~Blog of Personal Response to Current Affairs~

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Sunday, August 26, 2007

Think out of the box? Know the box first
(Category: Educational Issues)

Source: Newslink

This article is a personal narrative by a photojournalist, Ian, as he talks about his childhood experience about choosing between the arts and sciences for his school subjects and occupation. He had a keen interest towards art when he was young, but his mother would rather he becomes a doctor when he grows up. This is actually a typical scenario in Singapore, as most parents prefer high-paying jobs such as doctors and lawyers.

In my opinion, choosing school subjects and an occupation should be based on one’s own interest instead of the amount of pay. Many parents feel that “professionals” such as doctors and lawyers will earn a much higher pay than “lowly jobs” such as an artist painting portraits for others. However, I feel that as long as one is willing to put in effort in his job, he will also get a higher pay. For example, a famous artist who can paint “life-like” portraits would earn more than a normal doctor working at a clinic. Hence, as long as one have an interest in a job and is willing to work hard in it, he should definitely aim for it.

Students should also have the same mentality when choosing subjects. Some students choose certain subjects because they are easier to score in, or they are “more important”. However, after half a year of studying these “certain subjects”, they will soon get bored and lose interest in studying for them. Students should choose subjects based on interest – as long as they study hard, they can still score high and get a job that suits their interest.

Parents should also give their children free will to choose their field of study. Many typical Singaporean parents have the mindset that science is an important subject and a strong foundation for most jobs, while the arts cannot get you anywhere far in Singapore. However, this frame of thinking is wrong – the arts are important, as they allow people to have a greater breadth of thinking. They are also “professional” jobs which hire people based on the arts, as “professions” can be trained, while creativity cannot be taught. Even if an artist cannot find a job locally, there are many openings for artistic people overseas.

Like what the title says, “Think out of the box? Know the box first.” You must first know what you want, in order to work hard for it, and then excel in this field of work.

Signing off, [Ķσάιά ßέάŕ].

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Saturday, August 25, 2007

Bangladesh arrests university teachers after riots
(Category: Politics issues)

URL: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/207277.asp

In Bangladesh, 5 university teachers were arrested for being involved in a protest which erupted into a fight with the police. This was not the only arrest made in Bangladesh recently. Since Bangladesh imposed an emergency curfew after months of riots over claims of vote-rigging, there has been chaos and unrest in the country, and many citizens have been arrested for being active in demonstrations. In my opinion, the curfew was unnecessary, and the government should instead tackle the problem directly.

The “problem” currently at hand is the allegations of vote-riggings. As there are claims of corrupted politicians who have been rigging the voting system, the government should seek to find them instead of trying to control the angered population. The solution is rather simple: the government should “weed out” the corrupted politicians, and organize another election for the citizens. I feel that this is a much better answer for the citizens than trying to control them by force. The protests were not completely unjustified: as a democratic country, the citizens should have the last say in the selection of their leaders.

However, the government may be using the curfew as a temporary measure to keep the population under control while they are sorting everything out. It is understandable that finding out the corrupted politicians is easier said than done – if they have the power to rig the voting system, they should also be able to clear any traces of themselves. Hence, it is not right for the protesters to blame the government for the curfew. The government has also been trying to give in by easing the curfew for several hours on some days.

I feel that the curfew is not helping the current situation much, and has instead created more demonstrations over the freedom of the population. However, there do not seem to be anything else that the government can do. Their only option currently is to sort everything out as soon as possible and hope for the best. They can also keep the public aware of what they are doing through the media and let them know that the government has been trying their best. The citizens, too, should learn to be apathetic and not create more trouble. It is their own country after all, and they should cooperate for it to progress.

Hence, I think that it is necessary for both the government and the citizens to cooperate in order for the country to progress. The government should speed up and get everything in control as quickly as possible, while the citizens should try to understand and stop protesting just to get their point across, and soon, the chaos would subside.

Signing off, [Ķσάιά ßέάŕ].

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Friday, May 18, 2007

Malaysia happy to connect to S’pore via MRT: Syed Hamid
(Category: Societal issues)

URL: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/277063/1/.html

After a meeting between the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia, Malaysia has shown interest in linking both countries via MRT. Mr. Syed Hamid Albar, the Malaysian Foreign Minister, believes that now is the best time to do it, while both countries still have a close and harmonious relationship. In my opinion, an MRT connecting both countries is a very good idea indeed, as it can bring us closer (both distance and relationship) with our neighboring country.

I feel that this future MRT line, if built, can bring a lot of convenience to the citizens of both countries. Quoting the article, Mr. Syed had “expressed confidence that such cooperative efforts can yield a balance of benefits for both countries”, which I strongly agree. As we are practically next to each other, there are many Malaysian workers in Singapore, and vice versa. It would be much more convenient for these workers if there were direct transport to their workplace, instead of having to wake up early in the morning in order to bypass the traffic jam on the causeway. Also, there are many Singaporeans whose relatives live in Malaysia. Building a MRT station there allows them to meet up more frequently and spend more time together.

However, there are also people who think otherwise. Many people, like MP Wee Ka Siong (who was quoted in the article), feel that there bound to be problems during the process, and prefer not to invite trouble by building the MRT line. I can also foresee other problems, such as the lack of resources, power of control over the transport, etc. In addition, usually during peak hours, the train is already crowded as it is, and if Malaysians share the train with us, there would most definitely be a massive jam, which will cause inconvenience to the passengers.

In my opinion, there are bound to be risks behind every project. As the saying goes, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” – If we are afraid of trouble, then there would be no progress. Hence, we should tackle the problems and not avoid them. Also, I feel that the government of both countries should not take matters into their own hands, ignoring the opinions of the masses. In order for the citizens to have a say in the decision, I would suggest that the both countries create a voting system to allow their citizens to vote for or against the idea of the Singapore-Malaysia MRT line. Being democratic countries, this would be the best course of action to take.

No matter whether the MRT line would be built or not, I feel that this initiative by Malaysia is a good thing. If both Singapore and Malaysia are able to maintain such a harmonious relationship and help each other out, both countries will definitely flourish and will progress very quickly.

Signing off, [Ķσάιά ßέάŕ].

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

Schools cave in to sleepy teens
(Category: Issues regarding teenagers)

URL: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21668999-36398,00.html

Recently, two Victorian schools have delayed their starting times and were satisfied with the students’ response. These schools had introduced their new timetable after Russell Foster, an Oxford University sleep expert, felt that ”teenagers are biologically wired to stay up late and wake late”, while psychologists had also discovered that 40 percent of teenagers were deprived of sleep. After delaying the starting times, students were found to be more alert in school.

In my opinion, although this article was taken from an Australian newspaper (Herald Sun), I feel that the same case can be applied to us too. In Raffles Institution, many students usually find it difficult to juggle their studies and other commitments (CCA, e.g.) at the same time. With the exception of a rare few who are able to manage their time very well, a committed RI student usually reaches home in the late afternoon, leaving them little time to finish their piles of homework. These students will then either: retire early, leaving their homework undone; or rush their homework till late at night, and then sleep during lessons the next day. Hence, if RI adopts the “late timetable” system, it would certainly favour the students’ sleeping needs.

However, there are also many who are against the idea of the “late timetable” system. From the comments given by the readers, many people, especially adults, felt that the younger generation is becoming much lazier. If teenagers could not even stand the lack of sleep now, how would they survive in the workforce in the future? Instead of delaying the school timetable, many felt that the students should learn to manage their time properly by themselves.

I feel that sleep deprivation is an important matter that should be worked out among teachers, students, and their parents. Other than changing the school timetable, there are actually many alternative solutions, like: decreasing the amount of workload, helping the student set a timetable for his commitments, etc. Students should learn to take charge of their lives and manage their own time well, instead of relying on the school to make allowances for their lack of time management. Their school and parents can also help them decide upon the best course of action to take in order for them to have sufficient sleep while finishing their work on time.

“A healthy kid is a happy kid.” – No matter what course of action the student choose to take, he should always get enough sleep (> 8 hours) in order for him to lead a healthy and active life.

Signing off, [Ķσάιά ßέάŕ].

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Friday, March 2, 2007

Sex-Changing Chemicals Found in Potomac River
(Category: Environmental Issues)

URL: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070122-sex-change.html

After a recent study by the U.S. government, chemical pollutants were discovered to be the cause behind the sex-changing fish that were found in the Potomac River outside Washington, D.C. These toxic wastes had caused many male smallmouth bass to produce eggs, which is supposed to be a female reproductive function. However, the research also showed that there were no female fish that produced sperms, much to the bewilderment of the many researchers.

In the article, these chemicals were also found in the waters in other parts of the United States, and even Europe. Other animals which habitats are along these areas are also found to have reproductive problems. As Dana Kolpin, a USGS research hydrologist (who is not involved in this study) had said, “What happens to them (after the toxic entered the river) is the million-dollar question.” I feel that this statement is very true, as it would be a great scientific breakthrough if scientists can find out how these chemicals can change the sex of animals, or even humans.

However, this environmental pollution could be a bad thing too – if it causes feminization in males through indirect consumption of these pollutants from the fish. Since these chemicals caused reproductive problems or sex change in many animals, it might also act up in men who had eaten fish which consumed these toxics. I feel that, although it can mean a great discovery, we should still find means to end this pollution and isolate the fishes for the benefit of mankind.

In my opinion, a good solution is to collect a sample portion of this chemical, mass replicate it inside laboratories, and test it on animals there (since it does not cause any physical damage to animals; but only a mutation in their genes). After this, environmentalists should trace these chemicals back to its origin and persuade these factories to stop their pollution by releasing their toxic waste into the sewage, or even release it into pipes that link to the laboratories for experiments, then find means to clean up the mess in polluted areas, using chemical solutions.

Hence, it would be a win-win situation if researchers can find a way to stop the toxic waste to enter water bodies, but use it for experiments instead. This way, it would not bring harm to mankind, but will benefit some of us if these scientists can find a relatively painless way to change sex – for breeding animals, and also for those who want to change their sexuality.

Signing off, [Ķσάιά ßέάŕ].

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Thursday, March 1, 2007

Why kids need sex education? Girl, 9, pregnant
(Category: Educational Issues)

URL: http://news.asiaone.com.sg/st/st_20070301_95815.html

At a tender age of 9, a primary 3 girl was already pregnant, after she tried to “experiment with sex” when her parents were at work. This incident sparked debates whether sexual education should be implemented earlier in the educational system to educate younger students about sexual issues and raise their awareness on their sexuality. In my opinion, I support the idea to teach sexual education earlier in school, as it would prevent children from “experimenting” sex.

Quoting Ms Tan, head of the Students Service Hub, she said “Children need to be taught to take responsibility for their own actions, but this should be accompanied by providing them with the right information. I agree strongly with what she said, as we should not blame the children for “trying out” sex, if they were not taught about its consequences and why it was wrong. In the article, the “young couple” was reported to the police as a case of underage sex. I feel that it was not the girl’s fault for “experimenting with sex” out of curiosity, but her parents’ for allowing her to stay home alone at such a young age, and not teaching her about her sexuality.

However, her parents had felt that she was “too young to know at her age”. In our society, many parents also feel awkward at teaching “the birds and the bees” to their kids, and usually leave it to sexual educators and biology teachers to explain the process to their children when they are matured enough. But, through their peers in school and the World Wide Web, young students actually know much more about sex than what their parents thought they would know.

There is no such thing as being too young to know about sex. In fact, parents should take the initiative to educate their children about sex, instead of waiting for their teachers to do that, allowing the kids to find out about it themselves through pornography websites or by “experimenting” with it. According to statistics in the article, there were 1341 teen abortions in year 2004 and 1279 in year 2005. The article also stated that the youngest girl to give birth so far (before this incident) was only 12 years old. From these results, we can see that sexual education should also be taught earlier so the students can be mentally aware about their sex.

Therefore, from these reasons, I think that sexual education should be taught earlier in school so that such incidents would not happen again, and teen abortions will also decrease.

Signing off, [Ķσάιά ßέάŕ].

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

W00ts I just created another blog for my English Assignment. I don't think there would be any other posts other for my English work - I am too lazy for that, but we'll see. This is my first post, hence I shall put what I have to do for Eng:

Objective: The objective of the Online Reading Portfolio is to help you grow as a critical reader and thinker. The blog is to be maintained by you regularly, but your blog will be assessed during the deadlines.

Content: You are to look up articles online or in print about the current affairs, provide URL links to them or scan them clearly to post on your blog. You are to write a response to the articles you have chosen.

For each submission, you are to submit a response for an article in two of the following categories: Politics/societal issues, environmental issues, educational issues, issues regarding teenagers.

Feel free to post articles other than those required to enrich your reading, but you will not be penalised if you do not write a response for those.

Word Limit: The write-up is to be 350-500 words. The word limit should be stricly followed. Should you exceed the word limit, every 5 words outside of word limit will cost you 1 mark.

Deadlines: Term 1 Wk 9 Friday, Term 2 Wk 9 Friday, Term 3 Wk 9 Friday

Haizz a graded English blog in the 21st century. Who knows what's coming in the future? If you want to know, stay tuned to my RE thinkquest project: >> Fast Forward (Future Scenarios) to find out.

*random ranting*

Signing off, [Ķσάιά ßέάŕ].

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