Follow the discussion thread here (ignore the blatant trolls).

Been monitoring with extreme interest the debacle surrounding AWARE’s power-grab by supposed Christian conservatives (I refuse to use the word fundamentalists, it’s just too strong).

Most discussion revolves around the as-yet-unknown agenda of the new AWARE exco, (in particular their stance towards GLBTQ issues), along with the way they muscled themselves in.

This mini-putsch has highlighted the severe danger faced by key organizations being similarly grabbed by right-winged Christians. Today it might be AWARE, tomorrow it might be CASE, next month it could very well be SPCA itself.

AWARE is the first battleground, and while some have argued for old AWARE members to give up and go form another group, I am adamant that this must not come to pass. If AWARE falls so easily, it opens up the very real possibility of the hijacking of other groups.

Having worked in 2 Christian companies in my career, I have seen first-hand how it disrupts processes and focus on what should really matter – an organization’s objectives. If AWARE stands up for all women, it should remain a secular organization because not all women are Christians. It should bring a broad range of opinions and perspectives from the leaders who are from all walks of life – not limited to Christian women.

AWARE, because it stands up for all women in Singapore, must not fall into the Christian right-wing camp, exactly because not all women are Christians. And the same goes for any other organizations who champion the causes of groups of people.

And what is particularly infuriating, is the way that Christians who claim to do good, should know better than to just grab power. It’s tactless, and it’s tasteless.

Ms. Josie Lau, the new president for AWARE, will be giving her first TV interview since taking up the president post, 10:30pm tonight 19th April 2009 Talking Point, Channel News Asia.

And one of the most enthralling timelapse video ever seen.

[vimeo clip_id="4014102" height="" width="550"]

As Adam Frucci says simply on this Gizmodo article – “Well, this about sums up the internet, doesn’t it? Wow.”

The Internet’s supposed to make us smarter, but looks like dumb is still winning.

Everyone (well geeks on the Net anyway) are fervently discussing about this video.

NOTE : Have you watched the video yet? Please do so, because the rest of this post contains spoilers.

—- SPOILER ALERT —

Did you get it yet? Pretty much everyone is saying that there is no mirror, it is actually a window to another similar room, and the chick has a twin.

Then they (the discussers) go on and say it’s a pretty lame trick, yadah yadah, another Sammy viral ad that FAIL (the zeitgeist word of our time)…

… but to me, the bluddy ad was a success! It got everyone peeking at details in the HD video to make out how was it done, and that was the whole point of the ad (shot with the Samsung I8910). It was not about some lame magic trick, it was not supposed to be impossible to discover how it was done.

The trick of the ad was to get people investigating in HD, and I bet my last pants Samsung’s going to come out and say ‘GOTCHA! It’s because our phones shoot in HD that is why you folks can pinpoint so many evidence to support your theory.’

So… pretty cool from a advertising standpoint, though viral or not, yet to be seen. Good going, Sammy.

And this was the exact response I had today while catching up on my daily news reading. It’s like entering the twilight zone of the newpaper world, with weird facts and random mumbo jumbo in publication everywhere.

1. 150 AWARE members seek vote of no confidence in new executive committee

I remembered clearly watching the TV pilot of Gene Roddenberry’s (of Star Trek fame) Planet Earth when I was younger. In that show, men were slaves for breeding and hard labor – and everything else was run by women.

Upon looking back, it is definitely a fantastic idea. Imagine, a man has 3 square meals a day, a (not so comfy) cell to stay in, and all he needs to do is flex his muscles… and screw!! What a dream.

Seeing how the recent AWARE real life drama is being played out, sadly, women are hardly close from ruling the world. Whatever happened to subtle politics?

2. Parliament passes new Bill to manage law and order

Under the new Bill, three types of activities will require permits: Those that demonstrate support for or against views or actions of any person, group of persons or any government; those that publicises a cause or campaign; and those that mark or commemorate any event.

Many sporting and recreational activities will be exempted. This means that 50 per cent of activities that now require permits will no longer be regulated by permit.

Oh wow, 50 percent! How about asking yourself the real question – why does so many sporting and recreational activities need a permit in the first place?

Maybe we can start mass walking, shouting, and holding placards as a cardiovascular sport. That way, we won’t need no stinkin’ permits.

3. Samurai Ergonomics

I don’t get too tired, as I can rest my chest against the desk when I need to.

WTF? Srsly? This made it to the Gizmodo site, and April Fool’s over?