How did baldness go from acceptable to alarming?

Click HERE

The mass marketing of anti-baldness products in the 20th century changed how baldness was seen. It transformed the perception of baldness from a benign aesthetic to a disadvantageous disease in need of “cure”.

Qn: 'People today are far too easily persuaded to spend money on things they don't need.' Do you agree that advertising has made us wasteful? (Cam. 'O' lvl 2022)

Gaming platforms like Roblox can lead to rabbit holes where sex predators, extremists lurk: Experts

Click HERE

Drop me a note if u wish to read the full article but don't have access to the above link....

such multiplayer gaming platforms are also where sexual predators and extremists lurk, ready to lead young users down rabbit holes where the lines between online and offline worlds are blurred.

extremist groups were using popular online games to recruit young Australians by exposing them to dangerous content such as violent re-creations of real-life terrorist events.

extremists are also producing and launching their own video games “to generate attention, exploit the popularity of video games and present their ideology in an entertaining and immersive format”.

If the virtual reality promises power and glory, reinforced by messages and footage suggesting the real possibility of achieving power and glory in an alternative social order, a person with an uncritical, undiscerning mind and a less than ideal existence with no hope for the future could easily be enticed.”

For qns on social media, gaming, youth and play.....

Ix Shen’s non-profit organisation provides medical supplies to hospitals in Ukraine

Click HERE

Useful example of local celebrity.....

Lego releases new figures with missing limbs, dog in wheelchair in nod to diversity, inclusion

Click HERE

Lego’s new addition is the latest in a string of moves by companies to market products that are more inclusive and aimed at children. Earlier in February, publisher Puffin Books announced it had hired sensitivity readers to rewrite parts of British author Roald Dahl’s books to remove language that could be deemed offensive. Passages relating to weight, mental health, gender and race have been modified.

Toy manufacturer Hasbro dropped the “Mr” from Mr Potato Head’s name in 2021 to be more gender inclusive. 

For qns on toy, play and pursuit of solely profits

Qn: 'Big companies are concerned only with profits.’ Is this a fair assessment? (RI Prelim 2022)

Light Out, Huck, They Still Want to Sivilize You

Click HERE

An old post on censorship of literature/books....compare with the ongoing saga on censorship of Roald Dahl's children's books....

Never a Dahl moment when books are declawed for kids

Click HERE

Drop me a note if u wish to read the full article but don't have access to the above link....

Note the pun in the catchy title above....

Editing Roald Dahl: Help children to navigate history, don’t try to rewrite it

Click HERE

Note the evaluation using books meant for adults vs children....

Some of the issues of censoring art can be seen HERE and HERE

The changes, recommended by sensitivity readers, include removing or replacing words describing the appearance of characters, and adding gender-neutral language in places.

In Matilda, the protagonist no longer reads the works of Rudyard Kipling but Jane Austen.

Should we consider children’s literature on a par with adult literature, where altering the author’s original words is roundly condemned? Or do we accept that children’s fiction should be treated differently because it has a role in inducting them into the contemporary world?

Children’s literature implicitly shapes the minds of child readers by presenting particular social and cultural values as normal and natural. The term we use for this process within the study of children’s literature is “socialisation”. People do not view literature for adults as directly forming how they think in this way, even if certain books might be seen as obscene or morally repugnant.

Dahl’s original Oompa Loompas were “a tribe of tiny miniature pygmies” whom Willy Wonka “discovered” and “brought over from Africa” to work in his factory for no payment other than cacao beans. While Dahl vehemently denied that the novel depicted black people negatively, he revised the book. The Oompa Loompas then became residents of “Loompaland” with “golden-brown hair” and “rosy-white skin”.

refusing to alter texts may still be troubling for segments of the readership (for example, black children reading editions of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn in which the “N” word has not been removed).

Although many aspects of the fictional past do not accord with the ideal version of the world we might wish to present to children, as adults we can help them to navigate that history, rather than hoping we can rewrite it.

Does Budget 2023 suggest that Singapore remains a ‘nanny state’?

Click HERE

Drop me a note if u wish to read the full article but don't have access to the above link....

2 teens dealt with under ISA: How terrorist groups target youth online through games, chats

Click HERE

The groups have also disseminated their ideological beliefs through video games, using in-game communication features to recruit vulnerable gamers and tapping gaming culture to increase their reach among younger people

For example, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group has released propaganda videos which contain scenes that parallel those of popular online video games, while far-right extremists have also repurposed elements from video games to amplify their violence. This includes live-streaming their attacks in the style of first-person shooter video games, such as in the case of the 2019 attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Halle, Germany.

a 15-year-old who desired to behead people he considered as “disbelievers” and become a suicide bomber was detained under the ISA last December. In January, a 16-year-old who created ISIS propaganda videos using footage from online gaming platform Roblox was handed a restriction order.

The Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill was also passed in November 2022 that lets the Government direct social media services to disable access to harmful content by Internet users in Singapore...“However, in some cases, it may not be possible to block specific chat groups or channels on social media platforms, without cutting off all local access to entire platforms. Furthermore, new platforms and accounts can easily resurface

For qns on youth and the internet....and games/play

World’s biggest 4-day work week trial finds few participants going back to 5-day week

Click HERE

convinced by revenue gains, drops in turnover and lower levels of worker burnout that four is the new five when it comes to work days.

However, recent evidence showed that many in Britain actually wanted to work more hours. Many saw that as a lifeline to boost their earnings in the cost-of-living crisis

 It is also shifting household dynamics as men reported that they took on more childcare and housework – although men still do not carry a 50 per cent share.

Still, when it comes to the link between days worked and flexibility, some are sceptical that less is more. “You lose flexibility with four days

Qn: 'Salary is everything when choosing a career today.' Do you agree? (CJC Prelim 2022)

When a visit to the museum becomes an ethical dilemma

Click HERE

European and American museums have long resisted calls for repatriation, arguing that objects from Africa, Asia and elsewhere were legally obtained, that they are safer where they are, and that passing time and turmoil have made it impossible to determine rightful owners.

The fact that the British Museum is one of the world’s great attractions, where anyone can view, in one place, the achievements of human history, is one argument against repatriation. But consensus is building that such an attraction should not come at the expense of cultural plunder.

Perhaps most crucially, he said, the project offers a hopeful narrative to the local population. “When they understand how sophisticated, how advanced and how great the Benin Kingdom was relative to what was happening in Europe at the time, it can give people a sense of optimism for the future,”

Qn:  ‘Works of art which have been removed from their country of origin should be returned.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2018)

Abortion film Call Jane even more timely after Roe v Wade overturning, says star Elizabeth Banks

Click HERE

the movie Call Jane is a reminder of what it was like trying to get an abortion in the United States in the 1960s – a timely topic given that the US Supreme Court overturned a ruling enshrining that right in June 2022.

“And, hopefully, this little film can invite people in and remind them, perhaps, of who’s really at risk here, and hopefully it will make a difference at the polls

Qn: ‘Films are concerned with escaping from the problems of everyday life, rather than addressing them.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2021)

Salman Rushdie, other authors slam rewriting of Roald Dahl’s books as ‘absurd censorship’

Click HERE

slammed the changes in Puffin Books’ new editions of Dahl’s books to passages relating to weight, mental health, gender and race. For instance, the word “fat” has been trimmed from new editions of relevant books, while the word “ugly” has also been culled.

This is wrong. Ban a book if you must. Or put a content warning at the front. But don’t rewrite it. Don’t put words in an author’s mouth (especially one who has no say in the matter).”

If we start down the path of trying to correct for perceived slights instead of allowing readers to receive and react to books as written, we risk distorting the work of great authors and clouding the essential lens that literature offers on society.”

Qns:  

1. ‘In a free society, there should be no restrictions on freedom of speech.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2020)

2. Can fiction teach us anything meaningful about the real world? (Cam. 2019)

How Singaporean Edwin Toh landed a top job in Google despite not having a degree

Click HERE

He says one of the things he loves about his job at Google is that he gets to work on new projects and is constantly learning. Another big plus: He is surrounded by peers who are smart, curious and passionate about their work.

Sure, everyone is impressed by the perks we have at Google – the amazing cafes and restaurants, the haircuts, the laundry service. It is nice to have these perks – it makes my life a lot easier

He has what I call the growth mindset, and that is one of the most valuable qualities that we look for in our employees,...A growth mindset is a common characteristic among our best staff, and the ability to continually learn, especially from mistakes. It is one of the biggest drivers of good performance and results. It is about curiosity. And it is the biggest driver of innovation. If you look at how Google has evolved into the great company that it is today, that is something that we look for in our people – that they continue to be curious and continue to learn.

Teamwork skills such as active listening, supporting teammates and working for the good of the group as a whole, are essential for Googlers. Innovation happens when teams of people from diverse communities, cultures and disciplines come together, challenging one another to spark even better ideas.

If we hire you based on your skills, we will get a skilled employee. If we hire you based on your skills, and your enduring passions, and your distinct experiences and perspectives, we will get a Googler. 

Google has multi-pronged sustainability efforts – from decarbonising its operations to using its technology to enable businesses to calculate their carbon footprints and help consumers make sustainable choices.

Qns: 

1. What is your idea of an ideal job? Describe a person whom you think holds that job.

2. 'Nothing great can be achieved without teamwork.' What are your views on this?

3. 'Salary is everything when choosing a career today.' Do you agree? (CJC Prelim 2022)

4. 'Profit is the sole motive when doing business.' Discuss.

Of pride and taste buds: Indonesians flock to local coffee chains due to lower prices, special offerings

Click HERE

They do it because it is cheaper, the offerings cater to local tastes, and there’s a desire to support home-grown businesses.

home-grown coffee chains also have a better appreciation for the varieties of local beans in Indonesia, which customers are increasingly interested in.

Coffee drinkers say there is also an element of patriotism in buying coffee from local chains, which keeps them coming back to support local businesses. “There is pride in Indonesian coffee. The brands have direct connections with the farmers, and this brings with it support for local ecology too,

For qns on globalization eroding local businesses and culture....compare with Singapore's Yakun coffee chain, Old Chang Kee, etc...

Since when do children owe parents a living for raising them?

Click HERE

Drop me a note if u wish to read the full article but don't have access to the above link....

Mural at Serangoon MRT station depicts war hero Lim Bo Seng who lived in the area

Click HERE

Note the function of the arts in decorating what would otherwise be a sterile and barren -- albeit functioning -- space,....and also as a vehicle for conveying history -- capturing a slice of history to the arts; offering a 'window' for commuters to take a peek into the history of the nation...

“We hope that the Serangoon mural will remind the residents of Serangoon’s rich history and culture, and help build a stronger sense of identity within the local community,”

the mural served as a reminder of “the difficult times that Singapore had gone through during the war years and the sacrifice of some brave men and women who put the country before themselves”.

 

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

Young people cite anonymity, safe space in turning to Discord for mental health peer support

 Click HERE

find like-minded people going through mental health struggles.....“I am too shy and introverted, but the people there were very expressive and eloquent,” she said. “I have social anxiety so it takes time for me to warm up to people that I have just met. Being anonymous makes it easier for me to be vulnerable.”

Singapore’s economy does not sufficiently value those doing ‘hands-on and heart work’: DPM Wong

Click HERE

The median starting salary for a university graduate is now almost twice that of an ITE graduate, with the earnings gap increasing over their lifetimes

Singapore is already tackling the wage gap between people engaged in “head work” and “hands and heart work” through various ways

The Republic has also uplifted the wages of lower-wage workers through the Progressive Wage Model (PWM)

wages is just one part of the debate for many people because respect and dignity matter equally, if not more. “We must move away from preconceptions that academic success should be prized above all others. Instead, we must respect those who labour with their hands and hearts, and confer upon them the same status as other paths

Qns: 

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

2. 'Workers today have never had it better.' Is this an accurate view?

Telegram group circulating obscene images allegedly of Singaporean women; police investigating

Click HERE

Drop me a note if u wish to read the full article but don't have access to the above link....

such chat groups continue to run rampant because of the sheer amount of data available online for harvesting.....From public social media accounts to corporate networking accounts, the availability of and accessibility to personal photos and faces are endless

It is important to recognise that sexual violence does not have to be physical to be traumatising for a survivor.

For qns on social media...

Boy in China threatens dad with cleaver after being banned from playing mobile phone games

Click HERE

Many gaming companies have introduced rules prohibiting minors from playing games for too long and require each player to upload his identity card and undergo facial recognition verification to prove his age. For example, China’s largest producer of mobile games, Tencent Games, made it a rule that minors could play games produced by Tencent only from 8pm to 9pm for a designated 14-day period during the most recent winter break.

For qns on parenting, video games addiction ....

‘Like my second home’: Crane operator’s TikTok videos of how he eats and answers nature’s call go viral

Click HERE

Malaysia’s ‘sin industries’ plan for rising Islamic conservatism ahead of state polls

Click HERE

Drop me a note if u wish to read the full article but can't have access to the above link....

Qn: How important is it for people in your society to retain a sense of tradition? (Cam. 2010)

The Petrov dilemma: Moral responsibility in the age of ChatGPT

Click HERE

Drop me a note if u wish to read the full article but can't have access to the above link....

With power, comes responsibility. The decision to do nothing accrues responsibility when action is a possibility. We are responsible for the consequences if we choose to do nothing, or simply follow orders. Sometimes we must follow rules, authorities, law or orders: but we should always ask, are they right? AI, such as ChatGPT, can provide us with means to achieve our ends. But it should never dictate to us what our ends should be. Only humans can make decisions about good and bad, right and wrong. The biggest threat of AI is that it results in dehumanisation as we blithely accept its output without taking a first person stance and evaluating the justifiability of its output. We must be active participants engaging with technology, not passive consumers.

For qns on science and tech.....

Zoom founder Eric Yuan looks ahead to ‘Chapter 2’ of the videoconferencing giant’s journey

Click HERE

I was very fascinated and inspired by Bill Gates

The most important thing is to have a dream. “The earlier you have a dream, the better for you. Then keep working as hard as you can, stay humble.”

“I think as long as you find your passion in working hard, that’s a success. The process is very important. Find your passion and enjoy that.”

Qns:

1. 'Salary is everything when choosing a career today.' Do you agree? [CJC Promo 2022)

2. How important are dreams? [Cam. 2008)

Europe’s four-day work week – boon or bane?

Click HERE

Drop me a note if u wish to read the full article but can't have access to the above link....

An interview with AI: What ChatGPT says about itself

 Click HERE

Why Singapore’s policies are for Singaporeans alone to decide

Click HERE

Good read for grasp of local context....

Chinese scientists successfully clone ‘super cows’

Click HERE

Chinese scientists have cloned three “super cows” able to produce 18,000 litres of milk per year and over 100,000 litres of milk in their lifetimes, a feat that may help reduce China’s dependency on imported dairy cows.

For qns on sci&tech and food security

Forum: Moving towards preparing students for the school of life

Click HERE

schools have been shifting our efforts beyond preparing our students for life in school, to equipping them for the school of life.

Green groups see red over NEA anti-waste social experiment which generated more waste

Click HERE

Interestingly, sometimes shock therapies actually induce the intended result more effectively, particularly over a longer time. The campaign seems to be like a shock to change consumer behaviour more rapidly and perhaps permanently.

Relate to Qns on how the arts can cause discomfort or shock people....

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

Prof who went on to co-found Moderna was told to ‘find another job’ after pitching drug delivery idea

 Click HERE

A senior scientist sat quizzing us while smoking a cigar. When he heard my concept for drug delivery, he blew a cloud of smoke in my face and said, ‘You better start looking for another job’,” said Prof Langer.

Olympics: IOC rejects ‘defamatory’ criticism from Ukraine

Click HERE

Qn 'Sport and politics should not mix.' Discuss.