Topic: Has Social Media Changed How Much We Live Versus Perform Our Lives? | Arts Interview: Rama Chakaki

Broadcast on 2 May 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Out And About – Conversations with People on the Street about Questions That Matter

This week we consider ‘Has social media changed how much we live versus perform our lives?’ Shakespeare said “All the world's a stage,/ And all the men and women merely players”. The analogy of life as a performance is not a new thing; it has been considered for centuries by such people as Pythagoras and Petronius amongst others. In the past, however, musings focused more on who might be controlling the ‘play’ rather than on people acting out their lives. With social media, though, there is a sense of increasing self-consciousness as we consider what effect our posts are creating. Are we documenting our lives through social media or are we manufacturing our lives to fit an image that we want to project? Are we simply sharing our experiences or are we creating them with an audience in mind? Are we authentic online or are we playing a part? Even if we are not trying to control our image necessarily, are we able to live life in the moment without considering whether it’s a good photo opportunity or something to post about? 

For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Hour 2: Begins at 0:54 minutes Arts Interview with Rama Chakaki

This week as her special guest from the arts Ruth Copland is pleased to be interviewing Rama Chakaki, businesswoman, social entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of Baraka Bits, the only media venture delivering EXCLUSIVELY good news from the Middle East, with a huge focus on the creative arts. We talk about the creative art of the Middle East and how art can both reflect and shape conflict, as well as give a more holistic voice to people living in countries that are often represented simply as areas of conflict in Western media. BarakaBits started with content from the region, changing the narrative in the media to an intelligent, optimistic and empowering one. Rama is also the co-founder of Baraka Ventures, which aims to nurture innovative social enterprises, and Baraka Advisors, which is a digital communications agency rooted in the region’s culture and values. Rama holds a Master’s in Multi-Media Systems and Engineering Management from George Washington University and a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. She sits on the board of TechWadi and PACES Charity, was featured in Forbes and is one of 35 women featured in Arab Women Rising, a Wharton School Publication. In addition to her work with Baraka Bits she is also involved with promoting the arts through her work with Art In The City, Canvas Online, Alhoush (the equivalent of Etsy in Palestine) and The Arab Fund for Art and Culture. 

For more information go to www.barakabits.com, www.alhoush.com, www.canvasonline.com