How the digital age is bringing us back
It is like we are going back to square one, with communication in the digital age (‘Facebook debate: The future of communication’, Gulf News, May 8). It seems as if we are travelling back to prehistoric times, before the development of language as we understand it today. Humans have used symbols and pictures to convey ideas and feelings since centuries. Now, with their all-pervading presence through mobile applications, including WhatsApp, Facebook and all other social media platforms, emojis have been established as an effective communication tool — not only because they allow us to do away with typing lengthy words or long sentences to express what we want to say, they also have the ability to precisely zone in on the emotional side of our cognition. Thus, a smiley face has more of an impact than someone simply typing that they are happy, using words. Emojis are most impactful when they are used to express emotions quickly. Although symbols and icons have been in existence for some time at airports and malls, they were used for mostly utilitarian purposes rather than to convey emotions.
From Mr V. I. Mohammad Sageer
Dubai
Praying for wildlife
I am glad to hear that there have been no fatalities in the totally devastating fire of northern Alberta, Canada (‘Monster fire in Canada doubling in size’, Gulf News, May 8). My hearts goes out to everyone affected. Most of all, I feel for all the ones who couldn’t escape — the thousands of animals that died in this horrific way. Let’s not forget them.
From Ms Janice Hall
UAE
Facebook comment
Don’t risk the lives of others
I don’t understand these people, who feel the need to drive at such high speeds (‘Driver caught speeding at 251km/h in Ajman’, Gulf News, May 8). They may not be afraid of death and are okay with risking their own lives, but please, at least don’t risk the lives of others. Let other people, who may have families and children, drive safely on the roads.
From Mr Shadab Ali
Dubai
Facebook comment
What logic is this?
What is their logic? Drive at 250km/h, but don’t get caught? There are perfect race tracks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, if motorists are that great at driving. Go there and join the races.
From Mr Berk Ilsever
UAE
Facebook comment
Ban from driving
If anyone drives at these dangerous speeds, their driving licences should be permanently or temporarily cancelled. That way, they will learn a lesson for the rest of their lives.
From Mr Abdul Rahman
UAE
Facebook comment
Protect children from substance abuse
We must pray that the people who plot to bring narcotics into the region are never able to succeed in their ugly mission (‘Abu Dhabi Police seize 10kg of narcotics’, Gulf News, May 7). I request parents to take special care of their children. I would say, don’t send them for sleepovers at friends’ homes and late-night parties. These are the places from where they usually start using banned substances. These days, teenagers love to follow their favourite celebrities. They dress up like them, try to walk like them, look ‘cool’ like them and the most dangerous trend — use some of these banned substances, like them. A few months pass and we hear about a celebrity passing away due to drug overdose. Teenagers must understand that using these dangerous substances, like their favourite celebrities, will not make them famous. It will destroy them.
Parents must talk to their children if their classmates offer them such things. Students must not take them and they must tell their parents about them.
From Ms Syeda Ahmad
UAE
Facebook comment
Can’t live in fear
I don’t necessarily agree with Ms Syeda Ahmad completely. We can’t lock our children away until they’re 21 years old and we can’t ban them from any form of socialising with other children. We might as well all do the same, and live in caves. Even if there are dangers in this world, we can’t live in complete fear all the time.
From Mr Daniel James
UAE
Facebook comment
Keep children busy
My parents did a great job keeping us out of trouble. We were so involved in extracurricular activities — to the point where we didn’t have time to get into trouble. When you get up at 4.30am to get to hockey practice before school starts, and then have piano lessons or football after school, the last thing you want to do is stay out late! By 9pm, we could barely keep our eyes open. We didn’t even have those arguments with our parents about wanting to go out. Sure, we went out and had fun, but we put so much effort into our extracurricular activities that we already had a strong sense of responsibility and commitment.
It wasn’t until I was older that my father said in a conversation in passing that they kept us busy to keep us out of trouble. That’s when I realised that was their plan from the beginning!
From Ms Lili Maria
Dubai
Facebook comment
Reporting stolen identification
My husband’s wallet was pick-pocketed during Christmas, this past year (‘Indian expat’s ID used to get six mobile numbers’, Gulf News, May 8). We realised it when we were on our way to a Christmas party at our hotel. We thought that it would be of no use to return to look for it – where would we search? Who would we catch? My husband remembers being brushed up against at one point.
We were booked to leave for India the next day and so, only a couple of months later, on our return, did we go to the police station and get the paper confirming the wallet was stolen, with his Emirates identification, credit card and cash. I feel the process should be to block the Emirates ID immediately, just like how you can with a credit card, so that perpetrators of identity theft can be caught when they use it next. We hope and pray that we do not have the same experience as the reader in the story, in the months to come. The Emirates ID has the status of a passport in the UAE and it should be dealt with the same importance.
From Ms M. Saldanha
UAE
A win for tolerance
The two beacons of the East and the West — New Delhi, India, and London, UK — have proven beyond a doubt that the light of tolerance shines beyond this present encircling gloom with the recent mayoral elections in London (‘Sadiq Khan’s landmark victory’, Gulf News, May 9). The people of these two amazing cities decided that dog-whistle politics of venom and innuendos were unacceptable to them.
So with great courage and intellect, they decided to put their faith in Arvind Kejriwal and Sadiq Khan, respectively. By electing these two leaders, the voters were very clear and pragmatic. An agenda of progress, richness in diversity and, above all, unity, won the day. The path out of this maze of terrorism and jingoism is slowly, but surely being carved. A little celebration is definitely in order!
From Ms Sehba Masood Khan
Dubai
Two surprising stars
It is a known fact that the International Cricket Council (ICC) Indian Premiere League (IPL) tournament is nothing but a batsman’s haven, and they take away the accolades (‘Lions go top after humbling Knight Riders’, Gulf News, May 10). It was a real surprise that, for a change, two bowlers and old war-horses, Ashish Nehra of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Praveen Kumar of Gujarat Lions (GL), have been instrumental in their team’s win over their rivals and were awarded ‘Man of the Match’. In fact, Mustafizur Rahman of SRH, too, was not only the best bowler against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but also throughout the matches played so far. Definitely, he is the best emerging young player of this tournament.
From Ms Kavitha Srikanth
UAE
Working for peace
Saudi Arabia has long been a frontrunner in achieving peace and helping the needy all over the Islamic world, along with the UAE (‘Saudi prince at forefront of change in kingdom’, Gulf News, May 7). I hope that Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman continues to make intelligent moves and works to reduce dependency on oil-based revenue.
From Mr Naz Esmail
Abu Dhabi
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