Panmedia Eye - September 2014

The Chik-V Meme Attack
 
Chikungunya is serious and scary, and has taking down dozens of Jamaicans in the past few weeks. But, Jamaicans tek serious ting mek joke! Out came the songs, and of course, the memes. From Chixkungunya to The chicken gunman, this virus is getting star treatment!

 
The Panmedia Eye…on Social Media 
 
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge takes over Corporate Jamaica
 
Jamaicans just had to be part of this worldwide charity sensation. Pouring a bucket load of ice/ice water over one’s body was the ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) challenge. After taking the challenge participants nominate others to do the same. If they do not, they must donate to the ALS foundation. Of course, with Jamaican generousity of spirit, challengers who completed still donated. From Lisa Hanna to Jacqueline Sharp, Jamaica was on board for the cold!  (Never mind that we were weeks into a drought).

​The Digicel #WaterTankSchoolChallenge aims for ALS Ice bucket challenge success
 
The challenge was probably born when Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer Barry O’Brien forfeited an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and decided to donate three water tanks to schools in the corporate area.
 
The Digicel Water Tank Challenge has participants doing 10 push-ups and donating $500. If they don’t meet that target, challengers must donate $1,000.  According to Digicel’s website, companies like Stewarts Automotive Group, BMW Jamaica and Flow completed the challenge and also made donations. We hope to see the public take this on because it is for a good cause!
 

#TweetWars in Jamaica
 
On September 23, Chronixx posted on his Instagram and Twitter account:
 
“Good morning chronixx...you're smiling! No...I'm laughing. I'm laughing at the Jamaica government! And the poor people who applaud them and hang orange and green flags outside their board houses and on trees planted on "capture land!" I'm laughing at this dumb government who have never erected a live music venue in honor of reggae music even though it is the only reason why people is still visiting this beautiful island of bankruptcy...I'm laughing because I know something that "they don't know". Miss Hanna and Mr...I can never remember his name. I think it's time we sit and listen what the artistes have learnt from the rest of the world. #linkup”

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According to Jamaica Observer Lisa Hanna, Minister of Youth and Culture, responded:
“I love your music and your passion. However, I want to remind you, that both yourself and other artistes are benefiting today from the trade agreements now in place for cultural and creative services. Just a month ago I concluded a meeting on foreign trade for cultural services as already many of our cultural goods have zero tariffs for international trade. What we need is more young people to get involved in the business of culture. I have been putting the resources to train our young people. Over 9,000 this year. I have personally called you and left messages on your phone and never got a response. Because I would like to hear your ideas that can be implemented. Stop blaming and lumping all politicians together. It's unfair and untrue. Blessed love."
 
Let’s hope this is the start of a useful dialogue with the hardworking minister and a good reggae singer who should have his writing vetted. 
 

The iPhone 6 bends!?
 
iPhone, Smartphone elite, recently released two new versions: one small, one big J or iPhone 6 an iPhone 6 Plus respectively. Sadly, the mighty can fall. Soon after the release technies uncovered an unforgiving truth of the iPhone 6 Plus… it bends! (Thus the ‘nickname’ bendgate). The first link is a video of the iPhone 6 Plus bending that has gotten over 45 million views. In fairness, we include link below from Consumer Report applying 90 pounds of force before the phone starts to deform, outperforming the HTC One, which is considered sturdier.