The age of war-fighting robots is upon us

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Optimists argue robots can be carefully programmed to follow rules, and in the heat and confusion of combat, they may even obey better than humans. Pessimists counter by noting not all situations can be foreseen, and robots may well misunderstand and attack when they should not. They have a point.

Clever design may overcome such problems in future autonomous systems. ...a “responsible and ethical approach to AI and autonomous systems” ...which suggests any system able to kill targets will still need formal authorisation from a human to do so.

much of the technology behind autonomous military drones has been developed for civilian purposes

Qns:

1. Should limits be placed on the development of artificial intelligence? (ACJC Prelim 2023)

2. 'Wars should be fought by people, not by machines.' How far do you agree? (CJC J2 MYE 2023)

3. Examine the extent to which expenditure on arms and the armed forces is justified in the modern world. (Cam. 2014)

Can fast fashion kick its dirty habits?

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addressing the huge damage the textile industry causes to the planet means moving away entirely from a growth economy that requires people “to go on buying things with money they don’t have for things they don’t necessarily need”.

“Circularity doesn’t mean it is not capitalistic. You can create new companies and new wealth (without exhausting) the raw material...there is a business “opportunity for people who are creative and innovative”.

Qns:

1. ‘Consumerism is more of a curse than a blessing.’ How true is this of your society? (Cam. 2022)

2. Fashion is as much a good thing as a bad thing. To what extent do you agree? (Cam. 2009)

Which animals should a modern-day Noah put in his ark?

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Qn: Since the extinction of species is a natural phenomenon, is there any point in trying to prevent it? (Cam. 2022)

Photoshopped or real? Egret photo taken in Japan goes viral globally, sparks online debate

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Just something I find intriguing..... 😄

Link to why authenticity is perceived as a reflection of real skills.....

Qn: To what extent is authenticity valuable today? (ASRJC Prelim 2023)

AI is transforming music, threatening musicians

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Qns: 

1. Should limits be placed on the development of artificial intelligence? (ACJC Prelim 2023)

2. To what extent is authenticity valuable today? (ASRJC Prelim 2023)

Owning it: Trump embraces historic mugshot as a branding opportunity

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“As a marketer, this is his genius – that he can reclaim whatever is said, or whatever is accused, or whatever imagery is created, and turn it into something which stands for the story he wants to tell,”

Qn: ‘There is no such thing as bad publicity.’ To what extent is this true? (Cam. 2015)

Would you buy a Barbie doll for your son?

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Toy company Mattel, owner of the Barbie brand, also released a range of movie dolls and merchandise, banking on the box-office success to help move boxes off the shelves.

We cite tradition and nature to say dolls are for girls and cars are for boys, but toys were not always gendered like that. Researchers say it was capitalism that gave rise to this divide.

The stereotypes seen in toy marketing have gone on to shape or reinforce stereotypes prevalent in adult life, such as ideas of women’s and men’s roles in society.

Some researchers have also blamed this for the low numbers of girls taking science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or Stem, subjects and boys lagging behind in developing the nurturing and emotional skills needed in adulthood.

Though the 11.5-inch doll was born of an intention to show girls that they could be anything they wanted, it has been vilified for promoting an unrealistic body image and perpetuating stereotypes over the years....Various studies have linked playing with impossibly slim dolls to low body esteem and an increased risk of eating disorders in children.

For qns on toys and the value of play.....

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

Loch Ness set for biggest monster hunt in decades

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For qns on myths and legends on tourism.....compare with our Merlion....

Qn: Do myths and legends still have a role to play in Singapore? (Cam. 2006)

Burning joss paper: Duty of care behind Hungry Ghost Festival offerings

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many festivals and rituals in contemporary societies are centred on memory and heritage in the form of connecting with others, and why the Hungry Ghost Festival is so enduring.

We do this, consciously or unconsciously, as a way to affirm who we are, sometimes in contrast with who we are not.

This is possibly why previous well-meaning initiatives to introduce “digital burning”, using apps to send joss paper to the netherworld, have not proved popular with the majority of believers (yet) because too many do not equate digital transmogrification with physical transmogrification.

how beliefs in ghosts and spirits were a cultural form of coping with death. 

For qns on traditions, culture, superstitions and rituals.....

AI comes with risks, and more can be done to minimise them

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Generative AI also has the potential to pose powerful threats, particularly when it comes to cyber security. Malicious actors can use AI to generate code for malware.

There are also worries about AI entrenching biases in hiring processes – candidate ranking tools may favour an “ideal” candidate profile based on the dominant race or gender in a particular field. 

Generative AI also allows for the mass creation of disinformation, such as fake news articles and deepfakes in the form of misleading images, video or audio.

Qn: Should limits be placed on the development of artificial intelligence? (ACJC Prelim 2023)

Jakarta city employees, students told to work, study from home to curb air pollution

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Jakarta has more than 24.5 million vehicles travelling its roads, with millions more commuting from nearby satellite cities every day.

motorised vehicular emissions were the largest source of pollution in the capital, contributing to up to 57 per cent of the pollution during the dry season.

Qns: 

1. 'City living is not healthy living.' What is your view? (VJC J1 MYE 2022)

2. Consider the view that most work these days could, and should, be done from home. (Cam. 2010)

Lawyers should learn AI but must be aware of its ethical risks: Chief Justice Menon

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Note opening with a BANG using an anecdote/eg

Such tools are obviously not bound by values like honesty and integrity, and can therefore provide wholly incorrect answers

one such case had already happened in Singapore. ...“There has been at least one case in which a self-represented person used ChatGPT to create submissions that included fabricated case law.

Harvey, an AI tool tailored to the legal field that can answer legal queries, summarise information, and prepare drafts of documents...“Generative AI tools will greatly enhance existing uses of AI in the law such as in legal research and the creation of legal documents. The current crop of tools are already highly adept at interpreting user queries and synthesising complex information.

AI has to be the tool, and not the workman itself

Qn: Should limits be placed on the development of artificial intelligence? (ACJC Prelim 2023)

Important to build culture of respect and compassion, deepen skills: Tharman

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the role of religion in society,.....where people do not have some spiritual beliefs, they may be more materialistic and individualistic.

“The spiritual side of a society is also a way in which people feel there’s some relationship with each other.” One may be a carpenter or factory worker, and another a professor, but all meet together in the same room as equals and remain close....there is a social dimension to spirituality that brings people together, and this is important as it creates social strength.

Qn: Does religion still have a role in the modern world? (Cam. 2022)

It’s getting harder not to be a stranger

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A good read on impact of AI/IT on human relations.....

School Spotlight: Art led to sea change in Naval Base Secondary students

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For qns on the arts, esp why the arts should be incorporated in education....

Top holiday spots now threatening bad tourists with jail

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For qns on tourism....

Renewed interest in sumo wrestling gives boost to Japan’s tourism

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Sumo, which is hundreds of years old and steeped in tradition, has long been a source of fascination outside the country, but those in the industry say interest has spiked in recent years, and some are making the most of the new attention.

And it’s not to be taken lightly. But to entertain people, we add humour. The most important thing is to make people appreciate sumo as culture

For qns on how tourism impacts local culture, both positively and negatively....and also whether traditions need to change to stay relevant and appeal to its younger generations -- and tourists....

‘I just wanted to see him again’: Vet Jean-Paul Ly on why he cloned his beloved dog

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Note the arguments for and against cloning....

Qns:

1.  To what extent can individuals shape their own lives when the world is so unpredictable? (Cam. 2022)

2. ‘The results of scientific research should be available to everyone.’ How far do you agree? (Cam. 2022)

3. Since the extinction of species is a natural phenomenon, is there any point in trying to prevent it? (Cam. 2022)

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

At COP28, a showdown looms for the fossil fuel industry

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Qn: Consider the view that sustainable development can only be pursued by affluent countries. (CJC Prelim 2021 / ACJC 2023 MYE)

Malaysian singer Masya Masyitah addresses tudung-removing controversy

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Qns:

1. ‘The world today is too easily offended.’ How far do you agree?

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

Career opportunities drive young Indonesians to take up Singapore citizenship, work in the Republic

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One factor drawing talent to Singapore is the quality of its education system and availability of high-skill jobs. “There are rare job opportunities in my field In Indonesia

would have faced a “skills mismatch” in Indonesia, as the semiconductor industry there is still underdeveloped, with jobs available mostly in the manufacturing side. 

‘No evidence’ Facebook harms well-being: Global study

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For qns on social media's impact on youth....

Amazon countries, led by Brazil, sign a rainforest pact

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The Amazon rainforest is not only a haven of biodiversity but also plays an important role in the fight against climate change because it pulls huge amounts of planet-warming carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and stores it away. Over the past half-century, around 17 per cent of the forest has been razed and an even bigger share severely degraded.

The expected announcement on Wednesday of further cooperation among other countries with most of the rest of the world’s rainforests could include efforts to increase access to financing from wealthier nations that would promote sustainable forest use.

Hiroshima marks atomic bombing anniversary, calls nuclear deterrence ‘folly’

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Note the ruins of the building: A-bomb Dome (see pic HERE), which is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. While the building is a symbol of the tragedy and pain suffered by the people, it also serves as a powerful physical reminder not to commit the folly of the past.

The day to commemorate the victims of the world’s first nuclear attack comes as Russia raises the spectre of using nuclear weapons in its war with Ukraine.

Qns:

1) Is there any value in conserving old buildings in your society? (VJC J2 MYE 2023)

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

Wrong to allege Zaobao echoes Beijing propaganda, S’pore envoy to US Lui Tuck Yew tells Washington Post

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Qns:  

1) Is news today reliable? (Cam. 2021)

2) How far can people believe what they watch and read in the news today? (VJC J2 MYE 2023)

Burn, don’t fling: Community leaders bust myths on joss paper and offerings for Hungry Ghost Festival

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

How Singapore is seeking to improve protections for platform workers

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Qn: Is enough being done to care for the vulnerable in your society? (VJC 2023 J2 MYE)

‘I’m scared one day it’ll be too hot to go out’: Extreme weather raises climate awareness in China

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Across the country, corporations are jumping on the bandwagon. Apps like Alipay, WeChat Pay and Baidu Maps have functions that gamify carbon offsets, rewarding users for walking a certain number of steps daily, while most coffee shops offer a small discount to customers who bring their own cups. 

But in a country where conspicuous consumption is a way of life, being climate-conscious still has some way to go..... uses plastics for convenience, despite understanding the harm they do to the environment.

But there is pushback from within the country, insisting that as a developing country, China should be allowed to emit as much carbon as necessary to catch up economically.

Qn: Consider the view that sustainable development can only be carried out by affluent countries. (ACJC 2023 J2 MYE)

China looks to limit children to two hours a day on their phones

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The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said it wanted providers of smart devices to introduce so-called minor mode programmes that would bar users under 18 from accessing the Internet on mobile devices from 10pm to 6am.

Users aged 16 to 18 would be allowed two hours a day, children aged eight to 16 would get one hour, while children under eight would be allowed just eight minutes.

The authorities have in recent years grown increasingly concerned about rates of myopia and Internet addiction among young people.

In 2021, the government imposed a curfew for video game players under the age of 18. That dealt a huge blow to gaming giants like Tencent.

Qns: 

1) To what extent should the state intervene in the lives of its people?

2) 'It is harder than ever to keep children safe in today's world.' Comment. (RI 2023 J2 MYE)

3) Is enough being done to care for the vulnerable in your society? (VJC 2023 J2 MYE)

Solitary seniors – you are not alone, help is near

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Loneliness is not easy to admit to. Often, there is a sense of deep shame attached to being lonely, as nobody wants to be thought of as unpopular, unlikeable or lacking in friends. 

described loneliness as a public health crisis and compared the effects of loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. He added that it rivals excessive drinking in terms of damaging health and shortening lives.

Anecdotally, it appears that men who refuse help in overcoming their own loneliness are nevertheless open to helping others. Ironically, in helping others, they help themselves.

Reasons include individuals with less income or wealth not having the financial resources to fully participate in society by visiting friends and family. They are more likely to have limiting physical and mental health conditions that make it more difficult to leave home, navigate the local environment and interact with others.

in 2021, Japan appointed a Minister of Loneliness.

Qns:

1. 'Governments are failing the people they are supposed to serve.' Discuss. (RI 2023 J2 MYE)

2. How far do you agree that your society is prepared for the challenges of tomorrow? (CJC 2023 J2 MYE) 

More children accidentally swallowing objects, retailers asked not to list unsafe items for sale

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Here's another related version: Toddler swallows mother's diamond ring in China, rushed to hospital

Note the examples: button battery; water beads, diamond ring; coins

The trend has prompted the Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) – overseen by Enterprise Singapore – to work with trade associations, physical retailers, and e-commerce platforms to step up efforts in the removal of the listings of products unsafe for children sold online.

Qn: 'It is harder than ever to keep children safe in today's world.' Comment. (RI 2023 J2 MYE)