreme over a kid who's our age. I doubt he cares so much about his haters, and haters breed lovers like lovers breed haters. As a bystander, I find that JB fangirls are about as annoying as JB haters. Putting someone down is a way of raising their popularity too, so let's not make such a big deal out of a guy who is, by himself, not that big anyway (pun totally intended).

Google Suggestions

You know you're bored and procrastinating when you decide to type your name and various things into google and use the first phrase for a game... here's one I found on a forum:

Q: Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search.
Q: Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search.
Q: Type in "[your name] says" in Google search.
Q: Type in "[your name] wants" in Google search.
Q:Type in "[your name] does" in Google search.
Q: Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search.
Q: Type in "[your name] asks" in Google search.
Q: Type in "[your name] likes " in Google search.
Q: Type in "[your name] eats " in Google search.
Q: Type in "[your name] wears " in Google search.
Q: Type in "[your name] was arrested for" in Google Search.
Q: Type in "[your name] loves" in Google Search.

My results...
1) Winnie needs to cross a bridge
2) Winnie looks like a snow globe ):
3) Winnie says he's only fighting "fair and square" (i'm a man)
4) Winnie wants a handsome male (Yes, yes I do XD)
5) Winnie does not appear too pleased with Kevin's arrival
6) Winnie hates K Mart to death (LOL?)
7) Winnie asks Willie if she were ever "lovable," but he does not respond (OMGGGGG this is sparknotes, apparently from a book called 'happy days')
8) Winnie likes JENS LEKMAN.
9) Winnie eats world; eating my way around the world, one bite at a time (nomnomnom)
10) Winnie wears bells I brought home from India (I'm a cat now am I?)
11) Winnie was arrested for being in the presence of another banned person. (whaaat.)
12) Winnie loves us. (Yes, yes I do :] I love you all)

welllp that's me signing off for now I suppose. playing minesweeper C: enjoy the rest of your day?

15 April 2010

people

Everyone's different. Lately I find myself more and more objectively looking at people and evaluating their good and bad parts, and I realised that each person has a little good and bad in them. Nobody is a good person, and nobody is a bad person. People are people. Diversity is everywhere.

When listening to (eavesdropping on) people smack talk about others behind their backs, it becomes apparent that people don't really like others who are radically different from themselves and somehow feel that expressing this observation with someone else is beneficial. Interestingly, more often than not, the rantee agrees with the ranter. I wonder, is this really how they feel or are they just keeping the ranter happy?

There is soooo much talking behind people's backs these days, it's really a bit tragic. And of course, the people people talk about are invariably the ones they spend long periods of time with, the people who are supposedly their friends. Quoting Owl City, "With friends like (those), who needs enemies?"

You know, sometimes I feel like people who talk about others behind their backs are somewhat insecure, and either want to talk bad about others to bring themselves upwards and feel better about themselves, or really do have an issue with the person but just don't have the guts to confront them straight up. People will say they cbf, but that sounds like bullshit. They're able to spend the effort on talking about it with someone else, and it should take the same amount of effort to confront the subject directly, right? Or, they'll say that they don't want things to become awkward for everyone else, or they don't want to create drama. Well in that case, isn't it smarter to just not talk about it at all and keep their dislike for the person to themselves? =/

I guess I'm starting to feel the pressure of being a teenager. Sigh, according to Fletch and Vaughn, the bullshit levels are 'dangerously low' and they advised everyone to 'talk crap' about people. Maybe it's just me but I'm pretty sure bullshit levels are at an all time high.

No one's an angel. I'm pretty sure that most people try to keep themselves in a positive light, and try to bring people on their side and make their side of the story sound 'right' and the other person 'wrong', but sometimes I think it's important to evaluate and judge our own actions, not just others'.

Having said that, I've found that evaluating one's own actions can cause a paradoxical thinking process and lead one to believe that she is going insane. But you know, I guess at least I'm thinking about the things I do? Although going by my reasoning, everything I've just said above about other people is judgmental as well and I'm just a huge hypocrite. But you know what, there's just no way around that in this world. Life's not fair. And I'll accept that I can be a hypocrite, even though I try not to be. And I'm no angel either. Everyone has good and bad in them. I guess the most I can do is try to do good whenever I remember, and hope that everyone will forgive all the bad things about me... Of course I can't expect that either though.

Ah... with people like this, one starts to wonder how the world functions at all...

13 April 2010

nice people have it the hardest

The alarm clock goes off; I wake up. Another day for me I guess. Julian's already running around making an unruly racket away from his mother, as usual. I sigh and get up, stretching my arms. Seems like every day's the same for me nowadays. It's almost like I'm caught in a time flux where the same day repeats and repeats, except the date and seasons change...

I stand up and go to the kitchen, tripping over the cat as she scampers over to her food bowl and eagerly waits for her breakfast. Can't ever ignore that cat, otherwise she bites me, so I go and fill up her bowl first before I get my own food ready. My wife's ranting at me again, saying how I should come home earlier to take care of Julian so she can finally have a peaceful afternoon. Same old story, just another day...

Dunno when it started falling apart like this. I'm just a nice guy who tries to help everyone out... Seems like no matter what I try to do, someone's still not happy. It's like trying to drink water and breathe at the same time; an impossible juggling act.

"Why the fuck do you always have to do so much extra?" my wife always asks me. Is it so bad that I try to help people out selflessly? Well, that was what it was at first. But then it seems like everyone started to rely on me, and if I didn't continue my charity and keep my cheerful mask on, everyone would be disappointed and angry because they'd think I was just being selfish. We wouldn't want that, would we Sara? But damn, I could never say that to her. I just sit there and take it like the fucking slave that I am.

Sometimes I get so mad at myself that I can't stand up to other people. But the words just never come out...

I guess this is just my life. Forever trapped in an endless loop of serving others and getting yelled at by my family. I guess I've grown used to it. A complacent prisoner, that's what I am. I can stand for this to happen for the rest of my life. Well, I have to.

"Come on Jess," I whistle to the cat and put on my hat, forcing a plastic smile onto my face for the day and exit the house with my wife still ranting behind me.

Then some fuckhead (dunno who it is, he does this every damn morning) starts singing as if he's taunting me, and every morning I feel my plastic smile droop a bit, and I have to fix it back on before I get on with the rest of my day...

♪♫...~~Postman Pat, Postman Pat, Postman Pat and his black and white cat~~♫ ♪...

11 April 2010

dammit guys now I have to do this + drunkness

Time started: 9.10pm
Name: Winnie
Single or Taken: Single
Sex: Female
Birthday: July 30
Sign: Leo
Eye colour: Brown
What are you wearing: sleeping clothes! :]
Where do you live: Auckland, NZ
Righty or lefty: Righty ^^

FAVORITE
_______________________________________
Where is your favorite place to shop: New york city or chinese super malls :]
Color: White
Number: 7. That's right laina. I went there.
Boys Name: idk. Lucas, Hunter, Charles
Girls Name: Winnie ofc =P
Animal: Mmmm~ birds ^^
Month: Summer holidays.
Movie: No.
Juice: Orange. Simple haha
Breakfast: FRENCH TOAST, BACON AND FRIED EGGS ^^
Favorite cartoon character: Winnie the pooh, ofc. =P

...oh god I'm so self centered :]

HAVE YOU EVER
_______________________________________
Given anyone a bath: Yes
Smoked: No
Bungee Jumped: No, but want to one day
Gone skinny dipping: No
Eaten a dog: Not a whole dog, but I have had dog
Put your tongue on a frozen pole: No
Loved someone so much it made you cry: Yes
Broken a bone: No
Played truth or dare: Yes
Been in a physical fight: Yes
Been in a police car: Yes
Been in a hot tub: Yes
Swam in the ocean: No
Fallen asleep in school: Yes
Ran away: No
Broken someone’s heart: Idk maybe
Cried when someone died: No
Cried in school: Yes
Fell off your chair: Yes many times
Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call: No
Saved AIM/MSN conversation: Yes it autosaves.

WHAT IS
_______________________________________
Your good luck charm: It changes as good things happen to me. hahahaha like I think, I was wearing that shirt when this happened, so maybe if I wear it again something good will happen again :D yeah I'm kind of superstitious.
Best song you ever heard: this
What’s your room like: MESSY. I WAS MEANT TO TIDY IT UP TODAY BUT WAS TOO CBF
What kind of shampoo do you use: Pantene classic clean with dove conditioner
Do you believe in karma: Yes definitely.

HAVE YOU HAD
_______________________________________
Chicken pox: Yes
Sore Throat: Yes
Stitches: Yes
Broken nose: No

DO YOU
_______________________________________
Believe in love at first sight: No
Like picnics: Not that keen but I guess with certain people would be fun
Like school: ........mlehhh
What schools have you gone to: HNPS, WHPS, MRPS, STCC (I still don't know why they put a T in it, it doesn't stand for anything == fail acronym)
Would you eat a live hamster for $1,000,000 dollars: Couldn't swallow it. I'd do it if it was cooked for me. And I'd pay them half the million as well.
Who was the last person that called you: Dad
What makes you laugh the most: Hahaha other people :]

LAST PERSON
_______________________________________
You yelled at: Oooo. Good question. O_o
Who broke your heart: Myself =/

Who is your loudest friend: YUJIE :] and maybe shuhua when she's drunk. (HA HA HA HA HA HA retarded laughing)

DO YOU/ARE YOU
_______________________________________
Do you like filling these out: Omg why the hell is this one so long.
Do you wear contacts or glasses: Glasses
Do you like yourself: Sometimes. Well I try to. At least if other people don't like you there's always one person who can accept you as you are :] it's very important to love yourself
Do you get along with your family: Yes
Obsessive: Sometimes... a lot of the time...
Compulsive: Sometimes
Anorexic: No

FINAL QUESTIONS
_______________________________________
What are you listening to right now: Bad Day - Daniel Powter
What did you do yesterday: Disney party, got owned by minimum alcohol and lay around crying and in pain for hours. But I'll elaborate later.
Hate someone in your family: No
What car do you wish you had: Unrealistically, AM DBS/Vanquish, Audi R8... Realistically, One of those really sexy new white honda integras.
Where do you want to get married: Do I even want to get married?
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be: Better eyes, 20/20 xray vision plz.
How many remote controls are in your house: oh shit. like. 20. let me count. 4 TVs, 2 wii remotes, 2 dvd players, 1 sky remote... that's... 4+2+2+1=9? D: I'm SURE there's more.
Are you double jointed: People told me I am
Last time you took a bath: A bathtub bath? Idk a few months ago lol
The last movie you saw at the cinemas: She's out of my league
Do you like scary or happy movies: Happy haha
Black or white: White
Root Beer or Dr. Pepper: Haven't tasted either
Vanilla or chocolate: Vanilla
Silver or Gold: Gold
Diamond or Pearl: Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Sunset or Sunrise: Sunrise
Sprite or 7up: They taste the same
Cats or Dogs: Idk both are cute
Coffee or Tea: Both
Phone or in person: I hate the phone
Are you the oldest, middle, youngest or only child: Oldest
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor :]

and now it's 9.37pm. Jesus christ that was long. And now I don't even feel like updating. Okay so basically I had alcohol last night, got owned and died. As you know I don't hold alcohol well and I was traumatized because Julia raped me and I had a throbbing headache. Someone described to me what a hangover feels like and that's EXACTLY what I was feeling last night. So we can conclude from 2 separate experiments that winnie does not get drunk, winnie gets hung over. immediately. god I hate alcohol. Oh yeah and for some reason I started crying uncontrollably for no reason. wtf, I don't know.

anyway I started watching skins since I found out it's actually on youtube and youtube loads pretty fast for me nowadays, and hahahaha idk I don't like it as much as laina but it's alright. Tony's cute :] but he's also a sociopath I swear. And Effy's so prettttyyyyy +__+

Oh yeah and I also made a formspring. So if you ever need to ask me something go there. I promise to answer EVERY question :]

That's it I guess. Oh yeah and I'm pretty sure the person I rant to about my problems is getting annoyed with my rantings now hahahahaha...