Are Social Media Trends Dangerous?
BY: WEI ELIZABETH
TikTok, a platform where a new trend emerges and goes viral every new day, witnessed the viral 'Gentleminions' trend in July 2022—wearing a dark suit, formal shirt, pleated pants, and a fancy tie, large groups of young men were seen attending the screenings of the new animated film, Minions: The Rise of Gru
From making their way into shopping malls to riding the escalator, these teens are dressed up to participate in this specific trend. As what we can see from the content of the video posted in Tiktok, they seemed to enjoy making a scene by gathering in large groups It appears that they intended to create a comical effect by the use of strong obvious contradictions And that’s basically the key of why this trend has the potential to spark the young. However that's not the only part, the controversy mainly comes from their inappropriate behaviour upon entering the cinema: shouting, clapping, and even throwing things towards the screen, they act like “minions” yet they had grown up to the age to pay for their own bills.
This trend has been criticized by many users on social media and news websites, as if it has been determined to be a farce
However, we can still learn something from it. Why are they doing this? Going out in fine suits just for a movie, appearing educated while acting uncivilized, unreasonable as it looks like, there still exist many causes remains concealed. Gen Z has always had a complicated relationship with the “Minions”
On one hand, they grew up with the franchise; there is a deepdug affection.
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AN INSIDE LOOK: A look into how social media trends affects its participants
IINVESTIGATIVE NVESTIGATIVE
PHOTO | Canva
LEARNING LIMITS: Where should social media trends draw the line? PHOTO | Canva
Our reporter from G1113 poses a question for avid social media users
Also, this is the fifth movie centred on the Minions. The first, premiered in 2010, and the last, before “The Rise of Gru”, was back in 2017. It has been a five-year wait. Therefore, as the anticipation has been built, Gen Z’s intention to watch this movie rose as well, which has lowered the threshold of making a video like the trend they don’t have to watch a movie they're not interested in just to make a trendy video. Not to mention the fact that they were happy to attend Plus, the benefits of teenagers making this type of trending video, such as gaining likes and more followers on social platforms, had always been a trigger for them. The content itself aside, the highlight of this video fancy looks had contributed to this flourishing situation, too. That is to say, psychologically, both the herd instinct and the desire to standout, contributed to the outbreak of this trend
The wild situation shown up these days just proved the mass of those, I’d rather say, had completely been overwhelmed by the stimulation that being a bunch of mavericks, namely as staying out of touch with regulation as well as the vibe free from thinking, all of these would make them feel “what a release” The immediate impact, especially the one that has been created by them, as well as recognizing the power of making them feel excited. Not only does this specific trend fit this description, many others do as well. As small as the gentle minions trend, as huge as the Witch Hunt, behaving like the derailed trains, just another example of collective enthusiasm.
In addition, as we examine those factors, personally I believe it has something to do with the global pandemic Suffering from the long-term physical quarantine, the isolation inevitably became emotional as well. People are losing their sense of identity and the exact feeling of existence. Under this mental panic in the making, it’s easy for us to fall into the eager of getting something done, trying to prove our competence, as the so-called center of the universe. It could also be seen from the tweets written with “I love being Gen Z”. On the other hand, the battered film and television industry, in order to make more profits, might show contradictions towards this matter
UNDERNEATH THE TREND: What is the motivation for joining social media trends? PHOTO | CANVA
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For instance, some theaters in the U.K. have banned groups of guests wearing formal attire from watching the film just to avoid controversy. In other parts of the world, theaters have kicked viewers out in anticipation of disruptive behavior as well. Yet the Universal Pictures official account responded on Twitter, saying: "To everyone showing up to @Minions in suits: we see you and we love you. " to support them, which would function as a encouragement. And it produced good results: “The Rise of Gru” soared with the helping hand of Gen Z, especially over the holiday weekend. Released on July 2022 in Singapore, the movie has managed to bring in over $939 million worldwide through ticket sales. Therefore the zero-sum situation had begun to form. Beyond all of this, if we just came back to the beginning of it, it seemed like a regular social media trend.
But in retrospect, it also caused bother at some scales indeed. In a nutshell, as one part of Gen Z, we should take responsibilities that we supposed to carry and try to make a contribution to the society, not to willingly act in an inappropriate manner.
BEYOND THE TREND: How can we be safe in the digital age? PHOTO | Canva
7 Copyright FIS 2022
The Makings of a National Day Song
MUSIC REVIEW MUSIC REVIEW
By Tang Ruotong
Every year on August 9, the Singapore government holds a grand parade and a new National Day song is chosen Its purpose is to commemorate the achievements or hardships that Singaporeans have experienced together over the past year and foster a strong Singaporean identity. Often, this leads many to wonder, what makes each national day song different? In my review of 2022’s National Day song, “Stronger Together”, I’ll explore how in many cases, past themes in songs from previous years are reworked, reused or re-emerge for people to hear.
Firstly, let’s look at “Home” by Kit Chan
This is perhaps the most influential song in Singapore's National Day celebrations and is often rated as the most patriotic song by Singaporeans But what makes this song special?
Performed for Singapore’s National Day in 1998 and again in 2004, the song is very lyrical, with a gentle tune and lyrics that express the love for home, the solidarity among Singaporeans and the love for our country. Every time I listen to this song it provides a sense of peace, gives me the strength to be determined, and makes me feel the trust and warmth between people. Secondly, we have “We Are Singapore." Known to be one of the most loved Singaporean national day songs, the rhythm of this song is more upbeat and rhythmic than “Home”. The lyrics express the strong inclusiveness of Singapore as a multi-racial country, the trust and unity among Singaporeans and the wish to develop together to build a better future.
8 Copyright FIS 2022
Our reporter from G1114 covers the music for Singapore's national day
This song is very suitable for students who are at a low point at the moment; it always gives me a lot of encouragement and makes me realize that anything is possible as long as I strive relentlessly. The song for the National Day 2022 has similarities with the 2005 song “Reach out for the Skies.” And since the theme of 2022’s National Day is "All Together, Moving Forward Together", the theme song was chosen to reflect Singapore's power of inclusiveness and unity. This year ' s theme song is Stronger Together, a song composed by local music producer Don Richmond and sung by Taufik Batisah. It is worth noting that the singer of this song also sang the theme song for Singapore's National Day celebration in 2005, “Reach out for the Skies”. The Singapore National Day theme song is part of Singapore's culture, it is a good way to inspire the nation to love life,
maintain a positive state of optimism and self-confidence, and to meet all challenges, but also to express the confidence of the Singapore government to lead the country and strong inclusiveness, it can trace the history of the country's growth, to inspire the patriotic sentiment of the nation, but also to spread Singapore's culture, so that more people understand the love for one ’ s nation.
Stronger Together, NDP 2022 National Day Song
CELEBRATING SINGAPORE: The Singapore flag could be found in FIS near National Day
PHOTO | FIS
"Lift the spirits broken, Hear the words unspoken, Still more stories yet untold."
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BY ALICE QU
Our reporter from G1116 covers the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Why is it Still Essential to Squeeze Exercise Into the Hectic 50h of School Per Week?
In simple words, we ’ ve always moved, a very essential part of human evolution involves moving when our local food supply collapsed, and we were forced to wander around the arid landscape looking for trees to scamper Our ancestors did, as a matter of fact, walk back and forth across acres and acres of land Our brains were in fact developed through working out and toiling How does our lifestyle affect the cognitive behaviours of our brains? In the study by John J Medina, (Medina, Brain Rules, 2008) we learned that two old men, in their nineties, were compared for this purpose One had vacant eyes, experienced loneliness and would spend most of his time staring into the blank space Another, on the other hand, was humorous, and showed little signs of the society’s stereotype towards old people The main difference of lifestyles between the two were whether they were sedentary – if you live a lifestyle where you are inactive and exercise irregularly, you are more likely to became less alert as you age and have a higher chance of bearing resemblance to the first man in your twilight years However, if you take care of yourself with regular exercise, you’ll be more likely to reap the fruits of your labour, remain energetic and responsive, and age like the second man as you grow older Those who are inactive are more likely to not make it into their eighties, and have a higher chance of undergoing a stroke or heart attacks. Those who are mostly mobile, when they reach their later years, are more likely to have an improved cardiovascular fitness and are more mentally alert.
Medina indicates that in every mental test possible, it was reflected that " a lifetime of exercise can result in a sometimes astonishing elevation in cognitive performance, compared with those who are sedentary” and that “exercisers out-perform couch potatoes in terms of long-term memory, reasoning, attention, problem-solving, even so-called fluid intelligence tasks." It was highlighted that these tasks are " a measure of the ability to reason quickly and think abstractly"
So if, however, you are already a couch potato, from the loads of tutorials and summative you are obligated to rush to the deadline, is it possible to turn you into a mentally alert exerciser? Yes, it is. Researchers found a group of individuals who weren’t active and put them on regular exercises, then measured their brain power on pre-exercise level and post-exercise level. The result showed that once the participants started participating in aerobic exercises (jogging, walking, cycling, swimming, etc.), their cognitive performance scores plummeted from pre-exercise levels in as short as 4 months This substantiates the possibility of salvaging yourself from the state of couch potatoes into a more cognitively sensible person
My research has enabled me to adapt this best practice for my fellow students. The recommended exercising structure throughout a week can be remembered as BAM 3-7-3 Which indicates bone strengthening exercises (jumping jacks, running, brisk walking, etc) should take up 3 days throughout the week; aerobic exercises (swimming, jogging, walking, jumping rope) should be engaged 7 times throughout the week, and muscle strengthening exercises (weight lifting, push-ups, climbing stairs, cycling).
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Copyright FIS 2022
10 STUDENT PERSPECTIVE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
By Alice Qu
Q.Covid sparked change for a lot of international students Many, for instance , many were forced to transfer out of the country they were in and put into a new setting due to safety or visa issues. This might instigate a feeling of feebleness and a sense of their life being controlled by their parents.
What advice can you give students who are going through this?
A.When feeling lack of control of life:
1) It is important to talk about what’s changed
2) Adolescent’s feelings should be validated
3) Figure out what we can and we can’t control
When something unexpected or unwanted happens, it’s easy to get stuck feeling sad, angry, or out of control. A helpful way to cope is to learn how to figure out what we can and can’t control
Q.Many students came to Furen straight from the Chinese curriculum and may suffer the dilemma of not being able to understand the language, plus having to study subjects using an unfamiliar language.
What advice do you have for students who are struggling to get accustomed to the learning style and become anxious because they can’t comprehend what is taught in class?
Inside Look ADVICE COLUMN ADVICE COLUMN Ask a Counsellor! Ask a Counsellor!
Our reporter from G1116 documents her in-depth interview with a volunteer counsellor , Ms. Joey Liang.
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When dealing with academic pressure, understand that stress is part of life
Suggestion:
1) Use Campus Resources
Approach teachers and classmates for help on academic questions when needed Look for schoolteachers or counsellors for advice and come out with ways might be helpful to you Such as form a study groups, study skill grounds, time management groups, study mentoring
2) Self-acceptance
The past is gone, and the future is not yet here The moment over which you have full control is the present moment Focus on what you can change instead of what you cannot change
Practice acceptance – When emotions are triggered, identify them and let them go instead of feeding them
3) Use Positive Self-Talk
How you talk to yourself influences how you feel about yourself If you “beat yourself up ” and belittle yourself, you might start believing the voice of that internal critic Instead, if you learn “support for yourself” then you will feel more hopeful, have more energy to achieve results, and be more likely to realize your full potential
Avoid getting support from people who might critical and judgmental
Getting at least seven hours of sleep at night, eating three meals each day, exercising, going for a walk, laughing with others, taking a hot shower to relax at night - these are good things for ourselves.
Q.
What advice do you have for students to manage their emotions when feeling home-sick and their family members are not around to provide physical and emotional support? And what can they do if they feel lonely being away from their familiarity zone?
1) Focus on what you can control
2) Practice good self-care
·Avoid over functioning such as trying to outperform
· Give yourself space
· Know the importance of study and life
· Be proactive in seeking support from others, and be flexible and creative in assessing support channels, such as using phone, emails and messages reach out to someone whom might be helpful to you.
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It’s normal to feel lonely sometimes A survey by MHA shows over 2/3 of 11-17 years old adolescent felt stress out about loneliness
Loneliness may make you feel more stress; restless; stop taking good care of your appearance or hygiene; even start showing signs of depression or anxiety.
A.
If you take steps to feel less lonely but find yourself still struggling to deal with day-to -day life, you may look for professional for help
Furen has an abundance of transfer students each semester , as they are put inside a class by which the students there are already acquainted, a feeling of isolation might cause them to not wanting to come to school purely because there is no one they can talk to and sit with during lunch , and might feel left out because everyone else had already formed their own friend groups Might be due to the in-group out-group phenomenon, students might not be that welcome towards newcomers
What advice can you give for those who are currently in this situation?
3) Reduce your judgments to improve your attitude.
Judgements often compare us to other instead of focusing on ourselves, tear down others to make us feel better about ourselves.
Constructive uses of that energy for:
-Self-improvement and compassion
-Celebrating other’s strengths and our own strengths
4) Deal with reality instead of fighting it
5) Improve relationship with yourself by practicing self-care
Manage relationships with peers and parents and improve relationship skills:
1) Understand Self and Others
Some believe that everyone is a unique induvial, which have our own temperament, personality, and character.
Examining relationships:
What do healthy relationships look like?
-Communication: active listening, form two-way communications; provide validation and acceptance
- Acceptance – accepting yourself for who you are, accepting others.
- Set healthy boundaries and limit setting
- Compassion – non-judgemental, encourage compassion for self and others.
2) Stop letting your emotions control you.
- Emotions are a combination of feelings, thoughts, and urges.
- They are a natural response based on what your brain thinks is happening
- Your brain is not always right
- Feel the feeling. Label it and let it go.
Q.For those who are already going through a mental disorder , no matter which one , who are avoiding talking about it and are unwilling to reveal it to their close ones due to the stigma it has in society and are afraid of how the school , teachers , and their friends or classmates would think about it , what advice can you give to them?
According to research, students who might be experiencing meatal health issues but hesitate to seek for help, self-stigmatization may decrease youth's willingness to seek help A literature review identified psychoeducation as the most common intervention strategy to reduce selfstigma related to mental illness
Invest more in outreach activities, such as individual and recurring dialogues with the school social worker or forms of help-seeking that avoid disclosure The young adults in this study saw these activities as ways to reduce the stigma and pressure of contacting the school social worker yourself, or to be able to keep your helpseeking unrevealed Web-based platforms could be seen as a form of outreach activity where youth could avoid disclosure Self-help interventions are also accessible to anyone, including individuals who would otherwise avoid seeking help due to fears about disclosure
Q. A.
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A.
To those experiencing a mental disorder and are on the borderline of not being able to function normally on a day-to-day basis , but are still being obliged to maintain their attendance , grades, and school work , what advice can you give for students stuck in this type of situation?
Helping People with Mental Illness
A.Understand Mental illness
Research shows: “A mental illness is a disturbance of the mind that impairs the way we think, feel and behave. It affects our daily activities, as well as impact the lives of family members and friends.
Mood and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses. About one in seven Singaporeans have experienced a mood or anxiety disorder at some point of their lives[1] Diagnosis is made through clinical tests and observations
Despite their prevalence, persons with mental illness still face considerable stigma and discrimination Many such individuals are thus reluctant to seek help and treatment”
Dispelling common misconceptions of mental illness
Ways to get help:
Take the first step by acknowledging that you may have a mental health condition This is how you get help and support
Consult a doctor or mental health professional
Talk to family members and friends
Find support in online forums
Join a peer support group
Call SAMH Counselling Hotline at 1800 283 7019 (toll-free)
You are aware that someone close to you may be suffering from a mental illness This is how you can lend a helping hand Learn about the mental illness and its recovery process Listen, and be respectful and supportive
Understand the person ’ s perspectives and offer hope
Encourage the person to seek and sustain professional treatment
Do not dismiss the person ’ s emotions or ignore comments about suicide
Road to Recovery
Recovery is unique to each individual Some common themes of recovery include:
- Hope
- Having strong relationships with others
- Taking control of one ’ s life
- Accepting responsibility for personal wellness
- Having meaning and purpose in life
- Developing coping strategies
Q.What advice can you give to society for normalizing the discussion on mental well-being and though not being able to act sympathetically, but at least be respectful towards someone ’ s disorder?
“While there's life, there's hope.”
A.Have more understanding on mental health to dispelling common misconceptions.
Disclaimers:
1. Adolescents have their unique experience of their own whichever school-related, academic, disciplinary, peer relationships and parental issue, hence, the information provided is as general and may not be able to apply for everyone
2 The information given is based on personal knowledge and perspective
Q.
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- Marcus Tulius Cicero
What should students do if they feel that their life or their friend’s life is at risk?
1) Inform the schoolteacher immediately.
2)If you or someone you know is in immediate harm, call 24-hour emergency medical services at 995 or approach your nearest A&E
3)Resources and contacts for student’s reference when needed:
National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am12am)
Fei Yue's Online Counselling Service: eC2sg website (Mon to Fri, 10am to 12pm, 2pm to 5pm)
Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health
Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours)
Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm)
Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928/6509-0271
(Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm)
Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (Mon to Fri, 230pm to 5pm)/ Tinkle Friend website (Mon to Thu, 230pm to 7pm and Fri, 230pm to 5pm)
"
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all."
– Emily Dickinson
Q.
A.
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BY: ALICE QU
TEACHING FROM THE HEART: FIS students conducting English lessons for local children in Cambodia PHOTO | FIS
A FULFILLING EXPERIENCE: FIS students visit the local students in Siem Reap. PHOTO | FIS
Aoxue performs "For Forever" at FIS Graduation Ceremony in October 2022
PHOTO | FIS
By Li Zhuoxuan
