Today, February 7th, marks Safer Internet Day.
"The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. It calls upon young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies, policymakers, and wider, to join together in helping to create a better internet." (UK Safer Internet Centre)
It may seem rather counterintuitive that I'm the one to be going on about this, given the fact I've often discussed fooling about on various (dodgy) sites like Omegle, and generally just indulging in somewhat risqué behaviours online. So I'm hardly one to preach. However, internet safety is very important to me. We should all be striving towards a safer online community for all.
I've always been keen to create a safer environment for younger people online. I appreciate it's probably because of the weird stuff I got up to myself as a young person. I understand the issues out there.
Anyway.
So as it's Safer Internet Day, I'd like to share with you a thing I find pretty neat. It may stem from the fact I've always loved To Catch a Predator episodes and, more recently, Creep Catcher videos on YouTube (watch some, it's a catchy tune, too) but I like knowing children can go online without having to worry about being groomed.
In his book Internet Linguistics, David Crystal discusses a means of linguistic analysis that could be used to help protect young people online. Although I'm sure there have been advances in such algorithms since (I'd be happy to learn of them), the Cumulative Paedophile Index (CPI) looked at identifying features such as suggestive words (SW), phrases and sentences that seemed to express a predator's underlying intent (Crystal, 2011). Crystal set up a "lexical scale of suggestiveness"- essentially, what sort of topics were being discussed between a potential predator and victim, and at what level of suggestiveness the conversational path was taking. The scale ran from 1 to 5, with over 350 words (including variant forms) being classified in such a way. Here are some of Crystal's examples of words found at the different levels:
Level 1 words: age, friend
Level 2 words: enjoy, legs
Level 3 words: alone, cam
Level 4 words: bare, bedroom
Level 5 words: breasts, meeting
(Crystal, 2011: 126)
Crystal hypothesised that "a paedophile conversation would show a steady accumulation of SWs, whereas an innocent conversation would not" (Crystal, 2011: 126). Basically, a typical 'grooming' pattern was established, where predators would first try and befriend victims, then assess if they would be at risk of detection, only to progress into more sexually-charged conversation.
An important message behind this work is how one can use such analyses for the purposes of intervention. How should children stay safe? How can they recognise the potential dangers that are posed to them online?
There's not really a simple answer. Many people need to be involved. Safer Internet Day and all the good organisations that help to provide a better online atmosphere for all, is but the beginning.
#SID2017
Crystal, D. (2011). Internet linguistics: A Student Guide Abingdon, (Oxon: Routledge).
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Monday, 23 January 2017
Colour Oracle
Previously I've spoken about such fun personality tests like Pathways, and there was the cube test thing that people seemed to enjoy, too.
This is a similar little gem I found scrolling through tumblr. Because I often enjoy indulging in my somewhat narcissistic tendencies, I do love a good (mostly inaccurate) analysis of my psyche. Be it random Buzzfeed articles discussing what type of bread I'd be or whatever, this particular test was actually kinda fun.
You can access it here, if you so wished.
If you're not afraid of some colours revealing your inner-most thoughts and throwing some shade your way, take a peek. And do leave me some comments on how you did, if you're not feeling too personally attacked by the answers.
Anyway, enjoy.
This is a similar little gem I found scrolling through tumblr. Because I often enjoy indulging in my somewhat narcissistic tendencies, I do love a good (mostly inaccurate) analysis of my psyche. Be it random Buzzfeed articles discussing what type of bread I'd be or whatever, this particular test was actually kinda fun.
You can access it here, if you so wished.
If you're not afraid of some colours revealing your inner-most thoughts and throwing some shade your way, take a peek. And do leave me some comments on how you did, if you're not feeling too personally attacked by the answers.
Anyway, enjoy.
Friday, 20 January 2017
Advice I'd Give To A Younger Me (3 Years On)
Life currently has consisted very much of Attempting Productivity But Failing Miserably™. And to be honest, that's okay. These things happen. It's just brought about a lot of time for contemplation and general life... thoughts.
One such thought led me back to a small something I'd written on here a few years ago. It consisted of a bit of advice I'd have given to my younger self, given the opportunity. Now, that's all fine and dandy, but time has elapsed since then. I have much more wisdom to bestow now. Sort of.
So now, three years on, I thought I'd take the opportunity to dwell on the activities that have occurred since and offer some updated advice to 18-year-old me.
Drink more water. Well, this one hasn't changed. You could still learn from this. Please do. More water, less everything else.
Learn. Just continue to learn. You still don't have the musical nor linguistic aptitude for any instrument or language. Don't dwell on it too much. Learn about things you do care about. Although you are trying to learn french now. But try harder with that one, please.
Remember that not everyone is looking at you, or cares what you're doing. Still relevant. Stop worrying so much. And even if there are some people looking and caring about what you're doing... Do you know why? It's because they care. They want what's best for you.
Don't regret dyeing your hair random colours. However. Just know, green really doesn't come out. Like, ever. Ever. Also, don't worry that the thing you applied for didn't work out. It was an interesting experience. Take that and go with it.
Do enjoy the fact you're no longer a person who has to always get ready if you don't plan on leaving the house. It's okay to not put on jeans. You're unsure why you never enjoyed the luxury of sweatpants before. Embrace it. Also, do go swimming more. You miss it. So just do it.
Appreciate the time you have at university. It goes really fucking quick. Appreciate that things turn out well, eventually. Appreciate that you will eventually know what you're going to write your dissertation about, and you will, at some point, be able to read it back. Maybe even appreciate the house fire and how it made you think just how little time you had left to complete your work and made you get shit done. Silver linings and all that.
Try not to get too scared about the future. You should really keep this one in mind still. It sucks that you have little idea about what the future holds. You find a way, eventually. Things go well for you academically. You're gonna do some fun things. You're also going to struggle to find a sense of purpose. It sort of comes to you. Try not to worry if you change your mind. Try to stop making bad decisions, but move and learn from them when you do. It's the only way you can.
You see, hindsight is a wonderful thing... or so they say. Maybe I'll come back to this as 24-year-old Joanne and see what she has to say about all this. Until then.
One such thought led me back to a small something I'd written on here a few years ago. It consisted of a bit of advice I'd have given to my younger self, given the opportunity. Now, that's all fine and dandy, but time has elapsed since then. I have much more wisdom to bestow now. Sort of.
So now, three years on, I thought I'd take the opportunity to dwell on the activities that have occurred since and offer some updated advice to 18-year-old me.
Drink more water. Well, this one hasn't changed. You could still learn from this. Please do. More water, less everything else.
Learn. Just continue to learn. You still don't have the musical nor linguistic aptitude for any instrument or language. Don't dwell on it too much. Learn about things you do care about. Although you are trying to learn french now. But try harder with that one, please.
Remember that not everyone is looking at you, or cares what you're doing. Still relevant. Stop worrying so much. And even if there are some people looking and caring about what you're doing... Do you know why? It's because they care. They want what's best for you.
Don't regret dyeing your hair random colours. However. Just know, green really doesn't come out. Like, ever. Ever. Also, don't worry that the thing you applied for didn't work out. It was an interesting experience. Take that and go with it.
Do enjoy the fact you're no longer a person who has to always get ready if you don't plan on leaving the house. It's okay to not put on jeans. You're unsure why you never enjoyed the luxury of sweatpants before. Embrace it. Also, do go swimming more. You miss it. So just do it.
Appreciate the time you have at university. It goes really fucking quick. Appreciate that things turn out well, eventually. Appreciate that you will eventually know what you're going to write your dissertation about, and you will, at some point, be able to read it back. Maybe even appreciate the house fire and how it made you think just how little time you had left to complete your work and made you get shit done. Silver linings and all that.
Try not to get too scared about the future. You should really keep this one in mind still. It sucks that you have little idea about what the future holds. You find a way, eventually. Things go well for you academically. You're gonna do some fun things. You're also going to struggle to find a sense of purpose. It sort of comes to you. Try not to worry if you change your mind. Try to stop making bad decisions, but move and learn from them when you do. It's the only way you can.
You see, hindsight is a wonderful thing... or so they say. Maybe I'll come back to this as 24-year-old Joanne and see what she has to say about all this. Until then.
Monday, 9 January 2017
Prague
I had little idea about what to expect from Prague. Although I'd only heard good things from my friends, mainly regarding the price of beer, so there was that.
That certainly didn't disappoint. An abundance of beer was consumed, and very much enjoyed.
We visited a lot of beautiful museums and galleries too. I highly recommend. Even if it is to make bad memes out of all the paintings.
Go to Prague, drink beer, eat lots of tasty meat products, have a grand time.
That certainly didn't disappoint. An abundance of beer was consumed, and very much enjoyed.
We visited a lot of beautiful museums and galleries too. I highly recommend. Even if it is to make bad memes out of all the paintings.
Go to Prague, drink beer, eat lots of tasty meat products, have a grand time.
Saturday, 17 December 2016
Life in Fiction (Part 7)
Read Part 6 here or from the beginning, here
"I've got it! Sweet peaaa!" sang Lou as she entered the kitchen where everyone stood. She placed a large propellor on the kitchen countertop.
It smelt... weird. Everyone avoided eye contact with one another for half a second.
"So... underwater car, right?" Kath asked Lou, breaking the silence. She looked at the rather decrepit piece of junk that sat forlornly upon her Nanny Beth's counter top.
"YES! I've been working on it a few weeks now, I think I have the right materials to assemble something that may actually work." Lou replied, as she slowly took in the characters present in the kitchen.
"You're not the gardener, are you? said Lou, addressing the Answer. "Because I've been meaning to get someone to look at trimming my hedges at the back..."
The Answer looked at Lou. He smiled, and reached for her hand.
"I'm most certainly not a gardener, I've not a green, uh... finger in me... I just happened to meet the wonderful Kath on the bus, and here I am, my dear lady!" he began to move Lou's hand to his lips, but thought better of it when Kath glared at him. The Answer dropped Lou's hand quickly.
"Kath!" Lou glared. She stepped to take a closer look at the Answer.
"Not another..." she looked at the Answer wearily "...friend." she finished, and stood back again.
Kath stared at Lou, who was now looking at Beth expectantly. Beth just smiled.
"You do remember the last time, right?" Lou's gaze fell over Kath, studying her carefully.
Kath stepped back, and raised her hands. "Look, I know last time was... unusual. To say the least. But this is different!" Kath tried to sound confident, whilst also remembering the outcome of her last encounter with strangers...
Yeah. That hadn't gone quite so well.
Part 8
"I've got it! Sweet peaaa!" sang Lou as she entered the kitchen where everyone stood. She placed a large propellor on the kitchen countertop.
It smelt... weird. Everyone avoided eye contact with one another for half a second.
"So... underwater car, right?" Kath asked Lou, breaking the silence. She looked at the rather decrepit piece of junk that sat forlornly upon her Nanny Beth's counter top.
"YES! I've been working on it a few weeks now, I think I have the right materials to assemble something that may actually work." Lou replied, as she slowly took in the characters present in the kitchen.
"You're not the gardener, are you? said Lou, addressing the Answer. "Because I've been meaning to get someone to look at trimming my hedges at the back..."
The Answer looked at Lou. He smiled, and reached for her hand.
"I'm most certainly not a gardener, I've not a green, uh... finger in me... I just happened to meet the wonderful Kath on the bus, and here I am, my dear lady!" he began to move Lou's hand to his lips, but thought better of it when Kath glared at him. The Answer dropped Lou's hand quickly.
"Kath!" Lou glared. She stepped to take a closer look at the Answer.
"Not another..." she looked at the Answer wearily "...friend." she finished, and stood back again.
Kath stared at Lou, who was now looking at Beth expectantly. Beth just smiled.
"You do remember the last time, right?" Lou's gaze fell over Kath, studying her carefully.
Kath stepped back, and raised her hands. "Look, I know last time was... unusual. To say the least. But this is different!" Kath tried to sound confident, whilst also remembering the outcome of her last encounter with strangers...
Yeah. That hadn't gone quite so well.
Part 8
Monday, 28 November 2016
Like Mother, Like Daughter: February
February provided a whole lot more angst for my mother (see here for January):
Saturday, February 1st, 1975
Better do some homework.
English =Wed
History, Maths and Chemistry = Monday (and German)
Geography and French = Wednesday
Did English, Chemistry and most of History.
Mum & Dad brought me a jumper and a do up at the front bra.
They went to party.
Sunday, February 2nd, 1975
Do rest of History and Maths and Geog and German.
Went for walk wish I hadn't because I met Marc and Russel who have unhappily discovered Paul. I think they realise it's Paul ------- . Not looking forward to tomorrow. Don't really mind Paul knowing its everyone else.
And I was happy! Mum said shouldn't have gone for walk.
Monday, February 3rd, 1975
INDIANS REHEARSAL
wonder what will happen
I'm not gonna let Marc or his mates get me down I'm gonna fight back. The fireworks will fly in Maths, History and Chem if necessary. They won't snigger.
Well at dinnertime I was almost crying in fact I was.
Marc said he had told Paul. Afterwards was better I sat in usual place. Both me Lee and Paul had argument about Eng, and Germ, Marc said something about on bustop oh well he's talking to me.
Tuesday, February 4th, 1975
English talk --> changed to wednesday
Alright Paul went to Rugby.
Wednesday, February 5th, 1975
Must ask Paul whether he is going to dance if so I hope I can go.
I'm writing this Sunday night, by today I should know how Paul feels and the rest of 4th year that is if Marc & Russ do do what they say..
Well Paul did go up dance I was there in me new clobber. But I wasnt going to speak to him unless he spoke to me first (perhaps that's what he felt)though he did follow us into room near dance with his mates and out near us. I think what made it worse was that I talked closely to Ray. So he retaliated by talk to a girl (ugly. I not that sad although did cry on the way home. What I wonder is 3 things. is he shy or (???) or just plain doesnt like me, I did somehow expect this to happen. In Maths today he mucked about blocky my path as I tried to get out.
This boys confusing me
Good English talk
Mum & Dad reckoned I looked nice
Saturday, February 1st, 1975
Better do some homework.
English =Wed
History, Maths and Chemistry = Monday (and German)
Geography and French = Wednesday
Did English, Chemistry and most of History.
Mum & Dad brought me a jumper and a do up at the front bra.
They went to party.
Sunday, February 2nd, 1975
Do rest of History and Maths and Geog and German.
Went for walk wish I hadn't because I met Marc and Russel who have unhappily discovered Paul. I think they realise it's Paul ------- . Not looking forward to tomorrow. Don't really mind Paul knowing its everyone else.
And I was happy! Mum said shouldn't have gone for walk.
Monday, February 3rd, 1975
INDIANS REHEARSAL
wonder what will happen
I'm not gonna let Marc or his mates get me down I'm gonna fight back. The fireworks will fly in Maths, History and Chem if necessary. They won't snigger.
Well at dinnertime I was almost crying in fact I was.
Marc said he had told Paul. Afterwards was better I sat in usual place. Both me Lee and Paul had argument about Eng, and Germ, Marc said something about on bustop oh well he's talking to me.
Tuesday, February 4th, 1975
English talk --> changed to wednesday
Alright Paul went to Rugby.
Wednesday, February 5th, 1975
Must ask Paul whether he is going to dance if so I hope I can go.
I'm writing this Sunday night, by today I should know how Paul feels and the rest of 4th year that is if Marc & Russ do do what they say..
Well Paul did go up dance I was there in me new clobber. But I wasnt going to speak to him unless he spoke to me first (perhaps that's what he felt)though he did follow us into room near dance with his mates and out near us. I think what made it worse was that I talked closely to Ray. So he retaliated by talk to a girl (ugly. I not that sad although did cry on the way home. What I wonder is 3 things. is he shy or (???) or just plain doesnt like me, I did somehow expect this to happen. In Maths today he mucked about blocky my path as I tried to get out.
This boys confusing me
Good English talk
Mum & Dad reckoned I looked nice
Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Rome
Rome was definitely an amazing birthday present.
It was also one of the most architecturally complex and magnificent places I have ever visited. Many, many grand buildings. Lots of beautiful, stylish people. Yet with any city, it is interspersed with layers of poverty.
So many people trying to sell wooden bowls.
I had an amazing time. Visit, for sure.
It was also one of the most architecturally complex and magnificent places I have ever visited. Many, many grand buildings. Lots of beautiful, stylish people. Yet with any city, it is interspersed with layers of poverty.
So many people trying to sell wooden bowls.
I had an amazing time. Visit, for sure.
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