The very idea of utilitarianism probably justifies all my actions.
I have never paid much attention to philosophical teachings anyway.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thieves
I hate people who use backdoors.
As my fav Chinese teacher, Ms. Yong CM, used to say:
有前门不用, 用后门的人, 都是贼!
Thieves! Thieves who steal the opportunities of true talent.
As my fav Chinese teacher, Ms. Yong CM, used to say:
有前门不用, 用后门的人, 都是贼!
Thieves! Thieves who steal the opportunities of true talent.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
WTF
When i was in OCS, there were many WTF moments which kept us going. Whenever we saw something WTF, whether in facebook, or in civilian life, or elsewhere, we would share these experiences with our section and platoon mates, and talk about these WTF moments outfield, or during free time, etc.
These WTF moments were what kept my section going during tough times. We would, if we could, shout in unison, "WTF" out loud together. These WTF moments united us. These WTF moments bonded us. These WTF moments made us realise how lucky we were to have each other.
I shared this WTF moment with my section. I found it on facebook, the discussion topic was: First reaction on getting in (to NUS Med). Some spoilt female brat wrote this:
I was in Shanghai when the package came.
My dad called to say "My darling girl... The NUS letter says: We regret to inform you that we are not able to offer you a place in YYLSoM."
"WHAT?! You mean I'm stuck with being a lawyer for the rest of my life? WHAT?! Are you serious..........? *tears start welling up in my eyes already*
"HAHAHAH. YOU GOT IN LAAAAAAAAAA"
"ARE YOU SERIOUS? ARE YOU LYING AGAIN!?"
"Nono. You're gonna be Dr. Han in 5 years time!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" I was at Grand Hyatt. I jumped, screamed and burst out in tears on the spot. And the Jap waiter came to give me many many napkins >.<
These WTF moments were what kept my section going during tough times. We would, if we could, shout in unison, "WTF" out loud together. These WTF moments united us. These WTF moments bonded us. These WTF moments made us realise how lucky we were to have each other.
I shared this WTF moment with my section. I found it on facebook, the discussion topic was: First reaction on getting in (to NUS Med). Some spoilt female brat wrote this:
I was in Shanghai when the package came.
My dad called to say "My darling girl... The NUS letter says: We regret to inform you that we are not able to offer you a place in YYLSoM."
"WHAT?! You mean I'm stuck with being a lawyer for the rest of my life? WHAT?! Are you serious..........? *tears start welling up in my eyes already*
"HAHAHAH. YOU GOT IN LAAAAAAAAAA"
"ARE YOU SERIOUS? ARE YOU LYING AGAIN!?"
"Nono. You're gonna be Dr. Han in 5 years time!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" I was at Grand Hyatt. I jumped, screamed and burst out in tears on the spot. And the Jap waiter came to give me many many napkins >.<
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Battle
If there is a General who needs soldiers for a fight,
here is a warrior who will accompany him to victory.
here is a warrior who will accompany him to victory.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
This is my land!
Note: I have many friends, and many of them from countries all across ASEAN and all over the world. I have a diverse range of friends of all skin colours and all nationalities, perhaps much more diverse than an average 18 year old. I've met them during conferences, during ceremonies, during field trips and programmes, and I'm proud to have such great friends. This note obviously is not directed to any of my friends, and bears no malicious intent to their honourable countrymen.
* * *
I know the importance of the SAF and NS. I am Singaporean and I'm proud to be part of this island state. My parents were born here, in this very land. I was born here, in this very land. I am proud of the history and culture of this land. I am proud of our leaders (raja, LKY, marshall, GCT etc. ) and I am proud of our success. We are Singaporeans and we stand proud and tall.
But a week ago I realised that perhaps Singaporeans, the rightful owners of this land, are being trampled upon in our very own soil. My very own uncle, who lives just 50 m from where I am seated right now, was insulted and assaulted by a bunch of foreigners in his very own home. Uneducated, uncivilised foreigners who claim to arrive from the "most civilised" country in the world - australia. (note how I use my punctuation)
On the stroke of midnight this bunch of unruly aussies were making a din at the pool side at my uncle's condo. They were drunk (not suprised, really), and making loud noises at the pool. My uncle's apartment was just beside the pool. He has a family, as all of us Singaporeans do, a young kid and an venerable mother (my grandma duh). He has work the next day, to contribute to the economic success of our motherland (unlike those bitches who drink whole day). The family has to sleep.
He went down to the guards to tell them abt the situation at the pool. The guards came, and told the aussies to leave. They did. But not for long. After 15 minutes, they returned. This time louder, wilder, and more disrespectful and unaware of their environment. They continued to party, to create a din, and make noise. My uncle was calm. He observed this quietly and went down to the guards post to make another complaint. The guard arrived, and told the hooligans to leave. The party did not move. Instead, they confronted my uncle, who was present at the pool.
My uncle told them to leave, as he had work the next day. The gangsters then launched a barrage of verbal attacks against him. A girl, reeking of alcohol (not surprised, really), confronted him, and insulted him repeatedly. "What rights do you have to ask us to leave?" "I dare you to hit me, come on, hit me!"She challenged my uncle.
Insults after insults, my uncle swallowed them all with bated breath.
Then came the final insult, the last straw, the tsunami of all provocations - the phrase "fucking Chinese" was used. Following that, the aussies started to attack my uncle. They took a goblet and smashed it against the railing, causing one of the glass fragments to penetrate my uncle's soles. They hit him on the head, and on the body. They never stopped with their attacks - both verbal and physical.
By this time the noise has attracted the neighbours to the scene. All Singaporean. All stood tall and proud, and united by justice and civility. One threatened to call the Police, the Home Team. The aussies were afraid that the iron grip of justice would subdue them, finally. They only had themselves, and we had the Police, the Courts of Justice, we had 4 million other Singaporeans behind us. If they were caught, they would be sent to the Police Station with nothing but their bikini and boxers on. They backed down. They apologised to my uncle, and never returned to make a scene.
My family has never been afraid to use legal action against these uneducated, uncivilised hooligans. We have lawyers in the family, and we are not short of the financial resources to file a civil case. We have each other, generations of family members, living here, and we have the best minds in the nation in each other for counsel, for advice, and for support. We are educated, we are sound, and we have committed no wrongs.
But this matter is not about winning a court case. There is no kick in that. This episode serves as a reminder to us all: That if Singaporeans allow foreigners to trample over us, they will do so. They are racist, and they think they are the elite, because of the colour of their skin. They have no respect for us: Chinese or Malay, Indian or any other Singaporean, they look down on us. In their eyes, they are supreme.
So we will fight. We will fight to remind them of their place in this land, OUR LAND. We will use rhetoric, we will use our brains, we will use pure intellect to remind them that we are the owners of this land. We will not resort to violence, like them, for violence is the first refuge of the incompetent. But in times of need, we have the military might to take them down.
We are holders of that red passport, and we will fight to protect that right. That is the reason why I am going to Tekong next week, and that is the reason why thousands of mothers, fathers, sisters, girlfriends and even wives will see their beloved 18 year old boy shave bald every year. Singaporeans, we live on this island, and we welcome foreigners to our small nation with open arms. But we must not allow them to trample over us. They have no links with this country, they can leave anytime. But we can't. We have to fight for our rights to live on this island.
This is my land, and these are my countrymen. You may be kings in your kingdom or shell, but over here, we are kings. And we will not hesitate to remind you of your place in this land.
* * *
I know the importance of the SAF and NS. I am Singaporean and I'm proud to be part of this island state. My parents were born here, in this very land. I was born here, in this very land. I am proud of the history and culture of this land. I am proud of our leaders (raja, LKY, marshall, GCT etc. ) and I am proud of our success. We are Singaporeans and we stand proud and tall.
But a week ago I realised that perhaps Singaporeans, the rightful owners of this land, are being trampled upon in our very own soil. My very own uncle, who lives just 50 m from where I am seated right now, was insulted and assaulted by a bunch of foreigners in his very own home. Uneducated, uncivilised foreigners who claim to arrive from the "most civilised" country in the world - australia. (note how I use my punctuation)
On the stroke of midnight this bunch of unruly aussies were making a din at the pool side at my uncle's condo. They were drunk (not suprised, really), and making loud noises at the pool. My uncle's apartment was just beside the pool. He has a family, as all of us Singaporeans do, a young kid and an venerable mother (my grandma duh). He has work the next day, to contribute to the economic success of our motherland (unlike those bitches who drink whole day). The family has to sleep.
He went down to the guards to tell them abt the situation at the pool. The guards came, and told the aussies to leave. They did. But not for long. After 15 minutes, they returned. This time louder, wilder, and more disrespectful and unaware of their environment. They continued to party, to create a din, and make noise. My uncle was calm. He observed this quietly and went down to the guards post to make another complaint. The guard arrived, and told the hooligans to leave. The party did not move. Instead, they confronted my uncle, who was present at the pool.
My uncle told them to leave, as he had work the next day. The gangsters then launched a barrage of verbal attacks against him. A girl, reeking of alcohol (not surprised, really), confronted him, and insulted him repeatedly. "What rights do you have to ask us to leave?" "I dare you to hit me, come on, hit me!"She challenged my uncle.
Insults after insults, my uncle swallowed them all with bated breath.
Then came the final insult, the last straw, the tsunami of all provocations - the phrase "fucking Chinese" was used. Following that, the aussies started to attack my uncle. They took a goblet and smashed it against the railing, causing one of the glass fragments to penetrate my uncle's soles. They hit him on the head, and on the body. They never stopped with their attacks - both verbal and physical.
By this time the noise has attracted the neighbours to the scene. All Singaporean. All stood tall and proud, and united by justice and civility. One threatened to call the Police, the Home Team. The aussies were afraid that the iron grip of justice would subdue them, finally. They only had themselves, and we had the Police, the Courts of Justice, we had 4 million other Singaporeans behind us. If they were caught, they would be sent to the Police Station with nothing but their bikini and boxers on. They backed down. They apologised to my uncle, and never returned to make a scene.
My family has never been afraid to use legal action against these uneducated, uncivilised hooligans. We have lawyers in the family, and we are not short of the financial resources to file a civil case. We have each other, generations of family members, living here, and we have the best minds in the nation in each other for counsel, for advice, and for support. We are educated, we are sound, and we have committed no wrongs.
But this matter is not about winning a court case. There is no kick in that. This episode serves as a reminder to us all: That if Singaporeans allow foreigners to trample over us, they will do so. They are racist, and they think they are the elite, because of the colour of their skin. They have no respect for us: Chinese or Malay, Indian or any other Singaporean, they look down on us. In their eyes, they are supreme.
So we will fight. We will fight to remind them of their place in this land, OUR LAND. We will use rhetoric, we will use our brains, we will use pure intellect to remind them that we are the owners of this land. We will not resort to violence, like them, for violence is the first refuge of the incompetent. But in times of need, we have the military might to take them down.
We are holders of that red passport, and we will fight to protect that right. That is the reason why I am going to Tekong next week, and that is the reason why thousands of mothers, fathers, sisters, girlfriends and even wives will see their beloved 18 year old boy shave bald every year. Singaporeans, we live on this island, and we welcome foreigners to our small nation with open arms. But we must not allow them to trample over us. They have no links with this country, they can leave anytime. But we can't. We have to fight for our rights to live on this island.
This is my land, and these are my countrymen. You may be kings in your kingdom or shell, but over here, we are kings. And we will not hesitate to remind you of your place in this land.
Friday, November 28, 2008
World in Anarchy
I have been in a philosophical mood all week long. I have been eating out everysingleday since the end of A levels. I am broke. I am tired. I am not prepared for NS. I am happy. I am sad. I am touched. I am lost. I am alive. Movies, pool, dinners, bicycle, cage@ kallang, going for a talk with johncheo, wedding dinners, internship, lunches, hospital, telephone, bbq. I am busy. Or am I?
-
Have you ever met someone for only a few days but felt as if you've met the person for your entire life? Have you ever met someone and have conversations so lengthy and so deep and so beautiful and so relaxing, that despite the short duration since your first meeting, you realise that you know more of that person than the people whom you see everysingleday for the past 2, 6, or 12 years?
-
Our world is in chaos. Mumbai, Somalia, Bangkok. Flip through yesteryear's newsapers. WTC, Paris, London, Aceh, Madrid. Politics, terrorism, anger-inducing rhetoric, cowards who mis-interpret their spiritual texts to support their own bloody vendetta, nationalism, hate, suffering, disease, corruption, natural hazards, mfkers, banks failing, stocks crashing. 'Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent' -Asimov.
We are all living in an ivory tower. Bloody hell you're not gonna realise how big, how complex, how insane this world is till you travel and read. Travel and read.
-
Yesterday I was thinking about how our society is being engineered so well, so perfectly, so seamlessly, that all Singaporeans view economic assets as their everything. Today I realised that working till you die for the sake of petty cash is not a purpose in my life.
-
Have you ever met someone for only a few days but felt as if you've met the person for your entire life? Have you ever met someone and have conversations so lengthy and so deep and so beautiful and so relaxing, that despite the short duration since your first meeting, you realise that you know more of that person than the people whom you see everysingleday for the past 2, 6, or 12 years?
-
Our world is in chaos. Mumbai, Somalia, Bangkok. Flip through yesteryear's newsapers. WTC, Paris, London, Aceh, Madrid. Politics, terrorism, anger-inducing rhetoric, cowards who mis-interpret their spiritual texts to support their own bloody vendetta, nationalism, hate, suffering, disease, corruption, natural hazards, mfkers, banks failing, stocks crashing. 'Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent' -Asimov.
We are all living in an ivory tower. Bloody hell you're not gonna realise how big, how complex, how insane this world is till you travel and read. Travel and read.
-
Yesterday I was thinking about how our society is being engineered so well, so perfectly, so seamlessly, that all Singaporeans view economic assets as their everything. Today I realised that working till you die for the sake of petty cash is not a purpose in my life.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The Principle of Conservation of Happiness - A concise introduction
Published by: H C, University of Life, Faculty of Logic, Department of Common Sense
Abstract: The universal laws of Physics state that the total amount of energy of the universe is fixed at any one instant. Energy cannot be destroyed, but it can be stored, and converted from one form to another. Einstein also proved that energy can be converted from mass, and vice versa. This paper argues on the same basis as the Principle of Conservation of Energy. It proposes that the total amount of happiness on Earth is fixed at any one point of time, and that mankind is not the only bearer of happiness, if happiness can be 'beared'. This means that if the global human population increases, the amount of happiness per capita will be reduced proportionately. The consequence of this is that a Malthusian perspective must be applied towards population growth. In order to secure the happiness of posterity, there is a moral imperative for mankind to work towards zero population growth today. Traditional ideas of the Vatican and contemporary ideas of certain governments must be abolished with immediate effect.
The global human population has been increasing throughout the years. The species homo sapiens first appeared in Africa in 7000BC, and its population stands at over 6 billion today. Despite technological breakthroughs and increased standard of living, the total amount happiness or quality of life may not have improved over this 9000 years. This is because the total amount of happiness of all living things on Earth is fixed. Happiness cannot be created, or destroyed, but it can be converted from one form to another.
Consider this: University applications, relationships between the sexes, elections. Whats the similarity between all 3 'systems'? IF we consider them to be isolated systems, they all contain a fixed amount of happiness within them. University applications? The people who are accepted by their dream schools are happy. Very happy. The people who are rejected will be unhappy. The sum of their happiness and unhappiness will equal a fixed amount of happiness. Relationships? For every couple who gets together, they will be happy, but only at that point in time. But across the world, for every couple that gets together, the happiness that they possess will be negated by the unhappiness that divorces, breakups and arguments are creating unhappiness at that point in time. In politics? The same argument applies. When Bush won, sure, the republicans celebrated, but their happiness was negated by the unhappiness that the democrats bore. Note that Al Gore actually won the popular vote. This means that a significant amount of unhappiness was present at that point in time. As time passes, the republican's joy died down, but the democrat's unhappiness also eased.
The amount of happiness at any one point in time is fixed.
[to be continued]
Abstract: The universal laws of Physics state that the total amount of energy of the universe is fixed at any one instant. Energy cannot be destroyed, but it can be stored, and converted from one form to another. Einstein also proved that energy can be converted from mass, and vice versa. This paper argues on the same basis as the Principle of Conservation of Energy. It proposes that the total amount of happiness on Earth is fixed at any one point of time, and that mankind is not the only bearer of happiness, if happiness can be 'beared'. This means that if the global human population increases, the amount of happiness per capita will be reduced proportionately. The consequence of this is that a Malthusian perspective must be applied towards population growth. In order to secure the happiness of posterity, there is a moral imperative for mankind to work towards zero population growth today. Traditional ideas of the Vatican and contemporary ideas of certain governments must be abolished with immediate effect.
The global human population has been increasing throughout the years. The species homo sapiens first appeared in Africa in 7000BC, and its population stands at over 6 billion today. Despite technological breakthroughs and increased standard of living, the total amount happiness or quality of life may not have improved over this 9000 years. This is because the total amount of happiness of all living things on Earth is fixed. Happiness cannot be created, or destroyed, but it can be converted from one form to another.
Consider this: University applications, relationships between the sexes, elections. Whats the similarity between all 3 'systems'? IF we consider them to be isolated systems, they all contain a fixed amount of happiness within them. University applications? The people who are accepted by their dream schools are happy. Very happy. The people who are rejected will be unhappy. The sum of their happiness and unhappiness will equal a fixed amount of happiness. Relationships? For every couple who gets together, they will be happy, but only at that point in time. But across the world, for every couple that gets together, the happiness that they possess will be negated by the unhappiness that divorces, breakups and arguments are creating unhappiness at that point in time. In politics? The same argument applies. When Bush won, sure, the republicans celebrated, but their happiness was negated by the unhappiness that the democrats bore. Note that Al Gore actually won the popular vote. This means that a significant amount of unhappiness was present at that point in time. As time passes, the republican's joy died down, but the democrat's unhappiness also eased.
The amount of happiness at any one point in time is fixed.
[to be continued]
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