HCI Class: Sci&Tech essay outline

Click HERE for outline....
Right-click to save target file....if still cannot open, drop me an mail for the soft copy to be sent to you...

China gets tough on its tourism industry

Click HERE
A case in China where commercialisation of culture (such that it is no longer authentic) is evident -- often due to cultural preservation and tourism.
Relate to this if u have done the AQ from the 2013 RI prelim compre on culture.

Qn: Tourism has done more harm than good. Do you agree?

Media Freedom

After Amos Yee example in an earlier post (see HERE    ) consider the following on the same issue of eida freedom:

1) Couple behind The Real Singapore (TRS) website charged with sedition

2) Thai PM repeats threats against media
What do you make of this extract by the Tai PM from the above link?
"I have not yet shut down any publications but please write in a good way. If it is not good, then I will need to do that," General Prayut, who is known for his impatience with the media, told reporters at a military academy in Bangkok yesterday. "I will shut them down only when they don't say good things," he added. In a further warning, he said: "If anyone says anything that causes damage to the Royal Thai Army or to the country, I will not stand for it.

3) Criticism yes, but not malice : PM Najib
PM Najib sent the opposition a lawyer's letter, but tellingly remains relatively subdued in response when it comes to ex-Malaysian PM Dr Mahathir's accusations at his links to the murder of a Mongolian woman and the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MBD).
This would probably constitutes sedition and lead him to being charged under the Sedition Act if not for the tremendous influence he enjoys in the country. His accusations serve to erode trust in the ruling govt and potentially destabilizes the country. But his defence is that he is playing the watchdog role here in speaking up against the possible wrongdoings of the establishment.


In all the examples above, realise there are good reasons on both sides whether there should be freedom to allow people to say what they want. Consider:
- are they false allegations designed to bring people down?
-will they erode trust in the government and thus hamper the nation from going forward? after all, if the govt does not have the support of the people, then the country cannot move forward.
-will it stem corruption and wrongdoings by making powerful organisations toe the line since they know they are being 'watched'?

Qn: To what extent should there be limits to freedom of speech?

Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign

You should know by now that Hillary Clinton is attempting for the second time to become the first female President of the US in the 2016 Presidential Election!
Click HERE for the video which launched her campaign. It is commented by many to have crafted a perception of her as being more 'humble' and a candidate who wants to 'earn' the people's vote rather than one who sees it as n entitlement; in short, a people's president.

Note also in the article below about the astronomical sum involved in the election campaign budget, which runs into US$2.5billion (S$3.4billion)!!! That's an obscene amount of money! US$2,500 million!!!  -- for an election to select a candidate to lead the country! This is often one major criticism of democracy when huge amounts of money is pumped into campaigns; and if the money came from donations from MNCs, then the successfully elected president might be beholden to these MNCs and be pressured into coming up with policies that are 'friendly' to them....

Qns:
1) To what extent does the media affect our perception of events?
2) Consider the view that efficient government is more important than democracy. (Cam. 2011)

Plight of Foreign Workers

Click on the following two links:
1) Some who employ foreign workers still demand kickbacks
2) Boss 'not aware' of workers cramped living conditions


Qn: How far should firms be allowed to limit their workers' rights when profits are at stake? (Cam. 2014)

Let common sense prevail over extremist ideology

Why should not censor?
-enhance appeal of forbidden fruit; backfires by drawing attention to it
-cast suspicion on integrity of govt (something to hide?)
-futile effort, as like the hydra,\new sites pop up as existing ones are blocked...
-educate and counter is better; challenge false ideology, not block it, to show it's wrong
-if censor, cannot monitor and understand false ideology, making it difficult to police and control it....

Vocab:
-pulling the plug
-censorship is akin to closing the eye and hoping the problem will go away
-win hearts and minds
-digital martyrs
-like (the slaying of) the hydra
-silver bullet
-marketplace of ideas

Qn:
1) 'Censorship has no place in today's society.' Do you agree?
2) How far is it important for people to be aware of current events in countries other than their own? (Cam. 2014)
3) To what extent can the regulation of scientific or technological developments be justified? (Cam . 2014)