We guarantee that you’ll only have a vague recollection, at best, of life without the Internet. While the World Wide Web is probably one of the most universal examples of how technology in general has completely altered the way we work, play, communicate and think, it won’t take you long to think of other tech inventions that have done the same. We take a look at ways that tech has rooted itself in our lives—and will continue to do so.

TOY STORY

There’s the good and there’s the bad. Everyone’s got their favorite tech toy (heck, some freak-shows even name their darling gadgets), but on the flipside, most people have suffered their fair share of tech-related embarrassments–oddly enough, thanks to their aforementioned favorite tech toys.

WHO: Ian Purnomo, 25, Public Relations Executive

FAV TECH TOY: “My 60GB Apple iPod”.

D’OH MOMENT: “One time, my ex-girlfriend borrowed it to store her big college assignment. I didn’t mind, until one nerdy, smartass friend of hers un-hid the hidden folders in the iPod that contained videos and pictures of good-looking ladies in improper manners and showed them to her. What followed were lots of scoldings and “cold turkey” nights. She wiped out all my ‘collection’ too, but thankfully left all the music intact.”

WHO: Nadia Daeng, 24, Senior Account Executive

FAV TECH TOY: “Not really a tech toy, more of a social network service called VelvetPuffin—stop asking me about the name!—that I use on my mobile phone and PC.”

D’OH MOMENT: “I was happily looking through some of the pictures on my buddy list and, to my horror, I found an old picture of me back then when I dressed up as one of Taufik Batisah’s ‘Brides’ for finals of the first season of Singapore Idol. Talk about having my past coming back to haunt me. Let it friggin’ go already!”

WHO: Cheryl Chin, 27, Marketing Communications Executive

FAV TECH TOY: “Though a little outdated, my fav tech toy is my battered Sony Ericsson K750i. Being able to listen to my MP3s on it helps me survive public transport.”

D’OH MOMENT: “I lent it to a male friend without deleting the messages and photos that I was receiving from another friend—a passionate and adventurous female. I only found out he knew because when he returned my mobile, I found text messages in the Inbox where he had mentioned his find to another mutual friend. We never spoke about it, but things were a little weird between us for a while.”

WHO: Steph C, 32, Unemployed

FAV TECH TOY: “My Nokia 5300 XpressMusic handphone.”

D’OH MOMENT: “None with my 5300 yet, but I could tell you what led to me acquiring it. Being exceptionally butterfingered, I dropped my Motorola V3 in a bowl of soup in my haste to pick up the call. So it was hellooo 5300. Mind you, this isn’t the first time a handphone of mine kena death by drowning. Conclusion: me, handphones and soups within close proximity of each other do not bode well.”

Upcoming tech toys

Professional Help

Stephen and David Dewaele have rocked dance floors—whether as the DJ act 2ManyDJs or as the band Soulwax. And they are known for mixing songs which seemingly have nothing in common. Think Nirvana with Destiny’s Child, or Green Velvet with Led Zeppelin. This duo that has played at ZoukOut is dropping by again. Stephen explains their eclectic and confusing sound.

So you guys are back after ZoukOut. Which do you prefer—clubs or beach festivals?
We prefer to play in a club because the distance between the audience and us is smaller, and so we can see the people freaking out!

Cool. And how did the moniker 2ManyDJs come about?
It was the title of an old Soulwax track called “Too Many DJs.” And there were two of us. We also used it because we felt that anybody can be a DJ.

Speaking of Soulwax, what’s Soulwax busy with right now?
We’re just finishing up the new remixes for Klaxons and Digitalism, and then going to tour Australia and the States with the album Soulwax Nite Versions. We’ll finish at Coachella. We’re also working on Tiga’s second album. I am probably forgetting a lot of other things here!

You guys are loved for the way you mix songs from different genres. Do people come up to you and say that it’s just wrong?
Not so much now, but it used to be like that and it was a sign we were doing something that had an impact.

How do you guys respond?
We pretend to be understanding and then play some AC/DC!

And what do you think of club nights that play only one kind of music?
I get bored easily when someone plays the same kind of music the whole night. I like it when people surprise me or piss me off!

We heard David has a black belt in taekwondo. Is that true?
Someone will have to challenge Dave to find out.

How do you guys want to be remembered?
As the Godfathers of old rave!

Porn star Annabel Chong, who bursts into fame with a gangbang with 251 men, has been an inspiration—to the people at Toy Factory Productions that is. Their latest—and hottest—offering 251 delves into her life and is an introspective take on issues such as creativity, individuality and OB markers. We engage Cynthia Lee MacQuarrie, who stars in the play as Chong, in a light-hearted banter.

Which is better—making love or pure, carnal sex?
Why limit ourselves to either or? I embrace both equally.

Is porn useful to society, you think?
Sure. Then at least the clueless can pretend they know something. And the sexually frustrated will have some tools to help themselves instead of resorting to outraging a woman's modesty or rape. Having said that, it boils down to having power over someone, right?

OK, so what puts you in a sexy mood?
Dirty talk!

The best time to get laid? 
All the time! Anytime!

Words for the people who are shocked at your behavior?
Bet you've got some skeletons in your closet you're not proud of. Wanna compare?

How do you want to be remembered?
As an individual who dared, who did and who lived.

Metropolis is the name of Mo Maurice Tan’s exhibition of artwork at Alliance Française de Singapour, and, as the name implies, the Singapore-born artist is famous for his modern urban cityscapes, depicted mostly through a bird’s eye-view. This time he explores the various modes of transport in cities, and attempts to weave together a common thread, possibly based upon the predictability of the urban landscape. We’re sure those who brave the morning commute to work every morning will identify with that.

So you’re obviously a city boy. Why?
I like the edge that comes with city living—the din, stress, pollution, etc.

What’s the inspiration for your art?
Anything a great city can offer me—from its skyline and architecture, to its people.

Speaking of which, there aren’t many people in your artworks, although cities are full of them. Are you just not a people person?
It’s more because I really would like to have the city all to myself.

Would you say then that the most crowded places are actually the loneliest places?
Crowded places are the most anonymous places, not the loneliest.

Your architectural background shows in the architectural detail of your work. Why didn’t you become an architect?
Architects work in a collective and socially demanding environment; I can only paint when I am alone.

We know peak-hour traffic in Paris is hell. So did you base your latest exhibition upon your transportation woes?
Peak-hour traffic in big cities across the world is hell for commuters, but not for the observer. I particularly enjoy sitting amid stressed out city dwellers hurrying from home to work and back again.

Having lived and toured all the great cities of the world, which city is your favorite?
If I had to choose only one, it has to be New York. Tokyo and Paris are close behind, with Istanbul a not very distant fourth.

Was there a particular reason you chose to set Cages in Singapore?
I really had no choice. The moment my eyes set on the magical sight of Tiong Bahru, I knew there was a story in it.

Why did you channel a bit of Singapore’s kampong days as well as the country’s more modern aspects?
I felt the biggest wedge in a healthy and happy society is the age gap. I wanted to create a clear visual separation to articulate that issue. So, I consciously chose to paint the city in colder colors. That was represented in the modern elements of Singapore. In contrast, rustic, worn, warm colors and elements portrayed my interpretation of the older generation.

What do you feel is, visually, the most beautiful thing about Singapore?
As a foreigner, I must say it is the canopy of foliage created by the towering trees. And I love the rain in Singapore. I love the flowers, the birds, even the moss! You got to remember: I’m from Los Angeles. It’s just a big flat concrete covered desert over there. You have no idea how beautiful Singapore is from my eye.

What was it like working with Tan Kheng Hua?
When I heard she had studied theatre, I was very interested in her work. I knew I needed a trained actress to hold the leading role. She’s a damn good actress and, on top of that, a wonderful person. Acting alone wasn’t enough; I knew we would have to be family forever!

Were there any problems while filming in Singapore?
Weather. My director of photographer Mark Lapwood is a perfectionist; he only shot when the lighting was right. We sometimes waited a bit for the exposure to be just right. I was determined to tell the story of beauty through the visual tapestry that Singapore had to offer. If it meant waiting a few additional minutes, it was worth it.

Do you have plans to film another movie in Singapore and would you consider getting more involved in the Singaporean cinema industry?
Sure. Just ask me. I am proud to make a film shot in Singapore.

PLUS: our movie review of Cages

This eminent musician cum producer, who listed Pink Floyd and Depeche Mode as some of his influences, has been tinkling with the piano since two and has had blown several punters away with hits such as “Embracing the Future,” “Loving You More,” “Godspeed” and “Dreaming.” BT takes some time out to chat with I-S about his music, guilty pleasure and current read.

What is your current state of mind?
I’m just feeling creative inside.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I’m it.

What is your biggest achievement?
Having a beautiful daughter.

What inspires you?
Being outside with nature and in natural environments inspire me more than anything.

What draws you to music?
It’s the integrity in the music that draws me to it. I’m attracted to people making stuff that’s genuine. You can tell when something is authentic.

Describe your sound.
I’d like to think I make provocative electronic music.

What are you listening to now?
Boards of Canada, that’s the only album that comes to mind right now.

What instrument can you play?
I can play drums, guitar and more keys-based instruments such as the piano. But I can get around anything that I put my mind to.

What makes a good party?
Honestly, a lot of people showing up at the place and great music.

What personal traits do you appreciate most in others?
Integrity, I appreciate people who say what they mean.

How do you spend your Sunday mornings?
Usually I’m on an airplane.

What is your idea of hell?
Working on a movie with Ben Stiller.

What is your guilty pleasure?
It has to be coffee.

How do you recharge?
I try to take breaks. I am way overdue for one right now. I like to travel. Diving is one of my favorite things in the world. Taking breaks help me to refocus.

Where would you like to live?
San Francisco. It’s my favorite city and I think it’s amazing.

If you had to play a character in a movie, which movie and what character?
Well, if I have to act in a movie, I would like to blow s**t up. That sounds like fun, you know?

What are you reading?
A book called This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin. It’s incredible. It’s about brain chemistry and what happens on a physiological level when you listen to music.

People go to him to be hypnotized and cease smoking, nail biting, to lose weight and even to stop bed wetting.

Can people hypnotize themselves?
Hypnosis is a very natural process which everyone goes through everyday. It’s hypnosis if you’re watching TV and get so absorbed that you don’t notice someone calling your name. You are in a heightened state of relaxation and concentration. As long as you function on a subconscious level, you’re in hypnosis.

Do people lose control of themselves during hypnosis?
No way. No one has ever given me their ATM password!

Is it possible to hypnotize animals?
Animals? Yes, if they can concentrate. If your dog is very active, and you don’t want it to chew the furniture while you’re out, you can hypnotize it and make it sleep till you come back. But if you have no good reason to do it, don’t do it.

People come to you to stop smoking. Can you make a non-smoker pick up smoking?
Ethically, we don’t do that. We try to help people, such as by removing their fears or stage fright. If necessary, we get our clients to regress to a younger age and find out the actual cause of the problem is.

Let’s talk about props. Do hypnotherapists still use the pendulum?
The pendulum is an ancient tool that was used to induce people into hypnosis. Now we use more advanced technologies; the idea is to concentrate. All practices upgrade and use better techniques with time.

Networking is important. At first, our shop wasn’t recognized among customers, while other record stores were mentioned on the radio quite a lot. That was when it hit me that to be recognized I had to start networking.

I began going to the concerts and talking to lots of DJs and bands. Now when anyone is throwing a concert or an exhibition, they leave leaflets at DJ Siam.

To run a successful business, you have to build a fan club and find your own unique selling point. At DJ Siam, it’s the entertainment factor. Every staff member is friendly and chatty.

Some think we are loud and annoying. But that’s fine with me. I can’t make everyone like me or DJ Siam.

Boyd Kosiyabong is my favorite artist. He has a knack for blending modern melodies with well-written lyrics.

I like to give new blood an opportunity to express their talent and be heard. That’s how Gunzue Club was born. Each year, we team up with some well-known artists, release a compilation album and donate some money to charity. That’s my way to give back to society.

I’ve become a marketing guru. Budding artists come to me for advice on how to contact the distributors, and labels like RS and Grammy also sometimes ask for my opinions on how to promote their artists.

Music that’s too easy is uninteresting, but music that is too difficult can also be frustrating.

To make a successful album, give 60% for art’s sake and save 40% for the audience. It’s not cool when artists make music without thinking about the audience. You might think your sound is excellent, but if the audience finds it inaccessible, it can’t sell.

Be patient is the advice I always give to budding artists. Study the styles of music that are in the trend before mastering your own. Send some sample CDs to radio stations and wait for their feedback. If it’s good, release the next one.

If you don’t get any feedback whatsoever, you should pause and see what’s wrong. Don’t just push an unfinished product before it’s ready. I’ve seen many flops happen when doing that.

Though there are lots of bands coming out, they fail to make their mark because they are all similar to one another.

The past couple of years have been very quiet—no boom in sales and no artists who can create a buzz. Plus, pirate CDs are more prevalent than ever.

The future of the music scene is uncertain. I don’t know if it’s still marketable to sell CDs. I’m planning to launch a legal download service for iPod and mobile phones.

It’d be great to have a music street. These days it’s all about fashion and shopping streets!

I love the music scene and, despite everything, I never think of doing something else to make a living.

Why is music such a powerful medium?
Music is something for all the senses, especially in the live presentation. It’s confrontational, and demands a reaction, creating a discourse between performer and audience.

Which instruments or sound devices do you find most interesting?
The most interesting sound devices for me are the homemade ones. (I’m not so into traditional instruments that require traditional training.)

Do you find there are shortcomings to music or messages that are better suited to different artistic mediums?
Oh definitely, I think a load of musicians would be amazing fashion designers and vice versa. I always find it a shame when an artist limits themselves to only one creative medium. Sometimes a pattern on a dress can become a song, a music video, a dance and more.

What’s more important: the ability to create something totally new or the ability to present something in an attractive or cool way?
I don’t really think “the new” is entirely important or exciting; what’s more interesting is the connection between history and “the now.” It's the combination that gets me excited. As John Cage once said, it’s not how you do something but what you do.

Which artists have you recently been most excited and inspired by?
I love the new Yoko Ono remix album titled Yes, I’m a Witch, especially the mixes by Peaches and Le Tigre. I’m always excited when I hear new young women making music and putting it on MySpace—it’s inspiring to find those gems.

You've played in Southeast Asia before. How do you find the crowds here?
The crowds definitely compare to the wild ones you find in Buenos Aires or Tampere, Finland or Melbourne. Put it this way...I’m So Excited!!!

Why did you become an artist?
I grew interested in art as a child. I think all children like painting. After art school, I was drawn towards contemporary styles of painting. I tried these and made several abstract works, but soon realised I wasn’t as interested in this as I had thought. So I tried to find my own style, exploring widely before I found inspiration in Mongolian lifestyle and traditions.

Why red horses?
I like animals. I tried many others—even camels—but for the last 14 years I’ve been painting only horses. Red is a color that gives energy. As for horses, they connect people to nature.

Do you own horses?
Yes. I’ve had horses since I was a child. There are 11 horses per person in Mongolia.

Some say that if you look at the horse in the painting, it will look back at you. Is that true?
Well, Mongolians believe the horse is like an eight-year-old child. It can do many things and feel many emotions. But whatever the painted horse looks at depends on the viewer and how he relates to the painting.

When you are painting, what do you feel?
When I paint, I think of nothing but painting. You can feel the emotion of the paint. I just follow that feeling.

If horses are a symbol of Mongolia, are your paintings about Mongolia as a nation?
The audience should have some feeling for the cultural origin of a work of art and anyone can guess my paintings come from Central Asia. But my art is not really concerned with giving messages.