Category Archives: Speculative

Speculative

Yelping for Yelp’s sake

I confess. I like Yelp. I like that they have reviews and listings for businesses, restaurants and services when the big-name web directories are still 3-6 months behind in posting (think Citysearch and their offspring Urbanspoon). I believe Yelp’s timeliness is due to its very active userbase. Like most social networking sites, Yelp makes it easy to reach out to friends and families–this occurs through the power of reviews.

Much has been said about Yelp’s shady dealings and extortionist practices. More has been said about the low-brow shenanigans and unprofessional reviews. Scandals and lawsuits abound. Again, like the major social networking sites, Yelp was bound sooner or later to suffer negative publicity.

I imagine that some businesses will be hurt more than others. I imagine that more critics and review snobs will turn their nose up at Yelp. But it’s hard to deny that Yelp is a helpful resource…I am one Yelper who reads others’ reviews and take them into consideration before visiting a business. And sometimes I will go despite the one- to two-star ratings, to satisfy my own curiosity.

Yelp serves the local community. Its service is dynamic, ever-changing, always trying to catch up, thanks to the contributions of the masses. They have the listings that they do because their members are a vocal lot–they take the time to post. I feel that other search directories cater to businesses who have the advertising revenue…which unfortunately discriminates against the small businesses and local shops without the big ad budgets. Other directories also try to inflate their self-importance by claiming they have reviews “written by professional critics”–which we all know sometimes goes against popular consensus. Of course, I do prefer writing reviews minus the snarky editorials and blog-style blitzkrieg that some reviewers prefer–if I’m reviewing a restaurant, then I’m judging them on the merits of their food, ambience, service. I’m not going to pen some cutesy anecdote about my dogs just to add “flavor” to my criticisms.

Yelp. Love it or hate it. It’s just another MySpace, Facebook, Twitter…except with reviews by you and me. It’s about the power of choice. Though if Yelp started censoring my reviews, then I imagine it’s time to find the next great Web 2.0 social network. In cyberspace it’s easy to shift your loyalties…

Speculative

Quotations and thoughts on being Asian

World of Warcraft should be placed alongside Facebook and cigarette breaks as leading causes of declining productivity among today’s workers. The game is just so damn addictive.

Asian parents often have one of two mindsets. They are either motivated by the lack of opportunity provided in their own lives, and are determined to provide their children with the facilities and support to excel that they themselves, never had….The other mindset is one of pragmatism. The ever-worrying Asian parent, fearing mediocrity for their child, pushes the poor kid to their limit, all in view for their future.

The “critical language acquisition” stage ends when a child hits 7. Before that age, languages can be easily learned — one of the reasons why Europe and other Asian countries teach foreign languages before Middle School. Sometimes, it’s just ludicrous how the American education system works.

Asian chicks dig white guys. Somewhere in the midst of the pseudo-nationalistic indoctrination our well-meaning parents inflict upon us, we ladies stop paying attention and allow tall(er), skinny, white boy engineers to steal our hearts.

I found some entertaining reading and speculation on the Asian culture (Stuff Asian People Like) after filling out an amusing quiz on “How Asian Are You”.

Speculative

Great things to believe in

A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!
Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.

I Believe…
That just because two people argue,
It doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.  
And just because they don’t argue,  
It doesn’t mean they do love each other.

I Believe…
That we don’t have to change friends if  
We understand that friends change.

I Believe…
That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe…
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe…  
That you can do something in an instant  
That will give you heartache for life.

I Believe…
That it’s taking me a long time  
To become the person I want to be.  

I Believe…
That you should always leave loved ones with  
Loving words. It may be the last time you see them.  

I Believe…  
That you can keep going long after you think you can’t.  

I Believe…
That we are responsible for what  
We do, no matter how we feel.  

I Believe…
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.  

I Believe…
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.  

I Believe…
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.  

I Believe…
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe…
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you
When you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe…
That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry,   
But that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.  

I Believe…
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had  
And what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I Believe…
That it isn’t always enough, to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.  

I Believe…
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I Believe…
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,  
But, we are responsible for who we become.  

I Believe…
That you shouldn’t be so eager to find  
Out a secret. It could change your life forever.  

I Believe…
Two people can look at the exact same  
Thing and see something totally different.  

I Believe…
That your life can be changed in a matter of  
Hours by people who don’t even know you.  

I Believe…
That even when you think you have no more to give, when  
A friend cries out to you – you will find the strength to help.  

I Believe…
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.  

I Believe…
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon. 

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything;  
They just make the most of everything.