Was discussing this topic with my friend last night and I find it interesting to write about it over here. He claims that in learning, one does not have to actually be immersed inside the field itself, as the world nowadays are connected with so many different sources of information especially in the internet. However, I am in a different mindset that although a lot of information can be obtain, it can never replace first hand experience.

In the current world, speed is what's most important. If you were to get information fast and accurately, providing that you know how to adapt, accept, and use it, you can actually be one step ahead of everyone around you. You can be the one leading the way, rather than the one following people's footstep. If I were to only get information and insight from external or secondary source, where is the competitive advantage already? Speed and a timely action is needed, and it can NEVER be obtained from a secondary source.

In addition to that, being in the current industry and lifestyle, old tactics and strategy rarely works anymore. As I've written in the last paragraph, everyone have access to an information, so everyone would practically be able to grasp hold of the information or strategy, and with that; i believe they WILL be using it. New things and innovation needs to be present in order to gain a competitive advantage against our competitor and how are you going to do that? Lets just say that being IN the situation itself would allow you to understand things better that viewing it from a further perspective. Does it help? I believe it does.

Yes, no doubt that in this world of ubiquitous connection and networking through the internet, information can be sent across split second. Everything you want can simply be found in the internet. Like what my friend used to say, "if you don't know anything, google it" I must agree, it's true. the question is, where does these information come from? One simple word explains it, human. Human are selfish in nature, they may share but most of them would keep the best for themselves. How much can you gain from that then? You'll always be lagging behind instead of being in front if you only rely on secondary information.

To succeed, we need to constantly try to be in front. Not only in terms of your academic studies but even your general knowledge, and the ability to adapt, learn and USE what you gain from other sources. In my Advertising field, how are you supposed to help promote Starbucks if you have NEVER step foot inside the shop? Or how can you help promote Prada, Gucci or any other brand if you don't even know what is it? If you don't even know what is Haagen Daaz, how are you going to promote it? What is Prada? What is Gucci? Is it something you can eat? Are they selling the quality or the brand? No matter how much change my viewpoints and perception, this never change and I believe that it shouldn't change.

Just my 2 cents of viewpoints --

There was something that struck my mind recently by what my lecturer had said to the class one morning. She was criticising the students for not having proper general knowledge in the field they were supposed to work in the future. Words such as "You are advertising students, but you don't even know popular advertising techniques used by big companies. How are you going to work in the future?" Many people may say "That is why I'm studying this course" but perhaps to me, this isn't the case. Education in University only gives us the basic theory, but a lot of the required extra information comes from one's self, through reading and experience.

For myself, I am never able to experience this type of things as I'm just a kid who lives in a small town called Ipoh. The number of quality advertisements are just so limited that nothing can be learned by observing and experiencing, unlike people in bigger cities such as Kuala Lumpur. Honestly, I was actually doubting myself, being in a very low morale. I mean, I don't even take the LRT more than 10 times in my LIFE. If I were to be asked to create a ad in mass transit, how am I capable of doing so? I am someone who NEVER looks at brands, how am I supposed to trust in the power of brand? Honestly, it's quite impossible.

That is why I believe that I need to change. Not for the sake of changing, but for myself. For my future, and for my future competency. Since I can never experience things first hand for the next 2-3 years. What I need to do is to read and spend time creating new things instead. Thus my current lifestyle. I do not sleep late; as I tend to get worn out after class. Studying means nothing to me at that time, I rather spend time lying on my bed and read articles of the industry nowadays.

In campus, rather than wasting time chatting and walking around. I turn on my iPod and surf the net. Through social media such as Twitter, I'm linked with many articles and information that may help me in the future. Yes, I may have neglected my studies academically and also slack a lot more on my assignments. But to me, those are just grades. No doubt, it must be done in the best ways possible. But I believe that thing learnt from textbooks isn't what's important in the future. I believe in the knowledge of current trends and ways things ought to be done.

One thing I'm simply lacking of now is the chance to actually do things practically.
Doing things I've been doing when I was form 1 until form 5 which ceased since I've entered UTAR

It's been a long time, I know. I went on hiatus not because I want to, but every time I wanted to write, I end up being stuck and not being able to write anything at all. Perhaps the expectation of the post is just too high and I can't simply write and post anything at all already. Everything needs to be properly revised and reviewed before being published. Now that it's early in the morning, and LoL server is down AGAIN! I guess I can write something.

Ever since I'm young, I've been wanting to be someone special to the people around me. I do not hope to be someone who stirs up the crowd with joy and laughter, nor someone who becomes the middle of attention in anything but to be someone who can inspire others. Yes, to be an inspiration to others. Thus, in every single thing I do, I try to do it in a way people never thought of doing. I try to be different, sometimes even philosophical.