Viewpoint: Why the 2025 Oscars are the most unpredictable in a decade

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Two things to note:

1) the use of AI calls into qn the craft of the actor (Hollywood actress Meryl Streep's ability to master various accents for the roles she played is one of the reasons why she is such an accomplished actress; but now, AI has seemingly made that redundant)

2) Gascon's case is a classic example of how the internet never forgets, where our digital footprints from the past can come back to haunt us -- and even destroy us!

the controversy surrounding the film’s use of artificial intelligence (AI). SAG voters, being members of a union that has fought battles with studios over the use of digital likenesses, might have been especially put off by The Brutalist’s employment of AI to adjust actors’ Hungarian accents and generate architectural drawings. 

Following the early February resurfacing of past social media posts that disparaged Islam and US anti-racism protests by Best Actress nominee Karla Sofia Gascon, Emilia Perez’s initial imposing awards campaign led by Netflix was sent crashing.

The cancellation of Gascon illustrates what happens when a prestigious movie and its all-too-human cast meet social media, a problem that never existed before the arrival of X – formerly Twitter – and other platforms. The debate over AI’s role in film-making also increased scrutiny on The Brutalist, causing a heightened awareness of the technology’s impact on cinema.

Qns:

1. Has digital media made artists worse off? (ACJC Prelim 2024)

2. Assess the view that technology has ruined the arts industry. (TJC Prelim 2024)

3. To what extent should we be concerned with AI developments today? (VJC Prelim 2024)

4. To what extent has technology had a negative impact on the skill levels of people? (Cam. 2010)

5. ‘We should not be afraid of social media.’ Do you agree? (RI 2023 Y5 CT)

AI opens ‘endless’ doors for fashion models, closes others

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A good read on the pros and cons of AI....

critics fear AI will render many professionals – including models, make-up artists and photographers – obsolete, and could risk promoting an artificial standard of beauty.

CDLP co-founder Christian Larson said: “We are a very small company. I cannot go to a house in Beverly Hills and shoot a campaign.”....“real” photography has limitations. “The sun will set and the light will disappear, and the budget will run out,” he said. But with AI, “you dive into this black hole of endless options”.

Preparing an advertising campaign involving a photo shoot in the French Alps for ski eyewear would normally take several months to complete and could cost €35,000 (S$49,000). But it can be done virtually for just €500 in a few days

critical of brands which use AI images created from databases found on the internet without paying the model,.... Models also face being duplicated virtually without their knowledge

AI model is “timeless”. “There is no expiration for my AI... it’s timeless. Somewhere out there in the world, my AI will always be young to me, even when I’m old.

Qns:

1. Has digital media made artists worse off? (ACJC Prelim 2024)

2. Assess the view that technology has ruined the arts industry. (TJC Prelim 2024)

3. To what extent should we be concerned with AI developments today? (VJC Prelim 2024)

Musicians release silent album to protest against Britain’s proposed AI copyright changes

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For issues on technology's impact (on the arts).....

Qns:

1. Has digital media made artists worse off? (ACJC Prelim 2024)

2. Assess the view that technology has ruined the arts industry. (TJC Prelim 2024)

3. To what extent should we be concerned with AI developments today? (VJC Prelim 2024)

Creative progress or mass theft? Major AI art auction provokes wonder – and outrage

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For qns on arts, technology, AI, and technology's impact on the arts....

Qns:

1. Has digital media made artists worse off? (ACJC Prelim 2024)

2. Assess the view that technology has ruined the arts industry. (TJC Prelim 2024)

3. To what extent should we be concerned with AI developments today? (VJC Prelim 2024)

Sumiko At 61: The cost of grief and vet care – will I still want to have a dog when I retire?

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For issues on pets.....(CJC P2 Prelim 2024)

The White Lotus 3 sparks tourist boom in Thailand

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The idea of “set-jetting”, or visiting the filming sites of favourite shows and movies, stretches back at least as far as the early 2000s, when The Lord Of The Rings film franchise (2001 to 2003) flooded New Zealand with J.R.R. Tolkien-obsessed visitors. But the trend has taken off in recent years, with events such as Bridgerton-style balls and Emily In Paris-inspired girls’ trips to the French Riviera.

what change has brought to the island. He remembers when he was a child, the sight of a foreigner was a big event. Back then, the hills were not covered with expatriate-owned villas and the roads were not lined with shops selling marijuana, which was decriminalised in Thailand in 2022.

Note also the downsides of (over)tourism....

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

Founder of foodcourt employing people with disabilities is ST Singaporean of the Year

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Compare with "Eighteen Chefs" which employs ex-convicts instead of disabled....  

a foodcourt that has been employing people with disabilities since 2010

For Dignity Kitchen’s first four years of operation, Mr Koh did not take a salary as the foodcourt was making daily losses of $1,000.

 “I want to create awareness, educate, engage, and mostly, hopefully I can inspire people to give back to society.”

Today, Dignity Kitchen employs nearly 200 people with disabilities and has trained more than 2,000 people – including disadvantaged single parents and former prison inmates – giving them the skills needed to secure jobs in the food and beverage, hospitality and retail sectors. 

“The awards shine a light on Singaporeans who do something extraordinary in many different ways... they also motivate everyone else to discover that strength and that purpose in our lives.”

Qns:

1. Do awards and prizes serve any useful purpose? (Cam. 2011)

2. Profits should be the sole concern of businesses. Do you agree? (EJC Prelim 2024)

Christie’s first AI sale angers some artists

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For impact of AI or tech on the arts....

Why South Korean society is so unforgiving to celebrities

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They compare themselves with celebrities, and “this puts celebrities at the centre of respect but, ironically, also arouses a sense of jealousy and hatred towards them for having what they don’t have”.

Public figures who err are not just criticised – they are erased.

there is an unspoken “social contract” that Koreans hold over celebrities based on moral standards.

there is a fundamental difference between ensuring someone faces consequences and tormenting them perpetually for one mistake. “Every individual deserves an opportunity for redemption, but South Korean society often refuses to grant this to those who have fallen from grace. Instead, it continuously reinforces their transgressions, making it nearly impossible for them to move forward

For qns on celebrity culture....

Singapore prepared to tackle challenges in fast-shifting global landscape: SM Lee

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For qns on govt preparedness, or Singapore's preparedness in tackling future challenges....

It’s not what Jamie Dimon said about WFH, it’s how he said it

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returning to the office full-time mostly hurts women, caregivers, senior employees and individuals with disabilities.

hybrid schedules boost retention without damaging performance

while work-from-home is a welcome arrangement for veteran workers and parents, for example, it has held mixed blessings for younger employees. They can miss out on valuable mentoring opportunities and chances to better acquaint themselves with corporate culture. Many of them have had misgivings about flying solo at home. 

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

Shakira’s medical record leak sparks Peru investigation

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Shortly after her brief hospitalisation, her medical report appeared on social media, sparking widespread outrage among fans and an official investigation.

Good example to note....for qns on privacy and social media

Clean energy bolsters China’s GDP growth in 2024: Study

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Overall, clean-energy technology sectors, which also include nuclear, wind, hydropower and railways, accounted for 26 per cent of overall China GDP growth in 2024, the analysis found. “The finding is significant because it shows that clean-energy investment can be a major driver of economic growth and investment

Qn: Is it possible to protect the environment when many countries require increasing amounts of energy to progress? (Cam. 2007)

There’s one lie I will never tell my children

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For qns on honesty and lying....

SCDF to hire foreigners to beef up emergency medical services

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Why did Microsoft admit that AI is making us stupid?

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erosion of critical thinking skills among workers using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT

The more participants trusted AI for certain tasks, the less they practised those skills themselves, such as writing, analysis and critical evaluations. As a result, they self-reported an atrophying of skills in those areas. Several respondents said they started to doubt their abilities to perform tasks such as verifying grammar in text or composing legal letters

a future where professional workers ultimately become managers of AI’s output, rather than the originators of new ideas and content, particularly as AI models get better.

Humans will be rewarded for asking their AI agent the right questions, in the right way, and then using their judgment to assess and iterate on the answers...Much of the rest of the cognitive process will be offloaded.

Socrates once worried that writing would lead to the erosion of memory, that calculators were once expected to kill our mathematical skills and that Global Positioning System navigation would leave us hopelessly lost without our phones

Qn: To what extent has technology had a negative impact on the skill levels of people? (Cam. 2010)

How the ‘Dubai chocolate’ took over the world

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Note the parallel with Labubu, which became a regional phenomenon in the Asia-Pacific after Blackpink's Lisa posted a pic of herself with a life-sized Labubu on her instagram.....

Note also the role of social influencers....

when the couple opened their online shop Fix – which stands for Freaking Incredible eXperience – in 2022, “we were selling about a bar a week”...Then came the viral TikTok video.

After the couple reluctantly took a fan’s suggestion and sent some chocolate bars to local influencers, content creator Maria Vehera posted an ASMR-style TikTok showing off its snappy shell and cascading pistachio cream, then taking a big, messy bite. It led to a waterfall of orders, Mr Alani said – at least 30,000, which was when the delivery app they were using crashed.

Qn: To what extent has social media influenced financial decisions among people today? (RI Prelim 2024)

In Ne Zha 2, China finds its latest vehicle for cultural pride

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The film is not the first commercial hit to reimagine China’s well-loved trove of folk stories for a modern audience. The video game, Black Myth: Wukong, released in 2024 and centred on the Monkey King, was also based on a classic novel – Journey To The West.

Qns:

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

2. Is heritage no longer relevant in the modern world?

Singapore’s 2035 climate target: A commitment to act now despite waning global interest

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the Republic faces constraints in deploying renewable energy, owing to its small land area that makes the installation of large solar farms difficult. It is now laying the groundwork for importing clean energy from its neighbours, while deploying solar panels in unusual places – including water surfaces. 

Singapore’s geography has protected it from many of the harsher impacts ravaging other parts of the world, such as increasingly frequent and intense typhoons. As a result, many people here may not see the urgency of tackling the issue, thinking it is a problem for the future.

The use of carbon credits can be controversial because it allows an emitter to meet its climate targets not through any actual emission reductions, but by purchasing credits that offset its emissions.

Singapore, despite emitting only about 0.1 per cent of global emissions

For qns on climate change and govt efforts....

Mini-bus trial at Changi Airport suspended after drivers of premium cabs voice unhappiness

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Qn: How effective are protests in improving society? (NYJC Promos 2024)

China’s coal surge challenges climate pledges, green investment: Study

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China, the world’s top coal consumer and producer, has by far the world’s largest fleet of coal power plants that belch out vast amounts of planet-warming carbon dioxide (CO2).

China is also adding record amounts of renewable energy capacity ....in 2024 – about 4½ times the European Union’s additions in the same year.

Instead of replacing coal, clean energy in the country is being layered on top of an existing fossil fuel-heavy system, with coal generating about 60 per cent of China’s electricity. This makes it increasingly difficult to achieve the intended shift towards a power sector driven by renewables

China’s carbon emissions would peak before 2030, and it would reach carbon neutrality before 2060

China’s record roll-out of solar and wind gives hope that the country will achieve substantial CO2 cuts by 2035

Qn: To what extent is clean energy the answer to the problem of climate change?

Croatia laughter museum aims to blow away the blues

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the space was perfect for current times “when we are bombarded with so much bad news”.

laughter is a defence mechanism which gives people strength to face their problems,

For qns on museums and humour.....

Forum: Children learn moral values through observing behaviour of adults

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the crucial role of moral values in education and the shared responsibility between schools and parents in shaping a child’s character.

While pre-schools cultivate crucial skills like critical thinking and creativity, the foundational values of respect, responsibility and resilience are best nurtured within the family.

Children are natural observers and imitators, constantly learning from the people around them. As kindness is often “caught, not taught”, parents and educators have an important role given the time spent with each child. Pre-school educators may have the most consistent presence in the student’s waking time, and it is important that moral values are reinforced in the school.

Qn: 'The most important responsibility of parents is to teach their children values.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2024 Syllabus 8807)

A second chance under new law to strengthen racial harmony in Singapore

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There were cases that led to prosecution. In most instances, these incidents left more than just a sour taste – they also revealed the absence of structured avenues for reconciliation or rehabilitation for the “offender”.

The Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, therefore, is a timely initiative that reinforces Singapore’s dedication to unity and mutual respect....focus on reparative measures, prioritising rehabilitation and reconciliation through the introduction of the new Community Remedial Initiative (CRI)...By prioritising education, rehabilitation and community engagement, the Bill addresses racial discord in a holistic and sustainable manner.

Criminal prosecution alone does not facilitate the reparation of community ties.

By requiring alleged offenders to engage meaningfully with affected communities, it promotes healing, reduces stigmatisation and fosters a culture of understanding and redemption. It also enables alleged offenders to learn from their actions and make amends, thereby easing social tensions.

Qn: 'Rehabilitation, not punishment, should be the purpose of the justice system.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2017)

‘Plastic won’t affect a shark’: Trump signs order against paper straws, saying they ‘explode’

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“We’re going back to plastic straws,”

“I don’t think that plastic is going to affect a shark as they’re eating, as they’re munching their way through the ocean,” said Mr Trump.

He pulled out of the Paris climate change agreement soon after his inauguration on Jan 20 and has pledged to “drill, baby, drill” for oil. 

Forum: Parents and schools have different roles to play in teaching children values

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Qn: 'The most important responsibility of parents is to teach their children values.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2024 Syllabus 8807)

Grab-GoTo merger could boost their market share in S-E Asia, but deal unlikely to get nod: Analysts

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would enable the combined entity to reduce costs, achieve economies of scale and strengthen its market position

possible concerns over potential monopolistic behaviour,

while Grab could lower fares to compete with rivals like GoTo, a price war would be unsustainable as recovering losses from undercutting competitors could take years.

‘if you can’t beat them, join hands with them’ scenario.”

Qns:

1. Is competition always desirable? (Cam. 2016)

2. Do you agree that competition, not collaboration, is more important for society to progress?

Forum: Incorporate financial literacy and healthy living into mainstream education

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MOE's reply: HERE [Forum: Financial literacy and healthy living incorporated in school curricula]

Qns:

1. ‘Education today should involve more than the study of academic subjects.’ How far do you agree? (Cam. 2024)

2. ‘Schools should teach practical skills such as cooking and managing finances.‘ Do you agree? Why or why not? ('O' lvl 2023)

After an overdose of techno-optimism, we need a pinch of scepticism

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Thalidomide, an active ingredient in a German-developed drug, was initially hailed as a cure for anxiety and nausea in pregnant women and marketed globally with little regard for the long-term consequences. It wasn’t until thousands of babies died prematurely or were born with severe defects that the full dangers became clear.

where innovation is often mistaken for progress.

In Singapore, nearly half of the youth aged 15 to 21 exhibit “problematic smartphone use,” according to research by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) published in August 2024.

Excessive device use stunts language skills and chops attention spans. For older children, the trade-offs are equally grim – screen time eats into sleep, physical activity and social interaction.

Online banking, digital wallets and instant payment systems have made transactions seamless, but they have also made financial crime easier, faster and harder to track.

Deepfake technology and artificial intelligence- or AI-generated scams now convincingly mimic voices, faces and even entire conversations, turning our own digital footprints against us.

When bike-sharing was introduced in Singapore, it quickly morphed from a solution to our last-mile problem into a hazard for pedestrians, as public spaces became cluttered with abandoned bicycles.

For qns on pros and cons of tech....

China takes aim at ‘race-to-the-bottom’ competition

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cut-throat competition that has seen companies race one another to the bottom – and out of business. The phenomenon is termed neijuan, or involution, which broadly refers to excessive competition in a saturated space that results in diminishing returns, and even stagnation. This dynamic, also used colloquially to describe a feeling of burnout....

led companies to slash prices in a downward spiral – to the point of making losses – in a bid to secure a share of the market.

competition between companies narrowly focused on price will affect China’s pursuit of an innovation-driven economy...This is as companies will have few resources left for research and development. “Everyone is bleeding, gross profits are extremely low, what resources will you use to innovate?”

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

Malaysia PM Anwar’s focus on Gaza and global travels spark domestic criticism

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questioned the need for Malaysia to pour money abroad, and pointed out the “sad state” of Malaysia’s rural schools.....Malaysian leaders must prioritise the needs of Malaysians

The Arab countries that are richer can do it (rebuild Gaza facilities). Malaysians on your own can contribute, but not the government, as it has to take care of all Malaysians first

strive to find a balance in managing domestic priorities and securing international prestige for the nation. Both are important and interconnected...The Prime Minister’s international engagements are not without domestic benefits – the challenge is realising them for the masses

For qns on govts should focus more on domestic vs international/global issues.....or about prioritizing its own people over others.....