Tech Thoughts - Tech

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first lady backs deepfake porn bill in first solo engagement \"],\"page_number\":\"0\",\"initial_publication\":\"\",\"date_created\":\"2025-03-04 12:20:43\",\"date_modified\":\"2025-03-04 12:20:42\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Khor Sow Yee\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"target_page\":\"0\",\"cxense_metatags\":null}","publish_time":"2025-03-04 12:30:00","sub_section_id":96,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/04\\\/3195643.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":5088,\\\"image_original_height\\\":3392,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"WASHINGTON%2C+DC+-+MARCH+03%3A+U.S.+first+lady+Melania+Trump+attends+a+roundtable+discussion+on+the+%22Take+It+Down+Act%22+in+the+Mike+Mansfield+Room+at+the+U.S.+Capitol+on+March+03%2C+2025+in+Washington%2C+DC.+The+%22Take+It+Down+Act%22+expands+protections+for+victims+of+non-consensual+sharing+of+sexual+images%2C+covering+AI-generated+content+including+deepfake+pornography.+++Kayla+Bartkowski%2FGetty+Images%2FAFP+%28Photo+by+Kayla+Bartkowski+%2F+GETTY+IMAGES+NORTH+AMERICA+%2F+Getty+Images+via+AFP%29\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech Thoughts","permalink":"tech\/tech-thoughts\/2025\/03\/04\/us-first-lady-backs-deepfake-porn-bill-in-first-solo-engagement","show_image_in_thumb":3195643,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"3195642\"}","article_body":"<p><b>WASHINGTON: <\/b>US First Lady Melania Trump on March 3 threw her support behind a bill aimed at protecting Americans from deepfake revenge pornography, in her first solo public engagement since her husband returned to the White House.<\/p><p>Appearing in a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill, she sought to shine a spotlight on the Take It Down Act, which criminalizes the online publication of non-consensual sexual imagery that is often created using cheap and widely available artificial intelligence tools.<\/p><p>\"In today's AI-driven world, the threat of privacy breaches is alarming and high,\" the first lady told the panel, sitting next to two teenage female victims of deepfake porn.<\/p><p>\"It's heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content,\" she added.<\/p><p>The bill, introduced by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, would require social media platforms and websites to have procedures in place to swiftly remove non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated pornography, upon notification from a victim.<\/p><p>Though it has passed a vote in the US Senate, the bill has yet to clear the House of Representatives.<\/p><p>While urging bipartisan support for the bill, Melania took a dig at Democrats for not prioritizing its passage.<\/p><p>\"I expected to see more Democrat leaders with us here today to address this serious issue,\" she said.<\/p><p>\"Surely as adults, we can prioritize American children ahead of partisan politics.\"<\/p><p>An online boom in non-consensual deepfakes is currently outpacing efforts to regulate the technology around the world due to a proliferation of AI tools, including photo apps digitally undressing women.<\/p><p>A handful of US states including California and Florida have passed laws making sexually explicit deepfakes a punishable offense, and campaigners are calling on Congress to urgently pass a host of bills to regulate their creation and dissemination, including the Take It Down Act.<\/p><p>While high-profile politicians and celebrities, including singer Taylor Swift, have been victims of deepfake porn, experts say women not in the public eye are equally vulnerable.<\/p><p>A wave of AI porn scandals have been reported at schools across US states – from California to New Jersey – with hundreds of teenagers often targeted by their own classmates.<\/p><p>Such non-consensual imagery can lead to harassment, bullying or blackmail, sometimes causing devastating mental health consequences, experts warn.<\/p><p>The scandals led to a warning from the FBI last year that such child sexual abuse material, including realistic AI-generated images, was illegal.<\/p><p>\"In an era where digital interactions are integral to daily life, it is imperative that we safeguard children from mean-spirited and hurtful online behaviour,\" the first lady said.<\/p><p>The roundtable marked Melania's first solo public engagement since Donald Trump began his second White House term.<\/p><p>The first lady has largely been an elusive figure at the White House, spending only limited time in Washington since her husband took the oath of office on Jan 20. <meta charset=\"UTF-8\" \/>– AFP<\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"Anuj CHOPRA","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Tech thoughts","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3767717,"np_article_id":1506485,"article_title":"Using AI to help ensure healthcare equity in Malaysia","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"Using AI to help ensure healthcare equity in Malaysia\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Artificial intelligence, AI, healthcare, unversal health coverage, Big Data\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"lifestyle\\\/health\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/11\\\/using-ai-to-help-ensure-healthcare-equity-in-malaysia\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Lock Later\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Wellness\"],\"summary\":[\"The Health Ministry hopes to utilise artificial intelligence to better match healthcare resources to needs.\"],\"columnist\":[],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Wellness\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"is_branded_article\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_start_date\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_end_date\":[\"\"],\"majoriti_paywall_story_type\":[\"\"],\"cxense_tags\":[\"\"],\"superapp_keyword_tagging\":[\"\"],\"external_source\":[\"\"],\"page_number\":\"5\",\"initial_publication\":\"StarHealth\",\"date_created\":\"2024-12-06 15:10:22\",\"date_modified\":\"2024-12-11 20:32:20\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Derrick Vinesh S\\\/O Visvanathan\",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"cxense_metatags\":null,\"target_page\":\"5\"}","publish_time":"2024-12-11 20:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/06\\\/3054930.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"AI+and+machine+learning+can+be+utilised+to+better+plan+and+distribute+healthcare+resources+to+ensure+health+equity+in+Malaysia%2C+according+to+Dr+Mohamad+Fadli.+%E2%80%94+123rf\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/2024\/12\/11\/using-ai-to-help-ensure-healthcare-equity-in-malaysia","show_image_in_thumb":3054930,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"3054930\"}","article_body":"<p>Malaysia has long been recognised for its quality healthcare system, which works on the principle of universal health coverage.<\/p>\r\r<p>This, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), means that \u201call people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship\u201d.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, health authorities are facing significant challenges, particularly in addressing healthcare equity.<\/p>\r\r<p>Health Ministry senior principal assistant director Dr Mohamad Fadli Kharie explains the distinction between healthcare equality and equity.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cEquality means everyone has equal access to healthcare, but equity ensures the right person receives the appropriate care,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\r<p>Despite progress, many rural communities, including the Orang Asli, and urban poor struggle to meet their healthcare needs.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cSo healthcare equity means focusing on their needs without neglecting others,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\r<p>One method of addressing this issue is through leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for future planning and resource distribution.<\/p>\r\r<p>Dr Mohamad Fadli leads the Malaysian Health Supply and Demand Study visualisation analytic team, which aims to identify and address healthcare gaps.<\/p>\r\r<p>The study employs geographic information systems (GIS) to optimise resource allocation and ensure healthcare access for all Malaysians.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cPreviously, improving healthcare was seen as a matter of adding more resources.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cBut now, it\u2019s more about redistributing existing ones,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\r<p>The study\u2019s first phase focuses on cataloguing human resources, equipment and facilities across both the public and private healthcare sectors.<\/p>\r\r<p>The second phase, set to conclude in two years, will address training and human capital needs in underserved areas.<\/p>\r\r<p>Dr Mohamad Fadli points to global examples like Taiwan, where a single card stores medical records and enables advanced analytics.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cTaiwan\u2019s system provides better insights for treatment through its integrated data,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\r\r<p>In Malaysia, the Malaysian Health Data Warehouse (MyHDW), launched in 2017, consolidates healthcare data from both the public and private sectors.<\/p>\r\r<p>MyHDW helps policymakers visualise disparities and target investments effectively.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cThe question now is how we can integrate the latest technologies to enhance this system,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>ALSO READ:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestar.com.my\/lifestyle\/health\/2016\/04\/17\/big-data-to-help-in-malaysian-healthcare-policy-and-planning\">Big Data to help in Malaysian healthcare policy and planning<\/a><\/p>\r\r<p>Dr Mohamad Fadli highlights AI and machine learning as key to transforming Malaysia\u2019s healthcare planning.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cAI will enable planners to use natural language queries for precise, data-driven decisions.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cThis leads to faster analytics and better resource allocation,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\r\r<p>The study\u2019s findings will help healthcare planners assess current needs and anticipate future demands in specific areas.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cKnowing the services within 5km or 10km of an area helps determine whether more resources are needed or if existing ones should be reallocated,\u201d he points out.<\/p>\r\r<p>Despite health consistently receiving the second-largest allocation in Malaysia\u2019s national budget \u2013 RM45.3 billion in 2025, up from RM41.2 billion in 2024 \u2013 resources remain stretched.<\/p>\r\r<p>This challenge is compounded by an ageing population, with 17% of Malaysians projected to be aged 60 or older by 2040.<\/p>\r\r<p>Dr Mohamad Fadli emphasises the importance of a robust public-private partnership to bridge resource gaps.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cHigher costs in private healthcare lead to greater patient loads in the public sector, straining quality of care,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\r<p>He calls for innovative solutions to keep medication and treatment affordable in the private sector, ensuring equitable access for all.<\/p>\r\r<p>It is necessary for Malaysia to strengthen its healthcare system to meet the challenges of the future, and this can be done by prioritising equity, leveraging technology and fostering public-private collaboration.<\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"By LESTER KONG","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Wellness","kicker_url":"\/lifestyle\/wellness","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3751505,"np_article_id":1476269,"article_title":"Taking a games approach to mental health","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"Taking a games approach to mental health\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Games, child health, mental health\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Lock Later\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Children\"],\"summary\":[\"The gamification of mental health education and intervention could have a positive impact, especially on children.\"],\"columnist\":[],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Mind\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"is_branded_article\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_start_date\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_end_date\":[\"\"],\"majoriti_paywall_story_type\":[\"\"],\"cxense_tags\":[\"\"],\"superapp_keyword_tagging\":[\"\"],\"external_source\":[\"starstory\"],\"subtitle\":[\"LIFE fitgamification271024 \"],\"page_number\":\"11\",\"initial_publication\":\"StarLifestyle\",\"date_created\":\"2024-10-28 15:05:21\",\"date_modified\":\"2024-10-28 15:05:21\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Shiow Chin Tan \",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"target_page\":\"11\",\"cxense_metatags\":null}","publish_time":"2024-11-02 11:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/28\\\/2988676.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":1240,\\\"image_original_height\\\":826,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"Games+can+provide+an+intrinsic+motivation+to+change+behaviour%2C+which+is+important+when+it+comes+to+improving+mental+health.+%E2%80%94+Positive+Parenting\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/2024\/11\/02\/taking-a-games-approach-to-mental-health","show_image_in_thumb":2988676,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"2988676\"}","article_body":"<p>In today\u2019s digital age, children are bombarded with information and social pressures that can lead to a rise in mental health challenges like stress, anxiety or social isolation.<\/p>\r\r<p>Whether it\u2019s the pressure to excel in academics, the curated perfection of social media feeds, or a lack of time for unstructured outdoor play, children today face a unique set of circumstances that can potentially negatively impact their emotional well-being.<\/p>\r\r<p>Fortunately, a new approach called gamification is emerging as a potential solution.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Pros and cons<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Gamification involves applying game mechanics, such as points, badges, levels and competition, to non-game contexts.<\/p>\r\r<p>For instance, a mental health app might reward users with points for completing mindfulness exercises or tracking their mood.<\/p>\r\r<p>This approach leverages the intrinsic motivation that games often inspire to encourage positive behaviour change.<\/p>\r\r<p>The positive aspects of gamification include:<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Engagement and motivation <\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Imagine mental health activities becoming as captivating as a favourite game.<\/p>\r\r<p>Gamification can make these experiences more enticing and enjoyable, encouraging your child to actively participate in nurturing their mental well-being.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Lifelong skill-building<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Games often involve challenges, rewards and progression.<\/p>\r\r<p>This structure can help children develop important skills like problem-solving, decision-making and perseverance in a safe, virtual environment.<\/p>\r\r<p>Some games or apps weave coping skills, resilience and emotional regulation strategies into their interactive experiences, equipping your child with valuable tools to navigate life\u2019s challenges.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Mental health awareness<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Educational games can teach children about mental health topics like anxiety or depression, reducing stigma and encouraging them to seek help if needed.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Motivation in motion<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>With progress trackers, rewards and challenges, gamified platforms can ignite motivation in your child, empowering them to set and conquer mental health goals, and fostering a sense of achievement and fulfilment.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Building community<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Through gamified platforms, your child can connect with peers facing similar mental health hurdles, share experiences and offer support.<\/p>\r\r<p>This sense of belonging combats isolation and fosters a supportive environment.<\/p>\r\r<p>Multiplayer games can foster social interaction, communication and teamwork skills, which are important for emotional well-being.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Positive behaviour reinforcement<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Gamification\u2019s immediate feedback, rewards and reminders can encourage your child to adopt healthier habits and coping mechanisms, thus nurturing positive behavioural changes rooted in the principles of psychology.<\/p>\r\r<p>Unlocking new levels can provide a sense of accomplishment, and boost self-esteem and confidence.<\/p>\r\r<p>Meanwhile, the negative side of gamification can include:<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Screen time<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Overreliance on gamified apps and games can lead to excessive screen time, potentially impacting sleep, physical activity and social interaction in the real world.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Balanced engagement<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>While they can be engaging, be wary of excessive reliance on gamified mental health interventions.<\/p>\r\r<p>Do ensure your child doesn\u2019t neglect seeking professional help or other evidence-based treatments that could better address their needs when needed.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Stress traps<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Watch out for overly-competitive challenges or aggressive reward structures, as these might inadvertently induce stress, anxiety or feelings of inadequacy, especially in children already grappling with mental health issues.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Guarding against addiction<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>For children prone to addictive behaviours, gamified interventions could potentially exacerbate issues by reinforcing compulsive engagement patterns.<\/p>\r\r<p>This requires careful monitoring of their behaviours by parents and other guardians.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Superficial understanding<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Gamification may oversimplify complex mental health concepts, leading to a shallow understanding of underlying problems if entertainment value is prioritised over effectiveness.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Access and equity<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Factors like socioeconomic status, digital literacy and disabilities can impact on gamified interventions.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is as not all children may have equal access or ability to engage with such interventions, potentially widening disparities in mental healthcare.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>What and how<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Gamification holds significant promise in addressing a range of mental health challenges in children, including:<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Anxiety and stress<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Games can teach relaxation techniques, stress management strategies and coping mechanisms in a fun and interactive way.<\/p>\r\r<p>For example, an app could guide children through breathing exercises while earning points for each successful attempt.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Depression<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Gamified platforms can foster a sense of accomplishment and motivation, which can be beneficial for children experiencing low mood.<\/p>\r\r<p>They can also provide opportunities for social interaction and support.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Games that require focus, problem-solving and sustained attention can help children with ADHD develop these skills.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Social anxiety<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Multiplayer games can provide a safe space for children to practise social interaction and communication skills.<\/p>\r\r<p>The following are some of the types of mental health interventions gamification can provide:<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Gamified apps can teach children CBT techniques like identifying and challenging negative thoughts, developing coping strategies and setting goals.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Mindfulness and relaxation techniques<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Games can guide children through mindfulness exercises, deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Social skills training<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Multiplayer games can help children develop empathy, cooperation and conflict-resolution skills.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Mood tracking and monitoring<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Apps can allow children to track their moods over time, helping them identify patterns and triggers.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\">> <strong>Educational content<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p>Games can deliver information about mental health in an engaging and accessible format.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>When using it<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>One example of gamification in mental health is the app Mood Meter.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is a way of measuring and recording how someone is feeling during the day.<\/p>\r\r<p>it allows users to track their mood and complete activities to improve their emotional state.<\/p>\r\r<p>Users earn points for completing tasks and can unlock rewards as they progress.<\/p>\r\r<p>The app also includes educational content about emotions and coping strategies.<\/p>\r\r<p>While gamification shows great potential, it\u2019s essential to use it as a complement to traditional mental health treatments and to monitor its impact on children\u2019s well-being.<\/p>\r\r<p>By understanding both the benefits and limitations of gamification, parents, educators and mental health professionals can harness its power to support children\u2019s mental health positively and effectively:<\/p>\r\r<ul>\r\t<li><strong>Balance is key<\/strong>\r\r\t<p> <\/p>\r\r\t<p>Create a healthy balance between gamified activities and screen-free time for well-rounded development.<\/p>\r\t<\/li>\r\t<li><strong>Age-appropriate games<\/strong>\r\t<p> <\/p>\r\r\t<p>Choose gamified apps and games that are age-appropriate and cater to the specific needs and skills children are developing.<\/p>\r\t<\/li>\r\t<li><strong>Focus on learning<\/strong>\r\t<p> <\/p>\r\r\t<p>Use gamification as a tool to enhance learning and skill development, and not just for entertainment.<\/p>\r\t<\/li>\r\t<li><strong>Play together<\/strong>\r\t<p> <\/p>\r\r\t<p>Engage with children while they play gamified apps or games.<\/p>\r\r\t<p>This allows you to guide them through the challenges, discuss emotions and ensure positive experiences.<\/p>\r\t<\/li>\r\t<li><strong>Alternatives<\/strong>\r\t<p> <\/p>\r\r\t<p>Explore non-digital alternatives that encourage similar skills and positive mental health practices.<\/p>\r\t<\/li>\r<\/ul>\r\r<p>Parents, do stay involved in your child\u2019s engagement with gamified mental health tools.<\/p>\r\r<p>Monitor their usage, encourage breaks and initiate conversations about their experiences and feelings while using these apps.<\/p>\r\r<p>Educators, you can integrate gamified elements into classroom activities thoughtfully, ensuring they align with educational goals and support students\u2019 emotional well-being.<\/p>\r\r<p>Be mindful of individual differences and offer alternative options for children who may not benefit from gamified approaches.<\/p>\r\r<p>While gamification holds promise in enhancing a child\u2019s mental health journey, it\u2019s essential for parents and educators to navigate this landscape with caution and mindfulness.<\/p>\r\r<p>By understanding the potential impacts of gamification on children\u2019s mental health and taking proactive steps to mitigate risks, parents and educators can harness its benefits while safeguarding young minds against potential harm, ultimately fostering holistic well-being for their children.<\/p>\r\r<p>Together, let\u2019s empower our children to navigate the digital landscape with resilience and mindfulness.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Vinorra Shaker is the associate head of Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation\u2019s (APU) School of Psychology. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice. <em>The Star <\/em>does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. <em>The Star<\/em> disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.<\/strong><\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"By VINORRA SHAKER","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Mind","kicker_url":"\/lifestyle\/mind","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3655871,"np_article_id":1290213,"article_title":"Understanding what AI is all about (and what it isn't)","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"Understanding what AI is all about (and what it isn't)\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"AI, artificial intelligence, healthcare\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Lock Later\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Health Matters\"],\"summary\":[\"Is artificial intelligence a boon or bane to humanity, especially when it comes to healthcare?\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":584,\"columns\":\"584_1605774388\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Wellness\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"is_branded_article\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_start_date\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_end_date\":[\"\"],\"majoriti_paywall_story_type\":[\"\"],\"cxense_tags\":[\"\"],\"superapp_keyword_tagging\":[\"\"],\"external_source\":[\"starstory\"],\"subtitle\":[\"LIFE fithelmy250224 \"],\"page_number\":\"5\",\"initial_publication\":\"StarHealth\",\"date_created\":\"2024-02-23 16:09:00\",\"date_modified\":\"2024-02-23 16:09:00\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Shiow Chin Tan \",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"target_page\":\"5\",\"cxense_metatags\":null}","publish_time":"2024-02-27 11:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/23\\\/2558492.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":1240,\\\"image_original_height\\\":826,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"An+AI+has+the+ability+to+process+and+analyse+vasts+amounts+of+data+at+a+speed+that+is+beyond+human+capability.+%E2%80%94+TNS\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/health-matters\/2024\/02\/27\/understanding-what-ai-is-all-about-and-what-it-isn039t","show_image_in_thumb":2558492,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"2558492\"}","article_body":"<p>Everybody wants Artificial Intelligence (AI), and everybody wants it now.<\/p>\r\r<p>As with most hype, it is worth taking a step back to understand what AI is, and perhaps just as importantly, what it is (or is not) suitable for.<\/p>\r\r<p>The term \u201cArtificial Intelligence\u201d was coined in 1955 by Professor John McCarthy of Stanford University in the United States, who defined it as \u201cthe science and engineering of making intelligent machines\u201d.<\/p>\r\r<p>The concept has evolved to one in which machines simulate human intelligence in areas such as learning, problem-solving and decision-making.<\/p>\r\r<p>These are done via algorithms and data analysis \u2013 the ability to recognise patterns, as well as provide analysis and insight that mimic the functions associated with human intelligence.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>What is a good AI?<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Just as how a human brain has certain prerequisites in order to function well, there are various factors that determine success in an AI.<\/p>\r\r<p>AI algorithms require high-quality and diverse datasets for proper training.<\/p>\r\r<p>Narrow AI \u2013 i.e. where AI is used for one particular thing, e.g. AI for website chatbots \u2013 may not require as large a dataset, but still requires quality input.<\/p>\r\r<p>The basics are important \u2013 the data used to train AI must be of sufficient quality and with minimal bias.<\/p>\r\r<p>Poor input will lead to poor output.<\/p>\r\r<p>The data itself should be collected in a way that builds on trust, and should adhere to privacy and ethical guidelines.<\/p>\r\r<p>After data collection, the next steps are calculations \u2013 the processing of large datasets and the training of complex models that require very high computational resources.<\/p>\r\r<p>High-performance processors accelerate the training and inference processes, enabling faster and more efficient computations.<\/p>\r\r<p>The need for such processing power is the driving force behind the high valuation of Nvidia, one of the top tech companies with a market capitalisation at more than US$1.8 trillion (RM8.6 trillion, at the time of writing).<\/p>\r\r<p>Dealing with datasets and AI require appropriate skillsets.<\/p>\r\r<p>These include expertise in machine learning, deep learning and natural language processing.<\/p>\r\r<p>Researchers and data scientists have to design and optimise algorithms to achieve specific goals, such as classification, regression, clustering or reinforcement learning, depending on the application domain and task requirements.<\/p>\r\r<p>Specific domain expertise is crucial in understanding the context and utilisation of AI in specific sectors, e.g. healthcare professionals for AI in medicine, financial analysts for AI in finance, etc.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is important to ensure that mistakes are minimised and results can be utilised in real-world contexts.<\/p>\r\r<p>All of the above can \u2013 and should \u2013 only be allowed if there is adherence to ethical principles and regulatory standards.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is to ensure fairness, transparency, accountability and privacy protection.<\/p>\r\r<p>Ethical AI frameworks promote responsible AI practices, mitigate biases and address societal implications.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is the rationale for the European Union introducing its AI Act, the first major legislation that codifies AI protections into law.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>The advantages of AI<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>The primary value of an AI is the ability to process and analyse vast amounts of data at speed far beyond that of the human mind.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is particularly useful in repetitive or mundane tasks, freeing up human resources to focus on more complex and creative endeavours.<\/p>\r\r<p>AI can also analyse complex datasets to identify patterns, trends and correlations that may not be apparent to humans.<\/p>\r\r<p>Future outcomes and trends can be identified by analysing historical data and identifying predictive patterns.<\/p>\r\r<p>At a more granular level, AI systems can perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy and precision, often surpassing human capabilities.<\/p>\r\r<p>In fields such as medical diagnosis, radiological image recognition and quality control, AI algorithms can achieve levels of accuracy that are difficult for humans to replicate consistently.<\/p>\r\r<p>At a more personal level, AI algorithms can tailor experiences and recommendations to individual preferences and behaviours.<\/p>\r\r<p>In fields such as ecommerce, entertainment and healthcare, personalised recommendations based on AI analysis can enhance customer satisfaction and engagement.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>The downside of AI<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>One of the primary criticisms of AI is the potential for bias; AI learns from historical data, which may contain biases inherent in the data and the collection process.<\/p>\r\r<p>If this data reflects societal biases or systemic inequalities, AI algorithms can perpetuate, and even exacerbate them.<\/p>\r\r<p>There are various examples of biased training data leading to discriminatory outcomes in loan approvals, and even court decisions.<\/p>\r\r<p>The algorithms are also complex with minimal transparency and interpretability.<\/p>\r\r<p>It is not wrong to say that very few people actually understand what happens with an AI, and for the majority of us, it is very important to be cognisant of what we do not know \u2013 there is no room to blindly trust or apportion infallibility to an AI without knowing how it arrives at a decision, especially without accountability, fairness and trust.<\/p>\r\r<p>The increasing ubiquity, overreliance and dependency on AI can lead to complacency and a lack of critical thinking.<\/p>\r\r<p>One must not overlook the errors, biases and limitations of AI, such as its inability to make decisions based on moral or value judgements.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>AI in healthcare<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Given the context above, one can start to imagine the opportunities and limitations of AI in enhancing healthcare delivery.<\/p>\r\r<p>Healthcare is rich in data: symptoms can be analysed for diagnosis, treatment can be identified at genetic level, AI-powered remote devices can monitor signs, algorithms can analyse large datasets to identify potential drug candidates \u2013 the list goes on.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, it is not a panacea and should be recognised as such.<\/p>\r\r<p>There is bias within algorithms, data privacy and security concerns, misinterpretation of data within training modules that are not properly validated, overreliance on technology by practitioners, increasing inequality due to cost considerations \u2013 once again, the list goes on.<\/p>\r\r<p>AI is changing the world, even as it is changing in its own nature over time.<\/p>\r\r<p>There is tremendous potential, but this has to be viewed alongside the challenges of data privacy, bias and regulatory issues to ensure that AI is implemented ethically and responsibly in all its settings, including healthcare.<\/p>\r\r<p>As I wrote at the start of this column, it is worth taking a step back to understand what AI is, and just as importantly, what it is not.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is a consultant lung specialist and CEO of the Social & Economic Research Initiative. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only. <em>The Star<\/em> does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. <em>The Star<\/em> disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.<\/strong><\/p>","author_name":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin","article_byline":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin","article_tags":"","author_id":584,"kicker_name":"Health Matters","kicker_url":"\/lifestyle\/viewpoints\/health-matters?bycat=584_1605774388","author_image_src":"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/authors\/584.webp","author":{"cms_author_id":3002590,"np_author_id":584,"author_name":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin","author_image":"uploads\/authors\/584.jpg","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"starhealth@thestar.com.my","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is a respiratory physician and chief executive officer of the Social & Economic Research Initiative, a thinktank dedicated to evidence-based policies.","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Health Matters\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"584_1605774388\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3643641,"np_article_id":1265465,"article_title":"Tackling hard-to-reach infections with tiny robots","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"Tackling hard-to-reach infections with tiny robots\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Robotics, bacteria, infectious diseases, technology\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Complimentary\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Science\"],\"summary\":[\"Scientists are turning to microrobots to help them treat bacterial biofilms.\"],\"columnist\":[],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Science\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"is_branded_article\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_start_date\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_end_date\":[\"\"],\"majoriti_paywall_story_type\":[\"\"],\"cxense_tags\":[\"\"],\"superapp_keyword_tagging\":[\"\"],\"external_source\":[\"starstory\"],\"subtitle\":[\"LIFE fitmicrobot210124 \"],\"page_number\":\"6\",\"initial_publication\":\"StarHealth\",\"date_created\":\"2024-01-19 16:06:26\",\"date_modified\":\"2024-01-19 16:06:26\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Shiow Chin Tan \",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"target_page\":\"6\",\"cxense_metatags\":null}","publish_time":"2024-01-24 09:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2024\\\/01\\\/19\\\/2499560.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":1240,\\\"image_original_height\\\":744,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"With+a+precise%2C+controlled+movement%2C+microrobots+clear+a+glass+plate+of+a+biofilm+in+this+time-lapse+sequence.+%E2%80%94+Dr+HWANG+GEELSU+and+Dr+EDWARD+STEAGER\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/2024\/01\/24\/tackling-hard-to-reach-infections-with-tiny-robots","show_image_in_thumb":2499560,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"2499560\"}","article_body":"<p>Biofilms \u2013 structured communities of microorganisms that create a protective matrix shielding them from external threats, including antibiotics \u2013 are responsible for about 80% of human infections and present a significant challenge in medical treatments, often resisting conventional methods.<\/p>\r\r<p>Dr Michel Koo Hyun of the School of Dental Medicine and Dr Edward Steager of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania, United States, discuss in this Q&A an innovative approach they\u2019ve partnered on: the use of small-scale robotics, i.e. microrobots, to offer a promising solution to tackle these persistent infections.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\"><strong>What is the motivation behind opting for tiny robots to tackle infections?<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Koo:<\/strong> Treating biofilms is a broad, yet unresolved biomedical problem, and conversely, the strategies for tackling biofilms are limited for a number of reasons.<\/p>\r\r<p>For instance, biofilms typically occur on surfaces that can be tricky to reach, like between the teeth in the oral cavity, the respiratory tract, or even within catheters and implants.<\/p>\r\r<p>So, treatments for these are usually restricted to antibiotics (or antimicrobials) and other physical methods reliant on mechanical disruption.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, this touches on the problem of antimicrobial resistance.<\/p>\r\r<p>Targeting specific microorganisms present in these structures is difficult, so antibiotics often fail to reach and penetrate the biofilm\u2019s protective layers, leading to persistent infections and increased risk of antibiotic resistance.<\/p>\r\r<p>We needed a way to circumvent these constraints, so Ed and I teamed up in 2017 to develop new, more precise and effective approaches that leverage the engineers\u2019 ability to generate solutions that we, the clinicians and life science researchers, identify.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Steager:<\/strong> Small scale robots present a way to treat, disrupt and remove biofilms by directly targeting the sites of infection, and they also offer new means of retrieving microbial samples and subsequently diagnosing other conditions.<\/p>\r\r<p>The integration of microrobotics into healthcare signifies a paradigm shift in how we approach medical treatments, promising more efficient and less invasive options.<\/p>\r\r<p>We\u2019re happy to see that this trend has gained momentum in the last five years since our first publication, driven by technological advancements and interdisciplinary collaborations like ours.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\"><strong>How are the microrobots powered and controlled?<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Steager:<\/strong> We typically categorise these robots into two main types: intrinsically powered and extrinsically powered.<\/p>\r\r<p>The former derive energy from their immediate environment; this can include chemical energy, biological processes or ambient energy sources, and even from tiny internal engineered power sources.<\/p>\r\r<p>They offer greater autonomy and can operate in various environments, but their independent movement can be challenging to control precisely.<\/p>\r\r<p>On the other hand, we have extrinsically powered microrobots, which are controlled by external means such as magnetic fields, acoustic waves or optical systems.<\/p>\r\r<p>This external control offers precise and directed movement, allowing for targeted delivery and operations within the body.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, they require external equipment to guide and power their movements.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\"><strong>How are your students reacting to opportunities in this field?<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Koo:<\/strong> Students are showing a growing interest in microrobotics and its applications in healthcare and are eagerly suggesting new ways to innovate the field.<\/p>\r\r<p>This field offers a unique opportunity for students to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development.<\/p>\r\r<p>It\u2019s a platform that encompasses everything from nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and material sciences, to actuation, energy harvesting and microfabrication to solve a healthcare problem.<\/p>\r\r<p>Right now, we\u2019re mostly focused on biofilm infections, but there are so many more challenges the students are excited to tackle.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;\"><strong>What role does big data play in the future of microrobotics?<\/strong><\/div>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Koo:<\/strong> Big data and artificial intelligence are critical components in the future of microrobotics, particularly in healthcare.<\/p>\r\r<p>The vast amount of data being generated in biomedicine can be leveraged to reveal patterns and insights about human health and disease that were previously unattainable.<\/p>\r\r<p>This information is invaluable in improving the design and functionality of microrobotic systems, making them more precise, effective and efficient.<\/p>\r\r<p>Moreover, the integration of big data with robotics opens up new possibilities for personalised medicine, where treatments can be tailored to the individual patient based on data-driven insights.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Steager:<\/strong> This integration signifies a pivotal shift toward the overlap of sensing in robotics and diagnostics in medicine.<\/p>\r\r<p>This intersection is critical for developing less invasive diagnostic methods and treatments, especially in hard-to-access infection sites.<\/p>\r\r<p>The conversation points towards a future where robotics not only treats, but also identifies and analyses infections, leveraging big data for more precise healthcare.<\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Science","kicker_url":"\/lifestyle\/science","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3579346,"np_article_id":1137287,"article_title":"Review: 'Aliens: Dark Descent' \u2013 Fight to free your space station","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"Review: 'Aliens: Dark Descent' \\u2013 Fight to free your space station\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-thoughts\\\/2023\\\/07\\\/30\\\/review-039aliens-dark-descent039---fight-to-free-your-space-station\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"No\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"No\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Complimentary\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Video games\",\"Internet\",\"Technology\",\"Console\"],\"summary\":[\"A full 44 years have passed since Ridley Scott's \\\"Alien\\\" set a new standard for science fiction films in the late 1970s.\"],\"columnist\":[],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"is_branded_article\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_start_date\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_end_date\":[\"\"],\"majoriti_paywall_story_type\":[\"\"],\"cxense_tags\":[\"\"],\"superapp_keyword_tagging\":[\"\"],\"external_source\":[\"\"],\"page_number\":\"0\",\"initial_publication\":\"\",\"date_created\":\"2023-07-28 18:50:13\",\"date_modified\":\"2023-07-28 18:55:54\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Christopher Fam\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"\",\"target_page\":\"0\"}","publish_time":"2023-07-30 08:00:00","sub_section_id":96,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2023\\\/07\\\/28\\\/2201715.jpeg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"Your+unit+in+%22Aliens%3A+Dark+Descent%2C%22+which+is+initially+only+equipped+with+simple+weapons%2C+receives+special+abilities+as+you+progress.+%E2%80%94+Photo%3A+Focus+Entertainment%2Fdpa\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech Thoughts","permalink":"tech\/tech-thoughts\/2023\/07\/30\/review-039aliens-dark-descent039---fight-to-free-your-space-station","show_image_in_thumb":0,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":null}","article_body":"<p><strong>BERLIN:<\/strong> A full 44 years have passed since Ridley Scott's \"Alien\" set a new standard for science fiction films in the late 1970s.<\/p>\r\r<p>Thanks to several video game spin-offs, it has been possible to experience the universe in interactive form since 1992. Now there's a new strategy game for consoles and PCs, \"Aliens: Dark Descent.\" Players slip into the role of Maeko Hayes, who witnesses an alien attack on her space station. She can't stop it and ends up stranded on the planet Lethe. As part of a four-person unit, she returns to the space station to free it in combat.<\/p>\r\r<p>In action, you simultaneously command your four fighters as they move through the gloomy station in real time.<\/p>\r\r<p>Tactical moves, such as slowing down the game, help to effectively take the wind out of the aliens' sails. The unit, which is initially only equipped with simple weapons, receives special abilities as you progress.<\/p>\r\r<p>Of course, many enemies known from the \"Aliens\" games, such as Facehuggers and Praetorians, are also part of the game. Although you can save in between, the missions, each lasting about an hour, can become a real challenge. That's because the aliens take advantage of every mistake and can even permanently eliminate your unit.<\/p>\r\r<p>As a strategy game, \"Aliens: Dark Descent\" takes a completely different direction to its predecessors but that's exactly what makes it interesting. The game is available for PlayStation and Xbox consoles as well as PCs and costs about \u20ac40\/US$40 (RM109 in Malaysia). \u2013 dpa<\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Tech thoughts","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3578999,"np_article_id":1136324,"article_title":"How Reddit influences purchase decisions","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"subtitle\":[\"Some 69% of Redditors have bought a new device or tech product based on information they found on Reddit. \"],\"external_source\":[\"Relaxnews\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"How Reddit influences purchase decisions\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"summary\":[\"Now a reflex for many internet users, checking social networks to find out about a product prior to purchase has become part of consumer habits. And on Reddit, 93% of users say the website helps them make more informed decisions when upgrading tech products and devices.\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Social media\",\"Internet\",\"Technology\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Complimentary\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"No\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"No\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-thoughts\\\/2023\\\/07\\\/28\\\/how-reddit-influences-purchase-decisions\"],\"page_number\":\"0\",\"initial_publication\":\"\",\"date_created\":\"2023-07-27 16:41:34\",\"date_modified\":\"2023-07-27 23:35:06\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Christopher Fam\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"\",\"target_page\":\"0\"}","publish_time":"2023-07-28 10:00:00","sub_section_id":96,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2023\\\/07\\\/27\\\/2200291.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"Some+69%25+of+Redditors+have+bought+a+new+device+or+tech+product+based+on+information+they+found+on+Reddit.+%E2%80%94+Photography+Delmaine+Donson%2FGetty+Images%2FAFP+Relaxnews\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech Thoughts","permalink":"tech\/tech-thoughts\/2023\/07\/28\/how-reddit-influences-purchase-decisions","show_image_in_thumb":0,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":null}","article_body":"<p>Now a reflex for many internet users, checking social networks to find out about a product prior to purchase has become part of consumer habits. And on Reddit, 93% of users say the website helps them make more informed decisions when upgrading tech products and devices.<\/p>\n\n<p>Like Instagram and TikTok, Reddit is increasingly finding its place alongside Google as a go-to platform for finding pre-purchase product information, according to the latest report from Reddit for Business, surveying over 1,000 people in the US in March 2023.<\/p>\n\n<p>According to the report's findings, 93% of Reddit users said that Reddit had helped them make more informed decisions when it comes to purchasing high-tech products and devices. Moreover, 78% of Reddit users say they are more likely to buy new tech products or devices that are launched on Reddit.<\/p>\n\n<p>When it comes to brand engagement, users are more receptive to the brands present on Reddit. Some 86% of them admit to having greater trust in a tech brand present on the platform. And this is reflected in the purchases they make. Indeed, 69% of US users surveyed have bought a high-tech product based on information found on Reddit. And the trend seems set to continue, since 75% of them are already planning to spend the same or more on high-tech products this year.<\/p>\n\n<p>According to the study, conversations about tech products on Reddit continue even after the product launch date -- and more so than on other platforms, such as Twitter. This is notably the case for Samsung's S23 smartphone, which fueled conversations on Reddit for several weeks after its launch earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n<p>Reddit's most popular tech communities include r\/technology, r\/homeautomation, r\/gadgets, r\/GamingLaptops and r\/virtualreality. \u2013 AFP Relaxnews<\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"Sabrina Alili","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Tech thoughts","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3505220,"np_article_id":991476,"article_title":"Review: 'Midnight Suns' shows how Marvel games have improved and diversified","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-thoughts\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/15\\\/review-039midnight-suns039-shows-how-marvel-games-have-improved-and-diversified\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Complimentary\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Video games\",\"Technology\",\"Internet\"],\"summary\":[\"\"],\"columnist\":[],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"is_branded_article\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_start_date\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_end_date\":[\"\"],\"majoriti_paywall_story_type\":[\"\"],\"cxense_tags\":[\"\"],\"superapp_keyword_tagging\":[\"\"],\"page_number\":null,\"initial_publication\":\"\",\"date_created\":\"2023-01-13 15:52:05\",\"date_modified\":\"2023-01-13 16:12:50\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Angelin Yeoh\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"\",\"target_page\":null}","publish_time":"2023-01-15 08:00:00","sub_section_id":96,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/13\\\/1900305.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"Players+can+build+relationships+with+characters+such+as+Doctor+Strange+in+%27Marvel%27s+Midnight+Suns%27.+%E2%80%94+2K+Games%2FTNS\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech Thoughts","permalink":"tech\/tech-thoughts\/2023\/01\/15\/review-039midnight-suns039-shows-how-marvel-games-have-improved-and-diversified","show_image_in_thumb":0,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":null}","article_body":"<p>For a long time, DC wore the crown when it came to comic book games. Rocksteady Studios\u2019 <em>Arkham<\/em> series was the first modern title that was legitimately in the game of the year discussion and entries such as <em>Lego Batman<\/em> and <em>The Wolf Among Us<\/em> were deserving of praise.<\/p>\r\r<p>But in the past few years, Marvel has made strides. Developer Insomniac has done wonders with the <em>Spider-Man <\/em>franchise and Second Dinner beautifully translated the Marvel universe into a fast-paced card game. Now, Firaxis Games, the studio behind the <em>Sid Meier\u2019s Civilization<\/em> series and the rebooted <em>XCOM<\/em>, has taken its hand at mutants and Avengers with surprisingly good results.<\/p>\r\r<p><em>Marvel\u2019s Midnight Sons<\/em> is the studio\u2019s take on the superhero genre. It puts players mostly in the shoes of an original character called the Hunter. The player-created hero is the offspring of Lilith, the mother of demons, who is reawakened by Hydra. While the evil organisation wants to use her power, she aims to reawaken the elder god Chthon. The Hunter defeated Lilith in the past and is resurrected to take her on once again.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>A Hunter leading an eclectic group <\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>As the leader of the Midnight Suns, players lead a mishmash group of heroes that includes Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, Captain America, the Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Blade, Ghost Rider, Scarlet Witch, Magik and Nico Minoru. It\u2019s a mix of Avengers, mutants and prickly loners. Players will have to learn to maximize their powers while also navigating their intertwining relationships.<\/p>\r\r<p>Fans of <em>XCOM<\/em> should feel at home with the campaign. <em>Midnight Suns<\/em> is divided into two phases. The first takes place in the Abbey, which acts as the team\u2019s headquarters. It\u2019s full of mystical and magical elements that make Doctor Strange feel at home. This is where the Hunter forges bonds with teammates while also researching better gear and training the Suns\u2019 forces.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>A focus on player choice<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>The game gives players plenty of decisions as they craft the Hunter into a paragon of goodness or a ruthless antihero. Their responses impact the friendship level with each superhero, and that stat is tied to beneficial perks that help in combat.<\/p>\r\r<p>The choice to opt for a dark, light or neutral character also influences a player\u2019s role in combat. A dark-focused hunter specializes in dealing damage while a light-attuned one has a support role healing allies. At times, the often-binary choices players have make the Hunter feel like Commander Shepard in <em>Mass Effect<\/em>, but overall, Firaxis does a good job intertwining player choices into the overall gameplay so that it seeps into the deeper narrative.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Card-based combat<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>The second phase of the game is the combat. Players pick a mission and jump into the action with a team of three. The Hunter doesn\u2019t necessarily have to take part, so players can mix and match heroes for the type of mission at hand.<\/p>\r\r<p>Although the first half of the game has an <em>XCOM<\/em> influence, the combat is entirely fresh. Because <em>Midnight Suns<\/em> centres on superheroes, cover isn\u2019t a focus. Instead, Firaxis opts for a card system that determines which moves are available for the team.<\/p>\r\r<p>The system normally limits players to three card uses for each round, but each card has an action and a keyword. Some deal damage, and when played, players will see a hero perform an attack on a Hydra thug. Others have support abilities that heal allies or give their stats a boost. A third series of cards specialise in gaming the system by drawing more cards so players have more options or building up the all-important Heroism meter.<\/p>\r\r<p>Heroism is what\u2019s needed to use the most powerful abilities, and simple attacks and support cards usually generate it. When players want to do a super-powerful team-up move, they\u2019ll need to build up Heroism over a round to fire it off.<\/p>\r\r<p>Learning the system and knowing how to manipulate the cards are big keys to mastering <em>Midnight Suns<\/em>. Limited redraws, which let you mulligan a card, and movement adds even more depth to the combat. Half the battle is knowing when and how to use the hero cards for maximum effect. The other part is figuring out how best to position each hero.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>The learning curve <\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>At first, it can be overwhelming, but Firaxis does a solid job of teaching players the basics, while adding more refinements and layers as the Hunter adds more amenities and more hero abilities to the base. At times, all this constant management feels rote, but the developers try to break up the monotony of base building and progression with side stories and team drama.<\/p>\r\r<p>That sometimes works, but the biggest problem with <em>Midnight Suns<\/em> is that it has a difficult time finding the right tone. The voice acting doesn\u2019t help the narrative. Most of the performances are uninspired while the writing itself never strikes on a theme that pulls the jumble of heroes together.<\/p>\r\r<p>Unlike the excellent <em>Guardians of the Galaxy<\/em> game, <em>Midnight Suns<\/em> lacks cohesion. The game has a lot of great pieces to work with, but the parts don\u2019t amplify each other to create a greater whole. The heroes feel more like cool tools for players to use in a new lineup than a cohesive and bonded team. That and the bugs and crashes detract from an otherwise refreshingly good strategy game.<\/p>\r\r<p>It\u2019s not a game on the level of Insomniac\u2019s <em>Spider-Man<\/em> series, but it definitely carves a compelling niche and becomes another strong game in Marvel\u2019s expanding universe.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Marvel\u2019s Midnight Suns<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p><strong>3 stars out of four<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Rating: Teen<\/strong> \u2013 Bay Area News Group\/Tribune News Service<\/p>\r\r<p> <\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"Gieson Cacho","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Tech thoughts","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3468309,"np_article_id":920664,"article_title":"Are voice assistants like Alexa and Siri a bad influence on children?","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"Are voice assistants like Alexa and Siri a bad influence on children?\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Child health, voice assistants, AI\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Complimentary\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Children\",\"Technology\"],\"summary\":[\"These AI programmes may not always respond to children in the appropriate way.\"],\"columnist\":[],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Children\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"is_branded_article\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_start_date\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_end_date\":[\"\"],\"majoriti_paywall_story_type\":[\"\"],\"cxense_tags\":[\"\"],\"superapp_keyword_tagging\":[\"\"],\"page_number\":\"8\",\"initial_publication\":\"StarHealth\",\"date_created\":\"2022-10-07 16:07:38\",\"date_modified\":\"2022-10-07 16:07:37\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Shiow Chin Tan \",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"target_page\":\"8\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"\"}","publish_time":"2022-10-14 12:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/07\\\/1767100.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":1240,\\\"image_original_height\\\":857,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"A+family+in+the+United+States+plays+a+game+of+rock-paper-scissors+with+Amazon+voice+command+personal+assistant+Alexa+via+a+wireless+speaker.+A+British+expert+worries+that+long-term+exposure+to+such+voice+assistants+can+negatively+affect+a+child%E2%80%99s+social+and+emotional+development.+%E2%80%94+TNS\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/2022\/10\/14\/are-voice-assistants-like-alexa-and-siri-a-bad-influence-on-children","show_image_in_thumb":1767100,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"1767100\"}","article_body":"<p>Voice control smart devices, such as Alexa, Siri and Google Home, might hinder children\u2019s social and emotional development, argues an expert in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in healthcare.<\/p>\r\r<p>These devices might have long-term effects by impeding children\u2019s critical thinking, capacity for empathy and compassion, and their learning skills, says Dr Anmol Arora, an academic physician at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\r\r<p>While voice control devices may act as \u201cfriends\u201d and help to improve children\u2019s reading and communication skills, their advanced AI and \u201chuman\u201d-sounding voices have prompted concerns about the potential long-term effects on children\u2019s brains at a crucial stage of development.<\/p>\r\r<p>There are three broad areas of concern, explains the author in a viewpoint published online in the journal <em>Archives of Disease in Childhood<\/em>.<\/p>\r\r<p>These comprise inappropriate responses, impeding social development, and hindering learning.<\/p>\r\r<p>He cites some well-publicised examples of inappropriate responses, including a device suggesting that a 10-year old should try touching a live plug with a coin.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cIt is difficult to enforce robust parental controls on such devices without severely affecting their functionality,\u201d he says, adding that privacy issues have also risen with regards to the recording of private conversations.<\/p>\r\r<p>These devices can\u2019t teach children how to behave politely, because there\u2019s no expectation of a \u201cplease\u201d or \u201cthank you\u201d, and no need to consider the tone of voice, he points out.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cThe lack of ability to engage in non-verbal communication makes use of the devices a poor method of learning social interaction,\u201d he writes.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cWhile in normal human interactions, a child would usually receive constructive feedback if they were to behave inappropriately, this is beyond the scope of a smart device.\u201d<\/p>\r\r<p>Preliminary research on the use of voice assistants as social companions for lonely adults is encouraging.<\/p>\r\r<p>But it\u2019s not at all clear if this also applies to children, Dr Arora notes.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cThis is particularly important at a time when children might already have had social development impaired as a result of Covid-19 restrictions and when [they] might have been spending more time isolated with smart devices at home,\u201d he emphasises.<\/p>\r\r<p>Devices are designed to search for requested information and provide a concise, specific answer, but this may hinder traditional processes by which children learn and absorb information, he suggests.<\/p>\r\r<p>When children ask adults questions, the adult can request contextual information, explain the limitations of their knowledge and probe the child\u2019s reasoning \u2013 a process that these devices can\u2019t replicate, he says.<\/p>\r\r<p>Searching for information is also an important learning experience, which teaches critical thinking and logical reasoning, he explains.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cThe rise of voice devices has provided great benefit to the population.\u201d<\/p>\r\r<p>Their abilities to provide information rapidly, assist with daily activities, and act as a social companion to lonely adults are both important and useful, Dr Arora acknowledges.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cHowever, urgent research is required into the long-term consequences for children interacting with such devices,\u201d he insists.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cInteracting with the devices at a crucial stage in social and emotional development might have long-term consequences on empathy, compassion and critical thinking,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"AGENCY","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Children","kicker_url":"\/lifestyle\/children","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3382785,"np_article_id":757026,"article_title":"How 5G can help improve healthcare","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"How 5G can help improve healthcare\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Healthcare, technology, 5G\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Health With Perdana\",\"Technology\",\"Healthcare\"],\"summary\":[\"The deployment of 5G broadband cellular networks is poised to have a significant impact on healthcare.\"],\"columnist\":[],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Wellness\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"is_branded_article\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_start_date\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_end_date\":[\"\"],\"majoriti_paywall_story_type\":[\"\"],\"cxense_tags\":[\"\"],\"superapp_keyword_tagging\":[\"\"],\"page_number\":\"6\",\"initial_publication\":\"StarHealth\",\"date_created\":\"2022-02-25 16:42:47\",\"date_modified\":\"2022-02-25 16:42:46\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Shiow Chin Tan \",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"target_page\":\"6\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"\"}","publish_time":"2022-03-03 13:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/25\\\/1493980.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":1240,\\\"image_original_height\\\":884,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"The+faster+connections+and+larger+capabilities+of+5G+will+enable+healthcare+providers+to+monitor+their+patients+remotely%2C+access+AI+applications+to+help+with+decision-making+and+collaborate+with+colleagues+around+the+world+for+patient+care%2C+among+others.+%E2%80%94+123rf.com\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/2022\/03\/03\/how-5g-can-help-improve-healthcare","show_image_in_thumb":1493980,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"1493980\"}","article_body":"<p>In the evolution of telecommunications, 5G is the fifth-generation innovation standard for broadband networks, which started transforming the world in 2019.<\/p>\r\r<p>5G is a significant evolution of today\u2019s 4G LTE networks.<\/p>\r\r<p>5G networks can support speeds up to 10 gigabits per second \u2013 100 times faster than 4G.<\/p>\r\r<p>It can be implemented in low-band, mid-band or high-band millimetre waves of 24 GHz up to 54 GHz.<\/p>\r\r<p>It is expected to be able to support up to one million connected devices per .38 square miles, compared to around 2,000 connected devices per .38 square miles with 4G.<\/p>\r\r<p>5G networks are anticipated to have more than 1.7 billion subscribers worldwide by 2025.<\/p>\r\r<p>This innovation is also expected to have an impact on the healthcare industry.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Telehealth monitoring<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>We used to only have one choice when we fell ill and needed medical help: travel to the nearest clinic or hospital to see a healthcare professional.<\/p>\r\r<p>For people in rural areas, the travelling time, location and distance is a concern.<\/p>\r\r<p>For example, those living in the remote, interior areas of Sarawak can be several hours\u2019 travel time away from the nearest clinic, and if the river waters are low, they might not even be able to travel out of their village.<\/p>\r\r<p>With the development of telehealth, it is possible to obtain medical care from our homes.<\/p>\r\r<p>Doctors can provide medical advice via a video call, and even monitor patients remotely via smartphones, fitness and other monitoring devices.<\/p>\r\r<p>With Covid-19 being of concern, this remote healthcare support would also help to reduce patient exposure to infections by minimising in-person visits to doctors or healthcare facilities.<\/p>\r\r<p>Patients can stay at home and order their prescriptions online for delivery to their doorstep.<\/p>\r\r<p>5G technology will support terminal-to-terminal communications, making communications easier and faster.<\/p>\r\r<p>Remote monitoring, in particular, which can involve complex image processing techniques, methodologies and advanced technologies, require the higher network speeds 5G promises.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Internet of Medical Things<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is the network of Internet-associated clinical devices, equipment infrastructure and software applications used to connect healthcare information technology.<\/p>\r\r<p>Also known as the Internet of Things (IoT) in medical services, IoMT permits remote and distant devices to safely transfer data over the Internet to permit fast and adaptable assessment of clinical information.<\/p>\r\r<p>The quality of network coverage and space over which such data is transferred could affect this process.<\/p>\r\r<p>5G technology could help overcome the quality and issues of IoMT, including the concerns of digitisation and data transformation.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Handling Big Data<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>With wearable devices, healthcare professionals can monitor and screen patients from a distance, accumulating continuous information for evaluation, which would allow for customised medical services.<\/p>\r\r<p>The massive amount and variety of data that this can generate requires systematic organisation, administration and governance.<\/p>\r\r<p>In the long run, such devices will be restricted by the limitations of networks in dealing with such big data.<\/p>\r\r<p>A poor network could affect a healthcare professional\u2019s ability to obtain the necessary health information on a patient, especially with more processes going online.<\/p>\r\r<p>5G promises to be the solution to this problem, allowing medical services suppliers to convey therapy consistently to constantly sick patients across the quickest network accessible.<\/p>\r\r<p>High-quality 5G connectivity systems can also enhance collaboration between medical professionals, allowing them to work together on things like scans to improve diagnosis and patient care.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Sensor innovation<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Developments in medical equipment engineering have enabled patients to perform basic health screening from the comfort of their own home.<\/p>\r\r<p>These advancements in medical services occur through the information acquired, accumulated and aligned via sensors.<\/p>\r\r<p>This information is then communicated to healthcare experts for assessment and analysis.<\/p>\r\r<p>In this context, the 5G networks play a very important role to allow for better communication between the sensors.<\/p>\r\r<p>The combination of various IoMT devices and sensors assists doctors in assessing their patients more thoroughly and customising an appropriate course of management.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Artificial Intelligence<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Many medical services are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assess and and decide on treatments for patients.<\/p>\r\r<p>AI can also be used to predict which patients are likely to develop certain conditions or diseases.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is a lot of information that requires a continuous and high transfer speed network like 5G.<\/p>\r\r<p>Moreover, healthcare providers frequently need to access such information from their smartphones.<\/p>\r\r<p>By moving to a 5G network, they can utilise AI instruments to help evaluate and manage their patients from wherever they may be in the clinic or hospital.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Preparing for change<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>5G definitely has the potential to have a big impact on the healthcare industry.<\/p>\r\r<p>Healthcare professionals can help patients and collaborate with their colleagues via advanced, precise, productive, helpful and cost-viable methodologies and technologies.<\/p>\r\r<p>The use of 5G networks can help evolve the medical care industry to the next stage of healthcare \u2013 a change that is particularly significant today, given how the Covid-19 pandemic has put a huge burden on medical services frameworks all over the world.<\/p>\r\r<p>By empowering this innovation through 5G networks, medical care frameworks can work on the nature of care and patient experience, and reduce the medical expenses.<\/p>\r\r<p>Rather than just responding to patients\u2019 conditions, 5G networks can enable suppliers to give more customised and preventive methods due consideration.<\/p>\r\r<p>One issue that might hamper this is the long history of fear that 5G radiation poses dangers to human health.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is not a common occurrence at all, and is mainly of concern only to those who work on large sources of non-ionising radiation devices and instruments.<\/p>\r\r<p>In the coming years, 5G technology is expected to be scalable and energy efficient, and will pioneer a massive IoT world.<\/p>\r\r<p>A lot of focus will be on extreme simplicity, low-power consumption and pervasive coverage to reach challenging locations, as well as increased connection density so that networks can handle the massive number of devices deployed for IoT applications.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Professor Dr Leong Wai Yie is the director of Perdana University\u2019s Centre for Research Excellence and a Fellow of The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) UK. This article is courtesy of Perdana University. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader\u2019s own medical care. <em>The Star<\/em> disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.<\/strong><\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"By Prof Dr LEONG WAI YIE","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Wellness","kicker_url":"\/lifestyle\/wellness","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3322304,"np_article_id":636270,"article_title":"The digital healthcare generation gap in Malaysia","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"The digital healthcare generation gap in Malaysia\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Healthcare, technology\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Health With Perdana\",\"Healthcare\"],\"summary\":[\"Each generation of Malaysians has a different perception and attitude towards healthcare technology.\"],\"columnist\":[],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Wellness\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"drupal_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":null,\\\"properties\\\":{\\\"PUBLISHED\\\":0,\\\"PROMOTED\\\":0,\\\"STICKY\\\":0},\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"wp_custom_json\":[\"{\\\"type\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"fields\\\":[]}\"],\"is_branded_article\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_start_date\":[\"\"],\"branded_article_end_date\":[\"\"],\"majoriti_paywall_story_type\":[\"\"],\"subtitle\":[\"LIFE fitperdana120921 \"],\"page_number\":\"6\",\"initial_publication\":\"StarHealth\",\"date_created\":\"2021-09-10 15:10:43\",\"date_modified\":\"2021-09-10 15:10:42\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Shiow Chin Tan \",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"target_page\":\"6\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"\"}","publish_time":"2021-09-16 13:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/10\\\/1288862.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":1240,\\\"image_original_height\\\":868,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"The+mandatory+use+of+the+MySejahtera+app+during+this+pandemic+played+an+important+role+in+the+acceptance+of+healthcare+apps+among+Malaysians.+%E2%80%94+SAMUEL+ONG%2FThe+Star\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/2021\/09\/16\/the-digital-healthcare-generation-gap-in-malaysia","show_image_in_thumb":1288862,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"1288861\"}","article_body":"<p>Each generation of Malaysians share certain homogeneous experiences by the sheer virtue of living through the same period of time.<\/p>\r\r<p>Experiences in this context refer to significant external events during the individual\u2019s late adolescence and early adulthood years.<\/p>\r\r<p>Similarly, the notion of homogeneity and its impact is reflective of the individual\u2019s historical and societal experiences that act as influences, which form values, beliefs and lifestyles that distinguish one generation from the other.<\/p>\r\r<p>The first five generations of Malaysians can be classified into:<\/p>\r\r<ul>\r\t<li>Veterans \u2013 the hardworking and pragmatic generation that survived the Japanese occupation during World War 2.<\/li>\r\t<li>Reformers \u2013 those born in the 1940s-60s, who believed in a better life, having lived though the communist insurgence, the formation of Malaysia and the May 13, 1969, racial riots.<\/li>\r\t<li>Strivers \u2013 those born in the 1960s, who focus on stability and comfort, having experienced the nation\u2019s rapid economic and social development.<\/li>\r\t<li>Pursuers \u2013 those born in the 1970s, who endeavour to achieve their ambitions and goals through the uncertainty of rapidly-advancing technology and economic crises.<\/li>\r\t<li>Inheritors \u2013 Those born in the 1990s and after into the digital age, who adopt and adapt what is available to them.<\/li>\r<\/ul>\r\r<p>So, how did these different generations adapt to the seismic change from the Covid-19 pandemic, and how does this impact their approach towards healthcare?<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>The way forward<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>In South-East Asia, the Malaysian healthcare system is lauded as a model for other developing countries.<\/p>\r\r<p>We are indeed proud of our achievements, but our main challenge lies in the fact that healthcare costs have been rising over the last three decades.<\/p>\r\r<p>The healthcare inflation in Malaysia stood at 12% in 2017 \u2013 the third highest out of 11 Asian countries.<\/p>\r\r<p>By the end of 2018, this rose to 13%.<\/p>\r\r<p>The way forward is to redesign the current system, and switch it from heavy curative care to a preventive model with an integrated approach that depends on multisectoral and community-driven engagement.<\/p>\r\r<p>Such engagement aims to improve primary care with a health system that focuses on the patient.<\/p>\r\r<p>While the goal is to reduce cost, the healthcare system must still ensure quality, efficiency and effectiveness of its services.<\/p>\r\r<p>Technology is key to this as it can reduce resources, while improving monitoring and providing quick turnaround information that ensures sustainability over time.<\/p>\r\r<p>At the same time, improvements of this kind must be able to mobilise communities to engage in preventive care actively.<\/p>\r\r<p>This emphasises the need to ensure all generations of Malaysians have sufficient literacy and skills to benefit from technological updates within our healthcare system.<\/p>\r\r<p>In addition, the experience of each generation in the digital age is an essential factor.<\/p>\r\r<p>As each generation shares formative experiences as they age, this will affect future experiences and behaviour in how individuals perceive and experience digital technology in a healthcare context.<\/p>\r\r<p>For example, Strivers tend to be less passive and more critical of the healthcare system, in contrast to Veterans.<\/p>\r\r<p>Meanwhile, Inheritors have unprecedented ease with health-related technology and have the know-how to solve problems, making them quick to decide based on the information available to them.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, local evidence has highlighted that health literacy is a factor in the use of health-related technology.<\/p>\r\r<p>For instance, Inheritors from Selangor reported unfamiliarity with mobile health services that aim to improve population health.<\/p>\r\r<p>The ignorance of available technology is not only a problem among specific generations in Malaysia, but also a lingering cloud over our medically-based system that is struggling with the necessary adaptation to the health information ecosystem.<br><br><img alt=\"The mandatory use of the MySejahtera app during this pandemic played an important role in the acceptance of healthcare apps among Malaysians. \u2014 SAMUEL ONG\/The Star\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2021\/09\/10\/1288862.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"width: 600px; height: 420px;\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Trust is an issue<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Despite all these challenges, we now know that the seismic change brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic has formed a different perspective of Malaysians\u2019 behaviour towards healthcare.<\/p>\r\r<p>It brought to light the burden on health and human resources, while promoting the rapid development and adaptation of digital solutions for both service providers and receivers.<\/p>\r\r<p>Such transformations were doable because 54% of Asia\u2019s population was already online before the pandemic, with this number growing each year.<\/p>\r\r<p>In 2016, Malaysia ranked 41st in the global digital adaptation index.<\/p>\r\r<p>In 2019, we ranked among the top five for social media penetration in South-East Asia, with 81% of Malaysians being active social media users.<\/p>\r\r<p>That year also saw over 90% of Malaysian households having an internet connection and 135% usage of mobile applications, with 93% of the population using smartphones to access the internet.<\/p>\r\r<p>Additionally, there is evidence indicating that most Pursuers and Inheritors are using at least one health or wellness app.<\/p>\r\r<p>Finally, 70% of mobile subscribers are using 4G.<\/p>\r\r<p>Such high use meant that there were no issues when both Federal and state governments introduced a proliferation of apps to track the impact of Covid-19 on Malaysians last year.<\/p>\r\r<p>Let\u2019s take a look at the most ubiquitous among these apps: MySejahtera.<\/p>\r\r<p>This app was initially launched to track and treat Covid-19 cases, trace those at risk, and monitor symptoms.<\/p>\r\r<p>In August 2020, it was made mandatory for all business operations to enforce the use of MySejahtera.<\/p>\r\r<p>The app was guaranteed to be safe as all the data collected through it is wholly owned by the Health Ministry, and supervised by the National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) and the National Security Council (NSC).<\/p>\r\r<p>MySejahtera quickly evolved to also become a source of Covid-19 health information and data, as well as the point of coordination for vaccination.<\/p>\r\r<p>Some 42% of Malaysians have installed this app, with 41% actually activating it.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, only 17% have used it to report if they tested positive.<\/p>\r\r<p>One of the reasons for this low uptake when it comes to reporting a positive Covid-19 status, could be due to concerns over the misuse of information collected.<\/p>\r\r<p>Concerns over institutional trustworthiness have always lingered across all Malaysian generations.<\/p>\r\r<p>In fact, such worries were highlighted in the Malaysian Digital Economy Blueprint, which included strategies to improve the faith in the digital aspect of the national healthcare system.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is indeed a valid concern as trust issues have only escalated during the pandemic.<\/p>\r\r<p>For instance, the sharing of specific contact-tracing information has led to stigma and discrimination towards those linked to significant clusters, particularly those considered superspreader events.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, the good news is that Inheritors, Pursuers, Strivers and Reformers, i.e. three-quarters of Malaysians surveyed last year (2020), claimed they trust the healthcare system, especially in preventive measures such as escalating vaccine uptake.<\/p>\r\r<p>Such trust in healthcare rose from 63% in 2018.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Promoting literacy and engagement<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged the uptake of healthcare technology both among healthcare professionals and the public.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, the fact remains that, thus far, the generations that take the most advantage of digital healthcare are the Inheritors and some of the Pursuers.<\/p>\r\r<p>But health literacy is also an issue among these generations.<\/p>\r\r<p>Given the fast-paced evolution of technology, there is a pressing need to further understand how health literacy relates to the usage of health information technology, especially apps.<\/p>\r\r<p>We also need to ensure growth in health literacy and active engagement in healthcare.<\/p>\r\r<p>If we address these areas, it will ensure that all users receive the full benefits from these technological advances, while we continue to protect health information privacy.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Sangeeta Kaur is a senior lecturer in epidemiology and public health at the Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine. This article is courtesy of Perdana University, which is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader\u2019s own medical care. <em>The Star<\/em> disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.<\/strong><\/p>","author_name":"","article_byline":"Dr SANGEETA KAUR","article_tags":"","author_id":0,"kicker_name":"Wellness","kicker_url":"\/lifestyle\/wellness","author_image_src":"","author":null},{"cms_article_id":3257957,"np_article_id":517409,"article_title":"Data and connectivity issues hamper healthcare's digital evolution","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"Data and connectivity issues hamper healthcare's digital evolution\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Healthcare, technology, telemedicine, infrastructure, wearables, Big Data\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"lifestyle\\\/health\\\/health-matters\\\/2021\\\/03\\\/29\\\/data-and-connectivity-issues-hamper-healthcare039s-digital-evolution\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Healthcare\",\"Technology\",\"Health Matters\"],\"summary\":[\"Digital technology has great potential to advance healthcare, but fundamental issues are proving an obstacle.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":584,\"columns\":\"584_1605774388\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Wellness\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"subtitle\":[\"LIFE fithelmy280321 \"],\"page_number\":\"5\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARHEALTH\",\"date_created\":\"2021-03-26 16:22:07\",\"date_modified\":\"2021-03-26 17:00:10\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Shiow Chin Tan \",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_covid19,bs_crime,bs_death_injury\",\"target_page\":\"5\"}","publish_time":"2021-03-29 13:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2021\\\/03\\\/26\\\/1091354.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"The+more+health+data+our+wearable+devices+can+collect%2C+the+more+analysis+can+be+done%2C+possibly+leading+to+interventions+that+could+help+enhance+our+health.+%E2%80%94+dpa\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/health-matters\/2021\/03\/29\/data-and-connectivity-issues-hamper-healthcare039s-digital-evolution","show_image_in_thumb":1091354,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"1091354\"}","article_body":"<p>Let's talk about the Digital Economy Blueprint (DEB), which was recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestar.com.my\/news\/nation\/2021\/02\/19\/pm-digital-economy-to-contribute-226-to-nation039s-gdp-by-2025\" target=\"_blank\">launched<\/a> by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.<\/p>\r\r<p>While it may seem an odd choice for a health column, the Covid-19 pandemic has not only illustrated the many ways in which digital technology has impacted our lives, but also accelerated its adoption.<\/p>\r\r<p>The healthcare sector is one of the key areas that will continue to digitally evolve in many ways.<\/p>\r\r<p>The DEB seeks to set the landscape for Malaysia to become a high-value-add digital economy and net exporter of homegrown technologies and digital solutions.<\/p>\r\r<p>It also aims to improve the lives of Malaysians through digital advancement and economic growth driven by digital tech.<\/p>\r\r<p>There are many stated initiatives, but the strategic thrusts have been narrowed down to the following:<\/p>\r\r<ul>\r\t<li>To drive digital transformation in the public sector for enhanced and effective public service delivery.<\/li>\r\t<li>To push for digitalisation in the private sector as a way to boost economic competitiveness and ultimately position Malaysia as a destination for digital economy-related investments and activities.<\/li>\r\t<li>Building high quality and extensive accessible digital infrastructure as the foundation for economic, social and governmental transformation.<\/li>\r\t<li>Developing competent digital talent through digitalisation at various levels of education, along with up-skilling and reskilling of the existing workforce.<\/li>\r\t<li>Creating an inclusive digital society by narrowing the gap in the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to opportunities and information for all.<\/li>\r\t<li>Building a secure and ethical digital environment to ensure safety, privacy, security, reliability and data ethics in data services.<\/li>\r<\/ul>\rArguably all are important to healthcare, but none more basic and important than connectivity and data.\r\r<p> <\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Connectivity<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>The fundamental problem we face is that not all areas are digitally connected equally.<\/p>\r\r<p>Besides rural areas that do not have any connection at all, the bandwidth provided in areas that do have connectivity varies.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is despite the fact that Malaysians are likely to pay double the cost of data fees for half the speed, compared to other countries in the region, according to a Citibank report.<\/p>\r\r<p>In order to grasp the full opportunities of digital technology, Malaysians must have cheaper access to the Internet in order to attain the level of critical mass that will make downstream investments both viable and attractive.<\/p>\r\r<p>Why is this important?<\/p>\r\r<p>Imagine all the possibilities for healthcare that can be realised if there was fast, reliable and accessible connectivity, especially with 5G.<\/p>\r\r<p>5G technology offers high bandwidth and low latency \u2013 in other words, a lot of data can be transferred with very little delay.<\/p>\r\r<p>In the context of healthcare, medical images and data that can be shared quickly and with minimal fuss, will allow greater accessibility to medical services.<\/p>\r\r<p>The pandemic has increased the awareness of telemedicine, of which we have barely scraped the surface of possibilities.<\/p>\r\r<p>It has the potential to reduce inequality, as medical resources are not evenly spread physically.<\/p>\r\r<p>Greater network speeds will allow healthcare workers to engage patients remotely at home or in rural clinics.<\/p>\r\r<p>Procedures such as ultrasound tests and robotic surgeries can be done remotely too, if there are no concerns regarding buffering or network disconnections.<\/p>\r\r<p>The reduced physical contact enabled by this is of even greater importance when we take quarantine measures into account.<\/p>\r\r<p>5G will also enable massive Internet Of Things (IOT) use.<\/p>\r\r<p>There are increasing options for wearables, i.e. electronic devices that can be worn as accessories, embedded in clothing, implanted in the body or even tattooed on the skin.<\/p>\r\r<p>These can both send and receive data, which can also be used by both sender and receiver.<\/p>\r\r<p>We are increasingly familiar with wearable devices that measure our physical activities and physiological parameters such as our heart rate.<\/p>\r\r<p>The more data that is gathered, the more analysis can be done.<\/p>\r\r<p>These can lead to interventions as diverse as a warning for when your heart rate has breached a certain limit, all the way to personalised notifications for what to eat and when to change your jogging shoes.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Data<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>It is estimated that 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created daily.<img alt=\"Remote robotic surgery could become a real option for patients in rural areas if connectivity and buffering issues are sorted out. \u2014 123rf.com\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2021\/03\/26\/1091353.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"float:right; height:269px; width:300px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>Ninety percent of this was created over the last two years alone, and the volume of data is estimated to double every two years.<\/p>\r\r<p>All the data collected through the Internet has to go somewhere and be stored securely.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is where cloud technology comes into play.<\/p>\r\r<p>Cloud computing is more than just about saving your photographs; it\u2019s about the delivery of various types of services through the Internet.<\/p>\r\r<p>By saving data in a remote database, the user is not held back by the limitations of physical storage devices.<\/p>\r\r<p>As long as a device has access to the Internet, it will have the necessary access to the data and software programmes.<\/p>\r\r<p>Data is often referred to as the new oil.<\/p>\r\r<p>Besides economic value \u2013 the Big Data industry is estimated to be worth an estimated US$77 billion (RM318bil) by 2023 \u2013 data is similar to oil in that it is only useful once it is kept properly, refined\/analysed and has a suitable infrastructure for dissemination.<\/p>\r\r<p>Just like oil, there are tremendous opportunities, but also big risks.<\/p>\r\r<p>In an ideal world, our healthcare data would be shared seamlessly between clinics and doctors, without the need for us to carry around hard copies of our blood tests, imaging and medication list.<\/p>\r\r<p>We would be utilising wearables that can share real time data with our doctors, who can then preemptively offer advice or a necessary prescription.<\/p>\r\r<p>Just as how Netflix is able to alter recommendations based on big data analysis and artificial intelligence, the same can be done for our bodies.<\/p>\r\r<p>Having said that, when it comes to sensitive biometric and health data, we have to ensure that the data is protected from misuse.<\/p>\r\r<p>The sixth strategic thrust in the DEB is focused on building a trusted, ethical digital environment, which safeguards privacy.<\/p>\r\r<p>The trust deficit can only be allay-ed if specific measures are taken to increase public trust in the use of personal data by the government.<\/p>\r\r<p>This includes independent Parliamentary overview of data use and bringing forward the review of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) from the current planned date of 2025.<\/p>\r\r<p>The latter is especially important as the government should not be exempt from the PDPA and full implementation of a National Digital ID will require substantial legal and ethical considerations.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Equity<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Healthcare is considered by many to be a human right, and the degree of inequality will be exacerbated if we do not ensure that digital technology development is done in a just manner.<\/p>\r\r<p>As shared by Minister in the Prime Minister\u2019s Department Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed at a recent forum organised by the Social & Economic Research Initiative (Seri): \u201cCovid-19 has forced educational, social and economic interactions into online spaces.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cThrough this blueprint, we aim to digitalise our public sector, build digital infrastructure, develop our workforce to be digital-ready, boost our economy and foster a more inclusive society.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cWe must ensure no one is left behind.\u201d<\/p>\r\r<p>The DEB sets the right tone in terms of aspirations and philosophy, but as always, the devil is in the details.<\/p>\r\r<p>As they say, the proof is in the pudding, and the biggest challenge is not with coming up with the blueprint, but in implementing it.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is a consultant respiratory physician and chief executive officer of Seri, a thinktank dedicated to evidence-based policies. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only. <em>The Star<\/em> does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. <em>The Star <\/em>disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.<\/strong><\/p>","author_name":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin","article_byline":"Dr HELMY HAJA MYDIN","article_tags":"","author_id":584,"kicker_name":"Health Matters","kicker_url":"\/lifestyle\/viewpoints\/health-matters?bycat=584_1605774388","author_image_src":"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/authors\/584.webp","author":{"cms_author_id":3002590,"np_author_id":584,"author_name":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin","author_image":"uploads\/authors\/584.jpg","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"starhealth@thestar.com.my","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is a respiratory physician and chief executive officer of the Social & Economic Research Initiative, a thinktank dedicated to evidence-based policies.","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Health Matters\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"584_1605774388\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3228523,"np_article_id":462708,"article_title":"Why too much blue light from your screens can be harmful","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"Why too much blue light from your screens can be harmful\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Movement control order, working from home, eyes, pandemic\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Womens World\"],\"summary\":[\"Overexposure to blue light from our digital devices can adversely affect our eyes and sleep.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":505,\"columns\":\"505_1605774335\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Wellness\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"subtitle\":[\"LIFE fitwomen010121 \"],\"page_number\":\"5\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARHEALTH\",\"date_created\":\"2021-01-08 16:12:11\",\"date_modified\":\"2021-01-08 16:12:09\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Shiow Chin Tan \",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"target_page\":\"5\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime,bs_death_injury\"}","publish_time":"2021-01-11 13:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2021\\\/01\\\/08\\\/1000742.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":1240,\\\"image_original_height\\\":697,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"The+blue+light+emitted+from+our+screens+can+strain+our+eyes+and+make+them+dry.+%E2%80%94+123rf.com\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/womens-world\/2021\/01\/11\/why-too-much-blue-light-from-your-screens-can-be-harmful","show_image_in_thumb":1000742,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"1000742\"}","article_body":"<p>Blue light exposure has become a hot topic due to the amount of time that we spend in front of a digital screen every day.<\/p>\r\r<p>Recent research indicates that adults spend an average of more than 12 hours a day in front of our smartphones, tablets, TVs and computers (and that doesn\u2019t include usage during the MCO!).<\/p>\r\r<p>Blue light is also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light as it is of a short wavelength that produces high amounts of energy.<\/p>\r\r<p>HEV light can be found near the ultraviolet (UV) end of the light wavelengths that can be seen by human eyes.<\/p>\r\r<p>Blue light surrounds us in our everyday life. It is naturally emitted by the sun and artificially emitted by digital screens.<\/p>\r\r<p>The reason we see the sky as being blue is actually because of this type of light.<\/p>\r\r<p>When these shortwaves from the sun strike against air molecules, it creates what our mind interprets as a blue sky.<\/p>\r\r<p>Blue light is also responsible for regulating the circadian rhythms of our bodies, i.e. the sleep\/wake cycles.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Negative effects<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Because of our constant overexposure to blue light from our digital screens, it can have negative effects on our health, such as:<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee; border:1px solid #cccccc; padding:5px 10px\">> Sleep cycle disruption<\/div>\r\r<p>Due to its effect on our circadian rhythm, our sleep routine is at risk of being disrupted when we are overexposed to blue light at night.<\/p>\r\r<p>Research conducted by Harvard University in the United States found that after more than six hours of exposure to blue light (compared to green light), blue light was responsible for shifting circadian cycles by twice as much as green light.<\/p>\r\r<p>Blue light also suppressed twice the amount of melatonin than green light.<\/p>\r\r<p>Melatonin is a hormone that regulates our sleep cycle.<\/p>\r\r<p>Decreased levels of melatonin makes it difficult for us to fall asleep.<\/p>\r\r<div style=\"background:#eeeeee; border:1px solid #cccccc; padding:5px 10px\">> Dry eyes and strain<\/div>\r\r<p>One of the main effects of blue light is that it can cause eye strain and dry eyes after prolonged periods of exposure.<\/p>\r\r<p>It potentially tires out the retinas when the eyes are exposed to it on a regular basis.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is mainly due to the rapidly changing glare that forces the eyes to focus harder.<\/p>\r\r<p>Symptoms can include a burning or stinging sensation, eye irritation, redness and sensitivity to light.<\/p>\r\r<p>In addition, you may experience headaches, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain.<\/p>\r\r<p>These are also the symptoms of another problem related to blue light: computer vision syndrome.<\/p>\r\r<p>Also known as digital eye strain, this is a condition we have all probably encountered at some point or the other.<\/p>\r\r<p>It is when your eyes are so fatigued, you need to rest them.<\/p>\r\r<p>Fortunately, the symptoms of computer vision syndrome are mostly temporary, and will disappear if you space out the use of your devices and take regular breaks.<\/p>\r\r<p>If the symptoms persist however, it may be a sign of more serious eyesight issues and a check-up with an eye specialist is highly recommended.<\/p>\r\r<p>This might include a detailed examination that:<\/p>\r\r<ul>\r\t<li>Assesses your work space situation, including lighting, distance from devices, time spent in front of screens and seat positioning.<\/li>\r\t<li>Tests your visual acuity to determine if your near or distance vision has been affected before determining a diagnosis.<\/li>\r\t<li>Identifies any vision problems that have gone untreated, such as astigmatism, farsightedness or nearsightedness.<\/li>\r<\/ul>\r<strong>Save your sight<\/strong>\r\r<p><img alt=\"Blue is one of the colours towards the UV end of the visible light spectrum, clearly represented by rainbows, which have increasingly shorter wavelengths with correspondingly higher energy. \u2014 Reuters\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2021\/01\/08\/1000743.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:396px; width:600px\" \/><br><br>In this day and age, it is impossible to avoid digital screen time, whether it is working on our laptop, looking at our phone, watching TV or movies, and even checking our smart watches!<\/p>\r\r<p>We love to stay connected, but the potential price to pay for that is a deterioration of our eyesight or a condition like computer vision syndrome.<\/p>\r\r<p>One simple preventive method is to blink more often while using a screen.<\/p>\r\r<p>Blinking helps to moisturise and refresh your eyes, thus helping to prevent dry eyes and strain.<\/p>\r\r<p>Using artificial tears to lubricate your eyes, especially if you already have dry eyes, is also helpful.<\/p>\r\r<p>Do note that you should apply them regularly, even when your eyes feel fine, in order to ensure that your symptoms don\u2019t recur.<\/p>\r\r<p>Another method is to follow the 20-20-20 rule, i.e. look at something 20 feet (6m) away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes.<\/p>\r\r<p>You can set a repeating alarm on your smartphone to help you to remember to do this.<\/p>\r\r<p>Cutting down on glare by adjusting the lighting around you and the brightness of your screen can help to reduce the strain on your eyes.<\/p>\r\r<p>Glare and blue light can also be controlled, or even blocked, by using blue light screen filters or glasses that are designed to block HEV light.<\/p>\r\r<p>Blue light glasses, which are specially-designed spectacles, do not require a prescription.<\/p>\r\r<p>Good quality ones can block 100% of blue light on the lower spectrum, and up to 40% of blue light on the highest spectrum.<\/p>\r\r<p>They are an increasingly popular way to protect one\u2019s eyes against the artificial blue light and glare from all digital devices.<\/p>\r\r<p>As there are no known side effects to wearing blue light glasses, it doesn\u2019t hurt to try them and see if you find them helpful.<\/p>\r\r<p>At the end of the day, cutting down on your screen time is still the best way to prevent digital eye strain and disruption of your circadian cycle.<\/p>\r\r<p>While it may be unavoidable for work, do try to reduce the amount of leisure time you spend staring at a screen, whether it be surfing the internet, checking out your social media feeds or binge-watching the latest hot drama.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and a functional medicine practitioner. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader\u2019s own medical care. <em>The Star<\/em> does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. <em>The Star<\/em> disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.<\/strong><\/p>","author_name":"Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar","article_byline":"Datuk Dr NOR ASHIKIN MOKHTAR","article_tags":"","author_id":505,"kicker_name":"Women's World","kicker_url":"\/lifestyle\/viewpoints\/womens-world?bycat=505_1605774335","author_image_src":"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/authors\/505.webp","author":{"cms_author_id":3002512,"np_author_id":505,"author_name":"Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar","author_image":"uploads\/authors\/505.jpg","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"starhealth@thestar.com.my","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and a functional medicine practitioner.","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Women's World\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"505_1605774335\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3211620,"np_article_id":432744,"article_title":"Using blockchain technology for secure data exchange in healthcare","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"Using blockchain technology for secure data exchange in healthcare\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Health Matters, blockchain, healthcare, insurance\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"lifestyle\\\/health\\\/health-matters\\\/2020\\\/12\\\/01\\\/using-blockchain-technology-for-secure-data-exchange-in-healthcare\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"\"],\"summary\":[\"This new technology can be used to track drugs and allow access to patient records, among other uses, in a safe manner.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":584,\"columns\":\"584_1605774388\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"Wellness\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"subtitle\":[\"LIFE fithelmy291120 \"],\"page_number\":\"7\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARHEALTH\",\"date_created\":\"2020-11-27 20:23:01\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-27 20:32:11\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Shiow Chin Tan \",\"section_color\":\"#c84cdb\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime,bs_death_injury,bs_drugs\",\"target_page\":\"7\"}","publish_time":"2020-12-01 13:00:00","sub_section_id":59,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/11\\\/27\\\/953039.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"Blockchain+can+be+thought+of+as+a+type+of+database+that+can+be+shared+among+any+given+number+of+users+in+a+distributed+and+decentralised+fashion%2C+where+no+one+person+has+control+over+it.+%E2%80%94+123rf.com\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":152,"section_name":"Lifestyle","sub_section_name":"Health","permalink":"lifestyle\/health\/health-matters\/2020\/12\/01\/using-blockchain-technology-for-secure-data-exchange-in-healthcare","show_image_in_thumb":953039,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"953039\"}","article_body":"<p>Blockchain technology has featured prominently in the public imagination since the invention of Bitcoin by an unknown person or group of people going by the name Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008.<\/p>\r\r<p>In fact, there is considerable confusion between blockchain technology and Bitcoin, with many thinking the two are the same.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, there is far more to the technology than cryptocurrency.<\/p>\r\r<p>It is best to think of blockchain as a type of database that can be shared amongst any given number of users in a distributed and decentralised fashion.<\/p>\r\r<p>No single person has control over this database.<\/p>\r\r<p>It is also unique in that there is a digital log of all the transactions related to it.<\/p>\r\r<p>Equally importantly, the data is cryptographically secure, which means that only those with the correct cryptographic keys will be able to read or write into the database.<\/p>\r\r<p>The blocks of information are chained together, creating an immutable audit history.<\/p>\r\r<p>The combination of these features presents unique opportunities for the usage of blockchain.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Tracking drugs<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Globally. blockchain technology in the healthcare industry is estimated to be worth around US$500mil (RM2,044mil) by 2022.<\/p>\r\r<p>It can be used in adjudication of insurance and claims, credentialing of healthcare providers, drug and device supply chains, personal health records and health data exchanges, as well as research and clinical trials.<\/p>\r\r<p>Static registries (databases that store static information) can be used to verify the authenticity and legitimacy of products.<\/p>\r\r<p>This helps to attest to the pedigree of items from the point of manufacture to consumption.<\/p>\r\r<p>For example, it can be used to track vaccines from the manufacturing plant to the point of administration.<\/p>\r\r<p>Malaysia is expected to receive our first batch of Covid-19 vaccines in the first quarter of next year (2021).<\/p>\r\r<p>The Health Ministry (MOH) has given the green light for the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) and Mimos (our national applied research and development centre) to kickstart a related vaccine-tracking project based on blockchain technology as a proof-of-concept.<\/p>\r\r<p>If proven effective, it will be integrated into the existing MOH pharmaceutical track-and-trace system.<\/p>\r\r<p>The vaccine-tracking can be used not only for the Covid-19 vaccine, but also any other vaccine or drug in Malaysia.<\/p>\r\r<p>It will start with the serialisation of each medicine, with tracking done from the manufacturer all the way down the supply chain to the doctor giving the drug and the individual receiving it.<\/p>\r\r<p>This system can then be used to provide a \u201cDigital Health Certificate\u201d that complies with international standards (e.g. the CommonPass that is backed by the World Economic Forum and the Rockefeller Foundation), thus facilitating travel and cross-border movement.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Medical record access<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>Blockchain technology can also play a role in improving access to patient medical records.<\/p>\r\r<p>Institutions that store electronic medical records lack interoperability, i.e. the database in one hospital cannot \u201ctalk\u201d to its counterpart in another hospital as they usually operate in silos and utilise different types of software.<\/p>\r\r<p>This leads to a high level of inefficiency as doctors in different hospitals dealing with the same patient will not have access to the patient\u2019s history of previous investigations and management plans.<\/p>\r\r<p>A universally-accessible blockchain will allow data to be accessed by relevant stakeholders (e.g. patients, medical staff and insurance companies) in a secure and authenticated fashion.<\/p>\r\r<p>Access can be granted by the patient, using smart contracts.<\/p>\r\r<p>This not only places the control of personal health data in the hands of the individual, but also acts as a disincentive against repeated investigations and delays in providing timely care.<\/p>\r\r<p>The same concept can help with improving medical insurance claims.<\/p>\r\r<p>As patients, we may deal with many different doctors and clinics or hospitals, which means that bits and pieces of our medical history exist in separate places.<\/p>\r\r<p>Placing medical records on a blockchain that allows appropriate access will not only allow faster access for insurance companies, but also help to reduce the incidence of fraud.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Hurdles to adoption<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>In 2018, the United Arab Emirates launched its Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021.<\/p>\r\r<p>This plan not only aims to capitalise on the technology to transform half of all their government transactions into the blockchain platform by 2021, but also focuses on four themes: happiness of citizens and residents, elevating government efficiency, advanced legislation and international leadership.<\/p>\r\r<p>As part of the Strategy, efforts were made to identify hurdles.<\/p>\r\r<p>As it turns out, the biggest challenges in adopting the technology were not technical, instead they were:<\/p>\r\r<ul>\r\t<li>Difficulty bringing together the required stakeholders<\/li>\r\t<li>Unclear regulatory implications<\/li>\r\t<li>Education and awareness of the involved stakeholders<\/li>\r\t<li>Identifying and understanding the most relevant applications of blockchain<\/li>\r\t<li>Addressing governance<\/li>\r<\/ul>\r\r<p>The levels of uncertainty that occur as a consequence of rapid advances in technology usually lead governments to create regulatory sandboxes.<\/p>\r\r<p>These allow new innovative products and proof-of-concepts to be monitored carefully by regulators in a live testing environment.<\/p>\r\r<p>In Malaysia, Mosti has introduced the <a href=\"https:\/\/sandbox.gov.my\/\" target=\"_blank\">National Technology and Innovation Sandbox<\/a>, which aims to identify and address the policy ambiguity that arises with any new disruptive technology.<\/p>\r\r<p>However, the main hurdle to widespread adoption is more prosaic, i.e. connectivity.<\/p>\r\r<p>Although Malaysia has experienced significant growth in the use of information and communication technology, there exists a digital gap that is leading to increasing digital inequality, especially for those in rural areas, poorer states and low income groups.<\/p>\r\r<p>Other demographic factors also play a role, with the gap increased for women, senior citizens and the differently-abled.<\/p>\r\r<p>In a recent forum by the Social & Economic Research Initiative (Seri) on blockchain, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin not only alluded to the need for better connectivity, but also the need to create more awareness of disruptive technologies such as blockchain.<\/p>\r\r<p>This would include not only public messaging campaigns, but also the development of technology literacy and analytical skills amongst school students.<\/p>\r\r<p>Ultimately, there are many digital technologies that warrant our time and investment.<\/p>\r\r<p>Blockchain technology has the potential to positively disrupt the manner in which we conduct healthcare, amongst others, but such opportunities can only be grasped once we have access to basic infrastructure, while mastering the necessary mindset and technical skills.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is a respiratory physician and chief executive officer of the Social & Economic Research Initiative, a thinktank dedicated to evidence-based policies. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only. <em>The Star<\/em> does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. <em>The Star <\/em>disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.<\/strong><\/p>","author_name":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin","article_byline":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin","article_tags":"","author_id":584,"kicker_name":"Health Matters","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/health-matters?bycat=584_1605774388","author_image_src":"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/authors\/584.webp","author":{"cms_author_id":3002590,"np_author_id":584,"author_name":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin","author_image":"uploads\/authors\/584.jpg","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"starhealth@thestar.com.my","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is a respiratory physician and chief executive officer of the Social & Economic Research Initiative, a thinktank dedicated to evidence-based policies.","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Health Matters\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"584_1605774388\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3152038,"np_article_id":323684,"article_title":"New fitness game rewrites the rules on how players think about, and interact with, video games","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/07\\\/13\\\/new-fitness-game-rewrites-the-rules-on-how-players-think-about-and-interact-with-video-games\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"Video games\",\"Internet\",\"Technology\"],\"summary\":[\"A new fitness game's unique control system makes us think about the different ways we click, tap, swipe, scroll, press buttons, and twiddle joysticks to interact with software.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"page_number\":\"4\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARLIFESTYLE\",\"date_created\":\"2020-07-10 21:38:56\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:29:33\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime,bs_military\",\"target_page\":\"4\"}","publish_time":"2020-07-13 07:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/07\\\/12\\\/752632.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"Turns+out+playing+a+video+game+can+somehow+be+extremely+exhausting.+%E2%80%94+123rf.com\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/07\/13\/new-fitness-game-rewrites-the-rules-on-how-players-think-about-and-interact-with-video-games","show_image_in_thumb":0,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":null}","article_body":"<p>Ever since I started working at home, I realised that I needed to stay fit instead of just sitting around playing video game... errr, I meant, working very hard at the computer every day. The logical solution was to get <em>Ring Fit Adventure<\/em>, Nintendo's bizarre hybrid of video game and fitness\/exercise machine, because my brain operates entirely in the context of games.<\/p>\r\r<p>The game was originally released for the Switch back in October 2019 and has been pretty hard to get hold of \u2013 possibly owing to the fact that it's one of those rare video games that requires specialised hardware controllers\/accessories to play \u2013 but fortunately I got my own copy!<\/p>\r\r<p>By 9pm, I had set up the game, inserting one Joy Con into the specialised yoga ring accessory and another into a strap attached to my left thigh, so my physical movements actually got translated into in-game actions.<\/p>\r\r<p>By 9.10pm, I was a dehydrated pile of vaguely man-shaped flesh collapsed on the floor, screaming at the heavens, and questioning all my life decisions that led me to this point. Surprise! Turns out playing a video game can somehow be extremely exhausting!<\/p>\r\r<p>As I was lying on the floor drenched in sweat and regret, I took a moment to appreciate how brave and\/or insane Nintendo was to invest in a game that requires such specialised hardware to play, and such strange actions to interact with the game.<\/p>\r\r<p>I mean, this is a video game where \u2013 to move my character in the game \u2013 I have to jog in place, with the Joy Con on my thigh detecting the motions. To attack enemies, I have to physically exert myself to squeeze or pull the yoga ring, which appears to have a built-in digital force gauge that measures the strength of my actions.<\/p>\r\r<p>(Note: a force gauge or force meter is a mechanism that measures mechanical forces. It does not tell you how many midi-chlorians you have.)<\/p>\r\r<p>Any other video game developer would have made the "sensible" decision to only use the standard interactions that all gamers are familiar with. A joystick to move your character around, and buttons to shoot laser beams or whatever. Or if you're playing on a PC, a mouse to move the camera and keyboard keys to trigger special moves.<\/p>\r\r<p>This is, after all, the "natural" way that gamers interact with games. Right?<\/p>\r\r<p>Actually, now that I think of it, maybe squeezing a plastic yoga ring to say "Yes\/Confirm\/Proceed" is just as equally artificial and weird as pressing the Enter key on a keyboard or the X key on a PlayStation 4 controller to do the same. It's just that in the latter cases, people have already gotten used to the method of interaction.<\/p>\r\r<p>There's a certain language of actions that we use to interact with our software that's very easy to take for granted: we pinch touchscreens to zoom in and out, we all agree that clicking on the right mouse button should open a context menu, and holding down the power button for more than five seconds should completely switch off a device instead of putting it to sleep.<\/p>\r\r<p>(For an idea of how complex this can get, check out this <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/tech_design\" target=\"_blank\">documentation<\/a> from Google's Material Design, which studies the language of gestures on touchscreen devices.<\/p>\r\r<p>A lot of this language which maps the actions that humans perform (clicking buttons, twiddling joysticks, etc) with the interaction that happens in the software (the webpage scrolls, or Mario does a jump) had to be developed over time.<\/p>\r\r<p>Sure, some interactions seem intuitive, like swiping your finger to scroll a webpage on an iPhone, but other interactions had to go through several iterations before it became something users accepted. First person shooters, in particular, went from keyboard-only PC games where the arrow keys controlled movement; to WASD keys to move and mouse to aim; to console games where everyone somehow agrees that the left joystick is for moving, the right joystick is for aiming, and the shoulder buttons are for shooting.<\/p>\r\r<p>(This makes me wonder what'd happen if the language of interaction used in Nintendo's fitness-based games gets adopted as a new standard \u2013 we'd lift dumbbells to play\/pause videos and perform the crane pose to open the options menu.)<\/p>\r\r<p>If you're a software designer or developer, one thing to keep in mind is that the hardware always informs users on how they should expect to interact with the software you make, and that comes with a lot of inbuilt expectations.<\/p>\r\r<p>So if you're planning on creating a website, game, or other piece of software that'll be used on multiple different platforms or device types, you'll need to fully understand the implicit language of interaction for each platform. If you make one your "primary" and expect to easily port your software to the other platforms\/devices, you're in for a rude surprise.<\/p>\r\r<p>You know what's haunting my thoughts right now? Next weekend there's a game jam (it's the <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/tech_gmtk\" target=\"_blank\">GMTK<\/a> game jam, but it'll be over by the time you're reading this) and I'm kinda stressed about making a web-based game that's compatible on both computers (i.e. with keyboards and mouse) and mobile devices\/tablets (i.e. anything with a touchscreen).<\/p>\r\r<p>You'd think computers and mobile devices are practically the same because you probably use both regularly to browse the Internet, but, alas, no.<\/p>\r\r<p>Let's say I want to make a web game where you draw lines to match blocks in a puzzle game. On a PC, it's pretty simple to implement the interaction of "draw a line" by listening for the action of "click mouse and move cursor". On a touchscreen device, the equivalent action of "tap and move finger" already means "scroll the webpage". Super! Now I have to sort out this conflict of interactions.<\/p>\r\r<p>And what if I make a shooty pew pew game where you hold down the mouse button to charge up a plasma cannon? That won't translate to touchscreen devices either, because the equivalent action \u2013 tapping on the screen and holding \u2013 actually triggers the default "right click"\/context menu interaction.<\/p>\r\r<p>Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that if you're a developer or designer who wants to build good websites or games or whatever, you need to understand the language of software interaction. It isn't easy, and in fact can be quite exhausting. Almost as exhausting as playing a game that uses a yoga ring.<\/p>\r\r<p>Alright, I'll come clean: the reason I wrote this whole dang article was because I needed an excuse to put off exercising with <em>Ring Fit Adventure<\/em> again. I want to stay healthy, sure, but I don't want to die from exhaustion in the process. And I mean, typing furiously on the keyboard must count as some sort of cardiovascular activity, right...?<\/p>\r\r<p>You know what, I might as well make using computers a formal form of exercise, so check back with me next time as I detail the Twitter Scroll thumb reps and the yoga pose known as Man Lying On Back Watching YouTube On iPad.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Raised by wild Nintendo consoles and trained in the ways of the computer scientist, Shaun A. Noordin tries to use his knowledge of web development, technology and video games for the greater good. Or for entertainment and amusement, whichever is easier. He has a lot of advice to share, but they\u2019re all inadvisable to follow.<\/strong><\/p>","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3146801,"np_article_id":314792,"article_title":"Technical Inadvisory: Dungeons and Ender Dragons","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"Minecraft Dungeons\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/06\\\/30\\\/technical-inadvisory-dungeons-and-ender-dragons\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"Video games\",\"Technology\",\"Internet\"],\"summary\":[\"Minecraft Dungeons is a perfectly okay Diablo-like game with one really, really interesting piece of game design. Assuming you're a nerd about studying gameplay mechanics, of course.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"page_number\":\"-1\",\"initial_publication\":\"\",\"date_created\":\"2020-06-29 17:55:20\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:02:18\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime,bs_military\",\"target_page\":\"-1\"}","publish_time":"2020-06-30 09:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/06\\\/29\\\/737875.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"Minecraft+Dungeons+is+a+hack-and-slashing%2C+treasure-looting%2C+dungeon-crawling+spin-off+game+in+the+Minecraft+franchise.+It%E2%80%99s+basically+a+casual+Diablo-like+with+blocky+aesthetics%2C+and+it%E2%80%99s+perfect+for+younger+gamers+and%2For+gamers+who+just+want+a+fairly+chill+experience+smashing+zombies.+%E2%80%94+AFP+Relaxnews\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/06\/30\/technical-inadvisory-dungeons-and-ender-dragons","show_image_in_thumb":0,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":null}","article_body":"<p> <\/p>\r \r\r<p><em>Minecraft Dungeons<\/em> is a hack-and-slashing, treasure-looting, dungeon-crawling spin-off game in the <em>Minecraft <\/em>franchise. It\u2019s basically a casual <em>Diablo<\/em>-like with blocky aesthetics, and it\u2019s perfect for younger gamers and\/or gamers who just want a fairly chill experience smashing zombies.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">Available for PC, Xbox, PS4, and Nintendo Switch (which I played). 3.5 out of 5 stars, and it\u2019s a fine game for its \u00a316.74 (RM88) price tag, but an even better game if you and some friends can snag it on a sale to enjoy the multiplayer.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">The end.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">...right, those paragraphs are all that remains of the three drafts of my original <em>Minecraft Dungeons<\/em> review. I really wanted to write a \u201cproper\u201d, full review, but after completing the story on Normal and having some time to mull over it, I realised there isn\u2019t really much to be said about the game overall... but there is one very interesting game design decision that <em>Minecraft <\/em>does that\u2019s worth talking about.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">First things first, though: I have to admit my feelings about the game kept changing as I played, which kinda explains the multiple drafts.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">In the first few dungeons of the game, I was pretty underwhelmed by how simple the gameplay was. Move your character with the left control stick (on the Nintendo Switch), and press A to slash at mindless zombie hordes. I practically fell asleep as I went through the motions of the game\u2019s very generic save-the-world storyline. Boring!<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">I was about to give up, but then the mid-game dungeons ramped things up with higher difficulty levels, and things got so interesting I had to revise my opinion (and review). Spiders for example, who had hitherto only been a mild annoyance because they shot webs that rooted me in place, suddenly became A-rank threats when they had suicidally explosive creepers as buddies.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">(You can, of course, imagine my panic when I realised <em>Minecraft<\/em> creepers were spawning at higher difficulties, as they announced their presence with their nightmarishly familiar s-ss-sss-sssss-BOOOOM!)<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">Instead of mindlessly slashing at zombies, I now had to cleverly utilise the random assortment of tools I had to solve problems. Firework arrows helped clear distant clusters of spiders, while speed-boosting boots helped me avoid getting s-ss-sss-ssssslaughtered by creepers. Fun! Stressful, but fun!<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">At this point I was rewriting my review with a more positive light, and I started to appreciate the depth of the game and \u2013 more importantly \u2013 I started to fully realise the impact of the equipment design, from the Enchantment system (you customise your weapons and armours by selecting from a random pool of upgrades) to the Artifacts (basically, they\u2019re your \u201cmagic spells\u201d).<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">See, here\u2019s the thing: the equipment (weapons, armour, Artifacts\/spells) and upgrades you get are random.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">Okay, okay, so anyone who\u2019s played any <em>Diablo<\/em>-like is probably screaming, \u201cwell of course, Captain Obvious! Random loot is the whole point of these hack-and-slash dungeon crawlers!\u201d, but hear me out. In <em>Minecraft Dungeons<\/em>, there are no character classes \u2013 who you are, how powerful you are, and what you can do is determined entirely by the stuff you wield. And what you wield is pretty much up to chance.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">In most other hack-and-slash <em>Diablo<\/em>-likes (and many other games with an RPG bent), you choose a character class that determines how you\u2019ll play the game. You want to be a magical glass cannon in <em>Diablo 3<\/em>, pick a Wizard. You want to be a slow and tanky steampunk knight in <em>Torchlight 2<\/em>, pick an Engineer. You make a choice at the start of the game and stick with it all the way to the end.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>Minecraft Dungeons<\/em>, on the other hand, runs up to you with a random assortment of knick-knacks every hour, throws them at you without much explanation, and screams \u201cgood luck!\u201d as it runs away while a mob of creepers comes barrelling towards you. And you know what? It\u2019s really fun!<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">Did you find some wizard robes? Cool! That reduces the cooldown of your Artifacts\/spells, so if you can find fast-acting Artifacts and Enchantments that give you bonuses every time you cast a spell, you can create a tricksy spellslinger who blasts zombies from afar.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">Wait, did you get comfortable with your spellcaster build? Whoops, here\u2019s a new melee weapon with a higher power level than what you\u2019re wielding, which will be useful for the next difficulty level \u2013 maybe try playing a berserker now!<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>Minecraft Dungeon<\/em>\u2019s equipment system encourages you to adapt and try new things, and in a way it combines the best aspects of roguelike game design (i.e. randomness encouraging players to be flexible with the hand they\u2019re dealt) and classic loot-based RPGs (i.e. there\u2019s always a sense of progression and growth).<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">You might think not being to play the way you want might get annoying, but nope. You can, with a bit of time grinding through specific dungeons, farm for equipment for your favourite playstyle. It\u2019s just that <em>Minecraft Dungeons<\/em> is really, really good at tempting you with trying out new options by always giving you new, more powerful items.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">Unfortunately, all that said, the praise I had for <em>Minecraft Dungeons<\/em> faltered as I went into the last few dungeons. Despite being great at encouraging players to play in different ways throughout the mid-game, the gameplay balance gets wonky towards the end \u2013 so you guessed it, I had to change my opinion, and review, once again.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">Inflicting and surviving ranged attacks becomes such a dominant end-game strategy, it\u2019s absurd. The only legit weapon to wield against the dense end-game mobs is a rapid-fire wide-shot crossbow, and any piece of armour without the arrow-deflecting upgrade is just a fancy suit you\u2019re wearing to your funeral. The variety of gameplay styles suddenly disappeared, like a fancy cobblestone mansion that\u2019s visited by a surprise creeper.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">So yeah, my feelings on <em>Minecraft Dungeons<\/em> was a bit of a roller coaster ride \u2013 from boredom at its slow start, to an excited peak when I discovered I\u2019m changing \u201ccharacter classes\u201d every few dungeons, to mild disappointment when it boiled down to a game of pew pew arrows at the end.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">But you know what? That\u2019s perfectly fine, because I still enjoyed the ride. <em>Minecraft Dungeons<\/em> is generally an okay to above-average game, but it has one simple yet interesting bit of game design that impressed me. Making me change the way I play every few dungeons as a matter-of-fact side effect of wanting to be more powerful, that\u2019s a small bit of design genius.<\/p>\r \r\r<p dir=\"ltr\">Making me change my mind so many times I had to rewrite this article thrice, though, that just s-ss-sss-sssssucks.<\/p>\r \r\r<p><em>(Raised by wild Nintendo consoles and trained in the ways of the computer scientist, Shaun A. Noordin tries to use his knowledge of web development, technology and video games for the greater good. Or for entertainment and amusement, whichever is easier. He has a lot of advice to share, but they\u2019re all inadvisable to follow.)<\/em><\/p>\r \r\r<p> <\/p>","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3140603,"np_article_id":301661,"article_title":"Ghostly shells and fictional science: the intersection of human lives and technology","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\",\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"wide_template\":[\"off\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"off\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"No\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"No\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"No\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"off\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/06\\\/15\\\/ghostly-shells-and-fictional-science-the-intersection-of-human-lives-and-technology\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"summary\":[\"Watching Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045 reminded me that a good sci-fi story has to be more than just sexy cyborgs and giant robot spider tanks shooting at each other.\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"Technology\",\"Internet\",\"Video games\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"page_number\":\"6\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARLIFESTYLE\",\"date_created\":\"2020-06-11 18:58:11\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:30:44\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime,bs_drugs,bs_military,bs_terrorism\",\"target_page\":\"6\"}","publish_time":"2020-06-15 07:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/06\\\/13\\\/718589.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":923,\\\"image_original_height\\\":519,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"We+need+more+good+sci-fi+stories+to+make+us+think+about+the+tech+we+introduce+into+our+lives.+%E2%80%94+123rf.com\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/06\/15\/ghostly-shells-and-fictional-science-the-intersection-of-human-lives-and-technology","show_image_in_thumb":0,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":null}","article_body":"<p>Yesterday, instead of going out to get my weekly groceries like a sensible person, I stayed at home and binge-watched <em>Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045<\/em>. In hindsight, that might not have been the wisest decision, and not only because the only food I have left is some cake batter and chicken drumsticks.<\/p>\r \r\r<p><em>SAC_2045<\/em> was... alright, I guess?<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Sure, the show had its fair share of sexy cyborgs shooting giant robotic spider tanks, but it was, to my disappointment, missing something crucial. Like sexy cyborgs shooting giant robotic spider tanks while philosophising on the nature of identity and consciousness.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Anyway, a bit of background \u2013 <em>Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045<\/em> is an animated sci-fi TV anime and one of the many, many, many adaptations of the <em>Ghost In The Shell (GITS)<\/em> series.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>The original was a manga by Masamune Shirow, and featured the sexy cyborg Motoko Kusanagi fighting crime in a futuristic cyberpunk world. Robots were common everyday tech, cybernetic enhancements blurred the lines between humans and machines, and almost everyone has willingly upgraded their grey matter into cyberbrains that can directly connect to the Internet.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Every other adaptation of <em>Ghost In The Shell<\/em> that I\u2019ve watched always had something interesting to say about the intersection of human lives and technology. The first film adaptation examined the concept of self-identity when all your thoughts\/memories can be quantified as software and your body is replaceable hardware.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>The <em>Stand Alone Complex (GITS: SAC)<\/em> anime TV series explored the effects of memetic propagation and memetic mutation in a society that\u2019s intrinsically linked to its information networks, and the catastrophic social and political aftershocks from a simple act of hacktivism.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>And the live action <em>GITS<\/em> film starring Scarlett Johansson made me look deep into my soul to question why I paid money to watch this terrible Hollywood version.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Basically, the good versions of <em>Ghost In The Shell<\/em> tended to ask big questions and explore what could happen to real world human societies when fictional (though excitingly and\/or terrifyingly possible) technology is introduced to it. In other words, the good versions of <em>GITS<\/em> were good sci-fi stories first and foremost.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>And dangit, I think we need more good sci-fi stories to make us think about the tech we introduce into our lives, because otherwise we as a society are going to plunge head-first into a scientifically advanced dystopia.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>One of my favourite examples of exploratory sci-fi comes in the form of the video game <em>Deus Ex: Human Revolution<\/em>.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>In that 2011 video game, \u201caugmentations\u201d are introduced in a near-futuristic world, meaning everyone can get bionic limbs that work better than our natural equipment. The catch is, these augmentations are expensive, and once you\u2019ve replaced your limbs with cyber-prostheses, you become dependent on a drug that keeps your organic-cybernetic interface functioning.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>This scenario created a wildly dystopian scenario where poor people had to go into debt (and amputation and drug dependency) to get cyberlimbs, because they simply couldn\u2019t compete economically otherwise.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>It really makes you think: what\u2019d happen if this fictional sci-fi technology actually became a reality? How would cybernetic limbs further widen the gap between the rich and the poor?<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Would you be willing to modify your body if it\u2019s the only way to feed your family? And if you think cybernetics is wrong, and you somehow manage to pass a national law banning cybernetics in your country, what happens when another country mandates all its citizens to get upgrades to be extra efficient? You just can\u2019t win, one way or the other.<\/p>\r \r\r<p><em>Deus Ex<\/em> managed to explore these philosophical ideas through great world-building, while still giving the players the cathartic fun of running around as a half-machine half-human hero with sword arms and the ability to punch bad guys through walls. (Because being a cyborg is always awesome as long as you\u2019re the hero of the story. Whee!)<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Honestly though, we don\u2019t even need to only look at fancy-schmancy technology like robotics and space ships to explore interesting sci-fi questions \u2013 I mean, why hasn\u2019t anybody written a sci-fi story about electronic payments? Because that tech can be disruptive as heck, and we have it right now.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Imagine a world where nobody carries any cash whatsoever, and absolutely all payments are done digitally. How would that world work?If all transactions rely on always-online payment networks, would anyone make a backup plan to keep business going when the underlying infrastructure goes kaput? (Spoiler alert from the real world, based on the Visa payment outage across Europe in 2018: probably not.)<\/p>\r \r\r<p>If someone came up to you and asked, \u201cexcuse me sir\/ma\u2019am, can you please spare me a dollar so I can eat?\u201d, how would you donate to them? Would that person need to have a QR code on their body you can scan?<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Wait, actually, wouldn\u2019t being a poor person be even worse in a society that doesn\u2019t use physical money? Because to even have any amount of digital money, you\u2019d need to be able to afford access to a bank account, and possibly a mobile phone to actually manage your money. A fully cashless society has the potential to shortchange low earners, and people from an older generation who have difficulties adapting to online banking.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>This is why we need good sci-fi stories \u2013 to make us think about the impact of technology before we go adopting it all willy nilly.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Look, I\u2019m not saying that <em>Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045<\/em> is a bad show because it\u2019s not science-fictiony enough. In fact, it\u2019s perfectly fine entertainment \u2013 it has an interesting plot with a decent amount of mystery, and it has really good visuals. And it\u2019s hard to outright dislike a show where a one-eyed cyborg sniper shoots a mecha battlesuit with an anti-tank rifle after fending off killer AI robo-dogs, because hot dang that\u2019s awesome.<\/p>\r \r\r<p>But for me at least, when it comes to good science fiction, all the cool robot fight scenes and awesome- looking technology are just the delicious chocolate icing on the cake. It\u2019s the far-reaching questions and philosophical contemplation of the impact of technology that forms the real meat and bones of this, uh, cake? This... sci-fi meat cake?<\/p>\r \r\r<p>Yikes, this metaphor just got weird, but let\u2019s pretend that the idea of someone cooking this ludicrous chocolate-glazed meat cake is the premise for my upcoming sci-fi story. And considering the desperate state of my pantry, this might have a very near-future setting.<\/p>\r \r\r<p><em>Raised by wild Nintendo consoles and trained in the ways of the computer scientist, Shaun A. Noordin tries to use his knowledge of web development, technology and video games for the greater good. Or for entertainment and amusement, whichever is easier. He has a lot of advice to share, but they\u2019re all inadvisable to follow.<\/em><\/p>","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3135956,"np_article_id":292168,"article_title":"NFC for you and me","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\",\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"NFC\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/06\\\/01\\\/getting-touchy-feely-with-nfc\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"Technology\",\"Video games\",\"Mobile apps\"],\"summary\":[\"The new Web NFC standard brings web apps that much closer to native apps, and more importantly, gives you an excuse to slap a bunch of NFC tags onto everything so you can boop them with your phone.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"page_number\":\"5\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARLIFESTYLE\",\"date_created\":\"2020-05-29 18:55:49\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:34:21\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime\",\"target_page\":\"5\"}","publish_time":"2020-06-01 07:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/31\\\/702297.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"Comics+for+Web+NFC%2C+Technical+Inadvisory+column\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/06\/01\/getting-touchy-feely-with-nfc","show_image_in_thumb":702297,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"700355\"}","article_body":"<p>Hello everyone, I have a most touching story to share with you today.<\/p>\r\r<p>As in, I literally went around my house touching electronic doodads with my phone, in clear violation of current hygiene standards and common sense.<\/p>\r\r<p>But seriously, this is exciting nerdy news! During an office hackday recently, I learned that the Chrome browser on Android introduced limited\/experimental Web NFC support, which means I can now build web apps that let my digital code interact with the physical world, by tapping my phone on objects with NFC tags.<\/p>\r\r<p>Alright, let me clarify: NFC (near-field communication) technology is a kind of tech that lets electronic devices communicate data between each other (or with compatible NFC tags), but only at really close distances (about ~5cm). NFC is related to RFID (radio-frequency identification, which is similar but can have a maximum range of a few metres) and shouldn\u2019t be confused with Bluetooth (which connects two devices that have power) or NEC (which is the Nippon Electric Company and has nothing to do with this article).<\/p>\r\r<p>NFC tags are programmable chips which can store a small amount of data (say, the title and ISBN of a library book), and come in a lot of different forms (say, a thin sticker that you can attach to a library book for digital cataloguing).<br><br><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/31\/702294.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/31\/702295.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><br><br><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/31\/702296.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><br><br>If you\u2019re a gamer, the best example of NFC tech are Amiibos, which are those plastic Nintendo figurines that you can tap on your Nintendo Switch or 3DS to gain in-game bonuses. If you\u2019re not a gamer, then a more boring yet practical example are the Google Pay and Apple Pay apps that let you pay by tapping your phone onto a contactless payment device.<\/p>\r\r<p>Anyway, Web NFC is the new, still-being-explored system that gives websites and web apps access to your phone\u2019s NFC functionality, and this has some very exciting potential!<\/p>\r\r<p>Assuming, of course, that your phone is an Android device and you\u2019re using Chrome version 81. And you give NFC permissions to that website or web app. And you enable the #experimental-web-platform-features and #enable-webnfc flags in your hidden advanced Chrome settings, and whisper the secret password when the stars align...<\/p>\r\r<p>Wait, at this point you might be asking: doesn\u2019t enabling Web NFC sound like a bit of a faff? And doesn\u2019t my phone already use NFC technology already, because I just paid for my latte with my smartphone? And are you just getting excited over a piece of tech that\u2019s been regularly used for ages by now?<\/p>\r\r<p>Well, to answer your questions: yes, yes, and sorta.<\/p>\r\r<p>Look, a lot of Android and iOS apps have had access to your phone\u2019s NFC tech for a while now, but this is the first time that web apps and websites have the ability to do so. The difference is subtle yet important: Android and iOS apps (aka \u201cnative apps\u201d) have to be installed on your phone, whereas web apps (aka \u201cwebsites with fancy features\u201d) just need a web browser and a URL.<\/p>\r\r<p>You\u2019d be surprised how much the installation process becomes a roadblock to people using the cool software that you make.<br><br><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/31\/702297.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/31\/702298.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><br><br><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/31\/702299.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><br><br>It\u2019s the difference between saying, \u201chey, if you install Steam, and register for an account, then you can play Game X once you also download the setup file, and install the updates, and assuming the game is compatible with your operating system\u201d versus saying, \u201chey, if you open <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2X6SeIl\" target=\"_blank\">bit.ly\/2X6SeIl<\/a> on any computer with a keyboard, you can immediately play <em>Celeste<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\r\r<p>As a professional web developer, I\u2019m pretty darn excited to have another feature in my toolset, and to see web apps advance closer to feature parity with native apps.<\/p>\r\r<p>The last time I was this excited about web technology was when I learned that most browsers supported the Web Speech Synthesis API (which lets my apps perform text-to-speech on swear words in a variety of accents from around the British isles), and that some browsers supported the Web Speech Recognition API (which lets me torture my apps by forcing them to perform speech-to-text based on my Malaysian accent \u2013 no, dangit, I\u2019m not trying to fly to koala loom-pour, melee-seer!)<\/p>\r\r<p>If you\u2019re a fellow web developer who\u2019s interested in building your own NFC-enabled web app, check out the details on <a href=\"http:\/\/web.dev\/nfc\" target=\"_blank\">web.dev\/nfc<\/a>.<\/p>\r\r<p>The applications for the technology is pretty broad: if you\u2019re running a museum, pop a bunch of NFC tags on different exhibits that open an explainer video on the museum\u2019s website\/web app.<\/p>\r\r<p>If you\u2019re organising a treasure hunt for your friends and colleagues, build an app that unlocks hints when participants tap their phones on a physical clue.<\/p>\r\r<p>Or simply stick an NFC tag onto every book, manga, video game, and DVD in your house and start running your own library catalogue. (Good luck with the Dewey Decimal System though!)<\/p>\r\r<p>Side note: also check out <a href=\"http:\/\/mzl.la\/2zKv8PB\" target=\"_blank\">mzl.la\/2zKv8PB<\/a> for more info on the Web Speech API if you\u2019re interested in programming your own stuff.<\/p>\r\r<p>As for me, I\u2019m going to buy a bunch of cheap NFC tags and stick them to various things around my apartment. My NFC-enabled web app will then do nothing but say \u201cbeeb boop\u201d in an elegant Scottish voice whenever I tap my phone on those items.<\/p>\r\r<p>It\u2019s not much, but since everyone here in the UK is still trying to stay 2m apart from each other thanks to the coronavirus, I\u2019ll take any physical contact I can get.<\/p>\r\r<p><em>(Raised by wild Nintendo consoles and trained in the ways of the computer scientist, Shaun A. Noordin tries to use his knowledge of web development, technology and video games for the greater good. Or for entertainment and amusement, whichever is easier. He has a lot of advice to share, but they\u2019re all inadvisable to follow.)<\/em><\/p>","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3128272,"np_article_id":275922,"article_title":"Splatoon 2 revival: Return to Inkopolis","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"on\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/11\\\/splatoon-2-revival-return-to-inkopolis\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"Video games\",\"Nintendo\",\"Switch\",\"Console\"],\"summary\":[\"Splatoon 2\\u2019s revival Splatfest not only makes one ponder which is better \\u2013 mayo or ketchup \\u2013 but it also makes you consider the nature of video games\\u2019 limited lifespans.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"page_number\":\"5\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARLIFESTYLE\",\"date_created\":\"2020-05-07 12:22:07\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:37:12\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_military\",\"target_page\":\"5\"}","publish_time":"2020-05-11 07:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/05\\\/10\\\/672122.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"The+perennial+question%3A+Mayo+or+ketchup%3F\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/05\/11\/splatoon-2-revival-return-to-inkopolis","show_image_in_thumb":672122,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"672095\"}","article_body":"<p>Oh my god, <em>Splatoon 2<\/em> is coming back! The studio is having a one-time revival Splatfast on the weekend of May 23, and this encore battle is once again pitting mayo against ketchup to determine which condiment is the best.<\/p>\r\r<p>Okay, okay, wait, let me back up a bit and explain. <em>Splatoon 2<\/em> is a team-based competitive shooter for the Nintendo Switch, where two teams of four squid kids (or octopus kids) shoot ink to paint the arena and\/or splat each other.<br><br><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/10\/676189.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>Splatfests are (or rather, were) exciting monthly in-game events where everyone picks a bizarrely arbitrary side (for example, which is better, retro or modern? Forks or spoons?) to fight for, which attracted a lot of players into an intense yet friendly competition over a weekend. Heck, even in-game concerts are held in the squid-filled city of Inkopolis to hype up each Splatfest!<\/p>\r\r<p>The game is bright, colourful, and an absolute delight to play, and if you want to know more you can read <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/3feKU5z\" target=\"_blank\">our review from 2017<\/a>.<\/p>\r\r<p>Right, since I referred to Splatfests in the past tense, and that the latest Splatfest is considered a \u201crevival\u201d, you might have clued in on the fact that <em>Splatoon 2<\/em> isn\u2019t a game that\u2019s \u201calive\u201d anymore.<\/p>\r\r<p>And you\u2019d be mostly right \u2013 while you can still play <em>Splatoon 2<\/em>, there are now far fewer people to play with online than when the game had frequent updates and monthly Splatfests, from its release in July 2017 all the way up to the ultimate epic final Splatfest in July 2019, known as the Splatocalypse.<br><br><img alt=\"Splatoon 2\u2019s revival Splatfest not only makes one ponder which is better \u2013 mayo or ketchup \u2013 but it also makes you consider the nature of video games\u2019 limited lifespans.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/10\/672122.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:540px; width:910px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>Which brings me to my main observation for this article: isn\u2019t it odd that video games are our only form of media that have limited effective lifespans?<\/p>\r\r<p>I mean, TV shows, movies, music, books, and comics don\u2019t have expiry dates \u2013 as long as you have a digital copy of your favourite story or song, you can always enjoy it or share it with friends. (Within the limits of copyright laws, of course.)<\/p>\r\r<p>Sure, maybe in the far-flung future when your great-great grandchildren don\u2019t have DVD players or don\u2019t know what an MP3 file is because they\u2019re too busy fighting the inevitable robot uprising, it\u2019ll be a bit of a problem, but that won\u2019t be a concern in your lifetime.<\/p>\r\r<p>On the other hand, several factors limit how long a video game remains \u201cusable\u201d. The first big factor, of course, is the hardware or platform for the games \u2013 there are now eight generations of consoles (not counting the upcoming PlayStation 5 or Xbox series X) and the feasibility of playing games from an earlier generation fades with time.<\/p>\r\r<p>PC gamers, don\u2019t think this doesn\u2019t apply to you \u2013 let\u2019s not forget there was an era when Flash games were a thing!<\/p>\r\r<p>Heck, there are a lot of wonderful SNES games I\u2019d love to recommend that just can\u2019t be played anymore \u2013 some classics like <em>Seiken Densetsu 3<\/em> got a re-release on modern consoles (it\u2019s now called <em>Trials Of Mana<\/em>, with a free demo available now on the Switch store) but a lot of hidden gems don\u2019t get as lucky.<\/p>\r\r<p>If you want to play <em>Terranigma<\/em> or <em>Act Raiser<\/em>, you\u2019ll need a way to legally access SNES emulators or, better yet, find an excuse to visit Japan and then check out a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.superpotato.com\" target=\"_blank\">Super Potato store<\/a> which specialises in retro games.<\/p>\r\r<p>They don\u2019t sell actual potatoes, as I learned when I accidentally wandered into one while looking for lunch, but they make up for it by being a magical labyrinthine wonderland packed full of titles and consoles for gamers who grew up in the 1980s and 90s.<br><br><img alt=\"Even though Splatoon 2 is primarily a PvP game, don't miss out on the single player mode! It sends you into crazy stages with creative level designs that always surprise you.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/10\/672111.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>The second factor that determines a video game\u2019s effective lifespan is how much it relies on the Internet for multiplayer connectivity, regular updates, and\/or general playability.<\/p>\r\r<p>There are a lot of great online multiplayer games out there \u2013 from <em>Fortnite<\/em> to <em>Dota 2<\/em> to <em>Overwatch<\/em> \u2013 but as someone who grew up collecting single-player titles, I find it slightly odd that I can never \u201cown\u201d these online games, or at least be guaranteed I\u2019ll be able to play them when I\u2019m old and senile, and cranky and senile.<\/p>\r\r<p>Anyone who\u2019s played an old MMO (massively multiplayer online) can attest to how heartbreaking it can be to have spent so much time and money on a video game when, suddenly, the company shuts down the servers. And just like that, bam, your level 80 Druid is now naught but a memory and an embarrassing tattoo you got one drunken night.<\/p>\r\r<p>It\u2019s such an odd thing to think about that I now have to consider the money and time I spend on a game like, say, <em>Pokemon Go<\/em> less of a \u201ccost to own the game\u201d and more of a \u201ccost to experience the game while it\u2019s still alive\u201d. That way when Niantic inevitably shuts down the servers in 2040 to work on a sequel, at least I won\u2019t feel as bad that I won\u2019t get to see my shiny flower-crowned Eevee ever again. (What would a sequel be called anyway? <em>2 Pokemon 2 Go<\/em>? <em>Pokemon Go 2: Electric-Type Boogaloo<\/em>?)<\/p>\r\r<p>The third factor \u2013 well, it\u2019s not really a limiting factor per se, and it\u2019s not exclusive to video games. But I do think that the existence of an active fandom surrounding a video game (or movie series or novel series, etc) does have an effect on whether that game still \u201cfeels\u201d alive.<\/p>\r\r<p>Maybe I\u2019m speaking from personal experience, but seeing all the exciting fanart from the first Splatoon convinced me to buy a Wii U (near the end of its lifecycle to boot!) just to experience the final Splatfest of the first game. And it was worth it!<\/p>\r\r<p>But would anyone else see it the same way?<br><br><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/05\/10\/672094.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>This, honestly, is the reason why I\u2019m mulling over the \u201ceffective lifespan\u201d of video games. I\u2019m trying to find a way to recommend that you buy and play <em>Splatoon 2<\/em>, but I\u2019m not sure I can make that recommendation right now.<\/p>\r\r<p>On one hand <em>Splatoon 2<\/em> is a great game, but its \u201cmain lifespan\u201d is practically finished. Sure, I can recommend the single-player mode and the excellent challenge-filled Octo Expansion DLC, but the multiplayer competition, regular updates, and monthly Splatfests were the beating heart of the game, and that\u2019s mostly in the past. (Fingers crossed that Nintendo will start work on <em>Splatoon 3<\/em>, though!)<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Raised by wild Nintendo consoles and trained in the ways of the computer scientist, Shaun A. Noordin tries to use his knowledge of web development, technology and video games for the greater good. Or for entertainment and amusement, whichever is easier. He has a lot of advice to share, but they\u2019re all inadvisable to follow.<\/strong><\/p>","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3122943,"np_article_id":266160,"article_title":"Humans may be all about seeking connections, but what about accidental digital connections?","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\",\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/04\\\/27\\\/humans-may-be-all-about-seeking-connections-but-what-about-accidental-digital-connections\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"Internet\",\"Video games\",\"YouTube\"],\"summary\":[\"It\\u2019s so easy to get devices connected nowadays that you sometimes forget about the connections you have made, which is a potential security problem that could leave you vulnerable to a miserable experience.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"page_number\":\"5\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARLIFESTYLE\",\"date_created\":\"2020-04-24 15:38:37\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:38:46\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime,bs_death_injury,bs_hatespeech\",\"target_page\":\"5\"}","publish_time":"2020-04-27 07:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/04\\\/26\\\/655984.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"Using+public+WiFi+networks+is+always+a+calculated+risk+%E2%80%93+you+have+to+assume+it%E2%80%99s+not+secure+and+vulnerable+to+man-in-the-middle+attacks.+%E2%80%94+123rf.com\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/04\/27\/humans-may-be-all-about-seeking-connections-but-what-about-accidental-digital-connections","show_image_in_thumb":0,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":null}","article_body":"<p>I was watching YouTube on my PlayStation 4 recently when suddenly, out of nowhere, a video featuring the <em>Les Miserables<\/em> cast started playing.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cDo you hear the people sing? Singing the songs of angry men? It is the music of the people who will not be slaves again!\u201d<\/p>\r\r<p>Why yes, yes YouTube. I do hear the people singing the songs of angry men, but I\u2019m perplexed because 10 seconds ago I was hearing Hatsune Miku singing the songs of virtual pop idols. Excuse me?<\/p>\r\r<p>Turns out my friend was trying to watch a Les Mis video on YouTube, but accidentally casted (read: remotely played) the video on my TV instead. This was particularly surprising because my friend lives in another town, but a quick investigation revealed that her iPad was saved on my YouTube\u2019s list of linked\/trusted devices since her last visit.<\/p>\r\r<p>Ah, of course! The rules of casting via YouTube dictates that the source device and target TV need to be on the same WiFi network during the initial casting\/connection, but afterwards both devices can be automatically linked as long as they\u2019re both connected to YouTube\u2019s servers.<\/p>\r\r<p>That was certainly a funny incident, haha, but it got me thinking: wait, what other sorts of connections have I accidentally set up? And how many of them might serve as backdoors for security exploits?<\/p>\r\r<p>The first thing I checked, of course, were my saved WiFi networks. Look, I\u2019ve been to many cafes and libraries, and it\u2019s often hard to resist the siren call of free WiFi when you\u2019re too cheap to pay for 4G.<\/p>\r\r<p>Using public WiFi networks has always been a calculated risk \u2013 on one hand, I have to always assume any public WiFi network is not secure and particularly vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. (That\u2019s when someone can read \u2013 and sometimes modify \u2013 what you send and get from the Internet.) And that\u2019s assuming I\u2019m even connected to a legit network \u2013 heaven knows if that free_library_wifi_1 network is coming from the library or some dude in a van parked outside.<\/p>\r\r<p>On the other hand, I really, really need to watch that video of adorable kittens.<\/p>\r\r<p>Usually, I try to play it smart \u2013 I avoid online banking while I\u2019m on public networks, for example, but if I absolutely have to submit sensitive details like my logins\/passwords or credit card details, I make sure the website is at least using HTTPS.<\/p>\r\r<p>That seems secure, right? As long as I ensure the communication between my device and the Internet is encrypted, and I don\u2019t leave other avenues of entry like open file-sharing, surely nobody can exploit my WiFi connections. Right?<\/p>\r\r<p>Well, that depends on your definition of \u201cexploit\u201d \u2013 how do you feel about people knowing your movements and behaviour just because you have your WiFi switched on? Not connected to any network \u2013 just switched on.<\/p>\r\r<p>London\u2019s transport authority (TFL) actually does this with the free WiFi at the Tube stations, and you can find details at <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2XLkHFz\" target=\"_blank\">bit.ly\/2XLkHFz<\/a>, and even more technical details from their pilot programme at <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2S7u7Yr\" target=\"_blank\">bit.ly\/2S7u7Yr<\/a>.<\/p>\r\r<p>If you enter a Tube station with a WiFi-enabled device, it will basically just shout out, \u201cYo, are there any WiFi access points nearby? I want to show a list of networks my owner can connect to.\u201d<\/p>\r\r<p>It doesn\u2019t matter whether you connect to any of the networks \u2013 the act of \u201cshouting\u201d (a WiFi probe request) is enough for TFL to know the device\u2019s unique fingerprint, or MAC address. (Not to be confused with where a Scottish person lives.) With that in their database, TFL can now track your movement between Tube stations.<\/p>\r\r<p>Thankfully, TFL is a fairly well-regulated government body, so it\u2019s pretty upfront with the kind of data collection it does, and makes it a point to anonymise personal user information.<\/p>\r\r<p>What it mainly wants to know is how crowds move through the Tubes during rush hour, not why I specifically got off at Tottenham Court Road station last Saturday.<\/p>\r\r<p>What I tend to worry about is when other less scrupulous entities start to collect this easily-harvested connection data \u2013 it basically turns every one of my WiFi-enabled phones into a tracking device.<\/p>\r\r<p>Here\u2019s a simple and relatively benign example: when I signed up for free WiFi at a cafe, I used my email to login, so that means the cafe can now match my email address (an online identity) with my phone\u2019s MAC address (a physical identity).<\/p>\r\r<p>Any advertiser who purchases this data can now figure out where I regularly visit on the Web and in real life (remember, I don\u2019t need to connect to a WiFi network they own \u2013 I just need to pass near them), which means the next few targeted ads I see online will inexplicably know the routes I take from home to work.<\/p>\r\r<p>And also my regular routes for finding Pikachus in Pokemon Go, but I\u2019m not sure how they\u2019ll monetise that.<\/p>\r\r<p>Good news is though, the sort of accidental connections I talked about here probably aren\u2019t things most people need to worry about. Possibly.<\/p>\r\r<p>I mean, these kinds of high-concept security worries are generally the domain of techies who have way too much free time to think of security exploits, and to also binge-watch Hatsune Miku during the coronavirus quarantine. After all, what\u2019s the most damage that can happen if you leave a backdoor open and let someone remotely play videos on your screen?<\/p>\r\r<p>Ask me tomorrow to find out, because I just noticed it\u2019s 2am, another friend of mine is watching YouTube on a TV which I can cast to, and I have a video from <em>The Ring<\/em> that\u2019s dying to be played.<\/p>\r\r<p><em>(Raised by wild Nintendo consoles and trained in the ways of the computer scientist, Shaun A. Noordin tries to use his knowledge of web development, technology and video games for the greater good. Or for entertainment and amusement, whichever is easier. He has a lot of advice to share, but they\u2019re all inadvisable to follow.)<\/em><\/p>","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3117469,"np_article_id":255407,"article_title":"Peaceful \u2018Animal Crossing: New Horizons\u2019 works a treat during these turbulent times","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/04\\\/13\\\/peaceful-animal-crossing-new-horizons-works-a-treat-during-these-turbulent-times\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"summary\":[\"Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a tranquil game on an island with no enemies to fight, no puzzles to solve, no challenges to overcome, no story to follow, and no conflict to resolve. But why is it so addictive?\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"Video games\",\"Internet\",\"Covid-19 Watch\",\"Nintendo\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"page_number\":\"5\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARLIFESTYLE\",\"date_created\":\"2020-04-09 17:51:33\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:40:17\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime\",\"target_page\":\"5\"}","publish_time":"2020-04-13 07:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/04\\\/12\\\/637934.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch-hero\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/04\/13\/peaceful-animal-crossing-new-horizons-works-a-treat-during-these-turbulent-times","show_image_in_thumb":637934,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"637929\"}","article_body":"<p><em>Animal Crossing: New Horizons<\/em> was released for the Nintendo Switch on March 20, and this idyllic life simulator about living on an island full of talking animals arrived fortuitously right before everyone was legally mandated to stay indoors (and play video games).<\/p>\r\r<p>My friend, knowing that I\u2019m a video game reviewer, understandably asked me for a video game review.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cSo is the new <em>Animal Crossing<\/em> any good?\u201d she asked. Well, this should be easy. I opened my mouth to give a reply and then... time froze.<\/p>\r\r<p>My mouth hung open in mid-reply. My brain raced through a million thoughts while simultaneously being frozen with incomprehension. Stars exploded in the darkness of my mind as I pondered the ineffable; empires rose and fell in the time it took me to process this question.<\/p>\r\r<p>Is <em>New Horizons<\/em> a good game? I realised I couldn\u2019t give an answer.<br><br><img alt=\"My Twitter feed is full of people spending way too many hours posting well-staged #AnimalCrossing #ACNH snapshots. My excuse is that I'm doing it for an article!\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/04\/12\/637926.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>In the two weeks since its release, I\u2019ve sunk more than 60 hours into it, and yet the most that I\u2019ve done is collect some fish and bugs, plant some trees, and talk to my adorable animal neighbours. A lot of nothing happened, and even then that nothing happened very slowly, because the game follows real-world time. (Those trees took three actual days to grow!)<\/p>\r\r<p>Unlike a good story, there were no grand goals to work towards and no conflicts to resolve. Unlike a typical game, there were no challenges that tested my skills or brainpower.<\/p>\r\r<p>Yet, I found myself satisfied at the end of each day of gaming.<\/p>\r\r<p>Point is, it\u2019s impossible for me to review this game.<\/p>\r\r<p>Maybe it\u2019s because I\u2019m a relative newcomer to the <em>Animal Crossing<\/em> series. My only other experience with the series \u2013 discounting the <em>Pocket Camp<\/em> mobile spinoff \u2013 was a brief session with another <em>Animal Crossing<\/em> title when I was much younger.<br><br><img alt=\"Throughout your time on the island, you'll be making friends with various animal people who'll teach you new crafting recipes and, uh, how to emote.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/04\/12\/637920.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>I can\u2019t recall the title \u2013 it\u2019s probably 2005\u2019s <em>Animal Crossing: Wild World<\/em> \u2013 but I clearly remember being bored to tears with the unexciting gameplay. As with all <em>Animal Crossing<\/em> games, this early title saw me, the player, as the only human who moves into a town of friendly animals.<\/p>\r\r<p>The ostensible \u201cpoint\u201d of that game, if it had any, was to make the town a nicer place and befriend my neighbours, and I went about it by, uh, shaking trees to get fruit, or fishing in rivers and ponds.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cThat\u2019s all? How boring!\u201d my younger self cried to the screen, before switching off <em>Wild World<\/em> and replacing it with a proper action game, where I could perform kung fu takedowns on a bandit who stole a precious gem, or whatever. Something exciting.<\/p>\r\r<p>Strangely, now that I\u2019m older, the same acts of collecting wood and catching fish and chasing insects trigger the opposite reaction \u2013 an almost zen-like calm derived from the near pointlessness of these monotonous, repetitive actions.<br><br><img alt=\"New Horizons is full of bugs. I mean, the kinds that you want to catch and catalogue and put into a museum.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/04\/12\/637927.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cThat\u2019s all? How pleasant,\u201d I\u2019d coo to the screen.<\/p>\r\r<p>Maybe the main appeal of the <em>Animal Crossing<\/em> series comes from how players can buy \u2013 and new in <em>New Horizons<\/em>, how players can build \u2013 different kinds of furniture to decorate their town. But this can\u2019t be it, surely? The level of creative self-expression you can have in <em>New Horizons<\/em> is really broad, but it doesn\u2019t have anywhere close to the mechanical depth of other creative games like <em>Minecraft<\/em>.<\/p>\r\r<p>In a \u201cproper\u201d video game, different elements serve different functions \u2013 like a wooden chair would give +2 Butt Comfort, but an iron chair would give +2 Butt Defence. It gives your choices mechanical meaning.<\/p>\r\r<p>In <em>New Horizons<\/em> though, you can find dozens of varieties of chairs to suit different visual designs \u2013 from wooden chairs to apple chairs to cardboard chairs \u2013 but they\u2019re all functionally the same, i.e. furniture to rest your bum on. The only meaning they have is how much they matter to your sense of aesthetics.<br><br><img alt=\"I love how I look like a dapper gentleman in the video game, while in real life I'm typing this article in my pyjamas.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/04\/12\/637921.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>In fact, there\u2019s very little \u201cpurpose\u201d in the game. Sure, you can perform daily tasks like \u201cchop 10 wood\u201d to earn Nook Miles (the in-game points that you can trade for various things), but most of the goals are self- imposed.<\/p>\r\r<p>Another friend, for example, wanted to collect all six varieties of fruit to grow an orchard. When I visited her island (via Nintendo Switch Online) to share some pears she was missing, there was a palpable atmosphere of anticipation and legitimate excitement at completing her collection \u2013 even though apples, oranges, pears and et cetera are functionally the same!<\/p>\r\r<p>It\u2019s almost as if <em>New Horizons<\/em> is telling me not to worry about \u201cwinning\u201d the game, and to just enjoy the slow pace of life as it comes.<\/p>\r\r<p>But that can\u2019t be right, right? A \u201cgood\u201d video game is supposed to be an escapist fantasy from the drudgery of real life, whisking you away to the mystery- filled landscapes of Hyrule or putting you in the shoes of a survivor in a zombie apocalypse. An \u201cinteresting\u201d video game should provide you a challenge you can\u2019t get in real life, like playing as a cop who busts hardened criminals having a drug party.<br><br><img alt=\"In real life, I spend 30 seconds finding a plain T-shirt and sweater to wear. In New Horizons, I spend literal hours poring over fashion catalogs and obsessing over how my avatar looks.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/04\/12\/637930.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p><em>New Horizons<\/em> is none of these things, yet I\u2019m still diligently playing and thoroughly enjoying this game every day.<\/p>\r\r<p>In short: I give up, I don\u2019t know what to tell my friend. Oh, speaking of which... back in the real world, my concerned friend was getting ready to call for an ambulance. I had been staring at her blankly with my mouth open, going \u201chhhhnnnhhhh\u201d for the past 10 minutes before I finally managed to spit out my thoughts.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cFlorp,\u201d I said, weakly. She looked at me with utter confusion. \u201cSo... are you... recommending <em>Animal Crossing: New Horizons<\/em>?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cYes. Also, technically no. But also very yes. Look, what I\u2019m saying is that <em>New Horizons<\/em> is one of the most boring games I\u2019ve played and I love it.\u201d<br><br><img alt=\"Isabelle, the mascot for Animal Crossing series, continues to be a ray of sunshine in an already saccharine video game.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/04\/12\/637918.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>My friend took a moment to digest what I said. Then she looked outside her window at the coronavirus-infested hellscape that was her reality.<\/p>\r\r<p>The main street laid desolate and empty like there\u2019s been a zombie apocalypse. In one corner of town, irresponsible hooligans held a Covid-19 party in defiance of quarantine rules and common sense, only to be interrupted when law enforcement broke down their door. Just outside the local supermarket, an old grandmother performed a Krav Maga takedown on a man who bought the last precious roll of toilet paper.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cI think, right now,\u201d she mused, \u201cboring sounds like a delightful change of pace.\u201d<\/p>\r\r<p>Huh. So this turned out to be a review after all. Five out of five stars.<\/p>\r\r<p><em>(Raised by wild Nintendo consoles and trained in the ways of the computer scientist, Shaun A. Noordin tries to use his knowledge of web development, technology and video games for the greater good. Or for entertainment and amusement, whichever is easier. He has a lot of advice to share, but they\u2019re all inadvisable to follow.)<\/em><\/p>\r\r<p><em>Get the latest installment of Animal Crossing at Shopee today! Apply <a href=\"https:\/\/promocodes.thestar.com.my\/shopee-vouchers\/\" target=\"_blank\">Shopee Voucher<\/a> to save more on your purchases<\/em><\/p>","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3112068,"np_article_id":245784,"article_title":"How tech giants use \u2018programmed purchasing\u2019 to manipulate you into buying stuff \u2014 without you realising it","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/30\\\/how-tech-giants-use-programmed-purchasing-to-manipulate-you-into-buying-stuff--without-you-realising-it\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"Video games\",\"Internet\",\"Technology\"],\"summary\":[\"How much of your online buying is genuinely done on your own initiative and is not the result of intelligent marketing techniques? And does it matter?\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"page_number\":\"5\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARLIFESTYLE\",\"date_created\":\"2020-03-27 10:42:04\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:43:17\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime\",\"target_page\":\"5\"}","publish_time":"2020-03-30 07:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/29\\\/621484.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"How+much+of+your+online+buying+is+genuinely+done+on+your+own+initiative+and+is+not+the+result+of+intelligent+marketing+techniques%3F+And+does+it+matter%3F+%E2%80%94+123rf.com\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/03\/30\/how-tech-giants-use-programmed-purchasing-to-manipulate-you-into-buying-stuff--without-you-realising-it","show_image_in_thumb":0,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"621484\"}","article_body":"<p>Recently, I was looking for a portable pico projector when I found this website for something I\u2019m going to call Projector X for anonymity.<\/p>\r\r<p>At first I thought, you know, this looks nice. The website for Projector X was professionally designed, the specs looked good, and ooh! What\u2019s this? I stumbled across the online shop when it was running a 50% off sale, and there are only 60 items out of 10,000 left in stock, and the promo event only lasts for five hours and 58 minutes. What a deal. I can\u2019t pass up on this!<\/p>\r\r<p>Despite the impulse to buy it right then and there, I decided to be a smart shopper and resorted to Google to do a bit of research.<\/p>\r\r<p>After switching off Google\u2019s auto-complete, of course, because I was at the office and I didn\u2019t want my colleagues to accidentally see my dubious search history.<\/p>\r\r<p>Anyway, the reviews for the Projector X raised several alarm bells of the \u201cscam\u201d variety. Curious, I went back to the browser tab which had that promo timer ticking down and refreshed the page, and whaddaya know! The promo reset back to five hours and 58 minutes, and there are still only 60 items in stock.<\/p>\r\r<p>You had a fake promo!<\/p>\r\r<p>I was quite chuffed, knowing that I was too smart to fall for Projector X\u2019s terrible ploy, even if it was craftily designed to take advantage of classic urgency and scarcity tactics in marketing. Hah!<\/p>\r\r<p>Then, five minutes later I received an email from my usual online manga bookshop. The shop noticed I haven\u2019t bought anything in a while so it gave me a 10% discount coupon, valid for the next 24 hours. Ooh, better go shopping, desu!<\/p>\r\r<p>It was only much later while I was reading my newly-purchased manga that I thought to myself, \u201chang on, did I just get played?\u201d.<\/p>\r\r<p>Because let\u2019s be honest: the primary purpose of online stores is to get customers to pay for their products, and they have many techniques to entice you.<\/p>\r\r<p>Some techniques are blatant and feel like scams, like with Projector X. Others are much more subtle and blur the line between \u201cunderstanding your needs, for your convenience\u201d and outright stalking\/mind control.<\/p>\r\r<p>I buy a lot of things online, and it goes without saying that those websites are tracking my behaviour. Steam knows the genres of video games I like. My online grocer knows my weekly spending patterns. Amazon can practically predict when I\u2019m going to have visitors and desperately need cleaning supplies like two litres of bleach.<\/p>\r\r<p>Heavens, let\u2019s not even talk about Google \u2013 not only does it know everything about where I shop and what I shop for, it even knows about my forbidden searches.<\/p>\r\r<p>With all this information, it\u2019s really easy for businesses to manipulate my purchasing behaviour: advertise games similar to the ones I\u2019ve put hundreds of hours into. Give me coupons for hummus on Sunday, when I\u2019m inclined to spend more. Upsell me on that expensive bleach alternative because you know my parents are coming to visit and I really, really need to hide those stains.<\/p>\r\r<p>I am 100% certain I\u2019ve been nudged to buy things I wouldn\u2019t have wanted or needed otherwise thanks to these tactics.<\/p>\r\r<p>Look, this shouldn\u2019t be a surprise to anybody \u2013 anyone who lives with the Internet should have at least a vague grasp of the concept of targeted marketing.<\/p>\r\r<p>The question I have on my mind now is, how much have I been programmed to purchase things that I otherwise wouldn\u2019t have?<\/p>\r\r<p>How many of these techniques are so subtle that I can\u2019t tell when I\u2019ve been affected, because unlike Projector X, the bigger companies are really smart about their marketing? How many of my buying decisions actually come from internal needs vs external influences?<\/p>\r\r<p>Follow up question: should I mind?<\/p>\r\r<p>I mean, being tricked by a scam or fake promo to purchase something I never wanted or needed feels terrible.<\/p>\r\r<p>On the other hand, being influenced to purchase something I actually end up liking \u2013 even if I never wanted, needed, or even knew about it to begin with \u2013 feels strangely fine. It feels like a convenience. Even if it technically meant that a huge faceless corporation could make me do so because it has a terrifying amount of data on me.<\/p>\r\r<p>So in summation: I don\u2019t know. I have mixed feelings about being subtly manipulated to purchase things I end up enjoying anyway.<\/p>\r\r<p>I\u2019ll come back to this when I\u2019m older and wiser and have more cogent arguments on privacy vs convenience, but in the meantime I imagine I\u2019ll continue to engage in the virtuous cycle of subtle manipulation, and benefit from it, while I enrich these businesses.<\/p>\r\r<p>So, Nintendo Official UK Store, keep sending me those personalised newsletters recommending awesome games based on my purchase history. Amazon UK, continue suggesting all those great books based on my previous reviews. And Google... I guess I\u2019ll keep paying you not to release all that blackmail material? OK? Cool.<\/p>\r\r<p><em>(Raised by wild Nintendo consoles and trained in the ways of the computer scientist, Shaun A. Noordin tries to use his knowledge of web development, technology and video games for the greater good. Or for entertainment and amusement, whichever is easier. He has a lot of advice to share, but they\u2019re all inadvisable to follow.)<\/em><\/p>","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3112061,"np_article_id":245786,"article_title":"Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX \u2014 Gotta friend \u2018em all","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/30\\\/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-rescue-team-dx--gotta-friend-em-all\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Video games\",\"Internet\",\"Console\",\"Switch\",\"Nintendo\"],\"summary\":[\"What could be better than catching Pokemon? This game maker thinks the answer is becoming a Pokemon yourself and then befriending other \\u2018mons, and it\\u2019s quite right.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"page_number\":\"6\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARLIFESTYLE\",\"date_created\":\"2020-03-27 10:45:33\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:44:58\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_crime,bs_death_injury,bs_drugs,bs_military\",\"target_page\":\"6\"}","publish_time":"2020-03-30 07:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/29\\\/621634.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"pokemon-mystery-dungeon-logo\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/03\/30\/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-rescue-team-dx--gotta-friend-em-all","show_image_in_thumb":621634,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":\"621620\"}","article_body":"<p>As I write this article in the middle of March 2020, I find myself stuck at home in Britain due to a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown.<\/p>\r\r<p>Everywhere I look, it\u2019s doom and gloom as the coronavirus deluges the news cycle. I could use an escape from all this anxiety, or perhaps... a rescue.<\/p>\r\r<p>Yes, a rescue team.<\/p>\r\r<p>So let\u2019s talk about <em>Pok\u00e9mon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX<\/em>, the 2020 Nintendo Switch remake of the similarly-titled Pok\u00e9mon-themed roguelite JRPG-esque turn-based dungeon crawler originally released in 2005.<\/p>\r\r<p>While I\u2019m sure there are plenty of more important things to talk about right now, it\u2019s still genuinely comforting to know I can sit at home and enjoy a simple video game that\u2019s filled with pure happiness, colour, joy, and the occasional psychic duck.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Meowth and me<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>In <em>Pok\u00e9mon Mystery Dungeon<\/em>, you wake up one day in a strange new world and find that you\u2019ve been transformed into a Pok\u00e9mon. Gasp!<\/p>\r\r<p>Fortunately, the first person you meet is an energetic, lovable, and very talkative Pok\u00e9mon who becomes your best friend and welcomes you to this magical, human-free world of talking Pok\u00e9mon.<br><br><img alt=\"Your Partner Pok\u00e9mon will be your reliable best buddy and indispensable source of motivation throughout your adventure, so treat them nicely, OK?\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/29\/621624.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>Together, you form a Rescue Team that constantly delves into various dangerous dungeons to rescue hapless Pok\u00e9mon and, perhaps, solve the mystery of what\u2019s happening in this world and why you were transformed into a pocket monster.<\/p>\r\r<p>And turning back into a human is also a goal... I guess? The story tries to paint the fact that you\u2019ve been transformed into a Pok\u00e9mon as a \u201cbad\u201d thing, but let\u2019s be honest here \u2013 if I suddenly woke up as a beloved yellow mouse with the power of lightning, returning to being a boring human who has to wear pants will be the last thing on my mind.<\/p>\r\r<p>The game\u2019s narrative should just embrace the fact that becoming and befriending Pok\u00e9mon in a world full of talking Pok\u00e9mon is a fantasy that any sensible person would enjoy, because the concept is as magical and delightful as the watercolour aesthetics that permeate the game\u2019s visual design.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Tactical Treecko<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>As with most Pok\u00e9mon games, the variety of creatures you get to meet and recruit is the main draw of the game.<\/p>\r\r<p>To start off, you get to choose the species of your character and your buddy from a list of 16 Pok\u00e9mon. (I\u2019m a Squirtle with an Eevee partner, because I have to represent my Gen 1 OGs.)<br><br><img alt=\"Reason number 42 this game is so anime: you're scrappy underdogs who fight monsters way more powerful than you. And win. With the power of determination. And friendship.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/29\/621616.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>Whatever you choose, be aware that each Pok\u00e9mon has its own array of Abilities, Moves, and (newly introduced in this game) Rare Qualities that lets it interact with the exploration and combat mechanics in ways that are substantially different from the mainline Pokemon games.<\/p>\r\r<p>For example, in <em>Pok\u00e9mon Sword\/Shield<\/em>, a Squirtle\u2019s Water Type only matters when calculating damage from Fire or Grass moves; Water Gun is just its basic attack.<\/p>\r\r<p>In <em>Pok\u00e9mon Mystery Dungeon<\/em>, my Squirtle can cross water tiles because of his Type; and his Water Gun attack has a range of two tiles in a straight line, making physical positioning on a 2D map a new important factor to consider in Pokemon battles.<\/p>\r\r<p>Later on, you\u2019ll get to recruit additional members to your Rescue Team either by completing quests (usually in the basic \u201cFind Pok\u00e9mon X which is trapped in Dungeon Y\u201d variety) or through combat while exploring dungeons, because if anime like Dragonball Z has taught us anything, it\u2019s that defeating your enemies is a great way to make friends.<\/p>\r\r<p>Resource management \u2013 from managing your food items so your team doesn\u2019t go hungry, to being judicious with your limited Moves \u2013 plays an important strategic element in your long dungeon crawls.<br><br><img alt=\"One of the benefits of being a Squirtle is that I can cross water tiles. The other benefit is that I'm am so goshdarn cute!\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/29\/621617.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><br><br><em>Pok\u00e9mon Mystery Dungeon<\/em>\u2019s gameplay has more thoughtful tactical and strategic depth compared to the mainline Pokemon games, which is great. However, there is still one problem: if you were planning to Catch \u2018Em All, then you need to prepare for the grind.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Rescue, repeat<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>If you want to recruit a Bagon, for example, you must first build a camp worth 3,000 coins, because a cheap Poke ball accommodation isn\u2019t a thing in this world.<\/p>\r\r<p>This means you\u2019ll need to perform repeated dungeon runs, earning a few hundred coins each time. Repeat that for about the 40+ other camps that cater for different species groups, which cost 500 to 9,000 coins each.<\/p>\r\r<p>Then, if you want a team of strong Pok\u00e9mon (and trust me, you want to power up your main character and partner to extreme levels before you meet Xatu in the storyline), you\u2019ll want to amass \u201cdojo tickets\u201d, which are also earned through a lot of repeated play.<br><br><img alt=\"It can take a lot of repeated dungeon runs to level up, so be sure to collect and use Dojo tickets to speed up the process. Hint hint, you really want to do this before you meet Xatu at the Great Canyon.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/29\/621619.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>This feeling of repetition is made worse by how generic the randomly generated dungeons eventually feel, which is a typical problem for many roguelites and roguelikes. This means that while Pok\u00e9mon encounters are generally exciting, the long stretches of dungeon exploration can make the minute-to-minute gameplay feel boring.<\/p>\r\r<p>Heck, even the game knows this, because it literally has a button that lets you automatically and speedily explore whole dungeons, stopping only when you encounter a wild enemy Pok\u00e9mon!<\/p>\r\r<p>Strangely, I\u2019m completely OK with this. Partly, it\u2019s because repetition and grinding is simply intrinsic to the experience of building a perfect Pok\u00e9mon team. Partly, it\u2019s because I have a personal soft spot for roguelites\/roguelikes.<br><br><img alt=\"While rescuing stranded Pokemon in randomly-generated dungeons sounds tough, sometimes you start the dungeon directly next to your rescue target.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/29\/621623.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>But mostly, it\u2019s because I play <em>Pok\u00e9mon <\/em><em>Mystery Dungeon<\/em> not as a cerebral challenge, but as a carefree relaxation game \u2013 I play the game in auto-mode with my Nintendo Switch in hand, while I\u2019m watching the TV for hours, as my mind zones out after a long day of working in self-isolation.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>Happy in a dungeon<\/strong><\/p>\r\r<p>The game isn\u2019t a hyper-engaging challenge that tests my brains and skills, and it isn\u2019t a game that keeps me awake at night thinking of its deep and nuanced mysteries. It doesn\u2019t need to be.<\/p>\r\r<p><em>Pok\u00e9mon Mystery Dungeon<\/em> is just a simple, charming, and ultimately relaxing game I can switch on any time I want to destress and unwind.<br><br><img alt=\"There are many things to find in a Pokemon Mystery dungeon, such as Pokemon to fight, Pokemon to befriend, Pokemon to rescue, and Pokemon items to loot. Uh, make sure you figure out which is which.\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/29\/621615.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:697px; width:1240px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>And honestly, given how I\u2019m writing this while locked inside my home and isolated from the rest of the world, I\u2019m simply happy that I can still go exploring and make friends \u2013 even if those friends are loveable electric mice that don\u2019t wear pants.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>PROS: <\/strong>You get to become and befriend a wide variety of Pok\u00e9mon; it\u2019s colourful, bright and joyful.<\/p>\r\r<p><strong>CONS: <\/strong>Repetitive gameplay, quite possibly by design.<\/p>\r<strong>POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: RESCUE TEAM DX<\/strong><br><br><em>(The Pokemon Company\/Spike Chunsoft)<\/em><br><br>Dungeon crawler for Switch<br><br><strong>PRICE:<\/strong> US$59.99 (RM265)<br><br><strong>RATING: <\/strong>5 stars","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}},{"cms_article_id":3105686,"np_article_id":231846,"article_title":"From \u2018Super Mario Bros\u2019 to \u2019The Last Of Us\u2019 and \u2018God Of War\u2019: How video games have matured over the years","article_custom_fields":"{\"\":[\"\",\"\"],\"seo_meta_keywords\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_description\":[\"\"],\"seo_meta_title\":[\"\"],\"sponsored_flag\":[\"\"],\"offer_flag\":[\"\"],\"featured_article_flag\":[\"\"],\"primary_category\":[\"\"],\"other_keywords\":[\"\"],\"external_link\":[\"\"],\"article_tags\":[\"\"],\"send_to_scmp\":[\"off\"],\"media_gallery_title\":[\"\"],\"media_gallery_flag\":[\"off\"],\"syncad_medrec_top\":[\"\"],\"syncad_megalead\":[\"\"],\"header\":[\"\"],\"stop_cxense_recommendation\":[\"\"],\"permalink\":[\"tech\\\/tech-news\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/technical-inadvisory-rated-mature\"],\"origin\":[\"\"],\"agency\":[\"\"],\"review_max_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_rating\":[\"\"],\"review_summary\":[\"\"],\"review\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_end_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news_start_time\":[\"\"],\"breaking_news\":[\"\"],\"branded\":[\"{\\\"is_branded\\\":\\\"0\\\"}\"],\"paywall_package_type\":[\"Metered\"],\"video_source\":[\"\"],\"keyword_tagging\":[\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"Video games\",\"TV\",\"Internet\",\"Console\",\"PlayStation\",\"Xbox\"],\"summary\":[\"Like all forms of media, video game trends change over time. Let\\u2019s take a look through what I call the Childhood Era, the Embarrassing Teenage Era That We Prefer Not To Remember, and the Sorta Mostly Adult Era.\"],\"columnist\":[{\"author\":608,\"columns\":\"608_1605776082\"}],\"byline_email\":[\"\"],\"wide_image\":[\"off\"],\"wide_template\":[\"\"],\"lifestyle_categories\":[\"\"],\"byline_photo\":[\"\"],\"wide_story_template\":[\"\"],\"company_brand\":[\"\"],\"requester\":[\"\"],\"video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_category\":[\"\"],\"is_video_programme\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_start_date\":[\"\"],\"video_programme_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_klik_article\":[\"\"],\"klik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"klik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"is_topik\":[\"\"],\"topik_start_date\":[\"\"],\"topik_end_date\":[\"\"],\"caption\":[\"\"],\"fbia\":[\"\"],\"mstar_status\":[\"\"],\"footnote\":[\"\"],\"is_exclusive\":[\"off\"],\"page_number\":\"6\",\"initial_publication\":\"STARLIFESTYLE\",\"date_created\":\"2020-03-13 17:23:35\",\"date_modified\":\"2020-11-20 00:47:55\",\"last_modified_user\":\"Juliet Chow Yoke Jing\",\"section_color\":\"\",\"cxense_metatags\":\"bs_adult,bs_crime,bs_death_injury,bs_military\",\"target_page\":\"6\"}","publish_time":"2020-03-16 07:00:00","sub_section_id":30,"image_path":"{\\\"image_path\\\":\\\"uploads\\\/images\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/13\\\/603988.jpg\\\",\\\"cms_type\\\":\\\"live\\\",\\\"small_image\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"is_updated\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_cropping\\\":{\\\"original_image\\\":{\\\"image_original_width\\\":null,\\\"image_original_height\\\":null,\\\"icd_image_type\\\":\\\"original_image\\\"}},\\\"is_copied\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"media_type\\\":\\\"0\\\",\\\"image_caption\\\":\\\"A+random+discussion+about+the+latest+Star+Trek+TV+series+got+the+writer+thinking+about+the+video+games+he%27s+always+loved%3A+how+have+they+changed+over+time%2C+and+how+might+they+continue+to+evolve%3F+%E2%80%94+123rf.com\\\",\\\"image_alt_text\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"image_count\\\":\\\"\\\"}","section_id":151,"section_name":"Tech","sub_section_name":"Tech News","permalink":"tech\/tech-news\/2020\/03\/16\/technical-inadvisory-rated-mature","show_image_in_thumb":0,"a_custom_data":"{\"exclude_from_gallery\":null,\"lead_image_id\":null}","article_body":"<p>My friend and I were talking about the new <em>Star Trek: Picard<\/em> recently, and he was complaining about how the series wasn\u2019t the same as <em>The<\/em> <em>Next Generation<\/em>.<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cThe universe has gotten darker and everyone just shoots everyone,\u201d he said, \u201cand the admirals are all inexplicably evil.\u201d<\/p>\r\r<p>\u201cWell, that\u2019s to be expected,\u201d I responded, \u201cthe media we love tend to grow and change as the people who make them grow and change.\u201d (I didn\u2019t have the heart to remind him that <em>Star Trek<\/em> admirals have always been evil, though.)<\/p>\r\r<p>That got me thinking about the video games I always love: how have they changed over time, and how might they continue to evolve? I\u2019m, of course, speaking only from my perspective, as a boy born in the 1980s who grew up with popular video game trends practically marketed specifically towards my demographic.<\/p>\r\r<p>Let\u2019s start where I started, in the late 80s to late 90s, in what I\u2019m going to arbitrarily call the Childhood Era. This was when arcade games were reaching the end of their popularity and 3rd gen and 4th gen video game consoles (notably 1983\u2019s Famicom\/NES, 1990\u2019s Super NES, and 1988\u2019s Sega Genesis) were coming in strong.<br><br><img alt=\"A large number of popular triple-A titles became introspective and started to use cinematic storytelling techniques to tell narratives full of character growth and weightier themes of responsibility. \u2014 123rf.com\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/13\/603989.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:519px; width:923px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>Early classics like <em>Super Mario Bros<\/em> (1983), <em>Sonic The Hedgehog<\/em> (1991), and <em>Pokemon<\/em> (1996) emphasised things that children my age would like \u2013 fun gameplay and fun characters.<\/p>\r\r<p>I love this era \u2013 realism and common sense never got in the way of play or sheer joy and wonder of these digital playgrounds for kids. Why does eating a mushroom make a plumber large? Doesn\u2019t matter, it\u2019s fun! How does Pokemon biology work? Who cares, I\u2019m going to spend the rest of my life catching these critters!<\/p>\r\r<p>Of course, there are exceptions to this arbitrary rule; for example, the beautifully melancholic action RPGs (role-playing games) <em>Illusion Of Gaia<\/em> (1993) and <em>Terranigma<\/em> (1995) explored the profound sadness and joy to be found in the transience of life... though those concepts flew over my head, because by the late 90s\/early 2000s, I entered the Teenager Era, where all the cool games were rated M for Mature, Blood, Guns and Explosions. This era is very embarrassing, in retrospect.<\/p>\r\r<p>The cartoonish 2D violence of <em>Grand Theft Auto 2<\/em> (1999) turned into the gritty realistic 3D violence of <em>GTA 3<\/em> (2001) and <em>San Andreas<\/em> (2004), and games enjoyed using the new \u201chigh fidelity\u201d 3D graphics of 5th gen & 6th gen consoles like the PlayStation and PS2 to render bloody scenes of carnage.<br><br><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/13\/604138.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p><em>God Of War<\/em> (2005) is perhaps the best example of this era; it starred Kratos, the incarnation of senseless violence, graphically murdering giants and Greek gods, pausing only to engage in \u201csexy\u201d minigames with topless participants.<\/p>\r\r<p>To a teenage boy\u2019s brain, this is goshdarn awesome, but from a proper adult\u2019s perspective, these \u201cmature\u201d games are anything but. Actual maturity, as I\u2019ve come to realise, involves a lot more sensible responsibility and respecting people, and a lot less cathartic violence.<\/p>\r\r<p>Which explains why no actual adult I know has ever uttered, \u201cGosh honey, work was really hard today because Johnson from Accounting kept badgering me for my finance forms... so I had to rip out his spine and put his head on a stake as a warning to others. Let\u2019s just order takeaway tonight.\u201d<\/p>\r\r<p>Thankfully, mainstream video games stopped being so pointlessly edgy after that \u2013 I consider the late 2000s onwards to be the Working Adult With A Family Era, when the gamers of my generation become professional game developers while also starting their own families.<\/p>\r\r<p>A large number of popular triple-A titles became introspective and started to use cinematic storytelling techniques to tell narratives full of character growth and weightier themes of responsibility.<\/p>\r\r<p>It also helps that the 7th gen & 8th gen consoles are now able to render beards in great detail, because for some reason, this was also the era of Daddy Games.<br><br><img alt=\"The Last Of Us (2013) is a strangely specific example of post-apocalyptic scenarios where a grizzled man is given a child to protect because they\u2019re the last semblance of innocence and hope in this god-forsaken world, etc etc. In other words, a Daddy Game. \u2014 AFP Relaxnews\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/13\/604125.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:768px; width:1024px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>Daddy Games are where main characters are defined by fatherhood. <em>The Last Of Us<\/em> (2013) and Telltale\u2019s <em>The Walking Dead<\/em> (2012) are two strangely specific examples of post-apocalyptic scenarios where a grizzled man is given a child to protect because they\u2019re the last semblance of innocence and hope in this god-forsaken world, etcetera, etcetera.<\/p>\r\r<p>Even Kratos (<em>God Of War<\/em>, 2018) gets in on the action. The man who once ripped a Greek god\u2019s head off and used it as a flashlight! What kind of fatherly advice will this murderous man give when the school calls to say his son started a playground fight? \u201cBoy, what you did was wrong... next time, leave no witnesses.\u201d<br><br><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/13\/604139.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>Oddly, I haven\u2019t encountered any major Mommy Games, and no, <em>Cooking Mama<\/em> doesn\u2019t count. Maybe I\u2019m not exposing myself to enough video games (e.g. <em>What Remains Of Edith Finch<\/em> comes to mind), or maybe the triple-A video games industry still has an issue with gender representation. Hmm.<\/p>\r\r<p>The closest thing to Mommy Games for me are <em>Metroid 2<\/em> (1991) and <em>Super Metroid<\/em> (1994), where protagonist Samus Aran adopts a baby alien jellyfish, and that baby gets kidnapped by a space pirate dragon, and then Samus goes to rescue it but is nearly defeated by the final boss, and then the baby alien sacrifices itself so its adopted mother can shoot lasers at a giant evil brain.<\/p>\r\r<p>I asked my own mum if this is a close enough approximation to the experience of motherhood, but she hasn\u2019t given me a conclusive answer yet, so I\u2019ll have to assume: yes.<\/p>\r\r<p>So now I\u2019m wondering: what\u2019s next? What kind of games will I play once gamers of my generation join the uncles and aunties era? What will I play when I\u2019m much older, have a lot more free time in retirement, and I just want an excuse to go out and meet some friends?<br><br><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2020\/03\/13\/604137.jpg\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/cdn.thestar.com.my\/Themes\/img\/tsol-default-image2023.png'\" style=\"height:600px; width:1200px\" \/><\/p>\r\r<p>OH! I\u2019m just going to play <em>Pokemon Go<\/em>, aren\u2019t I? I am going to spend the rest of my life catching these critters!<\/p>\r\r<p><em>(Raised by wild Nintendo consoles and trained in the ways of the computer scientist, Shaun A. Noordin tries to use his knowledge of web development, technology and video games for the greater good. Or for entertainment and amusement, whichever is easier. He has a lot of advice, but they\u2019re all inadvisable to follow.)<\/em><\/p>","author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_byline":"Shaun A. Noordin","article_tags":"","author_id":608,"kicker_name":"Technical Inadvisory","kicker_url":"\/tech\/tech-thoughts\/technical-inadvisory?bycat=608_1605776082","author_image_src":"","author":{"cms_author_id":3002614,"np_author_id":608,"author_name":"Shaun A. Noordin","author_image":"","cms_type":"live","authorcol":"","slug":"","old_id":0,"is_updated":0,"email":"","author_email":"","author_phone":0,"author_mobile":0,"author_description":"","author_code":"","author_is_columnist":1,"author_columns":"{\"1\":{\"column_name\":\"Technical Inadvisory\",\"column_status\":\"show\",\"author_status\":\"show\",\"follow_status\":\"false\",\"forweb_status\":\"false\",\"column_key\":\"608_1605776082\"}}","author_extra_fields":"{\"facebook\":\"\",\"twitter\":\"\",\"insta\":\"\",\"url\":\"\"}"}}]; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/theme_metro/js/publishtimedate.min.js?v=26072022"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdn.thestar.com.my/Themes/js/columnistsothersectionwidget.min.js?v=20240909"></script>  <div id="widget-4025"> <script> var widgetId = '4025'; if (rmad) { $("#widget-" + widgetId).remove(); } </script> <div class="leaderboard" style="margin-bottom:15px;"><script> if (sascalcsize() != "mobile") { document.write("<div id='div-gpt-ad-Desktop_TSOL_Tech_BTF_Lead'>"); 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document.write("ipt>"); document.write("</div>"); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4 col-xs-12">  <div id="widget-4026"> <script> var widgetId = '4026'; if (rmad) { $("#widget-" + widgetId).remove(); } </script> <div class="Ads-slot"><div class="ads"><div class="med-rec"> <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript"> document.write("<div id='div-gpt-ad-Responsive_TSOL_Tech_ATF_Rect' style='width: 300px;height: 250px;text-align: center;margin: 0 auto;'>"); document.write("<scr"); document.write("ipt>"); document.write("googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-Responsive_TSOL_Tech_ATF_Rect'); googletag.pubads().refresh([gptAdSlots[0]]);});"); document.write("</scr"); document.write("ipt>"); document.write("</div>"); </script></div></div></div> </div>  <div class="side-combo-1" id="story-recom-div" style=""> <div class="headline"> <h1 class="title-03">Others Also Read</h1> </div> <div class="desc-wrap" id="story-recom-list"> <div class="desc"> <div class="col-xs-7 col-sm-9 col-md-7 left"> <a href="/business/" class="kicker">Business</a> <span class="timestamp">37m ago</span> <p style="word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2025/04/02/99-speed-marts-lee-thiam-wah-joins-forbes-2025-billionaires-list-among-19-malaysians" onclick="ga('send', 'event' , 'Recommended' , 'click' , 'https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2025/04/02/99-speed-marts-lee-thiam-wah-joins-forbes-2025-billionaires-list-among-19-malaysians' ); ">99 Speed Mart’s Lee Thiam Wah joins Forbes 2025 Billionaires List, among 19 Malaysians</a></p> </div> <div class="col-xs-5 col-sm-2 col-md-5 right"> <div class="img-sticker"> <a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2025/04/02/99-speed-marts-lee-thiam-wah-joins-forbes-2025-billionaires-list-among-19-malaysians" onclick="ga('send', 'event' , 'Recommended' , 'click' , 'https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2025/04/02/99-speed-marts-lee-thiam-wah-joins-forbes-2025-billionaires-list-among-19-malaysians'); "><img data-thumb-img="https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2025/04/02/thumbs/small/3245071.jpg" src="https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2025/04/02/thumbs/small/3245071.jpg" alt="99 Speed Mart’s Lee Thiam Wah joins Forbes 2025 Billionaires List, among 19 Malaysians"> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="desc"> <div class="col-xs-7 col-sm-9 col-md-7 left"> <a href="/news/nation/" class="kicker">Nation</a> <span class="timestamp">53m ago</span> <p style="word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/04/02/putra-heights-inferno-home-insurance-covers-damage-caused-by-explosions-says-piam" onclick="ga('send', 'event' , 'Recommended' , 'click' , 'https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/04/02/putra-heights-inferno-home-insurance-covers-damage-caused-by-explosions-says-piam' ); 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