Reality Television Has Gone Too Far – Viva la Revolution!

I’ve never exactly been a fan of sitting down on a Saturday night and salivating over a group of no talent idiots living their lives, but new reality show, ‘I Wanna Marry Harry’ has taken it to new, disturbing levels. This is a call to arms, Oliver Rawlings readers, Viva la Revolution!

Do you remember when you could sit down, flick on the box and know that you’d be greeted with quality telly? Yeah, neither do I. These days it’s all ‘she slept with him’ and ‘I’m going to stab her in the back just to win a singing contest, that we all know will go nowhere,’ It’s spiralling out of control and we owe it to the next generation to save them from this hellish nightmare

A  Reformed Reality-Aholic

I’ll admit I’m not exactly a telly connoisseur. I still haven’t watched Game of Thrones and I honestly probably never will. I’m the sort of guy who actually enjoyed watching Eurovision as a kid because it was so fantastically camp (not so much now, considering the abysmal British position yet again this year).

And more to the point, I’ve got a confession. I beg all of your forgiveness, I was once a fan of reality television. I’ve go to admit that in the early days, I found Big Brother fascinating (who wasn’t addicted to the never ending comedy styling’s of treasured housemates such as Nadia, Brian, Makosi and Kinga) and I bought into the X Factor dream (I’m ashamed to admit that I still get all hopped up about the abominable way Sharon treated Danni way back when).

But it’s ventured into the realm of the ridiculous now. At least these kinds of shows once had a point. The new generation of reality shows like Made in Chelsea and the dreaded TOWIE (watching those people do nothing more than exist makes me wonder how humanity ever came to this) are as vacuous as they are dull. It’s like watching the world’s worst wildlife documentary.

A New Low: Society Is Officially in Cultural Decline

But now it’s hit a new low and entered the realm of the depraved. There is now a Fox (who else – they really will put anything on TV) show called ‘I Want to Marry Harry.’ If Prince Harry was actually on it, it would be more fascinating than the latest raft of ‘whodunnit’ stories currently playing out in soapland.

Instead, we’re subject to a show that – honest to goodness- sees a Prince Harry impersonator attempt to trick girls into thinking he’s the genuine article. If these are the depths we’ve sunk to, maybe it’s time to just give up and go home. There has to be a better way to entertain ourselves. It’s banal, excruciatingly cringe worthy and opportunistic. Even by reality TV standards.

Oliver Rawlings readers, every society has to hit rock bottom before it realises it has a problem and implements change. I believe ‘I Wanna Marry Harry’ is ours. Bring about the revolution, we’ve literally got nothing left to lose!

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How to Hold a Conversation with a Kitchen Appliance!

How often have you just wanted to know what was going on with your cooker, oven, washing machine etc.? Well, with the latest development from tech firm LG, you might just be able to. The Oliver Rawlings blog this week welcomes you to the kitchen appliances that talk back!

How often have you wanted to know what’s in the fridge or have you forgotten to set off your washing machine after you’ve just left the house? Well now with LG’s new text chat service you can work your appliances no matter where you are, as it allows you to control them by text!

The LG Text Chat Service

South Korea based international technology firm LG Electronics has recently announced the launch of a text chat service that allows you to control your kitchen appliances no matter where you are.

It works like this. Say you’re on your way home from work and you’re not sure whether you’ve got any milk in. You think you might need to go pick some up from the corner shop, but if you’ve already got some in you don’t want to buy more. With this service all you need to do is text and ask, and your fridge will let you know.

It’s a really new service and at the moment it’s only available in South Korea, but LG are planning to expand to other markets, such as the US, in the future. They’ll need to get on it, as rival tech company Samsung has already released similar air conditioner, fridge and washer smart-aware appliances with its Smart Home Service.

A Niche Market

Whilst I personally believe that this technology could one may be the future, experts have suggested that in the short term, it may only appeal to a niche market. The BBC spoke to principal technology analyst at the Davies Murphy Group consultancy, Chris Green on the matter and this was the opinion he expressed.

Specifically, Green said that "I'm sure 10 years from now we will want more smart-aware appliances, but for now this represents a live beta-test," and that "it's the equivalent of Ford building a concept car. It's about showing what can be done and seeing if there's an appetite for it."

Oliver Rawlings readers, this technology is only in its infancy, but the potential is enormous. One day we could all be setting our washing machines off or checking our fridges by text whilst enduring that oh so long commute back home!

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A Salute to Mrs Doyle!

Last week I got all fanboy-esque at the news that Mrs Doyle is joining EastEnders (sort of). That’s why this week, I want to take this opportunity to salute all things Mrs Doyle!

The news is actually that Pauline Mclynn, the talented comedienne who was behind the sheer genius that was the Craggy Island housekeeper, and who has also starred in Shameless, among other things, is set to star in the BBC soap.

Even better, she’s set to take the part of Yvonne Cotton, the mother of EastEnders legend Dot Branning’s recently revealed grandson, Charlie Cotton. It’s a recurring part, but it’s one that’s bound to be juicy as she’s been billed as a character who just might have a few secrets of her own…

A List of Why Mrs Doyle is So Great

So, we know that Pauline Mclynn is a talented actress, and I’m sure Oliver Rawlings blog readers, that she’ll light the screen on fire as the elusive Yvonne. But until then, I want to actually take the time to list just why she’s so bloody marvellous!

· A British Tradition: She may be Irish, but she captured the hearts and minds of viewers west of the Emerald Isle with her love and devotion to that classic British staple, tea. She reminded us all that, yes, tea really is the answer to all of life’s problems.

· A Little Insane: Let’s face it, she was a little insane wasn’t she, and that’s why we loved her. Sane people quite frankly aren’t funny, but those who are just a little off kilter provide us with all the laughs we need to get through the day. Who wasn’t cracking up in that episode where she acted like a One Direction fan when introduced to the new milkman!

· A Strong Character: Despite the comedy element, she was a surprising role model for the youth of today. I’m serious here. She knew her own mind and she knew how to get what she wanted. Even if all she wanted was to make sure you got a cup of tea.

A Method Actor: Have you ever seen a picture of Pauline Mclynn in real life? She’s practically a different person. Knowing that, seeing the transformation the actress undergoes to become the Craggy Island housekeeper is amazing. It just makes the character even more rip-roaringly hilarious!

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Top Four Benefits of Cloud Computing

There are few web tools as useful both in your professional life, and in your personal one, as cloud computing, yet nowhere near as many people are benefitting from it as they could. That’s why this week on the Oliver Rawlings blog, I wanted to list my top four benefits of cloud computing.

As a tech buff, the way people react to new technologies annoys me sometimes. What they should see as a tool that they can use to ease the burden and the pressure in their everyday life, they often see as change; people don’t tend to like change. That’s what I think has happened to some people’s opinions of cloud storage.

Cloud computing is internet based computing. Where basically before people would download services like Microsoft Word and Excel, and use them on their computer, saving documents to their computer, a cloud based service has these programmes all on it, so you can use it anytime, anywhere. You can also access your saved documents anywhere through the cloud.

So now we know what it is why should, whether at work, at home, on the bus, in the supermarket etc. you be joining the cloud?

1) Its Flexible: Have you ever tried to move a document you’ve saved on your computer? You have to invest in a USB or email it to yourself, which is a pain in the you know what and means you have to find somewhere with internet. With cloud computing, it’s as simple as using your device somewhere with internet.

2) Its Cost Effective: Buying windows programmes such as Word and Excel is pain, and it’s expensive. Who needs the hassle and the impact on their bottom line? Because with cloud based services you’re not paying that much for a lot of essential programmes, it’s far more cost effective.

3) Its Safer: It really is safer folks. Have you ever been in that heart-breaking position where you’ve been in writing a very important document and your computer has crashed? You can recover the document somewhat, but often it doesn’t save everything you’ve done. Don’t need to worry about that with the cloud!

Its Interconnected: Think about it like this. When you’re using the cloud at work, everybody has access to it, simultaneously, with no effort at all. That’s makes working together on a big project, sharing information etc. so much easier, because you have a common place to develop the project and store it.

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The Meaning behind the No Makeup Selfie

If you’ve been on any social media over the past few weeks, you’ll have come across the no makeup selfie. They’re everywhere.  What is the real meaning of the no makeup selfie and what does it say about society at large?

Selfie are already everywhere, Oliver Rawlings readers, these days they are as natural a part of modern life as breathing, sleeping and eating. They’re so big even President Barack Obama is doing it. I bet you’ve done it regularly, reader.

So it’s hardly surprising that there’s a selfie trend; what is surprising is the fact that it is a no makeup trend. Basically people are taking pictures of themselves without makeup and posting them to their social media accounts to raise awareness.

It’s certainly working, and you could definitely label it a trend. Everyone from the person on the street, to the celebrity in Hollywood, to even the odd politician is getting in on the action. It’s been grabbing international headlines.

So why is it generating so much attention? The reason has to be the attachment society has to vanity. Many women often feel naked without makeup on and therefore this suggests that the makeup selfie is the ultimate expression of nakedness, of metaphorical honesty.

This metaphorical honesty explains why people feel that no makeup selfies will raise awareness of cancer. Being honest, in any sense, with the hardest parts of yourself is one of the bravest things you can possibly do. Indeed, people are being congratulated on the bravery they have shown in daring to post pictures of themselves online bare-faced.

This feeds into the common cancer discourse. As is right, those who live with and overcome cancer are seen as some of the bravest people in the world. Those who turn their horrific experience into an awareness raising campaign are even more so. So there is a clear correlation; it’s bravery highlighting bravery, honesty, highlighting honesty, all to raise awareness.

However, I believe that the no makeup selfie says something bigger about society. The fact that we see simply taking a picture of yourself bare-faced as an expression of honesty implies we have something to be ashamed about when it comes to the way we naturally look.

We still need something to cover the supposed imperfections to make us acceptable, and in the modern world, that in itself is unacceptable. Perhaps the no makeup selfie will raise this kind of awareness and understanding as well. 

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