Hate Work
My morning ritual of 5 questions.
1. Who won't be in office today?
2. If answer to Q1 is bosses, then ask can I go in late today?
3. If answer to Q1 is no one, then ask do I have important work to do today?
4. If answer to Q2 or Q3 is no, then ask can I report sick today?
5. If answer to Q4 is yes, then ask will I manage to get MC?
6. If the answer to Q5 is yes, call office, report sick. Else, curse and swear and crawl out of bed.
Drudgery. Hate it.
Big boss sent the following pics today to tell us "DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR WORK!"
I nearly wrote back and told him, "Sir, I'm fine so long as I can work as the fish."
Changed my mind. Not many can appreciate humour even though people like to think that they have GSOH (good sense of humour).
Sigh.
TGIF, TGIF, TGIF.
And NTFM (no thanks for Monday), which is just two days away.
Life.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Untitled 1
Untitled 1
Unplanned Plain Bread
The bread maker is mixing the dough. Just set a loaf of bread down to bake an hour ago. On a whim. Just 6 ingredients - bread flour, water, butter, sugar, salt and yeast - all extremes on their own but when together fills an empty stomach and restores some good spirits. Wanted to make bread with herbs and sundried tomatoes actually, but the fridge is filled up. There is no way I'm going to fit that huge bottle of sundried tomatoes in olive oil into the fridge without getting a earful from my mum. So, it's plain bread. Was tempted to throw in some coffee powder for coffee bread but realised I either have not put enough sugar (to balance the bitterness of the coffee) or have put in too much salt (I can't figure how a savoury coffee bread would taste) or both. So, I'll only have a plain loaf. Boring, but still better than nothing.
The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth
Someone asked me to write a testimonial because this someone is leaving the current job for a new one. I've already got the $250 draft in my head. I reckon that's what you pay others to write some sweet little lies for you, if you so need it. I'm now wondering if I should upgrade the draft to something closer to $1000 or downgrade it to something closer to $50. It's always a dilemma writing testimonials. Tell the truth and you put your friendship on the line. Tell a lie and you put your reputation on the line and disadvantage other people. It's always a delicate job to please both sides. You've got to be objective. It must be written to highlight the good yet not forget to remind that the person under review is not without flaws. Furthermore, it must be balanced yet not condemning to the point that all shortcomings are fatal. Got to start drafting the testimonial soon. Does not take me long but it often weighs on my conscience for a while, especially when I write a testimonial that I think has been overly generous. I've never been known to be anything short of generous in my written praises but these praises must carry weight. Otherwise, my testimonials would just be pieces of useless paper carrying my worthless signature.
Money Money Money
Am put in charge of my organisation's website. I've got to conceive, labour and deliver the baby and then keep it alive. And I'm next to computer illiterate (OK, I exaggerate. But I know next to nuts about website design, programming languages, hosting, scripting, web interface standards, yah dah yah dah yah dah...). Now you know my misery. Anyway, I'm just asking for money to solve my problem. Let's hope everything works out.
Polygraph machine
Definition: A polygraph or lie detector is a device which measures and records several physiological variables such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and skin conductivity while a series of questions is being asked, in an attempt to detect lies. A polygraph test is also known as a psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examination. Saw how one worked today at a briefing. Quite amazing.
Sex-o-graph Machine?
Now, I can't wait to see a machine that can verify Sigmund Freud's theories on psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud was the first psychoanalyst. Many of his insights into the human mind, which seemed so revolutionary at the turn of the century, are now widely accepted by most schools of psychological thought. Although others before and during his time had begun to recognize the role of unconscious mental activity, Freud was the preeminent pioneer in understanding its importance. Through his extensive work with patients and through his theory building, he showed that factors which influence thought and action exist outside of awareness, that unconscious conflict plays a part in determining both normal and abnormal behavior, and that the past shapes the present. Although his ideas met with antagonism and resistance, Freud believed deeply in the value of his discoveries and rarely simplified or exaggerated them for the sake of popular acceptance. He saw that those who sought to change themselves or others must face realistic difficulties. But he also showed us that, while the dark and blind forces in human nature sometimes seem overwhelming, psychological understanding, by enlarging the realm of reason and responsibility, can make a substantial difference to troubled individuals and even to civilization as a whole.
Building on such ideas and ideals, psychoanalysis has continued to grow and develop as a general theory of human mental functioning, while always maintaining a profound respect for the uniqueness of each individual life. Ferment, change, and new ideas have enriched the field, and psychoanalytic practice has adapted and expanded. But psychoanalysts today still appreciate the persistent power of the irrational in shaping or limiting human lives, and they therefore remain skeptical of the quick cure, the deceptively easy answer, the trendy or sensationalistic. Like Freud, they believe that psychoanalysis is the strongest and most sophisticated tool for obtaining further knowledge of the mind, and that by using this knowledge for greater self-awareness, patients free themselves from incapacitating suffering, and improve and deepen human relationships.
Actually, to cut the long story short, I just hope to see a machine that can prove that everything is driven by SEX.
Election 2005
Met the representatives from the Elections Department today. Yes, the elections are on. Confirm. Surely surely on. Definitely on. Without a doubt on. Take the bets, it's on. And it'll be before 1 Sept 05. Guaranteed on. I can bet you my life, my car, my entire savings that it's on.
It has to be on.
The Presidential Elections are due by 1 Sept 05. Definitely will have an election.
Duh...
Unplanned Plain Bread
The bread maker is mixing the dough. Just set a loaf of bread down to bake an hour ago. On a whim. Just 6 ingredients - bread flour, water, butter, sugar, salt and yeast - all extremes on their own but when together fills an empty stomach and restores some good spirits. Wanted to make bread with herbs and sundried tomatoes actually, but the fridge is filled up. There is no way I'm going to fit that huge bottle of sundried tomatoes in olive oil into the fridge without getting a earful from my mum. So, it's plain bread. Was tempted to throw in some coffee powder for coffee bread but realised I either have not put enough sugar (to balance the bitterness of the coffee) or have put in too much salt (I can't figure how a savoury coffee bread would taste) or both. So, I'll only have a plain loaf. Boring, but still better than nothing.
The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth
Someone asked me to write a testimonial because this someone is leaving the current job for a new one. I've already got the $250 draft in my head. I reckon that's what you pay others to write some sweet little lies for you, if you so need it. I'm now wondering if I should upgrade the draft to something closer to $1000 or downgrade it to something closer to $50. It's always a dilemma writing testimonials. Tell the truth and you put your friendship on the line. Tell a lie and you put your reputation on the line and disadvantage other people. It's always a delicate job to please both sides. You've got to be objective. It must be written to highlight the good yet not forget to remind that the person under review is not without flaws. Furthermore, it must be balanced yet not condemning to the point that all shortcomings are fatal. Got to start drafting the testimonial soon. Does not take me long but it often weighs on my conscience for a while, especially when I write a testimonial that I think has been overly generous. I've never been known to be anything short of generous in my written praises but these praises must carry weight. Otherwise, my testimonials would just be pieces of useless paper carrying my worthless signature.
Money Money Money
Am put in charge of my organisation's website. I've got to conceive, labour and deliver the baby and then keep it alive. And I'm next to computer illiterate (OK, I exaggerate. But I know next to nuts about website design, programming languages, hosting, scripting, web interface standards, yah dah yah dah yah dah...). Now you know my misery. Anyway, I'm just asking for money to solve my problem. Let's hope everything works out.
Polygraph machine
Definition: A polygraph or lie detector is a device which measures and records several physiological variables such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and skin conductivity while a series of questions is being asked, in an attempt to detect lies. A polygraph test is also known as a psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examination. Saw how one worked today at a briefing. Quite amazing.
Sex-o-graph Machine?
Now, I can't wait to see a machine that can verify Sigmund Freud's theories on psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud was the first psychoanalyst. Many of his insights into the human mind, which seemed so revolutionary at the turn of the century, are now widely accepted by most schools of psychological thought. Although others before and during his time had begun to recognize the role of unconscious mental activity, Freud was the preeminent pioneer in understanding its importance. Through his extensive work with patients and through his theory building, he showed that factors which influence thought and action exist outside of awareness, that unconscious conflict plays a part in determining both normal and abnormal behavior, and that the past shapes the present. Although his ideas met with antagonism and resistance, Freud believed deeply in the value of his discoveries and rarely simplified or exaggerated them for the sake of popular acceptance. He saw that those who sought to change themselves or others must face realistic difficulties. But he also showed us that, while the dark and blind forces in human nature sometimes seem overwhelming, psychological understanding, by enlarging the realm of reason and responsibility, can make a substantial difference to troubled individuals and even to civilization as a whole.
Building on such ideas and ideals, psychoanalysis has continued to grow and develop as a general theory of human mental functioning, while always maintaining a profound respect for the uniqueness of each individual life. Ferment, change, and new ideas have enriched the field, and psychoanalytic practice has adapted and expanded. But psychoanalysts today still appreciate the persistent power of the irrational in shaping or limiting human lives, and they therefore remain skeptical of the quick cure, the deceptively easy answer, the trendy or sensationalistic. Like Freud, they believe that psychoanalysis is the strongest and most sophisticated tool for obtaining further knowledge of the mind, and that by using this knowledge for greater self-awareness, patients free themselves from incapacitating suffering, and improve and deepen human relationships.
Actually, to cut the long story short, I just hope to see a machine that can prove that everything is driven by SEX.
Election 2005
Met the representatives from the Elections Department today. Yes, the elections are on. Confirm. Surely surely on. Definitely on. Without a doubt on. Take the bets, it's on. And it'll be before 1 Sept 05. Guaranteed on. I can bet you my life, my car, my entire savings that it's on.
It has to be on.
The Presidential Elections are due by 1 Sept 05. Definitely will have an election.
Duh...
Sunday, February 13, 2005
I Thought I Could Love No Other...
I Thought I Could Love No Other...
[Alternative title: Rejoice!]
Fans of the Morning Express on Class 95 FM in Singapore would know that the title of this piece is part of the Morning Express Greeting Cards series. The guy says it in a very solemn tone, but the actual message was crystal clear:
"I thought I could love no other, until, that is, I met your brother."
Morning Express Greeting Cards... Tell your loved ones how you feel!
Was rather tickled when I first heard the greeting, but now I am viewing it through different lenses.
Baby Blues comic strip was rather spot-on in highlighting the difference in perspectives.
Baby Blues (12 Feb 05)
Well, if you are wondering why I am writing all this, let me hold you in suspense a little bit longer.
When I was a student, I faced many instances when I nearly freaked out when the results of my examinations were released.
I nearly went to see my junior college principal to repeat my A Levels on the day of the release of my results. I had thought of seeing him before even stepping into the school hall to get my results. I intentionally avoided going to the school hall first, even though the hall was right beside the entrance to the junior college. I walked to the office, all that while with my heart in my mouth (I remember I was in the middle of my relief teaching stint and I had asked for an hour off work to get my results) and as I walked towards the General Office, I saw the Honour Roll. I turned away, not wanting even to take a glance at it.
Somehow, I never found the courage to see my Principal, Mr Robert Tan (or MRT, as he is affectionately known to the student population). So I gingerly walked up to the second storey and teachers nodded to me with a knowing smile, even though they hadn't taught me before. I walked past the tutorial room where I saw my Chemistry tutor, Mrs Aileen Lim, teaching a bunch of provisional entry year ones still dressed in different secondary school uniforms. She threw down her chalk and zoomed to the door.
She extended her hands and said, "Congratulations!"
I went, "Huh?"
Then she said, "I want to strangle you."
Then I asked, "All distinctions but Chemistry S Paper F (grade)?"
She went, "Yah lah. You F Math students are always like that. You will study your F Math and give up my Chemistry..."
I was shocked. So not seeing MRT was right.
Walked to the hall, all the way thinking how it is possible at all to get an A for Physics. Really don't ask me how. If anything, I spotted 4 questions out of 39 topics (I actually spotted 11 topics from the 39 topics, which I predicted, correctly, would be tested and from those 11, I chose 4 to study because I only needed to answer 4 questions. Till now, I'm still a physics idiot. What is friction? Er... disagreements between two people?). Oh well, it wasn't that bad. Passed some, failed one.
See, failure ain't that bad, if it is not where it matters most. Well, it probably did matter because I didn't get my overseas scholarship but that's another story.
My point is, the O level results are coming out soon and don't ever ever think that there is no way out if your grades are less than satisfactory.
There is no need to "rejoice" (euphemism for committing suicide by jumping off a tall building, thanks to a certain fatalistic pupil whom I used to teach. Rejoice should remain the brand of a shampoo, ok?) or do something drastic. You can always love another path ahead.
Some of my ex-students went on to do nursing (though they could not understand enough math to properly dilute the medicine to the correct concentration!) but hey! They are doing well. Others are pursuing courses in polytechnics and some in ITE, while even others have decided to go for private diploma and private advanced diploma courses. Some even made it to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, which for most represent the holiest temple of Arts (at least in the Singapore context).
Others have begun work (but please don't sell yourself, ok! Not at Changi Point, not at Geylang, not at Desker Road or at any other places where there is a meat market thriving)!
Whether or not it's the end of the world is in your hands.
Take care, good luck and enjoy yourselves while you can.
PS. In case you were wondering, my O level results were a disappointment. But then again, then, I was not able to accept anything less than complete success. With age, I am able to look back and say, hey, it was a little less than perfect but it made me a more complete person. Don't fret, don't grudge and NEVER EVER wallow in the failed past. Look ahead and there are abundant opportunities ahead. If you would bother to look, there'll be an opportunity.
[Alternative title: Rejoice!]
Fans of the Morning Express on Class 95 FM in Singapore would know that the title of this piece is part of the Morning Express Greeting Cards series. The guy says it in a very solemn tone, but the actual message was crystal clear:
"I thought I could love no other, until, that is, I met your brother."
Morning Express Greeting Cards... Tell your loved ones how you feel!
Was rather tickled when I first heard the greeting, but now I am viewing it through different lenses.
Baby Blues comic strip was rather spot-on in highlighting the difference in perspectives.
Baby Blues (12 Feb 05)
Well, if you are wondering why I am writing all this, let me hold you in suspense a little bit longer.
When I was a student, I faced many instances when I nearly freaked out when the results of my examinations were released.
I nearly went to see my junior college principal to repeat my A Levels on the day of the release of my results. I had thought of seeing him before even stepping into the school hall to get my results. I intentionally avoided going to the school hall first, even though the hall was right beside the entrance to the junior college. I walked to the office, all that while with my heart in my mouth (I remember I was in the middle of my relief teaching stint and I had asked for an hour off work to get my results) and as I walked towards the General Office, I saw the Honour Roll. I turned away, not wanting even to take a glance at it.
Somehow, I never found the courage to see my Principal, Mr Robert Tan (or MRT, as he is affectionately known to the student population). So I gingerly walked up to the second storey and teachers nodded to me with a knowing smile, even though they hadn't taught me before. I walked past the tutorial room where I saw my Chemistry tutor, Mrs Aileen Lim, teaching a bunch of provisional entry year ones still dressed in different secondary school uniforms. She threw down her chalk and zoomed to the door.
She extended her hands and said, "Congratulations!"
I went, "Huh?"
Then she said, "I want to strangle you."
Then I asked, "All distinctions but Chemistry S Paper F (grade)?"
She went, "Yah lah. You F Math students are always like that. You will study your F Math and give up my Chemistry..."
I was shocked. So not seeing MRT was right.
Walked to the hall, all the way thinking how it is possible at all to get an A for Physics. Really don't ask me how. If anything, I spotted 4 questions out of 39 topics (I actually spotted 11 topics from the 39 topics, which I predicted, correctly, would be tested and from those 11, I chose 4 to study because I only needed to answer 4 questions. Till now, I'm still a physics idiot. What is friction? Er... disagreements between two people?). Oh well, it wasn't that bad. Passed some, failed one.
See, failure ain't that bad, if it is not where it matters most. Well, it probably did matter because I didn't get my overseas scholarship but that's another story.
My point is, the O level results are coming out soon and don't ever ever think that there is no way out if your grades are less than satisfactory.
There is no need to "rejoice" (euphemism for committing suicide by jumping off a tall building, thanks to a certain fatalistic pupil whom I used to teach. Rejoice should remain the brand of a shampoo, ok?) or do something drastic. You can always love another path ahead.
Some of my ex-students went on to do nursing (though they could not understand enough math to properly dilute the medicine to the correct concentration!) but hey! They are doing well. Others are pursuing courses in polytechnics and some in ITE, while even others have decided to go for private diploma and private advanced diploma courses. Some even made it to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, which for most represent the holiest temple of Arts (at least in the Singapore context).
Others have begun work (but please don't sell yourself, ok! Not at Changi Point, not at Geylang, not at Desker Road or at any other places where there is a meat market thriving)!
Whether or not it's the end of the world is in your hands.
Take care, good luck and enjoy yourselves while you can.
PS. In case you were wondering, my O level results were a disappointment. But then again, then, I was not able to accept anything less than complete success. With age, I am able to look back and say, hey, it was a little less than perfect but it made me a more complete person. Don't fret, don't grudge and NEVER EVER wallow in the failed past. Look ahead and there are abundant opportunities ahead. If you would bother to look, there'll be an opportunity.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Full Circle
Full Circle
Was doing my Lunar New Year shopping yesterday. It was quite crowded at the supermarket, even though I'm way out of the town area, where the crowds really are. Still, shopping at your neighbourhood shopping centre, you still see lots and lots of people who'd rather shop there and avoid the large crowds elsewhere. Anyway, what easier to cart home your groceries than to carry them home on foot?
Met my Primary (Grade) 1 form teacher at the supermarket. It was quite a surprise for me, since I do shop at the supermarket quite a lot and so does she, but it's the first time I met her. We caught up with life and the education system. She asked me where I was and it was, like you would say, a "since-we-are-here-we'll-find-out-all-we-can" kind of chat session, grocery carts by our sides.
Even more interestingly, I saw my Secondary 4 (Grade 10) pupils who had graduated last year, working at the supermarket too. I even caught up with a couple of them, chatting and asking each other how the other was doing. You know, the indescribable feeling of meeting a teacher and meeting your own students.
Just as I was about to leave, my ex-Sec 4 pupil who had graduated 2 years ago, and her sister, who is graduating this year, called me. We had another chat outside the supermarket.
This is like life. Being educated, then being an educator. It comes a full cirle.
Was doing my Lunar New Year shopping yesterday. It was quite crowded at the supermarket, even though I'm way out of the town area, where the crowds really are. Still, shopping at your neighbourhood shopping centre, you still see lots and lots of people who'd rather shop there and avoid the large crowds elsewhere. Anyway, what easier to cart home your groceries than to carry them home on foot?
Met my Primary (Grade) 1 form teacher at the supermarket. It was quite a surprise for me, since I do shop at the supermarket quite a lot and so does she, but it's the first time I met her. We caught up with life and the education system. She asked me where I was and it was, like you would say, a "since-we-are-here-we'll-find-out-all-we-can" kind of chat session, grocery carts by our sides.
Even more interestingly, I saw my Secondary 4 (Grade 10) pupils who had graduated last year, working at the supermarket too. I even caught up with a couple of them, chatting and asking each other how the other was doing. You know, the indescribable feeling of meeting a teacher and meeting your own students.
Just as I was about to leave, my ex-Sec 4 pupil who had graduated 2 years ago, and her sister, who is graduating this year, called me. We had another chat outside the supermarket.
This is like life. Being educated, then being an educator. It comes a full cirle.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Lively Exchanges
Straits Times Feb 2, 2005
Lively Exchanges
What happens when Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, 81, founding prime minister of Singapore, meets a roomful of students in their 20s? Differences of views, lively exchanges, laughter. Below are excerpts from some exchanges at the NUS Kent Ridge ministerial forum on Monday
A chance for everyone
Student: Singaporeans have the tendency to not regard Singapore as home. We lack that sense of ownership.
At best we tend to see Singapore as a comfortable hotel and, at worst, it's even a prison that people don't have money and resources and the talent to take off from.
MM Lee: What makes you feel you don't own this place?
Student: I do. It's just the impression I have from talking to people...
MM: Once you say you feel you own this place, then I'm prepared to say all right. Can you give me one friend who tells you that he feels...
Student: I've spoken to many taxi drivers and they come from various walks of life, aside from other people.
MM: What do you think will give those friends of yours who do not feel they own this place a sense of ownership? You tell me.
Student: I don't know. That's why I was hoping that you could say something on this.
MM: You're describing to me a malady which I do not know exists, which has been talked about.
The chattering classes talk about this, we want ownership. How do you get ownership?
Make all the decisions. Every decision, we are part of it...
This is a phase Singapore is going through because a younger generation feels that they are entitled to a bigger space...to be in charge. They will be in charge, but only some of them will be in charge. Not everybody. But everybody will have a chance to give his input.
Stability doesn't come easy
Student: My name is Jamie Han, history honours student.
I'm not questioning your decisions in the past, I'm sure at those times, there was a need for consensus and stability. But I think we have come to the stage where stability is already here and that, in order to progress, the minority viewpoints have to be heard.
And I'm not saying that the People's Action Party is corrupt or anything now.
The truth of the matter is this: No matter how enlightened a despot is, ultimately, he'll turn into a tyrant if there are no checks and balances in place.
MM Lee: There's nothing to prevent you from advocating that, pushing that strenuously and finally getting a political party to adopt your platform, and we will put it to the vote. That's the democratic way of doing it.
I would beg to express my reservation that we have established unity and therefore all is well. You do not, maybe you do not realise how sensitive and how fragile some of this apparent unity could be...
(MM Lee talks about the 1964 race riots, the Jemaah Islamiah plot to blow up seven bombs in Singapore around 2001 which was disrupted, making the point that fault lines exist in Singapore society.)
Please do not assume that what you see as stability is something we can take for granted. It has to be worked for, looked after, nurtured and any incipient problem nipped in the bud...
Student: With all due respect, sir, I just wanted to say: One, that you are using the fear of the past in order to prevent progress; and second, you are picking examples of countries which suit your argument but I can raise a dozen others to counter with you.
But this is not a philosophical discussion, so thank you for your time.
Adversity? Move on
Student: I'm a motivational speaker with my own one-man start-up... I go around the schools to give seminar talks to kids and youth but I don't charge, so am I considered a social entrepreneur?
And if so, are there any social entrepreneurs you could share with us to encourage me and other social entrepreneurs to have a passion or fire burning right here in our hearts and right in this place we call Singapore?
MM Lee: I'm afraid I'm very ignorant about this. What is a motivational speaker? I plead ignorance, real ignorance.
Student: Basically I talk to the kids...about personal experience, share some motivational stories with them hoping that you can inspire them.
MM: I'm not an evangelist, I don't go round trying to convert people. I'm a practical man. My answer to you is: If you like to do that job and if you think you can go into business and you have already started, try and get a lot of experience so that you will have a lot of data to draw from and give to people.r
Student: Actually, I do have one experience...I suffered a stroke when I was 16 and it has been five years. I have moved on.
I'm not 100 per cent now - but I could make it past the A levels, O levels, up to NUS.
MM: I follow, I understand. Well, good for you.
You've got to overcome adversity. My wife suffered a stroke. I have to spend all my time telling her: Forget it, let's start from here, move on.
And I say good luck to you, move on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access.
Lively Exchanges
What happens when Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, 81, founding prime minister of Singapore, meets a roomful of students in their 20s? Differences of views, lively exchanges, laughter. Below are excerpts from some exchanges at the NUS Kent Ridge ministerial forum on Monday
A chance for everyone
Student: Singaporeans have the tendency to not regard Singapore as home. We lack that sense of ownership.
At best we tend to see Singapore as a comfortable hotel and, at worst, it's even a prison that people don't have money and resources and the talent to take off from.
MM Lee: What makes you feel you don't own this place?
Student: I do. It's just the impression I have from talking to people...
MM: Once you say you feel you own this place, then I'm prepared to say all right. Can you give me one friend who tells you that he feels...
Student: I've spoken to many taxi drivers and they come from various walks of life, aside from other people.
MM: What do you think will give those friends of yours who do not feel they own this place a sense of ownership? You tell me.
Student: I don't know. That's why I was hoping that you could say something on this.
MM: You're describing to me a malady which I do not know exists, which has been talked about.
The chattering classes talk about this, we want ownership. How do you get ownership?
Make all the decisions. Every decision, we are part of it...
This is a phase Singapore is going through because a younger generation feels that they are entitled to a bigger space...to be in charge. They will be in charge, but only some of them will be in charge. Not everybody. But everybody will have a chance to give his input.
Stability doesn't come easy
Student: My name is Jamie Han, history honours student.
I'm not questioning your decisions in the past, I'm sure at those times, there was a need for consensus and stability. But I think we have come to the stage where stability is already here and that, in order to progress, the minority viewpoints have to be heard.
And I'm not saying that the People's Action Party is corrupt or anything now.
The truth of the matter is this: No matter how enlightened a despot is, ultimately, he'll turn into a tyrant if there are no checks and balances in place.
MM Lee: There's nothing to prevent you from advocating that, pushing that strenuously and finally getting a political party to adopt your platform, and we will put it to the vote. That's the democratic way of doing it.
I would beg to express my reservation that we have established unity and therefore all is well. You do not, maybe you do not realise how sensitive and how fragile some of this apparent unity could be...
(MM Lee talks about the 1964 race riots, the Jemaah Islamiah plot to blow up seven bombs in Singapore around 2001 which was disrupted, making the point that fault lines exist in Singapore society.)
Please do not assume that what you see as stability is something we can take for granted. It has to be worked for, looked after, nurtured and any incipient problem nipped in the bud...
Student: With all due respect, sir, I just wanted to say: One, that you are using the fear of the past in order to prevent progress; and second, you are picking examples of countries which suit your argument but I can raise a dozen others to counter with you.
But this is not a philosophical discussion, so thank you for your time.
Adversity? Move on
Student: I'm a motivational speaker with my own one-man start-up... I go around the schools to give seminar talks to kids and youth but I don't charge, so am I considered a social entrepreneur?
And if so, are there any social entrepreneurs you could share with us to encourage me and other social entrepreneurs to have a passion or fire burning right here in our hearts and right in this place we call Singapore?
MM Lee: I'm afraid I'm very ignorant about this. What is a motivational speaker? I plead ignorance, real ignorance.
Student: Basically I talk to the kids...about personal experience, share some motivational stories with them hoping that you can inspire them.
MM: I'm not an evangelist, I don't go round trying to convert people. I'm a practical man. My answer to you is: If you like to do that job and if you think you can go into business and you have already started, try and get a lot of experience so that you will have a lot of data to draw from and give to people.r
Student: Actually, I do have one experience...I suffered a stroke when I was 16 and it has been five years. I have moved on.
I'm not 100 per cent now - but I could make it past the A levels, O levels, up to NUS.
MM: I follow, I understand. Well, good for you.
You've got to overcome adversity. My wife suffered a stroke. I have to spend all my time telling her: Forget it, let's start from here, move on.
And I say good luck to you, move on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access.
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