Leading scientists condemn 'political assaults' on climate researchers
This is interesting and exciting because one of the things that came out during the panel talk about communicating about science was that scientists need better PR and they need spokespeople.
Showing posts with label pr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pr. Show all posts
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday, June 13, 2008
China Correspondents
New York Times and the BBC have really bad China articles mostly because of their bad China correspondents. What makes their China articles and correspondents so bad?
The articles themselves often imply that China is a threat, Chinese nationalism is a threat, and things like the food shortage and global warming are China's fault. This xenophobic view of China is mostly sensationalism so in my view, it's bad journalism, but that's the industry standard these days. What is more annoying is that almost every article becomes an editorial about censorship and restrictions on journalists and the lack of democracy. The worst part is when they claim to represent how the majority of Chinese people feel about Tiananmen Square in 1989 and the Chinese Communist Party.
They do this by using Chinese correspondents who are meant to be more credible since they are Chinese. However, these correspondents are more often than not people who have bad history with the Communist Party. Some are pro-democracy activists who have been kicked out of the country. However, they do not really have a following in China. Some are even seen as traitors.
Take this New York Times' article.
Here is a comment in response.
Some selections of the discussion about this BBC article in Chinese from the BBC:
Only Western people listen to these people as if they are really credible, but Chinese people know who these people are. It's like if Chinese people quoted Ralph Nader as an expert on what Americans think. Another example is when people quote the Epoch Times, which every Chinese person knows is a Falun Gong newspaper that publishes outright lies.
The articles themselves often imply that China is a threat, Chinese nationalism is a threat, and things like the food shortage and global warming are China's fault. This xenophobic view of China is mostly sensationalism so in my view, it's bad journalism, but that's the industry standard these days. What is more annoying is that almost every article becomes an editorial about censorship and restrictions on journalists and the lack of democracy. The worst part is when they claim to represent how the majority of Chinese people feel about Tiananmen Square in 1989 and the Chinese Communist Party.
They do this by using Chinese correspondents who are meant to be more credible since they are Chinese. However, these correspondents are more often than not people who have bad history with the Communist Party. Some are pro-democracy activists who have been kicked out of the country. However, they do not really have a following in China. Some are even seen as traitors.
Take this New York Times' article.
Here is a comment in response.
As a former Tiananmen protester living in the States, I believe that "The future of China is in the hands of ordinary Chinese." Unfortunately, Ma Jian's view does not reflect views of ordinary Chinese no matter how many western media or their readers like his views. The bottom line is that Chinese people know what are their best interests during their cause leading to prosperity and democracy. They certainly do not need others to remind them what to do and how to do to achieve their best interests.
Some selections of the discussion about this BBC article in Chinese from the BBC:
Black Horse Liu's article? He was one of so-called "four scholars" during 6.4 Tiananmen event. He used to state that China would have been much better off if it had experienced real colonialism under Great British like HK. No wonder BBC still recommend his opinion after so many years.
Liu and his ilk have been long marginalized in China, political power wise. Now their sole role is to serve western media as dissent voice of "Chinese people" to pacify their readers' thirsty for hope of transforming China with "freedom and democracy".
Only Western people listen to these people as if they are really credible, but Chinese people know who these people are. It's like if Chinese people quoted Ralph Nader as an expert on what Americans think. Another example is when people quote the Epoch Times, which every Chinese person knows is a Falun Gong newspaper that publishes outright lies.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Public Relations
Letter to the Tech
The April 8 Tech had a cartoon with China stabbing Tibet in the pole vault event during the Olympics.
An Open Letter to the Editor of The Tech
(In response to the cartoons: Page 4 of The Tech, on April 8, 2008 and April 11, 2008):
An editorial cartoon serves as a visual metaphor to express satire towards political issues. Last week's cartoons imply that China does not deserve to host the Olympics because of human rights issues in Tibet. While we do not deny that China still has many problems, many Chinese and Chinese Americans are concerned about China's image in the West. We are concerned that many Americans and other citizens of other Western countries have an outdated and distorted view towards China.
Through the lens of the media in some Western countries, many have developed their views on China as a country identified with human rights abuse and government dictatorship, while neglecting all other sides of the story. Many have sympathy for the Chinese people, whom they often assume to be living under oppression and going through all kinds of hardship, despite the fact that they might not know what is really going on there. As Chinese students at MIT, we grew up in China and did see some of the problems depicted by the Western media. At the same time, however, we have had much more positive experiences in the past 20 years, including the drastic economic improvements in China that the world has marveled at. Because of the changes of education policy in China, many of us enjoyed the opportunities to study in foreign countries and see the world outside of China through our own eyes. In turn, we also encourage and invite people around the world to travel to China and talk to local Chinese, from whom one can learn what the real China looks like—be it good or bad.
As indicated by the cartoon, China, just like any other country, has human rights issues. However, it is disturbing to see people judge China with double standards. We must realize that every country has to go through various reforms and developments to figure out the best working system, and along the way, imperfections transpire. Not to say mistakes can be overlooked, we believe it takes time to correct them. China has been working very hard on tackling those issues (real elections for people’s representatives at townships, transparency of the judiciary process, preferential rights for the minority ethnicities, etc.), on the premise of keeping a stable, while developing, China.
The Olympics is an international sporting event intended to celebrate excellence in sports. Chinese, Chinese Americans, and many other peoples around the world are proud that China is hosting the Olympics. In contrary to what many people say, our pride is not to legitimize all of China's human rights abuses and political positions. All Chinese are proud because this is the first time China has been economically able to host the Olympics. It is a testament to the hard work of hundreds of millions of people and the progress China has made. China invites people all over the world to participate in the sporting festival, and see the real China through their own eyes, rather than through the media which oftentimes can be biased. We encourage everyone to invest more critical thinking on what you hear from the media. Furthermore, we don't mind people having critiques about China, but please offer the critiques in a constructive manner, so as not to instigate hard feelings and further misunderstandings.
The April 8 Tech had a cartoon with China stabbing Tibet in the pole vault event during the Olympics.
An Open Letter to the Editor of The Tech
(In response to the cartoons: Page 4 of The Tech, on April 8, 2008 and April 11, 2008):
An editorial cartoon serves as a visual metaphor to express satire towards political issues. Last week's cartoons imply that China does not deserve to host the Olympics because of human rights issues in Tibet. While we do not deny that China still has many problems, many Chinese and Chinese Americans are concerned about China's image in the West. We are concerned that many Americans and other citizens of other Western countries have an outdated and distorted view towards China.
Through the lens of the media in some Western countries, many have developed their views on China as a country identified with human rights abuse and government dictatorship, while neglecting all other sides of the story. Many have sympathy for the Chinese people, whom they often assume to be living under oppression and going through all kinds of hardship, despite the fact that they might not know what is really going on there. As Chinese students at MIT, we grew up in China and did see some of the problems depicted by the Western media. At the same time, however, we have had much more positive experiences in the past 20 years, including the drastic economic improvements in China that the world has marveled at. Because of the changes of education policy in China, many of us enjoyed the opportunities to study in foreign countries and see the world outside of China through our own eyes. In turn, we also encourage and invite people around the world to travel to China and talk to local Chinese, from whom one can learn what the real China looks like—be it good or bad.
As indicated by the cartoon, China, just like any other country, has human rights issues. However, it is disturbing to see people judge China with double standards. We must realize that every country has to go through various reforms and developments to figure out the best working system, and along the way, imperfections transpire. Not to say mistakes can be overlooked, we believe it takes time to correct them. China has been working very hard on tackling those issues (real elections for people’s representatives at townships, transparency of the judiciary process, preferential rights for the minority ethnicities, etc.), on the premise of keeping a stable, while developing, China.
The Olympics is an international sporting event intended to celebrate excellence in sports. Chinese, Chinese Americans, and many other peoples around the world are proud that China is hosting the Olympics. In contrary to what many people say, our pride is not to legitimize all of China's human rights abuses and political positions. All Chinese are proud because this is the first time China has been economically able to host the Olympics. It is a testament to the hard work of hundreds of millions of people and the progress China has made. China invites people all over the world to participate in the sporting festival, and see the real China through their own eyes, rather than through the media which oftentimes can be biased. We encourage everyone to invest more critical thinking on what you hear from the media. Furthermore, we don't mind people having critiques about China, but please offer the critiques in a constructive manner, so as not to instigate hard feelings and further misunderstandings.
Friday, February 29, 2008
MIT Student Cable
I am starting to learn how to do cable broadcasting and stuff like that. i think it could be a good way to spread ideas. me and some people are going to be broadcasting today 5-7pm.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Propaganda Campaign
Something I am thinking about doing in the future is to do media advertising to promote things I think are important like sustainable energy. I'm not sure, but I think this is a graphic design company that does that, although I don't want to just make media but design campaigns like political campaigns. That's what real advertising companies do, anyway. Everything is very coordinated.
Obey Giant Propaganda
They made an Obama poster.
Obey Giant Propaganda
They made an Obama poster.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Sustainable Energy
The event was yesterday, and it went very well. It was very well attended, and it really seems to have gotten people interested in sustainable energy and climate change issues. One main objective for the event was to get publicity for the Focus on Climate Change Events that are taking place during the days, Tues - Thurs. Without a big publicity push, it is often hard to get people to come to smaller departmental events.
Today, I went to the talk by Leon Glicksman, who is the head of the Building Technology Program, a joint program with Architecture and Mechanical Engineering. It was packed! And it was a really good talk. My favorite part was when he talked about the prices of renewable energy and energy-saving renovations. It turns out that solar power is the most expensive, 10 times more expensive than wind power, which is apparently on par with how much oil or coal cost per kWh.
We/they'll be putting up the slides of the talks.
climatechange.mit.edu
Today, I went to the talk by Leon Glicksman, who is the head of the Building Technology Program, a joint program with Architecture and Mechanical Engineering. It was packed! And it was a really good talk. My favorite part was when he talked about the prices of renewable energy and energy-saving renovations. It turns out that solar power is the most expensive, 10 times more expensive than wind power, which is apparently on par with how much oil or coal cost per kWh.
We/they'll be putting up the slides of the talks.
climatechange.mit.edu
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Common Ground Similar Design
When I was in San Francisco, we found this magazine that had a similar design idea as my logo for the event! It's called Common Ground.
It was the cover of their Jan 2008 issue.
Big Picture Panel on Sustainable Energy
AHHH, the event I've been working on is happening on Monday!
Here is a poster.
It's exciting, and we have a good lineup of speakers, but I'm really worried that no one is going to show up.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
put the "i" in electrons (and take out the "r")
ELECTIONS!!!
haha, that's my new slogan
I went to New Hampshire today for more canvassing for Barack Obama, which is where you go door to door talking to people. We were also marking levels of support for Barack and what issues people said were important to them. It was a lot of fun, and I met a lot of interesting people. It has definitely restored some faith in democracy because of its participatory nature. We had a lot of good conversations with people. At the same time, it's not like this is happening on a national level. Iowa and New Hampshire get a special focus because of their early primaries.
Anyway, here's a little bit about what happened and the people that I met.
New Hampshire is a dog state, seriously, and so basically every house had at least one dog. I canvassed with a woman named Kathleen who was very very good at emoting with people and getting them to spill their beans, so to speak. She said she used to be a journalist and even worked for washingtonpost.com and now she teaches ESL students at Harvard. We were canvassing in a poor neighborhood where many of the houses looked like trailers. The people were pretty friendly and receptive.
One woman said that she and her husband used to be Republicans but they have since changed their party affiliation to Independent. They are still deciding which primary to vote in, but if they vote in the democratic primaries, they are pretty sure would they vote for Barack.
A few people were completely undecided but seemed open to Barack.
There was this farmer guy we chatted up, too, who was like, I think I like the lady. Haha. He said he watched the debate and Barack did too much mud-slinging. But he also said all the information he gets is just from the TV. *sigh* Actually a lot of people don't have computers there.
We talked to one grandma who had to use an oxygen tank and she said things were going bad. She was undecided but she seemed to appreciate our empathy and was interested in looking into Barack.
We had maybe one say that they already decided.
We had one supporter.
Finally, we talked to this woman who had so many animals. She said she supports Hillary, but a big part of the reason is that she was such a big fan of JFK and MLK that it was really traumatizing when they got shot, and she thinks Barack will just get shot.
People really responded to how Barack is not taking PAC and lobbyist money for the election and so he would actually be able to do what's best for people. Or at least he won't have to appease them as much as Hillary does. Even with all the best of her intentions, it's not like she can bite the hand that feeds her.
People also really like how he does not demonize Republicans and blame everything on Republicans. This is very important to New Hampshire people because there are so many Republicans there and Independent voters who share some of the same views as Republicans. They are not likely to agree with Barack on every issue, so it's important to them that he is going to listen to everybody and not just stick it to Republicans. In fact, part of the reason that he got elected to be editor of the Harvard Law Review is that eventually the conservative faction threw in their lot with him because even though they didn't agree on things, they felt that at least they would not get alienated and their concerns would still be taken seriously.
So yeah, some semblance of participatory democracy! Yay!
I think we're going to throw some elections events through LSC or something, too. WHOO
haha, that's my new slogan
I went to New Hampshire today for more canvassing for Barack Obama, which is where you go door to door talking to people. We were also marking levels of support for Barack and what issues people said were important to them. It was a lot of fun, and I met a lot of interesting people. It has definitely restored some faith in democracy because of its participatory nature. We had a lot of good conversations with people. At the same time, it's not like this is happening on a national level. Iowa and New Hampshire get a special focus because of their early primaries.
Anyway, here's a little bit about what happened and the people that I met.
New Hampshire is a dog state, seriously, and so basically every house had at least one dog. I canvassed with a woman named Kathleen who was very very good at emoting with people and getting them to spill their beans, so to speak. She said she used to be a journalist and even worked for washingtonpost.com and now she teaches ESL students at Harvard. We were canvassing in a poor neighborhood where many of the houses looked like trailers. The people were pretty friendly and receptive.
One woman said that she and her husband used to be Republicans but they have since changed their party affiliation to Independent. They are still deciding which primary to vote in, but if they vote in the democratic primaries, they are pretty sure would they vote for Barack.
A few people were completely undecided but seemed open to Barack.
There was this farmer guy we chatted up, too, who was like, I think I like the lady. Haha. He said he watched the debate and Barack did too much mud-slinging. But he also said all the information he gets is just from the TV. *sigh* Actually a lot of people don't have computers there.
We talked to one grandma who had to use an oxygen tank and she said things were going bad. She was undecided but she seemed to appreciate our empathy and was interested in looking into Barack.
We had maybe one say that they already decided.
We had one supporter.
Finally, we talked to this woman who had so many animals. She said she supports Hillary, but a big part of the reason is that she was such a big fan of JFK and MLK that it was really traumatizing when they got shot, and she thinks Barack will just get shot.
People really responded to how Barack is not taking PAC and lobbyist money for the election and so he would actually be able to do what's best for people. Or at least he won't have to appease them as much as Hillary does. Even with all the best of her intentions, it's not like she can bite the hand that feeds her.
People also really like how he does not demonize Republicans and blame everything on Republicans. This is very important to New Hampshire people because there are so many Republicans there and Independent voters who share some of the same views as Republicans. They are not likely to agree with Barack on every issue, so it's important to them that he is going to listen to everybody and not just stick it to Republicans. In fact, part of the reason that he got elected to be editor of the Harvard Law Review is that eventually the conservative faction threw in their lot with him because even though they didn't agree on things, they felt that at least they would not get alienated and their concerns would still be taken seriously.
So yeah, some semblance of participatory democracy! Yay!
I think we're going to throw some elections events through LSC or something, too. WHOO
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Dairy, New Hampshire
I got back from canvassing. Canvassing is what they call going house to house trying to convince people to vote for Barack Obama in the primaries. I was in Dairy, New Hampshire.
A lot of the volunteers had interesting stories. Amongst the volunteers, one of the most interesting was this guy who was a blogger for belowboston.com because he lives south of Boston.
This other guy was a consultant for companies to do mergers, haha. A republican job. But he says actually a lot of Wall Street is Democratic. He was also telling me about ETFs (Exchange-traded Funds). He says it's the new thing that's sort of like mutual funds without fees.
This is a pumpkin that Dan, one of the campaign staff carved for a pumpkin carving contest. haha. It's pretty good. He used a stencil from the internet, actually, in the Demoines Register.
If you like Barack's message, you should strongly consider sending money to his campaign. I've already contributed $200, and I'm trying to resist sending more money since I think I should be saving some. But I do spend a lot of money on stupid things so I thought I should spend some money on something worthwhile.
A lot of the volunteers had interesting stories. Amongst the volunteers, one of the most interesting was this guy who was a blogger for belowboston.com because he lives south of Boston.
This other guy was a consultant for companies to do mergers, haha. A republican job. But he says actually a lot of Wall Street is Democratic. He was also telling me about ETFs (Exchange-traded Funds). He says it's the new thing that's sort of like mutual funds without fees.
This is a pumpkin that Dan, one of the campaign staff carved for a pumpkin carving contest. haha. It's pretty good. He used a stencil from the internet, actually, in the Demoines Register.
If you like Barack's message, you should strongly consider sending money to his campaign. I've already contributed $200, and I'm trying to resist sending more money since I think I should be saving some. But I do spend a lot of money on stupid things so I thought I should spend some money on something worthwhile.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Canvassing for Obama
Tomorrow, I'm going to New Hampshire to knock on people's doors and be like, hi, we'd like to talk to you a little bit about Barack Obama.
Come back for updates...
Come back for updates...
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