16 posts tagged “singapore”
For those of you who aren't here simply for an entertaining 'quick-fix', check out that which follows. Quite an interesting series of events that has transpired in the 'modern' state of singapore. Makes us think of things that we might take for granted - such as the value of the freedom of speech for instance (a sub-component of which I term, 'The Freedom to Suppose Otherwise' - a corrolary of a politically non-transparent milieu, amongst others.).
Epilogue:
The above bloke got arrested yesterday by the police in Singapore.
Quite a few singaporean bloggers have ridiculed Gopalan - not surprising in a nation where forwarding alternative views at all levels of society is viewed as 'troublemaking' and people generally occupy themselves with food, football, shopping, keeping up with trends, and complaining about work (just hop on over to the 'singapore' group on vox to see who's talking about this as opposed to other things;) ).
For myself, I
think that Gopalan’s behaviour simply serves, not to indicate his 'unsound mind', but the existence of an unsound
democracy where to publicly suppose that any politician can mean or intend anything
other than what is publicly stated or acted out is viewed as defamation,
slander and libel. What is being implied via such a stance is that the
government is infallible and that people must take their words as holy
writ.
I do agree with Lee that every 'lie' against the government must be fought' - but I beg to to differ on the method used to 'fight' it or the view that it is a 'lie' simply because it can't be proved. Where access to information is not as popularly available as it is to a government, to place the burden of proof on citizens is to accord unfair advantage to the servants of the masters, and render the latter politically impotent.
Secondly, and related to the preceding point, I wouldn't see challenge or opposition as a 'lie', but as a reminder to render transparent that which might be opaque. For it is the absence of transparency that founds the basis for contrariwise suppositions - or 'lies' as some would call it.
Personally, I always thought that governments
ought to prove to the people that they(the government) are right, and it is not for their masters(the people) to
prove that they(the government) are wrong. If we do not abide by this principle, does that not mean that we have to simply believe whatever is publicly stated by those we employ as public servants? I think the freedom to suppose otherwise is a significant check against the tyrannous influence of the subconscious over the conscious minds of politicians(and just about anyone for that matter), and a check on a non-transparent political milieu. Well, well, I'm sure that there are precious few who appreciate this point in the good ole state of singapore. Quite a hilarious saga isn't it. I can't believe that this can happen in this day and age.
ed
There is no doubt that I’ve always been smarter than my peers in singapore from childhood through to the present. I was always the ‘leader’ from elementary school onwards; generated more ideas and solutions in the face of any situation; and spent what might be deemed to be an inordinate amount of time reflecting and considering the novel even as a child – as far as I can remember, from the age of 4 (yes, I can remember some of the events from that age, locations and how I felt about things at that point in time). No, I’m not preoccupied with its self-esteem benefits to myself. Rather, I’ve always been interested to know how this might have occurred so that i might pass on the Method to those around myself in singapore.
Of the various factors that contributed to my intellectual and perspectival
development, one of them is musical exposure.
From childhood, my elder
brother used to play a whole array of music such as rock&roll, opera,
meditation music, classical music, jazz, disco, sentimental, etc.
(I was also professionally trained as a soloist(soprano) in the school choir in elementary school). I later picked up the blues harp, violin, didgeridoo and sought exposure to other types of music and culture.(I can also listen to a tune and play it by ear on an instrument) This had almost immediate and observable effect on the way I thought on other seemingly unrelated matters. Once I realised that the principles acquired in one field could be transported to others and enhance one's perspectival vibrancy in them, I began to do this intentionally by seeking out new types of music, food, philosophies, religions, etc, etc, etc. Then i would sit back and do what i usually do and see myself making further inroads that i previously had not - i.e. in cooking, art, writing, philosophy, work, etc, etc. Delicious to be in control of the factors impacting on one's development.
As far as music goes, my exposure to my brother's music, specifically, taught me that there were different ways of appreciating
music, and generically, it enhanced my propensity to appreciate reality itself in a
multitude of ways, or at least keeping my mind open to the novel instead of
discounting it like most singaporeans do (especially the Chinese) at present (I
have, however, helped quite a few Chinese, and others, to transcend this perspectival disability by instruction or lessons).
Exposure to various types of music, in part, strengthened what I would call my metaphysical base which has always served to
defend my intellectual and aesthetic sense against pressures to conform and be part of a culturally uniform tapestry by any variant of
monoculturalism. Thus, overtime, with the growth of monoculturalism(90s onward) in singapore, I
became a pariah who was frequently asked by people, 'are you a
singaporean?'. I've always taken this as a compliment. But this had
untoward consequences on my social life, employment opportunities, etc,
etc. But, it doesn't matter. Being true to one's potentials has
always been far more important to myself than acceptance by an increasingly
faceless mass.
I suppose the role of
music, amongst others, is more critical at ages where one would not be able to
comprehend philosophical discourse. That
is, when one is young. Music, art,
exposure to difference – whether it is to muslims wearing their headdress in
schools or different types of music, cultures, foods, etc - are some of the simple means by which one might be able to prepare the young mind to be open and capable of thinking out of the box at a
later stage as one does not need to be able to understand it to be influenced by its generic qualities. It helps to unstop all of
ones’ senses and prepares the mind to look at things from other angles. Thus, when one is exposed to education,
problems, etc, one would be well-positioned to appreciate it from other angles,
and absorb more of the essence of any subject even though this might not always
translate into ‘straight As’. I have tested myself in novel situation and found my solution-generation to be quicker and more multi-dimensional than those whom were more experienced than myself - i.e. identified problems and generated more solutions in significant areas in my 2nd month in the civil service(in the past) than my superiors and those whom were more experienced whom together could not find a solution to; advise friends in their work even though i've never been engaged in their particular professions; produce professional perspectives(in philosophy, photography, art, music, etc,) comparable to the experienced after a month or two exposure. No, no, this is not a boast. That is a waste of time. I've always been interested in the Method and what might have aided a person like myself brought up within disadvantageous circumstances to transcend his lot in life and become atypically singaporean. Basically, i've always said, if i can do it, anyone else can.
As I've always
said to my Chinese friends in efforts to aid their advancement in their work, life, etc, ‘A sponge in a puddle absorbs far more in an
instant than a boulder in the ocean in a decade.’ To some degree, the experience related above helps in turning the rock into a sponge.
ed
Not too long ago, I brought a couple Filipinas (female form of 'Filipino'...from the Philippines) for a job interview. After spending much time filling in the application form and awaiting their turn, they finally went in for what might amount to the shortest interview listed in the guinness book of world records. When I asked them what happened, they said they were simply asked, 'Do you speak Mandarin?', which they did not.
Well, this is my take on 'speaking Mandarin'.
As far as the official first language studied in schools is English and the first language is English, that ought to be the only requirement for all jobs. If it is to be the requirement for some jobs, than all races ought to be allowed equal access to it. That comprises, in part, the notion of Equality of Opportunity mate. Anything short of this risks forwarding the status quo as 'instituational racism' (sociological term).
As for those who are not versed in English, they ought to avail themselves of a good mandarin-to-english dictionary or be accompanied by a translator. Why? To cater to linguistic deficiencies amongst the populace is to render entire races whom are not allowed to study 'other' languages deficient. This can only relegate them to the socio-economic second class and eventually raise the linguistically 'endowed'(mandarin speakers) as the preferred group.
Perhaps, much of this 'do you speak Mandarin' nonsense is to cater to, or is being further reinforced by, the need to cater to the increasing influx of China citizens into the country whom are not conversant enough in English to even ask for directions to the beach. I personally encounter many of them who work at local coffeeshops - though I am quite popular amongst them. Additionally, the past creation of a Chinese elite via SAP schools (Special Assistance Plan..went on for a few decades); the promotion of the 'mother-tongue' policy whereby one's ethnic heritage determines what language one is allowed to study in school; the grossly bigoted 'mandarin is cool' and 'speak mandarin, it's an advantage' campaigns (going on for more than a decade), amongst others, basically tends to equate biological race with a 'preferred' language and raise one race above another in terms of preferred-status, and with inevitable knock-on effects on, amongst others, the socio-economic experience of non-chinese and chinese alike.
(note: The elevation of one culture above others in a multicultural nation basically leads to self-segregation amongst the 'preferred group' and marginalisation of 'others' as the 'cultural comfort zone' is gradually contracted to include what one is familiar with and what one has been taught to view as preferred. Once this impacts on the economic front, the consequences become real and observable over time as underdevelopment of 'others' and the 'majority' result due to the contraction of opportunities and the cultural experience. In other words, everyone becomes less.)
Like in the UK, proficiency in English ought to be one of the main qualifiers for acquiring a work permit or PR status as the influx of non-English speakers will eventually lead to the creation of ethnic enclaves and impact on the evolution of criterion for jobs to cater to their comfort zones and linguistic deficiencies. As for the 'mother-tongue' policy, this ought to be thrown out the window unless it can be shown that the Chinese in China aren't willing to do business with mandarin speakers unless they are also Chinese. There is no reason whatsoever why Indians and Malays can't study mandarin in schools and 'do business in China'.
For the purpose of cultural integration - NOT assimilation or marginalisation - English ought to be the only 'cool' and 'advantageous' language in a multicultural nation. Personally, I do speak Mandarin, but when asked if I did so by past potential employers, I would not be disinclined to ask why that ought to matter. And if told that some customers might not be able to speak English, I would suggest that they get a translator to accompany them or learn to speak English. Why should I be marginalised to accomodate the linguistic deficiency of another? Does it not further reinforce their deficiency? And if done so long enough, elevate their deficiency as a proficiency and all other races as deficient? That is a question any Singaporean who does not pay more than lip service to racial equality ought to ask themselves. *I believe in a singular race of citizens based on nationality and not race - a perspective many singaporeans would be well advised to incorporate into their perspectival arsenal for their own developmental good.
As for the 2 Filipinas who were turned away, they brushed their experience aside with a, 'never mind, it's a Chinese country...so of course they will ask that'. And I've personally encountered a few Chinese from China who refused to believe that I'm a singaporean because of my rich colour and sharp features. Now what i find interesting is what Singaporeans might have done to promote such a notion amongst these foreigners that makes foreigners out of locals.
ed
*I believe in a singular race based on nationality as a preparatory prelude towards developing a singular race based on a nation of humanity that incorporates the entire globe.
For the 200th Anniversary of Singapore's 'founding' by 'sir' Stamford Raffles.
First shot taken at 6:19pm; second shot(multiple exposure) taken at 6:19pm and 8:19pm.
Idea conceived and photographed by Edwin S Anthony (using a Mamiya 7II and a ton and a half of patience and perseverance).
dedicated to parents, v & God
ed'sperience
Keep moving.....in consideration of....and despite the times...the ed-anthem
singapore malaysia india china thailand hong kong taiwan japan philippines photography art uk
I was at the neighbourhood coffeeshop yesterday when i happened to turn to the 'communal' telly and saw teens, government
officials, etc, jumping up and down waving flags. The news was in
mandarin - as is always the case here...either the non-chinese are well versed
in the language, or the chinese are ill-versed in english....take your pick....English is first language.....whilst Mandarin is an 'advantageous' and 'cool' language....see the contradiction;) -
so i got V
to translate and I was enlightened. Singapore won the bid to host the
youth olympics! Whoopeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
"Ummm.....so?", came the voice of the objective resident in my head to my subjective self from what seemed to be quite a distance away. Tried to ignore it, but... "Well?", queried the voice again in a tone that was discomfortingly and increasingly audible to the conscious part of my persona. "Oi!", it insisted demanding my attention.
"Why the cheers boy?" "Didn't other nations lose out in the bid?" "Isn't every cheer for yourselves undertaken at the expense of another?" "And what part of your identity exists in a self-nullifying void that you have to resort to acquiring vicarious significance through an achievement that is not your own?" "How is this your achievement?" "What does it say about you as a nation?" "That you had enough money to do so?" “Is that all?” "But what is your final condition mate?" "You can't even host your own population in an egalitarian spirit and you're cheering about hosting the global youth?" "Don't you think such things just serve to distract you from your true condition by enabling you to compensate by getting a ‘kick’ from the approval given to one mass despite the true advantages only going to a few and where your final condition is, at best, a stagnant one devoid of intellectual, perspectival and spiritual freedom?" And besides this, to what degree have you as a mass taken control of your own destinies that you can claim any achievement of ‘the nation’ as your own?” Do you really think sheep can claim any ‘achievement’ in their movement towards the pen when it is not of their own volition?” “How different is that from, say, cheering for ‘ManU’ or Liverpool when you can hardly even get a whiff of their sweaty socks as they scamper around a ball or have nothing to do with their scoring a goal?”
"Be silent boy." "Drink your teh siew tai (tea with milk but
less sugar....what I always have), and think about it....I’m going to have a
nap."
"Hmmm....", i grumbled, and whilst longing for the aid of those who
did the deed on Thomas
Beckett, muttered, "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?"
objective half: what's that?
ed:
ummmm....nothing.
ed'sperience
It was great growing up in the 70s.
I had a weekly
diet of malay, chinese and tamil drama serials and cultural programmes, and british
comedies and american movies that had far less effects and far greater storylines
– that’s a good thing by the way. I doubt my mind would be as
well-exposed now with the separation of ethnic channels and with more emphasis
given to Chinese programming(2 channels), second to Malay(1 channel), and next
to nothing for Indian programming (which does not have a dedicated channel but shares
a channel with arts programmes, cartoons, etc....what an insult), overemphasis
on slapstick american comedies; constant glorification of celebrities, rock
'stars' and 'star'-aspirants; visual effects-based american films as opposed to
their great-storyline-based 70s counterparts. Anyway, I loved British comedies like Only Fools and Horses, Steptoe
& Son, Sorry, Shelly and British series like The Avengers; American
comedies like ‘The Jeffersons’ and ‘Good Times’. And in the 80s, I loved American series’ like
‘Fall Guy’, ‘Magnum’, ‘Riptide’ and ‘The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo’.
All local ethnic programmes shared one channel back then, and this gave the impression that we were all equal, and since they were all on one channel, people tended to watch other ethnic programmes besides ‘their own’ whilst waiting for ‘their own’ to start. Well, that’s how I got exposure to Chinese programmes, films, dramas, along with the Malay, ‘Sandiwara’ (I’ve always loved ‘meenas’;) ) and other cultural programmes. In the English channel, we had eurasians, chinese, indians and malays taking prominent positions - i.e. like Carol Ann Fernandez, Jacinta Abisheganathan, Dick Lee, Anita Sarawak, amongst many others. Talentime, variety shows, radio deejaying, etc, etc, truly bespoke of an extremely vibrant and multiculturally harmonious nation that was on its way to realising its potential via cultural fusion. And we had popular bands like Culture Vulture and Tokyo Square that fused different languages and instruments - and where English-speaking Indians and Eurasians were very prominent. And when Singapore produced its first English drama in the 80s, it featured all races prominently. Not anymore though.
With Indians, coming from a multicultural heritage that appreciated the value of difference, it wouldn't be surprising that they would feature prominently in the drive toward multiculturalism in the local context as they had no problems embracing and fusing with another culture. That's why when people say that Indians aren't in the media now because they can't act or sing, i tell them to look to the past, and to India for evidence to the contrary. If they aren't there anymore, it is quite likely that they've been kept out, or have learnt to keep out. If you keep people out long enough, they are going to find something else to do aren't they. That's how underdevelopment of different groups occur. Compared to other races, the Eurasians, the Babas, and Catholic Indians were the least traditional, and therefore most advantaged when it came to heading multiculturalism and adopting and fusing new ideas and experiences. The English-speakers, or what i call the non-traditional race in singapore, didn't speak their own languages well, spoke only English, imbibed western and british culture, fused it with local ones, didn't think that they ought to practice their own cultures just because they looked like chinese or indian, and were, as a consequence witty, critical, artistic and egalitarian. I saw this with my own eyes as a child in school, church and social circles, absolutely loved it, and and had my vibrancy nourished and reinforced by it. It is seen as 'singapore heritage'. Well, i would be quite hard pressed to find the evolutionary link between Singapore-then and Singapore-now. Through such exposure, I learnt about different
ways of appreciating reality and i've often wished that Singapore continued along that trajectory.
Anyway, here’s a
clip from my all time favourite British comedy, Only Fools & Horses, which
ran from the 70s through to the mid-90s when I was in the UK. It might take a while to load – just press
play, and once it starts, press pause and let it load – but it’s really worth
the watch.
ed’sperience
singapore malaysia india china thailand hong kong taiwan japan philippines psychology 70s sociology culture
The sad truth is, Indians are the 'pariahs' in quite a few countries in s.e.Asia, I once remarked to some friends here in Singapore.
They are looked down upon - for those of richer complexion (known by some as 'dark' or ‘black’ which has derogatory connotations in Asia - including India) - by many Asians who mistakenly and childishly believe that fairness-is-beautiful; are scorned as troublemakers by those who believe in asking 'how high?' when told to jump instead of 'why?'; demonised by politicians as those who oppose for the sake of opposing; and being critical and multi-angular thinkers, scorned by those who practice critically non-vibrant cultures and whom are therefore unable to out-talk them, as 'word-twisters'('mama - derogatory term of reference for Indians - always like to twist words'); and when they are a minority amongst a majority who fetishise tradition, uniformity and conformity for its own sake, their physical and cultural difference just exacerbates matters.
I’ve known many Indians, because of this, whom have left Asia for the west or Australia for a ‘fair deal’. Said one ‘Jeevan’ and his other professional Indian friends (accountants, business forecasters, etc), “at least over there, we can do something about discrimination, here we just have to live with it because the majority only thinks it happens when it happens to them’. My brother, derided for his colour throughout his schooling and military years finally opted to study in the UK – whilst rejecting the local university – and moved on to becoming a Law professor in one of the top British universities. And through some of my friends who have since migrated, I heard of quite a few other cases. And again, I’ve personally known of a few other Indians who have been refused employment time and again till they’ve given up even though they were the pioneers in the field in the 80s.
This is quite true in my personal experience. I've known many people who complain about the discrimination they face whilst overseas, and yet come back and do not see anything amiss when 'minorities' are treated in a similar manner by others or themselves. One teen I made friends with whilst out doing photography remarked that Malaysia was 'racist', and shortly after, asked me if i wanted to go down and shoot the Chinese New Year fireworks with him without realising that there were no fireworks for the festivals of others in the country. To be honest, I've never met a single person who has showed any interest whatsoever whenever I spoke about racism in Asia and how the situation might be improved - the inverse in the UK. They would always start looking around with disinterest or change the topic to 'girls', or other trivialities since, i suppose, they are not personally affected. And this includes friends as well.
And i must add that whenever racist slurs are directed at myself or 'fun' is made of the Indian language, what bothers me about that is not the slur I'm subjected to or the 'fun' that is made of the language, but the apathy of the others in the immediate vicinity who simply carry on as if there was nothing amiss in what was being said. None of them have ever looked askance at the one casting the slur. I suppose it is similar in the Malaysian context amongst others.
I suppose speaking about the discrimination you receive is 'sensitive' in these 'asian' countries as it brings to public attention that which is unconscionable and casts as wrong those whom thought they were right. This might bring about animosity, but if well-managed, it can also bring about much change and progress - the UK is a prime example, so 'Asian' countries would be well-served in paying attention to the methods utilised there. One cannot say that it is a different country for they are faced with the identical 'problem' of integrating culturally-disparate peoples. How else, pray tell, is discrimination to be eradicated? If you have a better suggestion, i'm all ears.
People in Asia have to be educated to recognise the contributive value of difference as opposed to seeing it as a competitive threat to the value of one's own culture. That is how I've lived my life, and that is a part of The Method i've
utilised to become the most intelligent and creative person I've ever
known in the various asian circles i've been a part of. As i've always
said to my friends, there is nothing great about me, except my
adherence to this principle. Not speaking or acting in an insensitive manner should be confined to racist slurs, actions and attitudes, NOT, refraining from speaking about its instances or pervasiveness as this only inhibits coagulation and healing of a socially inflicted wound. And in this, the whole of society suffers by not making the most of itself via the fusion and integration of culturally distinct perspectives.
So I suppose
this is one of the reasons why quite a few Asian countries require ‘foreign
talent’. After all, being ‘foreign’, and
not being interested in the political affairs of the Asian countries they might
be employed in, they would not be averse to asking ‘how high?’, when told to
jump, instead of ‘why?’. And additionally, having marginalised passion and vibrancy in their own countries, they have little choice but to get professionals created in what they deem to be 'messy' passionate and vibrant countries. Quite ironic isn't it.
But, it’s not all bad. The objective half of my persona has enjoyed studying the causes of this phenomenon this past decade. And I’ve learnt much more about the human condition than I might otherwise have if i had lived in an egalitarian region. Perhaps Asian nations are never going to amount to anything significant other than becoming glorified coolies for the west simply because they have failed time and again to realise what the west realised not too long ago, that is, one is made greater by the recognition that an 'other' holds perspectives that can only enrich one’s own by its inclusion, and that this is encouraged by seeing beyond the illogical value placed on superficial characteristics. The west seems to have largely accorded this recognition to the east, but the east has yet to accord themselves as much.
ed’sperience
“SINGAPORE’S talent pool is not big enough to support a two-party political system, as it is tough enough unearthing a first-rate team comparable to Singapore’s founding fathers, said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew yesterday.”
I have to admit that the statements of singapore’s
politicians frequently make me laugh. Well, the above was brought to my
attention yesterday - as I was on my way to pick up my new pc - by Sim.
Alright, I’ll keep it brief and to the point. Why the above statement is
a ridiculous one, besides implying that it is only those whom
are in power whom are capable of discerning 'talent' - which might indicate the
true source of the draining of the local talent pool - is,
1. a two/three/etc-party political system provides the public with the kind of exposure to varying viewpoints which can enhance the ‘talent’ pool by feeding the ‘intellectual’ and 'perspectival' pool. Stating that singapore is not ready for a TPS because of a contracted 'talent pool' is akin to arguing against that which can increase it.
2. where it is commonly perceived that there is ‘no market’ for a two/three/etc party political system, the labour market will tend to busy itself with other industries and thus unwittingly extricate their potentials from the said 'talent' pool which can thereon suffer under/maldevelopment.
3. where people live under constant fear that they are going to be taken away in the wee hours of morning
with a black bag over their head and beaten up in some location on the order of
the home affairs minister; or denied the right to demonstrate or hold rallies
which might incite public thought; where all opposition is discouraged via a
host of means and methods; where oppositional elements are sued to bankruptcy;
etc; etc; etc; the best defense against untoward consequences in a thus
apatheticised country is to not allow the critical faculty in their
heads to develop so that they will cease to feel frustration where there
is arguably reason for it. Result: contracting of 'talent pool'.
4. Um, by the way, if Singapore ‘talent pool’ is not big enough, perhaps we ought to look at those or that which is responsible for contracting the ‘talent pool’ such as the ministry of education, along with the contribution of the above 3 points for the said contraction. Not doing so is like breaking the legs of the people and then whining about why you always win by default because you have no competitors in the 100 metres sprint.
5. Finally, Singapore doesn’t need ‘talents’ such as that required back in the days of yore when Singapore’s ‘founding fathers’ (I thought they were ‘representatives’, not ‘fathers’….a Freudian slip that indicates the source of the problem perhaps?) as the population is not largely illiterate, etc, as it was back then.
And just a thought, since this country is not averse to importing 'foreign talent' for other professions, and since the government sees itself as the employers of its citizens by pegging its salary scales to the private sector, perhaps they could consider importing 'foreign talent' like Blair, Bush, and Manmohan Singh over to increase the local talent pool . Considering that the local PM earns much more than any leader in the world, we could make the political industry here more competitive with the inclusion of cheaper but most qualified talent.;) Well they did say some years ago that the locals ought to price themselves more competitively because of foreign alternatives. Why stop at the gates of the halls of power;) But jokes aside,
Perhaps the problem lies in the
perception that the people are still illiterate 'kampong'(village) people that
leads to their being treated in such a way by ‘fathers’ that insures that the
‘talent’ pool remains but a mere and diminishing puddle. Was it not some
local politician who said that it is better that there be a country of rabbits
run by a lion than a country of lions run by a rabbit? Quite self-serving
or perspectivally-challenged not to appreciate a 3rd scenario of a country of
lions run by a lion which would tend to produce stronger lions for politicans
as opposed to fanged rabbits confused for lions by a population of rabbits who
don't know any better.
Additionally, in a country where monoculturalism is pursued with religious fervour, it is not surprising that the population, exposed generally to one medium of thought, will become quite perspectivally challenged in every single arena. This only serves to constrict the inflow of talented tendencies into the collective talent pool. And finally, the fact that singapore has a 'senior minister' and 'minister mentor' to advise the prime minister, and whom are not popularly elected, might itself indicate the underlying attitude that took to create the local 'talent' shortage.
In sum, the above perspective is
akin to plugging the source of talent and then utilising the consequence as a
reason for arguing for one's self and party's permanent tenure in the halls of representatives
power.
A true leader of the people is not one who looks for reasons why the people mightst not be included in determining their own destiny, but how they mightst be elevated to the point that s/he herself becomes nothing more than a representative. And here's a bit of trivia for you, when the ex-pm-turned-senior minister was told that he and the government were 'servants of the people whom are their masters,' by BBC's 'Hardtalk' Tim Sebastian, he replied, "We see ourselves as trustees". Now what does that say about their perspective of themselves and their relation to the people, its indication of the attitude it took on their part to do what they did or failed to do, to the point that they could produce the statement above as possibly true?
Oh, for goodness sakes!
Now how’s the above(ed's) perspective for an indication of atypically Singaporean talent eh. ;)
ed’sperience
singapore malaysia india china japan thailand taiwan philippines psychology sociology history philosophy
Music to watch girls go by…..well, at least there’s the music.
(excerpted comment as posted on Georgette’s site)
“...God, the girls in this country (singapore) really make homosexuality a viable alternative...but then again, the guys in this country really make asexuality a viable alternative too. That's why the phrase, 'Go f**k yourself' is less of an 'insult', and more of a 'great idea' to me ;)
Apologies for the allusions and profanit*s to my visitors. Just thought I’d write it as I thought it. :)
ed’sperience
Whilst the result of an inventive or innovative mind may be easily replicated,
It is the appreciation of the inventive and innovative mind that distinguishes the human from the primate,
and thus ushers her into the wings of her potentials.
- ed
What happens in this country is that if anyone who is
'no one' does anything of significance, corporations or individuals may in all likelihood
do it themselves and claim ownership of
the idea.
For instance, once, when I applied for a lecturer position in a reputable polytechnic here(some years ago), I received a letter asking me to draft out a full detailed curriculum to enhance intelligence amongst students. I was told that if they liked it, they might give me an interview. I almost did, till I realised that they might just take my highly typically-unsingaporean ideas and give the job to a typical singaporean. Now this is just an assumption one mightst say. True. That is why I always employ the method of 'triangulation' in order to determine the plausibility of a perspective - where one looks for other examples of such behaviour/attitudes in similar and different arenas.
Well, along the way, i experienced many photographers who would take my unique position after i'm done and do similar shots; i've seen how the work of photographers are appropriated by those holding 'photographic competitions' for use 'as and when'; I've seen my breakthough-ideas (which all of the senior and positioned staff couldn't resolve for years) being taken whilst my difference was held against me (i.e., the way i walk, my cowboy boots, etc....in the civil service...i left shortly thereafter); my friends have learnt much and advanced significantly in life and have later taken the credit for it unto themselves; others have come to me for business ideas but refuse to employ me; freelance jobs for writers with a minimum sum($5) being paid for articles even though they are published because 'they aren't good enough'; many have told me during my attempted foray into web design that, 'i do not want quality, i want cheap' - and when they say 'cheap' they mean double-digit cheap; heard of many cases where one is asked to produce ideas/work before employment and then not being employed; etc, etc, etc.
A few creative professionals who have remained unemployed for a couple of decades have told me to keep my ideas to myself as the expropriation of ideas is big business here. The individual is insignificant here even though s/he is significant. The significance of the truly creative lies in their slogging for hours on end for a paltry sum whilst the creatively-challenged boss makes the millions. Hence, over time, innovation and invention is wiped out of this
country's resume as the creative and perspectivally-vibrant are left to languish in oblivion - or be subject to being and 'spot-checked' by the police/refused employment/given bad service in stores/laughed at in public/etc - and, in
consequence, their perspectives of life, etc, and all that it took to create
what they create because of their difference is kept out of the public eye and mind - I know a few other highly creative individuals who have been economically unemployed ever since the 80s....the reasons cited by them range from the way they dress to 'race'. Well, just as China couldn't
make anything of Lenovo without buying out IBM, or 'Benro' couldn't make
anything of itself till they copied Gitzo and Arca-Swiss, the ultra-conformist
and perspectivally-paraplegic tend to make something of themselves
by copying a radical/different other - whilst marginalising them for being radical/different.
Little do they realise that it is only difference that invents and innovates. And to exacerbate matters, monoculturalism is pursued with vigour and only people of a similar(ethnic) type saturate all observable media. Thus, one way is the only highway for them.
Analogically, by marginalising those whom are different, they stop the mouth of the river,
whilst feeding on the diminishing puddle.
Let me put it this way, if I looked 'conventional', and thought it to be the norm, what I produce would be wholly different and barely distinguishable from most others. The route to being the most that you can be, lies in making a canvas of your self, and being the mistress behind every microscopic flourish and stoke that caresses it - despite everyone else not exhibiting the same style. The difference between either is that the latter stand in the shadows of giants, whilst the former struggle onto their shoulders.
ed'sperience
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