The James Kilgour BlogA Life Blog.

Twitter, the fledgling social networking service founded in 2006 has grown in popularity. Now the regular online hang out of A-List celebs, multinational companies, journalists, politicians, and described as “the sms of the internet”. Users such as Ashton Kutcher have over 5.3 million followers at time of writing. In total, the service currently has around 190 million users, and has received large investments from private equity firms. The firm is currently valued at over $1 billion.

However, while it certainly has the audience, does it actually have the ability to generate revenue? The service carries no adverts, and charges users nothing for the service. Some third-party companies have tried to monetise the service; companies such as Izea who run sponsoredtweets.com. This company pays users to post tweets about other companies. But is a community of advertising posts what users want? Also, while this may earn Izea a profit, it doesn’t help Twitter.

It seems to me that perhaps Twitter will reach a ceiling, where it has too many users, and too higher overheads to keep running a worthwhile operation. And perhaps it’s financial backers will see this also. Either way, Twitter needs to start focusing on making themselves a viable, profitable company, and less of Freeinternet.com.

Follow me on Twitter, jmkuk.

JK

Biology Essay

a. Describe and evaluate the evidence suggesting a link between lifestyle and some forms of cancer. (18 marks)

Lung, Skin and Liver cancer are three of the most prevalent cancers in today’s modern society. All can be the result of our lifestyle choices; smoking, sun exposure and drinking alcohol excessively can be attributed to each of the cancer’s respectively. In this essay, I will be analysing the evidence which suggests these links.

Cancer is a very serious disease, accounting for 13% of all human deaths in 2007 (7.6 million). It is the result of abnormalities in genetic material, which is often caused by carcinogens in tobacco smoke, radiation and infectious materials such as asbestos. Other types of cancer can be caused by odd genetic abnormalities, and cancer can be passed genetically (although more work needs to be done in this field). Often, the first sign of a cancer will be a small growth, known as a tumour. Quick detection of a tumour allows it to be removed, and chemotherapy can be applied to kill the cancer. Quick detection means treatment can begin before the cancer metastasizes, so it doesn’t spread to nearby tissues; this would cause more damage to the body.

Cases of Skin Cancer are quickly increasing in the UK, with over 9,500 new cases reported each year, with 2,300 fatalities from the cancer. It is the most common cancer in the UK in the 20-39 age group. However, unlike Lung Cancer, it has a much lower mortality rate. This is due to quick diagnosis due to very visible skin growths. It is estimated that 85% of skin cancer cases in the UK are due to over exposure to sun.

There are three types of Skin Cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. BCC is the most common, present mostly on sun exposed areas of the skin, and especially on the face. They rarely metastasize, meaning that they rarely cause death (the cancer doesn’t spread). SCC is also very common, and again in unlikely to metastasize. Melanoma is the least common form of the cancer. However, melanomas often metastasize, and are deadly once this process begins.

BCC and SCC skin cancers often carry a ‘UV-signature’ indicating that these cancers are caused by UV-B radiation causing direct DNA damage. However malignant melanomas are predominantly caused by UV-A radiation, causing indirect DNA damage.

This graph shows the age-standardized number of deaths from Skin Cancer per 100,000 inhabitants across the world. It is clear that rates of Skin Cancer in the US and Australia, as well as in Southern African continent are some of the highest in the world; Australia has around 5.6-6.3 deaths per 100,000, compared to the UKs 2.1+. Possible reasons for this may be an increase in sun exposure in Australia. The country enjoys around 300 days of sun per year, with much a higher range of temperatures than the UK; 26-9˚C in Sydney compared to 23-5˚C in London. Australia also has a higher percentage of Caucasian residents than other warm countries in the world. As the graph below shows, Skin Cancer is much more prevalent in Caucasians than in Black or Asian races. This is reflected by the number of Chinese deaths due to skin Cancer- less than 0.7 (See World Graph above).

Table 4.1 also reflects a difference in the levels of skin cancer amongst men and women. There is a difference of 7.8 per 100,000 between women (14.0) and men (21.8). Looking at Skin cancer rates in South Africa, we see a surprisingly high number: 4.2-4.9 per 100,000. This figure is higher than other nearby countries. This is perhaps due to a greater number of White people living in the country, 9.2%, compared to surrounding African countries.

We also know that skin cancer is rising: in the UK, between 1973 and 1998, Skin Cancer amongst white men rose from below 7.5 per 100,000 to below 20 per 100,000. A smaller increase was also noted amongst white women. At the same time however, cases amongst black men and women stayed relatively the same, below 2.5. (Dark skin means better resistance to UV rays). This increase could correlate to an increase in international travel and holidaying (to sunnier climates), and also an increase in the use of sunbeds.

Graph 4.2 shows that around 45% of men in 1999 used a sunbed over a 6 months period, and 55% of women. This was of men and women in the 16-24 age range; the age group where Skin Cancer is most prevalent. This could suggest a link between sunbed use and skin cancer.

Lung Cancer is another common lifestyle cancer, generally caused by smoking. It is the most common cause of cancer-related death, with over 1.3 million people dying from the disease globally each year. Primary Lung Cancer comes in two forms: Small-Cell and Non Small-Cell. Small-Cell is less common, but is more attacking to the body. It is immediately metastatic, meaning the cancer infiltrates nearby tissues, causing the cancer to spread, and generally carries a worse prognosis.

Smoking is the most common cause of Lung Cancer; smoking damages the alveoli; the small sacs at the ends of bronchioles. These fill up with Oxygen when the lungs inspire, and allow the oxygen to diffuse across the alveoli’s and into the bloodstream, to be transported around the body. They also allow CO₂ to leave the bloodstream. Smoking causes the alveoli tissue to become scarred, as carcinogens from the smoke enter the alveoli. This causes the tissue to become thicker, making diffusion much less efficient. As Fick’s Law states, Rate of Diffusion is proportional to Surface Area x Conc. Gradient/Diffusion Pathway. A shorter diffusion pathway will allow for faster and more efficient diffusion. Due to this, the heart has to work harder to process oxygen, leaving to fatigue and loss of breath. Because of this long term damage, the lungs become susceptible to cancer.

The Ciliated Epithelial cells lining the throat also become damaged by the carcinogens in the smoke. Normally, these cells clean the lining of the throat of particles trapped in mucus. However, smoking stops the mucus from functioning normally, meaning that they no longer can be cleaned from the throat. Again, the damage over a long time period can make the lungs more susceptible to cancer.

These graphs show the correlation between the number of Cigarettes smoked per person per year, and the number of Lung Cancer deaths per year, for both men and women.

Looking at the graph for males, we can see that as the number of cigarettes smoked per day increases, so do the number of deaths. There is however a lag between the numbers of cigarettes smoked per day increasing, and the number of deaths. This is due to the fact that lung cancer takes a long period of time to begin.

An interesting difference between genders appears on the graphs. The number of cigarettes smoked per year for males is much higher between 1910 and 1930, than for females, where it is close to zero. This can be explained by the context of society at the time; at the beginning of the 20^th Century, smoking in public by women was not permitted. This began to change during 1930-40, as indicated by the graph. This corresponds to woman’s rights of the time; most women got the vote in 1928.

Both graphs show a fall in the number of cigarettes smoked per year, at around 1975. This may be due to more awareness of the hazards of smoking and the lung cancer it can cause, plus the introduction of warning labels on cigarette packs in 1971. The number of deaths however has not yet begun to fall; again this is because it takes a long time for lung cancer to develop, and obviously, a long time for the benefits of reduced smoking to be felt.

Liver Cancer is another lifestyle cancer caused by excessive alcohol intake, although it can also be caused by chronic hepatitis. Alcoholism leads to cirrhosis of the liver, where liver tissue is replaced by scarred tissue, fibrosis and lumps from the liver’s regeneration process. The effect of this is a progressive loss of liver function. Generally, liver disease, and liver cancer are only caused by long term, heavy drinking, over a period of a decade.

Graph 1.2 shows a distinct rise in the incidence rates of liver cancer, by sex, over a period of 31 years. Incidences are highest amongst men, going from around 2.0 per 100,000 in 1975, to 5.5 in 2006. This is an increase of 275%. Liver Cancer amongst Women has also increased, from below 1.0 to 2.5 in the same time period.

We also know that consumption of Alcohol has increased. This graph shows that Sales of Alcohol in the UK (According to HM Revenue and Customs Data), has increased from 1.25 per capita in 1984, to a peak of 1.75 in 2004. This graph also shows a correlation with mortality rates. Interestingly, since 2004 there has been a fall in both Consumption and Mortality. This may be due to increased education targeting Alcohol Consumption, and perhaps Drink Driving campaigns.

Graph 1.4 also shows us Liver Cancer incidence rates across the world in 2002. As we can see, Western Europe has around 7 cases per 100,000 male population, compared to a world average of 16 per 100,000 males. Rates seem particularly high in Eastern Asia and Africa. This may be due to higher rates of Hepatitis because of bad living conditions.

North America has fewer incidences of Liver Cancer than Western Europe; 5 per 100,000 males. I believe this may be due to lower moderate drinking guidelines. This graph shows that US standardized drinking guidelines for Women are just below half the UK’s, and just above a quarter of France’s. For men, the difference between the US and UK is smaller, however all three European countries are greater. This suggests that consumption in the US is less, and as a result, incidences of liver cancer are fewer.

Overall, the evidence collected suggests a link between lifestyle factors and cancer. The data used is mainly collected from government sources, colated by cancer charities. It is importan to remember however that some data may be biased; charities use statistics to enchourage support, and this may lead to biased reporting. Also, figures on a global basis are not always entirely accurate. Some countries have inferior healthcare systems, which may lead to incorrect diagnosis, and lack of effective treatment, resulting in higher mortality statistics. Overall however, I believe there is a strong enough link between lifestyle factors and cancer. It is vital that people abstain from smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and UV sun exposure, in order to minimise the risk of contracting these cancers. Obviously however, lifestyle factors are not the sole causes of these diseases, and no lifestlye would ever provide 100% protection.

1. Discuss medical developments in the treatment of cancer (6 marks)

In recent years, the treatment of cancer has become more effective and efficient. In 1971-75, around 82% of females survived breast cancer. By 2000-1, this percentage was at 96%. For Prostate cancer, the figure was 65%, and is now 91%. These increases represent the innovation in cancer treatment.

One such treatment is the use of Monoclonal Antibodies. These are types of antibodies made in the laboratory, and based on a single human antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are designed to recognise specific, abnormal proteins present on cancer cells. Each antibody recognises one particular protein, as proteins are different for each cancer.

Several different monoclonal antibodies are currently being used to treat cancer, and this is an exciting development, as unlike Chemotherapy, other body cells are not damaged. However it is a long process, as the antibodies are difficult to produce.

Monoclonal antibodies can work in three different ways to destroy the cancer. Firstly, the Antibody can trigger an immune response to attack and destroy the cancer cells. Normally, it is hard for the immune system to locate cancer cells, as cancers develop from normal, existing cells. By attaching to the proteins, the antibodies allow the immune system to quickly detect the cancer.

Some antibodies can carry cancer drugs to the cancer cells. This works by attaching radiation to the antibodies in the lab, and then injecting them into the patient intravenously.

Monoclonal antibodies can also be used to stop cancer cells from taking up proteins. These antibodies work by seeking out cells which mutate too much. The antibody then connects to the cancer cells, blocking its receptors. Herceptin, a new Breast Cancer drug works in this way.

Herceptin has been shown as a promising drug for Breast Cancer. At the site of this Cancer, there is sometimes an excess of the gene HER2, which makes a protein known as a HER2 receptor. It is this protein which Herceptin attacks; the monoclonal antibodies in the drug attach themselves to the HER2 receptors on the surface of the breast cancer cells. The result of this is that the breast cancer growth can no longer send or receive signals, and therefore the cancer is slowed down. In addition to blocking HER2 receptors, Herceptin also works to alert the immune system, which can then help to attack the cancer.

One problem with Herceptin is that it is only effective when there is an excess of HER2; in other words, the patient needs to be HER2-positive. Some Breast Cancers do not produce an excess of the gene, and so more conventional treatments must be used. Only around 20% of Breast Cancers are HER2-positive.

Another issue with Herceptin is cost and availability. Currently, Herceptin is not available on the NHS everywhere in the UK. This is because of huge cost of £22,000 per patient to be treated with Herceptin; this cost is much higher than the average cost of Chemotherapy, which can cost under £1000 for an 8-week course.

It is currently a huge debate whether Herceptin is cost effective. This graph shows the median time to progression of the Breast Cancer, in a patient treated with Herceptin and Chemo, and Chemo alone. As it clearly shows, patients treated with Herceptin will have a 60% increase in the time before their cancer progresses; up to an additional 7 months.

This second graph also demonstrates the 1-year survival figure. We can see that 79% of patients survive the one year point, when using both Herceptin and Chemo. This is compared to only 68% when using Chemo alone. The figures are similar to the use of Herceptin with Paclitaxel (another existing cancer treatment), or Paclitaxel alone.

Finally, Herceptin also provides benefit to patients, helping to stop recurrence of Breast Cancer. The graph shows that Herceptin and Chemo (Pink) almost halves the probability of the Cancer recurring, compared to Chemo alone (Grey).

The use of monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment is a promising and exciting development. Already, the science has been used to create the life preserving drug Herceptin. While there is a cost issue, it is very clear from the evidence that Herceptin is a very promising treatment, compared to Chemotherapy alone. Herceptin helps to delay the growth of breast cancer for 60% longer on average than just Chemotherapy. It also helps to stop reoccurrence, and offers improved one year survival. Herceptin is however a vastly expensive drug, and is only useable in 20% of cases. The overall answer comes down to an ethical debate; is preserving life cost effective? I believe that Herceptin should be offered on the NHS to those who need it; while cost is an important issue, preserving life must be the sole priority in any healthcare system that is truly centred on the patient.

JK

Qtrax, the fledgling free music download service has finally announced its intention on launching… this time for real. I’ve written about the company previously, regarding it’s many failed launches and missed deadlines. However, this seems like the real deal.

I’m excited.

Yesterday, I listened in on an online press conference with the CEO Allan Klepfisz.  I also posed my questions on the upcoming world launch to him. The first country to launch will be Australia/New Zealand on November 5th, with a new Asian-Pacific country launching every Thursday until Christmas. According to Klepfisz, the decision to launch in  this region first is down to the high illegal download rates; over 95% of music downloads are illegal. I asked Klepfisz regarding his US and UK/European launch plans; he responded that the US would be live in Q1 next year, and the UK by February. He also noted that Qtrax had music licenses for 77 Countries worldwide; more than any other global music service. Notably, Japan has not been included in this, although India  and other majors will be.

Klepfisz also announced a partner deal with Baidu search; China’s largest online search engine, with a 70% market share. From the Chinese launch (17th Dec), visitors to Baidu’s Entertainment Portal and Qian Qian Music Online software will be redirected to Qtrax artist pages; thus providing huge numbers of traffic. Klepfisz highlighted that Qtrax would work with other local partners in other territories to gain similar deals, as well as viral marketing to gain users. The motives behind this deal seem to be China’s tightening up on Copyright Laws. Klepfisz predicts that this will further aid Qtrax in gaining users and thus revenue. Baidu is notorious for linking to millions of illegal music downloads, something that has been a major source of criticism and investigation from the copyright bodies.

Obviously revenue in an important issue to Qtrax. Spiral Frog was another free download service that failed to gain revenue, and collapsed several months ago. Klepfisz revealed that the company had managed to acquire sufficient funding, and hopes to raise a further $50 million through their financial partners in China. Lance Ford, Chief Marketing Officer highlighted their plans to utilise ads for revenue; he “forecasts good advertiser pickup” with “high quality revenue from day 1”. Both Ford and Klepfisz believe that they will “hit the ground running” through a mixture of network ads and premium ads from blue chip advertisers; they noted that the two types of ads will integrate seamlessly into the Qtrax software to engage users, not repel them. 

I was also interested in how Qtrax is different from other services, such as the massively successful Spotify. Klepfisz responded that Qtrax would use Local Music to attract visitors. Other global services are very western, and do not utilise regional music. He highlighted that only 15% of music sales in China were for Western Artists. He also pointed out that Qtrax is a download site, and not just another Spotify. He did however preach his like for the Streaming Service, but also mentioned that Qtrax is “the ultimate step”. Furthermore, he identified that Qtrax will be easy to use with Social Networking features built around Music (as opposed to Facebook/MySpace etc, which uses music as an add-on).

Next, Klepfisz talked on the ability of Qtrax to attract users from illegal services, such as BitTorrent. His argument was that Qtrax will provide a superior user experience; a highspeed browser with “10 second downloads”, a good quality site and a full music catalogue. Another feature shows was the link in with other sites; Qtrax will link artist pages to sites such as TicketMaster and Amazon, providing users with the ability to buy merchandise and concert tickets from within the software; something that will also serve as an additional revenue stream. Next Klepfisz mentioned that Qtrax will have more than just downloads like a BitTorrent site; ie. Artist Information (nothing groundbreaking).

A final point I asked the Australian CEO was about DRM and Portability. Unfortunately Qtrax will use the system to track music usage. In addition, music will only be playable within the Qtrax player, (in order to keep users within the environment). A good piece of news on this subject was however that Portability would be available up to two weeks after each territory launch. Unfortunately, iPods won’t be supported at immediately, however Klepfisz promised that Qtrax will investigate possible deals with Apple on the issue. He promised that an iPhone App was in the pipeline. 

It’s great to hear that Qtrax may finally be coming. The service has been several years in the making, and has always been hope that free, legal music would happen. My only concern now is on uptake. If the company can do a ‘Spotify’ and capture the youth market, then may have a hope. A large user base would be the necessary bargaining chip for the company to survive and ultimately succeed in a notoriously tough industry. After all,  that’s Show Business.    

JK  

After analyzing three dramatic monologues by Robert Browning; ‘My Last Duchess’, ‘Porphyria’s Lover’ and ‘Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister’, I will determine whether ‘Mr Browning has the power of a great dramatic poet’, as John Forster believes in the extract from ‘Robert Browning’s Poetry Critical Edition’.

‘My Last Duchess’ is a Dramatic Monologue by Browning, which uses the Speaker to create drama. The speaker is a selfish, ostentatious Duke, who has had his wife killed: “I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together.” He tells the reader this, through the dramatic monologue, in which the Duke is speaking to a messenger who has come to arrange a Dowry for the Duke’s future wife. The speaker treats his Duchess as a possession: ‘That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall’. The personal pronoun here emphasizes the ownership the Duke felt towards the woman. This technique emphasizes the selfish, egotistical and dominating personality of the speaker to the reader, which makes the poem more dramatic. Browning also uses enjambment throughout the poem; ‘Fra Pandolf’s hands… worked busily a day, and there she stands’. This technique creates a rhythm, which drives the reader through the poem. It creates the atmosphere of the Duke being very self-indulgent and one sided, informing the messenger of his story, without allowing comment, question or response from the messenger. This again makes the poem more dramatic and powerful. The monologue reads like a one-sided conversation: “A heart – how shall I say? – too soon made glad”. The parenthesis here creates the effect that the Duke is speaking directly to the reader; including rhetorical questions which makes the piece seem very current. This atmosphere is similar to that created by live drama, as it “reaches out from the page”. In the monologue, the Duke is particularly egotistical, as he says “as if she ranked my gift of a nine-hundred-years-old-name with anybody’s gift”. The use of the hyphens here is particularly effective, as it emphasizes the line, making him seem very self-important. From this line, the Duke is feeling unappreciated and jealous, as if she ranks him the same as anybody else. The end of the monologue reads “Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!” The line is particularly poignant as it moves on quickly, as if the Duke feels no regret for his actions, as is simply showing the messenger his art collection. The line is also boasting, which matches the character’s ego. Importantly, the monologue ends in the word ‘me’. This suits the Duke’s unashamed self-absorption. The exaggeration and emphasis on the speaker’s character in the poem makes the monologue more dramatic, and entertaining.

‘Porphyria’s Lover’ is another dramatic monologue by Browning. It starts off by creating a sinister atmosphere: “The rain set early in to-night, the sullen wind was soon awake, it tore the elm-tops down for spite.” The opening acts as a bad omen, personifying the wind which creates the imagery of evil beings, such as witches. The last word, “Spite” also involves harsh consonance, which matches the “bad omen” atmosphere. When Porphyria arrives in the monologue, the atmosphere of the piece changes to one of comfort; “When glided in Porphyria; straight, she shut the cold out and the storm, and kneeled and made the cheerless grate”. The rhyme which appears here creates rhythm, which drives the piece on and makes it fast paced. This leads to the monologue seeming very urgent and dramatic. The monologue moves on to become more sensual: “Withdrew the dripping cloak and shawl, and laid her soiled gloves by… and let her damp hair fall”. This unveiling of herself to the speaker is very intimate, and shows that Porphyria is comfortable with her lover. As we learn how from the speaker, the relationship is unstable: “And all her yellow hair displaced”. This line creates a garish ugly imagery, which surprises the reader, and alludes to something odd. This creates a lot of drama for the reader. The speaker is obviously obsessed with Porphyria; he says “Porphyria worshipped me; surprise made my heart swell, and still it grew… That moment was mine, mine, fair, perfectly pure and good”. The speaker is “surprised” to find that Porphyria loves him. This alludes to the fact that he has a self-confidence issue. The repetition of “mine” and the alliteration of ‘perfectly pure’ also leads to the imagery that the speaker is obsessive over Porphyria; perhaps he has been hurt before? This obsession with her leads to her murder: “And strangled her. No pan felt she”. The murder is particularly gruesome as it comes without much warning, and seems entirely without real motive; she loves him after all. The short sentence structure of the physical murder also emphasizes the shock of the situation, and when he says “I am quite sure she felt no pain”, it’s almost as if he is trying to justify himself, which increases the readers idea that he is obsessive. This response to the character of ‘Porphyria’s Lover’ is similar to that of ‘My Last Duchess’, which also features an exaggerated, “evil” speaker.

Finally, ‘Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister’ is another dramatic monologue by Browning. The main speaker is again exaggerated, being a monk who hates his fellow Monk, Brother Lawrence, because he is envious and resentful of him. He starts of saying “My heart’s abhorrence!” which uses the personal pronoun, making the poem very personal, and the powerful word “abhorrence”, here meaning extreme disgust. The speaker also uses angry sarcasm throughout the monologue, or Soliloquy: “What’s the Latin name for “parsley”? What’s the Greek name for “swine’s snout”?” This again is very personal, as it shows private, angry thoughts. This Monologue is very different to the other two; it features anger as a main theme, instead of ego or obsession, and is direct to the reader as to the speaker’s intention: “Or, my scrofulous French novel, on gray paper with blunt type! Simply glance at it, you grovel”. Here, the speaker is plotting to trick Brother Lawrence into looking at a “French Novel”, a form of erotica, for which Monks are not permitted. This however brings up the question, as to how the monk himself knows of such content. The plot of the monologue makes the piece incredibly dramatic: a monk who wants to condemn his fellow to hell. This coupled with the Soliloquy’s irony; a monk of all individual’s should not have such amoral feelings, makes the piece very powerful in demonstrating morality to the reader, a feature of all the poems. In ‘My Last Duchess’, the moral is the pitfalls of a big ego (losing your wife to it), and in ‘Porphyria’s Lover’, the moral maybe to avoid harming those who really love you.

I believe, after analyzing these three Dramatic Monologues, that Robert Browning has the power of a great Dramatic Poet. I believe the vividness of the imagery he creates, and the exaggerated characters mean that the three Monologues could easily be translated to a dramatic performance. I also believe that the three pieces convey meaningful morals and ideas through hyperbole. As John Forster says in the extract, “We never think of Mr Browning while we read his poem: we are not identified with him but with the persons of whom he has flung his genius”. I agree with this, as in all three monologues, Browning has created characters of whom the reader becomes interested in, and who entertain the reader; thus meaning we need not think about the piece’s writer. Forster also says “In the agitation of the feelings, sight is given to the imagination”. I think this is especially true of Browning, because in all three monologues, we wish to know more, thus using our imagination, of either the events that take place before the Monologue, or in the case of ‘Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister’ after it. (The poem ends with the Monk being interrupted, being called to Vespers). Overall, I think Browning is a poet, who without the slightest hesitation we can name “at once with Shelley, Coleridge, [and] Wordsworth”.

JK

Here is a little art project I have been working on!

Don’t forget to follow me on twitter for loads of updates:

http://twitter.com/jmkuk

JK

Hi Guys,

Sorry I’ve not been a very good blogger recently…! Been very busy, living life etc etc. Anyway, will post soon!

JK

Big Brother has been running for 10 years now, bringing into existence a whole new genre of TV. Big Brother is firmly one of the connotations of summer for many people. But after 10 years, is Big Brother still able to draw in an audience?

This years series has been the lowest rated since the beginning of the franchise, with as low as 2 million viewers each episode, and a low 10% viewing stake. The eviction of Angel on June 12th only attracted 1.6 million viewers; a franchise low.

Having watched BB10 from the beginning, I have to admit that this series is the worst. The show brings nothing new to the franchise, with boring housemates, and a complete absence of any memorable tasks and any good twists. Even the “10 Years of Big Brother” Task was dull, with past housemates barely being the house for more than 10 minutes a time.

Another major issue with this years series is the lack of a lovable housemate: the one everyone wants to win. At this point in the show, day 60, a lack of such a key housemate is a major flaw. Housemates are critical to the format. Three housemates have now left; if their bored, then so are we.

The glossy magazines also seem to have abandoned this year’s series, with Big Brother front covers at a minimum. Their support was one of the key factors behind the shows massive growth and influence.

The production team need to shake themselves up and make the series more exciting. I would recommend a dramatic twist: maybe split up the existing housemates, and make them fight each other for survival. They should also send in 5 new housemates again: this time some interesting ones. Avoid further Hiras. Putting the live feed back on would help too. This is the first series not to have the feed. Funny how it’s also the least successful.

Channel 4 are dependant on Big Brother. It seems they have put all their eggs in one basket, paying Endemol 180 million for three years up to Big Brother 11 (2010). They need to bring back the sparkle.

JK

Qtrax, a service hoping to offer unlimited free music downloads in exchange for ads, is being sued by Oracle USA, in a lawsuit filled in the California Northern District Court, on July 21st.

The service, which has been riddled with setbacks and delays, had finally announced a Global Launch on the 22nd July 2009. However, the company failed to reach this, with the site still advertising it’s Preview version, with downloads suspended since the 21st: the date of the lawsuit. Are they related?

Qtrax uses Oracle software to power it’s music database. The exact reason for the lawsuit,  is as yet unknown, and Qtrax has kept tight lipped. Unfortunately, it looks like Qtrax will yet again fail to launch.

JK

Blyk, the fledgling MVNO offering free calls and texts to young people in exchange for ad messages, has denied that it will shortly be terminating service, and moving consumers over to the Orange Network. In a conversation with myself and Blyk Member care, I was given the following response:

James says
    Hi
4421421 / Kyle says
    Hi you are through to Kyle at Blyk, how can I help?
James says
    Hi. Is it true that Blyk will shortly be terminating service and licensing to Orange?
4421421 / Kyle says
    No it is not. If you want company changes you are best off checking the corporate website, Blyk.com.

 

I was myself a member of Blyk for around a year (see here), in which time I experienced numerous problems with the service. Recently, rumours have been spread of a possible Licensing Deal with Orange, for them to provide a free, ad-supported service, basically a repackaged Blyk, see here.

I do however still see this happening. In this recession, startups like Blyk are in danger. Their recent reduction to £15 a month free credit indicated a poor financial situation. Joining leauges with a major player like Orange would be hugely benneficial. We’ll have to wait and see.

JK 

Yesterday I watched the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter an the Half Blood Prince. Other than getting a Concession ticket, saving 30p, there were a few good moments. However they mainly revolved around the fact that I didn’t take the film very seriously. 

Actually on balance, I enjoyed this film more than any of the others. Now that was not expected.

One moment in particularly was funny: when Ron wakes up in the hospital wing, he starts saying "Hermione",  Hermione". However, me being incredibly dim thought he was saying "my knee", "my knee"!

However, I immensely disliked the fact that half of the film bared no relationship to the book; what was the point in that scene where Bellatrix set fire to the Wheasley’s field? Also how come the house looked completely different from when it appeared in the second film?

Overall though it wasn’t bad. And I spent my saved 30p on a Curly Whirly

JK