cherishSaturday, March 24, 2007
I gasped in horror after witnessing her unfortunate fall. She was thin, weak and fragile as her tiny body frame provided little protection. A rough devilish use of force unsettled her balance and she fell helplessly to the ground. In a feeble attempt to cushion the impact, she landed on her knees and palms, and the resultant force crushed her bones. She winced in pain, biting her lips to divert her nerve senses but the agony was too intense and it didn't go off. Even though bodily pain would never be transmitted through the air, I was certain that the affliction was somehow passed on to me. Through staring at her unfortunate plight, I shared her misery and silent suffering and my heart wept for that poor girl.
She didn't deserve that ill fate. She was young and pretty and there is no doubt that she would have a bright future ahead, if not for this unlucky incident. She was also a obedient, loyal and submissive servant, attending well to her master's needs. She wouldn't shirk from her responsibilities or duties, and would always strive to complete her job with pride and efficiency. Why then does she deserve such a harsh treatment? Why can't she be treated with respect and care? Those were the questions which flashed through my mind as I struggled to comprehend the situation.
The unconcerned, uncaring and indifferent look on the bully was even more unforgivable. He radiated an aura of heartlessness, generated from the belief that she could be easily replaced. After all judging from his swanky attire, money is certainly not a issue for him. He would have no problems getting prettier ones, or better ones to displace her but this kind of attitude was totally unacceptable.
But what can I do? Confront him to start a fight or silently pray for her well-being? In the end, I just walked away like a ice man, appearing to be emotionless and indifferent. Deep down, I secretly hope that she would crumble under the impact and draw her last breadth after the accident.
After all, it would be satisfying if the bully pays a substantial sum of money to repair his spoilt mobile phone.
is equal society desirable/ possible?Tuesday, March 13, 2007
I was momentarily thrown back when I encountered this "powerful" question in a book, which I just finished recently. The book, Checkmate written by Malorie Blackman, was a thrilling twist of hatred, violence, inequality, discrimination, of hope and love, all captured in a fascinating plot that holds the attention of the reader in a vice-like grip. The most attractive feature of this book is that it sets the brain into thinking, as readers can't help but to compare this mind-gripping story with reality as we search for the answers to racial discrimination.
Set in the middle of the plot, a classroom debate about whether an equal society is desireable and/or possible was one of the many thought-provoking questions, raised by the author. Many would the make the fatal mistake of taking equality as being the same, which one of the characters prominently pointed out. An equal society does not equate to individuals having similar characteristics, religion, or values;having no differences. An equal society is about "equal opportunities, equal choices and equal treatment."
After some quiet reflection, I cannot help but notice the effect of differences on notions of equality. Because of the differences that exist within individuals, it inevitably drives a wedge between people, allowing rooms for comparisons. When cetain groups of people cannot tolerate diversity, such differences become the source of discrimination and inequality. It does not matter whether such differences are distinct or subtle, so long as there is asymmetry, there will always be injustice and unfairness. This brings us to the point of the possibility of an equal society. It is technically impossible to remove all differences from the society (God forbids that!) and therefore we must live to accept the fact that differences are here to stay. The real issue then is to increase the tolerance of diversity, and embrace this difference, instead of viewing them as a separate identity.
There is no doubt whether equal society is desireable, unless the question is being posed to one that is reaping the benefits of existing inequality. What about equal society being possible? For some, it may be an idealistic notion, an idea that is too far-fetched; good to see from afar, but difficult to achieve. Hmmph. The onus is on us to make it possible.
science and ethicsThursday, March 08, 2007
What do you understand by the term, ethic? Is it merely just a complex philosophical term that seems irrelevant in your mundane life or have you encountered such a term before? Most people would give the common answer that ethic is all about good and evil or right and wrong. Less people would delve into the relatively unknown realms of meta-ethics and its analysis, which would totally sweep me off my feet.
In any case, the topic of discussion here is about ethic and science, or rather ethic and knowledge acquiring. In the modern world today, where acquiring knowledge is intensive, important and integral to the progress of our society, the line between ethic and knowledge acquiring is often blurred. Take the example of
The Stanford Prison Experiment. In a quest to gain knowledge about the psychology of prison, a real-life stimulation was carried out to observe the struggle between the prisoners(powerless) and the guards(empowered). During this experimental process, it appears that ethic was sacrificed in order to obtain greater knowledge.
When is it necessary to make such a bold sacrifice and can this sacrifice ever be justified? I do acknowledge the value of the knowledge gain in the field of study, but the violation of human rights in this case offsets the gain in knowledge. Yes, avid supporters could argue on the side of utilitarian theory, since this knowledge gain could potentially benefit a large population with its adverse effects concentrated on a small group of victims. Yet, the distress and impacts on the participants are painstakingly obvious for all to notice and we can only blame this on our innate curiosity.
The desire for perfect knowledge, to satisfy all our doubts, and to gain supremacy is driving us into a perverse obsession. We need to stop dead in our tracks, and critically reflect on our actions before this impulsive drive for knowledge brings us all the way to a point of no return. By then, it would already to be too late to spare a thought for ethic, which seems so idealistic.
boosting birth rate?Tuesday, March 06, 2007
THE FRIENDSHIP CLUBThis is not a personal swipe at Hong Kah GRC's MP Ang Mong Seng, but I find the idea of a friendship club as being too "desperate" and inappropriate. Indeed, Singapore total fertility rate is a troublesome issue, well below the replacement total fertility rate(TFR) of 2.1. In years to come, Singapore would be left supporting an ageing population and the adverse impacts that accompany it. Also, with some of sectors of the population growing at a faster rate than the others, this new situation threatens to upset our social stability, which is painstakingly protected by our Government. No wonder, our MPs are wrecking their brains over this touchy issue in a bid to boost our nation's ailing birth rate.
However, the proposal of friendship club does not seem the perfect solution to this problem. Beside the new potential dangers that this proposal could bring, the whole idea of the need to teach youths the skill of socialising and interacting is simply a derogatory concept. Personally, I felt that this was just another nice phrase to criticise the social networking of Singapore youths. What would other nation think about Singapore and its citizens if this proposal becomes a reality? That Singaporeans are so hopeless in relationship thus warranting the need to introduce a crash course as a CCA in secondary school. Or why not abolish the rules preventing the "shortening of skirt" in secondary school to convert potential gays into straight, thus boosting our birth rates as well. The whole point is that Singapore, which prides itself as a modern and first-world country, could deal with the problem much better than just a friendship club.
What is the root of the problem? Is it the emancipation of women? The growing line of birth-control products? Or is the stress of living in a highly competitive society hindering our reproducing abilities? In any case, the root of the problem must be addressed before signs of progress can be observed. In my own humble opinion, this is not an easy feat to achieve, which is why half-hearted or simple efforts would not work wonders.
What we need is a comprehensive strategy to tackle this problem whole-heartedly.
Kudos to Hong Kah GRC's MP Ang Mong Seng for boldly suggesting this idea and for his good intentions to increase the TFR. Bon children? -laughs-
