heartbeat

two instances of  strategic utilizations of popular culture:

Both are MVs produced for the World Expo’10. To me, both effectively use popular culture for nation-building and tourism purposes. They also use similar strategies: they both capitalize on their nation’s popular music celebrities, and combine music with colourful, attractive and poignant images to paint a positive and idealistic picture of the nation. Both demonstrate the growing aestheticization of the local landscape, and the use of local identity to gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Both are also results of the shift towards a creative economy, and the apparent urgent pressing need to nurture and attract creative citizenship.

personally, both also manages to tug at my heartstrings and make me long for home.

珍愛生命、永不放棄

Tonight i was humbled.

One reason why i love the taiwanese entertainment industry is because we get to see the celebrities as human beings. And i always always humbled, and impressed whenever i hear of a celebrity involved in charity work. This is one reason why i respect Ella from S.H.E. Because she always thinks of others. And you always hear of her being involved in some form of charity work. Plus she always tries to use her sadness, her loss and her struggles and turn them into ways to help others. Eg: her Qiang Qiang EP.

Tonight, i learnt about the Love Life program..Love life’s motto is 珍愛生命， 永不放棄. Love Life is a program established by 黑人 & 范范 to help sick children, and to spread the message on how precious life is. Today, Love Life is supported by numerous taiwanese celebrities, including Jay Chou, Ariel Lin, David Tao, A-Mei etc. etc.

It is indeed encouraging to see how others do not forget the less unfortunate. And i reckon the message is extremely poignant and significant. So many of us take life for granted. Even me, sometimes i simply forget, how much i truly have.

And this is the soft power of popular culture. this is truly the power of an idol. to have a positive impact on society. to use their significance to help others.

And this is also why i want to teach what i want to teach. and i am also determined to use my life, to somehow, help others.