Becoming proficient in English has come at a cost for many Singaporeans

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The decision to teach Mandarin as the main mother tongue language to Singaporean Chinese also meant that mastery over dialects was lost.

Translations may be readily available for most languages of the world, but they would not be able to provide more nuanced appreciations of each language. This can be a disadvantage, especially in the case of languages in which context is important.

A decline in mother tongue language competencies also signals that the knowledge we hold about our own identities is getting diluted. Language is an important repository of one’s culture and heritage.

English-speaking Singaporeans can have an edge in the job market over their peers from other countries who learn the language later on in life. It also makes the country attractive to foreigners from English-speaking countries.

For the multiracial population, English is a common language that is also seen as neutral, because it is not assigned to any of the official racial categories as a mother tongue language. It can bring Singaporeans from different races together.

many markets are emerging in South-east Asia, where English is not the first or even the working language. Speaking the language most common in these countries would be a definite advantage.

Qn: To what extent has your society paid too high a price for success?

Deepfake video of Taylor Swift speaking Mandarin sparks discussion over AI in China

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The lip movements were synced to make it look like she was speaking in Mandarin, and it sounded like Swift’s voice, making the videos so realistic that it led Chinese netizens to express their amazement at the technology and leave comments such as: “This is awesome.”

“The scariest thing is that if someone uses the technology to make fake news, because the AI is able to manipulate the voice and movement of the mouth, people will easily believe it,...it would be “terrible if (this AI technology) is used for fraud”, as criminals can use it to dupe victims for money.

Technology like this has sparked concern over the criminal applications of AI. Earlier in 2023, a scammer in northern China used deepfake technology to convince a man to transfer money to a supposed friend. The scammer used AI-powered face-swopping technology to impersonate a friend of the victim during a video call. The man ended up transferring him some 4.3 million yuan (S$823,000).

For qns on AI and crime....

S’pore moves to ensure respect for every job and cement lifelong learning: Forward SG report

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efforts to ensure that every job in Singapore is respected and fairly rewarded while cementing a culture of lifelong learning beyond grades

Examples of workers who stand to gain from the wage boost are plumbers, electricians and those working in the healthcare and aged-care sectors.

nursing aides and healthcare assistants earn a median gross salary of less than $3,000 a month – as do plumbers and electricians. This is below the median gross monthly salary of $4,500 for full-time employed residents as at June 2022.

Qn: ‘People who do the most worthwhile jobs rarely receive the best financial rewards.’ To what extent is this true in your society? (Cam. 2016)

Low-income families will be empowered to uplift their lives: Forward SG report

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ComLink+ builds on the existing ComLink programme that started in 2019, where low-income families with children are given coordinated and comprehensive support for needs ranging from job assistance to their children’s development.

ensure that no family here gets trapped in a permanent underclass... there are early signs that social stratification is becoming more entrenched.  

Government’s efforts to help the low-income must not “kill this motivation for them to be self-reliant and independent”..Beneficiaries also said that maintaining their dignity is important

some low-income families face multiple stressors such as ill health and caregiving responsibilities. Their circumstances and lower educational qualifications affect their job prospects and incomes. 

there was recognition that more must be done to make pre-schools more affordable and accessible for lower-income families, to give children a good start.”

Qn: Does your society do enough to help people live with dignity? (RV Prelim 2023)

More active ageing centres, boost to retirement schemes for seniors: Forward SG report

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more active ageing centres and senior-friendly infrastructure built in neighbourhoods across Singapore

help seniors meet basic financial needs for retirement – such as the Workfare Income Supplement scheme, Silver Support Scheme and Matched Retirement Savings Scheme

expanding the nation’s aged care infrastructure by building more nursing homes and senior care centres, as well as increasing the capacity of home care services

need more focused efforts to reduce the risk of social isolation of seniors. This is one of the most powerful ways to enable seniors to spend more of their remaining life in good health

Note the examples of the various features going towards creating a senior-friendly environment....

For qns on ageing....

Crocodiles test the limits of a city in nature

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The flip side of dealing with wildlife depends on how receptive and comfortable we are with wild animals in our midst, and the extent to which we are willing to modify our routines and make concessions to have them as neighbours. I consider this the culture of coexistence.

We can happily share our environment with otters or macaques, especially if we minimise conflict with them. However, large apex predators are a different story. Wherever apex predators and people live together, there are attacks and, sadly, deaths.

Protecting rare species, nurturing healthy ecosystems, and enjoying the existence of wild animals are signs, many say, of a mature and empathetic society. A society we can be proud of. But with this outlook comes the reality that trees and animals, as enriching, beautiful and wondrous as they are, are not risk-free, especially when there are so many of us in such a compact home.

For qns on city living and the rights of animals....and protecting animal species, esp endangered ones...

Qn: How important is it to save plant and animal species which are in danger of extinction? (Cam. 2013)

Ageing happens rapidly, with huge changes in workplaces and neighbourhoods needed

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For qns on ageing and challenges facing your society/world....

Singapore a step closer to using low-carbon ammonia for bunkering, power generation

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Ammonia is formed when hydrogen combines with nitrogen from ambient air. As a hydrogen carrier, it can be stored at room temperature and is easy to transport. Hydrogen is seen as a clean fuel as it does not produce any planet-warming carbon dioxide when burned.

For instance, the Republic is building up expertise to better understand advanced nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), and their suitability for Singapore....some SMRs are designed to cool safely and passively without requiring external systems or operator actions during emergencies.

The Hero as a complicated figure

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Note the link btw the opening and closing BANGS!!!

For qns on heroes....

A ‘chope’ culture – how rushing to get ahead leads to longer BTO queues and rising COE prices

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Competitive bidding may be a rational way to decide who gets to enjoy a scarce resource, but it has its drawbacks. It empowers the rich who can afford to pay and creates a sense of being left out among those who can’t afford to pay even though they may need a car (for example, a family with a disabled child or frail elders). 

To be sure, competitiveness need not be negative – in sport, especially, it can spur people to be disciplined, to train, to improve, and to outdo themselves. But being hyper-competitive and wanting to win at all costs can lead people to take drugs to enhance their performance, or sabotage others to derail the competition. 

people with a competitive worldview tend to have an orientation towards social dominance, desiring to get ahead of others, to win and suppress others. Such attitudes erode cooperation and altruism and, at their worst, cause the competitive individuals to experience constant stress, anxiety, fear of losing, alienation and loneliness.

a 2011 study that found that hyper-competitive individuals – who have a need to win at all cost – were more impatient and irritable than their less-competitive counterparts and had higher self-reported health problems, including heart disease.

The dark side of such hyper-competitiveness is that it exerts a high cost on the individual and those around them, and is also an unproductive way to manage a team or to lead, as it creates an unsupportive space where people do not feel safe to learn or try.

when it comes to policy design, there is a growing sense that rules need to be tweaked for Singapore to shift from a hyper-competitive, to a more equitable society. 

Qn: Examine the claim that the world is too competitive today. (ACJC Prelim 2023)

Japanese beverage company draws mixed reactions for using AI-generated actress in TV commercial

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The commercial raises the legal question of whether Ito En can own rights to this character. There’s also the broader issue of how far AI-generated characters can take over work which traditionally required employing real models and actors.

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

Boon Lay void deck library to close due to complaints, messiness, lack of community effort: Founder

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Follow-up article: Library's closure shows lack of kampung spirit

For qns on kindness, meritocracy,.....

Qn: To what extent has your society paid too high a price for progress?

As technology outpaces law on online harms, new solutions are needed

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Beyond the harm to individual victims, online harms also undermine the common good by poisoning the overall tone of public discourse and deter civic participation by bullying people into silence. As a society where nearly 92 per cent of the population uses the Internet, our country is highly vulnerable in this regard.

Consider a scenario where a young woman finds out that intimate images of her have been circulated in a members-only online forum without her consent. She is distressed, but her options are limited because the existing laws have limitations. To start with, this is not exactly an instance of defamation, an area of law that aims primarily to protect reputation, not privacy. The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) and the part of the Protection from Harassment Act (Poha) concerning falsehoods would not apply either, since these are not false statements of fact. Would the woman’s case qualify as harassment under Poha? It would be hard for the victim to prove to the court that the post in the members-only forum was intended to harass her, or that she was “likely” to be harassed upon seeing it.

Even if the civil suit is successful, the harm would already be done. Monetary compensation or injunctions against the perpetrator would be cold comfort at the end of a long legal process. That is because images like these can potentially live on indefinitely, being hosted and circulated on multiple websites, with lasting consequences for the victim.

It is thus painfully clear that we are facing a “cultural lag” where technological advancements have outpaced our legal and moral norms.

No doubt, we need laws to arrest the damage caused by online harms. These can act as deterrents and also signal the values that the community upholds.

For qns on social media and legislation.....

The steep price of blue jeans

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According to Levi Strauss & Co, a pair of 501 jeans, the company’s signature cut, used nearly 3,000 litres of water by the time it hit the shop floor and emitted 20kg of CO2e (a measure that encompasses all greenhouse gases) in 2015. 

the vast majority of dye is synthetic and contains toxic pollutants, including formaldehyde and cyanide. In some parts of the world, waste from the dye process is dumped straight into waterways, tinting rivers the colours of the forthcoming fashion season. Finishing processes can be equally polluting, resource-intensive and dangerous for workers who, too often, aren’t given the right protective equipment.

But there’s one drawback: expense. Though there are some innovative brands willing to invest,....brands typically want to keep things cost-neutral, making it much harder for sustainable start-ups to scale and subsequently lower prices.

For qns on fast fashion, sustainable development and consumerism.....

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

Singapore and US to venture into new areas to beef up ties, says DPM Lawrence Wong

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Answering a question on the situation in Gaza, where Israel is preparing to launch “a significant ground operation” in response to an attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas, ....Singapore is watching the situation very closely, and an escalation will impact South-east Asia and Singapore too. “On the economic front, you could have implications for oil, disruptions in supplies of energy, and that will impact the economy,....“On the security front, you could have extremist and terrorist groups who are trying to exploit the situation. You already see wider calls for a jihad against Israel. That is very dangerous and we know that Singapore can be a very attractive target,” he said, adding that Singapore is stepping up security measures to ensure external events do not impact its peace and harmony built up over decades. 

Qn: Discuss the claim that in the modern world people should care more about international than national issues. (Cam. 2013)

Singapore must never let external events affect ‘precious peace’: Shanmugam on Israel-Hamas war

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what is happening in the Middle East is going to evoke strong emotions, but that Singaporeans must maintain their peace. “There are deep divides in how people are reacting. And as the conflict unfolds, these divides are inevitably going to become deeper,..these divides are significant, and are often along racial and religious lines.

the study released by the Pew Research Centre in September that found high levels of inter-religious tolerance and acceptance in Singapore.The study found that in most South-east Asian countries, respondents said that belonging to their country’s majority religion was very important for national identity. But this was not the case in Singapore, with about 90 per cent of respondents here saying that various religions were compatible with Singapore’s culture and values.

Qn: Discuss the claim that in the modern world people should care more about international than national issues. (Cam. 2013)

Acres saddened over NParks’ decision to put down crocodile; others say the move was necessary

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Qn: To what extent are the rights of animals protected in your society? (Cam. 2012)

Foreign-language signs, menus in S. Korea spark concerns among locals

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Indiscriminate English signs may have sprouted from a misleading perception that sees foreign languages as more in style than Hangul

In South Korea, a signboard that is not written in Hangul, or Korean alphabet, is considered illegal. Under the law, advertisements, including signboards, that are in a foreign language must have the content written in Hangul as well, “unless there is a compelling reason not to do so”.

The only Korean sign in the restaurant says: “Use a spoon and fork instead of chopsticks to enjoy the food with proper formality.”

“For a moment, I wondered, ‘Am I in Korea?’” 

Qn: Is globalisation to be welcomed or feared today? (Cam. 2019)

Lego’s lesson: U-turn on using recycled plastic bottles a wake-up call for green supply chains

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The ambitious project aimed to replace traditional Lego plastic with a new material made from recycled plastic bottles. However, when Lego assessed the project’s environmental impact throughout its supply chain, it found that producing bricks with the recycled plastic would require extra materials and energy to make them durable enough. Because this conversion process would result in higher carbon emissions, the company decided to stick with its current fossil fuel-based materials while continuing to search for more sustainable alternatives.

companies that claim to have low emissions may be greenwashing without taking action to reduce emissions in their supply chains to combat climate change.

For qns on recycling and sustainability.....

Qn: ‘Sustainable development is not sustainable.’ Comment. (RI 2022 J2 Timed Practice)

Women are asking for promotions, but men keep getting them

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“We promote men based on potential and women have to have already proven it to you,” Ms Sandberg said in an interview. “You can’t prove you can be a manager until you’re a manager.”

“Men report when they are on-site that they get more mentorship and sponsorship than women. They feel more ‘in the know’,...If that is already happening when everyone is in the office, the challenge will be to make sure it does not happen on an even broader scale in a hybrid work environment. 

Qn: 'Women have it better than men today.' To what extent is this true? (MI Promos 2023)

The growing climate backlash in Europe

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The backlash is already forcing most European governments to roll back some of the ambitious targets they adopted to address climate change. And that is not because voters doubt the problem but because many Europeans don’t want to pay for the solution.

the decision of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to postpone or push into the more distant future many of his country’s net-zero targets. Mr Sunak’s U-turn was remarkable, partly because Britain has made a lot of diplomatic noise about leading Europe on climate-mitigation initiatives, but also because the British premier’s move was such a naked vote-grabbing attempt, with an eye to his country’s general election due in a year...The Brits can now continue buying petrol-burning cars until 2035; the original deadline was 2030....the British government also rushed to authorise the start of new offshore oil drilling platforms in the North Sea.

France. President Emmanuel Macron, who used to lecture his nation about the imperative of immediate measures to halt the effects of climate change, unveiled last week a new, French-style “ecology doctrine”, in which a lot of the regulations imposed to reduce carbon emissions have suddenly been turned into just recommendations.

European Commission, the European Union’s executive body, is under discreet but sustained pressure from the EU’s member states to dilute some of its environmental protection initiatives. The commission has already watered down proposals to lower petrol-burning car emissions limits. So, old-fashioned combustion engine cars will not only continue to be sold in Europe until the middle of the next decade, but they could also continue emitting more smoke than they should until they are completely off the roads at some point towards the middle of this century.

in the United States, where subsidies to domestic manufacturers of batteries and cars came disguised as environmental measures. 

For qns on climate change....

Nobel for mRNA vaccine shows power of perseverance

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Some of the joy of today’s prize is that it rewards Prof Kariko’s many decades of effort to convince the world mRNA held promise as a therapeutic. After coming to the United States from Hungary in the mid-1980s, she struggled to get financial support for her research, moving from laboratory to laboratory to try to keep her work alive until a now-legendary encounter with Dr Weissman over a Xerox machine while at the University of Pennsylvania.

While biotech companies are working on the problem, it also will require ongoing support of basic science like the work done by Prof Kariko and Dr Weissman. The US Congress should not forget that when considering painful cuts to the budget of the National Institutes of Health, the agency responsible for so much foundational research. Today’s prize is another reminder that the slog of basic science can have unexpected payoffs – and should be both celebrated and funded.

For qns on failure and applied science vs basic science.....

Changes to Malaysia’s education system raise fears that students are not prepared for future

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Changes to Malaysia’s education system that will see more primary and secondary students return to studying science and mathematics in Malay instead of English are raising the ire of parents and observers. They say such a move will not enhance the employability of students in an era of globalisation.

Page believes that reducing or scrapping the DLP could impact the government’s aim of producing more students well versed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – or Stem subjects – to meet the future need for professionals in these areas. Carmaker Tesla is establishing a regional headquarters in Malaysia, while spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX has begun providing Internet services in the country, particularly in remote areas. Amazon is also investing RM25.5 billion (S$7.4 billion) in Malaysia by 2037, with plans to develop a “cloud region” for data storage and other cloud-based services.

The general conclusion among educationists is that too much time is currently being devoted to religious instruction at the expense of subjects more relevant to the job market and to nation building.

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

Actor Tom Hanks warns fans of an ‘AI version of me’ promoting dental plan

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AI models have added capabilities such as being able to generate digital imagery on command, raising fears the technology will be used to create “deep fake” pictures and videos that fool people into thinking they are real.

Tech titans Google, Meta and Microsoft are among those racing to capitalise on the promise of generative AI, while trying to avoid perils such as the technology’s potential as a weapon for misinformation and cybercrime.

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

Tired or overwhelmed due to social media? You’re more likely to share misinformation, says study

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“Social media fatigue creates an information overload that hampers the cognitive judgment of social media users,” 

Algorithms on social media platforms that prioritise controversial, sensational and emotionally charged content are another explanation for social media fatigue,...“(Hence), being exposed repeatedly to such content may cause individuals to perceive it as accurate,”

Narcissism is characterised by an increased desire for attention, admiration and feelings of uniqueness.....those with the “dark triad” of personality traits – narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism – are more likely to share false information on social media.

With high levels of fatigue, these individuals could be sharing misinformation as they may be trying to seek attention and gain social influence without applying critical thinking.

For qns on social media....

Over 100 dolphins found dead in Amazon river as water nears 40 deg C

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Impactful anecdote for Opening/Closing BANG for qns related to climate change....

Will AI endanger tech careers?

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Note the various limitations on AI mentioned in the article....

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

What else is left but work-life balance? S’pore millennials are redefining work, survey shows

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Other than Vietnam, millennials across Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand rank fair pay, work-life balance, and mental health and well-being as the top three issues they would stand up for at the workplace.

Across the region, millennials grade open-mindedness, communication and motivation as the most important qualities in leaders. They ranked these traits higher than intelligence, empathy, integrity, steadiness, tech competency and being laid-back.

For qns on success....

Qns:

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

2. Describe three traits that you find most essential in a good leader. (Anderson Sec Prelim 2023)

Lab-grown pork likely to be available in Singapore in 2024

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Qn: How far is technology the answer to environmental problems? (CJC Prelim 2023)

Trolls in Slovakian election tap AI deepfakes to spread disinformation

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One such video features a two-minute-long conversation in which the leader of the progressive party, Mr Michal Simecka, appears to discuss buying votes from the Roma minority with a journalist. ....the audio was synthesised by an artificial intelligence (AI) tool trained on real samples of the speakers’ voices, and several copies are available on social media without a label marking them as misleading.

deepfake technology has become a lot easier for the average person to use without needing a very powerful computer....apps such as HeyGen that make it very easy to turn scripts into talking deepfake videos using short samples of someone’s voice.

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