ffi

Suapes eF

f-7

lf

GRAv

Mass Media

t-1

lThe television is detrimental to our abitity to think criticalty.

2should we still expect objective reporting from today,s mass rnedia?
Society

5-34

3Has globalisation made the world more civilised?

4clobalisation has crated two worlds, not onc. Comment.

5somc high-profile politicians have brought up claims that the young adults in
indllstrialized or rapidly industrialized countries like the Unitcd Statcs and
Singapore are too self-absorbed. Do yott agree?
6The family has suffered at the expense ofcareer iD Singaporan society. Disc6s.

TCri(ically examine the forces threatcning the family in Singapore.

8Critically examine the forces threatening the family in Singaporc todav.
9Parents in Singaporc today hnve generally abdicated thcir responsibilities. T(, ivhat
extent do you agree with this statement?

lols ar agl]ing population necessarily

llls

a bad

thing?

an ageing population necessarily a b:rd thing?

12ln this modern era, the aged are becoming more ir.relcvant than they ale useful.
What arc your viervs?
lS lhe greatcst obstacle to womcn achieving eqtlality is the wornen thcrnselves. I)o
you agree?

l4our

lives are determined by the places $e :rre born into. How true is this belicP

IsPublic figures have to behave wel! at all times. Do you agree?

l6"Thc road

less

travellcd." (M. Scott Peck) is being diffcrent overratcd?

Valucs
lTHumlln lifc

is precious nnd nrtlst bc preservcd at allcosts. Discuss.

lSAsian Values: Do thcy exist?

35-43

38capital punishment versus the life sentence. Discuss.

3gEx-criminals ought to be given a secoud chance. Discuss.

Sports

82-89

40Sport is taking fun seriously. Do you agree?

4lsport has fallen short ofits true ideals. Is this true of today's world?
42Is it true that competitiye sport is all about fame and money?

43with technology, sport is no longer the samc. Do you agree?

Miscellaneous

90-104

44"Hal the world, make it a better place." Can we?

45"Science enslaves, the arfs liberates." Discuss.

46Any change in society begins in the school. Comment.

4THistory is dominated by wars. Discuss.
48comment on the st:lte of tr:rditional rrts in your country.
49Genetic Patcnting
S0Tragedy and Our Response

Quotes

105-109

Vocabulary

110-113

tI

The television is detrimental to our

ability to think critically.
The srereotypical imase of the American
family is often that of an obese middle_
aged farher. his wife and chitiren on
thc
of
,,li"L,*.. ,ra';"g
white earine chips. rhis "",g"
..*u,io.
u,o;;;"";;;;'.;;;;:.,.
",
].1.^Y:::,q"
nor enlirety
uncommon rn devetoped nar,ons and rew
wonder
orren calted rhe
"idior-box". Of lare. it has [reen accused
"h)
of discouraging
ir"","g
a neSari\e
effect on rhe vieweft' abiliry to rhink
""a "r.*
criticaly.i;; #;",iil;,"r""!il,lir"",

b;;;.;;';u"."

;; i;i;;"";;;';

n.*".,",,

First of all. ir is neccs.an to clearly

defi e whet is refercd lo bv one s ability lo
criLica'y. tr rcfers ro rne ar,;liry of rhc
i"di",d";i-; i;;i';i.Jri i1,10..,,".. o, ,,,
issue and weigh borh rheir meriLs and.faltacies
d;"#;;:;firion.
To thintr
criticatly is ro rhink independenrtu
*a
ai.pu.ionui"ii,;i;;,f";il"*
unafl.ecred by
public opinion. Lrsrly, ir is rhe abil;ty
to make a rati&i;;:#;;lltson
*hur on","
five senses have observed, not one based
tlLink

on

p*t

"*p"ri"".".

oiffi;"*"

ln this aspect, the television itselfis to

blame to an extent. Most of the timc, what
ore sees on any tclevision channcl is
the.A-".i.un ui.*. it ill i" i".u"u.."l",ng ,rr"
e.onotnii .uf'er porrer. ir hrr. nrrmfred trillrnns
*toUnt
i",o In.Jir',..nn.lorr"',o p.n1",, ,,.

;,,ji.;;#,J,::,j.;l,l::i :ig.i.y1l3

:.;;;.;-,; ;,;i

.,,"p;"i"" ;;;,;:;;";:'",;;,,1.,,,

;,"il*"';:,i";l:iH;1

: ::;

dround ,,,e

iffiI",l:.il.:.,ii ;l:.1#i;:':

advalced satellite technology in the world_

A lot of news and even entertainmenl we
rcceive is not witholt an American sl
one wonders how one can think criticallv when
tt
is o,rty u,re'ui.*;;l;:#;:1*

"..

Of'ten. the infomtalion we reccivc is

already in processed fon]r. When flmous
juagn'.,'i o,' ,,,f i,,u., iil'o.irr, ,",i";.",
Atd"nt fans o[ celebrities hang o' to every word
"n,
their idols say even if th. ."l"b.itutl
rirrrc or nothrrtg rbout a
Prrticular issuc.

:i'::if':f1i:,j:i1fi::: ::":J5;:'"r"

c.iri";i;;l;;s;b,L,r'i'ii,,"iiii,iil5l'ws

Another important reason whv rhe teler

tsion is more prone to such accusation in
comparisoo ro orher rnass nredi:r i<
',"."','J,
the ,.,.; ;il;
il.rlormilin . WlleI r(rdi g,u.r..p,,p.r..,u,.
";;;;';#'i',in',
hjls t,, tr)
lr\t to tmirAine i d s..c the
cverr rcporrc,t hrpperrinr ir
s rrrirrd },... ,"1,u^n".s
onr1 i. in""oi",*o .",o,,,"u
nhotoBrilphs to aj(l the Fro!c\s.'ne
The radio only providcs sound, so what
the cvent itself
IooL: lrke r. upir ro intcrtrr,.rirriL,rr fh"
<lr.rn _q"i.",r ,o
r(qurre\ rtrnl'18 rlrrlirv rrnd drttcjenr
",,r!ir"'1u"n,.,r,.,,,,,,,*
peuptc uil inrertrcr ,h";;;;;;
." ,i.,, 0",_",,,
opinions- -Ielc\ tsion, hower cr is
m tull colour and stercophonic sound
,
and
one docs not
needrorhinkJr :rll whilc reccr\ino rh.
intonrrrun ur".,a.i., ,rrr"rlr,',i""1.".".,, I*o.,u,
ol li\c.cn.es rle fttlly cilterc,l J.ri.rn,l rhis
crl,ja||r. wlr) it rs e.r,) to irhsorh 1n;6r_.,,,on
rheebir rytotrrinr,criticairf
i"o,r r,utonry

. *"*,,

il[ri':,:::,:il:l]

Jim;;i;h;.;r;;J;;;i

rl

I
I

T
:

f
:

II
t

!t

However' saying trrar rerevision.is.

.
alJ:rin be inational. There

only detrimenral to critical thinking woutd,

p.og.o--". to i","".
Uy
channels such as Narional Geographic, 'Diicovery
".a'"a"y"a
"li
ggc fn.iri.t
ifr"*"i'ani
Broadcasting Corporation). Oftcn, highly .ont,nu"rriit
,rr"*'_l'ol"o"o _a
c\jltu.,,e,t. objccriv.ry ,,,,1
"p,,,u...
t.ngrr,,";,;s,,;;._,i.n
1,:.:!:ll!,"u
I i r\s[.s Jrc dehaled tu tlle evtcllt rlrar irs"ifr.r. and cuns rr( c\posed Jn,lll'lno,o
the publrc can
mrke rr. o$.n rdtrondt judBnrenr Jtrcr lhe d(tire ,,.,",.
M,:,.;r";:
;ui..,,,.
,,"**
cnJrmets \ucn rs BB( anLi f-lrarrnel \ewsAsr.r gu
r\, gre.rt lengrh. to irrteivieu peoplc
-caretir
who havc sl.oog views regarcring an issue and they
are
nlot ,o le:we-out
any other
-o*,,'op,nron
perspeclivcs. The
sitting
at
home
ian
thus form tri"_
_individual
on
corrtenrior,\ rssucs Irkc clonrng L,r retrorisDtl for exan4rle,
t
on_fri"-o*n five senscs
JrrrrrnlnKln: JOrlrl\.norlIib.r.kprolrlld.Lrplrrrrrernr..r
"r.a
puhltcofinion.
are mind-srimulating

on

Whether the television has a negJti\ c Effc!t

o[ crillcJl thrnking
',lr? ur not dcpends on
what viewcrs want to watch. .fhc f:rct ihrt pr,.,gr"nun".
*f,,.1 Jn
c.iticat
thinking tend.to be nrorc popular rharr rhose wiL.h.r", .r,",".
"n.o"u.og"
,i",
p."pi"
iiuo,,1,
ao no,
.I.hcrcforc,
want ro thirk criticelly_
one has to bc careful ,"ir"n'Ji...-ing *t,.r
progralnnles to watch as a slaple dict and wha(
to watch lvhcll onc wants to relax
The

quu aments oJ-the qltestioh

,r.e
,,'htdl,.
..tnt,dturt.,t.thr\

Ushnish Dc
04s33

an: ut tr.rttroJ,u h,tn,llcLl

" n,ell D(.velal)ment
pt)ints
,'
"
r, j,.,thttt,tt,ta,dJ,t.;l

Should we still expect objective reporting from today's mass media?

The mass media refers to institutions concemed with the large-scale pmduction
and diffusion of communication. News, which is the product of organizational paocesses
and human interaction, is shaped by the mcthods used in the news-gathering process.
News is thus affected by the infbmration sources available and the organizational
requirements, resources and policies of pa icular institutions. A piece of news is ideally
free from bias, opinio\ personal values, prejudices aod associated with scientihc data
thai is generated under experimental conditions. Unlike the past, corporations and
goverrments arc lrow asserting greater influence on the nuss media today. Also, the
profit-motivation of media firms as well as the professionalism ofjoumalists are growinu
factors contributing to the distortions of news rcports. Thercfore, we should not still
expect objective repofting in today's mass media

In the past, media companies were mainly small scaled and too insignificant to
acquiae any power of illfluencc. The arliclcs that they published weie also mostly
balanccd and well researched. Today, ownership of the media is largely in the hands of
large multinatiolal corporatiolts- Wc arc faced with an incrcasing number of multimedia
conglomerales such as the Ruper( Murdoch's Media Empire which have large control
ovcr the various tbmrs of media. The proprictoas of dresc large colporations often play
the rolc of gatekecpers. aestrictiltg thc flow of infbmtation in a country. Illey often use
their wide ciaculations to promole their pel political causes or dcligrate people t]rey
disagree with- These are maidy done through the hiring and firinS of statT. For examplc,
two award-winning Florida TV producers working for F'ox News have recently bccn fired
after thcy rehrsed to broadcast falsc reports aboul Monsanto's controversial llenetically
engineercd growth hom)one. Therelbre, mnny joumalists are 'cocrccd' or 'intinidated'
into Dot rEporting things thal atlect the nolhcr company and lelalecl intcrcsts. resLrlling in
news repofts drat are largely onc-sicled and lnisleilding. Thc prolit molivation of nledia
firms also led to more alisasters beiug broadcast, lhrl appcal nlore lo the audicncc. Thus,
due Io corporate influe[ces at]ecting lhe lrass iledia, wc carno{ expect oiiectivc
reponing fiom il todayCornpared 1rl in the pasl, media companics today arc increasingly irnder
government pressure- Vcry otien. lhe govcrnntent sees the media as a plattbrm ot wlich
it can put forth its propaganda alld changc what the pcople think. This is cspccially so
when a ruling pa.ty in drat country has a large sha.e of the broaclcast nlcdia timc_ In thc
recent fhailand elections, more television coverage was given (o the prime Ministcr. Mr_
Thaksin Shinervatre than to the opposition lcaders. This suggests that Thailand's mass
media is not oeutral in its broadcasring approach, espccially since Mr. Thaksin's fnmily
runs the kingdon's largest tclecornmunication corporation. Allhough the mass media is
given the ficcdorn to repod what i1 wanls and various laws are hid dob,n to avoid nledia
bias in many countries, objeclivc reports still c nnot bc cxpected lronr today's mass
nlcdilr due to govemrnent ill(ervcntiot.

Joulnalists used to coocLlr thal obicctivily wts the htllnlrrk of crediblc

joumirlism- They largely wrote rniclcs orr rvhich thcy wcre tlloroughly informed Today,

t
I
I

t
I

t
t
I
t
I

t
I
t

the recent tsunamr

however, joumalists lepoft news based on how they see the world ln
in their
i,r"il"rrt, i.port"." tiom Sri Lanka are known to ex;ggerate the extent of damage
of
propofiions
the
to toy with people's emotions in an atGmpt to increase
.*"
itft'ected
"""*.y
rii po.,i irr,o s.i Lanka Thc danage done to the coast of otherthe locals
,rr"t
"ia
Joun*i". *u, no,."ported. This skewed piece oiinformation may mislead both
joumalists report news as they see it' they would freque[tly and
-J io..ign"rr. Sin;e
and
u"ini.*io"n"ffy slant iheir "ou"rug". Oft""' when joumalists try to be objectivc
expect
still
rp broadcasting their liberaL slalt' As a result' we cannot
,ft"y

U"fm""J,

".a
non biased reporting in today's mass nredia-

news
There l1as been a growing intcrest among readers worldlvide in.objective
broadcast
in *" pu.t. ihis m"iy <tttue profit-motivated media cornpanies to
bias
liberal
"o-pu."Jio
However' the problem of
-orJ otrj".,iu. n"*i in order to incrcase readelshiP
..itt i. media corpotations Unbcknown to them' somc of their ownwevie\ts
*iff
still
"f*'"vt
subtly or not Hence'
n l.i ia.as *outa rc nintecl in the aticles they write, whether
can|ot expect objective reporting in today's mass media-

Morc ancl more newspapcrs claim that they are indepcndent ol -lhe Sovernmenl
jollrnalisrs evcn devise
ntner inttu"n.ing factors Some of thesc media compuries and
publish The Oregonian'
"na
iiJr-"*t t"*tiq*iof verifying thc faimess of the stories they
'prosecutioD ediling
callcd
US fror"a daily. for examples, is said lo enlPloy a system
"ir"-.r;-i.
a stoly. Such news peoplc care about ftcir image and therefore
he able to
l{owevcr, il today's globalizc woricl' a tnedia cunpaoy will not
Itrj."titity "a1tii"^,c

..u,'aotuu"-E'ventuxlly'ilrvillhavelohavelinks,cilhe'withothcfmcdiacolnP.lnie\oI
acccpls
utir", ,yp". c,f con,panies. Howcver. wllen this happens alld the media lomparly

downmess

kini of favor fiom any source. its stand on objectivity wilL cornc plumnreling
ifr'"."to... it is still not possiblc tor us lo expecl objective reporting in today's
any

media.

uninlormcd: if
Mark Twailr oncc said. "[f you do not rcad ftc newspaPer' you arc
lruc {oday' Lls
you do read the ncwspaper, you are nrisinfomrecl'" fhis is especially
po.ng."pl,,. To(lx), lhe nasr rredrrr lects en,rnclerting trend of
lrguccl in the
how lo
it. c.,nt.ni. iherclbre, pe"plc necd to be cduc'tterl Icgrrdingdevelop
r"ii..ri";,v in"bnu"
ii"iiirv trri, various tbrms of media sul'iectivrty we rs re'rdcrs rlso ncLdl\' totruthful anda
critical eye when reading ttre nc*'si'rpt' rnrl ehsurh tnlolnrtlLln that
the nrass rnedia rurlay corupared
Lrnbiased since morc opir;onltcd iclcas are rnjectctl intu
mass media
to in the pasl. Thcreforc. !\'e caflnol still expect objcctivc repotli g from thc
today.

etsal'
Contcnt of yttur esstty is L:lcarly ttnqlc and x'eLI otganizet! A tog(ttt
Hong Ji g Har
04s22

fl
Has globalisation made the world more civilised?

In our rnodem world. the word in vogue is .globalisation,_ After the collapse
of
conmunism and the end of the cold war, globafiz;don, where social, economic
ahd
political barriers no longer exists, emerged. The workl is a society instead of many
smaller sepamte ones, with human interacdon possible anywhere. One of globalization,s
premises is that it can eradicate barbarism. violencc alld wars, repJacing
it_with refined a
society with a univeAal culture. However, many people, including myielf, feel that
fhis
desired effect ofhaving a less barbaric society has notieen achievi. "
One of the indications of a less barbaric world would be a reduction
in levels of
violence and wars. Tlre world would shrre a common political ideology in globalization,
wherecountries would work together to improvc rheu iivcs. This woui-jbe
frade possiblc
through the transmission of ideas and ways of governance. The westem world,
for
example' championed the capitarisl cause and triecl to influence the rest
of the world to
follow suit. Anterica was the forerunner and its fbreign policies under president Bush
emphasized a hands-on approach, wherc the Unticd Siates of
Arncrica (U,S) personally
fook it upon itself to propagare wcstern ideology_ They believed that the
US way of
govenitnce ought to be adopted by everyone and thaf this way was globalization
in terms
ofpolitical culture. However, through rhe process of globalization, t"tre US tract nn quatms
r:',"s jb.* on rhc rcccr.'rin8 narion. They backed rhe Taiibans whcn
rhey werc
:l?ll
trghttnB the Sovict invasron in rhe 90s because they fcared
communism spreading furthel.
But they bombcd thcm in the afremurh of ttre 9/11 incidenr They
launciect thc traq War
to stem thc tide of anti American scnltment. The Antericans,
the chempioris of
globalization in tcmN of polirical ideology, o[ly allowed for
the American way of
thinking. other ideas woulrl be quashed and if e.rtire countries were
,,,,in"J r".uu". of
globalization through wars ancl violencr-, ir was unavordxble.
The tjS-lcd globalization
has only shown the inhcaent warring and brrb.lriL lurLrrc ot
thc Arn..i."n, u"'u r"rutt.

be that the
.. The benefits ()1 globalization in tenns of economic effects would
.liading
divergence
the
rich
and
pooa
coult
es
would
be
reduced.
and rhc
_bctween
exchange of technology and ideas would enable less_developed
countries io catch up with
developed ones- Thc developed countr-ics felt that this woulL.l
bc an advanced stage in the
progress towards racial equality since it was a case of thc
rich helping the poor. It would
the ulrimare level of aftainment in tenns oi moral values. Wid
gtiUuliJ^iion tfllougt
trade, the rich, advanced countrics could civilize or enlighten
the'poor, backwad ones
and bring rhem ro lhc same level. I{owever, rhis only works theoreiicaliy.
Globalisation
rc\uhcd In lhc ex|loit,rtion of cheap labour ;n count.i"s'tit" China and
gnly
:tt
,lt"d:
lnolA. LaDnur Inten\tvc Lrctoaicl werc situated ilr third world
coufltties, whcre workers
uere trcared inhuntrncly, Lvrng rn squalor and bcing paid extremcly
low wages. f.br
rnstance. hum.n right. groups crarnrcd that for a uS$r20
Nikc shoe riiade in china, the
worker reccived less rhan UStlj l_ Chikl labour was also reporledly
pracrised by Nike shoc
manufacturing ifldLrslrics in China as well. Llencc, giobalisation
fhrougli tradc has
allowed multi-lation{l corpor-ations to lakc aclvantage J cheap
labout off.e'rctt Uv rtrira_
world couorr ics. Ycr, whilc they hide uncler the ba[nir of providing jobs
t., rt,e ott,.,*,s"
joblcss poor and bringing them to rhe sanre civilizcd
lcvel evc"rriually, rhey pay rhe

it is not
v/orkers peanuts and give them pathetic livjog conditions This is because
the poor would be
desirable for them to b;ng thc Poor to the same level of riches since
only
a engage in siuch labour then. Thus, glotralisation through trade has
;;lh"g -"";
civilized
the- rioney-grubbitg and hhumane side of the so-called more
;;;.g-h,
nations and matle them appear no less barbaric as a result

positive
Ilowever, in temrs of global culture' we have definitely procee'ded in a
past fifty years.
direction. In thelarts, a worl6 iulture has evolved dramatically since the
crtlture and
Many nrod".nists have fused the best qualities of the Eastern-and Westem
an intemationally
formecl a whole new breed of fusion ari. For instance, Bright sheng,
Chinese and
merged
successfully
has
ac.tuiorea Cnin".. compute. expefl in America'
would
stvles
Westem
.i^.i*f .".i" togcther. The successful fusion ol O cnlal andeasier to have access
to
{ar
have beel1 irnpossiile without globalisation Furthermore' it is
audicnces ln
ini".nnLionut u"t. because of iire fact that they are aware of intemational
high'-whar with the
i.g^p". "f""", lhe number of intemational perlonners is very placc
in the pe'iod of
Siniupo* e*fti.t e.stivat, Films Festival and Arts Festival taking
our cllture and
n"friuo.y to ltluy. Internatiolal acts can be flown in and rve can diverslfi
stonrore
t.ing itio g."ut". fl.ights. ln this rcspect. globalisation hds definitely cxposed
cultJralchangcs urd rnacle us more retined and civilized-

"Gtobalisation" is a word that s|ells much (hangc irnd its rcirch is oLrLy limited to
or menlal
Ihe size of our globe- Despitc our ditfercrlces' be iI rn temN of phy\i(xl
hcnefils'
ofl't
may
lt
,ilrp".iry, *. arc-nonetheleis equally cauSht up in globatisatiolr'Liti having a vibra t global atls;ullurc, or ir may spell tlisastcr like cult ral.rcscnlmcnl'
iJentity to rnaintain individralily or the exploilntion of cheap lebour'
,ej".tiun n-f gtot,oi
_-"fi",c
"
against such changes may llso show oul barblrric or civilizcd
fl"" t*v *.
anolher nlater when
nature. We llave lo bleaLthe egg in oader lo nrake xn omelct' bllt il is
it conres to whether wc woiLld bc wilting to sacrifice our h[manity for corplele
glnl\Jtr'irrrnrr irl ill :llca- ofurlr lrulrrarr 'o ict1
Mttin probltm: You tiid nttt tuswer tl( Llltcstion "llas " htfu conclusiott
(vo t slightb) Lack
Gootl riisr:ussion dt.spit( lhe lttng wirlt:tlness arul perhaps tfu: stiSht
of e\)alua!i.)n. Cool! c\anPIes
Lirrt Yi Niy
04s31

has crdtted two worlds, not one. Comment.

globalisation was coiied to rcflect the creation of a world in

which
are non existent Indeed, the ideal aim of globalisation is to unite
the
this is made possible by the mpid development in communication
Nevertheless, sociologists and economi.rs aliLe arc unltzed wirLr
the tr,,ne
globa,isation and feel lhat jt ha. fallcn \hofl of its rrue ideats.
I here'a'..
people who feel drat globalisation has separated the world more than
it has
agree with this statement to some extent.
ir, One of the most evident effects of globalisation is the creation
of a .North_South
le'- a term coined by economists to describe the huge economic disparity that exisrs
een ich and poor nations. Globalisation is often see-n as a
fagad" mi rfr"

apitalise

on the poor alrd

,iJ ,ri.rl

m?Lke themselves richer. Most rich nations have

)nted outsourcing policies thaf enable them to tap the ."roua"",
of uuoth"a
for thei own development. This is evidenr evcn in South_East
Asia itr"tf *f,el"
t of_the oilfields are owned by Westem companies such as
Exxon Mobil. Shell and

sh P.troleurn. Former Indone,ian pre\ident Suklrno o \. dubbcJ gf"fr"ti",io,,

.rr
the 'new form of colonialism'. lndeed, in the economic sense, *"
;;" ;i;;;';;;
globalisarion has created a huge disparity between the rich anil
poor natio.s insLeaa of
reducing the rich-poor gap. Thus, in a sense, grobalisalion has
createcr nor one, but two

Politically, lllobalisation has created a wo.ld whcrc the more powedul

ations
have tltc most say in worlcl affairs. "fhis rgxin, ls eonrraly
ro thc idea ihat elc,balisation
\-tould urrrc llrc uorld. Ho$ r. thdr
l,trssrble qlren rlre rnorr fowerlul n,rrion,',,r,.rt,e,.lr.;
makrrg thc deLrsion? Anlcrirr rrgucd lhat therc was a ncedio
invade Iraq on thc basis of
Saddam Hussein's weapors progranlme. IJowcver,
the Unitc.l N^tio,rlr'1U11 Secu.ity
Council votcd against the invasion of Iraq, but was p,r*".t...
t,-r fa"u"nt'ilr. ,nuoaiun_
After thc war, it soon became cvirient thit lraq,s supposed pnr."lr"ion-ui
*""p,rn, ut
mass destruction (WMDS) was a hoax. The events'that
occurred in ti," traq Wa,
highlighted a clear loirr - rhar the unired srares runs rh,"
*n,tu nna ,rntro,tv can srand irr
its way. The situation has also becn Jescribcd o,
u"r"u.r-ttr. *olti,.ituution.
Thus, it can be seen that globalisation has not yet fulillcd
".U.S.irs ulr_, oi"riiin, ur"
*_fa,
but ha.s crcated a lrurf between natiors. Moreov;r, rr h.r, c,ruscd
the less pn*.i.t,,t uuriun.
to .slrftcr from an irfcdority complex and comply
rvrrh thc ,lec,si,rns ol iti" ,no." p,r*"rtut
natlons.

t|'r is not ro siry rhirr glohtlisarion is a complete

tailure though. Socially,

mirde euhurol tusiun possible in many counrrics, whcre
the lif.esryles of
.9"t1':ll)r,'"1t:i.
tne Last rnd We\r . e buth rhrivrng regardlcss of the paft
o[ lhc world thal an tndividual
rs rfl. t[ l\ commoD ro find n 'L'hin town' in the Uniled
States ancl a .McDonalds, in
Sirgapore. lhe intlux of forcigners in individual counrrie.
i, o". * irr.,"""i ru.,o..' ,rr",
make cultural fusion possibrc. Indeed, culturar fusion has crealed
a harmoi'rious mrx ol
cultures and has made peoplc aware of another pcrson,s
cultnre. lftf,ougt it . i".u" .rf
Amcrican cultural domination has oiien croppetl irp, it is quitc cvident
tlu_t societies still
_

-"

I
I
t
I
rl
I
I
I
I
t

I
I
t
I

maintain thcir roots even when exposed to tbrciSn cultures. In the area of music,
globalisation has enabled musicians to take the best of both worlds and come up wiih
;omething that shows traits from both worlds. New Age musician, Kitaro' is f'morrs for
such com-positions and the Malaysian band 'Too Phat' is renowned for making 'hipiop'
music using traditioral tuncs. Thus, in this area, globalisation has united the best from
both worlds and created a new blend of culhrre that no country can call its own'
In conclusion, globalisation may have failed to unite the world economically and
politically, but its success in fusing cultures is not to be played down. Though it has not
iully achievert iLs ideal aim of creating a world without borders' it ha$ come a long way
from the 1940s when the idea of Germany holdirg talks with the United States was
impossible. Ooc of the barriers that used to restrict unity language - has been rernovcd
to an exrent. No doubt, globalisatioo is still not very successful- But neve heless, the
future certainly looks bright as China rises as a supcrpower and balances the powe' once
hcld by the U;iGd States. Hopefully in the futurc. we can one day look fbrward to a real
world without borders.
The grcdt ma

il

is ),aur clear arul ol.lered

thillkits Polentidlly,

Lhc grrdtest

hc four (:ategorical cl.tssirtcaioll of tle effccts ttl global^ation

toward one workl, culturalh,,

it

faiIing would

g p!!j!k!A t

is not

is--

Tan Yee Kiat

04s:]4

GLoBALTZATIoN Qu@T E s:
IT HAs sEEN sArD THAT ARculNG AcAINsr GL@BALIzaTl@N
ACAINST THE LA'WS
- K@FI ANNAN

6F

's

LIKE ARGUINc

GR,AVITY.

BY RICH P(EPLE LIKE US' !5 A VERY NIC

TALKING
TH IN G... YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE IflTRNET, Y(EU ARE
ABOUT CLL PH(DNS. Y(DU ARE TALKING AEOUT C(EITIPUTERS. TUIS OOCST'T
GL@BALrzarr@N,

As

DEFINf

AFFECT TW@-THIRDS OF THE PEOPLE (DF THE W(ERLD.

- IlmnY CARTE R

GL@BALIZATIoN HAs cHAticED us INTo A conPANY THAT SEARCHES THE

WORLD, N(DT JUST TO sELL lDR T@ S{DURC!, BUT TO FINO INTELLECTUAL
CAPITAL - THE 'WORLD.S 85T TALENTS AND GREATE5-T IDEAS.
\i/E LcH
-

IAcK

some high-profire poriticians have brought up clairns that

the Joung adurts in
industrialized or rapidty industrialized count.ies tike
rtr" Uni;;'i,;il;;
Silgapore are too self-absorbed- Do you agree?
Just two weeks before, five hundred youth convened
at the National University

of
singapore in early Jure for the amual preuniversitf
,;;;;;il;;;,
Durins
the
seminar, Dr. Vivian Batakrishnan rlescribed Singaporean
yo"if, .,::r"ti
frr"g.y *a
seltrsh". In an informal poll conducred-by ff,. S"r.Ar"
".,
fi_!,
nn ii
*
overwhelming majorirv begged ro differ wirh ,r,. rnrni.*r,
"ililnii uarri"tpru.,
,"r"i,[
iiourr,
,tu,
,t
-nigir_p;fff.
people oI their generation were becoming roo self absorbed.
"
So_.
p,rtiti.ut
figurcs have brought up claims that rhe young a.tutrs
in rnaustriaiiiea o. ,upiaty
indusrrialized counrrics like rhe Unircd stu"" u"j sing;po;
;;.;;i;:
r* ," *o'absorbed. Altfiouglr there rna) be some erceprions.
in ml opinioni rhosec,l.t,m" arc urli.t
to only a srnall cxtent.
As education today takes on a morc holistic approach,
community work atul
lre
slowty being inresrated iJ," irr.'
*un ,rri,
:::l-,^lj,l,,llr"^"reDr
"""J'",itrrn.

iii!=:Tfli.iLi'f::Tfi'.'.':,'"'a::'"li'":i:::'J";ii'Jlll'"#l$"ily',fi:il:,;
themselvcs in chariry work. be it local. o. uu"r."ur..i-1".i_*
fii'.*"r"pr",
in singapore organ,,.. .,..,",,. ."i;;;;;i,
"ta"y
in"",,.,'n",,, r.,on.,.
:j:":l-"::ll:
llii"rr.
rrJr alr verv ue
rc(ci!ed bv theirrtudenr.. I.lre:c srudenrs g" lreprl

ro
tu huild proper
schools or visit rural areas in ihailand ro ronstrucr
toicrslu. ,i. ."iia"nr._ ,trv"y
from home, thesc participants have no lnalenal ctrmlon.
"anita,.y yet
they carry
-rrr"i.
out the tasks
t*iuta
assigned
r nuch cnjoymenr and enrhusirsm,

vi

t""*i.g

ur"t"
positive diftcrence in the lives of rhe uldcrprivrlegca
arr"ott -, "it.,a" r., t,act up the"
claim that youth irt dcveloped counlrics do r""or*
ir"-."irl. i" "^"r,rii"
."rlr"i"r,ri .,v".0 .."*
from an issue of us sEV'ENTEEN ."g;,i;;"1.
highlighted a group of teenage girls whu underrook,
p".r,.r1r*"J., ,rri .nrgte hanacdly
r'',
(onrnrrnirv invotremcnr p,"t..,
LJ_, r.""r".i,r,i *,,,,"ar"ao
"',",,e.,s
::::1illi':d..
sorrlcrllrns tot th(
lcss lbrtufi3tc. Ftorn tlte ahovr c\.rmph.s. rr
is rhu. er idcnt Ihar yoLlll rn
developcd countdes are hot selfish aod :etf
absorbcd bc.;;;;;
;;;; th" n..,ts uf
others bcforc thek own, contrary to uh3t rhe
tcmr .,sel[-,rbsorbei..i.Jpii".. .f.nu., ,t"
claim is tnre to o y a snrall exteni.

l;:;;;;;:il:;..#:1Tir""il;.,_"

ieason why rh( young adults in devcloped coontries

are said ro be nor
hecxuse dLcv ale tblc to take hardships
in their stride and adapt to lhcir
situation instcad of merely whining ir the hopc
thal the situarion will bet{er itserf, or that
someone will coil)e and better thc siruation
for them. The frti",.ir-" .frurl.i".ir,i. ot
yourh. f, far cry tionr thar in devetopert co"*.t",
i.ouy. r" ,r,""
::1"j.1,;ii^".,^:l:ll:"'brd
wdKe
ol rne terrunst Septentber I I auacks on the US Twin Towers.
the US ecolomv was
brll) shaten. \4rl) innu(.crt lrve: wcr. l,rst arrd rnarrl sulo
brcr.lwrnrrclr
stack. As nillions moumed rhe deaths hcro..
rr," Us,
".,i:;:;'i,;;.
oir""ii,
rrllrecl ro_gcrher. formrng supporr groups lhar helped
".,j..'in"
"."",o
ride each olhcr over
the
:T*U"","0
oeilln ul luvcli nnes. It is :uch inrtLntrvcs
that show thrlt the y;ung do not clcse.ve dre {ag,

-^,,
^"-1i"t,l:rlt
scrr-aosorDcd

i*t","

go a
'self-absorbed' for instead of grievirig silently' they take hardships in their stride and
step further to help those in the same boat as they.

very
Closer to home, just a few years ago, the Singapore economy was not doing
well and cornpanies carried out rnajor retrenchment exercises' leavilg many Singaporean
that a
parents unemployed. Some, although sti1l employed, took major wage cuts such
itranpe in tifesrvie was warranted. When interviewed or polled by the local media as to
parents cited
noru ih"y *out i .op. with the reduced income flow in the household' most
buying
measure; such as ."ducing their teenagers' pocket money and cutting down on
to
their
In
respoDse
iu*ury it -r, purchasing only what was absolutely necessarJ'
fo
p-",it.' I."ta"rr.lt-"nts or wage cuts, a small number of Singaporean youth took the
;fieets in search of work in an attempt to supplement the household's income l-ess
youth polled
significantty, however, in response to the poll on their parents'.most ofthe
reieated ttrat they would accept pocket money leductions and other financial changes
fufther
unquestioningly because they understa[d the situatio[ their parents are in When
most youth cited
lu"'.tion"a ^i io hn* th"y would aid the cuffent economic situation'
the burden ol1
to
ease
sacriftccs like spending less and goilg out and eating oul Less often
in developed
their clders. As such. ii can bc seen tiom thc above mentioned that the youth
situation
the
- deltnitely
countries are able to take hardships in their stride and adapt to
a mark of a self-absorbed generation. Thus, the slatemenl that youth in developed

not

countries are too self absorbed is true only to a small extcnt'

On the flipside however, there are instaoces when thc youth of developed
ilr
countries can be sclf absorbecl lt is lhese limes that catch the ettention of inclividuals

gcnelction'
the govemrnent, who then speak abotlt il' tamishing the image of the whole
the young
whe-n
is
Oneiexamplc in rvhich this nature of being self-absorbed carr surface
are lacing sliff competition- [n this situation. it is "evcry man for himsell'' and many
would gJ all out ;i{l litlle regard of others. just so lhey would enicrgc vrcnnious'
Althou;h it is convenicnt to seJthis as a characleristic of the generation as a whoLe' it
woulcl Le bcfter if onc examines lhc situation into which the yoLlng are plxced- ln today's
fast{aced world, cspecially irt dcvelopcd countries' thc young must keep uP with the
competition should they want to keep afloat. Thus, it lhen becomes rccessary to bc
selfish and self absorbed.

ln conclusion. the youth ill dcveloPcd coufltrics are self absorbed to only a small
cxtenl. They have proven to be lble to take hardships in their stride' idapt to their
situation. and thcy clo put the needs of the mderprivileged befbrc the needs of
thcmselves. They do, however bccome sclf absorbed whcn faced with stifT comlctirlon'
in which case it iecones a necessily. Thc clai tha{ lhey are too sclf absorbed probably
stems frorn the fact that it is easier to rcmember the bad points of the generation instead
of the good, but as has been proven, the characteristics displayed by the youth of today
o i", ary frorn the "self]absorbcd" generation painted by many menhers of thc

","
gcneration

bcforc ours.
7)ood essayl l(ell baLanced, r:artJu[[y t ttnsidercd wirh u good ttst ttf cxutnples
Nur Raihana 04522

l0

The family has suffered at the expense ofcareer

in Singaporean society. Discuss.

As Sirgapore progresscs. oeopj: are becomitg

ntorc alld nlote edu.ated. As
rend ro wanr tu rocu' more on rhe,,'i.,.e,s.

;H1'*:\H:::;:t":;":xfi'";:'

rhu'.

a,ed ir J""" ii' 0",_iur,'i.,fl "ll".1,

:;,"oJL#:lll
ard te5s rime spenl $irh lhe fa;itv olhers mighr
.rr.."1,1., ,. iru.'",i,t.lr.n in rtr.
tust place. Hence, ir would be fair to say that
""""
f".ify
_f^o"r.i"r.
,i,o.i"nJ
'' ," " ""*,ng ,t.
famity ro be less ctosel) knir. as a resutr olenrptra.is
dererio,

nlln

:rff

Hl;ril:l

on;;.;;;;;;..'"'

Traditionally,

men were the bjead winners

srayed ar home and spenr rheir time tooking
,t
chores. Bur xs more peopic are educated,
,n-",; "l'
\ here both larentri are not workins ar
As a resu
;;;.1;_:
:,
lJ,xl"iffi
responsibilities at work, they now havr

of the family and women

usually

rrr"j'ii;ral"?"lu"olil n"*.n"a

;";;;
"."',.,,r#:#',tj.. n"r"r,*,
;,;.;;.
;;J ffi
lTii ;:il j Li'l:H:ilT1;:;
".i.r,,"" "n.,,gr, ;;;;"",*t;;'fi;",T.T"fi in::"ll].fir-:i::ili;.:1.r,"-i::i
i

neglcctcd Filmil) rellrions suffer. xitd to worcen

the situe{ion, ill somc cases. the chiklren
pjck ut) bcd hrbirs sucb as snrokrns In.a
recenr .i rr'".,ij."r"i,-,i
lshown rhat
childlcn whu atc djnllcr:I homc *]th rlre
t;rrnill ucre Ic.\ jrLcl) to "rllRjr!,. 1 \rLclr
acri\'ic\ sucn n. rang fiplt, i.d LiruB ahu\c
ff,",.,i,-.';;;:'j,;;,,t;;;

mteraction is higrrry important in nlainrar.ing

cruse bo'ds

.aieir: could grcallv ti.duce limrly t;m,

"irn

.,,.r.

i;;i

a*,.'u,"nn".i,

paretlts ,esoft ro hiring crorncstic hcrpcrs

ro
.#'li :'.ijii;',:;'fi'l ;i,1.',::j::rv'rs.cornnlon
in singapore' as Inosl fimilies
.o'sist of

,""0

;r;.;'";.;rl;:;:;leDon
ol'Ln r|'n push rh" r'\pnn',hil'r\ .r biir*,iI
rp
,i,";"r;;,.'ii";:l'rrrs
"
:rbou rrrrrrng,n",,',i,,,""i'i".i",.',,1ffi::llli,;;:.:ilir,il',,i."ij'li;,,i,liiilll
dual

rl,cir

.trt,tr.ll

j:lg.hl
De

I:.t

rhu. prctrnu ,,p rrdcsirilbte r"rt,,.. r"

,,tj,,t,",.

ucal r. :j,."ii"."
Il)c chrl,lrcn se( therr rrrid. rrorc

lln,,, l_,,0.

*o,,,0

tlr.rn thcrr pJrcl,.. ii,r_. i, ,rr,,|e,,,.,,rf.,fo,

they mighr bc cioser to thc maids
rhan parents. Hence, tbr thc sake
oiirr"i,:.r,.*, por"u,,

ffil , [iJ;1"1i:lrrrv

nt rookrns

'ti"' 'ur*",'',"''r'". a,,""]"'iiii,'il.iin",. o*,,",

tt.1l, lenpic in SinpJporc. rlre r.lrrl

,.
r. ,,
rlr. rrc talit) oI:ocict\ thJt jr

currsisr.,,t.fJr.nt,.,l|d,l,rl.lr.o lr
,*.o",1f",. *,,no,,, ,,,,,0,,.".
Ho$c,c1 x,i.4.,.1, hcc,me.morqc,Jrrcar-.,"",.""r"*.",,i;:'l;;'",::jl:"..,.,".,_
"",
tenrily

furnil) \\uIld

on thcir careers tirst and havc children

at a later age, or nor have .nro_" ,".rii.' iirlli
placing so much elfolt into building
up their uilreers, sonte couples mighl nor
want to
'pend o,,.rrirdr... hur ,nrrcad .p"nj,t,"i, r,n,a..,n.,i
;il,,1,lli]:\
r, r srL,,ry
conductc,l rn Silgaporc il lead uurrrerr
\rh!, uent tbf .f_,,,r,. ,,.." ,1,,^,,.,r jrs:ilyltJr
rr,i, rr,e) .rid ,,or ui,,r bab,eL ro hro.r.
rr,.,,
i;; l',l,
lii",. ,,
suffcrs in that couples are less
willing to slarl families_ Thercforc. at the cxpe[sc
",",,,
ot
career. fewer lamilies are formerl

;";;;.';

.,;;;,,,;;_

L.

"lii

greater
On the other hand, an emphasis on career does have its advantages- With
family ties as
income, the tamily can lead a comfortable life. This would definitely boost
each other
,fr" f"-ify wouli be able to participate in activities and spend time with
broken
*i fr"ut ftu"l"g to wony abouitaking on more jobs to buy the next meal Many
ends
meet'
make
fu-ili"a ."aoliu, p-enis resort to deiperate measures' such as cdme, to
'I'her"fore, a stable and adequate income would be beneficial to the family With good
each
tl-" -*ug.fn"nt, family members would still be able to keep strong bonds with
to
keep
oih.r. p".."nG should leam how to balance both lamily and work appropriately
the family going.
has
Family ties are extremely inportant in keeping a family as one' To do so' one
on
their
time
to.p"nd ti*" tog.th"r with one's family. However, as pcople,spend mole
leaving
."..!.r, .u"f.t ftiify time is cornpromisld. By just Providing for the family.andsituationthe
worsen
ifr" t".rpontiUifity oi t eping the iamily goi-ng to orhers woutd only
sngapolean
Therefore, to say that thc family has suffercd at thc rxpcnsc of uareel u
society is generally justified.

Daphne Ho
04s26

Fanr

L'r Quer

s:

NATIoN IN
PUT THE v@RLD RtcHT lN @RDER, \r/E musr tlRsr PUT THE
THE FAINILY
@RDR: T(D PUT THI NATI@N IN (ERDER. VE MUST FIRST PUT
(DUR
IN ORDER; T@ PUT TH FAMILY IN @RDER, \I/E MU5T FIRST CULTIVATE
PERS@NAL LIF; \(/E MUST FIRST ST @UR HARTS R]GHT.

To

C@N

FUcrus

BE CULTIVATED LlKg a GARDEN'

TInE, EFF@RT, AND TmAGINATI@N musr BE suEn@NED c@NSTANTLY To
KEEP ANY &ELATI(DNSHIP FL@URISHING AND CR(EVING.

Y@uR FAmtLy aND Y(EUR L@vE

Jrm

RoH

nusr

Critically examinc the forces threatedng the family ill Singapore.

Having a family.is one of the most important priorities
for many. ln recent years,
families have changed and evolved over.rime in ,fi" f"."
development of society. These chanScs include changes
"i-gf.i"iira'tion and rapid
in famify-.lJJ,
u" *"lr
a, comrnunicliorr wirlrin rhc family. herrce rhre-arening
"",io",ur".

irinilf-"ofr"r,r"n...

togethemess.

"nO

The changing values of society have greatly thrcatened

the family structurc.
While such.a phenomenon was greatly flow".,l ;p""
; ,h" t;.;, ii i"'n-ornino, u.,.o.,,ln"
to find single parenr families. This is due ro rlr. high
d*;"';;;pr.uif"rr,
_ Siogopor",
which can be atributed ro rhe changing _unti,.,1 *r"
Wf,in
pasr rctr rtrar rhe) werc ur)tigcd ro tive
rrreir
ti,c.
r.ir,
rl-"i,
t,r.uon,j,
.y::::l
ll lT
on."
rriey werc
nrifncd. womcn nowadays feel otherwise. Most women
feel that they should
have r Ireedom of choice rnd rhar nobody cun
."sUcr tt,ai +lJon .
.""" ,n", u..
uniappy with their husbands due ro soDrc mariral problems,
rhey immetiiatety opt for a
divorcc and cease their DrarrinJ,e wirhour ,h,rk;s-;i;;
;;;;;;,
of rhis rastr
decisiurr ;nd

y.",ri"i'ffir*".
iiir."

rhe

iml,,cr,r

Lr..,nih"m..t".-.r *;ii

:_

;;.;;,n,"i,.,,1-

""

Rapid development and thc demands of the

changilg society have tlueateDed the
Ir rhe pasr, a famiry consisted
,r;;,:;;;;.
ir',,i".n,."r, ,. ,n.
phenomenon [owadavs where f:;milv size "t
is greatly reduced to what is known as .nuclear
familiesl consislillg oi parents and one or t*o
children. I{owever, I do acknowledlle thc
iact lhat cerfain lamilics have cven six or ,evco
childr.n. H,rw""". iir"r"'i"uru., _^t"
up a minute percentage of the Sinsaporean populatjon
in geleral. Undeniably, the use

^
family
size.

,,"rt

i;ii

of
rontricepri\i\ rtr( jcBr.tition ,,t .b.,ai.,, r. \!ct, r,
g;";;;;;;;;i;l;;:.,';,:
",i;,ifr"'J,rr..,l.loi,,n"
contributed to,this small farnily size. Houcver,
I r..r,ir"i
socrcty as well as rhe hectic schedule^are a
milor tactor rcsulil,,g i,t ,fr".",r"...i"non*in*
iifi,ri
size. Most people put fhci. carecrs bcfcrrc
rhcir iamilies, *frl.f, l.-"r,,j".t i;o,n rhe olany
irrterr.rc*s,nnducred a,d prrbtr.rre,i ,",r,"
r\rn're rL)
""".;";,:;
"i ;;;.;;;;;;,i;"
Brvi l)rrth tu nlore .lril,lr. or r\crr
as to wirether or not thcv should srarr a

ian,ly o. it ,uouia

i.,.;il;,;;;,;;$::|ng

Also, the denlands of socicty havc threatened family

cohesiveness and
who,,,\^,", l.;rJ,.;;ihc household
chorcs as well as ro lirss over rhe children.
Ho*"";, ;r,;,1;.;-, ;,ii*t,,r, u."
togcthemess. In lhe pasl, the wile rvouttt
bc ore

.o_
who hold.pr,vrLisrrrg lob prosfecrs. leaving
rtreir
childrcn
ro
be
raken
care oI
5:111":^
u] rrilLos or rDro rng rhcnt in thijrlrarc centres. Even
the eldcrly at home arc placed in
thc old fblks hornc, as their chilctrcn ,i,,rpry
lru. no-tin l ;;;i. ;;;.';i;"..
comc honre larc,r nighr afrcr a rtay of wo.i
ana .p"rd
,;;;'i"ii,, iir"o "*r,"
rerire to bed. Hcncc. it rtris conrinues, rhc
lel9rc lhey
.,i'ri,. "n,rd.""
*a,
definirely be affccted.

,;;;;

".h".;";;;;

lmprovements

,".i,,

in

comlDlrtricJlion .rn,j rcchrrologl lrl\u llcLted {arnilv

r.rrrrrrre rr, rrh pi\r r,\,.d ilhd(r rrr, :jiln, ,,-r
i,, r,.ri";', i.";;i
::::].:j]:.:^^yli':
urrcrc\, tnc pcofic nt'wa!li)'\
|rctL-r to livc scpalately..fhel, buy llleit own hones once

tl
\

thevcetmarriedanditisalsonotuocommonto{indsingaporeanswoTkingabroad'away
of th.;;; .iuii"gt. rr" introduction of t"1'pho"es and thethisadvent
;;'il-;-;
possible as
many places and people tagether' all make
i"i.*"i
-aJi" *ii"rt has lidked
Often
avenueswith tft"it t"titv through these
-."it".t ".t still getorinareiouch
only visited on festive occasions'
distunt r"lativ"s ar. forgotten
fonn of television and the
Last but not least, the media influence, especially in the
rxther watch
fot...r"i tt"" greatly threatened family togcthemess Most children l\rorld
-rr,.i.^i^.1fi,"'i"r..ri,ion
activities
serial or surf o' tie Inremet rhan ta.lk about their dry's
the
In some families, comrnunication is reduced to a minimum when
lvirfr ift.it
rapid
the
as
as well
i"i""i.i.. i" t*i"ft"a on. In fact, it is this loss of communication
the older and the
gap
between
a"u"f_oprn*, of society, that has caused a generation
the
in the loss of eflective communication' hcnce affecting

p-*o.

y"r"gJt

*"""*i".,

-sulting
lamil\.

colresrverlesr ot lhe enlile

in the face

ine'ritabty
said, families today have simPly cvolved naturally and
All
'J"u"topiu"nt
changes' it will
tamily
of society. Ho*"vti, no mattcr how the
of .upli
always be impoitalt to the individual as well as to society-

also consider dttempts to

Contprchensive answer gitting relevdnl Points' Coultt
life
strengthen these forces, e8. CamPaiSns to promote familJ
Chcw Li Ling Jocelyn
04s l4

Famtlv Quor e s:
THE FAntLy Is rH NUcLEUs oF clvlLtzATloN'
.ARIL AND \l/ILL DURANT
Ho\? "r.o ttmlr
HomE Is THE PLAC \('HERE B(EYs aND GIRLs FtR5T LEARN
RIGH'IS AND NEEDS
THIR VISH6S, ABTDE BY RULES, AND CONSIDER THE

OF

OTHERS.

- SIDoNIE GRUENBERG

HavlNG CHILDREN lnAKEs Ytou No

MAKES Y(EU A PIAN I ST.
- III rcrae

In<BRE

PARENT THAN HAVII'{G

PIAN@

r Lrvtre

t4

Critically examine the forces threatening the family in Singapore

today.
The family is the birsic building.trlock of sociery,
usually consisring
biological parenrs and their chitdren. white a majoriry oi;L."Aii"iri#ii"t of two rg
orlo
strong foundation for a country, more broken ;n"r""u"
"an
,J.n'i,ro,
.
o,"
anarchy. Ir short, the family unir is vital ro a.ountry,s
.f.a"y
",u,"
prospe.iiy
i,
S-g:ry1:, however, the family unit is no tonger as
*r!J"'"ru,l.
gou"..o,,"nt
would like it ro be. ctobalisarion hir.s expJsed ou,
il.J"" .u.r, o,
fe^minism,,fechnological advances, liberal estem
ia*,
o"u!.y ,t...rtut
lifestyle. When a small countrv like singapore is bomba.ded
".Ji,f
""r."",
Uy.o
rrr*yio.i",
toauy, it
is no wonder rhat our families irave become ir..""rirgff
l,uirerifri;.

";;;J,;;
-ilr.i""r.
i""i
*.
"o;;;y-;-;;
"*" -'"

Although feminism was already present in Singapore

in fhe l9g0s and 1990s, I
imia.t or trris prre,,Jrn"no"
*" iui"i#uy, ro. ,r,i,
wavc or womcn s ?j-1",,::
trtleratton"1,n,:
has imncrceptibly but surely, rnoved into its
third stage As its name suggests, trr"
,ni'pr"l"__
ii"i,rrir',nrro
l*:i',1"'l^]"'":
bnngs rs wltat p ts our famrlics :tr fl\k todr\."r*rr.ng..

*:* ::"::^:*f

**"

y]r1li1.t t:Tjit.T.

women have
u!t! r6!rr
dsen up alu
and lelccreo
reiccred merf
rheir tracllll
rradirionat roles as
o rrn flouli.hing cetcers. rhel
arc no
n, longer the
usecr to. In
il"::"'::'"T'-:"T::::'T::-Y:l"
new-found domi'ance in women. a,
:H::j"^r:_o :-r
men: h"usbands. *;,t' iiu. ,""r1.,"p....,ir'.i"',il"r"o,
i:;,,;.1,,:i:ljl:.s:,
of ao incre.ri,,gry a",,'i,'"",
1:::T."- liiilib",,,,d,into^lerant
berwcen
husbad imd wife thLrs purs n'arriar"

nives and morherb Wirh .iubs afld

;:ll::.

ll"

9*"

;;";t-;;;;";;;;"'J'"':::i';l;

.n."*olr* rru*;#:::'lt#
n*"
,pi;:::;i"'",,'.,i,ffil'.li:;
;; i;;;;';ll"

Couplcs who crnbracc ferninisr

incorne -"y p..,ir.'ii*i,
1,,.,i\,1-":1,'i
better, morc comlortable life in the famrly. n"*"*r]Ur,"
n".'i"
_P".iu*.^. *nn
both parcnts working, childre are often neglccted
"rr.up by foretgn maids_
or worse, brought
""f
In f:rct. soiiolut.rsrs cu\necr llrar rhr trerd L,t t\^n parcnl\
*.rf.rn'g unl il',,
,n.,.n,;,,g
','i,,
chrld.d(lr)quencv mr) h. retJred w,rr, .r,ira,.n',,,,iu.,"t'
,". ii,"'i.,,
,r', *.,,
gua.dians, rlre percenragc of rhem teaving
rrnn . ona .;ointiig
result, wirh children drifring farther fromhome,
.uo*,y rr,li.a
apan.
"".

d'ai

"i,;i;;1,'#r":-ilil:X,.li:X,lTilifll

i',
e;;s;;;.tt.*

i"-Ji;';.";;ry.

tt'.l

husband and wifc are furrher suained by our

IT :::::.11,,,:::
,belween
riresrytc.
rn a slolrarised, f^.r pu."d ;.o;;;;y,-,il;;;,*i
;;;
:::T:jll]:l :jl.'tt
pl.*o wr', r. ..",".,,,.y

*T:Yl"r:l-:-.::ll:i
may promolc rLntlcrslrntling bctwecn
_

i"f

;,i:,.; ;'J";;;::;-::'::

moae often than not, irrilablc behaviour,

n--"^^-;^.. and
- ,.tcrnpcrecl caused_jpouscs,
i
depression
^-r !fraye(l
.y srress, niat\e marrirges
tirat
-,,""" rnore o[ a

a-troly, rrrrion hcr$ccn

tt\o tcoplc tnis. ..rpf"J

Ul
proccedings, has caused nlany tnarriages
ancl familics to dissolvc

fenance

fr": l;' .l: ier divorcc

,Sonre forces which inrrde nur corrrrtr')

tnda) (v..r Jrrr\int tlre tlllnllon ul
families. Heavy workloads rn,l rhe lajk ul timc
lor so..til ifit,.rJ\rron ltjr le.l r.).,,rr

l-5

a heallh) demograPhic graph should show Covernmenl

u"it i'"ue rhJs srepperJ uP on Policies ro
the possibility of them
J.ut- -o." oppoaunities fbr young peoole to mecl and thus raise such as RomancinP
srenrnp families. While lhis ta" strown sonle success campaigns
the main reason for fewer mariages and

(n.i.rv havins more sinales lhan

il;i'lJ." ';il;;,i"i..i"r o*"r"p"nt

i:HA#;;;
Iarnllies

il*"

.."uur' io oual"utc

the high stress levels al work'

jeopardising their career

In fact, many young women' with the fear of childbifih
either vow to stay single or
p-rp.*, fruu".i"lia"d ,o-to.go the ordeal altogether' They re'ent
Nation"al Dav speech'
int"i .urriug" with no intentjon of slaflrng r tittity tn tti' leave and.family-friendly
i.i-. lli"i.i.. r-". nsien Loong spoke of increa"ing matemity
as thc
which could help promote the foniation of families However'
;;;;;1i.;.
the nrrmher of
n"t't""n drastic' Iioiesee that there will not be an upsurgc in
"'tr"^,rgJ.'iut"
families started in the near futrlre'

ALso'theinlluenceofthemassmediahasbeensogreattodaythatjlhastaten
sex and adult

p^r;nts. Today's children arc more exposecl to violence'

according to a British survey by
*r*.*i ,fl* any generation iras ever been ln fact'
pomographic videos
."n.r-"lt""n.. Si,ti"pur"ort louths have received and sent morepurrsrar'
bccomc
).'.in.',ii. .:rt,,i,.ill". u,'l tr..' counrrv Flrmlovarrr' In\olou\ moral v' ha\c
as
such
ues
good
our role models. displacing our pa'enrs' *ho er'emplity
on television' ladio and the lntemet'
i""*rt -al"yuty- Witlt t'h" "tt'ftit of informationtheir
familics than thosc of any other
,"4"u ir" ttorc Likely to drLft away from
"i,ri..-i
age- This weakens fumily ties significantly'

ot.. ,h;-;;l;;;

of ideals and infiltratiotr

On an internattional and national level' thc liberalisation
fitmily as a
of W"r,-t til*. into Singapore have also thrcatened the conventiooal
lor cxarnple' has takeil a n]ore tolerant
lhe
tor
society.
hrrit{lnp block
Soveromcnl'
",.*"ro'
gay
g";r- fty *""';"" is thal, rvith globalisalion' .thc acceptance of
ioo.""irl
family
lhc convenlional
,ii..rr*"r . Sutgap.,re *ili be rnevrtable Once this is allowed'
end start only whet
logether
tiia"ftti "-fv u" threatened, as gays set uP their homcs
"*t
they theinselves consider a family'

Cohabitationhasbecomeatrend-Today,Peoplelllelivingtogetherwitlrout
lltd
.r"*iug;-;;.tiri;;;.. Their relationship' "t" bu"d irn mutual
.t*u
"11-:^:
expectatlons'
and unknown
.una"niuuf og...*",tl. Cohabitation. with its unwritte ruLes
ale slrong advocales
as
cohabiters
uP'
;;;1;t"1y ffi;;;;;';per faffilies from being set
of living together without tamilial commihnent'

Today'anrultitudeofforceshaveinviLdedSingaporcliketheptagLlcandhave
of convcntional tamilies- For policy mtkers who
birth rates' incrcased child
foresee the undesiJable consequences such ns plunging
now' the
;;li;qt"n.y and social or,rto.al tlet"dent", it is a dcadly conundrum-.Even
g.""r'.-".t at-ggl", to protect the precious fanrily unit lvhich it recognises as the basis
sol iely Th' b.rlrlc 'rnlirrrr"\'
iu, r,,y

th-rcatened the existence ancl fbrmation

"u.."*.ful

l6

t
t
l
I
]:

havc covcrcd mu.h

siof(. Organisaion can be improved and try

ints .is forces of some kind. Could be a bit more

r the thredts are reallJ threals.

:t

critical dnd eraluatir '

Wai Jia
23

ANYDODY INVENTS,

'I

]L

ALWAYS CRE EP5 BACK.

IlI rao
" Illan can e

Y@u HEAR a L@T @F DraL@cuE oN TH DEATH oF yHE ArnER!{:

FanrLrEs.q.ndt'r oyrNc- Tsgv'n! nERGING tNT@ Brc c@NGLori:r
-ERnA B@nBEc(
N@ succEss cAN C@IIpENsATE FIBR falLURE IN TlrE rJem.
IncKAY
" DavrD

NoB@Dy HAs EVER BEFtgRE asKD THE NUctEAR FAnlLlr rro :.

ITSCLF IN A B(EX THE VAY w'E DO. W'ITH {O RELATIVES, Ii'N

vervE puT IT IN aN Imp@sstBLE slruaTl(EN- IIIa,n caRer IlI eao

t
t
I
t
I

I
I
I
I

I
I
I

I
t
I
I
\.

To Yr'hat
have getrerally abdicated their responsibilities'
today
Singapore
in
Parcnts
ao f ou agrct nith this statement?
""*i
of a y
are very much similar to those
Shgapore
in
parents
of
The responsibilities
rr*lc a"pects such as.the pro\ision ol
narcnt around rhe worl.t..lhe) *" ,n.tJi*'"-ot
nunuring o[ lhe children {ensuring
i-ssenrial" t.helter. tooa una .tort,,ng,'ui! i1.y.i"nr
naiirllnJ ,"ipon';uiiiri"t 'uch as the emolional
rheir hcclrh is cared Ior. to. "*un,pr.,.
s dulies'
t?lnnot Lc omilled from a porent
tn"u""'"ft"
tft"
ol
edu(aliorl
and
nunuring
io be neglected by the modcm worling
rhoueh sadly, rlrece rre Icr\ *rt''r' u"'rnl"itir'"
iotut p'tittt have abdiecled lhc above
tiitrt
io
lh(
assecs
lo
order
ln
narenl.
"*'t"rtxlmi"iltrtiiJ;Jtt""at' tn" pttysical aspects as well
mentioned resDonslbiliti"s, *e m"s
a\pecl\ of his lifc a' a whrrlc'
o.
"*orion"t
as only
reeds' wlrich l choose lo dehne
ln terms of providiog for a child's b$ic
\thrih mnsl Parents in Srnpapore hrve
i'-";;;;i
.urvivrl.
,h,'
hr*
tor
lho.c rssentrnls
pattnt'' dtl'b"o'"ly dcpri\ing lheir
.,,t ncsle.(cJ No ci1'Ps ol tr""rrt'""" i"ttip'""n"nt
Sing'tp"'" fv'n in thc ca'c uhctt llrc
t'"""'i"'
ft.'t"
rnLl
lood
ut
chrtrlrcn
'hcller
Pro\'idrng ior llrcrr
"r^d'quJlel)
oarenl\ b.long to t""' 'n' 'nt.- gtuuti "i'i'
"tt"'i'
""'
,

:iliJ-",, il.:, .",ir, ,ro s',"i,'r-*' ll;l;l,XT: :;ltL,':ili'-Ii',ill'"":i

t"ormenter e{uirement or
i,,nl
n
-"'"
i;'X'JlJi'
:t"#;H:'?"'.1\ffi
i:"':J
r

pirrenthood-

Ilowevcr'theelnoliol1alespcctofparenialresponsibilityiscomnonlyoverlookcd
salisfying their
pr'ysitui i*"at teri to pro lapse into
as catering for the childrel's
'frto tt tftJ t"'"ot ten'na w'trfrng irdults"\lxving away for
wants and clesircs
nratcdal

* "";". y:1::; ;*I;ul,: ;::r:; [,'illil Jil:l[',i]:

I'Lrrpo.eofellnrdrrrvlrr\'rrrc\ru
-^:,,:;.;,;'r,orirr',lu.er1larnrl)
lhJllrol1(]I(

iff ;"ili:

r'

.rr.nr'.r.ucllt I!'n)'lrrlucl{r IllFnllicecqualt\murcoll(rr

\\ilh
I'nu rhe re'ult bcrrrg llrJl th' 'tt'f'f"n "tl"uoff' lcll

nu onc

lo ltrm Io lnr

lhc

;:i;:ilil;""i;";';;" l;1 :*::l:;lifi j;*l;:;:ff'..'-:i;#T[,".i'ilT,il':

in'c'jiriduur' a e re* n .r' rrhc'r
lll:'l;:ii"";i"';;,;"',','
',.n
:#l,,1" i'i,::i"":li\':',l
\\hcre socril t:t::5[]O'morc uporl
amidst todaY's rat racing' paper cha"ng "o'''1y
prrcnt' rn
u'p 1'"' ' hirdrcn rn 'horr' srrre'potPdrr
t'"''e
i,.'
;"'
i"ll;']"t]r;',,;,'i,;"
lor rleir (hrldtrn
ol
."ncr,,t u,,utd bc eurlrl ,,f

:;:lt ;;;.;';";;l"

frovr,ling
urr,t"q,r,r;;J,;;; ;;;""."
irnl ing out rrrerr drrrre' irr rrrrq rclc'r

'"''i'',"''it

Duetotheevcrirrcreasingcornpetrri.)nllllltc$orldtl,dlty'PJrcntscannotallbrd
proper
ptorLtlrng llrcir childrcn wttb a
oot to seriously enlphasize th""- tlui'tt ur
A(ripto
oL"Jl,..'uon b"eyontl aceclcmrt,grades
educarioD_ Mosrdoru,,..u" in,rr" "Ji.,-l
ttntt woutd rLrrd"trbt'dly enablc one to
ary Popular bookstor" r'"tot" tr'"'it'i "i t' ttr'ot't
a head start nr
ttlruc towards giving theil.progeny
sce otl display the con,,ttit'o"nr p"t*it
l"cli't tbr all subjeots rlpidly flyllg-:fi
academic u'ork' with brightly cotori'l'"tt"ttrn""t
bookshelvesintothehilnds.,te"g.,mutl'...irdlelllctantyouflgsters'.suchascenarro
would bc
not many of those szrme parenls
it'"t
t"ni'^iion
thc
stark
nrincl
into
brings
{8

si ing down wirlr lheir chrldren and going through rhose

.
books -':'l rnem
them h
bnngins up
my earlier point on emorionat .uoonn" r".""i,iii'.' ;::.":-:::l: willt
.
fcwer sdll would probably hrre
rhe
rime ro rake rheirrheir.hir,r,..
chirdren ^,,, ,^':,....
,n nr,,y l:l :1"'o':l

*,

iil;,.*.":;i"",i;:::l:":lr;:T

"pon. ",o-;"
*"'ii

#J'::fj ;',:::l:::1":1-::"1'l:1..l''n'''t'"'
books
and going through assessment

*resJpnrints

"';

;;;;;;;i;

;,y

i"".) ilJ"',ij,f;
troxr nours
io",, of
o,,",uo,
tuition

f :?',:,.;};l i"1t;ii
! liifl,}H]fff
anaipp.ofriui.fue-."*iui ,ii"r..r,o 0."r,

the academic domain

- an education in molrur,
those children way ahead of theh peers,

twenty years dowll the road

In conclusion, parents in sinsapore today

only see the need to furfil the material
of rhei duties. assunrins rhai the only qualifications
iue those in black and white
and rhar by providing cveryihine
aspecrs

auromarica
r,,,y,r,"."i"*_l..lii,:
choosrns sroup dares wrrtr rtrcir fii.nds
1."':,1"
*,r.nrs. 5rmrty
because rhey find rhe spi.irual sarislacrion
*o
_J"p,?.".
*n.n
severely lacking back at home. In a s
rbough parents"_"r!.r'rn.,"
have not entlclv abdicated

ttreir rusponsiuiiitiJi,^;'
abour Lrrcir a",i"..-vr,,,

.ffi,"#i

;il,. :;1,:T"S"JJyl$:? -Hl#lt

."., ,;");; ;;;; ';i;';"t;
!lj^,

:;re|se rhr cormoraron rhir rhev do nor ca,e jr "

x
;fr':* would definitelv wa'r theL children to feel

;;:;;;;;
on;lJ;.il ;##t""'s
+,:t' :ili:":l J iI I;T H,: I ifi
ff l"* * il f, i:i:mi
f
X_ of*":making
up for the lack of time
e,'otionrtly se*."

orher

",i"";

spent wrth each

Fluidly writtcn niitll d ,qood sense oJ coherettcc.

Valid p()lnts were well-argued
through.)ut the es:d),
Adeline Quah l,ci Shan
05s

Il
I
I

necessarily a bad thing?

Is an ageing population

':tr"il+'T'ii]:"i;H"ff :l

Be.er sanitarion.,lt** I'li'Jnifl"i""i,x'i[,lf

ate increarrng rnrj'flf
yecrs.old and il is still
rhe man) factols rhal
.i.l+ry-io
rtsen
has
some counlrics like Japan
is mo.. of a bane.dul a boon
o""orf"tan
lhat
leel
may
iirio*. Soln" peoPlc
i,^^.^,r ,^.,,.ndrr rhe elderly people ur therr necd
ur'
in
beca-use ot an increase
rtr beaiand regard elderlv
"*":,",:iil;::;;
;"'J;;';""
Thev
lhere is a PooJ
for heclthcare scrvices
"::
:'::;'J"L
a coin ha" t\^o sides.
i,
i;,,
ol facrors
people as resrrictins rhe'-r c'owrh ,:r::;;;,
;. , bad rhi,rs bcccuseyoung
;:;;:;',
ll
'ride
too
and
poPulation
ro rne,rB.ing
moral values lo lhe
Tila.nl,'f
*f
w
*fl'
valuablc
"ia
like the elderly impafling
lhc economv
of
iit"ttincalion
pro.o,"

lti"li "lii*tl

ii"y

*"rli,#lJ".,l,l,ifi':i
*

::ilil$"T-,i:

one or rhe reasons whv

ffi,"#:J
req.uire.c.,suiilrl"ilrolhc
bccausc clJcrl) pcoPh
," ,".*ase rn rar cotl.itcd fromin an
.:
rrur
lncnr'
lor
"^
o,lvernmc11r has ro frovide
.^ ":.^^^., "". clderlv ncrson
'working p.pur.,ri''n as Ihere $ irr
,": :Y:1, T:',1:::::ii:':.i':"';'lilit"'"o* '' rh.e
cgeing popurari"n t'19-i-'-"::
,r,i, "" ararnringrv l'l*" i:l',":
t*
\uppndrng
workjni ddulrs
''"''11,^:'..;;i ,,^,^ n,.. Drv morc ra\e\. lh' agerng
rhP increr*e
Houe'"er' alrhnugh rhe !ountser
;;;ii;;"". ',' ihii i. b..''ut"
promotc
t'r
"::'jl::Ld;i:
helps
itrtrea'< in
Jclually
""'"'1":-'-,^":
en
to
nooul,trron
", r,,,llr leads
l,.(rlrlresoanu
relrlP'l
inn,!\:rior,' Jnd new
in'a"^"'',t tor <lJerlv
,"j-*r*r',
.iu.i.,
rrral
producr,Un.] n"":
.. .r,.rs hJve ,r\cnrcd i, robor Jos their
tlitlli";"'ii."
lror
rrtr's
ie' hnol"gv rh,.r
,h.nr ' o,,.,Pun) arr'l <rcrr brrnrints
thc
scrtc
Iu
hclp'
"*
acrLr:rll)
:,nd rhc ellccr nf tlrc :rgcing
i'":''l
lL:;":,; ';.";;",,, g,"*i',
hclPs
thus
Thrs
nreclicLire t,, rhcrt'
one
poPulrtrun b(curne\'1 nusllr!e
lnll \\lro \il
ftnuP i' 1u't r Lrun' h ol o1'1
cldcrl)
rhc
llrirl
sa\
Ini\
S',rn. pc.rplc
';
i'ou,,J , corr" <hops i'rring
o"'..:i:;r'lll:;;;";,.
\ocicr\ 'r r,e\ curnlrrin or
ror ,hc cr,re'-r) becal,'c
';.;"
'(norng.rrrr
ol
numhcr
leoPle
rhc
in
o',. srpp .lo\cr lo
irr(r.d.,c
lj i:]' Bur' Il
,,:*.
rJ\c orr"
$e ,.r.
s(k
rhcir
fxrcrrr'
l"r
caie
t'
l;:' ;;;a ; : cho*
cxanline the sirLration' the erder.v'

"i:lii";.,;;il

i'

f"t i':":l,i lil"-*.

* ''"''T'i:'Jit';;;[ll l":l*:lll::ll';5"]::il
; i;;;"

i:l':;

x
in,.

l[

i], :'l

T:i:,

:,,"",';J,1.

ll:

'];;;i;"t''j:::':,:j ;lil'T iii;ili3ii:

:',:."'T;;iiil:

I'illt'll"*:;:il

li:1,:":"';:

"': ':l ':';I":'1"'li,'il'r',,i",. ,u,,t,, r.,,ne', e.n"'o"on

.1:il,1;l
l""l':::;l
;:lll;;i:;J:il.ll1: lt.'{'ihi:t
Ll;llll;t
;lh::T"
ronrblnlrrtsl'''i,"a"r".
h)
i' nut ncccssrrily
lrare l:,ilc.l to s"e lhJl
'l 't'.y h.rLr

*tr'run

- :tgcirrg i"oopulaiirrr'imparring
'fififfi'J:l'Jr3:if.',irt::::'i'"""J1L":;'""0"'i*' 'innf vo'ng'

to them

wisdom and insight

in the'mud who
Ih"
thlr
d'gLre
mry
in The
"":11-l::f'\
On the other hand' soole
"tn"ll'
in thc cn!rronnrent they arc
easily
not
and
,re rror flexible
^u^o1,rj.tt'to'.nr^*.
20

ged are only conrfoftable in familiar

fit, :::. 1;:u:fl Ji;:[T:,".,ilfl ::

new
,t,r*r",r,;=,
i; mer
ter,caprctry and potenLjal. Bur.l
ffi :il"l,,oin,roduce
charrces ol expandrng
*."r,f lif." .
"",,i1j(sro

arc ruoreo In lherr moral

;i:' fl'.flilfi: jH gi,;i'eynli1'j:i!!!:1
.nd val;j.
:l';:tmj
ilv'^'/
"l:l.:f#ubelicf,
:
:il:;1,.",,xt tr ;::11 *, *ii Tfi J#'': ;1,:::i i#,..:i *;,. T";",:;li: ::: li

lVhile the elderly u.t;.v"

i: in'srar

T;il:*

i+#fr

l(ry r ney should hold

principles
i"H"". of lifc
$; flfast to some ot lhese
i":!
f"-" fr.--,]r.'"i'E '"ro'sr'rvin8.rrue
-O
lo thcm\etve'.
lhe )oung may .r,r"g"
;""t:11'l tt'".'"tu" ol
aged bv doing rheir besr ,,In"jJj),;:
in *n",.,-"-tl.l.
rrrrv oo.
do.. Thcy
lncy wiil lhcrl
succesr. The moral values
success.
rhcrr reip rhe lruit oI
i-n*"a
:j^ri ^ln:,
oi.
or.;;"'^
""rr."
ro
,mpro!c
vounBcr senerarion
rir..fr"
oi,r,i
"u,.

_"*l

H*:i"i,+x,;iJ1:,l"T.fr
"6.'ir,

l{i,:fr:*,fr
f
,." .or;';,"iliHfrll:;

f^i:

wi

ir;";;;;;,;;:i,T:""T::,fl:

'r'.

In conclusion. I brlieve
tlat an .
, younger
the vounBer
treccssarily e
g""".urion perceive rhe .i;-;. "-'-*'""-'..'' not necessarily
gellerarion
a bad rhinB
rhins if
it
d\ d sour'e
r:",).:
ot.wisdom
ol
wisdom
es'ential
nriat moral
and
morat uuru.",o,rr"r,r,r,r'*".!iv
team frum tlim
leam
uutu.",art,".,r,,,,.i""";:: i
rtrem
berng.infle',ibtr
berng infle',ibrr and
co,,rribur,on ro j,ocierJ
j,oc,err rnd
una rrgid.
" mr(rng nu conrriburron
.giJ. Ar;;;;,;;':::"
;;;.;,,;:j::::,,"^:.T,i(in8,nu
even
even,hoLrah,r'"*
,n
though there is
d,\e,.s,ryins
,h, ecnno.rr
,. tuiin...o".i

f..""i*'iil""i'ffll*"n-tt*it",.is

them.Irth;-:il:;;J;;::[?
*n' ,r" i3,o".i'ir'"11'"'i"*;i",
"ii".,.,."i";;1::i::l::'i^":::^l:!s
;,ii:#i:T:ros'PPon
b;;;i;;;; Jli:J,liiil,i;Jl il'.'-*l',t*t*
to socicry wher rhey t,,
rt

in the futu.e.

):I;.''"tt
Kang Zhi Ni

o5s22

insightr,eft.

cliscussed.

";;:u#;.#I#H:;,::
i.o# "";.;:il:

"-""rr["

More concreLe eramples h,oul.lhavee

hetperl

the

r
t
t
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Is an ageing population necessarily a bad thing?

is
population may not necessadly be a bad thing An ageing population
An ageing"#niirr
in
the oldei generation forms a large podion of the poPulation
. popuraiion" i.
in
emerging
co-pa.ison to the younger generation This phenomenon is gradually
in
d"u"lo,t"a und devetoping counlries due to many factors such as improvemenls
years
in the-.recent
healthcar. seruices, high itandards of living and a low birth rate
may disadvantage a
the
elderly
up
of
,+f*roogl1 ttoui"g u i"laiively large population made
elde y can
assets
."".rrii. ""*itt *"ys, the eldeily may also prove to be valuableyoung children,
.The
guiding
aspects of life such ai in caring for the
.onoiuot" ir, ,t .
"o"ial
to confribute to
you.rg p.opL" una U"ing good sources of advice They can also continue
lhc economy by slrying in thc worklorce'

would be the large

significant disadvantage of having an ageing poPulation
Due to many age
expenditure of the govemment on healthcare services for the elderly
nced for
."L,"d illrr"rr.. tlt"at are prevalent amongst the elderly, there is 1r constantto provide
is obliged
affordable and quality healthcare li..uittsl Th"s, the govenment
have to be
oi tlre .ost of the working population, as thlr working people
,rr*"
""*i.* .lhus, this creates a strai; on dle youngcf generation as they have to
taxcd in retum.
working citizen
r,,op"" ,t-t" growing ageing population as the ntio of clderly to each
nurses and
irir'"^".- rri"." i. it.o-u ni"d ib. t oin"d medical personnel such as doctors'
.^G".lt t"-"n"tta to the needs ol the elderly Morc people would then have to be
trained in thc field of geriatrics

il

.l
I

iirl

Thcre are
The iocreasc iD the nLlmbea of eldcrly may also lead to social Problems
to takc care of
many cases of the e ldcl ly bcing abandonei by reir chiidren who ^refuse
as they
for.thernselvcs
h"i o. giu. tt*t tftelb; The; elderly People are unable to feod tbr these eldetly
in
jrn-" ro retu. to_ Thus, it is necesiary to provide lodgings
,ro
t
"u"for- of low cost rental FIDB apatlnlcnts This resulls in the govemment having to
in"
stlch as the
in the construction oi thcse homes as special considerations
t;r;;;;t
planning for
have to be faken into account Furthermore' due to ill
satety of rfr"
fiscal
"tA"Ay
trced
retirement when many clderly peoPlc\ were youngcr' the) alc
-with
job' many-of the elderly
difticulties. As they are unable to coritinue working or find 't
Thus all these
frou" to ."fy on a";iy allowances givcn to them by wclfare organizations
a large- role in doinS so'
needs of the eldcrly have lo be seen Io and the govemment plays
a filancial burden'
As a resuh, this slrains our vallrable resources ancl the elderly become

OIrtheolherhand,lheelderlycanbeasselsinmanysocialaspectsj|thirsociety.

These children
Grandparents can be responsible fff taking care of their grandchjld'en
of maids
cases
necd nor be left solely in thc carc o[ the maid Since there havc bcen
reassuring if
abusing young children without thc knowledge of their employets' it.is.more
importantly'
More
naid
gaurtdpu."nt can be at home to supcr',isJ the child(cn and
"g.inap*"nt, can impa( knowleclgc accumlLlated over lhe years to the younger
life with their grandchildre '
!en..ation. They can also share veiuabLe expcrienccs in
tiom lhesc
ihcse lcssons in life can grcatly iDfluencc the rninds of the yortng childrcn as
them tionl strdling
t"a.onr, tf,"y can leam nr-orals and the right way of life, plevcnting

22

----.---_..

intolhe wrong path. Thus, grandparenls ctui be seen as an intcgral part

ofany
their, abuidlurce
their phenomeral oo,tir1, ,o .ur"'ufiita#

.f t1r*iig"'-a

to

grandchJldren. An ageing populrtion has irs silver lininE.

continue.to contribute ro rhe economy. *'1"

some
t,L" ul ,he
,r,. ,."-^:;i;,,::
:.":^::':ll'l
responsibility
of
work
orrce
agam.
".
., ,, .ro,*.
cen take up r"* ."."".'".
*-t
securify guards, relief teachers and mento.*
-back
ttors r"
,r," younger
.^1,.-." gencration.
:::"
to the
--]::i:_';:
By
going
to
d,^rl. ihc ar,_{-.r,,not. onry able
,,
to o""upy tr,.."iru.!,
;;iJ
to the.economy. r,
:lT:::":.-:"_^Til" been scr up ru aid rhe eraerry
in ,*r,",.,,Ji", i.u.. rii.
IT,T,::,,:g:]:'.:lr,avc
ro-work?rosramme
has auracted many and can
population.
"t;;

I::*::::j::,",t*il

:i

:r.:tn
elderly people who are still fir are abte

:T,:j,*j::::t""j:f^1T:t,ro*',
::ll.*..^"tj:lt.,t
::l!b"r"^

r"il,".il" ;ffi;

'il;;;;".;i.j
ii
.;;,;". :;;; ffi,:,;":;

i,.i,
;.;; ^;;';;;",#;;,"'-dff_

Morcover, the elderlv do not nccessadly have

to rcly on others. They can also bc
independerr and live acrive iulfilrins rir""yr." ef
pran^"j
*,,)jrn.,11?.n., rn ,o",
they can prevent themselves from iacingpr"Uf?...
ilr""grl riraintailing a
healthy and rcrivc lrtesryle by con,ranr"ly-on"ia.y
recrerrionrl rcttvities such xs ball pln.
",,",.iii,,'g
"o.,rt "na

r,,j,.U,u,rt" il
,"d".",r,"i;;.;.;;."";;,."*il'f;::'.",:*1.Sfi.$1",:i",'"J":1il?t"in:,?.:l$

heath and loneliress. participarins acrivety

i, ,t. i","tr]
.Jii"Trii".'.rn o..u"n,
rhese from happening. Thus, ir can bc seen
""ai,
rhat the elderly
burdens ro
socicty, as long as they have the financial
"." ,ri",rr'rt".tu".
oi
.*ppo,rinf
urra ,rr"
determination to lead a hcalthy lifcstyle.
""p"rrilitv

,;;i;;"

Fiom lhc above, it can bc seen that. tbough

thc eldet.ly may pose burdens to thc
country as a whole, rhey are also valuablc r.r"t,
,o- tlr. .o,r,,nrn,f .,1rj *i.iin.""_ ou"
,u

knuuteJse rnd er1,c1iq11r.s. ,r,"1 ,."1,,,,i.

1i,,,,r.,""*".r",.,",n"
)oullp rlld.llrelr granJclrildren. By.rdolring I lt.rltlr) and
cldcrry can renair as conrritrurins fack)rs ro oJ
ct,unrry. .r.rre
::j::."::::,.fot,:i:
ur\JUvanrag(..
ttrv lg a aucing pUpuhrion can be,lctcrred b1 inrplenrenring
polrcre.
lo e\lcnd rerirrmrnr agc. err..ruraging.lo.cr
rrcs herwec, ir",,ii..
r1 ,".1
also en(ourages rhe eldcrty ro jerd heatthy
",il-,t.ir'.ra",
[f"rtyt"s. fnu., an og.i rf-p.iri",i.rl
necessa.ily be a bad rhing.
"r"y "",

::::1,::1:,1-',1
wu,rr('r(e .lno edu(Jlc the

Rather Jluidb)

writen

I
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I
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t
t

t
t
I

23

ancl convincingly atgu.(1 piece of h,otk_

Cytthia'Ian
0-5s I

I
I

I
I

I
fl

In this modern era, the aged are

useful'
becoming more irrelevant than they arc

$
1

What are your views?

from the world our fotefathe$

The world we live in today is markedly different
breakthroughs that have
liv"d n, Jo. to rapid industrializition and advanced scieltific
havc seen the
our slandiud of Iivins Technological hrea-k*uoughs
lo $e
"-"lf'.-i't
*i""""tions of elecronic gnig"r, r-ging from lhe basic comptler
i^?"",ii "'"0"*""."d
to-otlln"" gaaget' a. vcry much characteistic
il;;;;;,;";;;J;iJ"o
"ont"'"""iog
rn now Our ttuna*a of living is also enhanced bY

of the

modem ela we are

g"n..,ions ago. the rged toiled a''d

"a""".".".".r'r'"athcare'allowingtnorepeoPletodaytolivetonger.Theagedare
ii.* *rr" rr"r. -^"rred the age of sixty-fir," -i f"*Although
this modem era has seen
..rt.ilrti"a wholly to the fatnily anj economythey are still
the rote of the aged'
i*ir""r"g*"f ui""i tt"ughs that iheaten to take over
a a lige extent be it on a micro or macro scale'
t"i"t"., i.J

"t"rtr

this modem era the

be difficult for one to debunk the view that in
tt would
"pJ.ui*.
ul in lherr
,"p,"..n,inp the 'econd Benerrlion cre murc cauglrl
,,riaJl. ag"J
shulllinv
ol
ploduclr\it) A' r.re'ull
*"rt tf',i,ft";, o$n nJrenls due to the emPhatrion hours
$ orkllace
er
T":"1f::
;r";J;; ;;"; *ori ,o l,ont" ancl spending long responsihilitres_rs.palcnts
.lheir
to a certatn
,rru,' ,r"i. iL. ,."ona generation tend to neglcir their
distiptrnrng the children to
.*r"n,- irt"."for", th-ey retegate the tasl'i of nurturing and
l.roL all"r lhe lhird

the rged
rhcir ,,wn Darcnts. *hom society reter to as rhe rgcd. tiavrrrg
cenrre- nr
voung(rer ' ro 'hilJcarr
;;;;;;;;i;' ., ."ry r'blc alr':mcrrve ro scn'lins-atrhe
nrind can
i' -i.J ir'"'" The ,sed' least thr'se \ ith . sound
*;ffi;^-;;ii
lnd uith lovc The SingaPorc
a"ir"'i"iy-i. i,,,si.a to a"at with Lhc c-hrl'l [airlvoption
because it now encourages
luve realizcd rhc viabilitv of this
;;;;;;;^;;;",
As an incentive"it h's made it
threc lier famtlies to stay togcdler. or even ciose togeLher'
-irnd
Devclopnrcnt Bo tl (HDB) tlals.".i". ii. rft..-ti". t"milies"to gct lalger Housing
ol': on a grealer
o. the role oi the sJcon.l generalion as tlrcer f."l]:
i,i ,rri. ,r-a"r,r
".u,
vacuurn lcft.behind by thm as child
imDoftance, the nged woulct hout tn st)p intit the
faorily
*'.t.tl*c.rgetl are srttl re[vant and useful to a large extent at the

'"tii..r.
lcvel.

trvc arrd shove hxve sacriticed

At the community lcvel' nany ot thosc xged
'ot sirly
rhe comlnunity as a whole Happily
rnuch of their time in order to servc thc ncetls
seeklng to challelgc
number of the.aged renlain atrrvc Lonstantly
..,i."a.
sLrf.by To cnrich
"..ig"iti""*
(heir minds
instead of 1u.l ..n,n"tirg idlc anLl wstLhiDg-lrnrc
one cffoll in a course at a
thcmselves. some of the agetl nrfft to "o;nluLlity work Slrould
oni-lo td find lhat
..".ty ...*t"irv ."ntre iCCl in Singaporc, it rs hrghly Pussrblc lh'lt
t"tmber '_'l the "rgct1population"'
one out of lhree traincrs there would;e a rttit"t ani a
of them reveal that working in
.+iirlorgl, ,rt"y go p^id a small fee for their services' many
working
snall contribution back to society Fu herlrore' thcy say

in" cCi.

lrrtirt""
An cxamplc ol-somcone
with peoplc and interacliflg with them kceps thcrn lcelrng^1uung
the needs of lhc
who has redcfined "retirement" by rnnrcrsing hcr"clf i'r ttn'ing
('onccmeLl hy the.dangers lurking in
comorunity is Mrs. Cannee Lim' an cr-pnncrpil
thrs modem era she
avtl"r.p^." and the easy access of the inttrntt tn youngstcls in
24

'*:tr***u*i'*Ffffr#ffi*ffiuuffi

mru****ffil
,".,",",T"H;^ln.ll":.,.'.,..,J;:,,;,,;n;:

juc ,\.o,,,;,,s

,,,,rrc I

r
d*#i'.,l*'"*'it.'..x;--;i",.li'*i*tiili:-iil i,i r
#;,:ll,,li,l,,,;i,ll:l:;_

,f,t:i'*'tltr*,****llrir*n[r**:*--lrii**
.er

rhe jobs

of

ffi,."{',,,::f,tffi#:,,:'",iilii-iffi['fit*ixin*tr
One or twn ,-.., -,.
^

",

*r,,,,', ,,'",h i,i,',i':i,::

,:,:,:i,,1::'::::t:,!,:i:,;:i::::,::;i;,!{,,1!;,,

Nur

Raihana

,,,*n_,,,"

-" ""'raLttlges\'

r
t
I

I
25

you
eq[ality is thc womcn themselves' Do
The greatest obstacle to women achieving
agree?
by women whosc aim is to
Nowadays, thele are so many campaigns orgrnised
nol achievei
ten Hol"J"'' unittoaoy itte) slrll havepeople
eive the woman equalirl tirtt rtte
believe
in societv some
lain the somc n"orm.nt us men
,t;ir;;;;Ii"hi";
equality'
to women achievirlg
that women themselves ar" ttte greutest obstacles
the culture of the community
; -v .piti.", ttrere arc ottrei ractors such as
il;;;
the wometr flom achieving equalitywomen live in which also playt a tot" in hindering
We nust consider dris toomay become an obstacle for them
In the first place, thc charactenstics of women
women tend to be less competitive than
a g".""q""iitr"i"t"ictt prnvet th..i u"uatty
or their complaints and needs
men. Consequently' they may not toit" tfttit opinions nol nnlrrinv lhem. M^reover'
in mosi people rgnoring tirern ot
perhaps men
"r*'..t'*it.l*,
"i"g
plr)sicrlly weiker rhin m'u Th"* irr lhe errlier d:ry' secn as the
*1-n."
"'.'r.,rrrrv
.,utial indiuilualt than women since they were \nnlinuc\
;;;;;d*J;.';;re
Llid nol hr\( cqlrelil\ cnil lhi'
r-,..t.,.fi,n. 1'n.,1;g. l: a recull \ omen
ur ttre tu11t1,
i,,.,,"- nrl l'rrrilt nD rarlrer i' s<rn rs rlrc rror'cror
an opnio^
create
'"
strongc' than my mother' -Th's rnr)
he is physicaliy
il;..
in thc farnily Henlc .the traits^oi
that mv fathcr is more impo ant tftai my mnrtr"t
garn
itt"ttttu"t c'rn be s'en as rn ohsr&lc for tltem to

il;l;l;:"t:';;
i;;;"*"
||ll..; o, ilJ';Jt,t"J
equality.

who bear children may be a

Furtllennorc' the tact that womcn are the ones
lo seientists rs the Individuals who
flinaron.J'o"*u.r,"n ""lri"',ing "qu^liif- Actotdrng
rlra. nrcrr lrrvr'
:;;:;;;,t,"thcir.hrlJrtrr'*'m'nl'"""ir\rtonu(rrr(wirlrrlrcrr'lril'l''rr
in reising the:hiltlt:l1-::l hence arc
Thereforc. lhey are seen to bc Ilrore capable
al homc and
inost of the lirne' they have to stay
associatcd with this task. This rneans that
iu sociery. that it is very
chores roo. This view is roo{ecl so deeply
;;;il;;iJ
Drer can rcplace women rn
i,rr.rri'io. ...", ro change il toclay. Hence, although
ulro :ll\ al
fourrLl lL' hc
rrising tlrc LlrrlJren. worn"rr are rrr''r" frcqu'ntl)
'1,'," ltt:n':
ctle 'rn cxarrrplc lo !llLl.lrJle rnv pUirrt My
llurnc, l:rl'nP iarc ol lh'il clrrtaren lrt mt
carc of me whcn I wes a child' whereas
mother was the one wllo stayed at home and fook
lo work Thcreiole' thc fact thaf women
my talhcr atways went out c!ery w''rrking day
the
Lesutting in thcm being.associtted with
are the ol1es who glve blrrh to Lneu ctrildr'en,
equali{y'
i^.t oi nunu.rng ,i" tattet' hamPcrs womcn's effbi in achievirlg

Ilowevcr'tlrerealeo(he.tectorshirrdcr-irrgwornenintheirfighllbrequdlity.
they live Some
by the cultures t'f the coinmunity i which
fhes"
and causc women lo be
"r.in"x.*ptifi"cl
solne coulltries ut" ntot" f'"n"iiti"t to mcn
cultures

significant than n
in Cnina. a son is considercd to be nlore
"xampte'
As a.rcsuli us{rally-th"
daughter since thc sol*itt p."..rut tt'" fomily nallle
l:*:,t-li']
Anolhcl casc occurs in collnlncs ln
receivc tnore wealth frorn his Parcnts whcn they die
as nlen ure seelr as treing more
East Asie, wherc wcxlcn are deprivecl of eclucatiol

iirra"an,"g"0- o:"t

)5

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imporranr and de*rve educarion
women achieving

ber
equalny- --'ter'

These culfures'

of

course' arc

ot.ru.t., ,o

:::::,.T:i:i,iJht"#il:ry#:1?!i!";"il:.,1,J:JHJ.,:,:.,#::,Xf
men to take on certain jobs in countrie

:';li3*
dcprired uomen ofa
fi
;l;rxitti"k]^thrJs'Ji'T"i;lllrr::::li;,fl
countrr
h.. ,.,^--- ll",.rli
i:
rhe -r
*,ii""lrl"i*ill; il:lXT to
counrry where d,ey
rhcv riwF
rive by enrerins
war. In addition, in somc counrriesl

has

f,Ti?:"*:-:" jn::*".':*n*t":'k"#,]"1.';Tff

chance

serve

:tr:';j.1lT:",;il

**,**i-**;.ii,,'i:lr:1"l:.;#:i+flir,iTlT['tiliH;.;
miy
el.lon\ ol-r{",*,, i" r.f,""i"g.q;;,r;, -',
some counl_'e\

obstrucr tlre

secn. wom(n themsolve;

rem$lvei ,,rn
, {\ uc halr
Len h.
bc ob'13'1q'
^h.,^^r^-1e w6rne
.",;. ;;; ..;;,:i'r
pos.ic.. ,n,r ,t,. tl.r',r,ri,ili"in
'"
berrers. ,o$c\er. lh.re rre orhcr ,rhc1
cquatiry due

0"n,."'ne

:
I

;Uiil* :*il:'il#;iii#, U*[

;:H" f 1;h,i*l:fj:h:fi:l:'1 ;,J:I::'1:i:il';t.'ff i['-]ii,ff I
-r
..
,*, ;iil:i:;T;S;l;l,r';:ll';::J:'il
H";il'i:1"i,,::. ;:jl'.::,:y -,t:

o'ndoncs a,

s
"",r ni",p
tllrr countn(s wcll.
However. ulttil ti,

;i:::i:cr 'esi,,cn
w"'ntnt""4"""'it'"""'"urll,:':i.t,,i:J;l
ur.ycJno\.i,nnr(.rhcir$.eakressc,n,do'

*i:l;::l':|"^;::;:T:j;.:::hil.;;,][::i]ll:l::.i;::m:n:]:::;lll
*r,,"r,

ff1;:i:.i:$;.::i;j.rfi,,,
Ilcll argued your

cuse is

'",_.n"ii;:;:il.;l#".LTlil::1,':::t*1,::

wtll orgunizetl antl

r:onvincit,

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Susanlo Winata

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Our lives are detcrmiDed by thc

places we are boru

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into' How trre is this belief?

lre bom into-ia true to a

The belicf that our lives are detemined by the places we
while plates rfer to both
certain extent. o|.ll lives refer to ouf lilestylcs and ]uturc
and the suburb'
different countdes and different parts of a country' the city' countrysidt
and norms
beliefs
our
ffri. fr"-fi"f i"qoit ttue as the place where we are bom into shapes
be true in that nothing in
;;; i;;id.t..pportunities. on the other hand' it may not
a"t".*ine our lives as if we exercise no choice in our lives'
thi, *orta

"*

you are

Fi$tly, my Point to show that this belief is truc is that the place where
who are-bom into the countryside
Uorn into alt"p", !oo, character- For example' people
and have to eam
,"na to t. mor" iu*ble and hardworking as they are generllly loor
nore afiogant
are
cities
eu""ything Uy working hald. However, people who are bom into
to eith due to the envirorunent around them- PeoPle frotn djfferent
ur nlo,
"r"Ao*r,
collntriesalsotendtodifTerintennsofcharacter'fbrexarnple'foreignworkersfron

Ctirlounalndiaarewillingtodotoughhobsforameagersalary.whilemany
bv the phces

il;;;;;;.;-;;

very pickv ibout rheir jobs. So, our lives are dctennined

we arc bom illto-

opporhrnities lt
Secondly, the place where wc are bom into detennincs our
chance of
.l"t".*in"a ou, .itun.es of survival, the ch:uce of obtaining education and lhe
fbod' for example
ii.ai"g r.l. tn places with poor medical scr"rices and shortagc ofdie
jusl wilhin days
"
bal)ie!
Africa. many childrell do not suavlve lrto adulthood and some
rnay lind
inlo the world. People lrvrrrg rn sorne LouLllries.like Induflesia
,,p".iil"i,
Ls
something
^itl".f
be a luxury while for peopte irr-Jnprn' ttn yejrrs ol cducrfi"n
elu.atinn to
jubs toay t" pt",ttifut in t"ttaitt parts of the world but scare in. orhers Also'
.;;t'p"i-t;rybut rot in the
c"ir"in f"uet of.au.atioir may land us a job in less devclopcd countrics
^aar",[""f.p"0 oncs likc the Unitcti States Thereforc' our lives are delernincd lry the
places we are bom into
orrr Iives ale
From another point of view' migrJtion can rnrke rhis bclrc[.tlr'rl
nre pcoplc who r:an be bom
determined by the pla."s *. a.. bortt intJ to bc untruc- Thete
migratc lo
,he majofity of the peoplc ar.e poor like in Africa but they
in,u loun,.i", *t
"i" like En;lard. Wtren ttrei" peotle migrate at a very young age, their
lr"ri". nm
thcy are
"oontri".
y* ,o fr" mould"ed so their character is not determined by the places
oa^.,". i,
horn
illto as
"t
tr.." i,li". .ii;"if"Av, ,heir oppoltunities will nol come from the pltce they are placcs
we
tf*f *iff r,r" frorrr another country. Tltus' our livcs are not detennincd by the
ate bom into.

we are
My sccond point that opposcs this belied is that no matter which counlry
o\{n hands aod
bom into, we cafl ovctcolne all sorts of difficulties Our lives lie in our
for our
nothing but oursclves detennine orr lives Wc create our own chances scarch
by the Places
own ofportunities ancl build our own future so o{rr lives are nol determined
job
in a poor
goocl
a
*" u." to* inro- No rnatter how slim our chances are of obtaiDing
crowd' nothing
developinS cotttlhJ, as long as we can make ourselves sland our from lhc
he can
schools
proper
i. i'npo,r.fut". If a person is bom inrc the countryside with no

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travel to the city to obtain education as long as he is defermined. Once again, our
not detrrmined hy thc plrcc\ we are bbm into.

livc,

,rrc

However, dcspite the possibiliqr of migration and self- derermination, the majodty
of people's lives are detennined by the places they are bom into. lf a person wirh a very
high IQ is bom into Af.ica and is very poor, there is hardly any chance of suwival to
make it big in the workjng world. Even if he survives, the denial of the chance of
education will kcep his intelligence hidden_ However, a person who is not smafl but is
given an opportunity to study will be able to acquire skills and be successful. places we
are bom into do shape our characters and determines our opportunities. So, our lives will
always be determined by places we are bom into for the majority, even into the future.
Goocl points raised and well-supported. Keep reading to hone

jour

use

of

EnglislL.

Tan Bao Ling Charlene

05s45

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?,9

Public figures have to behave well at all tirnes. Do you agrce?

Today, due to the openness of the media, there has been a self proliferating
culture of scandal of which public figures, including celebrities, politicians and
sportsmen have become victims of. Journalists dig out the dirt on them and hold them
accountable for their actions. Secrets of infidelity, drug consumption ard sexual habits
are uncovered for the world to see. These public figures have yet to realize that they have
to behave well at all times, not just at public events, but also behind the glitz and
glamour. Cood behavior should entail behaving morally and ethically and detinitely
includes obcying the law. As public figures, these persoralities have the responsibility to
uphold the repulation of the bodies they represent and are rcle models to many. Thus,
they should be virtuous and upright at all times to be worthy ofthe limelight they bask in.
Public figures have to behave well at all times as they are accountablc for the
rcpotalion of the bodies they rcpresent. This is especially true tbr politicians, who
rcpreseflt their party and the govemment. Ao example would be the recent case of
Sinaporc's Non-constituency Member of Parlirment, Steve Chia. He had taken'sexy
photos' of his rnaid, made a hobby of taking nude sho(s of himselt. and had an
extranarital affair which he ended beforc the 2001 General Elcctions. This 'private'
infonnation was spilled out lor public sclxtiny aftcr his wife reported him to the policc
after she found the maid s pictures in his computer. Although he has since rcsigned from
all his posts in the National Solidarity Party, hc is still clioging on fo his Parliamenl seat.
Political observcrs say Ihat his crcditability has bccn undennined and whethea he is
eligible fo| future elections or !rot, is all opefl question. On lhe sanlc notc, in 1977, Mr.
Lee Kuan Yew, then Prine Minister of Singapore. adviscd mcmberu of his party, the
Pcoplc's Action Party, not to misbehave themselves as anybody rvith a palemity suit
against him would be 'out' of politics and Lhere would be a by-election. Thesc cxamples
show that public figures, especiiilly politicians, have to behavc in a dignifiecl manner at
all times, even al home, as any iscondlct can hevo grave cftccts on the cledihbility and
integrity of Ihe body they represcnt. Their misdecds could damalle the body's standing as
it would go against tlre values it endorsesPublic figures also have to behave well al alL times as Ihey have to live up to the
expectations society has of them Io dcvelop olufual tiust- Atlcr all, they thrive on
popularity. Successtul lubic tigures rccognizc drat such trust hlls to be eamed and often
wrap thcn$eives in the cloak of 'family valucs' and paradc their firmilies befole the
media, prescnting themsclves as likeablc chaaactcrs and showinS the public whdt they are
'really' Iike 'up close and personal'- Fbr example. David Beckham, cap(airl of Il glend's
football tcam, often parades his family at public events, showinlt himself to be a 'tamily
person'. lor Beckham, his good behavior has brouSht him lar.'loday, f)avid Bccklam is
England's most populatr footballer and is also a household flame in countries like
Singapore aod Jap:ur. Fans cite his 'wholesome lamily image' as e rcason fo[ his
popularity. For politicians, many feel fhat privnte conduct coonccts shorgly to public
ofiice. For ex.lmple, joumalists nradc Ihc issuc of whether (lcorgc W. Bush ever used
cocainc as thc campaign qul-stion of summcr 1999. Colunrnist Molly [ri[s and
News$,eek's SIuarl Taylor poi[(ed toward the relcvmt policy issue: Bush's sisning of thc

Texas law that made even fiast-time possession of small anounts of drugs punishable by
prison time. The question was should people less fortunate than Bush be ieaming from
their youthill mistakes inside a jail cell? Bush denied any consumption of cocaine and

his good behavior paid off. He was elected president of the United States. These
examples show that society expects public figures to be upright and worthy so it is
important that public figures live up to those expectations and behave well ro gain the
respect and tust ofthe public.

Public figures are role models for mxoy and they havc ro behave well at all rimes
to set good examples for the comm[nity. For example, a study made by the University of
Califomia, Los Angeles, School of Public Health, stated that lgqo of the teenagers
surveyed named sports figures as role models while anothet l0olo looked up to singers.
This shows that public figures exefi a strong irfluence on impressionable minds and thus
the public expects them to have clean and acceptable behavior. Whether they like it or
not, famous pcople arlr mimicked, not just at their profession but at everything they do.
During her recent Super Bowl half-time perfonn:rnce, singer Janet Jackson accidetrtally
exposed her breast, causing a huge uproar among audiences_ Some thought that the scen.:
was disgusting arld that it promoted the baring of flesh as bcing fasl onable. Janet
Jackson's invitation to present an award er the Cr.lmnry Awa(is irlcw days later, was
soon withdrawn- She had been denied attendance at the covetcd music award show as hcr
behavior was inappropriatc and undignified_ Thus, it is important that public figures
behave well at all times and inaintain a good, clean irnage as they are influential role
models for many.

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Ilowever, one can also argue thal it is irrational to idealize public figures and
demaftl pcrtection of them. Aftcr all, they are ollly hurnall, and it is unrealistrc to e\pcLt
them to be omnipotent. Some feel that public figures have a right to do what thcy waflt
privrtell a. long a: rhcv d,, rlreil t,,bs uell. lrke tur cr,rrrplelrl,c Bill r linrurrtMnrriia
Lewilsky scandal thxt produced thc first prcsidential inpeachmcnt over a cenrury_
Fomrer l,resident o[ the U ited States of Amcrica Bill Clitton admittcd ro havinS an
affair with Whitc llouse inrcrn Mo ca Lcwinsky. but he was srill electcd president for
fwo lerms- Polls rcpeatedly suggesled thal mosl Americans did not think prcsidenl
Clinton's allegecl peccadilloes undermincd his performarce as president, rlthough they
undermincd their rcspect for him. This shows that ro some, ir did not matrer if Clinton.
the public figure and Clinton, the private an, wcrc two difierent people. To thelll, as
long as hir was honcst in lhe way he conducled his politics, whclher he was honest about
his personal ljfe rcally was nonc of their-btsiness. Thus, public figures do not havc to
behave wcll at all times because cven lttough thc) have .t !cftarn leveL ol erpenise, thcy
are still human and to err is only hurnan. lt ca be argued that as long as they do their job,
what gocs on behind the scenes is nol impol1ant.

Public figurcs seek lhe bcncfits of tame and thev must be able to takc thc
dowrside of public inteffogirtion. Givc rh(ir hrgh pr,rtrlcs rht,y h.rve to behrvc well and
project an ethical imagc to society to gain (heir trust and live up to their expectations of
thcm as role models- Morcover, a.ly misdemeanor on (hcir part could also ruin thc good
lran1e of lhe body they rcprcsent- Indccd. somc of their ilcts might bear no rclcvance (o

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public and private is

their jobs but public figures should rccognize that fol them' what is
behavior
noiu'lfu"t_u"i_*rlit" isue. To ask the world to t.m a blind eye to any immoral
would simply b.; biting off more than they can chewThis is

a well-written essal Good usd of emnples and insighful conments nade

Joame Teo
04s26

R@rE lll

oDE

L Qu@TEs:

(ENE PEf,soN oR maYBE

AN H@NoR TlE BE A R@LE m(EDEL T@
BE A ROLE IIIODEL' i
IIIORE THAN TflAT. IF YOU ARE GIVEN A CHANCE T@
II'I'LUENCE A
THINK Y@U sH@ULD ALWAYS TAKE IT BECAUSE Y{EU CAN
T TO OO.
LIFE IN A P@SITIVE LIGHT, AND THAT.S VHAT I WAI.I

I Tgrlr tt's
PERSONIS

THAT'5 wHAT IT'5 aLL aB@ur.

-

Veeos.

TI

ce r.

CHILDREN NEED In@DELs RATHER THAN cRlrlcs'

- J@sEpH f@uBERr, FRENcH EssAYlsr (17 s2-1824)

ExamPL HAs m@&E IOLL@WERS THAN RE ASON.

- CHRIsTIAN N EVE LL BOVEE, ANERICAN AUTH@R ANO TA'VYER II824t9 @4)

IrnrrartoN Is A NEcsslrY

(DF HUIIIAN NATURE'

-(ELrveR !?ENoELL H@LmEs' JR" AmERIcAN luRIsr, SuPREfiE C@u&T

IUsrrc (1841-1955)

32

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road less travelled:', (M. Scott Peck) is being differcnt overrated?
M. Scott Peck had it .ight when he wrote the phrase, ..The road less travelled_,,to
the idea of choosing to be different. lo this time
ug., utt oi-u. ar"
to be different, to the extent that some find that being diffJr""t
l.
disa$ee with this view, to a large extent. Being unique in oie,s ideas, thoughts
and
viour is not over-glorihed. Instead, the emphasis is
need
"ppropriat,'as
*r,Ii:T
dre crowd,_ro_power rhe differeni
sectors
of
*,.
y,
lh:1""d
business, science and technology and the arts. When a child,s nature "ou,rt
m"ets th"
different forms of nurturing, a myriad of unique individuals .me.g..
H"nce to
them to continue being one of a kind is par for the course

-a

.r".r;
,i.

For example, in any country who would want an economy that has encouraged
a
.

pot trade centre, our

a,r country's
neighbouflng countrles
.ounrri.a stafted
""*-'1., economy would have failed as other nergnDounng
a,*"d,loi
doing the
, same. Trade would then bifurcate between the countries and-profits would plunge. H-ence
jJ:l9il:':;f
gt1 e.'u"*,'*, *.gr'i i. r'-,".
il",;;;:'u"J""1""
"ii;;".;;;;;;.
industries. One might argue
that if our ncighbouring countries did not change, we would
have continued to mirkc money. Brt it no onc coirinues changing, we viould
alt just
revert back to being cavenen, grunting around, and there is no pJintin that either.

It is importanr in business to bc diffcrent, crcative evc. An individual with

unrque iideas can creatc a whole ncw business, rvith gargantuan profits, jusl
iike the
creator of llread 'Ialk did. Why iust have plain bread, *h"n *.
i,"u. bread and pork
floss? With that simple, yet creative idea, a unique man became a"o,,
rich busincssman. Also,
what if a differcnt soll of approach can achieve the salne clesired rcsults,
with less etibrt?
Having ru
rrdv[E
no ua.urar
natural resources o[
of oul own
own, Stngapore
Si
would ncver be tamous fbr anything
with
.,!q !vs4!v
regard Io
LU BUru.
gold. Yet
rcr da strrrlJrc
simpre rwcrKrllg
rwcaki[g OI
oithe
tDe rnrnd,
rnind, and
antr wc werc able to crcate purple
Durore
gold. and start making a name fbr ourselves. So being diflercnt
is not overraled, but a
necessrly_

Another nupurri{lr
,-uurEr
important area
:rrea wnere
where oeng
being cltlterenl
different rs
is a must is in
i
science and
technology. Imagine ii people werc contcnt *itl, n.u", finding
out why oblects fall, or
ncver In/'l rilking flrghr. Wc wurrld be rn the ate of(dn.llc\
ho,..irr*n."-"g.,.
Having diffbrenr, creative ideas wiLl opcn new doors for making
"id new tecturology to
inprovc our lives as well as to extcnd our physical capacitics. If cv"eryonc
nlade do with
simple tools. we would not have nanotechnology. the atility to
manipulaLe the smallcst of
particles: nor would we havc stenr cell researJ which
has brought us one step closer to
eliminatinll ceftain discases. Nor would organ trarNplanls t"
a,,L."rrtut. A. *"
xnd probe rhe boundaries scr by ourselves, lhe f;ture bccomes
filled wirh "^pto."
endless
possibilities, simply because scientist dared to be dilfercnt
and crearivc
lfcing diffcrent allows differenl sectoas of a country, like the anistic community,
to,bc kcpt alivc ln this epoch, a large nunber
of people tcnrl lo favour sciencc subiects i
scltools. as thcy bclieve it will lead to a brigh(er flturc_
But sonte i[divicluals rernain

33

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afis sector- This is

different, sticking steadfastly to their ambitions' which lie in the
.,"*.ct. us it ltJws a contioued cxistence of people like fashion designers' ntrtiitionists
.ou.ti"tr. These people allow a country to stay vibranl having a diverse
inJ
"u..r urta a colourful pop.tlution. Besides' if everyone did enter the science faculty'
science graduates'
".onorny
if-ter" *o"fa not be enough vacancies in all the science sectorc for all
io*" *outa "tta op ftav;g to be different and taking up ajob they were not trained for"
Again, being unique allows for a better future' and should be encouraged'
are
Yet a lot of peoPle tend to be so different they disrupt social peace Most of us
norms'
probably unimpressed with people who do something totally unacccpted by social
to io so because they are being different This is where being e uniquc
uncl
"laim
individual is indeed over-glorified. In some places like Singapore' with a meagre
diffcrence in people Tf small
fofriuti.. of 4.4 million, t"lt.re is no room for a vast
.f people tbrm, each headed for different business' that business will lnsurely
i.it","
this
'.oLtapse, a,le to a marginally effectivc working force considering the 'small size
is
situatiod
the
till
on diversitlcation should be stymied'
ron'ii i"*^"""

appropriate.

"n

"iph..i,

Ilowever. these socially unaccePted actions or lllrge dil'crsion might actually hclp
rhat would
in the right circumstances, to be a springboard for People to create something
cre
rling new
in
be more_ accepred and pnctical Being ditTerent again, would help
artifacts and ploducts that will allow us to advance.

diflercnt is generally llof overratcLl Wc need to bc differcnl ;n order

the
to help kecp econlmics alivc. We nced crcative ideas 1tl explore thc urknown and
going.
u,.h"^ia oft. we should have unique individuals to keep various areas of hurnxnrt)
So being cliflerent is a must, alld cafflot be consiclered overrated

ln

a'1, being

tt tltt:ent tListussiott - rt)u n(ed t() vtttrk a little on tt uctutitry' E\amplcs

nair points up. F lu(nt a d confident wrililg

Mostly
hraL:e

Gcrald Phoon
05s

l5

nceded lo

I
:
Human life is precious and must be preserved at all costs. Discuss,

It is almost inevitable that every human individual considers his own life to be of
utmost va ue. However, in a somewhat paradoxical fashion, the lives of other fellow
human beings are often perceived to be of less impodance. This leads to controversy
sometimes as to whether every life should be preserved at all costs. I would say that to
prcserye a life at all costs is not economically viable, and is very impractical. Rather, a
balance needs to be struck between morality and practicatity. Although such a balance is
imponderable, it is an ideal that slrould be striven for.

The idea of preservitrg a life incorpomtes the concept of saving a person from an
imminent death, o. extendirg thc life of a person. lt is bitterly ironic thar while people
seek to preserve human lives, it is often other lbllow human beings that kill people, or
even themselves. Wars are the ultimate embodiment of this. Man battles against mall'
resulting in an asfonomical loss of human lives. Casualties ilr World War II greatly
surpassed the loss of lives caused by the Black Plague. peace is preached in an attcmpt to
avoid future wars and collflicts, but sometimes, wa.r is waged in an attempt to preserve
peace. Although it may seem ethically wrong, humal livcs have been saoificed to
achicvc a goal, to lealizc an ideal, or to protect the lives oI people close to us. 'fhis goes
back to the idea thaL we placc dil'ferent values on thc livcs of different people. The livcs
of people close to us are usually perceived as being morc precious, and to better or to
preserye their lives, sacrifices mxy bc made even if they arc the iives of othel humans.

The assumption thal human life is precious is also ulrlermincd by people who
perceivc the own lives to be of litrle value. Pcople afflictcd with terminal illrrcsses nray
find life intolerable, or do not wish ro be a burden- Preserving the lives of people strickcn
with illnesses such as canccr or AII)s is very costly and taxing, and may adversely alfect
people close to them. Howcver, there arc rnoral issues that nake this such a colundrum_
Taking away the lives of such people is sccn as playing God, and doing so goes rgainsr
all our cthics. I-[ence, euthanasia is still noa widely accepted in most countrics.
Conversely, are the lives of pcoplc who arc of little value or even cletrimental to our
society wonh prescrving? Murdercrs, rapists and robbers offen take away the livcs ol
other humans, but docs this give us rhe right to take away thcirs? This..eye for an eye',
concept fbnns the basis of capital punishnent_ Thcre is the altcmative of implisoomeut
which is oftcn preferrcrl, since it givcs crininals a chance to rcpe t and strrt afresh. but
for those impervious to changing tbr the better and unrcpentant, perhaps capital
punishment cannot be avoided. Howcvcr, effort should be taken Io counsel and try to help
thc criminal before capital punishment.
Prcseffing human life is an idcal rhal should be strivecl fbr. lt would be ir lumanc
to lct a person dying of lltv simply dic without mcdical aid. tf rirar person values his lit'e
and wishes to have his Iifespan lengthcned, albeit tcmporarily, attempts should bc macle
to preserve his litir [or-as loog {s possiblc- AlthouSh rhis maybe an excrcise in futility, the
few cxtra monlhs the paticnt lives would bc priceless Io the
feople who care for him.

35

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from other animals is our code of

is murder forms the
ethics and morals. Our acceptance that killing other human forms
choose not to' does
comerstone of this code- If we are capable of preserving a life' but
in a moral
this not bord., on murder? At times, it is a conflict of ethics that results
and
is hence'
its
surroundings'
Jif"t"-u. n"..y human life is unique, is conscious of
be
weighed
pt""iou.. Uowever, the sacrifice made in order to save a life must
the lives
"on"ia"r"a
ag;iist ho; the resources used in doing so could be used to betteror even save
line
that
fni. may seem to be a very inhumane statement, but the bottorD lives-is The
o? ott
".,.
to preserue
.esoo.ces ar. limit d, and an opporfunity cost is involved if we are
the^ life of a cancer patient can save numerous children in
-"".y tp.", on p.eieruing
,qll"u f-rrt starvation. Human life may be precious, but the sad reality that we place
prcsefve
;ifferent values on the lives of different peopte limits our capacity to truly
It has been said that what

separates mankind

hu.-rir".Rather'sometimesitisourcompulsiontosavealifeatallcoststlratmay
prevent others frcm living.
a human
It is said that the road to Hell is Paved with good ntenhons To preserve
can
be so
life at all costs may seem like a noble intention, but the social rilmiflcatioos
life is
u4r,".," ,o the cxtent that other lives are forgone' The perception that human
place
we
values
p...io* it one that is widely accepted, but the truth is that the different preserving
a
in different tives undermine this concept. Truly, moderation is imperative in
lite, for sometimes, the sacrifice is.just too great'
sentence in the
While the essay i fotused, the itleas are a tad unclear' Lack of clear topic
nis' :;'ntc
paragraphs makis for a difficuh understan'ling of your argnnent You.
'inr"r"rrirg ideas bit ditl nil take them to the conclusion you suggest This is Lt pity'
LangutrgJ is quite niceIr- controlletl Good use oftocabulary and etPression

Daniel Chang
04s63

36

Asian Values: Do they exist?

The concept of "Asian values" has often been refened

to ilr mary diflbrent
contexts_ Arnong the values often associarcd wirh asian:;oci.tle"
a.e tn"l.in"ipt" of
community above serf, the premium on frugariry and hard work.
wi r' ,rrl oJ"u.."o". ot
the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 came a wave of cnriclsm, maiaty
from Westenr
commentators, that the death klell of rhe myrh ot Acial u"lu."
hJ
b.en sourraed.
However, I believe that while the various attacks on the
oi;A"i*' uutu".,, a,,
"on""pt**irr*-i"
have some justifrcatiol, Asiar values do exist and will probably
U. ,"f"r"*
in the future

One of the criticisms levied at the concept of ,,Asian values,, is

on the most
fufldamental level - that Asia covers such a huge geographical area and
spans such a
dizzying specffum of diflbrent cultrrres that ir is meaningless to speak of ,,Asian
values,,
as if it was a homogelcous belief system. For examplJ,
have otten been
made, espelially in Malaysia wherc Lhe bumiputra policy
"o.pu.i"orra
is an issue, between the
tendercy of the Chinese to enshrine fhe pursuit of Draterial suc""ss a" a
core value, itnd
thc relative laidback. relaxed ethos of the Malay comnunily. Of
course, compansons
such as thesc have oftel been attacke.l as being over_gencraiiscd,
evcn racist, but they do
point to some dilfercnces in value systems betwecn cjiifeient Asian
cuhures_

with the increasing globalisation of thc world, trytig to

compartmentalise cultures along gcographical or ettrflic lines
is becoming increasingly
futilc, as cultures are now interact and influencc one another to such un
e?t.m ti,ot on.
"world culture" is begiriring to take ioot all around the u,orld.
it.rugf, li,ouy ls,rff fr"
"u-becn cied as espccialty
Mrny lleople B)inr our that vatLres rhar have
li^'-l].li*1,]'".,"t""
jn
sLgortrcirnr
Asixn ruirure, such rs the principle of cornnlunity above self, are
in fact not
unique to Asia but rathca, to somc ertenr, unrvcrsal. hvcn
tirc biggest flag bearers ol
Westem civilisation such as thc Uniteil Srxrcj rrd rhc Unrrcd
f<,rgl'|""i ir"i," f"*, ,fro,
arguably inlringe on human righrs, such the USA'S patriot
Act, plciseiy because rhcy
have weiShed collecrive sccurity aSairNt human righls and
f,r,,ntf ttJ forr,,.r rrrur"
tmportant. Thus, therc is nothing particularly ,'Asian,' aboul ,,Asian
values,,_ rathe. they
are motivated by co[cems that would be relevant to lllolc
or less any civiliscd socrcry_
Fufthemore,

It is largely on this basis that the various critics atlack the concept of
Asian values
as bcing more a political insffuntcnt tiran a social rcality. .I.hcy
,1,o, in a world
increasingly dominaled by "wesrern varues" pcrvasive
"u,,r"rr.l i.",.,n" rirr-rr
iriar arJar.iiiil,
market ethos of the economic realm 1o the emphasis
on dernocracy anJ in;i;idual liberly
itl.politics and popular culture, Asian lcerlers ."*,, ,..o,r"..li"s
"e.im
values" to justify and thus preserwe thcir rcgimes, ,hi.h
"","1iir *nr.t
"f ou,l
n." aut.irutic'"t
patcflralistic at best. Thcse leacler.s clairn that
Asians, unlike their Westcrn counterparts,
,ll:
ahovir sclt rnd workinlt rogerhcr for the comrno( good rather
i1""1 ::""-unity
l,lt-iii
lllan rr,li\idu.rl
libcr(ic.. end rhus rarious rrprcsrirc rrrcirsurrs 5.cll a\ llrc.unrrLlrlcnl ol
ftec spccclt iD thc irtterests of
|re,!cntmg the fiagmentation of socicty are to be applaudcd
rrthcr driIrr rnrr(lernncrl. Thesc clltrc\ also pJilrt to practices
such as cronyism ancl
nepotism, nrasquerading as "Asian values', o[ ioyalty
to [amily and friends, as thc orjgin'

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to tum to
Aslan governmenls had the.foresight
of the 1997 Asian Cufency Crisis- Had
ttri' crisls could have bcen ave{ed'
ii"'r"" it"*a' t"l tn"

Asian govelrunT:s do hijack the

While it is true - and sadly so - that many
go so far as
againsi enlighiened reform, I would not
conceDt of Asian valires as a bulwark
Politicians
ua-lues b-ecause of this Phenomenon
;#;# #;;;;"*i"t"n"" ot a"i"j"t'ou"...orLed
to shrewd ploys to achieve political
throughout the ages and i,, utt .*i"t.".
values unique to
does not negate the existence of
il;""i-*. ;;i ;,i" i."i *tut ttt"y do thrst,o'it-"itl'"
that Asian values are a mvth'
trt"
"'"g"""
""v
itr. iug" .p""** of cultures that Asia
";"il.
while there are inevitably aircr.n"."*;itnln*itf i" ti"t"'tott"tes that are more notable
encomDasses, there are also common stranA'
to tle fact
uor''" svstems This can be attributcd

fl

"iti"'

[r[;#";i;;*

;"iil;

i;"iJ'"*

HiiI;#i;,

.;;,;"op"* * ar"'-

i"t"r-linked histories and thus' have developed

nou"
that di{ferent areas of A"iu .Itrc
tited example of this is
"^Lt""ilv
tnov
sr'Jifi":rnL'
most
"ft"n end sustahcd interaction
verv similar philosophics'
"tathe ntinrate
irr ionfucianism. Although it originateii
p"tintuf" Malayan socicty resultcd in the
of China with Japanese, Korean, ^ni """n
tui'"" tft'*gn..'t Atir' unrlerpirrring rnanr LrlieI
<xtensive pr.rpagatrun ol Cor ucran
that 'ucll ralucs ina\'drlfcr 'r: lhe
s\\rcnls.ornrnun lo A'ian soclelle' fi rn"y t'"
t'".ot" i'o'" fine{uned' but tbat should onlv lcad to

;'t';i"''

ri*

:I;H"t-;";;;,i""

*i*"'

shou'd not write thefi off

one
evcn among diflerent Eroups within
;i;;;;;. Tt;.; .;" *btlc drffererrces in values
of
chinese
trtui at"" not mcan we ne;ate the existcncc
H:ffi",g;;;.;" tot^"v' r''"'also
"Asian" are not
true that some values iclentitied as
valucs ot American values lt is
vastly
certain poinls ol sitnilarity between
rigidly uniqr.rc to Asil there *" oi't"ut
values
tt" madc is that
but thc important obs"'luotio" rltui"tutt

our aDprecratlon of sLrbtleties

*ith;';;;

u"lu"t'

(litTerenl culturcs,

*"

-certain

; "ry
:;:#";;;;;il
-*'::'"Lll-$"i:" i":ilL', *:"',t,:J::ii:" ;: i :l'::
lnto
that
values

sometimes conre

ft;;;;'t**;aiive

co

values that make up thc value svstcm

differences
is in tllese value judgments that thc

prioritics whilc thc

miqht be similar for diflerent socletles' it

libcdv a d the idea of

'nawia"ot
'r'ir"
to eilher westem society or Asiln
common lvelfare would not be "tp"ti^ity "'i"ttt"nto
in l^vour of
w"ri"*'a*i"ty i. mu.t, a.rr" likely to rule
society, when a trade olt
"rir"r, t" llt* iit"iy to play sale Lry castirg its k)t with the
the fomer, whercas Asi{n society
latter "
valucs are deeP-roofe'l in Asian
In [act' ] trelieve it is preclsely because cenain
ic, trt"* values has decp resonance with-the
society that polrtrcal propatsandd ^piJ"rilrn
rrol scll il ll\e rdcr o[ (ornrnurrrlv
r
peoplc in thc lrr 'l Plr' e pdtcrnalr'nl rripll "rrld
lhc
rcccnl lllv'nlrun ol llrliorlxl ler'ler*
rbov( ell $erc rllelcl\ lhP "*t't
-tt
"'*l"gi'rl 'rr it logrtlrer" cthus ot th^c-British welfare
value of alt culturcs, whethcr b" tit;';;-"i
Americnn rpprorch havc come
..^rJlat aty indePendcnt and iltli v itlua tistrttystem
cngendercd by such valucs
"t.,""t
trnclcr attack at so rc time or othet Ji"n ift" "utiun"f
a
or iolitical trouble olten provide
sccrned shaky, indicating lhal ti'nts"oi "tono"tic
convenientframeworktornakesocra"|,-ulu.","."p.11n"ttnfJ!t.lvhilenrltnypcoplecite
A\rrn values the irony is that
political motivations as thc source- o[ itt" l-onttpt_nf
in political agendas too Asian ledders
algurlcnts against this co cept ot" ofr""

il:,?..-,i;;,;.;;'l'i"

n'"'

tr'" iii"" oi

"rltp"tt

flt!

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atlLrflous [o preservc thejl system

again
ur what
wnrt rhey
" roLqq6rr! of
tnev perceive
ocrceive fo be
estcm
;rcm cultural
cuttural imperialism,
imoeriAli<m but --,;*^-r:
lh:,oo.lauglrt
nei;h
of
^,,.
wesrem
}tn 'h".ptoponents
or ,,y7e.16',
Iture
ture entirely
entirelv liee from over_enthusiasm
--,r_,,^,^^-I
i
wiurting to prove the sup".io.iiy
^-."
of viewoi ttrei.

But will Asian values lose meani

ino"^ingly globalised wortdi, I believe
har
1r nsr,ead
instead of wanins,
wanins Asian
asian _"r,,-values ,..,Si,,1 ":
not a one-way process and has
not onl_J r.v|q6q,\
proPaSalcd
u weslem
]yrsr(nr values to the
th"e rest o[
,rld. ln fact,
world.
lacl. wiLh
ol the
wirh Lhe
rhe;..
o.,.._^.,^I on lhe-world
rise o[
Asian n.
^r
slage. \uch as china rnd
a nend is alread;
India,
p.^"",u1 influcncc
-J,.1rons
.E
ur
ol
Asran
A.iaD
values
o[
on
lhe
the
"
n
While it could be rro,,a,_r
world.
,h"i ...- ..- Incans
orld
argue6 that
rhar "Asian vrlues uill ceaseruexisrby
rtreir uery ab.orprion'il;
:J;;:" 'globalisalron
ccnnol a'
al least
le3qt m
in lhc
' 6'vvdtlrdru' carurot'
llr. foreseeable
lorerrcable
future,
turure, be complete
comotcre sucl
<,-,, ,"",
,,^,,-.ll
tl]at al
aistirr"l
",,
thus Asian
ua"", *lr .tli u
T':TilrXf":r,r,ffii, "nrr

il "";;;;i;il;'l;t"[ffi::li:::;::iJJ,::*;;

"r.r*i"*.' this
:;.il

,"."-iJ..l;;;ilf:.ff Hffi"i

Perceptive and v)ritten v)ith teal

irLti?h

wett rn qttthhle. there watn r ,rirr:,o'

w

*u n,u

sh.tyn

F'."ot'd'h" qut\tlon

on

!h' hroa,l lctcl

bur

Chua Shirin
0445 i

Humlr.r V.qlug e vore s:

Ir we vete r@ waKE Lrp stomE n@RNING
aND FiND TIIAT VRYONE
YHE SAIIE

.!?,AS

RACE, C&EED AND C@L(DR.'WE \X/OULD

FIN D S@ME OTHER CA(,SE
FOR PREJUDICE BY NOON.
- G eor.c e Arrr s

Nlvet oe
'.4r.

RT

ANvTHINc AGAINsT coNscrENc

EVEN IF TH STATE

DEMANDS

Erusretu

vERy@NE IS ENTITI-ED
T(E THEIR E\(/N

@ P

FACT S.

'Daurtr parr.rcr
PLATo

IN

I@N, 8UI

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N(DT TH EIR @w'N

[I oylr r aar

ts o Eat TO ME, BUT DEARR STIL!

'Atrstorre

ifl

u", , ),
. \r& itl,.t .,1 at,an v,ttuor.
", ,,;;;,:;:,':;:,,,,;:",:,'"ta.hara116a
-urtlttllol l''rtt' rn: of l'rlt^irut.'t lto,tt4t\ At.r,
o1, th,

IS TRUTH.

T
L

Rivalry brings out the best in one. Discuss'

of our lives'
Rivalry happens all the time. We are bound to face it at every.stage
st ge or our working stage RivaLy cirr bring out the best in
be it during o,rr
"iritalooa
comes from the competitive
one but it Jan also bring out the worst The nature of rivalry
to competc for what we want'
nature of human beings We are bom with a natural instinct
be-lhe best and
ni, d^ Uri"n" oul 1e besl in one by lorring one lo give all lhc besl lo
sclf-confidcnce
ri"t*ti. i*i o" irt" oLher hand. rivalrl also causes selfishress lcck o[
and dirty fights among PeoPle.
one's heart will
When one laces rivalry from one's peer, the competitiveness in
the best in
fo.". on" to ,i." up to the chitenges. Through competition' we will briflg out role. For
play an inportant
.,r. io fr" U"u"r,fr* others, dete;ination zrn. perseverince
student must be
in u."a"*i"s, if a student wants to be the best in the school' the
this kird of rivalry that
"*ulnpt.,
a"i" i,r"a o.,.t ,nu.t work hard to achieve the goal. lt is tl*orgh
th".."L,.. and strive to be bctter' Thesc qualities can be developed
;il;
;;;
when one faces rivalry, thus' bringing out the best in one-

Withoui
Rivaly is also essential to maintain a certain standard of achicvementsnot be
recor-ds.will
and
rivalry as a d'.it,ing for.., we humans will not havc progrcss
world
the
Ian Thrcpe's placc in
U.ot"'n- fur, i-ug;i. if Michael Phelp had not threatened

with
record. Ia Thrope then would not havc any dvals to conpele
could
havc
m"..f,r." no incentive to improve hirnsell ln fact' his perlbrinance maintain
"na
J.L.in."t"a. Because ol r-ivalry' Ian Thrope had to work very hard to keep xnll bring out
flJl""oiJ f... ft"i tc takcn away by Pheips l'his rgain shows thxt rivalry cen
the besi of someone-

iJ

in Lfr"

ofy*ii.t

loo much rivalry

However, therc is also a darker sidc of rivalry Whcn thcre is
wilt cause
goinll on. one will feel very prcssured to Perfonn -$cll .Too 1::ch,f::tsl.l-e
hecause
of
io-.un" ,u bccomc very srreisetl up and rLr tur'n dllcct his herlth lt i5 also alld end up
ti""f,y,f-, *lt.n on" porty loses, he or she will tend to become deprcssed
develop low
*ottn'*irlg in sadness. Thii will cause him to losc his self-confidencc and
selflesteem. tn the end, rivalry only brings out the worstbecause everyone
Extreme rivaLry will bring an ulwillingness to share This is
vely
wa Is to be thc best and every scrlpe of Lnn$ Lcdge rnd olfortunity.lrecomes
themselves and
cnrcial. Due to the "need" to beconrc lhc bcst, pelrple will then isolatc
of Hijaz
people
the
refuse lo help others. For exanplc' befbre Islam was intro<Iuced'

fom]edthcirowl1clans.Tlrerewercrivalriesamongclansloconqueftllemosllandand
amorg lhe people
riches- In the end, the "assabiah" spirit arnong clarls caused disuoity
had bcen willing to
and war broke out. lf only thcre werc no riv^Iry dmong clxns lf they
share, many lives would havc becn sp.rerl

Ilivalry can also bring out the evil side of humans- When wc are too absorbed
asidc
rvith the idea o[ winni^g a'<1 iorni.g out as *le best. we tend to put everything elsc
iust to reach ou, gorl.

ih"t

is {he time wheD we

Llse

dirty tactics to down our opponent

40

just to get a s(ep closer to our goal. For inslance, jusr take a look xt
thc reelity_game show
,.survivor" [t was supposed
to be a test.ot'.physical abilirres bur ir enaed ulas.Nst plain
back stabbing among castaways, This rivalry brings our rhe worsr pan of liuman
beings,
the dark side.
Io conclusion, rivaLy is important because without it, we would not be
wherc we
are today and rivaly does bring out the best_ in one. It is extreme dvalry that
will bring
out the wo6t side of human. Therefore, we should encourage rivalry only up to a
certain
limit -,that is, it should be just enough for improvemcnt but nor to t_he extent ttrat it wilt
cause disunity in the human race.
_

On the whole well-argued and organized. Fluent English but do be careful of your
t?ndcnt r to writ., tnfomplttc scntcnter.
Suzanne Chcng
0-5s I l

RIVALRY Q UoTEs:
C@npETrrIoN ts rHE KEEN
AWAY AT COSTS.
" H NRY F@RD Ir

currlNG

EDGE @F DUstNEss.

Al\r/a.rs

sHAVING

Tue ceurn,rr FAcr rs IHAT THE

IIIOST FFECTIVE \x/AY (DP UTILIZINC

HUIIIAN EN
IS TH&(EUGH AN @RGAIIIZED RIV,ALRY. VHICH OY
'RGY
SPECIALIZATION,AND S@CIAL C(ENTR@L I5. AT THE SAME TIME. @RGANIZED
CO - @PRATI

* CHAR r.E

ON.

H@RT@I{ C@@LEy

Rtva,ln.r er scH@LARs
" H Egtew PRevr nt

ADVANCES

\X/I

SD@N.

No"|HING Is EVER D(ENE BEAUTIFULLY \'/HICiI IS D(ENE IN RIVALSHIP:

N(EDLY, \vHICH IS D@Nf IN PRIDE.

'loru

f,

Rusrt u

(DR

t
fi
H

tr

Ig

Rivalry brings out the best in one' Discuss'

There is rivalry everywhere Be

it in a famiLy' school'-society or between

to
ar.
'nable
;;;;;il;is strife ' and this is all pafl of human nature
.Humans
inslincl of survival
""r"tti.t
cimnlv lea.l lives wilhoul conslant contpetiti;n bccaucc oflhe basic
rhe srrongest
ll',[Jruiii':. j;r.;t.o*'ri."' r,"ut"a a rar race: e\eryone desires ro be

]i iir" i"p

trt"

u"i

".a
detrimental effects.

wttit" ttti.

x
i

"' does bring out the best for some' it also has its

'iuut'y

is able to
than others
Undoubtedly, under the constant Pressure to do bettet
.on
its
tof of potential'
strength and utiiize his or her trlents !o the
,"p i";;;;;'i.";;
hone his,ahililics and
Willr ri\ alav. man dcvelop' a fenrclou\ cdge lhrl rlllo$s hlm lo
i'""1 rake rhe olvmpics ror Insrancc Fach. competrt'rr
;;i;;
."?riitv or "ot r"'ting anvone get in front of lim or her' Rivatv
:''":^
In the
.t.*grrt .,i mind and tic cletermination not to be beatcn' lies
the
competitors' there also
b,tntt.tl .r""rtt J..s noionly exist between the present
to best the man next to
i"Jit"'a rr""- r*tou. .e.ord hold"ts' Tu many' it is not erough
you, to be the ";est". They want to break a wolld record'

;t; 'i',: ;;;;'" r,[i.'

;: ;;-;il ;"

ffiil;;;;

n"u"t tn"n
that nn:
Rivalty brings out the inhercnt hurnnn ncccl !o prove
':,.111t^t: constant
;i;;. ;l;;.,; of succcss' rivalry can bring otrt l|c Lrest in ulc LlLrc lo-this
'fo a
has the same definition of-"hesl"
""y.".
striving for better lcsults. However' noi everyoneprove
lhat
to
..a"f;nofv1*"i. "best" might reter to pe"'nrl 'utces' aLld dch'e\errent
person rcsorts to lrrscrupulnrrs means lcl
on" i, unpur"tt"t"a in his orler arcn^- Yct i[ r
Marly lake
iiti. thcn rivalry has insteed brought out the rvorst in thal person
-t.
do anything' no
^.fri.""
."pr.r"nt su"c"s,; and to achieri this success solne would
"1r""1"
lt carries with it a
a"spicable Rivalry is rlcver ahvays pure and clean
,*",,"a fl.*-i.*
uncomnlon Io some to
i""".lty ".afld the inhcreot sellishncss of humans lt is llot Lrp
to thc top fake the
their way
""""i"
,".* ,o iu-n una cheating and backslabbing lo work perspectives:
one' vo'can merelv
i;; be viewe"d in two
il;,;;' i;'"J";i;;;;i'
or
..-.p.,;t,.n belween ihose in the race' striving to eam the sold; of
:"i;i;;,:.;:;il
being accuscd
4"i". a."p". and s"" thc number of cases of competitors livalry
,*",'V"i
blillgs out
"^"
cn}rancing drugr to achieve their Peak- In lhis case.
f,kinF Dertolmance
i' r(spe!rcJ b\ rhe
;:;1"^'';',:;; ;-. r'"'"p'"" "r." $in( b) lris " i'"' o*n Incrrr(
l r undcrharld means to
*o.kt ior t,ili o. her ubility io excel, bur onc $ ho wrns by resorrng
This acl cveorenl can hardly be
*i"" iti* .. tt", " u..st i; uldmaiely regarded as e loser'
Bringing out the
ion.ia...a nlrt.*", if one doesn'l depind on hrs ur hcL o\ r strengllrsr d being abLe to
pres\urc
;;.; t;t;;;r;.id"g out one's abilit) !o shrnc undcr rntense
to lorv (lown
and clctennination' Instcad' for thosc who rcsoft
;;;;i;;-;;JJr";th
success' in reality
,rr""n., .iuafy Uringi out their weaknesses Though lhey might achieve
hut to seek
ih"y tou" foit"a ai they l,au" chosen not ro tap on their own strengths'
unwholesome aid.

or it lirrl
"Best" can rcf-er to many thi gs; it can mean pcrsonal' matcrixl succc\s
accept defeat by 1l
refer to thc good character c,t o p"..ion lf one is able to graciously
trilirs? With the
rival. is this not also considered a "best" in tenns of his or hcr character

42

elections in USA coming up soon in November, competition bet{veen George Bush

and
Johl Ke_rry is getting incrcasingly tense and heighlnect. White rhis allows them to
display their leadership abilities and capabilities to iead their country, the competition
to
prove that each of thern is the ..better man.. has also caused rhem to
iownplay each other.
Can fhis be_considered "bringing out thc besr'. in rhem? Uttimately, there wili
only be one
winner, and in this case, is the loser able to acknowledge defeat and pledge
support to the
wirurer? If tmmpeting the flaws of an opponent is the means by which
Jne extols his or
her abilities, this individual has aheady failed to a cefiain extent as he or
she is unable to
prove his or her capabilities withour betitling another. t";;;;;;;1.-;;;ufting
rhem
down might achieve a "best,, if one is able to attain the coveted"success, but
this is also a
"worst" as one has to rely on znother,s flaws, and not one,s personal achievements,
to
bolster one's abilities.

Whil: thete are people who can work well with intense rivalry, there are also
.those who
fail to do so, as

they succumb to pressure and are demoralizej, unable to excel

as they do not thilk that they can better their contemporaries.
Rivahy has two effects; it
can give one confidence and a zealous drive or it cin also instill ulcertainty
anc.l fi:ar.
Because of this lear of failure that they are unable to prove that they are worthy.
Some
cven develop a "cannot do this" mcntality, and they are alrearly clefeatetl. Thus,
they
collapse as thcy ailow thek weakness to tait mph over their strengths.

It is a dog-eat dog world, and the ,,best rnan" may not always win. .Ihe

word
"best" is too subjective, whether it relers to a moral bcst or a material b;st. In either
sense
of thl: word, rivalry is indeed able to brirg out thc best in somc. But we cannot ignore
thc
fact that rivalry can also clrum out losers, be il those who ,,selt destruct,, by collapsxtg
undcr prcssure, or thosc who, under contpetition. display thc worst of their character-s.

FluentlJ written. A sophisticat(.d tliscussiott. A pit)J

lou did nLrt tr| to give a runge of
etarnplcs especially x,hen in the intro, )1ltn
),,1u t.tLot b mettri,,ne,l trt .ul,a rhat could he
explaitkLl .eclurols (runks)
Danielle Wong
04s23

41

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In

a technological society, do

libraries still h:rve a role to play?

The library can be considered an immutable part o[ ttle technology wave'

a public
retaining its place even in this modern day and age. It still serves its functio[ as
right
hungry
intellectually
collection oibooks. from reference to fictioil, to satisfy the
down to the infant leaming the alPhabet. ln countries that rely so heavily on computers

societies
and machines for their day to day functions, it comes a's no surprise that these
:fe inherently fasFpaced, wherc peoPle often crave specific knowledge at the snap of
of the
their fingers. However, with the impeilections of thc Intemet (the closest substihlte
,rre
here
to
library)'and the ineplaceable library experience' it is satir to say dral libftries
stay.

society' thc place of the library is challenged by the

fhe InerneL
pcrvasiveness of a new altemative, the lnlemet. Known for its high speed'
iriumphs over the books in lhat il co bines tcxt, graphics and sounds [o creale a mole
engajing reading experience that stimulates the senses. Compare this with the tyfical dull
ti#uiy toot tftui is often tom ard tattered and easily outdatcd Moreover' the volume of
infolmation on thc world wide wcb is no less than that of the library ln fact' there is ari
unlimited acccss to the htemet whercas people can only have acccss fo libriry books
rvhich bavc not bccn borrowed. A merc search ol1 googie l'or 'Britney Spears' fol
example, would chun out ovcr five nillion rcl:lted lioks in just about a second These
wouli includc the latcst news abo[t the celebrity' and a hugc anay of photos end music
vidcos. much more than wouLd bc found in librdrics.'fhe Intemct ill itsclf is ilso much
more convenient than the libaary, as it transccncls geographical boundaries anrl can be
or on the goaccessecl front any compulet. palnl top and even hand phole' be it xt homc
to the
Converscly, people have to sPecially lio oul o[ thcir wly and ruake a t[ip down
nearest lilxary t;bolrow books whiclt Ihcy ilre llot evefl sure cxist in thc fi$t pl:rce!

In this technological

Howevcr. this constitutes only one sidc of lhe argumcnt Thc lnternet in rcality is
not as perfcct as it seems F'or rll the abunclance in illfonnalion. the lntemcl aclually
up
suffers a huge credibility crisis as it takcs so liltle fbr auy Torrr, Dick and Hany lo set
lakes
skili
Fudhennore'.il
a web page]jumbling up tacts with opinions and half--Iruths
ana practle io mastei searchi g techniqucs to accurately sier'c ou{ thc useful infomlation
from the rest. Tllis leck.rf technicel know_how $lay bc a hindrancc to thc very oid and
very young, who would naturally prcfer lhc librury Finally. the dillitalizatior of pdnt
rlei;a is qaraer th.rn it seems. Not only do compaflics have to get round-copydght laws
nnd intcllcctr.ral propcity rights, lhc mere frocess of copying ovcr aLreedy entails somc
unwanlecl inuccuracies, Io i(s attcmpl to digitalize all thc resources in an Americall
library, Google Iocorporatcd finally ddlrrittccl lhe tutilily of lhe task as lhey needed at
the materiills wouid already bc outdated by
lcast a dccadc to complete the projecl,
^nd
then-

However advancecl our level ol technology' there irc still asPccts ol llre libftry
that catrnot be replicated. Thc esse cc of the library cxperience in frct involvcs walking
in{o one and beirig grcctctl by lhc cntire ranSc irlld varioly ol books, neatly shelved and
catalogues. waiti[tl to be explorcd. lu lhis ciLs.. therc Llocs not need to be ll sPecific

14

t
purpose for visiting the library, but an opportunity to chance
on material rclatxrg to the
interest. Moreover, many still cherish the sens;ry experience
of froia;rlg |loin"tfrng
tangible in their hands, flipping its pages and smelling rhe *nilf"
oi-i*]p"., a.o un
rhe book. Espccia y for shatespearean
ora.n_a,y
:T_19._.f
ctasslcs. tr :"t
ts srmply
more authentic teading them on paper than on
"ug"a;r',no
sireen. Long hours on
computer also srrain the eyes and det;riorak
u, ,o *n1,
,tle
libraries.srill have a role to play in our society is than maly loots,
maeuzin.s una
mullimedia avrilahte ltrere ffe not found on rhe inremcr lLi"
written before the invelrtion of lhe cornputer, and refcrences
thar aie copyright protected.
The assortnent of newspape^ a.d magrzines on library st,etues
are ,r,Jl" &t"n ,t un no,
disallowed to be published online and peopt" or" ..qui."a ro.uUr.JU.
oni poy to.,fr"n.
As such, the library holds a different vrriery of resources
arrd e^p"rien""s aitogether.and
car withstand the test oftime.

ll:l::l.i

"il;;;.';;,h;;;;ui',,
i.;.il;;ljy;T;;;;"rks

the ulique .ole of the library that caru1ot be replaced,

,thaf the C_onsidering
it can be seen
library still has a future

in this tecltological society. ft _".i, fro,""u".. tfo* *i*l

the times and constantly update its collecrio. ot'Ooot.
ana ilefrunir. tfr" J.o-"..r"r. go,l'
the lntemet_ard the library have their advanrages an.l
shoulJ b" ,."J a rlontr"*t
oth(.r. Rcsults of rhii are c-lihraric\ ,,nd ..crrologu..
rfr"r ,lig,,ufir" rf,. .JJl ,n .*i*,;ng
libraries. Whatever Ihe case, dre library will hold its place.

*.t

Lee Min Xuan

I

Ltoranv Quo.res:
TnE Ltar.aRy ts ouR
UN IVE

RS

ITY, \I/ITH

H<ousE

@NE

can, and no one should

oF tNTELLecr, ouR

TRANscENDENTAL
exception: no one graduates fiom a libra.y. No one possibiy

'PnEstoeu.I, Ca,rN scrs C@RpoRATroN VarTa,N

r!cer.raH

LIBRARtaNs HAVE

al.ways BEEN AmtBNG THE mosr THOUGHTFUL AND

HELPFUT PE@PLE. THgy p,Re TgAcHERs .VITH@UT
A CLASSR@@m. N(D
t IBRARI E S, NO PR(EGRESS.

'Bloaocasttt WtLlato

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(jreat erpression and good points.

0,lsl

I
I

cerr

Tar gugrrc LTBRARv Is

iI@RE THAN a REP@stToRy @F B@@Ks. [T's a

mYSTERI@us. woNDER@us pLAcE vtTH
THE P(EVER T@ CHANGE LIVS.
'CHICAG@ Trrsutr Lt.rcrary rorren E Lt za,r eru

Tayror

45

t
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and serve for better enErkinment v

n, as t\e reed

ourserv".;;;;;;;il,;il:.;-.?.^:kl.
"9ll.r
ry ano audrLonrlly

becomc increasinsry
stimuletjng source

qublishing and orher media coutd pur rhe ti,e

ofboot s ar risk
due
tn'
simple
rr"rPrc
reason
uf bcino
ul
rte to most people.
\ible
bcirg Inosl
rnosl
DeoDle con\i,-tc;,,"
considerirrg ,r^,
Lh;, ^-1" mosl peopic lrom
<lcr
eloperl
co-untrie'
:o\uy rechnologicat .quip,n.n,o,l")^
trKe \vrrrPU'crr
compulers alld
alro televtsron
television sel\
I: d:finjlely
set\,
oe[nttetv flourish
hook\
book\
flor,ri.h
i"
in orfr., pa11.',:'rl ule norld' whcre. lil'rate
.
rutsrcalty advanced. people
ntueir
I.s,
erist.

l:d::d..oline
:r.
tts tuture shines confidentjy

' '" "-

il

Yl

on

.a

of purdng alt knowtedSe online

is doubrful to me. with billio^
:e-[a:l':ali:y
on earth trom the past antl prescnt.
of
it seel" to me
,ffi:":1il1J",11,:',
i^possiblc to put all of it onlinc
vinuar pr:rrromr.
vrrual
ntrtfoml rr/r.jr- -_..L,: , _

whire ,"uri,r,i"e

]"i,,.

envrronrnenrat and cosr benefrrs.

doing so tor erisring anJ
necess:1ry.:r\ they ere already eircrrlJling
rn
the

trtdition:l b."k

;jJ:.x|1,;

i,.,rn.iilJ"_
",,. *.,"
;;;i;",

or,

I must agree that, u hiie ir is tl

\ ifluJl book'
their benefirs
'ud onlrne prrblrrhing do have
\!lri *r,irt" ;.':t 'lti'
rrrdui'uv
"n.r
nadirionrr hoot ,e.rni r;''ili;i.";,1:lrruoughs
PIav.rs "arr riJe upun. rire

;11,,:,-T

_iil;lii,l,#i_ :iljril:,i;:l
i;4',;.iilTij;illi::T:i,,,11il,,'J o1
lrom

pages or a bo.,k $ourJ

aenniretu ne.J
.'l'f""-'n't"'o
f.
ro
sL'me
avid
q.,uld asree thur rherc
rerrdert
a cerrain herur)"Jr-u,i;r';;;;:,,;;:
," p;;;"";;;;';;,'ii.'sd
I
notel and rcvelline in rhe berurv ofrtrer,
econon,y or
-":";;,.j-ir';;, ]."8'h:,'j brc.rdrh of rhi\ dn\.rcrr r,\cniu,,.
somehor{. rtre,,,".,.,,.1.'""i"i,"j"j:i'.
phv'icai,r) r'd ,.',";;;i', ;;,,';]l;"rJrrerrcc ur rhe \ rnrral bot'k can ncvcr rct,ldcc rtr.
view. bur'
\,,irr r,ora ,hi.
r""g
"""; surell. nor

f'l:':'

'-J:,

rr

re'

hrolog). llrc

: ''rrd lilclrle "u".1o',"

,i,".'.,J?lj ?ff
lu\el\
le,'ll( qirhurt
,ril "- tr.." ," .,* "ur)\
',

Written with som(. r,it urd

Tan Wai Jia
04S23

*"tt urgu"a.

3,.ccs5 tu

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l-

Does the book still. have a

future?

a
Primarity, books are for reference purposes' data collection and storage' and
acclaimed
simple yet powerful mears of conveying literary language The book is highly
nna ."liable as knowledge colrtained within its pages can be passed down
to d"
is able to
generation to generation. Despite its pages being yellowed- with.age' if
Irom "if."tiu"
the
servc'its purpose ditifully. However' the existence of the book is threatened by
means
of
various
ou..*fra-ni .-"ag"rr"" of new educational software and
of the
entertainrnen; TechnJlogy despises the basic element of the book - paper' Because
well
as'
people
of
world's obsession with iechnology and its ability to serve the needs
's
or better than books do, a tirne may corDe where the book becomes useless'

Preseltly, as maiy counlies push towa[Is a knowledge based society' the use of
wjth
infomration tecirnology it.fl is p..uilent. In Sing:rpore' every school is equipped
Irouseclare
cornputer laboratoriei- where slte-of-the-afi computers and prograrnlnes
least twice a week
Stuclents have access to such hiSh technology cducational materials at
that
where computer lessons are conductecl by the IT savvy teachers lt is believcd
away from
sludying in Ihe classroom call gct boring' and hcnce thcre is a l1eed to move
aimcd at
programmcs
thc tracitional use of books ai the teaching material Computer
aidi[g stuclents in corc subjects are deemed io be mole stimulating and cha]lengiog to thc
Ko[g and
brain than books are- Countries such as America' United KiDgdom, Ilong
doing away
Malaysia ar-e also inlegraiing the use of IT into theia education systems and
with ttre bulky books- Othei forns of teaching methods with the aid of techrology are
Girls' Schools'
seen as rnorc practical ancl less cumbersome Take for cxample Crcscent
a
bold nlove lo usc lablct PCs Evely secotldary one student this year hxs to purcltase
way'
ln
this
$3000 tabtel PLI o[ rvhich homewor-k assignments have to b{r cornpletednecd not bc
hturding up homework is easily tracked and workbooks or assignmcnt lrooks
clealilg a
of
the
hope
carried to school. llel-erence sources alc tufting lo technology in
ncw fonn ol iheir Product. Diotionaries can now be found online' and so can
i stead
encyclopaedias. I he f:mous Encarta Encyclopedia comes in a compact disc fbrn
of r \vfr,rt" scries of nlore than 20 large and heavy lomes This saves spacc ar'l can be
willl easc. Even now thc mosl widely rcad book, the Biblc' has a latest vcrsion
^cccssed
in the foam of a palm top Biblc This is so much nlore convenicnt, user friendly' and
mostly, lighl weiglt. As iuch, many sources ol refere ce items arc now assurning nlort
technologic{l [omrs-

When pcople think aboul books' they usLrally also associatc il -rvith fiction
literature or booki fbr reart;ng pieasule. Books are promireflt examplcs of ;r so(rcc of
enterlailrmenL Howcver, lhc najority oI the worLd prefers rnorc rnindless enlcdrinnl(flt
lhtn that which is provicled by books Fihus, lelevision' video CDs and DVDS ere all lhe
lhesc forms
rage these days- Many clevcloped counlrics are atfluent enougb to indulge in
of eflle ainrnent. The clemancl fbr films. television silcoms video CDs and DVDS arc
leslintony to thc fitcl that lrooks are losing popularily anLl appeal The world gyrates to
at
enlcl1airunenl sou.ces thal rcquire morc techilology than just peo or papcr' The speed
the
dran
lastcr
is
ntuch
market
rvhictr ncw lilm vidco CDs ancl [)VDs rre availabLe in the

48

time taken to write a book, publish it and wait lbr it to hit the [rookstores. The future of
the book competing against entertainment sources that are aided by technology is dire.

To counfer this argument is the fact that books have a strong histodcal
background. From the past, the first bool6 were created when Egyptians began writing on
papyrus paper and the Chinese began caiving their edicts onto thin bamboo ships. People
have come to realize that books are the most dependable form of data collection.
Although computers are more efficient for data collation, just a single virus is needed to
deshoy the computer's software, causing it to crash. The vital information stored inside
will be lost forever if no backup files were made. Furthe.more, even if backup files were
made, drey could malfunction if left un used for long pedods of time. By contrast,
infomation from books can be retrieved without fear of it beins lost the verv next
second.

In the long run, the evolution ol technology will mttke certain fo.ms of
infomation stonge outmoded. Take, for examplc, the floppy disk. Previously, it was the
only way to transfer files, but now there is the burning of VCDS and even DVDS. They
can store much more information and at a faster rate too. ln time to come, cornputers may
not include the drivcr to read floppy disks anymore as it becomes unpopular. Hence,
infomation previously stored on floppy disks cannot be opened anylnore. Thc samc will
go for tapes being rendered obsolete by the emergeDce ol VCDS and DVDS- Howeve[,
hooks are irreplrccable 5ourccs of inlormalron
The continued popularity of books can also bc seet ftom lhe flourishing website
Amazon-con where books are bei[g sold online. h shows that avid readlrrs have not lost
interest in books nor abandoned them for other [orn$ of enteltaimnent. Filnls or
televisioo sitcoms bascd on books somchow plle in compariso[ to fhe book. Tl]e
perfoamance of the stellar cast maybe lacking luslcr aod the plof of the nlovic compa.ed
to the book e[ds up too skeletal duc to the timc constraint of the movie. Thc cssence of
the literary language is lost to the short and minimal diatoguc by the cast. Fuftherrnore
the director of the movie may construe the plol in a orarlne. that fails to capture the most
captivating parts of the book. For exarnple, movies that have been made lrased on books
have not succeedcd in hitting the box-office number orle. The Harry Potter fiolie serics
is much more poorly reccived than the books writtefi by J.K. Rowling. Another examplc
is the Notebook by Nicholas Sparks and the Green Mile by Steplrer King. The nrovics
werc all a poor retlcction of how alluring the book was in ny judgment.

As such, thc book has a ccnain ineplaceable lactor about it. In its simplicity.
books will have an enduring and codearing aspect that surpasses all the movies, VCDS
and DVDS enhanced by tcchnology. Thc book will still have a place in dre futrrre and
remain victorious compercd lo the rest of the sources of entertainment and infonnetion
technology.
Requi'cs to be less sweeping and simplistic in plac6 though it is good on th( r'holc.
'l ang Jia Hui Eudora 04524

49

Does the book

stilt have a future?

Today we live in a fast-paceJ. rapidly changing society lhat is driven by

technology, which progresses in leaps. and bounds each day. It threatens our lifestyles,
forcing us to adapt or be left behind. For centuries, the book has been regarded as ao icon
of litera.y wealth and a symbol of the pursuit of knowledge- But like many other aspects
of our society, it is threatened by the advent of digital technology and other mobile
sources of infomation. Letter writing has been replaced by the much more efhcient and
cheaper email, while online diaries, commonly known as web logs or 'blogs', are now
popular fixtures on the lntemct. However, an essential characteristic that gives the book
its longevity, is its ability to adapt and change with the times, catering to the everchanging needs arrd tlemands oI socier).
The book is a ubiquitous entity. At school, at work or at play, the individual wiil
dcfinitely encounter the book- In schools, books are the lradilional medium for teaching
and leaming, although in rccent years its rcle has been slightly marginalized by the use of
information technology (IT) during lessons. In tluth, an online lcsson, though more
creativcly presented, simply cannot compiue to an actual lessol in class where the studcnl
is guided through the lesson by his textbooks ard doubts can be clea.ed up immediately
still the mair tool of
by the teacher. It is not surprising theD, ftat today, books
^.c
teaching and lcaming in schools. As comparcd to earlier textbooks, the books r$ed by
students today have adapted to the new aims of education, which are to further
independent leaming and nurlirre critical thinlers. Integralion is the main aim of
publishers. end a majority of tcxtbooks now co rc with useful web linl$ to informativc
siles on the lnternet.

[t is csscntial fbr studcnts to bc lT litcrate so as not to be lelt behind in today's

inlonnation driven econonry. 'Ihe book has thus complemented lhe role of the lntemct by
lecommending useful and reliable siles to students, maintaining its role as a maj.r s.urcc
of infoamation and an importallt teaching medium ill schools at prescot and in the future.
In thc past, at workplaces, the book was used in stocktakinS, accounting and for
various othcr uscs. Today in most businesscs and corl]panics, books and handwritten
rccords are regardcd as inefticient and cumbcrsomc. Companies now look to IT soltLtions
for clficiency; the majodty of all company operations arc automated and most havc
cornplcx data storage systems. However, for- all its efficiency and productivity.
tcchnology is not infallible. A power surge or blackout could result in the nclwork bcing
down while an important gate runs the risk of being erased- Thus, it is of paramount
imponance that hard copies of compLlter documents are stored as wcll, ensu.ing the
srnooth running of the company when the techflology fails. In Singaporc, hard copies ol
accotnting documcnts have to bc stored ul to 7 years, for income tax purposes- Adapting
lhc usc of lcchDology in workplaccs is comnlonplace nowadays to increase the level of
elliciency end organization at wolk. ln the past, Ihe book was vital ill managing rn enlire
busirrcss. Today, the role ()1'lhe book is rcncwcd as it takes on the responsibility ol
backing up sofi copics of informi ion. Hence, it is clear that the book still has a fut[re at
thc workplace.

50

Tluough rhc ages. rhe book has nrovr

ledge.

ihe 1,oit ;;-"}}J

ro be a souce of lirerary

wcarrh and
l':"lr
1l:'",",fro.,r.well.
providing
Pruvruurg
lnowledSe
lJ]owledPe
arnment. uut
todav rnore
rn^rc,u"than auar.
-.,^- n socrely faces an acute probleri and
.nmenl Bul loday,
ing number ofyourhs *;.;
ol an
Une primary
rcason
Plrrtdy
would
he
youlhs of
ol loda)
locla\ tre
lhat
trhal
fr.c.t
u
i,r.
";;;:Jl
.
,mg
the
ljle
ore faced \^ itlt a
- Dlerh,
^r^.1^
acrir
ities
lile
compurer
games.
on]ine chars. o.
and
:' ,i:':"':pjck
*""'*" ,';il j:'^l:'Jlo
i:1 _'"'
up a DooK
" '",rr'.
book rhit
P'r ^ uP
l
nl\
'lv
alarming
alarmine
probtem
problem
ha\
Ias brought
broushr aboul
abour
ro rack
lack oi ;;:,;;::
socierv ulSing vourhs ro read.
"j "n"o*un.,_
rrl.er hand. ,h. n"pr; ;;*";;l;."',T'n'
on rhe
':o'n
_ ""-' novels.has ta.Ken
taken olt
off
successtully,
successfully,
ranscending
scending bourdaries
'
bourrd:ties of age
ase and
an,.r lun.
,":1:^:":',t1
'filt"lage and aclrieving populariry with pcopte
Idwide. Reading ;. ,
ly dJlcrorlcdos uho
wrru wlll
will purcltase
ourclrjr\e novel\
ron lheir
suppon
therr favorite
frv^ri'. authors.
novel. to
r.
'".i""-,i
thu, Lc
rhc pubtishing houser open.
lr
rs
e\
Lhe toor tra., a ,, ;.r; t;;;;;;:1",;).eprng
idenr
rh:I
_ ' ""' l\ rll conllnlle lo cnleflain
many ntorc generarions ol

readel: in years to con-,"

The non fiction book laces

th( greare\r rhrllcnte rn
__
rhi, lnlonnarro. Agc rhltr we
lire in. 1_;",;on 1,"*r d f.^,,...ii,i i,"
own
randri(
rl rollowers who hu1 thnpn r'6,
correcrion purpose.. T"h. i;;;."J;;l
:1':'h:'
I'r
lhc book ulrinrsrclv rlcpcnd\
on frofir' made by
puuli.lrer..'NJr-rrcr'io; t#""; :i:
brunr ol'.lh' orr'laughr or tccluuloB)
jh:
i5 narurllly so bccir'se r";;;;;;'
| rris
::
necdcd
rs vri'lelv arcilablc on rhe rnremer.
Brirannicl is,
The
'.' ";r;;;;;;,;'r
rrom rhc Unrred Kursdonr
sord rn sers consisring
i;"";";,,;l;llol:,::l:llTt:'ll

' ru / vcrrs 3eo. lh(' e\otbitnnr

cosl md bulk) nJtrlrc "'
ol th. ;ncvclor
rrnpracricrt
in-rtrrs dav arr,t ryc
jlli9: llrcnr,
where rnlormirio|| ncedj ro be
rrrL Ir'rrrr\ricrs
-:,^,,:,"lit
In(ll Iomlrcss''l lnertr\ v,rlunlci
ol itrlonrratr,,

in,o ., .",nor., .ri,,\'nn'r Ir'rlrrrr'h(d

rr 'r' rlrc new B'rJn.i,J. rre
atso.\a;i..;;;;;:,,.:l;:,
cai(res
monrhrv rce r
rn!,r, ror ,,
,i. ,i*", '", '":';l:;:,]l]'::il:.:l'.w-wrrorc
',d
"
""'
rol'
o('unje,l
infurmal;on pruvidcr\.
lr\ I'o,'ks .i\
'',. Bul n,ur" ot,"n n"' irr';rrnirri,rir
nvrrrhble un rlrc tnremcr c.,rr
be ,on,erirne. t,,r,.r,r,Il"o'i*.i,"ni,"'1"
u""'" lrc( oI Iivision rn,l e,lrliJrg. lleIL.. rvr
can \(c rhe bou( conttnurng
I
ur o *,),,.rce ol tclt,,l,lc
Intormrrion
B.ra.nrci, i\

tuturc.

o,

f,.r.nl rnJ tn tllc

Thc reach ot technolosv rDa\

racr or rne m.rrrcr i* rh,,i
;;;;""'j
ldck ut clecrriciry. ,"J

'i;:1.';"t:ll1il^^ltlil
o-les5 unsro|pahrc. tsu, tr,c
\rrrr prdcc\ rlrc'cessihle
lu techlrologJ. Liui ro J
'rr
r'",;,"orr.
rlJ\j'as,terl rhebrrokrrrr
lorrgbeenregard"d".;".;;;;;i ,l]i
;i1:l:8).rrrsir'irrrr'rcnt
rircrac) itrr'r turowledtc and
it hes nl:rved it rotc
beaurirutly rt i.rugrr ,;" ;;rr;'.
;;;i,;:
',lr',1 hc.buo( ju\ririe\ rr'i longc\ irv hv rrs r,nprrbirrrl
ro chanse rnd ,h"'- ,p;;
;;;";,,
u,ure and wir , h;i
;
;,;.
.:,i;;:,I"Y:'j' i;:ii;:,,".;T ;f;:;i:i:;,i;;: f
"
Y,,ur ca.te wat

beaitifu

\
o
ta, L\,cNrorlhpqucsti,'natrtr,,,c,,t
n.6no1 1u,,r,",,,.n:,";;,',;;;:;;,:::!i'.qu;'1
1n.1 at t htr, t, , nnt,,nr
e\prts:,..j

A\),r

,n,plr nn,l t,,lcv,)ttl

Eugenia Ono
04S22

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Does the book

still havc a future?

Traditionally, in the age of feather quills and papyrus, books werl- the only source
of information, and writing the only medrod of storing data. Now, with the emergence of
various technological devices, some people tbink that the book has gone the way of laser
discs and odler obsolete inventions-

Yet, I llelieve that thls is not so. Books heve a certailr old world cham that
eldears them to thejr rcaders. In fact, some people pass dowll their books to their
children, alld this goes on from gencratio to genention. Some even love their books so
much thal they :ue willing fo spend hundreds of dollars leather-binding them, or do the
cheaper altemative of fabric-binding.
Books have becomc a symbol of literature itself, and one who reads is given the
air of dignity, or so sorne would like to think. Besides being a syrnbol for the leamed,
books ride out lhe wave of change as they are tangible. Reading a book is verl different
from rcadiog something on a computer screen as a book gives you a sense of ownership,
and some identify better with books because of this- Furthennore, books can be revisited
over and over at leisure, without the rcader being subject to thc availability of a
computer- Websites are often not a hundred percent rcliable either, the dala on the
lnternet may not be trustworthy wheaeas a lot more editing work goes ioto a book before
it is published. Websites too may not endurc thc test of time and ntany have expericnced
fmstration when they type in an URL and see the error mcssagc "page not found". Other
thall webmastcrs ooI rctaining their domail, the use of intemet also faoes other problems
of spywdre, viluses and wonns. This makcs ajourtey into cyberspacc lcss plcasurablc
than it could be and the security a book offers makes it still relcvant in the world loday.

IDfonnation comes fhrough many channels nowadays, ranging tiom thc abovc
menlioned Internct to the telcvision. radio and neq/spapers- Howevea, thesc rcdia are
more cxpeflsive than books, and not everyonc can affbrd them. With such media, one is
unable to a degree to control what one sees, and this may not lr desilable, especially
when it causcs children and young people to be exposed to sugges(ive advertisemenls or
Pomography. With books. one has a greater degree of control over what one wants to see.
Though such media havc thcir tlaws, they do somethirg that books ncve. could
achieve aeaching a wide audience in a short span of time. Books take a longer time to
process and even best selling novels may not have the reach of the Ielevision or illtcnicr.

This is ot to say that books do not havc a tuture, for bookstores still generate a
good incone- In Silgapore, though there are Iwo major companics (Kinokuniya and
Borders) vying for the sarne slice of pie, they stilt liavc enough sales to sustain their
growlh. This shorvs thet people irre still reading books. Librarics show similal lindings,
with crowds coming in to borrow books, and this is especially so during the weekends.
ln recent years however, librarics havc startcd a process of going digital and some
have started Loani g ouI CD ROMs as wcll as DVDS. Books have the disadvantagc of

52

t
i

being susceptible to atmosphedc conditions and yellow over time ,.

besieged by silver woms or other paper eating creatures. The shecr \i,!
up is also a major point that even book-lovers calnot ncslect. Other nr,:
data like CD ROMS or thumhdrives have srerdily lrorv,r in pot
compactness nakes them desirable.
has its imperfections,
.is enduring
. Everyandmedium
this cannot

but I believe that books possr:

it

be found in any other medium. no matter_hou

advanced. As long as people lovc to read, books will continue to he aror:,

E(onomical \,(t cffcctivc.

ifd ltuh

bricJ.

Sarah Shi

MS2J

B@oK Qu@TEs:

Ltle

tRat.lstoRmlNG tDEAs HAVE AL\x/Ays ctgmE T(D

'(ELIVER V/E N DAI.L H@LmEs

na

rHR(E(],

r.

You cal'T TELL A B@oK By lr': m<gvt.

'Lours A SaFl aN
A seer rs Lr(E A GARDEN caRRtED rN THE p@cKET.
- CHTNEsE PR@vE

RD

aRe rH eutETsr aND rn<osr c@NsrANT oF FRIENDs:

THEY ARE THE II]OST ACCTSSIDIE AND 'w'ISEST OF C(EU}{5ELL(Dft.
AND THE III@ST PATIENT (EF TEACHERS.
B@@Ks

- CHART.Es

V.

lrer

53

Technology has dehumanized us. Discuss'

pax.of our.everyday life jn

Undeniably, technology has indeed become an integral
infiltrated manv
d", 2fi;;;;t. 3orn" t to.i-it as the insidious bug which has slowly
be looked upon as
,'.-,*"o oi ou, tit", u" ii social, polirical or economic. Technology can
gadgels. ln many faclories,
,,r5.i".*o.",." ii*iicial rnre igence into machinery andinitially
by workers can
*i fr-,fr" i"ip "f ,".ft"ology, laborious and hazardous worka shift fromdone
labour-intensive to
i. t"pf"*J'*iritLl".atylitactrines. Ftlns have thus seengrealer social r'relfare
TheriseoI
.r.,;Lll intcnsive invcslment5. leading lo efficiency and
rr' cumr.ntrn icar ion wirh
;"i;;";;;; ;".i.;j"rv trr, *u,, a-t'n not be neslecrcd with
of a button'
m a level of convenience which merely involves a click
ttu"
Itt
".,
"rrotu"a
created easily Howcver' some fear that
Ha.ssle free document spreadsheets could now be
and emotions'
i"ifr""f.gy ft". a.ft".irized us' making us dc!oid.of humln interactions
as so
happening arotind us I fcel that rhese feats are unfounded
una indti.."n ,o
humans'
i" fact' bii<lged thc gap across courtries and among
.i"gv rt*,"u"nts
i".,

""tt

ID this a8e of globalisalion lnd progress ir

i\

undeniahle rhirl
,inlonnation
down of birmcrs' tre ir social'
technology has p-iaye<I an important rote iti ttre breaking
gadget that has intemet access.
oolttical oi econornical_ As joog as one is cquipped with a
*"ui"g"' lrom othei countries' cven 'igh! across the globc'
:;;.;;;;;;'J;i"it
of time fbr a
rru,i*" uni ouu*n".e No longei do feolle need to wdrt lor long periotts
Lcccived i^ a
be
;;1##;;;";.;ut
0"" pui wjth electronic mrll' letters e an .ow
Photojouranls
.rllr-.""oua lrom the moment i! is sent out- With joumals' blogs' and
ii'r'd
orer+"'
wirh
ir r\ rrn lunger d hd"lc ke'lrng ut
l""u.n*
""u,.,"'.-"'.
'ii"tt
nJrrnwed srld.nurnans calr
or learning more about cultures lndeetl, thc grp has rntlced
lln
;; r;rJt more aboul each other wilh the hclp of technology as Lon!: as thcy meke
cffort to.

livcs albeit
The use of chnology, has blought much conveniencc il) our
on our petsonal computer'
discounting the various viru. aito.ks as well as Trojan horses

broader perspeLriv(. we
the coilvenicnce ir has brought ro our lives from a
When
as much wilhorrl
be able to say that we would iot have cnjoyed tife
the
via
he can eithcr do it clectlonicallv

ii*" r"ri'^,
would ther

;";;;;;;

it

.".tt

transaclions,

";".i("
int",ir"t ,t t'ougt, e_Banldng or just po|

rutomitlc lsller macline' which is

originate
t"". tn Japan, ihc place where most silvvy technologicrl agrrdgets
of polir:eman This
"f""i,""i.
i;;;, ,ir.y ;*" "t";devised a robot which could relieve the work out
small flres' thus
..f* fr"l fr""" designed to palrol the strccts daily anci cven Put conveniences
that
irl.*ai.g tfr" levcl"of safcty in its society- l-ooking at the vanous
b)

the neilrest

not dehumenize it
technoloiy bdngs, one has to say that teclurology erriches life and

gLass
Many might be conceored thirt peoPLc who communicrtc- only across a
inrerlclions'
\krll! and
,oonito. o..n LCb s.reen io their oundr;e lives rnrght laek sucial
or e-billing'
e
shopprng.
it
since virtually everythioS can be accomplishert onlinc bc
ul thelr chats wilh
However, while chatting onlioe. users uan now choose to spile
is also lvidely
eoroticons and display picttres, to showcasc feclings Wcb conferencing
We should
or
not
opcnly
available. It is only a matter of choice if they choose tt) intcract

--=E

blame technology fol the inftoduction oI loners in society who choose to spend tlieir
ir front of a technological box. Instead, we should consider the possibiliry that their
could be anti social in the fiIst place. Thus, technology has not made us less
as it has made multiple online social ioteractions even across geographical borden

However, ill the long mn, the fact that users of the computer might become
of human contact, thus becoming dehumanized, must not be overlooked.
in China who are obsessed with playing computer games rue sent by parents to
military-based camp in which they are forced fo participate in healfhy physical
r, activities and to undergo psychological counselling. This might
be a case in point which
' shows that young people today might eventually develop to become ovedy dependent on
technology, thus leading to a withdrawn community of youths. However, as long as
schools and parents play a part in inculcating ways of leading a balanced lifestyle ir their
children. t-his problem would rhcn be ea\rl) be pre!enteLl.

Many fear that the many conveliences that tecfulology introduces to our lives
would only make us lose the human fighting spirit ard cause us to becollre complacent
and lazy. Peopie might no longer see the nced to work as rnany of their rolcs have been
replaced by technological gadgets, and it is nor a necessity to toil fbr rheir fruits of labour
anymore. I feel that this is a narrow minded mindset that we should not even consider
This is so as competition is prese.rt il1 many diflerent fonns. With recluology pushing our
livcs to becomc increasingly fast-paced and more efficicnt, therc is a greater necd to
surpass othels by having an even greater love and pussion for everything. Thus,
technology does not makc us less hurnan. but instead il brings fbrth another mode of
competitiofl_
ln conclusion, as long as propcr rneasurcs arc taken to ensure (hat tcchtrology does
not cause huDrans to develop an ovcr rcliance on it, and tltat it is pul to good use, it is
unlikely that hurnans will lose their human Iouch with the inctcasing use of technology.
The world is still colcerned about the less fonunate, thus showing that we are not devoid
of human emotions. The rcsent tsuDami aid effbrt is a testi ony of how the world is able
to contribute wilh the help of rechnology. Funds pourcd in quickly fiom users of the
Intemet through credit card accoullts in a sho* span of tinle. Voluntccrs could sign up
online to assist in tsunarni stl-icken areas. Indeed, globalisation, alongside tecfurology, has
only made us more awa.re of currcat affairs and more sensitive {o issues that allect fhe
world and ou$clves. Thus, technology has ror only bridgcd the gap across geograplical
boundaaies, but also brought many cooveniences and awarcoess to our cvcryday lives. It
har not rnudc u* lc.s human irr .-rn] n:ry

Ovrall a sound drgument althauglr yotLr discussion J7i1>flops bctv)cen tht two

dilferenl

points

sides

for

so it's not as tightly argucd as it t:ouk! ht: Tr1- un.d ba tLorc sLtcancr,
ct)en as tou' re balan<:ing your view, deal witlt tfu point as a u'holc, ruth(t than a:oming
bdck to do it later.
Sheralyn Quek 04521

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To what extent should the government help the poor?

A constantly recuring issue in rhe polirical forums of many counrries is that of

the extent to which goverunents should render ..help,, to the poor in society, to elevate
their living conditions, if not, to pull them out of pove(y. This was an issue that emerged
during the tenure of Silgapore's former prime Minister, Lee Kuan yew, who at that time,
vehemently opposed the creation of a welfare state, citing the failure of the United
Kingdom's system as a classic example of the disastrou"
of rendeing too
"orra.qu"n""a
much help to the poor and needy.
Whaf constitutes the poor differs across geographical boundaries and societies. In
developing countries, thc poor itre those who are unable to jump onto the bandwagon of
irdustrialization and they live in appalling condirions with a lack of potable warer, access
to proper sanitation atrd access to healthcare and educational faciliti-s. The ,.poorest,, of
the poor jn these less developed co0ntries may even be suffering from starvation. ID
contrast, the poor of developed countries are relatively better off, lhe cause of thejr
pledicament beinS rheir inability to keep up with rhe r.apid rate of economic progress.
Gererally, the [)oor in any society are those who do not have access to opportunities
which could lift them out of poveny. Hclp fi.om the govemmcnt could come in rn ly
fonns such as monctary rewards, rebates, butlding ot infLrstnrclure t.r the poor ancl even
fiee job or skills retraining.

Generally agreed is the notion that e goverrurent.s main role is to care anci
frovide adequately for its citizcls in arcas such as sccuri(y, tbod and water supplics afld
in the economic aae[a. llcnce, {lrc government should afte;npt to a]leviate poverty, on Ihe
basis of the noble airls of goverflancc or at lcast, on the rationale that havin!] a significant
group of impoverishcd and discontentcd denizcns might be potenlially diststrous to thc
natiol in the long run- Ilence, the qucstion lics in just how nluch help is considerecl
enollgh. The irnmediate or evenlual aims of providinll assistancc to the poor should be
firstly. to elcvate rhcir living cooditions and secondly, to cnabie thc pooi ro cven(ually
gain access fo tools or opponuilities fbr self improvclnent so that they cart be productivc
citizens and contribute Io the eco{omy_

In rendering help to dre poor, the governnent should balance its needs and the
general needs and welfarc of the public with tlre needs of the poor
in society. Hencc, the
extcnt of hclp thc governmenl should give to thc poor shoukl bc a limite; one and
not
prolonged assistance, but rather just the sufficient imounr of hclp needecl ro .,push,,
the
poor out of the track of povcrty. The govemment should withdraw or scale down
whcu
thc help it givcs is bordering on the urureccssary aod lavish. An iniamous and
widclv
cited crrmple is that ol thc $eltrrc \rar,.sysrent rn tlr,. U,,ir..t t<,,,gAo,,,. ui,.,. rt,"
govefiLmenl gave too much oronetary hclp to the needy and as
a result, was burdened by
fiscal woes duc to an acule shortage n[ tund. llris has lcd !., thc [Jk govcmmenr
co prom(sng on thc intcrests of the society at large, by cutting down on ils educalion
aod military expe|diture in lieu of the wclllrre staft systcrn. Heirce, a rational yardsfick
rcgiuding thc. exlenr of help $at should be given. ;hould be thar help which
is nor
exccssive and docs llot cornpromisc or unnccessarily burden thc gov;nnncnf
and tlte

interests of greater society should be rendered. As such, the government

lleeds to
exerci5c lrudencc and judAc for ilself the ..nght. arnounr .r f,"fp ;irf,"rfa gi"".
it"-. ii
exemplified.in [re case of Singapore, where stringenr guidelinei are in plaie fbr
people
claiming to be poor and wanting to receive help from vaiious social welfare organzation.

Providilg help to the poor thus means creating or allowing them access
to

opporlunities to upgrade and uplift themselves from poverty. A practic"al example

is seen
in_how [on-govemrnent organizations like World Vision, teach poor farme$
ln sub
Sahan Africa new arld improved methods of famiug in order to alleviate povcrty,
rather
than giving them free loads of crops and buildin; high_rech farms for them.
This
exarnple summarises the approach govemments should t:tke. Tho main reason
why
Co-u-:m-"lt: should adopt the suggestecl approach of prudence and giving linited but
sufficient help is that it is not beneficial fbr govemment; to rcnder too riruch-assistance
as
the danger thal they will eventually dreate a welfare stafe is always present.
Following
the creation of a welfare slare comes the problems of citizens becoming
over dependani
on the government for a livelihood and hence losing thejr economic resilience and
jeopardiing the economic growth of the country in the long run. Furthemore,
it is not
beoelicial to fhe poor themselves if too much help is rende-red as the poor
will then be
forever tappcd in the quagmire of poveny anJ not acquire a means
of supponing
ther.selves' should the govemmeot in the future, choose to withdraw
its assista[ce.
The essence of rhe extent of help thar should be given lies iD thc phrase, ..teach
them lo fish but do oot fistl lor them." Ctich6d it may be,iut
it nevcrthelesis ollers worcls
of wisdonr required fbr successftrl govcmance and alleviating poverty_

rt tctdnI

Ltntl

tnstIhtlul

Daoiel Yap

03sr6

5'7

1f

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E
in

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To what extent is the common man able to affect the country?

Societal change has always been thought of to be brought about by rhe work of a
few extraordinary people, who are usually the leades of the masses. It is believed that
these people rallied the masses together and pushed them forward with their ideals in
mind to create cultural, economic and political changes. However, maoy have failed to
take into account the power the commoners possess when they work together to bring
about refoms. Furthermore, with the proliferation of democracy as the 'ideal' way to
govem, the common man is now equipped with greater power to eftbct changes. Hence,
in my opinion, the conrmon man is able to effect changcs in a society to i large extent,
especially in today's world.

Let us look at how the risc of democracy has enabled people to be able to effect
econornic changes in a society. Take the recent rejection of the European Union (EU)
constitnlion by the French and l)utch for example. The cumulative effect of the majority
voting against the constitution has prevented thc EU from being able to push for
economic reform and budget changc in France and the Nctherlands. A rcsounding 'No'
has even stopped the French Plime Minister form having his way wirh going ahead with
implementing the constitution. The pdme ministers of france and Holland cannot do
much abott economic refonns now that their people havc objecled. Thus, we can see
that the common man is able to cause big changes in the decisions of the govcmnlent as
well as intenational organisatio(rs.
Even without democmcy, the commot an is still able to effcct political changes
in a society. For instancc. the proletariat managed to ovcltluow the Tsar in the Novcmber
l9l7 revolution i Russia. tsack thcn, there rvas no democracy; itnperi:rlist rule
donitlated. Howcvcr. that did not stop thc dissatislieal masses tiom coming bgethea to
rcvolt againsl the ruling party- The work of the pcople was so power{ul that it could cnd a
'fsarist regirne and replacc it wift a conlmuDist onc. and this is consiclered a tremendous
change in society. Therefore, the masses do have the ability to ettect changes in .r soetery,
and they can bc more capable than the govcmmen! in doing so, bccause thcy know what
kind of life they want to lead.

Bven the day to day actioos alld habits of the commonels are able to cffect
changes in e society. What thc contmoDers clo in their daily life can cause cultural
changes- Ihc widesprcad use of handphooes by thc pcople in teclnologically advanccd
count.ies has changed the way peoplc comtlunicate and relale fo one another_ A black,
bulky, walkie talkie look alike has bccn irnproved on bccause o[ demand by consumers
and today we havc the small and sleek htndfhone that many use. A major cuLtLrral chaoge
thit has bec brought about is the changc fiom calling pcoplc on rhe phooc ro u\ing texr
messaSes to communicate. [r1 facl, the extcnt that the common man uses tcxl llessages
looks sct to take over thc use of phone calls- Flcnce, wlj can scc Ihat cultural cLanges in a
society can be effected by thc nasses themselves.

Howevcr. somc alue tlut cvcn if democracy is adolled in a country, the

goverrunent still has thc final say over irajor refonns. fhc CST hikc in Singapore is un

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mple ofhow the govemment can take th(3 iinal stand. Although thc public wrcle to the
rms of various newspapers such as the Straits Times and Lian He Zao Bao to protcst
inst the increase in GST from 3 to 5 percent, the governrnelt nonetheless went ahead
their decision. In the end, the people had no choice but to pay for the increased tax.
what is the use of giving the common man a voice when he cannot effect changes in a
iety? I do acknowledge the fact that sometimes the govenment has the hnai say in

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jor

reforms. However, if the protesfs of the people were strong enough, the
would not be able to continue to implement what the people clidnot want. If
..::irotestors of the GST hike wore to do what other people in other
countries did, for
examplc, standing outside a govemment building to demonstrate peacefully, tlle
govemment might change its decision, and once again, the common man would have
brought about a change in goven nent decisions.
There are people who also point out that not every country adopts democracy, and
some counLries are still ruled by a hard-liDe regime. Nodh Korea for instancc, is still
ruled by the infarnous dictator, Kim Joing Il. In this country, no one can rise up rgainsr
the govemmelt, or try to effect any changcs. In fact, the pcople from countries ruled by
dictatorship may be so brainwashed by propaganda that they may rot wanr to effect
changesl Thc governrnents of such coontries have ful aggressive propaganda progra to
instill into the milds of the peoplc that they are living a good lifi ind that they arc
satisfied with what they have. Howevcr, I believe that no matter how hard the dictators
try to oppress and brainwash thc people, it is the pcople themselves who decide whethcr
thcy wanl to listen to the government_ For exanplc, despite the propaganda spread in
Nodh Korea, there are people who are dissatisfiecl with the govemment and wish to
cscape to Soulh Korea- Nevcrtheless, wc do have to acknowlcdge that in coun{ries ruled
by hard'line rcgimes. the common lnnn has little or absolutely no power to effect changes
in their socielics.

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'Io conclude, lhe comnon man has the ability to cftect societal chenges
to a largc
extcnl, bccause they have "Ihe power of the masscs,'. 'lhe common ntan,
.iusI like any
politicai lcader, mulls over what kind of life he wa ts, and comes up with his set of
ideals, ancl Just like any other political leadea. his desire lo livc i0 a better world dnves
him to want Io effect changes in his society. Although the common man cloes not have
high poLitical standing, he, toSethcr with many othcrs just likc him can cause rnajor
refoms rvilh their combined powcr. Kudos to the people who choose to contribute thc
lilllc p,'v<r rlr,.y l.rsscss to makc wJ\c,.
Coh, r.

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, t,t 1\:rv trtt nttt rtt, n,4orittLt,.t

Yeo Xiu Wen

0.lS I I

.,j$

Politics is invarinbly a dirty bttsiness. Discuss.

Politics involves the campaigning tbr. and holding of government positions,

which is carried out by politicians- Politics has often been considercd a difiy business,
ard I believe that that is irvariably tlue. This is because humans, engaging in politics,
find it difticult to leave out their natural human tendercy towards greed, the hunger for
success and making mistakes- Still, there arr: still some instances where politics has not
been sullied b1 human nature.

Onc important aspect of politics is the election process, where nominees

campaign for thc votes of thc public to gain the right to a post in the govemment
hierarchy. In this political arena, reius the ugly head of man's hunger for success, which
makes politics a dirty business. Just last November, the world watched with bated breath
as the Ame.ican public trmed up to vote for their President and Vice-President. As the
Bush Cheney team prcpared b squarc off against that of Kerry-Edwards, in the months
preceding November 200.1, the American public was subjccted to a drawn out caLnpaign
by each side to mar the image of the other. The mucl slinging was harsh, with military
sefficc callcd inlo question, and changcs io policy stands highlighted. Each tcam wanlcd
desperalely lo win, and woulcl do anything b do so. It was this mud slinSing durinU the
clcction. caused by the tear$' wish to succeed, that made politics dilly.
Ar)olher example of the dirty politics resulting fiom the human wish to succeed in
thc clection process was the Watergalc scandal, when then US President Richard Nixo
bugged the ofTiccs of his opposition so that hc woLlld kno$, their deepest sccrets and be
able Io tlse lhem in fulure eleclions. 'l his lvas a strict violxlion ol tlle law. and was nlet
with disgusl aod outrage (Nixol is still considererl 'that crook' by ma y). Another
example would bc how. in 1930s Gcrnany. Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party stifled the
oplositiorl through threat of vioLence and hencc was able to wiD thc clcction that broughl
a Nazi majorily. Hence, il is the rnucl-slinging. underhand mclhods and violence caused
by the human wish or hunger to slcceed, that makes politics difty.

Polilics can also becomc invariably dirty duc to the fact that politicians and thejr
familics, living uncler public scrutiny, somelimes do rnake mistakes, as humafls are wont
to do. Sonre examples would be the Clinton scanclal- IJS Prcsident, Bill Clinton, lrad
indccent rclalions wilh i[tem Mo[ica Lewinsky. Other scandals inclucle the numerous
sexual scitndxls that dogged US President John fi Kennedy, and the charges oI underage
driniing against cur.cnt US Prcsident Georse W. Bush's daughter. Ihese poLiticians, and
in sorle cases thcir families, rrradc all Ioo human mistakes that lrlally membc$ ol the iay
people would be guilty of as wcll- Howevcr, even tmall indiscretions appear huge when
viewed under Ihe microscopc of public opiniorr. and it is in this way that thc politician's
human nature of making mistakes makes 1)olitics look dilty.
Another way in rvhich poLitics can be consiclercd diny is Lrecruse ol the ruling
ly's inabilly to oa[ly our rtre policies it proorisecl. lhis coulcl be (llrc to n variety of
facloas- One q,ould bc the lacl that thc politicians sintply olxdc cmpty pro iscs to lhe
pubLic. bcing guilty ol another hunran tcndcncics Iyi g. Olien, politir\ fcqLrLrc\
pi

6()

-{

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politicians ro promise rcfoms dral th(

:#:li:Tl""':il l-J,:i; ;: ll:'iJ

fi ;1r'#'J*:il:'fi :3;F!i[ff
t*
bv forming a coalition

;"',',".",
goverunenr, the hurnan

::fl"#::fl#
connictins

,""0"r."

;,j;ffiT,XT:li

1T:::jolY-.is,sarn:'l
;i;';:.";;;iJ" .:il" Ji" #;, il;J,,1..1"'i:I

p"iiJ,*'i" il"ii,l,JIioi'".T,0,i'0,...,,i,11"rn:T:HJJ:1..1-5;*

Germany. where the numerous Dartier

aecide on poticies arr;

;;;;;;.1#::":to

wcre.elccred irrto thJparliament.

could rrot

.:""* ;i;i";:';d:"."r#i';';.'il;Jff ,j':J,iIj"^i;:I jffi j:

Il.:i:
:f
cornmuntsl pany. Althoueh lhc con
mav
attcmpt
to
hlock
some
capitarist-styi" f'oii.y;;",il" ;" i,l',Tll',:t. '""'no"'"
rs lhirr since borh parlies
ri,n on rhe
arreviaring ihe
or

iJ.i

T:::

'il;r";;J;tro
n"'",n n,,,,."#',ri;J.i.*1,oJ'"_fi
ltu

can stay

clean.

tromise

;i.::"1'l; lli'l;,,,ii,i,;i.;1,";
r,"i."''.,u,,r"i'",i,'.. u,,,,
i:[:T:11,:i;Ii$:1,]T"1'*:*rt'.",-.p"i'"0
ln some casesl this
"
'

may not be tnte and politics

C)ne m Jor reison why politics

corxprion. rn many places ,."J:o.-T:'t..::1, o:Il" ,:^u::,ll human s,ced, which
proces.ed b) orficiars ,j rj,e
r"p"*".k;..;;;.,.;:;r;,1;;#:li"iJ;,
:: i"
oftrcjals Corruftion clso nccurs
on r l1'ei
oflicril\
'roo( rh. urhe, ;;yi ,;..;;'
rnirrr'rr.
'itl",
f,rc(erirrs
ro
'nrrh
;''t-' i
cnu\c\ oollic\ ri! tr,ri,,,, ,.,,,. ^,^ -,1ill""u Inthrsu:r1.humanr.na"n,v',.t-^s,."Ji
causes

:::
t9t.;,"t,rlt.;;
nol ,i".1lrruntpltcd..rnJ

jlill:l|

i,il:l#;H:.;;i:l:

Eo\.rn re t came un $;rl,

tlo\cltun.ttl ,rlLicial, lriglrll so rlrcr du
,hc 8rccJ,u n,,,,.,,..,1i.,,,,.,i,.i;

il::ij:ji;,:",.,")e,r

l:"",;,J::'i,i,'il:1;11:1,,i::
ru lxcrrrrr crrlTlll)lrorl

,;

li::
p')rnr

j",: i;',;,::i::lr,:jil,i;i.
:"[:."]l;,[
rorun.moorhivrcrr.,.,,,i,,,f""i,'",,,j_,1i,1,,,",,,",,,,,.

In.conclusion, although there arc

sone iastances where
wrlcr( polilios
rerrr.rrn,lcan
unsullic'l b) lturndn nrture. rnvrrieblr
lrrrrrrcs rernain
clean x
rn.lJ
r.
n"t,,,u.:lsp(cts
ot
hurnan
nJrur.
polrtr\ir,.\\ j,n,l
lcr,t
p(,llU(r:'
ru
rJrnr
,.. polirrc,
,- r- .br,l, ,.
1'"
rnd nr
pl.ric
^^ri,.^ in
lighr.
Valitl poittts discussctlh)ith
dpt

use

ofexdtl)ler. Rather cleaj.di.tcussion.

JoAnn Mclina Lopez

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Can palriolism be taught?

Living as we do in the modem world, characterized by increasing gLobalization

and naterialism, images such as fighting and dying for one's country seem to belong to a
distant, more romantic age. Indeed, patriotism, conmonly understood to mean love and a
sense of pdde in one's country, as well as a sense of belonging to the country, seems to
be under thJeat frorn modem forces, as people no longer draw lines of identification
along national lines but increasingly see the world as one miscible entiry. Even our
greatest wars are not so much fought between counfties as against things like zm opposing
ideology or terrorism. In this context, many countries have intensified efforts to'1each"
patriotism, but societies have lately developed skeptical attitudes as to whether somedling
as emotional as patriotism can be transmitted ill a fonnal, organized manner.

To arNwer this question, we need to consider realistic contexts in which the

teaching of patriotisrn has been attempted- Typically, countries have incorporated into
tfieir nalional syllabus, subjects that aim to acquaint students with the history of their
nation and inculcate in thcm a keen appreciation of their roots and culture. Examples of
this are Singaporc's implementalion of National Education and lhe USA'S teaching of
nalional history. However, Singaporc's example seems to defy the supposed cffectiveness
of tcaching patriotisn. Despite repealed altempts to drum into Singaporean students thc
message that we sho[ld fcel proud of our racial harmony, out economic prosperity allcl
our sociel stability, recent polls have rcflected trends such as a large majority of young
Singaporeans who confessed that they would leave if Singapore faced a war ancl an evcr
glowing nunrber of Singaporeals who want to leave for what they perceive to be greener
pastu.cs. So why has Sinltapore's attcmpt to leach palriotisn apparently failcd? I believe
that rt is precisely the rcpetitive message - drumming that is the paoblem- Palriotism, I
feel. is essoDtially an intcnsely emoiional phcnomenon. Ctsting out minds back to
iristory, we scc that the ceiebrated iconic images of patriotisrn arc sornewhat fornlnti(
William Wallace of Scotland facing rhe English punislunent of drawi g and quallering
fbr his fight against EugLish impe|ialisrn; the nlLmerous Chinese generals such as Zheng
Cheng Gong glorilied fbr facing loreign invadcrs fcarlcssly; lhe British resilience during
the BliIzend most rccently, lhe Germa cuphoria at the teariflg down ofthe Berlin Wall.
The arousal ol pahiotism, I would argue, alrvays involves a ccnain degree of romance,
and rvhether we like it or not, a cefiain degree of inationality. and thus it would seem
incftective to try to communicatc something so charactedzed by intense cmotion and
spontaneity {hrough the Logical, rcgimenled medium of the classroomHowever, the olportunities that arise tbr nations Io piu-allel thc great hislorical
icons io the narne of palriotism are grcatly reduced in the modem age due to, as exPlored
eurLiet, t|cnds of globalizatidl and the dillrtiofl of the nation as a [nit of identification.
Docs this mcan then that patriotism is irrclevant today? How exactly can palriotism bc
tAughl in a civilian envirorulent devoid of wars or other llrreals thal tend to lhruw citizens
fi|rnly behind their connlry? Exa inc the example of USA, we see {hat therc wcre timcs
when its cilizens opposcd rathcr than supponed lheir colrntry's involvemcnt in walfare,
such as du.irg thc Vietnam war afld more recently the lraq War- Iherefole their
patriotisn cirnnol have [reen dedved lrorn thcir nced lo flght a common enenly

tlu.eatening their natiol. However, evcn jn those

iimes, alrd in tilnes of peaces, Americans
have consistently been known to di:plal a grear
sense of pride in their country. some
even arlriburing re beginnings or ir in rireir iaucaijo"*E;";i;";;;;,
story of teaching palriotism vis A_vis Siogapore,s
example, a contr-ast emJrles that might
perhaps explain why an ostensiblv similai
r,' ,*"
'
countries. While Singapore's national educarion
.on.ru",fy- i""y"i". messages ttrat
predicate love for rhe counrrv on crioical, ,".giur"
."oro^,"
prosperiry, America's education
"'r onJ"'i?,i"I.trre
,o b" ,rro?"
stuaents
a pride and immense sense of rheh counrr]."
,,.ii".J'0.**.".,
n
stands for. Regardless of whcther these norional
idlrritics are
rn,gfr,
conrcnd rhar rhe LrSA ,hametesst\ abuse\
rhe
*,n.,,_",,
pelhaps. lhe deplh ol paniotisrn can uorne
down to sonlclhing as irrarronrl as thts _
i. a
lot more romantic to stand for clemocracy and freedom
tLria faa
;.
prospenty.
Thererorq
woutd argue
"""rr"
rtro,
.what
o"
mcutcared. but rhe crirical lacror r. uhar
'""
is tauf l)t i.nd how il i. i.p;.1.

;p;;;;1".::::

me,h.d;r;il;.;;.,iliir.."rrt"ru"
-i".i"'

,."-.

puril;;;;#;"ril;,in
hi;;il;;;ilj;;r,

"""*"i"'ii- ,"*,
f,"";;;";;;;;;;;,,.1n,,.

j.

'rul;;"--;;;;;;ir'', 'iarn'o'i#lr*

*,'

Funhermore, thc tegrhinF oF oatriotism

_-,,.,'
cannot expect to succeed in a vacuum.
Wlat ls taughr i" , cl".rroo-ia".,uy o,,,i i"'ir,"
;;il.i1l.l_,T$il]';.1i.."::l*:ll.i::i jJ.': 111,,,;:l
countrv nor he(au\c lhcy lra\c becr..rrdoctnna,.j
t." g.";, Sr. ur"linn.r ,,,,,,t"
classroom, but rather because the oror
"u"r,
a,iry ri"e,,rro** ri. ,;;;;,,,;,,i'il"";1,:l.tj':i]_::Til:lilJJfi,"f::,;:.:,il.jii:
simitarly, srudics have shown rhe Danrih ,. p..f"r"
o.arrl.a ," ,n",

;*;#

country because rhey leel well looke(t,'trertrr.j,.,

fiatjonal practice of .ho one gets left behlrld,,.
",ra

"-;;;;:;;."'.i
irri"..i".i r'..irr^.,1'ii,,",

",

,n"o

I believe, musftake rhe firsr srcp of sowing rhe seeds

ll:j:jin::* e.l-l""orism,
, ri./.n hr acqu, in ing h,,; *;;i;;;,;;,;,;:.";i
s hrsrory and ideills. [t
:1::':":l-l"l:'l way rhnt ackriowtedg"e,,h. i";;:;;
cruuLr(,Ilar
ano romantlc naturc
:Tj:,"-:1:*j:o.i'
or patltottsm. Ifdonc"

elinierllt, or

ro

";;;;,il;;;r.#*,

er cessi tcaching patdotism can, in fact.

be counrer

;'"-r ;;;i;;ffi;:';:i:'i:iil";:::J'i:i:
;;i^g il;';il;ffi"'il::il:,i:::,:T"ii:

peopte
f,:::::i'J:"iL,1l:ltl::lonlne
Risht
if rhe cirizen fi'ds thosc vaiues worrr.'

Insighfut, v)ell supported with ex(rmples.

Chua Shirin

04A5

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Can patriotism b ttught?

It is increasingly common to hear people complaining about how lifc has k&en a
wrong tum for them, and how the best solution would be a welcome change in serdng,
otherwise known as migration to greener pastures. patriotism is no longei much of a
factor for such decisions in this increasingly modem world, where peopie pursue their
own dreams and desires in order to succeed as individuals. Many countries reiy on lonnal
education and nationwide initiatives a.s extemal influences to ..teach" patdotism to its
citizens. This pride and sense of belonging to one's country, however, can only be
instilled in individuals ind not forced into them. Only through the cirizen's personal
development and experiences will they be willing to saciihce and contribute to the well
being of their country.
The integration of patriotism in formal education has been increasingly popular in
many countries today. Howcver, this association of an ideal with the education
ouuiculun would creale a rigid and inflexible envjtonment in leaming about holv (o bc
patriotic. Patriotism is unique to cach individual. While someone miy love his or her
country for its rich history, another mxy be morc aware ond proud of iris or her- role in
defending thc counrry. This poFrlar method of creating a subjcct aiming ro instill

patriotism is thus largely ineffective, because too mechanical a systcm would lead to a
grudging acceptancc of knowledge and facts inste d of application thtough personal
rellection over what has been taught.

Iu Singaporc, National Education has not takcn its true effect on many of the
students who are forccd to undcrgo this compulsory module. Most of the students are
more intercsted in getting their lacIs right and scoring well for their examina{ions instead

of rclatinlt the infbmlation to their Iives in Singapore. They liken Social

Stuclics to

I{istory, not rcalizing that National EduL3tion r\ Jitiercnt as lr srre\ses thc role ol the
individual to the country_ Hencc, tire integmtion of idcals of patriotism into formal

education does not achievc its aims. to a largc extent.

Eflofts to instill pat.iotisft arc largely taken for graoted. As we live ir an

increasingly affluent society, we Iend to fbrlJet about the imponant values in life which
are essential to cope with the ma.ly problems our lolefathers had to deal with.
Hencc.
prac(iccs suclr as (he singi[g of the Nalional Anthen] and pledge laking have grown
monololrous- It is nol oftcn that you hea. a rousitrg, inspiring chorus of voices whenever
people are rcquired to do so- bu( rather, a lacklustcr whimper of words
anrl rnumbli[g.
Ma[y people hence do not vaLue thcir countay in a way thai is lasting, as patfiotisn has
not yel becollle a part oI thcol. but ralher, shown wlren required. Hencc, the
nronotony of
effbrls to instill patriotism mostly oauses people to take their countr.y for granted, instead
ol cultivating a sense of belongtng and rcsponsibility io peoplc_
Palriotisln is largely based on circurnstance alld pcrsonal experience, ilstead of a
sel melhod o{ irrs(illing parriotic values in peoplc. Only when pcople realizc rhat rheir
country is vulnerabte, woulci Ihey would fecl inclincd to livc up io thcir role as a cilizen_
In rccent vcers. alter the Septctlber I I terrorisl attacks. a nlsh of patriotism infecled thc

64

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United States, until there was alr overwhelming show of patriotism to the exteot where
homes and sfteets were adomed wirh rhe country,s flag. Similarly, during the wa_r againsr
SARS in Singapore, Singaporeans exercised dreir role as responsibte, vi;ilant citiz;s by
:- Iooking out for one another and havilg the belief that the counhy would emerge
victorious with the combined efforrs of the citizens_ Hence, it does not iake ajoumey of
education and practice imposed on people to instill patiotism. Rather, patriotism is an
ideal which has to grow within individuals through experience, where they can relate to
as wellas reflect upon themselver even more elleclively.

On tho other hand, pat.iotism can be taught through knowledge of a country,s

history and achievements. The integration of knowledge about the pasi into the present
cuitivatcs a sense of belonging and identity in individuals. Swiss citizens look back on
their policy of neutrality during World War II, and are proud about how their small
coufltry managed to defend itself despite all the chaos around it. The knowledge of a
country's history hence serves as a source of inspiration for people now, and thc only
way such knowledgc is available is through education. Hence, to be proud of a country
and be ready to defend rhose thi[gs thar you love, you must first have Lrowledgc oI whar
there is to be proud ol
Ilowever, knowledge without the ability to rellect and relate to the infonnalion
gained, is kiowledge wasted. 'Ihc aimr o[ p3i11e11. educrtion are nul tultrlled through
just teaching inclividuals how ard why they have to be parriotic, as this knowlcdge $,ould
not directly resonatc in theil day to day activitics and lheir own inlerests_ The kriowteclge
of patriotism will no doubt be instilled in them. but theia o$,n ycerninll to bc a patriot
cxnlrol be taught. The nrcthocls of fonnat education arc hcDce largcLv ineffective. as
sludcnts do nol trcat srch cduciltion as all opfortunity to dcvelop lhetnse]ves. bul relher
as an opportunilyto gain krowledge and succced. OogoinEt etlbns to insrill pride and
a
scnse of belonging in citizens are also firtile, as the cntjre process seems nlototonousl
causiDg people to take rheir bvc fbr rhe country lightly. patriotisn car only bc inslillc.l
through cxperience, and hellce "teaching is not effertrlc Thus, patrrorisitr cannot bc
instiiled pu.ely through education, bur musr be left to develop in individuals in ordcr [o|

suclr ideals to be deeply roorcd.

An itsightful assq - interesting obse^'dtitrls noted.

Diana bte (lthman

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Democracy is far from perfect. Why then, does it appeal to the m4iority?

The emergence of capitalism as the eventual winner of the Cold War has l(rd
many people to associate democracyj usually the goveming style to accompany the
ideology, as being the model of govemance to follow. It helps as well that the idea of.,for
the people, by the people" has been adopted by a number of the most mljuential
economic and political powers of today. Democracy is not flawless and has its inlerent
wea-knesses, but nonetheless, it is still the prefer.ed choice of goveming style for a
majo ty oI pcople duc to a host of reasons_

The democracy practised today

is not a homogeneous polirical model of

ltovcnlarce, but insread is also influenced by other styles. The flaw in this is that it may
Iead to a blured line between rhe diffcrent idcologies, hence confusing the people as to
which sct of ideas thcy are the followcrs of. Despite thar, democraiy appeals to the
masses bccause it provides them with opporturitics to forge a sense of b;lo;iing
towards
the country. It is, undeniably, hurnal nature to walrt to belong and dcmocr.-acy allows a
sense of belonging to be fostered through measures like voting and ftee speech.
Switzerland practises direct democracy whei.e every person above the age of cighte;n cao
excacise hca voting rights and pafticipate in the decision ntaking process al all ievels of
govertunent. Through this system, the Swiss dcvelop a strong ser$e of belonging to
the
commulity because thcy gel aclively involved in the workilgs of thei countay. If one
doc-s not have any role lo play in the country, a sensc of oppression might set in and
a loss
of idcntity and self will result. Hence, people are attracted to cleriocracv because il
pr.\i.1..rherl$rthupl\nflujlitrr'.t. lccl lrk, llle) b"lu glotjr(fi coLrnlr).
Secondly, democracy does not boast

of a polenlially strong ccnlral authority

bccause the power is not fbcused on a cenbJl trgrk bur ln\terd drviilc.l rntong sevcral
groups of pcople. Despite thet, democLacy still appcals to the Dasses because capilllism

is thc only viable oplion as compared to other ideologics like comnlunism, fescism,
Iolalitarianism aid autocracy. Fascism and totalitarianism had fallel in thc later-ycars of
thc Second World War, discredircd alongside thc fascisr Mussolini and the dictalor Hrrler.
Whiist it night have becn popular in the 1930s and I940s, rllc idea of unqlrestioning
loyalty does not sit very wcll with the fiercely vocal people of the twenty firsr century.
This.at sanle reason explains why autocracy has lost its favor with the majority of thc
people today, with the last autocratic govcnrnent having been overthr;wn
several
decades beforc. Comrnunism, however, is a trickier issue. II ivill not suftice lo say
that it
dicd ouf atier the Sovicr Union collapscd in 1991 because rjll today, Cuba, Nonh
Korea
and China arc commulisl rcgirDes_ Evell so. one should realiz.e that the moclel ol
conlrnunism adopted in the countries above is a deviaot version of lhe rlodel Karl
Marx
envisioned. China. for example, is paladoxically comrnunisr in ideology but
capitalist ir
nalu.e. The explanation for the abscnce ol. lrue , comntullisrn rr simpli rt
rs essentially
irnpractic{l and hence unsuitable for today,s society. Its loss of favour in
nrary once
comnlunist countries leaves democracy as lhe doninant moclel of govemance.
Thlrs
clemocracy appeills to the masses becausc it secnr likc the only viablc
option oi

a)6

j:.apirarism, whicrr is in tum rerared to direct,

"""""i:::::::
al ecooomic i:j:f:no])j.^,Ty
benefits. The very pracrice.of pe^"r"t
t-1.I""*lttj:*:: the economic divide berween".._.i.'i."";H;ilffIii
,rr. ilr"..
n"""_*iJ'*,,,
:n with rime. This will create a sulf in economic
"rJiJc#;i"il:
stanaing rvtttrin
wirhin rhe corruDudry r,u.a to u"rri,i". i.iir","J,
i* ru*
:o]I able
i*5,::E:""
'"ifa-g
:being
to.rerain rhe weahh they hav own"a *ut". O".o.r.f
*,a"f

l"

money

makers,r,.,y"..,",*"#.g

r"

;,#'T:;,*1:-:::ff"j:'L^^11.1"i
Falling under rhe democrar ic .ptrere of i#,rence
alaries.
_.'""","n" ,i'"';;:"".i';tJl
jr,:^:lT:11 rhe.united states, trre rarge numu".
democracy appealing because then they would
"i:i"n p"opr"
be ati"
olel yrtets as they always havr. peopl. worlJ
pcrsonrl bcnefir. ir woutJ brini H""." a.."..-1'.,
ppeet. ro rrre
masrs. cspecrall) tl thcy are mdde uf ul the rnorrel .pirurcrs
hecarr,e ol rhe direct
economic benefits that democracy brings.

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On the othel hand. democrrcv docs Dot always appeal

to the masscs, particularly
due to its flaws. One major flaw oldemocracy is rhar
it rJixremely susceprible to a week
go\ cnrr-nenr and a $eik ;.ovcrnnrrnl do,.s.nnr
ncre.srrily

g""a,k.;l;".

;, ,i;,"",
these people in power ivil reave rhe decision.oting
tn tf," ,""..r"""i", ,n* *.y
characteristic of dernocracy might undennitre
,h. giu"r.,ru,.nt:. postion. .t.his is
especially so if the
have n-ot had p"o.
*'i,rr'i.,rr*.i."u'r.o n""* *"
'rasses
"*p.a.ni-up,,n
lesponsibrriry suctaenry-tr,.ust
1r,"rrr. e
i" po"u i, ,r,"
i,::,,j:1 'S-1:,1:--::antl
or cermrn). r denrocrrrr( eo\.rnmFnr rhdr !{i,"l's,e
r.riLrcd
by rh.
":l:"'i:
;:::'l|^11
alr(r c.l.\^ yerr. in p.wcr. [r.ause rher rtrcrrrs"tr.s drLt r!,r \e.l'r
,._:ill,l::ll"
lL)
Dcrevc Ln.th rdex of Llentoelltcy Thc .ejection
of rhc Wiinrar Republic lncl democr.acy
$usnL'r Jtt,duF ro rhc tl.er'\ fl.Lrr.. bur rtso
brcrr,.c in rtrc l,;;;,:;;;:,;",,
*r",, ,,,,
rrrralXy rnd P(oplc dr,l not knuw $h:I to.tlt.rkc ollt ot
tl. A{ rll|c i.
,t.,nu.,r.1
still atperts ro rhc nresses becerrsc ir Drovides r5em
",n,,,r involved in
wirh ;" ;;p;;;;;;;:;
lhc u nr krng5 61 11," .nun,.,
,,,.1.

jr.t.lik" uth". ,yrt.rn. of governmenr, does have

its own wcaknesses?"To..u.{,
-^--.Howevcr,
it appeals to the masscs more thun in" ottr". ryrt.."
,ril.*-,ro.i
0""u"." ir,
weaknesses do nor pur democracy in
such a bad hght.'Hence ii i"iir-"orri*.- ,o b.,r,"
preferred system of govemance for a
majo.ity of tne"peuple lit in" i,ri"r."i,.,"ru .,,""r,*,
dictatcs orherwise, jusr tike ir has diciarect
rt
oi ti," i*,.. io;'';;;;;;,,.,,
" "ua
piece,oJ writing.
lttt\
tnt
tht I ltaws rrhita
i",.1,:.:i!:::: ,::i bu1.,),,ut r\t,tat1,
.you had some ttificulties presettting
i^r
ttt,. d, :tratutitt n1 rt,, .t.tt,n.rari, t,,rrt,
[.,]
,'::"::i.f I and b t a t ly c o rtv iit. i rt g. Lart g uttg e
t:p
^
use is the most sophisticatcd I,\.t reen.v)
"_r"t 1l: I
Nur Ilaihana
04s22

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In Singapore, meritocracy is a fngade for elitism- To what extent is this true?

Il

anciert China, many men spelt countless days studying poerns and texts about
various aspects of the country, hoping to take the imperial examiratioD and fighting tbr
the coveted top posilions to achieve rccognition from the Emperor. Cefltudes after, most
of the world has adopted this practice, known as meritocracy. For fhe purpose of this
essay, meritocracy is dctined as the rewarding of people who have achieved a certain
level of success in theil particular field or study. Elitism is then defined as the belief and
practice of creating a group of people deemed to be supe or to others. Throughout thc
duration of the essay, we will be looking at meritocracy as a faQade and also at the other
uses of it.
No doubt it is true lfiat neritocracy leads to elitism, lbr the basjs of merirocracy is

to separate the so called "better ones" from the "weaker ones", that is, the more
successful fiom the not so successtul. If there wcre no fame attrched to being successf[],
meritocracy would not exist, for it would prove toa diflicr t to reward those who achicvc
success. And with this farne, comes thc creation of elitists and elitism. tbr

it is the human
being's innate characteristic of p de which leads us lo believe that we arc bcttcr tha[
everyone clse. The Chinesc did lrot implement the impcrial etaminatidt systern pureiy to
bring joy to thc lirnperor in reading thc candidates' essays. They also waarted to cteate a
group of people, who were seen as the "noblc class," lo aid in the running of thc country.
lt is because of lhis inhcrcnt nalure of meritocracy. that it can be used as a faqade fbr
elitism.

Dcspite lhe cr.:ntion ol a 'noblc class" being an elitist praclice, lneritoctacy has its
be efits, and hcnce not shoulcl not bc regarded as mcrcly a feEade for elitism. lfl
Singtpore, meritocracy is a pragmatic tool fbr finding leaders for thc country. Due to the
basic fact that our poplllalioo does not exceed tive milLion, the tequircntcnt of a highly
talentcd workforce and govcrnnle[t is esscntial to the survival of our counlry,
econonically or otherwise. As such, the govennnenl employs the technique ol
nlcritocracy to sieve oul these talentcd people and train them lor frLture leadership
positions. For instance, the Nalional Universily of Singaporc and thc Nanyang
Technological Univcrsity ofler opportunities fb. studerts at th(r Junior Collcgc level to
take pafi in Science rcscarch programmes at thcir irNlitutions, and most of thc timc. arr
exenplary gtade in the scicnce subjects is a prcrcquisile. In this way. the govemolcot is
making use of meritocracy to find telent lor the purpose of growth ol'the counhy- This
shows thal medlocmcv is not merely a taqade for clitisnl.

Apart from helping the country grow as a wholc, the govenx[ent also helps to
improve thc lives of the people, individueliy, or as a whoic. This, il does in various wirys,
including thc use of meritocracy. 'l he hcading organization tbr Singapore's education, the
Ministry of Educatiol, awauds butsitr-ics and scholarships Io studet{s who are ra[ked in
the top 5 to L0 percent of the cohort for acadcmic results, but also fbr thosc from lowe.incorne families- This shows their strong bclicf that educalion can hclp irnprove ono's
social sta[ding. Aparl fftrm thet, thc educa{i(m systcn aLLolrs for st ents with cxcclLcnl
rcsulls for their fi$t year in Junior Colleges to takc "spccial papers', which coteils

examinations of a highe, stafldard than

the nolmal papers

which.he

x*;:,s;j *tffi :.*;i; :xfT r"il

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imponance of lrard work irnd dererminaion.

mentocracy to help better the people,s lives.

An atlect of encouragiug rhe population to work

hard is that sociery does
become hz). In lhis wa) . met itocrecy act.
as an imperu. to economic growth becau)e
is u5ed to provide incenrives tor oo.a,,ro,f ,"a
f,""J" p,.,

not

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il

",l.llili'l* I

anv *.i"ir'
""i
ofien read\ io un*irringni.i
rl
" ,""i "fr."*tud
govemment did not continuousiv
.eward good **L, p""pf.- *r""iAl"""r,o
pu.por" in
working, and rhere would be no competirio,
o.ong.i',ir" p';;pi;.
lead ro rhe *"*ry u"""-"tg ,",rrlppv .u.h u,
in dre case of rhe former
where. everyone was provided wittr iood,
shetrer
,,,u"h o.
""; ";;;l
worked. The peopte evenrually decided
ihar
,f*
ia-"r.i'.."
!:.,"-til1.
not a good one und.o-munism fe,. Anor[er
Britain, where people wc.e provided wirh certain
bjsic
,"*
rcason to worl. They ev(nrusllv bcc

Lile in

il;"

;;;';';;io*

:*

rr.g,,vernm.ni

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I

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.,
";;;i;;;';""; .,*"

;;;;,i;i;::,ij'"il:?;:;.;r;:r;:i""1:l;"'.".":lilii;",;"ili:l;

they did not contribute ro the economy actively.

Due to rhe very
counrry, Singaporc has little choics
,o

nur." J:it.
'i.-gl;;i#;;
ot no,
l*
"ir.
;j
;
"ngng"
,i',.i" ,u"., in he
reriun are rr.o
:::::'i: l::1:::
::41,..
J slep alleJ,t
ot r.,r,rnnctirion arrd orrll I Lrlentcll r,robrrrzirrrl..ll:#ff

witl irllo!{ tt

rL'

do

so A.

rlld dcdr..are,l

such, rrc|rroc

w.rrk ltrlcc

i:l'l'li,'[ji:]il
:i'I-:'1i"
"' '",'' ",i.',,-'.',.i;i':i:liliJ':;J:X:11"i;
SingJporcans fiorn becorning over depe denr
-" lrcvenrrrg

on the efforts of

;il"*:_tl*

IIr conclusioo, rnerilocracy in itself is a faQade

[o. elitislrl, be it in Sin!]apore or
otherwisc. Howcver, thc Sirrgaptr.e government
has used mcritocracy to
-rrio*n
country's advantage. n r,"r--r,-"i."
rhar whire merirocracy
faEade. it is actually an imporranr rool
"ooit
in the gruwrh oi fie

.",

n*ir; ;;.t i;;,p;;..

a.rc tung hut p<)u .\ dre Jbw. lhert: is gootl tinkage

both within
!,!.:...,::::tr"n^
Dttwetn
ptraNraphs.
You could Ltlso discuss

tyn" ,o,,-n* i"ii'n'i'tilu, ,1 ,,"riur rnr,y in Singapot.?,

iku
tcrmr ol paf.t quaIt.t'ic.rria

ir^,

it

ljtJn|
antl

,,,

is mca.surt,tl chiefll

"
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1\pv(t th,

tr\r tht\ i,

Kals

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Whatcver thc cause, terrorism can never be acceptable. Do you agree?

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a ccrtain tension within our global society

today-an aum ol
uncefiainty and even fear drat pervades every corner of modem civilization. This may be
attributed to the fact that tenorism has reached a theshold where it is increasingly allencompassing and lethal in nature, making it a sedous threat to the stability of our
society. Terlorism ilvolves acts of violence or attempts fo instigate chaos in ordet to
achieve a cefiain aim, be it religious or political, or monetarily motivated. Sometimes,
these aims embody religious or political ideals that may seem noble, but I believe that
attempting to realizc these goals via such socially debilitating and unde unded means
undennines whatever nobility there is in these aims and serves only to aggrandize
tenorism.

There exists

The impact ol terrorism on a society is profbundly adverse and far-reachirg. As

its name suggests, terrorism strikes fear into the heatts of people. It leaves an indelible
mark on both the society and the individual - the society has ro grapplc wirh rhe perpetual
fear of another act of telrorism, while the individual is emotionally scaned. The cffcct of
the 9-l I bombing of thc World T.ade Towers tt-anscended the loss of lives and propefiy.
Thousands of people who witnessed the honific scenc had to [ndcrgo leflgthy
counsellinli. Families [Iad to conterd with thc grief of losing a lovecl one- lhc physical
dcstruction and chaos associated with lerrorism is uodeniable. bLll il is essential to
unde$tand that the social ramifications reach beyond econo ic irstability, the
deslruction oi property alld the loss of livcs. It is far more deep reaching that tllat- What
causc, no malter how rightcous it ntcy appear to be, is worth such a sacrifice?
There is a vast m6lange of terrorist faclioas which appear to have a just causc Ihlt
is driving them to pcrfbrm thesc acts of violencc. There are eco lerrorists whu stu\'u llr
save thc environment through bonbing pollutive factories or sabotage lree-lolJgil1!:
operations- There are temorists who scek to altain indefcndcncc fbr thcir state ol to
separate from a cou try, such as the IRA and Tanril'ligers, by bombing landnrarks or
assassinatil8 ofticials- There are tenorists rvhosc goels are to make religious statcnlcnts
lfuoogh bonlbhgs of what dlcy perceive to run contrary to their beliefs, such as the Al
Qaeda and Jemaah tslamiyah who claim to be waging a religious wfi known as a jihad.
Thcir airn is to make a statement to the authorities or pcople in power thal cannol be
igDoled. It is a threat to commit morc acts of terrorism shonld their goals not be attai[ed.
What divides terorism from aD open rcbcllion or even war is that terroaisnt is far mc;re
insidious in naturc. While both are similar in the sense Ihat thcy arc pcaccivcd as violenl
means of achieving an objective, lerrorism appcars to be a morc undcrhandcd rnethod, i$
it strikes the vulncaable and defenceless patls of a society without warning. II is thjs
aspect of terrorism that makes it inherelltly unecceplable.

Terrorisnr is an cxlrcrnc inethod of itchicving e goal. lhele will inevitably lrc

altemate means of fulfilling thesc goals which are pcaccful and do noI conle at the
expcnse of others- Diplomacy should prcccdc such ac{s oi violcnce. Howevcr. should
diplomacy or all othcr rnethods fail. ten-orism should not be a last resorl. Certarlr rrsucs
may bc solved by appcaling to lhe lntemati(ntal Cotn of Justice or the flniled NatioDs.

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Te(odsm is by far not the most efficacious means of achieving a goal- Thoughout the
annals of history, few te.rorists have actually had their way with a g;vornment or people.
Despite terrorists in Iraq capturing and beheading several Ame cans, America has itill
rot given in to the demands of the terrorists. Although the terrodsts have managed to get
countries like Spaio and China to withdraw, it marks an empty victory as their ultimate
goal to free Iraq from its invaders is still untrrlfilled. As such, even if there is a worthv
cause, terorism should not be a means to achieve thrs cause, even if aU alternatives arl

exhausted.

However, there is a certain degree of subjectivity involved in our perccption of

tenorisln- Dr Mahathir infamously labelted America as the ..greatest tenorist,, in
reference to America's invasion of kaq and controve$ial foreign policy. To overthrow an
evil dictator is undoubtedly a noble goal, but the sacrifice involved in accomplishing this
is extremely high. America's precision bombing of Iraq could be perceived as being a
more grandiose and acceptable form of terrorism_ Hence, terrodsm may sometimes be a
stimulus in a society tbr a change for lhe better. lt carr instigate a change in power, take
down dictators, or achieve indepcndence from a country. But to commit illsidious acts of
violencc in a society to achieve this is still rnorally unacceptable.
Terrorism is something that society has nevea and will never accept. The impact
of an act of tetyo.ism shakes the foundations of our society, leavilg a mirk even in its
wake that the people in the society still have to live with. Even if the cause is woflhy, it is
suaely not wordl such wanton destruction and chaos.'Iherc are always altematives ro
terrnfl m. Att., dll Crnillri nc\cr neeJeLl vt^lpncc lo a, hierc hrs gurlr.
Etsay is fot:u,^etl ri,ith pettincnt points and illustratiotl Dis(Ltssi(n llnugh
Jdit-U
comprehen.tiv( (like the inclu.tiotl o.f eco tu-t.orists) is nonetheless not as tleep. Do you
not tlifferentiate ttrrorist d d cco-terrorist for exttmple? Whut iJ dOlomacy lalts?
Subvcrsion has ahta,rs bet:n uscd in war, e.g the Frcn(h ResistLtn(:( itt\lllll. Do wt:
co dcmn them as wtll'? Ldnguuge isfine.
DanielChang
04s63

Is terrorism acceptable as a necessrry evil?

Terrorism has plagued the world since time immemorial if Prince John had the
use of modem idcas, he would probably have branded Robin Hood a terrorist. But it is
only in modem times that the term "terrorism" gaincd a specihc meaniog unique to itself.
A terrorist is defined as a person or a group that resofis to violence on the civilian
populace to achieve a political end. Modem exanples of tenorist groups would include
Al-Qaeda, and the lrish Republjcan Army. With the passing of the September eleven
tragedy, global opinion has turned against teirorism- The Bush Doctrine, eannarked by
the phrase, "You are either with us or with the terorist", seems to be the plevailing
mindsct today. To examine just how acceptable terrorism is, we have to examine it based
on two crilerions whethcr it is morally ftcccptable and if it is pragmatically acccptable-

Tc.rorism by its nalure is, intrinsically. morally objectionable. By definition, its

vcry objective is the inflicting of maximum casualties on the civilian populatioi in order
to ensure that their actions resonate as loudly as possible, so as to fbace thc government to
rnake concessions. Tefodsts utilize fear and horror as a weapon in order to coerce lhe
govcrrlrncnt to come 1() the negotiatirg table. The elhical problem lies in lhe tact that they
kill innocent civilians, insteed of the people who opprcss Ihcnr. Civilians are inostly not
culpablc lbr Ihe plighl o[ the lenorists, and punishin!] them to get back ar lhe govemment
is unacceptablc- Thc thrce thousand who dicd in the collapse of the TwiD To\r'crs q'cre
not respolNible for the evils brought by thc Arnerican (lovcnrnrent on thc Arab world,
and to make them bear the blaDre with their lives is rnorally reprehensible, whatever (he

llowcvcr. T believe solDctinlcs the issue o[ lelrorism is nol lhal cleir cul.
'Ielrorisrn is usually co currcnt with govcrnrnc lal opprelsion usulLlly ir tcrrrrfl\t grou|
has no legal neans to put its interest or grievanccs I'orth and thus had Io rcsort to rnorc
slLbversive mea[s to !]ain a voice. Usually, (he despot in qucstion would tlrst lvrouBht
injusticc on a specilic grolrp jll society. and leller them lo lhe yoke of oppression, by
de[ying them x voicc. Tcrrorist groups uslraliy spring up as a reaclion to tliis rc|rcssrnn.
because they o. their pcople have been trcated !vi1h mindlcss cruelty and iiluslicc- Thc
Basquc Nationalist group E1'A, carne about trecause thc Fascist Spa ish Governrncnt
under F-rancisco Franc deliberirtely clamped doun on the Basquc hn.quage and denied
thcnl sevcral civii liberties. As suclL terrorism, lhough morally wrong as an act in itself,
somctimes can be exoneraled by exte uating circumstances. 'l hus thc ceuse miry al rimc\
justify drem.
I.urthemrorc, drc dcfinition of tcrrorism is stitL mllinly Debulous. As lhe clich6
goes, "One man's terrorist is another's frecdom fighter." Yasscr Arafal rnay havc beet a

bloodthirsty tcrrorist to thc lsfaelis, but to thc Pal.stinian people, he was a bcacon of
hoPe fbr thcir ernnacipation, atrd the lsracli army, with thcir rcpcatcd incursrors utro
Palestinian civilian ierri(ories, were the real terrorists. lhe only differcnce betwecn the
lwo was lhcir mcthods ol warfare Arxtat bed to losoi to len()rism becaLrsc lre could not
atlbrd lo wage a conventional war. Thc conundrunr is thlrs this: should Ierrorism be
consiclered any more unacceptablc vis ir vis othcr mcthods of warlerc. dcspitc simihr

ramifications? I believe lrot. If rheil: cause can be justified by

a lack of any viable
iha^els, dren it may stilr be ao acceprable evil- N;lson Ma.,i"ta'" arrican
l,tario'ut
Congress previously resorted to violence against its apartheid
regime, n rj trre apartt eia
govemment branded fhem as terrorists. I believe, that, with
tfre i'enetit oi tundsight, we
know befter than to de[ouncg terrorisrn without first considering the
backgrouna and the
causes.

On a more practical level, terrodsm has been castigated as a

tutile political tool
^ two reasons. Firstly,
for
tenorism mercly exacerbates tfr""connici anJ'ao"s nothing to
resolve it. By killing iturocent civilians, they incur the wrath ol
tfre peopte ana
govcrnment,_oftentimes leadilg to more rccriminations and
a vicious cycle of violence.
This.can probably explain why Russia has ody escalated its
oper",ion* i.-ifr..toy" _ i,
was in response to Chechnyan terorist attacks. Secondly,
terrorists tend to ,,overstay theit
welcome" and be too extremist to eu.ry..uch o co-prorrise
with thcir govemments, as
their very roots arc raid in radicalism. The Good nriaay
Accoras in Noirt .m rrer"na r.,
gradualiy being discrcdited because tringc g.oup" *ithin
sinn r.in'-an,r tne rrtn
Republican Army are persistilg with the uie o-f terrorism even
oti"i u f"*"
has been nlade between the IRA an.i_ the Northem lrish
Govemment, tf,ercly "g.""_.nt
rettccting
how terorism may be detrimental ro the search for a resolution
,. ifr"

".rlii",

Whilst the above c.ificisms are at times justified, I still believe

thal under sone
circumstances, terror-isrn may plove to be efficacious in ...otulnf
conni"ts, when wr:
compare more successfill temofist organizarions likc the ANC
and thc East Timorese
Liberation Front undcr Xanana Gusnras, with less successfulgroups
like Hanras, we see a
clcarly disccmable diflerence tllc lon er .Lrc mor. wrlliniro corrrpr.urnrrc.
For them,
lerrorisnr is Dreant solely to gain attcntion for thei. cause oia ptigfrt,
alrd lo bnng their
oppressors lo the ncgoriation table. Afier thal is accomprished,
i"riori.- *r. abandoned
as a political tool. ln the case of the latter, foa example, gr.oups
likc Hamas, oitcn thele is
a reluctance to even rnovc an inch for prace, thereby futlier enrrenchilg
the conflict.
Thus, iI is only if terorisn is kept as ju\r on. ou, .f ."ny putrrlcot
rnot.. uia tts *i"laer.
are willi[g to compromise and abandon it at thc right
timc. that terrorisln crn be secn as
an acceptable evil on a practical level.

On lhl: whole. while

rlo acknowledge thc intrinsic dilficulty wc have in

accepting rerrorism u.'der a'y circumstanccs, wharever the
causc, I sti| b;lievc lt can at
times be nio.ally justified by irs very cause- It can also, if
rightly used. be a tegitimate

political tool to ema cipate oppresseti peoples. In a world t.ri.,,

lust, tcrrorism might at timcs be a neccssary cvil.

ly ou"l.",

and power

We!t arguetl Apart ft'on the slight digre)-sio on th.

inelI.(titjaness of terrori.rmas (t bol,
essay presented a (ogcnt drgume l .tttoitLlltinttcttt)t.isnasa.,n
:ess./j,t)..vi.,,

yout

Robin 'feo
0.1.451

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Is the lcgalization of gambling a necessary evil?

Gambling, long considered a vice. has always been discouraged. Lotteies, sports
betting and games at casinos all do not require much skill or ability; they p.imarily rely
on the sheer caprice of chance- The humrur desire to gain wealth and get dch quickly
without an equal amount of work put in, tempts men into gambling. Rather than allow
widespread propagation of moral vice advocated by illegal gambling syndicates, the
govemment needs to intervene via a regulatory and controlled body to curb the
unclesimble effects of gambling. It is evident that although the legislation of gambling
may not sit well with many, it is essentially a decision made out of necessity.

ln many countries, the revenue fiom legalized gambling is a major source of state
revenue- Il constitutes the Cross Domestic Product (GDP) ofa country and these eemings
go towards the govenrmcnt budget. This is used to improvc thc infiasfucture of the
country, reconstnrct wom out amenities, and providc thc public with benefits. [n Macau,
gambiing ancl casino operations account fbr 40olo of thc country's GDP. Also, revenue is
commo y dircc(ed to charities or to the needy in the community. Singapore Pools was
set up in 1968 to curb illegal gambling aDd is the only legel lottcry operator in Singapore.
Sury)lus earnings are devoled lo communily causcs whose outcomes inprove the wellbein!! of lhe conmlunity. Bcncficieries inclucle the National Kidney Founddtion and thc
Assisi I{omc and Hospice. Without legnlised gambling, profit takingi; tiom illegal
gaming activities would go into the pockcts of gambling syndicates, which would ir tunl
finance the developnlcnt of other vice activities. 't'hus, il can be scen that gambling
should bc lcgalizcd in order lor lhe govenr0le t to cxerl coollol over ganbling rcvcnues.
Consequently, lhis valuable sourcc of rcvenuc could 8rl towards bencflting the public
inslead of sLrpporting other vice activi{ies-

ln today's last-paceri society, drc world is conslantly cha[giog end we have to

accommoclale change lo slay rclcvant wi$ the timcs. Our economy laccs slagnatiun i[ \ c

do oot keep abreast of cw dcvelopmenls in lhe reg-Lon. lhe legalization of ganbling. in

particular, thc ofening ol a casino, would be ideal ilr diveIsitying our economy. IIr rcccnt
yeius, tourists havc tlocked lo Malaysia end Australia. indulging in shopping and
garnbling within the casinos, thlls gcnerating thc much needed lourisnt dollars to iroosl
the ccono(ly- To slay compctitivc as a tourisrlr hub, Singapore has to rcinveot herself.
The opcning of a casino within an inteSrxted resort rvould give thc cconomy a vital
iniection. Toluist speuding on iiod. lodllin8, shopping ancl gambling would contribule
much to thc tour'srll sccto. io a country. It is un|ealislic lo rely solely otl olLr pasl
atlftctiols to drew thc crowds back. Hence, a resorl cum casino would add to dlc
vibrancy of our citysc{pe, subsequenlly etticing tourists to spend a longer slol'ovcr timLin Srngaporc. thus cffcclively boosting the economy

'lhe lelialization of glorbling would irlso sucgcst regulation so lhrt the inherent
problcms slemning fro l gxrrbling can bL: tackled thoroughly. Esselltially, the siturliun
of gambling can be closcly nronitored and controllcd, curbi[g lhe sphcrc of influelce of
illcgal syndicales. Given an allernitive. llamblers would most likely palronisc lcgel
oLlIlcts as well. An er)rcrdnent lo llle Betring xnd Swccpstake Duties Acl halved betling

'/4

duty to allow Singapore Turf Club ro offer berrer odds and lower prices tor
their
customers, so as to compete more elfectively \rith illegal gambling opererors.
Having the
govemrnent play a role in legalizing gambling also implies ihai resources
can be
allocated

to solve problems at hand. For example, compulsive gamblers could be sent

for
counselling or to undergo keatments. Responsible gaming woul<t be encoumged,
disallowing those below 1 8 years of age from taking part in lotteries and bets.
Having gambling legalized would accord flexibility and rigour to the government
jointly responsible for eradicating illegal syndicates. .l-his results in better
coope_ratio[ between the various organisation and effectiveness in stamping out
illegal
gambling. At the same time, the govemment would have the resources to plovide
counselling alld treatrnenf for compulsive gamblers, ald the iirfluence to promote
responsible gaming. The above reasons indicate the necessity oI legalise<.I gambling.

bodies

However, there aae concems that whell gambling is legalized, the governmelt is
sending out a strong social message that gambling is acceptable. Garniling tcnds to
extract revenue fiom those least ablc to resist the temptation, in particulally, low,iricome
families. Gambling is blamed tbr the illcreasc in broken homes, underrnining the rnoral
fibre of the comrnunity and ultimately giving public sanction ro the attitude of gertirg
rich without diligence. The main assumption underlying the dctrituertal effects of
g:rmbling is that the individual lacks self-rest.aint and gumprion, easily giving in to the
temptation of gambling. Ilowevcr, we know this to be unhe. Even with ihe legaiization
of gambling, individuals who have the sheer willpower will not succumb to it, nor will
they becomc "victims" of gambling. Victimizarion is Dot an issLre whcn rhe individral hrs
a sensc of conviction aod a codc of moral principles which he lives by.

ln ttre most praclical sensc, ganbling

_
whclher opcratecl

can nevcr be totally e\lirpatcd. If exists,

by illegal syndicates or run by thc govenrmellt. However, the assurance
legalized Sambling gives is that social problems can bc carefully monitored by the
relevant checks and bala[ces inplemelted by the govemmenl, so these problems can bc
kcpt to a minirnum. Furthermore. eanings from legalized gambli g could bc used to the
advantage of thc community thus extenurttng thc dcletcrious cnnstquences of garnbling.
Hcnce, I would agree to a large extent that legalization ol gambling is a necessary cvil.

E)icellent pie(e oJ work.

sense af purpose.

Ilse of thc language has improved while you meintain d

cleat-

Eugenia Ong

04s22

75

Thcre is no place for corporal punishment in schools. To what extent do you agree
$ ith this rie$?

In many schools across the world today, school authorities, when dealing with

students who have committed an offence, often choose to deal out caning, spaflkilg and
such fonns of physical punishment to discipline the student_ The ..offence" committed is

of a heaviea nature, for example, smokng or vandalisrn, but in sorlc cases.

teachers actually deal out punislment for minor issues such as sleeping in class or not
handing up work. In over twenty states in America, schools are tie only insriLutions
where such physical punishment is still legally sanctioned even milirary camps alrd
prisons do not condone using violence to deal with unacceptable bchaviour. personally,
I
agree very much that there is no place for corporal punishment in schools, and only in the
mosI extreme cascs, and as a last resoft, should violence be uscd to discipline.
usually

My first reason for disagreeing with co.poral punishment is rhe physical and
psychological scars it inflicts on the student. Definitely, caning, spanking;r hitting the
student with a foreigr object would leave the student injurcd, bruisetl and in pain.
Furthennore, if the student is punished in front of a class. or even the entire school
(which is often the casc), tlis public display of thc studenr's problem will have drasric
psychological eft'ccts on him. 'lhe stlldent bccomes very self-conscious, thinking that

everyone probably laughs at him and looks at hiln in a diflerent lighr now, and hc teels
ashamed of himself- F'ootballer Stcven Gerrard once comrnctted on how one incident of
caning in front of rhe wholc sludent population in school left him feeling likc ..a loser,'
and caused hinr to pass the bulk of his schooldays as an introvert. Thus. I do nor support
intlicting injuries on a studcnt as a way to disct)line the studcol and ensurc Ihat the same
nristeke is not repcated, as violence o ly seryes Io endanger thc physical and c otional
well bciog of the studcnr.

Secondly. corporal pulishmcnt in schools shoulcl not be suppollcd because it

pe.pctuales a cyclc of child abuse. When violence is used to dcal with younger students
who have comnitted an offence, it teaches {hc stuclent that it is okav to hit. and the
studcnt grows up and continues to hit other
llri,plir, cspecrrlly tlrose yourrger than hrnl, as
hc lries 11] instill discipline. In Kenya, over the 1970s and l9g0s, many stJries ofstudents
gettinS hit, slapped, and thcir heads slamnled against the table arose, and many of Ihc
teachcrs inJlictiog such punishments lver.e found to have bccn be hit whcn
they wcrc
students
The brcekillg of this cycle of chilcl abuse is often rhe biggesr
-themsclves.
probLem faccd
by schoot authorities, and many a line, stlrdents lcave school thinking tat
it is okay for lhose who care for-them to hil thcm. {nd they perpcluate this vicious cycle.
'l'hus I disagrce with thc
usc of coaporal ptLrlishntcol_

Thirdly, with thc use of corporal punishoenl, the teacher loses an important
oppodunity.for tcaching a Dlore appropliatc behaviour. More often than oot, hitting the
student lor doing somclhing wro[g docs Dol bring about thc dcsired effect ol the
student
lca(rilg where he has gone wrong and thercby becoming a bclter person. llrslead, thc
sltLrlent may stccl himself aea,nst the pain infliccd. shut oll his emoiio,rs, go aboul wirh
his pilsl $,ays and rcfuse to cha,gc. ln Antcrica, statistics hevc shown that-with vrole^cc

'/6

used as the way to discipliDe problem students, repercussions have

arisen, with there
being "more vandalism, truancy and pupil violence,, nr the schools.
After getting
physically punished by the teacher, the- student oller.efuses to
regai<I anytnfg the
teacher says further, and in ao act of defiance, continues with
his reb_ellious uehaviour.
Thus, I see little point in spanking or ca ng when in most situations, the
snrdent hanily
lislens any\ ay. ald curtrer\elJ drrplays worse behaviour.

However. there is then the issue of..spare the rod and spoil the child,,.
Many
educato$ choose violence to maintain discipliDe, especially in the classroom,
as they find
that this is the easiesl way of getting thei messag; acros; to the students. .I.hev
believe
that once they go soft, and become too lenient, students get the impression
tfr.i
tfr"f
a]-"
allowed their own way, and stafi displaying outrageous b-ehaviour. 'personallv.
I teel rhar
when
with exceptionally egretsious conducr, corporrl punishmen; might just
.dealing
come in handy, but only as a last resort when talking and reasonilg have failed _
and
the student's parents should be notified. At the end of the day, thcre is a time
antl place
lor ever)lhing. Jnd corpnr:tl punishrle t should only br dcrlr u lren cbsoluLcl,
co.po.ur pr','ish."",'t
r.r,l"ir,.i"-"i.iuiJiffiil,ii'1Ji,i'1'Jii,iHii",iil?;
'r,*ro'r"
allowed a regular place
in schools.

In conclusion. therc is Iiftlc

schools. caning ancl spnnring rn.g"ry i,,il.::::.J:,-.',1[l:,"t,:l^:il!i'#JTi.',1ff.1

they grow up and may tbrce soDte to become immune to pain and hold Iittle rcgard
fbl
school authorities anynrorc. Very often. using violence on a itudent shuts his
ears to thc
genuine advicc of thc teacher ind the student may not beconte bettcr disciplilred
at the
end of it all. Evcry studenr is al i.dividual, ancl sho.kr be lrcatccl
.s such, a.cr there arc
always altemativcs -- cornrnunity service, talking to corporal pulishmcl]I
to make a
student leain.

y,cl[,orljanized, well argued dnd suffiti?ntb,

[.sstty
.wasexrmples. Language use was saphisti(Ltted and .epr()prial(_
Jalrice Jcganalhan

04s22

::

ltarkttl up t,itlL

t:oncreta

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Capital punishment versN tlre lile sntence. Discuss.

Human civilisation has always seen life as sacred. rhe beauty ol life being extolled
by various major religions. In addiLion, heavy punishmeits are meted to those who would
willfully rob it from oLhers. Capital punishment has been, and still is, a method of
punishment used in scveral countries for binging retributive justice on those who would
cornmit heinous acts such as murder_ The ongoing controversy of capital punishment and
its use io a supposedly more humane world of today is a hotly debatcd topic. However, if
given a choice, I support the notion thaf those who comrnit heinous acts against humanity
should be "scntenced to life" rather than be executed_

i
)

The forrnation of a law efforcement agency and the setting up of ajuclicial systern
j stice to the people_ Laws, in
essence, were created to protect the rights of all humans alike, and in breaching the ',right
to life" by depriving another fellow human beirg to continue living, the murderer has
effectively sur-rendered that sacred "right to life" and. hence, places htmscll or hersell at
the mercy of society at large. Thc rest of society has now the choice of putting thc
in[rderer to death, and stooping to the level of cr.irninality o[ the murderer. or
imprisoning the c.iminal and allow rehabi litive justicc to take its coursc_ Ia all aspects, by
sentencing the criminal to li[e, socicty can also achievc the goal of prcvcatillg lhe
cr-iminal from cornmitting further heinous acts and in addition, allow the criminal time to
seek recolrrse- ln the famous casc of "Hurrica[e" Cafter, the lack ofcepital punishment in
the state of Louisiana allowed him to appeal contilually until a Supteme Courr ruli[g
redrcssed his wrongfui conviction by overtuming it due to a lack of evidence againsl him_
ll .nprl;-l lu ish rc t ha,i beerr rrnposed. lrii trglrr rUuld lrJve abruprly. d.d rninn.r.enr

within each country is for dre purpose of providing

man lvould have been killed, and thc whole sociely would have becn guiily
miscar.iage of juslice-

ol

ln addition, scnlencing a cri inal to life shows the naturity of a society through
its willingncss to subjcct the criminal to rehabilitation. lf one pursues the notion of
vengca{ce, then sulely an cyc tbr an eye will leave the whole world bliDd. A life scntcnce
does noI just reprcsenl an act ol ntercy, but also rcprcsents the belicf of an elltire so,Jrcr)
lhat the course of.iustice does not necessarily have lo bc retributivc. cspccially since thc
cooccpt of justice was created by humans, and should ithercntly bc more hunane ll)
nature- Why would society lower itsclf to 1he animalistic act of homicidc? One cannot
justify capital punishnrc r. or legal killitgs pe. sc, if one wishes for morc civility in thc
Advocates of capilal pudishmcnt ha4) on the fact that capital punishmc|r rr u
ntosl effcctivc detcrrent for would-be murderers. Flowever, what srch advocates fail to
see is lhat detc[encc only exists in the ntind with logical thought. When most murders
llairpcn. it is usually in a fit of rage or hatrcd, when rational thoughr is i valid. In fact,
stalistics suggest tlllll cxecutidls ntay even increase viotc t crime rates. From 1952 to
1967, Calitbmia avcraged abou( six cxccutions annually, buI withh the samc period. thc
m[rder rate doubled as comparecl ftr thc period of 1968 to l99l when therc were no
eKeculions. For a person rvho harbours such deep hatre(l thal he or she has to kill to

7iJ

resolvc his enrotional distress,

detearer
cloud Ihc mind r"
r","^,'.I:'li::

r""

ellccr"e'peciall) whcrr suc

li'""
*"i"'rol';'"r;-;;";';;"il;n;;.:#l
jlii-ll3'

mav madvcflenrt) inrrucnce

't''' rurure generalrons
undermining
'"rur(
humane sociery.

th. .au." tb, a

mo."

mav raise rrre poinr rhat in rhe

t'on""ffi?,1TJ',,1-i$::ttr1f:"',*l
case of rife
the

cost of supponrnS Lhe murderer

lifelime. which L irr"ii"'"i
for ar enrirc
.,il.ir,iJar lhe mulderel i\ a socieral
can
nrenace.
measure ,r,. rurr"
Howsver,
rerm\ ol doller\ and cenrs?
consiJerarions
Economrc
."r1, o"ni"i'rrr,i"lncn
.i": *')
i1 concems
a li[e. arrd r human litr is ar
srale. whar ,r'".. *" i,"'r.'r*"^'l,i:1:
,o''JrX."'u'
uunare\ Jusr becar.rse rhet ,." ;^",j^^'llqo'" il" wr 'ysternaticalll e\ecure all dcarh ro$
m'chr Morrt arsu,nenr\ rs,dc.
il.n.""no- ,1,"-ui
,;:i'::i,,il,'.:::'"1
.'.""
"r
may
co\l Jnylhing lronr herncen one
',l"ll1' ':*'
seven miltion n"rr",
ro
rmpn\onmenr
c;ses' which
j";;::,';:
thou'and E, o'.rrnic .,;",'!.rn
"rr"i ;:'i
around
)00
'o'r
lrd ro acruali) p"' ,.i." l. ,"""-:-Da\elrne is that hLrman life i' helond
arrl
c.sr.
s trte aDd c\ecure rhc murttc;er
"
economic considerari;;;;;;;;:,".r
because of
t wrong messages about the
value ofhuman lif.e.
When onc lools at cxp(tal DLr
promrs.Lt ctlc(riveness
-: Inry bc ca.rly {qa\cd be,jl,r.r,,t ir.
in,lereninp,.lj:']t"i'
riminrl'
an(l rl)c r.re'cy ur ir $hF,i L,\.Lr
deat wirtr rnurdnrcrs rj;;,:;. ";:";:
'
ro
-""
lile.irnIris.,ruierr.
.er
prorecr \o!rcrv
ue
rtrer
ir
ro,, ran
,r.gi. r,,i r,i"'i"linP.,at
lhc relribtrli!" rs .,ell a' lh.
"r
ol ju\ricc. ln
r, lrabrlirrrrre rrms
,",0r'L'uxils tt' nnt br r'cn'rl)
\(, nr' rL) bc."ou',i.,,ili'"
a\ ur lcs. d.renen trJI jl
enrr. J rnn\c ,,.r*rr,, ,1"'
i'uI1n 1'|l irr lrcl of, at,ir.,l
\rct
f'1,\'uvc
rn\tJrd. r,"it,t;,,r,, ,nor" i]1.lTpt
Purri.trrrrerrr rs ,r
' ro*
dre'(hcd corr i,, ,",",,,
"'
"nt.,.en'.'.r 'lie,t. irs ,,tuo.l

\e

-"

,,;.:,:

"i "',?,","',"J:,:l;',:::^""

[n c,rn!lLr\ron, a scntenle (,f. lrf

.'toula t.
"uppo,i"a,
,utr"r" rtre.,,ie
,n" ;"'"

societv's

fbr life and rhererbrc

il;;$#:::.I"*cts,a ro rrl'r rh( respecr
o1
rher .nn ,", nuni.h're,r.
;. .;;;:illo"'
lrl lwo"e"a
Words. ltrst revengg,,
"

rLaJ ttut iJcrt raul,J Lt ur

^plcannr
f"''o'' tttt'it ol t'ttib
t!t.'tryprs"nnt(nt
Jutttly rtt, a1,^r,1 .i,1,!.::'' tton !o rh' t,ttrirct
A

"q.rin,nrttr,,rr.L"i,,,rr..',' ;,';,:,,;r,''1tt\la

Yeo Shi yuaD

O4S I l

ti

tit, iLt\rlt,. t' r\

rt,, ,',,,,,1r,,, L,i,

Ex-criminals ought to be given a second chancc. Discuss.

Even in today's sociefy, where people are generally mole open, ex criminals are
still being discriminated against. Very often in television shows, criminals arc ponrayed
as big burly rnen, with tattoos all over their bodies. It is no doubt that people eventually
develop a negative image of theDr and are less reccptive towards them. However, these
people have already paid for their wrongdoings and a_re fully capable of turning over a
new leaf. Thus, it is fa that criminals, people who have broken the law in the past,
should be given another oppoftunity to live a nomal life again without being
discriminatcd against. They should bc teated as part of society, and should be given the
right to take olrjobs and to integrate into society once again.

Hurnal beings are not perfect creatures. Every one of us is bound to make
mistakes in life. It is then up to the iDdividual to leam and Drove on. At times. some ex
criminals could have committed an offe[ce at the spur of the nomel1t, or they wcre under
pressure to do it. Take for examplc, a thlteen yca. old girl trying very hard to blr part of
the 'cool' crowd. In ordcr to prove hersclf, she could have shopliftcd [nder ILc prcssurc
tiom her'fricnds'. Very oftc , soole ofthe crirnes commifted ai.e minor and the oflenders
would have aleady learnt their lesson atd are willing to turn over a new leal_ Ihus. it is
ollly fair that society givcs them a chancc to do so, illstead o[ condcmning thetn forever.
Fu.lhermore, nany prisons arouud lhe world now providc services to hlrlp
prisoners i prove thcmselves while scrving their jail tern. For cxarnple, Singapore
Changi Prison has a comprchcnsive progrannDe hilored Io each individual to hcb him or
hel rchabilale. Young inmates can choose to conlinue thci. stLdies while othcrs are
p.ovided wrth vocational traiting.'lhe innrates lio through religious counselline as wcll
as attcnd moral lcssons to hclp theni get back on the righl tlack. With the hcll) of these
proSrarnines, criminals havc Lhe potcr(ial (o lcad ir normal litc agirin. ltrercfbrc. socicrl,
shoulcl bc tbrgiving ancl open and givc thern another chance.
Economic clevelopntcnl is very importalt in cvery counttJ. espccielly in today's
society. In order to achieve this. a strong labour tbrcc is nccdecl. If crinrinals are nor givelr
a cttance to work. there would bc fewer pcople to contribute to the ecortolny. As
mentioned l.eviously, some plisoncrs have gone iluough h.aining cluring thei. slay in lhe
prison to cquiP them with skills. Thus, if ernployers are unwillingly b cmploy ex
cdminals, sociely will lose out ultimaicly as therc would bc fcwer skiLlerl workcrs io lhe
workforcc- ln the Unired Kingdom (UK), one rhird of the mcn under lin.ry have {
cri inal reco.d xnd in thc LIS, 1600 ofl'cnders ate being released cacll day lor lhis ycar.
Thercforc. therc is a leed to operr up job vacancies to ex criminals or there would bc a
serious shortage of labour in future.
Somc peoplc thinl that criminals will repeat thcir offence lLqain and it is nof
wise to give thcn anothca chance- This is rr(le, jt rhesc u lr. llrtls f"il i,, ,lr",j'
t,,
",t",,rpt
lead a nonnal life again. Being trappcd in a vicious cycle. cr.iminals will co
rinuc lu
commit crimcs if they feel aiscouragea hcciuss lhell xr;nlpt ut tntctsrJriDg lnlo society
l,.r.trrlcll .r9.,I, ( fr r( ntly tJrcll bc llrieaii,.rwe\ i,ul l,,tlteDl. Sr.,r,,ii, . gii.r, r,y , .t ,r.

80

in US showed that nearly half end up back in jail because they carnot lind jobs.
According to the Depaftment of Justice Bureau of Statistics rlr tiX, Z-ln
3 released
iimafes- were_reaffgsted within 3 years. By giving ex_criminals another
chance, not only
do we help them to change for lhe better but society also benefits ua
f"a", ,-o"".rt
people are behg victimized by these repeat offende$.
Perhaps it is wise to think twice about giving criminals a second
chance as there is
possibility fhat they might revert to their old wayJ an<l also because
of the social stigrna
that a jail sentence carries. Ex-cdminals are often secn as tricky
and uffeliable
-.rln",as there
have been many cases where they betray their employer,s fuust ana
uguio..
Thus, companies that employ thcm might be discriminatetl agairrrt "orr,rr_,it
as u result. Ho*.ve.,
this.point might not be valid as loday,s society is becolring nire opcn.
Efforrs have been
made to change the miodset o[ society. For example in Sing"pore,
an island wide
campaign was organized to encourage people to be more receptirTe towards
ex_criminals.
Poste^ have been put up at many bus stops a',d commercials fcaturing
inmates at work
have beerl broadcast on telcvision as well as in cinemas.
a

Since these crimioals have already paid a price for their crime,
in tems ofcaning
and,rheir..jail temr, they should be ltiven another opportunity to live
a normal life agair.
Each,and every one of them is t'ully caprble of cbingrng for rhe burrer,
csfeciatty since
they have received counselling and trntnrnB. N..,nc i, -perle.r lnd
cvery,inc should be
given a .second chance to makeup for his mistakcs. Furthennore,
Iabour is'feeded for the
economic development of the country. By clepriving ex caiminals of a chancc
to work and
contrib[te, both paaties Iose ollt eventually. The tountq, r\ unrble r,,
fLospel as nLrch as it
could, alrd there would bl3 a strain on rhe laxpayers as money is leedcd
10 rull the prisons.
By giving them a second chance, not only do they bc'efit. socicty arso
benefits fronr the
decrcased crime lale.
Valid poitts nwd( it1 Ltnswer lo the questiott_ (iood conchnion.
but you nead tu make tet tuin links clear lia greatet eldhoratk)n.

(|ttttrttlly xtell

n,ritten

Dapfule Ho
04s26

til

Sport is taking fun seriously. Do you agree?

Mourirho, the current manager o.f Chelsea Football club made this infamous
statement on the eve of a Chdtupions Leagtte clash with his former soccer club, pato,
"Give me a choice between spottstrdnship and h)inning, I would definitel! choo.te
winninq, at all costs, bt hook or by crook." He sure was dead. serious dbout v,inning
although the sdne cannot be said of his interest itr his plalers haying fun.
.lose

It is pertinent to definc lun as enjoying oneself thoroughly, which would

defititely ditler to some extent bctween individuals. Sport can then be defined as any
form of physical exercisc consisting of certain objectives, which people pafircip:rre iD,
such as soccer, golfor even thc Fomula One Grand Prix_
That spoft is taking fun seriously, I would only agree to a certain extent. What I
leel is that whcn these spo.ts are recreatioral, nol-competitive and do not involvc any
high stakes lo the individual, the statement would apply_ I{owever if this wis rn a
competitive sporting arcna, such as thc English Premier League or cvcn the Olympics,
the statement wo ld tlot hold. Take for exarnple, Singapore shuttler, I{onald Susilo. As a
natiooal reprcsentative for badminton, he could ill afford to havc fun at lhe rccent Athcns
Olympics where lhe entire coultry was pillning its mcdal hopes on him. To hirn, he was
definitely takilg the competitioa seriously. However, as hc once said, .,When I atn on the
(badnrinton) couft, there is no nrore fun, ancl it is all focus. fbc[s and locus i.om then
on." With srLcll Eounting prelsure hcapcd on alhletcs. they can barcly affoad 11] have fun
and crrjoy themslves during their rnatches.

This would be duc to the fact that atliletes dcsiae lo win, cspccially dLLe to the
garqantual amoullt of money oflered at compcfitioN. 'Ihcy tlain continuously fbr ycars
just to take part in e competition where a singlc defea{ usuelly rDeiins tha{ thc athlctc is
knocked out of the competition and has to pack his bags and go hone. 'Ihus, the desirc to
wir alld the pressurc hcapcd on the:rthlctc by himsclf, his coach, his fans and probably
his counlry incvitably takc out the fun elcmcnt in the sport fol the ath]etc who. insteaci,
has to teke the spoft seriously.

ln rccent yearsi there have bcen cases of alhletes involved in doping. ilrcluding
prorninent cases such as Marion Joncs, an ex,Olympic gold mcdallist in six ttack cvcnts
and her ex husband C.J- llunter, also an cx-Olympic discus and short plttt gold medallist.
All of thcse athleles takc performancc cnhtncilg drugs such as tcstosterone iust to Bo
that cxlra second frster. or extra centimctcr higher_ Can it be said thtt they are taking
spofts for furr and yct seriously? Such Machiavellian ways of slepping onlo the winner,s
roslrum ce aioLy do not demonstrnte lhis possibility.
Apart fuorn thcse. politics may be intcr-min!{1ed with spon. Events such as the
191J0 Moscow Olynrpics. which thc llnited Srarcs boyco(ted. and rhe 1984 Los Angcles
Olympics. when the Russians .etumed the illsult, suggesl that thc ()]ympics was tccking
of politics. This occuffcd during the Cold War era, whc America and thc USSR wcre
staging a face oiT due 1() the clash of borh idcological and polirical diflerenccs. Anothcr

82

event would be the 1936 Munich Olympics lvhich was politicised by the then notorious
dictator, Adolf Hitler, who used it as a platform to showcase Nazi power and his fists of
steel. These events serve to show drat sports especial-ly at a highly competitive level
constitutes more than just fun. ln fast, some unscrupulous politicians all over the world
have hamessed this as a form of power play, and have defeated the purpose of fun in
sports by placing their vested intercsfs upfront.

However, for non-competitive or recreational sports, the stakes of parlicipants are

not as high as that within the competitive sporting arena. For example, a frieldly soccer
match between neighbou.s is a fun-filled one- Even with a few scuffles and arguments
that take place which show thal playeN are taking the match seriously, the match seldom
tums ugly. At the end of the day, everyone enjoys himself or herself and looks forward to
the next match.

All of these can take

place because winning or losing the game is not as impo(anr

who
have
litile to play for anyway. A victory or defeat does not
to these sportsmen
change the life of these amateur sportsmen as it is not their livelihood; thus they can
aflord to have fun. Sport is one of the fbrms of enjoyment they engage in, away from the
hustle and buslle of their workplaces. However, those athletes in the cotnpetilive slofting
arena have much to gain and lose in every loumameDt they participate in. As sport is the
athleics' livelihood, it is clubious if any of thcm is goiog to make a joke out of it or have
fun, while fretting whelher they can makc cnds mect or whether they are able to maintain
their present world ranKng or status.

Various events such as chilrity toumarncnts also cnable participating spottsmen to

luve fun wilh a[ element of scaiousncss, due {o lhe fact lhat it is a competition arttca all.
However, the nrain objcctivcs of such eveDls are not to win, but rather to raise funds for
the needy- Again, rt can blr secn lhal thcse sportsmen have nothing b gain or lose except
their own pride. Hcnce they are able to erjoy themselves thoroughly and yct take lliis
spon scriously and try to win the racc.

Appreciate jour attempt lo balance \oLtr argument with or oidmPle oJ sPorts

incorporating both Jun anal scriou.enes.t. you c.)uld look at how Jun is at the basis of the
prafessional sportsperson's tradc, etc.
Jeffrey Ng
04S

l6

t
I
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Sporl has fallen short ofifs true ideals.

.".,,,,rtfr,,),'i'1"n,1:e.|ffiHii:
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this true of today,s world?

miu) chinses over

dre

vcars bolh economicarrv and

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daity tife. However. ouer rtrc rce,'.

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sraduarrv over thc )eir\ No Joubr m.m\

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\ tir

8,1

medalist, might be stipped qf liis bronze medal

because he was found to have consumed
i'
on"
otrt'"
o'"
in:'pon. i, is

I'l'il:iil-t;f[:3iilJ."'

-o"r-i--p;-i;;;.-';'::

orher band, sport has truly done its part in

bonding people together. It
againJ? Jo-_._"r, oppon"nr.
Jusr lasl week. people gathered rogerher in
_ff.J
,,f,op. 1"A' .iublou."*, ,o *,.n
Srngaporc.rn rabre rennis player. Li Jia w"i.
i, ,r,"-."_ilri"i,.i'*""'6,"rn0,"r. ,n,_
untied rhe people a. one counr^/ ro rend rheir
supporr
on. Despire
Li Jiu Wei lrirure ro qucriti. mu1 peopre cril srood by her
and ofrered word5 or
ercouragenent. Thus, the unity of people through
sport is stiil eviA.ni in toauy,. ,o"i"q,.

_9. people
Dnngs .9"
togerher
wirh a common interest, uniting them

"- -

;J;;;;;;;;;"il

Sport and its ideals have evolved much over the years,
along with economic and
so(iat dcveloprnenr. sporrsnranshi' and fair play rr*J
J..ii""J'"".rr.i
ilrough time.
Furlhcrmore, the ability of governments tuid.organizatiors
to provide economic gains has
ire ri,is..spon stirr lalconrftui.aL'.,r,"
,t
i::f,.T:,:':
uur(lurg
a "l::":Desf
sen\e ot belonging Bu!, much has to be done
"
')r
to rcinlro;uce the fruc",0
itlcals
!,1 .lon. and to l.cp rh. slrrit ut .p,,n buming.

"_f.io".p"

Fu

used answt:r.

Daphne Ho
04s26

uorE s:
SURE. wtNNINc tsr.r'.r EvElvrttuo. IT's rHE
oHLv
ILLUsTRATED. lgSS)
SP@&T Q

ruttc- (seerts

- H ENRY SANDERs

Tge rtlsr IHING ts rto

s{DmE(DNC

gLse-

Il

. PEGcy FLEmrNc

L(Ev y(DuR sp@RT. NEVER D(E IT T(D pLEAsE

uas T(D BE YOUR S.

Settous spotl

HAs N@THING To Do wtrH sAtR pLA.r. lT Is BouND

up
\vITH HATRED, IEAL@U5Y. B(DASTFULNESS, DISREGARD (DF
ALL RULES AND
saDlsrtc PLEASURE IN wtrNEsstNG vt@LNcE. I l.t ergea v/@RDs,
IT Is waR
MINUS THE SHO@TING.
-GEoRGE OR.vELL

Is it true that competitive sport is

rll

about fame and money?

Competilive spoft has been closely examined under a mic;oscope in the recent
years. The who's who in competitive spofl are frequently appearing in tabloids and even
on our own regular broadsheet. It is apt to discuss if competitive sport is all about fame
and money, and I have to say that I agree with this stateinent to a latge extent.
Competitive sport is defined as sporting activities that have amateur or professional
competitors in national, regional or intemational toumaments. Examples iflclude the
Olympics, South East Asian Games and the Champions Leagu(j of Europe. Fame is the
celebity status accordcd to these competiron. Money is defincd as firstly the cash
punped into the competitivc spofis to ircrEasc the staldard of these sports. Secondly, it is
defined as monetary i[celtives, in thc fbrm of wagcs, bonuses and endorsement deals, for
the sporting individual.
Wc have to face the fact that Ihe coufitrics or clubs with morc digits in thcir baDi(
account statcmenfs, geDerally win rnore t-rophies and medals, lhan their poorer
counterparts. The pleying fteld is deinitely not level. Counrries rhar channel funds into
compctitive spons help to ircrease the spons associations' and coachcs' ability to
purchase more cfficient iurd bettcr qualily equipment_ IIence, the pldyers have a bctter
standard of training then others who havc to makc do with cheaper equipntcnt.
Oftentimcs, countries likc drc United St?tcs and Canada dominatc intenletional
conpeLitions bacause oI the sheer fact that they havc the spending power to do so. ln the
case of Singaporc, the Foolball Association does not hxvc the nloney to give sky high
paychecks fbr a world class. rcno(rrecl coach [nlike in Enltland whcrc thc Football
Association pays thc nutional coach Svc0 I}ikkson fbur irillion pounds a year. As such
therc is a grcat dispaiity i fbotball in both coultr ies as lhc t\.vo diflcrenl coeches inparl
differcnt Ievels oi skills and taclics to thc already vastly dif_fcrcnt national teal1ls_
Ilsse[tially, n]onev (irlks in compctilivc spor(s.

noncy ligure lalgely in thc competitivc sport individual's life. I he key

impoftance o[ natural abilities, id terms of spccd, slrength end skills are oow a distant
sccond place Io fdrne and rloncy. Ilorv else can rvc expLilin why fbotball playeas with
astrooomically high wages still prccn and pose for advisements to earn moncyl [:laving
alrcady :ltlaincd a certalin prestigc for thcir natural abilities and astute rcadirg o1
competitive gamcs, tttese pLayers hungcr fbr more by sig ing endorsement deals. Maoy
fbotball playe$ prorlote products that i]Irc cn{irely unrclaled to their alea ol exprr'rrsc.
Somc cven appear to pro role unheal(hy prodocls such as beer, fnst iood ancl junk fbod_
For exanrple, English lbotballer, Alan Shcarer, appearcd ir :l MacDooald's lelcvision
advertisemcnl. They 1uc uscd unrealistically in such etldo.sc tenl coolracts because they
have to follow stlict litncss end diel regimcs, and lhus cannot tcast on srrch unhealthy
fbodl Again, we see that nlany spo(ing intlivicluals havc lro qrralns about
nlisrcprcscnling Iheir sport and not gi!ing fieir uhosl to thcir sporI, so as Io fu(her lheir
celebrity sIa{us and to gct morc supflcneuts to thcir incolncs. lhe classic cxarnple is
tsngland football captain Dlvicl Bcckharn uho now h:N quesrionable skills as fcllow
countrJfiren lalnpoon hinl for his lack of focus in compctiliods.
Fame and

\
)

I
I

Many a times, spots associations in countries have dangled mooetary carrots

before the eyes of spofis men and women. In Russia, it is the nonn for these associarions
to promise bonuses of a few million roubles to individuals or tearns who wln medals.
Money, coupled with the potential increase in fame for trophy-beadng winners, has taken
over dre traditional ethos of sports. This ethos which includes values like fair play is
ignored irs sports personalities abuse drugs and participate in match-fixing. Jojo Sinciair,
a Singaporean bodybuilder, was so athacted to the bonuses offered to he;, that she used
illegal drugs to boost her ability to win a medal in the SEA Games_ The rugby players of
New Zealand, the world-renowned All Blacks, played to lose in the Rugby Worid Cup
Final of 1999, in protest against the Rugby Association withdrawing thei. boruses of
$500,000. They were not sedously condemned. Instead, they were lauded as sporting
herces as their fame increased with thejr appearances in adveflisements. The fact that th;
advertisers were still willing to use these match fixers show that indeed, in competitive
sports, fame and money is everything.
However, some people may argue that passiol is a greater motivator than fame
and money. Without passion, spofis men and womel would not have the mentality and
will powet to push remselves to their very best. For example, we sec this in thc
Silgapore gymnastics team. Cymnastics is not exactly a lucrative spofi, unlike
badminton and table tennis. Yet the gymnasts havc the drive to perform well in the SEA
Games 2003. It is heaftening to see sponing talenrs who t.uly love their sport but the
status quo is such that nany playe$ arc more i[terested ilr thc n]oley and fame than
anything clse. I havc pointed out clearly that their motivatioll lies in these two arcas as
thcy are more than willing to overwrite the ethos of sporls and to ignore the imporlalce
ol intense conceotration on their sport. [n addition, sporting powerhouses and the
dirccting boards of clubs have shown lhat with cash, they can easily improve their own
players, while othets fall far behind- Therefore, I have to conclude that compelitilc sport
is all about fanre and money.
Clean, organized piece of writing alld choicc of question reflects your knowlecige of thc
topicElaine Chan
04A51

With technology, sport is no longer the same. Do you agree?

:-\
The Olympics is the bjggest sporting event, attracting thousands oI athletes from

all over the world, involving countless background crew and requiing an immense
amount of planning and preparation. In the lead up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing,
sportsmen are training intensively, in a bid to shave off those 0.5 seconds from dreir
timiflg to meet the qualifying standards. Off thc tiack, coachcs are testing out various

l)

machines that can hclp improvc their chluges' strokes. Spofting brands like Nikc and
Speedo a.e coming out with their latest aerodynarnic, hydrotech range of apparcl, which
they claim cnn maximize the wearers' strength. Nulritionists, too, are lookinlJ to see how
they can concoct thc ultimate drink to boost athletes' perfbrmance. Technology, is indeed
gennale in the sporlinS arena, and renders sport ot only a test of physical abilitics, but
also a battle of sport's conplemenls.

Equipment is undeniably an epochal factor in an athlete's performance. A look eI

oul sporting heroes Lhoroughiy demonstrates this-'Ihey wear customized shocs. shirts and
swinrsuits. xnd usc {he ldtesl rackets which boast of greater speed and plecision- h
seilinS. morass amounts of rDoncy arc pumped into buying ncwer, faster boals and sails
which are shaped blNed on QuanluDr ['hysics. No one is willillg to lakc chanccs and
slingc on cquipnrcrrl. Il a rlomeirr lvhcrc cvcn 0.01 seconds counts, nothing bul the best
nrust be used-

Othcr Ihar) thcsc I)lrysicll clcmcnts IhaI can rdd that !itt]c cdgc to the cumlclilur\
and boo\l lheir level of conlidcnce, lecluologi/ has citused traditionll rncthods of
coachi g to be phrscd ou1 Conc:re thc drys where praclicc ancl repetition wcr.: drc rule
ol the thunlb. ln placc (l1'Ihosc hours swinlming laps. elhlclcs havc beell introdlrced 10
machines rvhich can track do!vn, lo lhe Drinutest of details, thcir perfonnlnce levels. Evcn
hcart ratc scnsors rrr coLrsidercd p$s6. q/hxt *,ith Global I'ositiouilg Radar Systcm
((iPRS), which c:r[ trlce r sailor's vclocity, sailing angle and boal eLlgle throughout thc
entirc duration ol a racc. Runncrs and iumpcrs irlso nlake rsc ol indoor sifirulalors 10
achieve tlritl perlccl, streamlineci posture. Swiirlrncrs:uc no exception. Sl(lies liave bee
madc to try 1() irnitrte lhe molions ol-fast-moving $,a{er animals. Tcchnology has
pro pled an cvolulion C}l the win[ing filrnula. An alhlele call no Longer clinch thc gold
lrcdJl l,) l
rr\, Ilr'tlrn,l. ot r r. c fr.|rrlrron.

linrings and iudgmcnts havc always bee e conundrum for \prriing

orga izers, all ol-whom airn at hosting a flawlcss cvcnt u|intcrruptcd by discreprncies ol'
rcsults. l-ollunately- lechnology has enabled such prot)lcrns Io be rore or less solvcd.
Scnsitivc digital scnsors can aulonlaticalll/ recorcl athlclcs'tintinlts, dislances aud speed.
In a fieid rvhcre the dittcr.nce lrtweel goLrl and silver nlcdals can be hlitlinc thio, this is
cssential. llowcvcr, tcchnology has created competili(xt in lhe spofli0g arLrna. by rrcans
ofachieving thc bcst infrastmcturc. Co[ Iries like I)alis. Mad]id :r d Lon&)n boast oftbc
latest slalc ol--thc an sladiums. conlplclc $itll srnooth lracks and electronic deviccs,
hoping to clinch lhc bi.l to holl lhe 2012 Olympic (;lrncs. lhe crilerion lbr tire hosl
country is rlo lonllcr nrcrcly secrrrity lnd rbilily, bur no.,v includcs thc standrrrd of
AccLL.ate

fa(:ilities

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On the other hand, competitive spoft still essertially boils down to an afhlete,s
talent, hard work and passion, which is the true nature ot sport. One cannot cveD dream
of crossing thc finishing line frst, even equipped with the most advanced aids, if one
does not put in one hundred arld one petcent of cotxnitment. It can be argued that
technology can be portayed as an insidious virus that feeds on the spirit of sport and robs
it of its es$ence. However, we must first take a look at the definition of sport _ a domail
which challenges physical abilitics. Even with the inexorable dse of teclnology, the
element of physical ability remains rhe most influential factor that makes a spoflsman.
While tcchnology has ifldeed made spo.t "no longer the satne,', it is clcar that the
heart of sport remains unchanged. Technology is merely there to enable atltletes to go
swifter, higher and stronger- Technology has brought attention to other arcas conLributiug
to sport, such as thc preparation and the cquipment, and made use o[ thesc to rnaximizc
the potential of athlcfes. The world of sport is not impervious to the advancements iu
teclxrology, and should therefore embrace it and make the tullest use of it, lor technology
is here to stay and will cortinue making charges to sport.
At least 3 stntng points- Overlooks [ssues like commercialism and cheating.
Fawn Soon
05,{51

SP@RT O u@TE s:

THr mgoars

o@NrT nEAN ANYTHING aND THE GL@RY DoESti'T LAST. IT's

AtL AB@UT Y@UR HAPPINESS. TTiE NEWIN.PS ARF GOINC T(D COME, BUT MY

IS IUST L@VING TH SPORT AND HAVING FUN PERFORI]IING.

'JACKI J@yNER-KERsEE eu@TEs (Amerrcar ATHLETE, oNE of TH BgsT
FEIIIAI.E ATHLfTES IN THE V/ORLD, D.I962)
HAPPINESS

VIcrer.v IsN'T DEFIND By vtNs

LossEs. IT Is DeFIND B.r EFF@RT. IF

y@u cAN TRUTflFULLY sAy, 'l DrD THE BEsr I couLD, I cAV
EVERYTHINc I gao,' 'IueH Y@U'R A .\T/INNR.

"\(/ouFca.lc

@R

ScHADLER

89

'tHcal the world! make it a better place.', Can we?

It

has been said, that as the first ge2fs of the industrial revolution cranked into
motion, an invisible clock powered by those gears began a countdown towards the total
destruction of nafute. As nations aspired to ever-greater industries we hastened the hands
of thc invisible clock. Humanity is consuming the very earfh, in a reckless and dangerous
matu1er. The earth is ill and the symptoms are hardly invisible.

,)

environmental problem that has captured our attertion is the thinning of the
_Ore
ozone layer caused by the emission of chlorofluoroc.ubons (CFCS) tiom factories. and
ce ain chemicals cornbine with ozone to form va ous other substanccs. The destuction
of the ozone layer left a hole in our shield against harmful ultra violet rays from the
sun,
Ietling thesc ca'cer-causiag rays to rerch rhe surlace ot the (anh. The;ir ls t red with
gases rcleased by cngines and factories which trap the sun's heaf contributing
to the
grcenhouse effect. The resultant risc in global tenperature has wreaked
havoc with the
climate of various regions making hot places waamer and cold places cooler. In
some
ilstances, even the reverse has been observed. Cefiair y, the recent recorcl high rainfall
aod temleratures in Singapore have been attibuted by scientists and mcteorologist
to thc
.lrarrge in uerrlrcr pitll,.m\ Laused by rhe incrcased greenllou\e e ir.t.

An average of one football tield-sizcd tract of foresl is bcing clearcd every minute
and cveryday- The loss of each and cvery tree is causing incvirsible damage to
the
cnvironnent. Trees act as natural air- conclitiooers, prodicing oxygen ancl absorbing
crrbon dioxide - a strong greenhouse gas. This is o[ top of thc loss -of b;ocliuersity
anA
\\.ilcllift caused by such destxclion. Judgitg fiorn rnan,s dcstruction of thc fbrests which
.cncws the air, much can be told of our unbridlcd grecd and ir$atiablc needs. lt
is clear
lhat il we c()ntinlre to carry out deforestation al such an aL4rming rate, our edvironmeltal
wocs will ol)ly bc exaccrbated.

We arc not only killing innocent

_
hunranity as wcll-

wildlife, wc are slowly siratgling the rest of

Thc sea and other bodics of water has become conieniint dumping
sites leading to tragcdies such as the Minanrata Bay incident ir Japan whete newboms
suftc.ed ftonl mcrcLrry poisoning clue to contaninatcd fish. The trails of nran,s grecd
are
visible everywherc - the poisoted air anLl water and massive dcfbrestatio[
Ir many
daces of the world. peoplc literally wallow in dirt. Thcse sha ly towos located in garbage
dunps are an affronl to human dignity_ It is not right that people shoulcl Iive
amongsr
squatter and plague when we can build entire mega conur-bations with
glearning
skyscrapers- Nor roo Long ago, dis:lster srruck a shanr; town
in thc philippines whcn
tonential rains caused the local mountain of debris and junk to coll:rpse
on the people.
what. is wrong with world is thar wc are dcstroying and consumirg
,.--_
_,:^l".lnt,
lncrcrslng
amounts of its finite resorrrces k) o)eet our necds and yct there rcmain
lcgion;

of sterving. povefty stricken peopre in areas rikc rhe centmr rcgions .f Afiica and
North
Korca In facI, thc nurnbcr of people below tlre poveny line is giowing.

91)

It is possible, that we could heal rhe world: Is ir possrble

rhar we could minirnize
ervircnmerral degradarior and human suffe""g

..

"";,'

.'.;;;.;;" o.llr." 0"r",

The damage done asdnst earth. has not gone

unnoticed.

Stricter laws against

illegal toggjng and polturion have. been
n"ri-"-.itA"'i"t
ui.t, totfry
govemmenrs
"rj"a.Brt th"
in tursuit of their causes.
ia,iert
-inrensety
;;;;ti;l
e. rhis is
enough. The K\olo prolocol was an agreemcnt
to cut do\ n oI harmtul
Fas em_rssions by
industrialised nations. yet, the worti,s gr*"r,
_ the Unir.d
states, has yer to commir itself ro the r,y.,"
n","".ir.. iir" .i,1ro*"i"ll" rr", u nllrn,
hinder economic growth testimony to humun
g.""a una ."H.h;.."..

i;d""i;l1r;;il:

Brazil recently created the world,s largest rainforest

reserve, an area mary times
bisser than siosaporc itsen However, illegai,toget;;
;ili ;;;;.;; ]i'tiJi.ine" or tr,"
reserve. The govemmelt has been accusedof
,*ii.ri
tecu'use tn"y hav.
vested interest in such acriviries. .l.he pany
" iJ'.y",po*"iiur
in po*". iJofrfrg"i"a-;o
which. lund the political party
- creatrng a loop ot self scrving purpose_"o.poni",
h olher
,h. sovemmenr_is siruply powirless ,.' ,ro;;;i,-;;;;;,ti'..".
?
,n.
,un*"
-.^":i::i"_rl
regloD,
govemments not onlv have to lulfill the
basic needs of the p"upl" .*i o.
agricultural land btrt they arso have to struggle
"."oting
to provide basic ame.itics of crea.
water
-" -and power. The prorccd;n ofthe environmeit
is siinply not a pri.;t.
People, nations alld govemnlents have clearly
recognized that we are incxorab]y
heading towads a roral environmenral catastrophei
.u"n tn"
come irrro,bcrng ro sroq rhe di\ e,r i,,," ,,,
". ,o
ip".
v., a,.
1;:::rnrcresr\. uellj.::
sEr
rre clearlr holdrrp Lrecl rt nur .rllcrnpr\ r., n,in,,niz.."5
irr ,l.,ne rer,.rse
tire enr' ironmentJl dtnlir'e

i;;..-;;;'";;";;;"ri
p*

i::::.:l

Have we done our bcst to ease human suffer.ilg?

Statistics have shown that thc
gap bc''veen the Jich and rhe poor is wideni,rg
una
nli.,'.] ,rr"r"

,h;.i"h;i

.*irr,
many Iayers of social strara of grcar disparity. "u;ln
Even uhcn J.," l,"'"lj pr.g.^,r. r".
rnarrv l\o\ed) !tncLe attons. tltete ita
lanlls rnd paotaatio,,,,t. _*lua.r rfr,nr,
exports keeping them shackled.
It is crear that we are abrc to do more, so much .'iorc
to hear this carth ard make
life for its inhabitants rhar much rnore plcasanr.
To ..f,""f ifr" *",ii-"J'."t
i, Uo",
place" is a high noble aim, an ideal
h;ld back by ,h" .Mi;,, ;i';i;;rr.',"'.r. *"
" r,"u"
willingly bound ourselves with.

a1,n,

167 1'apyulTnpnt \\,u,p,,.rt,,tnty,tur,t,,n,

:,,:::":,,tt
thi\ d, nanJint qucr!ion. W"lt

I!:':,:.!:,.,
h\'?\, cJJl,tg tn
w0rK
Lim Yao Jun

in

J., ,.

tuut prctnu\

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"Scicncc enslaves, the arts liberates." Discuss.

,<:'

Science, the methodological study of the world around us and the application of
knowledge for the bettennent of Man, has always been compared to the arts, the study
and approciation of beauty, whether found in a painting or a theatrical performance. The
former, due to its stricl guidelines and, well, methodological approach at vicwing things
arcund us, has always been perceived to enslave, limiting our space and freedom to think
and act creatively. The latter, on the other hand, is viewed by many as a me:ms to free the
mind and soul by invoking layers upot layers of thought and self-reflection.

p)

Many people would agree that the arts do indeed liberate an individual in terms of
thought. The arls introduce a spectrum of angles and perspectives to viewing cenain
objects and issues, giviDg dre individual ample room to think and explore freely. Take,
for instance, the famous picture ofMona Lisa. Though centuries, this pictu.e continucs to
engage the nasses, binding countless people to it because of the beauty and nlystcr ious
elements it possesses. Science, however, is not given as much regard in the hearts of
these people. They see science as opprcssivc and enslaving. The study ol Scicnce has
proven lo be very rnuch the case. For instance, in schools, students art taught to follow
certain steps closely whcn pedonning science expcriments during paactical lessons.
Failure to do so would resuit in dre loss of marks. Under such circumstances. thc studcnts
are taught lhat science is a very monotolous and boring subject because they aLe grven
very limited opportu ties to exprcss their creativity in the subject. In this light, indeed,
the arts liberatc while science enslaves in some waysHowcver, it is the ftrst pan of thc thesis statement that I find faulr wirh. Science in
fact gives humans immense opportunity to let their imagilation run freely. Fbr rnstrutcc.
il'a pcrson were to talk about laoding on the moon a f-ew ltundred yeals ago, he no doubt
woulci bc brandecl an absolute lunatic. However, our gcneration bears witoess to the
spectacular achievements of space exploration. This is possible only bccause science
gives us the capability to do whatever we so dream- [n this perspective, I think scicncc
not only does nol enslavc the human luind, but it facilitates us in our accomplishment of
whal we used to think was impossible and allows us to dreaftt even bigger dreanN thall
betbre.
Science also liberates hum{ns fronr thc woes of physical coostraints and tiees us,
diseascs. Major
cor?orations like IBM are already nuking imprcssive headway in improving thc livcs oi
miliions world widc through their inteNive rescarch on nanotechnology. tn 1999, IBM
successfully rnanipulatcd xenon atorN to lol1n thc ietters "I,B M". lf anytlitg, the futurc
looks rosy lbr coltpanies and cvco the proverbial man on the street. With technology a
billionlh of a nletrc in size, companjes will run on small computers with the capacily and
efficietcy of rno.e Ihan a million computers used at prcsent. The econoory and society
cvc|tually. lvill be brought to wholc ncw fiontiers. Also, thc use of scicncc has enabled
agricultural production to increase many fold due 1() advanced methods likc hydroponics
and aerophonics. as well as the use of lnor.e resiiient caops and more efficienl pesticides.
Added 1() this is the relculless improveolents made ill thc tield of medical science, which

or lrost ol us, fiom pressing problems likc poverty, starvatior and

92

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l*" ::::l::ll

11"

of previously life_rluearenins diseases like smal_pox

.
has grented r,,*u"r"r.ng."iy.'-i'i;;'fitiie,
.etiminaring,more

^:1y,l"jT"

3:^J:::ib,'lg.',:f
machines smarr en"o"di.;;i;;#;;;
l*"j":,1i:t:^tl
ilqll possibte
"l:1,:"*1"
:' t Science
.:".*e
blockages.""j"je
has given us a *fr,ii" rr"* i""."-.f"fii",
ll.^"1,"-.1":us from physical
Iiberating
corNtraints, poverty, st;ation ana aiseas"
itl,ough not
entirely) which shackled and enslaved us humans in the past. Hence,
,fi"rri" ao". not
enslave
us as is mentioned in the thesis statemenf

Science has also broken down barriers, be it physical or not,

in our modem world
to b.ing about globalisation. The Intemet and alr forms of mass meriia,
has allowed us to
create a 'gl.bal village'. we are now able ro communicate with others
alr around the
world instantaneously through the Intemet. Through our $atellite broadcasting,
we can
fiod out what is happenilg at, say, the other side oi the world at the moment
rt happens.
Science has given us immense freedom in terms of interaction with people
fiom other
p,uas of the globe. In Singapore, secondary school students
are given opportunities to
bminstorm ideas for projects with other studeDts from other nations through
the
intemational competition, Thinkquest. Not only do thcy develop an
intcllectual
.
camaraderie' but they arso learn from each other's culture and
broadcn their ho zons_ In
this sensc, science should be applaucled for liberatitg us from cultural, physical,
and
religious barriers_

In conclusion, I am of the firm belief that science does not cnslave us. [n all
honesty, science has tieed us i[ nrore aspects tl.nn one and, iD my opinion;
it will only
contilue to do so irstcad of limiting our-thouShts and actions. p"rsono y. I think thut
bo[h thc arls and scielcc are cmcial if the human race is to prosper. With science
comes
tangible satisfaction and fulfillmcnt. As science co'tillucs to flourish,
so too wr our
natural propensity to fulfil and achieve non tangible appetencics made ail
the [lore
distinct with scientilic progress. Hence, science and the aris actually do conlplement
cnch
other in bringing about our libcration in all respects, whcther physical or mental.
Fluent.and engaging s4'Le of writing. Hov,ever, thcre i.t not enough
tliscussion on the
ttntl whcther it liberatis. you must givt the
lliscussion on the art.t adequate foc6_
a,r.ts. There is too much emphasis on science

Zhen Junjie
04s6.4

93

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Any change in society begins in the school.

Comment.
Oftcn, when a countrv wrnrs 10 change dhection,
the first area the govemment
the education sysrem. rr is *ry i,"rrJ-i"r'tti.
.nua*tr
represenf the future of societv and it 1s
lmportant to use education to ensure that the
fufure
as rhe govemmenr sees it. However,
white
it
is
ce.rain
that
school
*r;.:i:"-:-t^:"::f
l
,J d
^cy prd(e ror cnange tn socjetv. I have my doubts over the claims that any change in
sociery begins in schoolonly.

.'nffi,"'r'rr."

:l-c"".i:

l
H1

Many beliefs are builr inro us through schooling.

Irl China, for example, the
cornmunisr ideotogy is hughr ro srudents
j.*ln.iy i"our,rr".,
y;;;;';e..
.i*"a
schoolirg prcvenrs peulle of diftcrenr
"
,."ln'uI""arr"i.#,", .;r"""i, o* *.,,
other. As pcopte grolr otder. rhev rend to \ricl
", f".,
,"",. i" ir," u"fi.i, *,.r,',n"r"d",. n",o
to since rhey were young, and iiis har,r
nrluril wa) ro cltangc socictl wollld bc to e ect
the changc irr sclrooll

f;
."..
;J,,d;".r'I;;;"".',i,*ij!li"'ln* *",,'*,

However, even bcfore a chilj enbrs school,

his educatiol has, in a way, startcd
already. A chitd generallv ontv enters
scho"l
il;:su,.,", p."_
school seven yexrs of toial dependcnce or ", ".;,,;J;;;;;;;;;":
his or her parenti worird n,ake a chird trust
his
parents more tha' anyonc else. As a
rr,ult, not ,,ri1 do ,f," p"r""rr'"i rir" .f.ld aflect his
\rlue .)\tern tnJ b.licf\ bclurc lhc.hrl,lcn,",.
*frl"f . fr,,, .1"" r;;"
l;':
chitd is unlikcly ro fiod fautr in much
";i:;;;":.illor,
of what
.i,,ili],,1t,
u*
0","r"
and orindsct of (he child is esscorial.rbr
;;;1;;r."o,f,1'i*1i',, ,n" ..,"
schools in nloulding thc vouth ol., natrul ""v
is un.lcurablc. tf," ,nte ,ri. rt," p,r.!ni. ;n
str"pi,rg
the devctopmcnr of rheiichirdrcn atso
e rn,,",
;1,"..
,iriiiili..ii
3n) rhrngc rn sorrery bcgrns onry fio'r
school,
coinc rhe
i:)mtlrr'

ni;;;;; ;;; ;;;

J,..;-;;
b.,;";,;;d.

.,

fb,;;; ;i,;;i;;;sr

* ,,r, .

crery schnorrng chiLJ spcrrLLs a rar*e propoftion

of his life in school and ar
nonrc. .whrrc
rtr. lcncrrl srrvironrrrcnt rrurrnd hjrrr

*ii
,.r1. or
cn,rrrrplt.rn,,ronrr\i,srobeconrcacr*ncruiry,i,,;,;;,;;.;,j;;;1
"ir"'.,i",-, t,. ,,.""i"n,"."
','n.]."n,n,,,,,,,
drsLegurd\ rhc,rirn iu(l Ii eas wilholr,

,r," .r,iri..*",i,,:.'#;J;";;::,i:l:"i"':::11,'T"i.jiffi'lilJ"::ffi:.ii:l,,;
-.^
tcachers ard parents

re' the child rhar r,u.ring

accept their reachilgs aod mav insrejr,r
q,r.sri;

i"-*,ong, ,r," .nu.i' ,,*r'lr11i'l,l ..o*o,,

rh.,rr-if?li-;;",,"j'*i" rr"il
,he .rr(er t,reri'g. ror'.r cjrrrree
'l'lll,:" ''=: 0",,u"orr
,^
*.;,,1,
..
;'j:^:]l:':
ety,
a
portion
_
of the
general adult populatlon
"",,,^".;

also

chrnse

must

it rh ntc Ln the xtllllr noDulttion, govertmcnts

have var.ious lnethods to
r.hoo.' frr,rn Srrrgrp,,1,, 1.,,n
ul,",. ro,,uu, Jpprod.llr\ hr," b..,, ,"1";.ii;J;
"."-pi.
thc Sirrg;p1i gr,q.n'.rcrt dcerdpd
i^ ,,,11,q 51ag;rp,,1.. x (lcancr rrry. ,,", ,,r.u l;"';;:il
mcthods the rnass media anct srricr taws.
R"p;.;,;;,;il.: ,,,i ,.i"'rl,..il ."0. _o
poslers in the srreeh. have drilled
inro p."pr", irr" ,.p"n"-^*
u*0,",
FL,r

Singaporc clean. For those who lemaine6l

xniJon,,1n16d, there are"l',i,.r]iil,"J',"
harsh punrshntenrs

littc.ing. The campaign has been largety

,"...""f"1.-;;;;

"p;;,.*'r,i",iil

fbr_

r*"r"
"

94

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in.society not only help convince the adult

?opuration, but arso further shape re child,s.
mindsets-

d changes in sociery thar have to beg1n lrom

T:1":.-l::e-ver.
most narural example would be a change in t-he
""'.^^,
economic structure ()1
::"9:' ior
lo. wagcs to risc, or laboa
socrety.
standards to improve, schooling is necessary.

However, in general, it cannot be said drat any ch:rDge

_
in society begins in the
school. If the change is to be successfully impt"..nr.O,
cir.,rg-. tn*i __'" f-_ Ur p*.
of socioty. Most of all, any chalge in society musr O"gil
i-. it.-f"ra".ship of the
country.

a sma group
_

Such

changes have to start from school_

Mth poinrs we supportett.

l:Deen:,:r!,:-t:::,Jiscusl'iun
PLtrt ol lht {nnt lu.riun. lt ir rurltcr weak
st(tnding

The tast paragraph shoutd havt:

on its owr.I gioa'1i,,r, ,,""u1 .

Paul Ho
05s31

ouca,rlel eueTEs;
oucartex's puRp@sE rs
E

(DNE.

IlIalcorm 5.

ro

REprAcE

aN Emprt- mtND \x/rrH aN

tspN

F@RBEs

CHANGE DoEs N@T NEcEssARrLy assuRE pR{EGREss,

BUT PR@GRES5
ImpL.ACABLy ReeutREs cttatcr. EoucalloN
ts essENTIAL T(E CIIANGE,
EDUCATI@N cREATEs B{ETH Ne\x/ .wANTs
AND THE 46ILI.IY T(E SATISFY
TH ! ll].
. H ENRy STEELE
CommAcR

Eouc.a,rtel ts rHE trosr

CHANGE

,]

TflE

NsLsou

I1l

\?'(D R

D.

aHoe La

p@wERFUL wEap@N \r/HtcH y<su

caN usE

T@

t
-

History is dominated by wars. Discuss'

does more
History is the very essence of our being and existelce' Historical.study
judgments
in the
rhan Drovide in insight into past events and erables us to make better
f"*.J. H'"..v that ietails armed conflict' inrlustrial atlvancements' modem and ancient
scrutiny and
culhrral deveiopments help us to appreciate our plogress The detailed
and
unufy.l, of wai*e has made the most significant impact in shapirg our society
contributes greatly to the other facets of historical study'

The study of warfare encompasses advancements in cultural- and industrial

bordcrs and bc
history. It is thro;gh battles that cultural influences can cross transnational
rhe ancient
;;;; ;t.g -aiy. F.om the beginning of time, great civilizations such as
religions
and
dle Holy Roman Empirc extend their beliefs, customs
egyp,i"*
acquitition of new lands. Islarn was brought to Europe and Asia Minor due to
i#ligt Ltr""tia
which was
*" n_u*".oua conquests of the Ottomalr Turks Similarly, the Renaissance
military conflicts
UitttrcJ it, ftofy advanced rapidly throughout Europe due to the many
between the Euopcar nations betweer 1494 and 1559

jndrlidual cultural
The waging of battles is thus also used Js r rool to Proplgate
day Hence' culturirl changes are
ancl social oorris ;hich are still bcing enforced till this
study can be discussed under warfare which
feriptrerat tu histn.ical study as this aspcct of
we know today
is tlie main factor in influcncing the cultutal diversity in the world

tn addition. war has.also sparked off sotrlc of the grcatcst dcvelolrncnls in

;rnd
industrial and technological history Trade was eslablished betwecn colonies
diif*",rt c.runL.i". a rJsult of warfarc. For exarnpie, the Holy RorDan lmpire had one
oiitr" ga"ot.at trade"s retworks in the lBrh centuly' Rome had a very powerluL arny and
cent(rs in rvcr]
,h.uugti i,. continual coDquesls for neighboring laods' established trade

as
city iiactluired. This was to elrsure thaf Rome herself had access to as many rcsourccs
i() 11 vibrxnl
possibte. Frorn therc, tlade took ofi in thc western states which gradually led
economy fbr all who participated in it.

Warfare has the grealcst influence on oatiulal progress and is thc primxry
cortributor to shiils in Poiitical systcms antl results in greater i tcmation{l cooperatio[
ln ancierlt China, the u;ificatiul of the various warring states was only made possible
tkough wadare which saw the Qin ant1y consolidating China's lands and this led to a
China in
monaichy which ensured grcater uniforrnity. This brought great progress fhr
r\
scen in
later years. Wars also lecl io Sreatcr intcrnational corsensus and cooperation
world War
the settiog up of the United Nations Council in 1963 after the corclusion of
rwo- rhe'Uit, an international body that is recognizcd' presides over numerous global
This is thc
issues ancl ensurcs Eireatcr accounlabilily and tolerance between natioos
signif-rcaocc of war on iflternational and national Progress'
Thirdly, histo|ical accounts of warfare still remain relevant to decision making
the mxin
today. Becau;e of past experielccs in war' diplomacy ancl delcrrence are now
oational
a
countly's
of
focus of every country's delerse policy. A large pctcentage

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budget is devoted to defense and the analysis of strategies of war. Historical studies
of
war give us infonnation of the strcngth and specializatior of various countdes, military
strategies. For example, America focuses on stealth weapons and Russia, submarinei.
War crimes and abocities in the past are also noted and this has led to the formation of
the International criminal court and the establishmeot of the International Humanitarian
Law. The reminder of great suffering during wals has made us realize more than ever
today, that peace and tolerance is of utmost importance. These aae the contributions of
warfare to historical study that has made and led to the greatest and most important
growth irl humanity that severely outweighs the other aspects of history.

Even then, some would still believe that cultural and industrial history captures
the glory and failures of nankind better than the study of warfare, which focuses
primarily on the bittemess of man. [n the study of wa.fare, the glory and beauty of
culfural advancements are ofte[ undennined and;ndushial leaps and depressions ate also
sidelined as war takes center stage. As such, the study of history will never be complete
without the study of the nugniticent murals in lhe tombs of the pharaohs or the music
and dance of the lndians. Howevcr, I disagree with tiis statemelt as in lookiog at wars in
the past, we also study the way countaies finance their wars and note significant artistic
strxctures alising from the creatio[ ofdelence structures.

ln conclusion. dle hislory of the world can

be summed up in general as thc study

of warfare as this study has made the greatest contribution in shaping our nations and is
also thc most rclevant to today's society. It helps us appreciate our roots and heritage es
cultural and industrial developnteots can all be linkecl in coote rvay or anothe. to warfare.

An exempku! piece oJ writing. A beftef lret:rh.ni

made tht.' une at rht h, \! pir, , \ t t tt, n.

oJ

rc

aherndte viewpoints could

har)e

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-)
Comment on the state oftraditional arts in your country.

b--

Singapore is a multi racial society where rnzrny races liva h:rnloniously in onc
country. For example, Matays, hldians and Chinesc can live togethcr in the sane block of
flats- Therefore, there is a wide variety of lladitional arts made available to Singaporeans.
Examples arc the wayang, thc traditional Chinese drama, and traditional Malay and
Indian dances o| music- However, these forms of traditional afi are losi g thcir
significance in present Singapore.

H]
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d,4

Traditional arts io Singaporc are losing students who arc willing to leam these
of
aft. There arc less pcople who are willing to learn as compared to in the past. [n
forms
the past, probably every race would want to leam their respective forms of traditional itrt
as it was passed down from ge eration to generation. Howcver, thcse days, what our
graldmothers know might not bc what rve know. Evcn though professional institutiolts
the
tcaching tradilional arls arc still available, there ale very few takers, especially
^nrong
youths. For exarllple, iNtitulions teaching traditional Itdian drnces rnd the mastery of
musical instrumerts are in abundancc at Excclsior llotel. I-Iowcvcr. cach time I visit that
placc, I realize that thcre is only a handful of sludents in each institution, d they arc
pri[rlrrily aduits. It appears that traditional erts have lost lheir appca] to lcarners,
espccially thc youngcr gcnelalionSingaporeans have been exposcd Io various fbnrN of ar1. both modern anci
traditional but traditional arts sccnrcd to havc lost thcir appeal to local audiences. Eveu
though lhe elderly still appreciale sLrch folms of arl. lhe|c are fe!\, l'rour thc voungcr
geieration who would lollow their lbolstcps and nke to the traditio'rel arts. For exalrlple.
in the annuai Chincsc ghost fcstival which occurs in thc scvcoth nlonth o[ lhe Chi ese
lulral calendar, rneny perlbrmanccs rre pul up. hr lhe past, the nrost cornnloll lcri)rolancc
lhat we see rvould be the wayaDg Holvcver. nowadrys, due to thc l.rck ol suppo( ffdn
audienccs. the perlbrmallces havc swilchcd liom tr:rdilionri wuyurg to thc nrodclr'pop'
and 'rock' pcrformanccs- Thcrcf_orc. traditional afts hevc lost thcir nrass appeal.

The rrass media loo has conlibuted lo the decline in inlcrc\t ill ahe triLditional
arls.'Iraditionxl perfonnances that lve often sce broadcast oll lelevision i thc past havc
somewhit decrcascd in numbcr- This is inclusivc of 'Art Centrirl'. thc tclcvision charuel
specially set up in favor of ihc pcrtbrmio8 arts. ln rcccnt ycars. wc rarcly scc prograNres
showing rvayangs, Melay da ccs or Indian music anynrorc. I rccall in nry chil(lhood days,
Sunday rrror nings' lelevisi<lrr progranmes wcre usually wayangs pcrlormed in Clnlonese
and Teochew, but we clo not see these regulariy these deys- In thc pdst, *,c oftcn had
drania scnrls or [rovies witir thelnes revolving around the traditionill afts- For cxanrp]c,
productions had plots bllilt around wayang silgers or even Malay danccrs. and q,c oflcn
see such plots in these traditional artisles' Iives. However, now sllch thcmes have shiftcd
direction; productions lhesc days, n)ore ofte than not, are built on the slories about
young pop artistes; pcople iue no longcr intcrcstcd io storylines ol lraditionel irrtistes.
Theaefbrc. on the whole, even lhe .nass medit has cerscs trkiDg i tcrcst in dlc tradilionrl
arts. Thcy arc losillg fLrblicity.

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The traditional arts probably r'st

,
people. People used to view these forms

emerged as a form of entertainment rbr the

of an.a; a form oI relaxari"n a.rJ
f-.oUaUfy aaify
entedainment. However, these afls have lost their enrenai"-"nt
,uto., ii'_y, *a mu.
evolved to become more of a ritual in tradifioml f""lu" o""u.io.r*
io, .**pt",
traditional Malay and Ltdian dance: or music ate most
u, *.Ja;ne*, N"l'
"f,"n,""n
or Racial Harmony day celebrations, bur no longer car
be seen in the i?rm of aaity
entertaioment. They are so rarely seen now that we can assume they
have lost theit
eltertainment value but have become a dtual for festive occasions.

V..

In my coulrtry, the traditional arts are losing their stnnd and have nearly
completely lost their inJluence on the people. There are few takers
and audiences who
sfill appreciate and lose these forms of art. They are being rapidly displaced by
the
modem forms of a.t such as .pop' and .rock' muiic, ana .n"lp t op, iances.
Traditional
2rrts are no longer as popular as they once were when there
were fewer forms of other
entertainment.
Goh Xin Yang
0-5s3

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Genetic Patenting

Dl"

to the pioneering
,, ,
collaboration

rcsearch of rhe Human Genome projecr,

an intemational
of scientisl,s, as well as the contrib_utioo of priuu",
!"iornii, "o.po."rion.,
we now have rhe abilitv to isolafe

l
k:
1ri1

il;;b di;;i;#il,ffi: frili: "i:$ Sij[Ji"1 [T.5:"Ti"li]:,"":'":[Jj

which frompr cerrain
ll 1a*-tt,
io.

the_ genes
human diseases.
g"o"ti"
screening for key breast cancer senes is ut
"in_pr.,,"i.nti.r.
.o_rnon io eullf", iniitio.v.
a chance ro signilicanrly alter an'.l e\
"uay
en cure
the carl) forms .f .un."r. H"*":;;:::1"";
companies also attempt to cash in on-jnvaluubf.
oo""ri.,
of individual senes, and profir from firnher *".k
,h",
over : rnillion
genome relared patenrs have been f.iied
in rtr" U,fr.d
(USPTO), parking rhe beginning of a
trend of

."liirr ,.."*.t'r"r"ri *"

i.
;;;. C;;.;;;:
s;;;;p;;*iario?*.-alt oti".
g"r"d.;;;;;.-

Why patent? Accorcling to NHGRI.

provides a srrirregy fbr protecting
rnvenlio s rvilhour .errec). b\ ptdntil.tg rhe falenring
rrght to cxclu.lc other. frui makrng. using.
ztnd sclling any resrs baseLl on drk.
gcne"and/or particrrlar rnutations in tlte
gene. lhis rnonopoly encouraee. ;it:l-:l 1!:

;r;,i;l

d'p,ica ror
,l::111"ff,,1,1,;;::Ti",#,ni."l",jll:"";,'T:
standa.d justificarion for pateuts in comnrcrcial
seLtingi; bowevei ii i.*urrusrrut in ir"
conrroversy precisely because the subjccr_
ir rooks t"o p","ni i"ot"oa-g.n", ,r"
essenriatty a paff of Dafure. a basir: hurJding
bloL:k
lit . +;-,;;, ;l;;efic

',j';J";:,;':

one ore11rlnr own alr ur pan of -another "f

1-o1lo
,let
prtrcurrr

parenting

or;;.i',,';;;;; ;:;,rershrp of a
gene. whieh wc att share in our borries.
to, hun,"nity
and sclf owncrship
per,nn;tl).
"h;*, , ;.;;i;t.;j
o[ one's body.

palcnl lrcarment{ thJt tdrg,.r

sfrr,.rli\.t.t|e

r r."i ,i i.; *."pi"ir.',i .T,r"puni..

bL n,,l tlre Acn.\ ti,.,,,..1r"* '

*is,

to

'Ihe thrusl of the economic

algLltrrnt behind gcncrrc
latenling is that without
patents, lhe lucrativc incenrive ro invcsr
r\ould.f,rninii. *t,i.ir-ir',hi, a.,lr".,n"a,"o1
research. However, baruring parenring,acrualty
prorecrs rii" p;ii.-;,r;;:;;r;r rn
'uu"_o,r'
Senome
research, which could becomc *^.t.i
ir puu.,i" ..rrrpn^.J .rrifl.
,,, ,.a""..n

i::":;l::l :j::

'

o:::, N;"
r;;:;r; , ";,",,"i'l'"#0"",_, 0".n,,,,
,ur BsIlcrrc frrentrng Jjr
lll,^,1:lo
,:
"""
bd.ic:rll)
rh.rr
e.
.elt. letest b.irrc th" ,rr, .
orrnmrr
JrLrItng
"pl,,"n,,ng
tsood h) re.rricrinp ac,.c\s lu rhe ohi.,.r br:irrg p.rrrnrr.,t wf,if.
,, i" i,r. ,fl],
allow t\uhtic rccci\ rn rhc research :rn,r d";:r;r,;:;;;"h,';,i,;.;1,:;i'll.ll;-"n",,do"genetic-testing, which we must note
is speedlly becomjng the spotlight of research

,,

as the
\.irrrtifrc currlrrunl\ pcer\ rrnre rnr.nrly rluuryh
,t,"
,nir.oil.r,".
,.,,,ur",
,,,,,
pos\rbihr) or
g"rri'g rn o, rhe rcserr.h r.
ll;;:;;;J;:
"rhcr*
r.i.,rrr.
:". ,.
and Ai.ls rhe ven nurror ot dL,iror\ hrvirt
'n
"
rtr,,, tr,rr,,t* i,,,r
"".",
n,,,.1r'lii;',',l.;
profiteers seems abhorent. Iostead of
I,n,,,"
", ,n.l"ty
protc"t,,rg ttr",l: ."r.,o..tr',inu'"airrr"n,.
perhaps should reconsider rhe social
duty of p.i",,r"
*friJf,".flor,o ,.y ,o
facilirare screnritrc :Lid ir eny wrv rhcv can.
""r..p11."",'
For ex:rmpl".
ft;
H.;";
;;;,;,re ero.j..r i.
a uniqu,.cramplc ot d cornFirnv urr,t ,,rrkc,

all rr.,r..;rrch ,."i1 ,,,d nrL,f".il

t hc prerailing hclrct, rs rhai rlr,, ,s ,,, srer -,,.r,
, ,.", i,"p,',,,,,i*',r,,i oliill ^",,f",,1.
to mankind, rhar rtrere should be no reti"rirrrerc.r'<rr
", ", "n,
i,"fJi;-",i,.,'g.i,-)j.,"."u..h.
Nonetheless, the primary problem of aru
prrcnlljrL l. t,no rn .t"u.top" ci,eap, avartable

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trcalments and screenings for diseases, which are so

dangerous ro so rnan! 0.,)t .. ,.r . .,ic
of dre pctcnt? Ofrcnlirnes. tlre lime limit on r.lre prtenrs Lsr r; i;
that in the inrerim, nothing ca'be ttonero
with heatdr problems or diseases which can be traced Uu"t to-g""iri"-ii*,.a"r.
o,
malfimctions. With calcer on the rise, we can ill afto.d the isolat.a
of g"rr"ti"
testing, which if it does not fmd an evenrual cure, could
""*.to.ilrltv
l;;.; ;_;;;;
;uy to**d,
providing a temporary 'crutch,.
"r

rhe;il

l; ;";'

;;;il;;;;."iil'"." ,"i";ri!;ii

. understandably' bioethics are a difficurt balance between the vested intercsts of

p.ivate companies, who are answerable to their stockholders
-J -o,i'uJt"a lu,t";.
wealth, and l}e benefit ot rhe public. who srand to gJin
:iny Llegree ;i i.;;;;;.;;
i;
their standard of life arrd are interested in their heatth. gven ii
we ieet that niedicine,s sole
prrprrse is lo servc iociery. ue carutot ignore lhc l(glimrle
inr.rerr, ofc.,,npa,,,".; tl,u, ,r
rs drllrcult to say whrch side has any abrolutc priorily.
and wc can only hope to matntJin
inc Irnc oarrnce wtthoul comprum;<ing bioethics. lcrhrps thcn il
is under.t:Ildablc \ hy

this controversy rages on.

It is the patent of genes which allow

them to prcvent otler

treatmctts that could rival their reel monopobr_

from caping tq

with

Sonya l,iilay
04,451

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TragedJ and Our Response

Wifh regard to the controversy as to whether

or not we sfill have discrimination in
our wortd, I would say rhe
srearesr e;iderce f".,hi";;l;;;;onr1ni"J,.uo;u*uuo"
o,
womcn or in lingering racism. but in the
pt
of *V.]rr""r", ,r"rp"nr.

U1
JJ

"no_""on

For mosr people, the Holocaust ur eashed

by rhe Nazis is probably the ultimate
symbol of man's sruesome cn,errv rowtu.cts
hi"
y"_, on, ,r,"
hideous evenr still srips our emotion",
u ."r.."r.,i" ,"'uri
rarely made
without a somewhar morbidlv fascinated"na
indutg",r." in ,lr" .iilln! i"*,i,
N"r, ,"^""
methods. rhe sheer numbers who dier
and
", u,,on
to say this irl a peioaative maru1e.. or

f;il;-_;';;":,ii1ij
i.ij"i#r,
s;;".;;il;;;il;:;l[]io"

*"
li:li:".
tragedy F.;r;;,".',llliT';,1'i'ii1'"1,:illxx:;'i;"Tf?:'i,,?1,.'i"iill,T?;
looking beyond the numbels ro try and
feel fo., .lr"n
for, tlr" tragedy on a
very ildividual, human level. Whar
"ay
I
nkl
*,it
i.
,fr",'
,iri."..Jpinr" o ,o."fy
extended ro orher rrasedies. Is ir beceuse
""*
,h" H;i;."":;',;;;
;r,
iiili"nr rn^ur,
in thc whoie of human history?
".,
lf its ghasrriness is in the sr:gering numbers of those
k lecr, rher the twenty
million kitled in Sralids sulaqs shoul,l.o_ri"nd
the faci thar huma s can cooltv anij r:atcula,"dty "u"n,nor" n._*.,i)r, *iasur,"r. i, i"
pi";,;;;;";"iu, ,ri"".X',,"..**ion or
anolher group of humor,.. .u*,inn death
camps ,, if'rfr"v *"r" *"iirlri^'i,nor.,o,
,r""

::.,;;:'',,.ii1ll,:j;l1lllii,i:-[..y"
rTi

:J".fi :$i:;;l ifi *l{

,l; ;1.;;;.; i;;;,lr

po,i"ii,

in;;;1,,';;ilil"#'lere,ircra,iy

;:J'''',TH."l*i;:'l l''litiTT:ffi
i1i
aborigiies

was legal becausc thev rverc legillv

ago that il was populir bctief in the
wesrern world rhar whires ,,verc.u,r",.1:'-tno.lnn*
(.r'cry scicnrihcariy
rl,Freru'c,t.,,k^r .tirrrrcJ p,.,,1,t.. rnulr L,c..to,r,",n.irnr",,i
,_. i"liu,,liio,, ,n...,,r.
thar thc whir(\ As.1 resulr ol rhis
widespread *.;.;;;;;;,';;
ouloo,,n, ,"*
Zealand, AIlica, the Americas anrl almost
cvcrywhere elsc whe.. coloniul-.iler.
i.po.",t
thcil' rule, deliberatc policies rvere rnclertaken
at sollle point or othcr to externtrute the
"suh-hun)an" c, rlnnr\ed

'p".,.1

ii';:l't

"":;-;;;:,;,lilj"l;:i.,,i:::'il*Til.;rrJjil:;,.T,;3.""',:",1

I
1

Deooles

l, lh. tsl'J5rlrnc:\,,t rhc lloln,rr,sr

ii rrr rjr. u.rr rlre N.rt rs rrscJ llrc t,.ct ul llreu \ r.rinr\ is
ighls and thcir far ro make crqfllg5..1hcn
"obo,rr,r"
th.
.f.h;;i;;
.OUl ,o
Inrke pu'rhc rlrc,rr'prey nt
"."rr) rriumphJnr
Arnerrc,rr Irrdiarr scrrlx
c'ionizcrs rrrd trre
rrau,rr,,r or r trirr.sc le;rds on,nrker h)
,t,",,
r.,!eiiur.,:h,'uJ,r*,.crrchou,.s,r.cqunri1
,r n,, ,,,",..ii ;l;';:,:.;;,,';;;1,11,,,.,,,o,,un,,
rn powerlully he(JU\c tl h l,,De0ecl
rrr ly vcry rrLcml! r"irllrlr lirrrlg nrcllror)
lbr \urre,
rhen lh( frrrL,.t,,,,,"..,^,- ,
^d,,rl'r, wwt an,t. mur(. recellrt). rll. rrras.r. rrs
i" R*..J ,; ; ,.::.]:: i.
" ' ' ruoan' just to scralc aI the tip of Ihe iceberg' should
t
tng*i,'*
paperwe

r,,i";:i.;M";;;"il;i;::l:'l;;,*,-"

"r, "qr"t

il;

The
,1.::,' tsurunni itrouscd powerful synrparhy and
solrow across
thc globe, ::::11,5':'l werirh or aid
.,,,",i.,
destroclion onr
iu.o,,,f."il;,;;;:i,.;,::il:.:;iil;1l';:1xil.ff]:i_i_y,ili..:x:

.j:]ll];j::i.l
"ru,o"i

r...

,,"i'i;i;ffi1 ffi:l'r;ri:.:;':
t02

our response to this one and our response to the chilling fact that every five minutes, a
child dies of starvation in the developing world are vastly different. The sorrow and help
stimulated by the horrific genocide and consequence refugee cdsis in the Sudan, or the
camage of the Hutu-Tutsi massacres, come nowhere close to the emotions unleashed by
the tsunami. Of course, there are heartening increases io the number of humanitarian
groups responding to the tragedies of starvation, disease irnd genocide, but when I talk
about the lack of rcsponse, I rnean the general public. It is immediately clear to anyone
who botheN to look that the dispariry in responses to the tsunami disasfer and, say, the
genocide in the Sudan, lies in the extent of mass participation. In the aftermath of the
tsunami, alnost everyone I knew had responded to the tragedy in some way, no matter
how small, such as by donating to the Red Cross, volunteering services to help pack
supplies to fly to the affected are:r, organising their own small fund-raising activity,
atfending a memorial seryice, or simply just participating in the observaDce of a few
minutes of silence before moming assembly in school. By contrast, I doubt if any more
than a minute minority of those unaffiliated to aoy humadtarian organisation have even
sedously contemplated the tragedy of the Sudan-

In all the above examplcs, the disparity of response to the different tragedics can
be expl:rined, I think, by the disparity in publicity, either bccause of what kind of history
we have ir rerited aod how it has been told (for example, rnany survivors of the Holocaust
have commulicate.d thcir experience to posterity through a range of mediums such as
books, whereas the Native Americans and Maoris remain largely margilalized fiom the
mainstream of historical literature), or by bias made inherent in media covemge by
differenl vested intcrests. For example, whilc the co flict in thc Slrdan or in Rwanda, is
fraught with political scnsitivities (even a natural disaster such as the 19821 lamine in
Ethiopia can be politicised the Wesrcm public wN initially reluctant to give aid because
the Ethiopian regime was Marxist), the tragedy o[ the lsunami is la.gely devoid of sinilar
sensitivities to inhibit extensive media covctagc.

'Ihus, tragcdy, I arn increasirgly convinccd is in the prblicity. Thar, and in thc
novelty. To put it crxdcly. we arl: more horrified and outraged whcn innocents are killed
in teraorist bomlrings of a train ir Madrid than we are when innocelts at an [raqi wedding
celebration are massacred by firing lionr an American helicopter, because, besides the
disparity in publicity given to the two eveflts, we are somehow accustomed to peoplc
being killcd in thal seemingly god-forsaken land of Saddam Husseifl than we are to
Europcans being killed on dreir home soil. Similarly, having Africans die ar grcar rates
from starvation and disease seetns to bc a desperately rclentless nom1, whc.eas having
rnorc llrrn 20U.000 A.ians nrlcd nut by r rrunami r.. nr.
Many would protest that tragedy is so dcpressingly commonplace in Ihc human condition
that iI is impossible to respond to thenl all to the samc cxtcnt. Suff'eri[g in thc forrn of
starvation. disease, wars and massacres seem to be morc thc nol]n than the e\ception in
history, and rcrnains so in rnuch of thc world. Of course, this is perfectLy valid, but I am
not sure it should sit well wilh our conscicnce fo jusl lie back and reserve our sympathetic
facuhies for thc odd issue or event that cornes alolg and shoves itslrlf sufficiently info our
apadretic faces for us to sit up and take note- I think this is especially so bccause in nuny
trxgedies, blamc is intrinsically involved. In a disastcr such as the Dccembcr 2o rsunrnri,

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-)

t:

+:

:f:::i#:, #lil'ffi iil"':i[$il'".j

rar or'
hcre was no hu m"" Perper
::, I"TJ"
is !r'hen neg"ts\
anotheis man s crime Thrs
our judgemenr, When rhc
i;n;;";"
danger9ui.:ltil
become.
other}
::;;;;e agair.r civili"arion' . while few
emphasis ol
o":":t
rs
civilian\
murOer ot lO0O American
11,
ftut" t".n t ittta
rht
"iJlri^n.
rcdrse
worrdr
re
pan
of
,nn
this
,xr leasr in
we
in the American inrasion
f-rne vicrimsof the
rIru\65rd r
lolnem
clo{esl
lIagedies
lo
neoDle re'pond
^'::-;;i ieeline,, of harred in

s,
8",

.;
il.;
; i;'il;:?"'.i
*:'lTl0l.l'::i:'J'lT.'iii"'"tr*,

*"- ";il:a{"I";:"".i."io."o't

y::::.l,",TXllllli:;
B:"J#J;,J";J',
worlo rs outrdts' " *'fr:Tl:.::}i1,"''"liii"1i'".***,,
Weslem
"'-,-: ,^ _::", _ rh.r rnav be precisely lhc
the
worldt
fte A6b
is no cxcuse ro

rhcr a\vmmemcal .stmPartt

: ::Tli ,]tfl il,X|,!lit,n*, ,"' "n..

o'"''"*
#;;
."'oJil',;
ff
iii';J,:ffi
lj:l::l'il'"'
*.ti;l;l
cllecherrs
l"l
*' tiilr rhe nu*ian' demoni\elhd
*n-t

f*ffi III
for i.,val

n, orest

",

zrnd

demrnds

'n^i'i''ii
tlllo'* 'i'" .r,r*", "t 't'ita'"n 'n,B'"dllt*:,*l**f:';i:lJ'l'Ji,'ti:;'J:tl

li:' :;l il[:"-I'.]

;: :i*i:l;i:"liil' lil;;l;-r"::f:i l*:Ti."fi

'".,1II:',:ll

srandarcls, we afe ir.danger "t ]]:"ti:5"i1ili;i

*n.i' rr"^arespondedto
personau\, rhe rno*r chilling rlcmonstratton ti I l'l :1,:'i'.-";;
"'*""
Abu chraib.
,^ "
mrrrrirr'""",:11::::l
^r,,,*\
Americarr
rhc
"'
o\cr
brnke
tl,c..an,rrr rhrr
i"","'li,'i,1i1,,,i|',
',"'l' "
wirh "But zren't the Arabs *"ttt O"lf'r'",ni""1,i i,r", i",.,'.t "befle_r" and "worse"
moden educatioD to analYse- issues " n''"r-f.i,rJ*"0i". a tn" general public' and the
ce A' rnns e', $e pc*i''| in

:i,",i,::l::oxli[ 1,]"1,il*^lj
L.,n! .o'''pr"., ,,t ,r'"u'

iilii;;;:i:;'' ;;;;''

"'u'n'n"'n'llt''i;ll:'li

'|

:ll"::l ::;:l; :1.i"::l;.:l:1lL:"]i

:: lli.il,'.lllfl:T;iJIIJl::i:1.,.'i:;;l':.:1*";;" ';;'";.'urrns
evrl'

asc.ord so''J

Llir ide, rrLrd that is dengeruus

'fhis is an age in which we-$-o:5.,'s.i-::;':f,:H:iiil:**'::lti::

|ro)'r.s r\e.rlur ir i ar'o'rnrscjl::iJ.;:i;;:
\r:rr( rr rw\\ii ;;il.,.n,,,0",.'..'ni.n'.r,dberwr(n
rrrth.r: thn e bcllveen relrg'on ano
.-.,' i..li,
rn,.nl ol our lim'les\
inJirrnrcnl''
po*erlul
"i;;,,;. t;
I bclrcvc rlrPrc ts rro tnotc --''
n"
out t"tponse Lo tr^gedy
"u.lt "'"'
ou"opu"ity tot Ji''ttintin"ilun' inun
plcbeian myopia and

Sometinles,(loeslhisresponsehayetodowitllpo||u'fuealthas'nt.ut}tasrace?Man'tt
ateds LxcePtionul ntlt'urd)).

,'i )itiil"i'"'"^ t" in povcrDt'strit:kcn

Chue Shiin
04A51

104

-.,,'

,/

I
I

OTHER Qu@TEs:
Education
The classroom not the trench _ is the frontier of freedom
now and forevermore.
-Lyndon B. Johnson
The responsibility for producing an educated citizenry
is too important to be
to educators. Educatjon i\ everybod] s business.
-Thomas J. Brown

leit entirely

The most violent element in society is iglorance.

Emma Goldman
Education is lile a double edged sword. It may be turned
to dangerous uses if it is not
properly handled.
-Wu TiDg-Farg
Those who_have been requirccr to memorizc rhe worrd
as it is
as ir might be.

w l lever create fhe world

-Judith Groch
Mass Media

"The owncrs ilnd nlanagcrs of the prcss detemrine

which person, which facts, which
ver\rL,not lhc t .rr. rnd $ hiclr rdca.5hrll rc:l(h the
I,ublic..
-Report by the Commission olr Freedom of the press

In this century' the mess media have come to rival parents,

school, and relieion as fhe
mo5l inlluc ttal rn.titulio rn clt,ldrcns Ii\ei
-Mcdia and Values Magazine
OIL gaeat altar of passive entertaimnenl_._ Besto$, upon ntc
thy discordanr lmages at such

sfee,lrr ro rc der lineal lhoutht impos\iblcl

Calvin Arlrcl ol lhc Derrnged \4utanl Killer Mo .l.r Sno$ Coon(
Censorship reflects a society,s lack of confidence
authoitarian regime...

l)4r,_.1

ir itself. 11 is the landmark ol an

-Justic{r Potter Stewaft

There's so n uch conredy on television. Does thtt cause comcdv in lhe strcers,
-Dick Cavett
Govcnnnent and politics
You camot simultaneously prcvent and prcpare fbr war.
Aibert Einstein

II
I
I
I

I
II

I
I
I
I
I
I

I
I

-/u:

We malc rvat lhal we may live in pcace

Adstotle

:ffl1

\T)

c.,

wrong' no
You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality Wrong is
matter who does it ol says it.

Malcolm X

A society that puts eqr.rality...ahead of freedom will lrnd up with neither equality nor
freedomMilton Friedman

Safety' deserye
Those who would give up essential Liberty' to purchase a little lemporary
neither Liberty nor Saf'ety.
Benjanlin Franklin

Law. Cflme and Punishment. deviarce

to
I hear rnuch of people's callilg out to punish the guilty' but very few are concome'l
clear the ifirocent.
-Daniel Defoe

of the laiter' so
Jails and prisons are the complement of schools; so many less as you have
many more must you have of the tbrmel
Horace Mann

will ncver disappea'

So long as people, being ill govemed, suffer lronl hunger. clirninals
to
It is cn'renrcly u[kind to punisll those who' bcing suflcrs from hungcr' arc conPelled
violate laws.
-Kenkti Hoshi
first give
Whatever you think about thc cleath penalty, a system thet will tale life must
justice.
Jotm L Cuflin, lr., President of the Amedcan Bar Association' to a congressional
commirtee in 1991.
ls the statc so sir ess that it has the moral authority to kill?
Bryan Stcvenso . Director of Equal Justice lnitiative of Alabama. Olof Palme Prize
Winner 2000
Sciencc and'fecluoloqv

The fault lies nol with our technologies but with our systems'
Roger Levian

Relilquishirg lcchnoiogical advancement woutd

compa ics. and nations.

be er:onomic suicide

tbr individuals'

106

)
-,)

,z

-Ray Kuflweil, "The Law of Accelerating Retums.,,

2001

A man is truly_ethical only when he obeys the compulsion

to help all life which
lo assist. and stlrir*s from injuring anyLhing that
lives.
-Alberr Schweitzer

he

is

All attempts to gain infomation arc modulated parrly by

rhe degree rhar rhar information
may Iend
-

lo desubilize one's current worldview

Larry Hinds

the wortd reducing rhose vast oceans ro mere ponds

and
,*:lT_"]::13:,y-:turized
,,:.,-:i1._"ia,smaural sp,nning

*""i::::

contlnues ::
to telescope time and space...,,
-Vr'illiam S . Cohen [Secretary of befense]

o, 6"

n;",;;

"";i;;-:;ffil;

societv
IJ[imacy is what makes .1maffiage, not
Kithleen Norris

a ceremony, not a piece

ofpaper tiom the state.

.j

Unifomity, therefore, is an essential built-in element of

utopian existence,
less imporlalt lhrl fiis unilormity remaln permancnr.

and

if is no

Thomas Molnar

Weltare's purpose should bc to elimiinate, as far as

possible, the need for its own
existence.
-Ronaid Reagan

Collective t'ear stiorulates herd insfinct, and rends

to produce terocjty toward those who
tue not r( tsarJed a\ ntembers ot the llerd.
-Beftrand Russell
Traditions are thc guideposts driven deep 1(l our
subconsclous mlnds_ The most powerful
ones are thosc we can,t even describe, aren,t
even aware of.
-Ellen Goodnran
Human Values

If we were to waLe

up sonrc nroming and find that everyone was

_" creed itnd
' ' same
- tlle
"_ '' race,
color. wc would find some other cause for prciudice
b) noon
-George Aiken
Ne_ver do

:urything against consciencc even if the state demands

it.
-AIbeft Einstein
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, bul not their
owlr facts

-Daniel Pat ick Moynihan

Plalo isdetu to me. bul deorer still
is rrulh.
-AIlstorle
There is no sickness worse
for me than \

'ords that lo

-Aeschylus

h\
be kind musl lie.

Envircmnent. ecoloev and

natural resources
D^onl blow it - good planet.
are hard ro lrnJ-Quoted in Time

I thirlk the environment should

be rrur l
t1'"sov ol otrr nalional securllv. Delense
orlr reso rces i5
of
iust rs imporlanl o; o"il'h"
-Roben Rcdrordl

";;;;;ffi;;;;;,;fi;Xr,Jff:; i,#1"'..

"We dill nor weave rhe ueb

oI
*! are me'ely a strand
'' life:
" we
web, wedobou$elv"",i
-Chicf Searte

'The Amerrcan peoplc hivc

fear.,,

ir it

whar

here ro dercndl

whatever we do to the

rirht
- to;r_ir that they and thejr childre[

.r

is

can breathe without

Johnson, Lyndon Baines

'As soils xre.lcpleted. hunrin

health. v; l'rlil) and inrrllli'llc(
bronrlrrll, I ouis
8o wilh

rhern.

World Economic Issues

Po\

-./'

cn). ts the prrenl ol j c\ olution

lnd

' Population. u
hen unchecl,ed.

-valrIu..rhomas

Ro;:;r'

1
cr lme_

ilcrea\c
"' r\6dqrn Jireumerrcirllrlioi

'Produ.lion is rhe only

an.wer ro inflaLrorr..
UncsteJ tsowles Lluotes

"The

lrinle of ta,(ation is not rn rhe takir

ilr the !tdv lhat itssJ\enr
vrrl Kogcrs quor.\ rA-.ri.nn"n,"r,ui]|.ltlrl's

l d / y-

9ji/

"Inecluality. rather thafl

want,
-anctent Chincse saying

'

ler' tanous for his pithy and homesput

humour,

is

te cause oftrouble.,,

Art. Literature and music

Scielce and art belong to the whole world, and before them va[ish the barriers of
nationality.
-Goethe

Art does not solve problems but makes us aware of their existence. It opens our

eyes

to

see and our brain lo imagine.

-Magdalena Abakanowicz:
Where they have bumed books, they will end in buming human beings.
-Heinrich Heine, "Alnansor (1821)"

After silence, that which comes nearcst to expressing the inexpressible is music.
- Aldous Huxley
Paradoxically though it may seem, it is none the less true that life imitates art far more
than art imitates life.
- Oscar Wildc

-)
VocaBULARY Llsr:

*
$ri1

Haut monde z
Fashionable or high society

Stratitication z
Social stratification is a sociological term for the hierarcl cal arrangement ofsocial
classes, castes, and strata within a society.
Reverse discrimination rt
Describes discriminatory policies or acts that benefit a historically socio-politically
nondominant group (typically minorities), rather than fhe historically socio-politically
dominant group.

Affirmativc action

,r
a policy designed to redress pasL discrirninetion a!:aurst women xDd tnrnority groups
through measures to imptove their economic and educatioral opportunities; ,'affirmative
action has beer extremely cortroversial at1d was challenged in ]978 in the Bakke

decision"

Echelon
'r.
A level of responsibility o. authority in a hierarchy.

Marrirge blanc n.
A narriage without sexual aelations.
Pecking order n.
A hierarchy arnong

a group, as

ofpeople, classes, or natiods

Conventionalize t
1: nake conventional or adapt to cotventions; "convcntionalizcd behavior"
2: represeni according to a conventional style; "a stylized female head',
Statism n.

It is thc practice or doctrinc ofgiving

ccntrelized govertunent contaol over ecouornic

planning and policy.

Xenophobia a
Denotcs fear of strangers
Class war a
Class conflict is the friction that accompanies social relationships beiwccn mcrnbers or
groups ofdiffercnt social classes and thc underlying tensions or antagonisms which exisl

in society.

Proclivity rt

lt)

.::

li:
...:

||:

:.

.frl

naLural propensity or

inclination; predisposition_

:.:
::,i

-l
,g
:i

Unalienable right ,l
Inalienable righrs are fundamenlal rir'
oI speech. duc process, and coual

,".ir,.,

,11

hduo.tg tlt". righl lo ptaclice religion.

"r;,lt]l

"",'."#"i".".:ili;;lilJ;:.:j"T...::'.1;,;i;j"."-",

ir'

Probity z

:i

Integrity, honesty.

Inequity tt

be

freedorn

ian.rerred

Injustice; unfair:ness.

Fallacy
'l
A talse notion.
a sraremenr or an argulnent based
on
quality of being deceprivc.
Non sequitur
4tl ltgumcrrt is'l erllrd a,r/.n

r'.r'"ira

false or invarid inference or fhe

(?xirl ii 1he.,n,.t,,.i.,..r^-.. -.., .

,,

',".*.".i,r:;;;,;;;";;::":;;i,::.'ii':;X'1i"fi:::T:':,X,ll,,T,lT.fil,:;i,
concr".i." a.". ,"i

the argument is a lallacy bccause the

r"il"*J.,r_ ioi 0...'r'r"*.

Macrocosnr tr.
'rhe whole of
any sphere or depanmcnl of narure
or k.,olvlccrgc to which man is rcraf..r
ImpecuDiousness 4dJ.
Lacking nloney

IDflati()lu

ro

II
II
I
I

T
:

General infiation is a fall in the rnarket

value or purchasing power of rnonev
within ,n
ecodomy, as cortpared to cuarency
devalualion which is the fall of the market value
of a
c[rffency betwecd cconomies

Unaligned Nations n.
Nations not allied with any other nation
or bloc: neutral

Economic libcralism
'l
Commonly knowl as ldiss(.2

.i

liirc .Tll(

*ri;,,t,".,,.u;ffilffi

[-":fi:il

;:ifii:1l']:ili.1*:.".JjJili,-",
"*
protlu\i
rh^ b..r re\utr: (er..ii pjr;ol,
i"
", ",r", ,,"'.:i..;,:,1il';;,;iJ;,1'*,.,,*r_a.
ofpublc intunnirriun andJU\frcr. Thcconceptol
econo ic libcralism undcrpimed the

move lowards a free tnarkel ecoDortlic

systenl, ar)d thc sllbscquent
mercantilist systerr).

d",rli;t;i;"

Population control tr.

Population control is the practice of curtailing population increase' usually by reducing
the birth mte. The practice has sometimes been voluntaly, as a response to povery' or out
of religious ideology, but in some times and places it has been govemment mandated'
This is generally done to try to prevent a believed threat of Malthusian catasffophe, or
overpopulation in general.

\,::/

Larceny n.
Crime involving stealing. Untler common law, larceny is the 1) trespassory 2) tadd g and
aspofiation 3) of the (tangible) personal property 4) of another 5) with the intent to
deprive him or her of ir 6) permanently.
Judicial mu.derur.
Euthanasia ordered by couft.

Purgatory rr.
A flacc or (.rnJilion ol sulfering. e\pialion. or rcmot \e

Victimize v.
Made a victim of or punished uniustly

Castigation v.
To inflict severe punishment or to crilicize severely.

Mulct t.

])
')

To peralize by flning or demanding fb.feiture, lo acquire by trickery or dcception or to

defraud or swindle.

f,ynch r.

To execule without a fair tdal, esPecially to hang, as by a mob. Victims of lynchi

g have

generally bccn members of groups marginalized by socieLy.

Nomin:rl punishment n.
Punishmenl existing or being something in lrame or fomr but usually not in reality The
same nomdal punishment is not, for difterent individuals, the same redl punishment Let
thc punishmerlt in question be a fine: the sum that would not be felt by a rich man would
be ruin to a poor one.

Falsilication ,,.

Falsificatioo is the act of producilg sornething that lacks authenticity and passing it off to
other people as authentic.

Library science z-

Library and infonnation scicnce (LIS) is the sludy of issues rclatecl to lib|aries This
includes academic studies (mosl often surveys) about how library rcsources arc usecl and
how people interact with library systems.

112

#
/

Tririum z.
The trivium comprised the tlrce subjects taught first in medieval universities, before the
quadrivium. In medieval educational theory, the trivium consisted of granrmar, rhetoric,
and logic. These were considered preparatory fields for the quadrivium, which was made
up of arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. In nrm, tlle quadrivium was
considered prepa.atory work for the serious study ofphilosophy and theology. This
schema is sometimes referred to as classical education, but it is moa" u""*ut"ly o
development of the l2th and l3th centuries mther than a direct descendant of the
educalional systems of antiquity.

REFE

RENCf FREIII:

ft Alq!r&l4uta{a$-_eduJltesearall!lltigadbqa11haqfpftp.b0 l.=p6,-ht!d
http ://dictionarv refe(ence.con/

httplTllr wikipedia ore