WARNING: DO NOT READ IF YOUR ARE A POLITICALLY SENSITIVE PERSON ;)
DISCLAIMER: This is no political thesis, just the writer's opinion on world affairs
What is a home? A place to rest? A place to eat? A place to welcome friends and relatives for reunions? A safe haven?
As I recover from diarrhea this National Day, I am forced to watch the National Day Parade whilst I lay on the sofa in my living room, unable to reach for the TV remote to off the loud noise that disturbs my sleep. Surprisingly, after watching for half an hour, the parade became a much needed distraction to take my mind off my physical aliment. Raising thoughts of patriotism and doing my part for my country....
I realised that Singapore is unlike many countries. We are very small, but in our smallness there lies a certain understanding amongst our forebears that that if we are not united in some way, we will fall. Their resilience and unity paved the way for today's Singapore but in our race to become a nation that can compete economically with the rest of the world, we have also sidelined the development of many things that make a nation livable for its citizens. I can't help but wonder, have we become a city state that favours productivity and positive results over long run profitability? We try to create things that are left to develop on its own in other nations and have so far been unsuccessful. Things like culture and national identity cannot be 'constructed' the way toy vehicles and buildings are constructed with the use of LEGO blocks. LEGO constructs, especially the really high end ones look impressive and almost like the real thing but inside, they are just dense blocks of plastic without soul, without the engines that real vehicles have, without the pipelines and structural supports that real buildings have.
Culture and its subset called 'National Identity' is the structural support of a nation. While such supports can be guided and built by man during the construction process, culture on the other hand, involves a more subtle and organic approach. I admit, I am no expert in this issue but if even a lowly peon like me can feel this, I bet those above me can too and are actively trying to resolve this problem. This probably explains the gradual change from authoritarian/technocratic rule to a more democratic government that we have today, where politicians take a more active role to understand the pains of the people, to lend a listening ear and attempt to solve their problems when they are able to. Sometimes, even educating the general public about new policies or to dispel old, negative views of the old way of governance.
Many countries have criticized Singapore for being run like a business corporation, where its 'unproductive' citizens are sidelined and left behind whilst the rest of the nation progresses ahead. That we lack the safety net that many countries have for their 'native' citizens. But the fact remains that if they were not so big and full of natural resources, they will not be enjoying such 'luxuries' that we native Singaporeans lack.
DISCLAIMER: This is no political thesis, just the writer's opinion on world affairs
What is a home? A place to rest? A place to eat? A place to welcome friends and relatives for reunions? A safe haven?
As I recover from diarrhea this National Day, I am forced to watch the National Day Parade whilst I lay on the sofa in my living room, unable to reach for the TV remote to off the loud noise that disturbs my sleep. Surprisingly, after watching for half an hour, the parade became a much needed distraction to take my mind off my physical aliment. Raising thoughts of patriotism and doing my part for my country....
I realised that Singapore is unlike many countries. We are very small, but in our smallness there lies a certain understanding amongst our forebears that that if we are not united in some way, we will fall. Their resilience and unity paved the way for today's Singapore but in our race to become a nation that can compete economically with the rest of the world, we have also sidelined the development of many things that make a nation livable for its citizens. I can't help but wonder, have we become a city state that favours productivity and positive results over long run profitability? We try to create things that are left to develop on its own in other nations and have so far been unsuccessful. Things like culture and national identity cannot be 'constructed' the way toy vehicles and buildings are constructed with the use of LEGO blocks. LEGO constructs, especially the really high end ones look impressive and almost like the real thing but inside, they are just dense blocks of plastic without soul, without the engines that real vehicles have, without the pipelines and structural supports that real buildings have.
Culture and its subset called 'National Identity' is the structural support of a nation. While such supports can be guided and built by man during the construction process, culture on the other hand, involves a more subtle and organic approach. I admit, I am no expert in this issue but if even a lowly peon like me can feel this, I bet those above me can too and are actively trying to resolve this problem. This probably explains the gradual change from authoritarian/technocratic rule to a more democratic government that we have today, where politicians take a more active role to understand the pains of the people, to lend a listening ear and attempt to solve their problems when they are able to. Sometimes, even educating the general public about new policies or to dispel old, negative views of the old way of governance.
Many countries have criticized Singapore for being run like a business corporation, where its 'unproductive' citizens are sidelined and left behind whilst the rest of the nation progresses ahead. That we lack the safety net that many countries have for their 'native' citizens. But the fact remains that if they were not so big and full of natural resources, they will not be enjoying such 'luxuries' that we native Singaporeans lack.
DISCLAIMER: This is no political thesis, just the writer's opinion on world affairs