Groups superior to individuals?

What a performance.. ! :D

Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl for the 51st Grammy awards, February 8th 2009.

I was delighted to watch Paul McCartney’s performance for the Grammy s. His music meets my “favorite music” list, needless to say I’m a great fan of his!


For this weeks entry, I’m really glad that I can include one of the most influential and successful singer, songwriter in rock and roll history, in my blog.

While watching his performance, I thought about how he came to be known worldwide. This takes me back to when he was a member of ‘THE BEATLES’

The Beatles were a rock and pop band from Liverpool,England that formed in 1960. During their career, the group primarily consisted of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney(bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals).Their clothes, style and statements made them trend-setters, while their growing social awareness saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.

The Beatles are one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music, selling over one billion records internationally.

In February of After the band broke up in 1970, all four members embarked upon successful solo careers.

Paul McCartney however continues to shine even today. He received two nominations for the 51st annual Grammy awards, and performed the Beatles classic "I Saw her standing there" with Dave Grohl on drums. Sirius XM launched a limited run channel devoted exclusively to the music of Paul McCartney. Entitled Firman Radio, an homage to McCartney's alter ego, the program will premiere on February 14, 2009, and run until March 13, 2009.

I thought I could relate this to what I learn t in my COMS 101 class this week. I believe 'The Beatles' are a great example of group communication. They illustrate the factors that are found in effective team members; the ability to create a positive climate, the ability to solve problems, group synergy, group think etc.
However after they split, all four members had successful solo careers.

What makes me wonder is that would Paul McCartney become as successful as he is now, if he wasn't a part of that group?
I personally think that we are who we are because of the groups we have been a part of. Beyonce, who was a part of her home production "Destiny's child" and Simon Webber from the boy band "Blue" to name a few have had successful solo careers even after they spilt from their groups. However I don't think they would be as successful as they are today if not for the groups they belonged too.

This brings me to my question; do you think groups are more effective than individuals?
Although there is evidence that mature, cooperative groups or otherwise make better decisions than do individuals working alone, groups are not always superior to individuals. Group synergy occurs only under certain conditions and when the group structure is such that each member is encouraged to do his or her best. Justin Timberlake was a member of the boy band "N sync". After he split from the group and 'went solo' , he began achieving more success for himself than that from the boy band.

This week's question: Do you think we are who we are because of the groups we have been a part of? Also are groups more effective than individuals or vice-a-versa?

Share your views! :)))

♥A Vals Day Special♥

The recent news about Prince Harry's break up with his girlfriend Chelsy Davy made me deliberate on what I learnt in class this week i.e. Interpersonal communication.

PEOPLE reports in its upcoming issue on Wednesday January 28, 2009

After five years of dating, what caused Prince Harry and girlfriend Chelsy Davy to finally call it quits last week?
Those close to the prince believe time and distance may have pulled the 24-year-old royal and the Zimbabwean-born beauty apart, PEOPLE reports in its upcoming issue, on sale Friday.
Chelsy, 23, is set to graduate from Leeds University this spring and is homesick for Africa, while Harry seems more committed than ever to army life.

For more information, click on the site below :)
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20255395,00.html

While reading this article what intrigued me the most was the fact that the two of them were disimilar in many ways. I wondered if different backgrounds was one of the reasons behind the split. Chelsy Davy is Zimbabwean-born and a student where as Harry is royalty,the Prince of England. They both come from very different cultures. I couldn’t help but wonder if they were from the same backgrounds, would they have had better chances of sailing through this relationship?

How many of you think that couples who have many similarities with respect to nationality, profession, likings tend to stay together longer than couples that are dissimilar in the same context as mentioned above?

I am of the opinion that couples who are similar and have things in common tend to bond well for a longer time as opposed to the couples that are dissimilar.

Examples :

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes both work in the film industry.

Zac Efferon and Vanessa Hudgens, worked in the biggest teen sensation 'High School Musical' together.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Hollywood's sexiest couple!

Andre Agassi and Stefi Graph are among the tennis players in the world.

I believe that couples who share common interests better yet a common profession have better understanding and are more sympathetic towards each other. This reduces insecurity and instability in a relationship. It is especially helpful as they can discuss professional problems together and seek each others advise.This strengthens a relationship and takes it to greater heights!

However, as we all know it is not only common interests that help in making a relationship work. Other factors such as trust, patience, personal perceptive, right speech etc play a vital role.

On the other hand couples like :

Eva Longoria, an actress and Tony Parker , a basketball player.

David Beckham, regarded as the worlds best soccer player and Victoria Beckham, a pop star.

Imraan Khan, a Pakistani cricketer and Jemima, known for her royalty.

Paris Hilton, a famous socialite and Benji Madden, a rock star!

are among the rest who share a difference in terms of either profession or culture.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Do couples who have many similarities with respect to nationality, profession, likings tend to stay together longer than couples that are dissimilar in the same context as mentioned above?

I'm looking forward to your comments!

last but not the least, "Happy Valentines Day" to one and all! :)

‘When you say nothing at all....’

Scene from Twilight.

The picture above illustrates 'Eye contact' between two individuals.

Do you think non- verbal communication weighs the same as verbal communication in terms of getting the message across?

“Communication that occurs when a stimulus other than words creates meaning in the mind of the communicator.”

Although non- verbal communication has its own demerits; for instance it could have several interpretations as it is receiver- oriented, I think non- verbal communication is significant, reason being it allows us to express certain emotional themes that are hard to describe verbally.

Here is a scene from an American T.V show, Gossip Girl.

When I came across this scene, I was quite intrigued by it simply because of the fact that I could relate it to what I studied in COMS 101. This is a perfect example that illustrates non- verbal communication. The boy in the video (Chuck) is communicating, he is intentionally creating a message for the girl (Blair’s) consumption.

The scene depicts different types of non-verbal communications like in the first half of the clip; Blair observes the physical appearance of Chuck i.e. the tears in his eyes, the tired and dejected look across his face. It is then that she realizes that he is in pain and hence rushes to support him. This establishes the association with hap tics, the non-verbal communication study of touch. Here, it gives the viewers an idea of their relationship, the intimacy, friendship, perception of liking. The scene also insinuates proxemics, the non-verbal communication study of space and distance. The manner in which Chuck and Blair are seated highlights intimate distance among the four zones of personal space.

The latter half of the video shows Blair left all alone with the note aside her being her only explanation to the situation she is in. Emotional expressions are easier to express using non-verbal codes. When people have something emotionally important to say, they need full range of non-verbal channels. In this scenario, Chuck avoids an emotional scene by writing a letter rather than announcing it face-to-face.

It is merely a look, awareness, an understanding, a way to get what you want without having to use words. It is more useful in situations where one is unable to express in words what they feel or in the case of informing the death of a person to his or her family relative, non-verbal ques are best suited. Speech is not entirely an adequate substitute for human contact.

Sometimes when it is not possible to express certain things into words, we turn to non- verbal communication.

Here are a few non verbal cues that are used conventionally.

The ‘shh’ sign which indicates ‘silence’ .

Joining ones hands together also known as ‘namaste’ which implies to ‘greetings’ in the Indian culture.

The last picture illustrates a girl who is not very pleased, in cases like these verbal communication is voluntary.

IT’S WHAT YOU’RE NOT SAYING!