The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Protect our environmental reserves like fiscal reserves

Click HERE

But how natural are natural disasters? On closer examination, many "natural" disasters have a degree of human culpability; some are, in fact, wholly man-made.

while we cannot prevent earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, we can prevent them from becoming disasters by prediction and precautionary measures.

Qn: Assess the view that most natural disasters are the result of human activity. (Cam. 2016)

Can Pyeongchang Winter Olympics be a game changer in inter-Korean relations?

Click HERE

Note the pros and cons of hosting major sporting events:

-Pyongyang boycotted the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul and blew up a Korean Air flight the year before in its desperate attempt to disrupt the Games.....All 115 on board the plane died.
-The Pyeongchang Olympics, which will cost South Korea 14 trillion won (S$17 billion) to organise, is expected to generate economic benefits of up to 64.9 trillion won over the next decade, due to expanded infrastructure development and a tourism boom, said the Hyundai Research Institute.

-Being the host country will also allow South Korea to show off its latest innovations in information technology to the world, including a fifth-generation (5G) wireless network and self-driving buses, as well as organise cultural and K-pop events to extend its soft power.
-the Games presented a "precious chance to open the door" to further dialogue to address North Korea's nuclear issue.

Qns:

1. Hosting major sporting events creates more problems than benefits. Do you agree? (Cam. 2005)
2. Does sport merit the vast sums of money that are spent on it? (Cam. 2010)

Monday, January 29, 2018

Get more women on boards, firms urged

Click HERE

-the total representation of women on all companies listed in Singapore was 10.3 per cent....women occupy only just over 10 per cent of board seats

-women making up more than 45 per cent of the labour force today.

-danger of tokenism and the consequences of deviating from a meritocratic nomination process.

-Meritocracy and gender diversity are not mutually exclusive.

Qns:
1. To what extent are people judged more by their physical appearance than by their abilities? (Cam. 2017)
2. Evaluate the claim that equality of opportunity for females is a desirable, but unrealistic goal. (Cam. 2016)

3. In your society, how far is equality for all a reality? (Cam. 2012)

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Climate change: Many think they can't make a difference

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Singapore may contribute just 0.11 per cent of global emissions, but it ranks 26th out of 142 countries in terms of emissions per capita, according to 2015 data from the International Energy Agency.

one in three respondents of a 2016 survey here believes that what he does will not have any impact on this figure.

Qns:
1. Can we rely on science and technology to solve our environmental problems?
2. Assess the view that attempts to control climate change can never be truly effective. (Cam. 2017)

Shenzhen leads the way in switch to electric buses

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electric models that are quieter than the usual diesel-fuelled ones, making Shenzhen the first in the world to have a citywide all-electric bus fleet.

And the next target is to convert all its 17,000 taxis to electric ones by 2020. Already, 63 per cent of them are electric.

Note the limitations due to cost (each electric bus costing more than 1.6 million yuan (S$329,000), or four times the price of a diesel one), but this can be rebutted using subsidies from govt....

Qns:
1. Can we rely on science and technology to solve our environmental problems?


2. Assess the view that attempts to control climate change can never be truly effective. (Cam. 2017)

Casualties all round when history is a battleground

Click HERE

Some things may have already occurred in the past, but till today, people are still arguing about it....Other than the examples in the article, the more famous ones I can recall now include whether the Holocaust or the Nanking Massacre did occur....

Qn: ‘The past is not dead; it is not even past.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2017)

Thursday, January 25, 2018

An interesting quote....

An interesting quote I overheard on BBC:

"The Stone Age did not end because we run out of stones, but because there were better options."

The idea here is that we need to have the courage to embrace new options instead of always sticking with the comfort of existing options -- if we want to march towards progress. Currently, there are some groups of people who prefer sticking to coal, esp when there are still abundant supplies of it -- and hence, cheaper. The lesson point here is that we should not wait until we run our of oil/coal before we start looking for or using better options, such as those provided by green technology. Progress requires us to avail ourselves to better options even as existing options still apply.


What that horrible story about captive siblings says about America

Click HERE

Over a period of more than a decade, it appears that not one person who came in contact with this family - from relatives to neighbours to the many who must have observed something during the family's jaunts to Disneyland - felt impelled to call the police, child welfare officials or other authorities.

It symbolised the anonymity of city living, how Americans were becoming increasingly careless of one another, how bystanders will think someone else will act and do nothing.

Take the #MeToo movement. Sexual harassment doesn't occur in a vacuum. It takes loads of people to look away, from co-workers averting their eyes when forced contact happens, to the superiors and human resource managers who either fail to act, or, worse, protect the harasser when a situation is brought to their attention.

If you see something, consider saying something. To someone. To anyone.


Note the way the writer makes connection from the recent captive Turpins siblings case to the MeToo campaign....to reflect an underlying social disease -- indifference and reticene of society or the lack of interaction btw people living in the city, even if they live just next door to each other....

In not taking action and turning a blind eye to what happened, we become indirect accomplice in the crime by our very inaction, and hence have to shoulder part of the blame....Remember the Holocaust and Hitler's gobbling up of Europe while the allies clung on to their policy of appeasement in the hope that Hitler would stop once his appetite was satisfied -- but did he?.....

All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing -- Edmund Burke.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Bicentennial a chance to tell warts-and-all history of Singapore

Click HERE

-learn the phrase 'warts-and-all' (i.e. the whole thing, both the good and the bad, without concealing the bad, or being selective...)

-S'pore was founded by Raffles in 1819; coming 2019 will be the 200th anniversary, i.e. the bicentennial!

-while not an exact fit for the qn below, itcan be an interesting annecdote for an Opening BANG to show the transformative influence a foreign power can have on another place....realise that S'pore will probably be nothing, and perhaps never even exists (i.e. still a backward fishing village) , if not for the fact that Raffles landed here while searching for a place to counter the Dutch influence in the region at that time....


Qn: Does the presence of a foreign power ever help a country with problems? (Cam. 2008)

Facebook admits social media threat to democracy

Click HERE

democracy is a reflection of the will and choice of the people, and this choice is affected by the wisdom of the people, which is consequently influenced by the information they have access to or which they are exposed to.....herein lies the problem: social media can determine the kind of info that people are exposed to, and hence their decisions when it comes to politics....if we're not careful, social media can hijack democracy and make a mockery of what the people's will meant....

For Qns on regulation and control of social media...

Qn: Consider the view that efficient government is more important than democracy. (Cam. 2011)

Monday, January 22, 2018

Phelps bares his soul on struggle with depression

Click HERE

Good examples of Phelps (and Ian Thorpe) for:
-sport is good for your physical and mental health
-competition forces you to become better

Qn: Is competition always desirable? (Cam. 2016)

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Who is your friend? Bursting social-class bubbles

Click HERE

IF u r familiar with the concept of the filter bubble syndrome and the echo chamber effect that operate on social media, the phenomenon here works the same way, where people tend to hang out with those of the same kind. This lack of social mixing can perpetuate social prejudice and misconceptions, with the resulting impact on social cohesion...

Notably in Singapore, the schools and National Service (NS) for the guys are two major social institutions which force (or actively create opportunities for) Singaporeans to mix with those from other strata of the society that they normally would not have come into contact with....
BUT elite schools have slowly become closed circles (RI was  reported to have become a middle-class school a few years ago; i.e. they have no students from the lower income group)....As for NS, it only applies to guys....

The article also mentions, sports, the arts, CCAs, volunteering as ways for social mixing.....limitations include the short or irregular durations that do not allow for the fostering of deep relationships....

Note also that the school is a place not just for gaining knowledge but also for instilling values and for social mixing....


Qn: In an age where knowledge becomes obsolete so quickly, do schools still have a future?

US govt in shutdown after failure to pass funding Bill

Click HERE
Read also HERE: "Shutdown signals deeper dysfunction in govt"
The last shutdown in 2013 lasted 15 days and, according to reports, cost the country 6.6 million work days. That shutdown was blamed on the Republicans by then President Barack Obama..... With shutdowns weaponised for political effect, both parties seek to extract maximum mileage and blame each other.
One of the paramount features of democracy is the existence of checks and balances to deter the abuse if power... however, this is a doubled-edged sword, as seen in the example here....When the opposition is considerable, it may hamper efficiency and prevents the ruling party from doing what is good for the country. Sometimes, the opposition may try to block the ruling parrty from passing a bill, not because the bill was bad for the country, but because they do not want the ruling party to take credit for it and earn the public's graitude and support. ...
Qn: Consider the view that efficient government is more important than democracy. (Cam. 2011)

China's women-only parking spaces decried as sexist

Click HERE

the design reinforces stereotypes that women are bad drivers...."It is frankly discrimination against women
BUT
"The women's parking spaces are closer to the exits and monitoring systems, which is more convenient for female drivers to take a break or go shopping in the main building, and much safer, especially at night,"

Say 'no' to getting a ride from strangers, kids told

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"The sad truth is - it is not odd for adults to stop and offer assistance but because of our heightened awareness of security, we now perceive kind gestures as threats."

Think gracious society and the kindness movement....the culture of distrust that is slowly growing these days has made it such that people are hesitant to receive help and on the other spectrum, people are also starting to be hesitant to offer help out of fear of being misunderstood......Such a phenomenon can only spell bad news for the society...

Steps to shrink mountain of e-waste via better recycling

Click HERE

Note a post HERE on how 70% of all global e-waste make their way to China
[About 70 per cent of all global e-waste - defined as any device with an electric cord or battery - make their way to China through nearby Hong Kong or Guangdong's capital Guangzhou. Most end up in Guiyu, the largest of several e-waste dumping sites that include Taizhou city in eastern Zhejiang province.]

SINGAPORE:
Households here produce some 30,000 tonnes of e-waste a year - half of the total amount generated, equivalent to the weight of 110 Airbus 380 planes.
The survey found that e-waste was generally given to deliverymen to cart away, or thrown away. Such items also end up with scrap traders and rag-and-bone men, who lack the skills to fully recycle the items, and may end up discharging harmful chemical compounds or disposing of them with general waste.
Worse - if e-waste is incinerated, it would add to carbon emissions and contaminate the ash at the Semakau landfill, NEA warned.

Tennis: Filling the void left by WTA Finals

Click HERE

Note the stats:
-The WTA Finals will move to Shenzhen, China, from next year, in a decade-long deal reportedly worth some US$1 billion (S$1.3 billion).

-Singapore is believed to have spent US$14 million for each of the five editions of the WTA Finals it hosted,

Note some of the objectives behind the hosting, e.g. tourism, getting the locals interested in the sport, heighten international profile of the country.....

Qns:
1. Hosting major sporting events creates more problems than benefits. Do you agree? (Cam. 2005)
2. Does sport merit the vast sums of money that are spent on it? (Cam. 2010)

Empowering kids in need through art

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"Through the arts, we hope these children are empowered to self-advocate, embark on a journey of self-discovery and build resilience,"

Ms Loo hopes the art by children like Alfred and Rinn can change mindsets and encourage more people to accept and interact with them

Qn: ‘For the majority of people, the Arts are irrelevant to their daily lives.’ How true is this of your society? (Cam. 2014)

Friday, January 19, 2018

See the Civic District in a new light during Singapore Art Week

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Singapore Art Week -- A good example of the local arts scene to refute the oft-cited argument that the arts are esoteric and reserved only for the arty-farty (i.e. not meant for the layman / man-in-the-street)....

Qn: ‘For the majority of people, the Arts are irrelevant to their daily lives.’ How true is this of your society? (Cam. 2014)

Divided over intergenerational support

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Are you willing to pay more taxes to fund higher social spending for the elderly? Or should the national reserves be tapped instead?

Two in five respondents - or about 40 per cent - said they were not comfortable with higher taxes and would rather tap reserves. A slightly lower proportion - about 34 per cent - indicated the opposite. The remainder were neutral.

"There is a tension between self-reliance and a sense of community. The results actually show that we can't decide whether we should take care of ourselves or if we should care for other generations,"

Note this dichotomy btw inter-generational solidarity vs self-reliance....is there something to be said about the sizable number of Singaporeans being unwilling to pay high taxes to support the old people in their country who are unrelated to them?

Qn: ‘People are willing to put their country before self.’ To what extent is this true of your society? (MI Prelim 2017)

Questions over Beijing's rising loans to Pacific nations

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The pros and cons....see also my earlier post on this issue at HERE.

Most analysts say the aid programme has various purposes, including promoting development and trade, but it is also designed to curry influence.....For years, China has used aid in the Pacific to try to prevent recognition of Taiwan. In turn, Taiwan has used aid to win recognition from some six Pacific nations - roughly a third of all the countries that recognise Taiwan.....Some analysts have suggested that China's aid was potentially designed to recoup a strategic benefit from the future indebtedness of small Pacific nations. But it can be hard to assess precisely what China seeks to gain from its Pacific aid.
BUT then hor......

"The one thing the Pacific needs is roads. It is good for accessing healthcare, it can mean a kid going to school or it can mean the difference for a farmer getting his goods to market."


Qns:
1. Does the presence of a foreign power ever help a country with problems? (Cam. 2008)
2. Consider the view that foreign intervention in a country’s affairs does more harm than good. (JJC Prelim 2017)
3. Is there still a place for charity in today’s world? (Cam. 2006)



Steven Spielberg rushed to make The Post in 9 months

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Qn: Do films offer anything more than an escape from reality? (Cam. 2014)

Pakistan and China's debt trap diplomacy

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By making foreign countries financially dependent on China, debt trap diplomacy has proven effective in allowing Beijing to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously through purely economic means. These include creating markets for its cheap exports, gaining access to invaluable natural resources, ensuring support for its geostrategic interests from borrower nations, and garnering a competitive advantage over its rivals, chief among them, India and the US.

Bring to mind the adage 'there's no such thing a s a free lunch'. Sometimes, we need to exercise caution when making the descision to accept help from someone. Sometimes, foreign aid comes with strings attached, which may not be favourable to the recipient country in the long run. The history of Western imperialism is a good example of this, where Western powers made inroads into its colonies in Africa, India and Southeast Asia on the 'pretext' of 'the White Man's burden', only to exploit the natives, the repercussions of which are still felt today. Hence, beware the angel who may be the devil in disguise! This was why during the Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in 2008, the Burmese govt refused to allow international aid organizations into Myanmar to help the local victims, out of the fear that the humanitarian aid-givers will use that as a pretext to meddle with domestic politics to push for greater democracy in the country.

But for the aid-giving/ donor country/organization, providing aid to countries in need is one way to extend one's influence, as seen in the cas ehere of China. Similar acts by MNCs can also generate goodwill for its brand or lend it a foothold in the domestic market of the country they are giving aid to...

Qns:
1. Does the presence of a foreign power ever help a country with problems? (Cam. 2008)
2. Consider the view that foreign intervention in a country’s affairs does more harm than good. (JJC Prelim 2017)
3. Is there still a place for charity in today’s world? (Cam. 2006)

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Unesco listing both a boon and bane for George Town

Click HERE

"There's going to be a big change. You won't be able to recognise George Town later." 

Excellent read on the impact of tourism on a country via the example of Geroge Town in Penang, Malaysia.

Note the term 'gentrification' -- affluent middle to upper class moving into a poor district, in the process displacing the poor (and often older ones), i.e. causing the poor to move out....

As the poor move out, along with them go the lifetyle and traditional cultures that lend the place its unqiue, characteristic colour that is what lure the tourists there in the first place. In their place are the richer owners who wish to make profits by catering to the tastes of the tourists. The old shops thus end up becoming run of the mill cafes, esp those with international brands like Starbucks....As the article pointed out, some that sell traditional food unique to the area began to sell Singapore chicken rice too as it is popular with tourists. But what is Singapore food doing in a uniquely Malaysian town? The result is that tourism has led to the commercialization, and consequent dilution, of the original culture in the country. Given this, it can be said that gentrification is guilty of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs when it comes to tourism. In the rush to attract more tourists and earn more revenue from them, one should not forget what draws the tourists to the spot in the first place.... 

Note though that had it not been for tourism, the old buildings may have been left to rot. It is the tourist interest that has sparked off a rejuvenation of the old district and given it a new lease of life. Money from investors starts to pour in as there is profits to be made.....unfortunately, the argument now is that while the facade of the old buildings has been preserved, the same cannot be said of what's happening INSIDE these buildings, i.e. the people and the traditions they practise....(see previous para)

The arrival of the hordes of tourists also interfere with the lives of the remaining locals....the prying eyes of the tourists taking selfies which intrudes into the privacy of the locals....recall also recent reports of how hordes of big-spending Chinese tourists emptied the shops of goods in Hokkaido, leaving the locals with little to buy.....

Relate to qns on tourism and the 2016 'A' level AQ.

Qn: Should poorer countries develop their tourist industry when the basic needs of their own people are not being met? (Cam. 2007)


Racist image: H&M temporarily closes S. Africa stores


180108164147-hm-coolest-monkey-hoodie-780x439.png

Click HERE




The image showed a black child modelling a hooded sweatshirt that said "coolest monkey in the jungle". Two other jungle-themed sweatshirts that did not mention monkeys were modelled by white children.



-at the heart of the storm is the ad in the pic above.... the H&M ad features the boy wearing a sweatshirt with the label: Coolest monkey in the jungle.
-compare this to another controversial racist detergent ad (Click HERE to watch) some time back where a black guy was forced into a washing machine and emerged 'white' after having been 'cleaned' by the said detergent.....
-note that it is images like this in the media (and advertising is a primary culprit) that feed into our impressions about steretypes, constituting our biases..leading to continuing discrimination in society...
-businesses nowadays (esp those that are MNCs) have a responsibility towards the society in which they function and derive profits from....it is not just about the environmental impact they have, but also social impact (i.e. social values which they help to perpetuate)...realise also that consumer backlash can also impact profits; hence, businesses also need to have an ethical conscience.

-Note also how what is funny to one may be insulting to another...humour can obviously grab eyeballs, but it can also result in the wrong kind of attention, as in a backlash....hence leading to serious consequences...

Qn:
1.Should advertising be restricted?
2.‘There is no such thing as bad publicity.’ To what extent is this true (Cam. 2015)
3. In your society, how far is equality for all a reality? (Cam. 2012)
4. 'Profit is the sole concern when it comes to doing business.' Discuss.
5. Can humour ever be serious? (Cam. 2012)

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Funnyman Kumar is raising laughs for a serious cause

Click HERE

"Laughter is the best way to get messages across. When people laugh, they do a bit of self-reflection and confront uncomfortable truths," said Kumar.

"It is very good that Kumar comes to talk to us to understand what is happening in our lives. I watch TV, and experts make observations and analysis about things, but no one hears the voices of the ones who are actually suffering on the ground."...."I don't think people will really understand the issues we face, but I think the laughter will at least spark some awareness."

Qns:
1. Can humour ever be serious? (Cm. 2012)
2. Is there still a place for charity in today’s world? (Cam. 2006)
3. ‘For the majority of people, the Arts are irrelevant to their daily lives.’ How true is this of your society? (Cam. 2014)

Quoting from President Xi....

A colourful quote by President Xi..."Hit the tiger if it rears its head, swat the flies if they anyhow fly"....He used this to urge his officials to stem corrpution.




Thursday, January 11, 2018

Concerns over where to draw the line in fighting fake news

Click HERE

Note the valid concerns about how legislations to combat fake news may run the risk of stifling free speech online as well as the voice of the oppostion.

Note also the excellent local examples in the article on fake news under the section entitled: "Cases of Fake News brought up in Parliament", esp NTUC selling halal pork and the Punggol roof collapse. Good international examples of fake news will include Brexit and of course the US Presidential Elections where Donald Trump won due to the circulation of fake news on Hillary Clinton.

For qns on regulation of the media.

Qn: Is regulation of the press desirable? (Cam. 2017)


Why Oprah should not run for president

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A case of why showbusiness celeberities and politics should not mix. Think also about how the media (esp new media) has influenced politics.

The criteria for having access to nuclear weapons should not be "I liked this person on TV", whether you were watching The Apprentice or The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil...Really?

This one is just something off the cuff...
consider the ongoing saga btw Trump and Kim Jong En....

By constantly speaking the 'truth' about his feelings (i.e. with no filter), Trump is stoking the fire btw the two nations and provoking a more defiant reaction from NKorea.
On the part of N Korea, something rather interesting seems to be happening....No one seems to know for sure what the NKorean leader is thinking, or what game he's playing....he's able to play this mind game with the world because he keeps people guessing as to whether he's telling the truth....In contrast, Trump comes across as pretty transparent.
In shorting, telling the truth in politics is akin to being a book, where matters may be read (I'm quoting Shakespeare here, btw...). And we all know that when it comes to playing chess, u don't want to let others know what your next move will be...Kim Jong En thus comes across as a masterful chess player..Just think about it -- small country isolated in one corner of the globe, and yet it is able to hold the entire world hostage in a sense....
In ancient strategies of war, most required setting traps and luring the enemies....all of which involve dishonesty, esp when it is a case of David up against the mighty Goliath.

But then again, Trump, in having no filters, and being blatantly 'honest' about his feelings in that sense, has also been termed 'unpredictable'. But Trump is 'unpredictable' coz he is not diplomatic. Diplomacy requires a distinction btw what you say publicly and what you actually feel inside, i,e. diplomacy is akin to dishonesty. Hence, in being painfully honest, Trump is being undiplomatic and hence unpredictable in the political sense.
The unpredictability of Kim Jong En's 'dishonesty' affords him some security; at the very least, it buys him valuable time. But what about Trump's unpredictability?

Moving away from politics to showbusiness.....what about celebrities? Should they come clean about their scandals? (drugs, molest, sexual orientation, plastic surgery, etc.) or should they retain a cloak/aura of mystery by not revealing everything to keep people guessing, hence increasing their interest value in the public's eye? OR are there any celebrities who are popular because they are known to be honest?


Qns:
1) Honest is the best policy. What are your views?
2) 'People should always tell the truth.' Do you think there are any situations in which this might not be the best thing to do? Explain your views. (Cam. 'O' level 2107)

A gold for diplomacy if two Koreas march as one

Click HERE

Note the pun on 'gold' (goal) in the title...

A good example of sport diplomacy...note that the original ideal behind the first Ancient Olympic Games in Athens is rooted in the notion of peace, where the various Greek states took a break from war to participate in sport....

Qn: Does sport merit the vast sums of money that are spent on it? (Cam. 2010)

'We've got this' response from 4G16 shows mettle

Click HERE

Note the use of figurative language at the end in the closing BANG....the soccer imagery not only summarises the essence of the writer's views, but also makes for a colouful ending to the piece....

Useful also for qns about whether intelligence is all that matters in this world. Realise that besides intelligence and competence, certain jobs requires you also to be a team player, able to communicate and work with others, as well as command their respect....

The current scandal involving Donald Trump in the tell-all book "Fire and Fury" is a classic example....Trump is denounced as an idiot (i.e. no intelligence), and his EQ (esp with the media and politicians like Kim Jong En) is not exactly stellar either; he's always saying the 'wrong' things on twitter....Obabma, on the other hand, is well-known for both his intelligence and his EQ....He's tremendously popular....and I don't anyone would call the Harvard-trained lawyer a moron!


Qn: ‘Practical ability is just as important as intellectual skills.’ How far is this true in your society? (Cam. 2017)

Digging deeper to go beyond saying 'nice'

Click HERE

Just a piece to show you that 'nice' is not really such a nice word to use....esp for those writing descriptive essays....go for more vivid and precise adjectives instead....

Why Asean is good for Singapore

Click HERE

For qns on how small countries can survive in the world.....as  well as qns on cooperation.

Qn: The key to success is cooperation, not competition. Discuss.

Capital idea: Preserving the past through art in India's Amaravati

Click HERE

Potential rebuttal for the oft-cited point that you need to preserve the old buildings to retain our memories of them....in land-scarce Singapore, perhaps one way to retain them is through art....paintings, sculptures, literature and photograps have the advantage of not needing land yet still able to preserve our memories...
But how effective is this? do photos and paintings have the same effect as the real deal (i.e. buildings)?

Qn: Assess the view that traditional buildings have no future in your society. (Cam. 2016)

Saturday, January 06, 2018

This can blow ur mind away...at least mine was!

Nothing to do with GP, but just something mind-blowing that I feel must be enshrined here!!! Obviously, the photographer could be lying, but what the heck!
For those who can't read Chinese, it's about this bunch of birds who gathered in formation to form a big 'bird' in order to scare off a predator! At least, that's what the photographer who took this photo claims. Talk about Transformers -- where the various robots come together to form a BIG one! Think UltraMagnus or Dinobots or the Constructicons!


Tuesday, January 02, 2018

If #MeToo goes too far

Click HERE

A thought-provoking piece on the backlash of #MeToo campaign....

All societies make necessary moral distinctions between high crimes and misdemeanours, mortal and lesser sins. A murderer is worse than a thief. A drug dealer is worse than a user. And so on.
Gillibrand, Driver and others want to blur such distinctions, on the theory that we need a zero-tolerance approach. That may sound admirable, but it's legally unworkable and, in many cases, simply unjust.

Listening is always essential. But one-way conversations go down about as well with most men as they do with most women, and #MeToo isn't going to succeed in the long run if the underlying message is #STFU. Movements that hector and punish rather than educate and reform have a way of inviting derision and reaction.


Qn: All forms of discrimination are undesirable. Do you agree?

Arts House sets out sequence of events leading to cancellation of launch of The Phantom Of Oxley Castle

Click HERE

Possible example of censorship or self-censorship in Singapore...

Cyborg beetles in search and rescue missions?

Click HERE

For qns on how science and technology can assist mankind, esp in dangerous tasks....

Hotels slash prices amid cancellations

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for qns on downsides of tourism; rebuttal (limitation) to the point that tourism contributes to economic growth... economic growth can be hijacked by natural disasters...

We are all responsible for our planet

Click HERE

Qn: "The key to saving the environment lies with the government, not the people." Discuss.

Religion is as much about social glue as staying true

Click HERE

Interesting nugget of info for BANGING!:-

The word religion derives from the Latin re ligare, which means to bind, a conference speaker noted.