Thoughts on our 50th Independence

I was listening to Dr. Eric Williams' speech to schoolchildren on the eve of Independence, and I realised that adults of today probably wouldn't understand it, far less most children.  He used big words. He spoke of large dreams. He used literary references. He spoke in English, and he spoke in a rational and almost quiet voice.
 I listened to speeches last night. I heard no big words, I heard no big dreams, rather, I heard small petty ideas and a rush to "own" OUR Independence. I heard petty politics. I also heard mispronunciations, malapropisms, "green" verbs and misuse of terms. I heard all these at volumes that started at a level  above shriek and went higher.
I love the idea of this country, but more and more I'm not loving the actuality of it. It's becoming more and more loud, crude, hard, unpleasant.
On this day, I would like us all to vow to bring back civility, erudition, critical thought, love of art and beauty to this country. We need to see what is good, what potential we have, and support it. We need to fight to prevent mediocrity, corruption and pettiness taking over.
That's my Independence wish. I hope that on the 100th Independence day, in 2062, we'll be what I know we can be. Or even better!

The National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy and Strategy Conference Day 1

The first day of the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy and Strategy Conference was focused on the first two themes of the National ICT plan (smartTT):

1. Innovation and Human Capital Development 
2. Access and Digital Inclusion

Following a short opening session (1 hr) where all the dignitaries made their speeches about the importance of the plan, we headed into the first plenary, which focused on an overview of ICTS for development, and a summary/executive review of the National ICT Plan Refresh - smartTT - by the Chairman of iGovTT, Atiba Phillips. 

History of LACRALO

At the ICANN meeting in Costa Rica, I sat down with  Carlton Samuels to explain the history of LACRALO to Glenn McKnight who's documenting the history of ICANN's At Large community.

I AM! Wendell Manwarren's TEDx PortOfSpain Talk

I think, therefore I am.
I AM...
Wendell talks about who we are, how we find ourselves

Grammar rant for the day - Correct use of personal pronouns

"They gave my friend and I a gift." WRONGWRONGWRONGWRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good way to test:
Break the sentence up, for example:
"They gave my friend a gift, and they gave... what? They gave I a gift?"

People PUHLEEZE!

Correct usage is "my friend and ME".
"They gave my friend a gift, and they gave me a gift. "

"Me" is used when it is the object of the sentence, "I" when it is the subject.

"I went to the party", "My friend and I went to the party" gives us "My friend and I went to the party"
"They gave my friend a gift, and they gave me a gift. " gives us "They gave my friend and me a gift"

I heard not one correct use of this for the ENTIRE WEEKEND. Then I came on G+ this morning and the first post I read had "my wife and I" as the object. I just got really really pissed.

Do people not learn English Grammar anymore in school? Or is it that so many people use this incorrectly that it's being seen as correct?
I know English is a living language and changes, but I think the difference between subject and object in a sentence is one of the fundamentals of comprehension. This should be used correctly.

END RANT. :)
If you want to check it out yourself, here's a link from the OED online.

Web designers vs Web Developers - Which one R u?

Web Designers vs Web Developers is brought to you by Wix.com
Use creative design to make a Free Website
You are most welcome to share this infographic with your audience.

Australia to ban ultra-skinny models

Hmmm - I think that they should ban unhealthy models, but there is a range of healthy, including some naturally very skinny. I think that we need to tell people that whatever they are naturally is good, and they should not try to change, as long as they are healthy. Banning people because they are "too skinny" comes from the same philosophy as banning them because they are "too fat" or "too short" or "too tall". All are judgmental and do not support a philosophy of supporting diversity, healthy and normal body ranges. I was very healthy and active in my teen years, but my ribs showed (back and front), and I could have been called unhealthy, but I certainly wasn't.

But I do like the bans on those stupid weight-loss adverts. If only they could mandate them to be replaced by adverts for healthy choices, including diverse models.

Australia to ban ultra-skinny models | News.com.au