I’ve been reading OB Markers by Cheong Yip Seng. It’s a very compelling book with lots of anecdotes that hit me pretty hard. I find it odd that so few of them make it into common or popular discussion. Here’s one: “One Sunday, we published Mary’s column headlined, “The Great Paper Chase.” In it, she […]
In the past couple of years, I’ve met a few MPs (and the PM, too, through some odd luck) and I am quite convinced of their good intentions and magnanimous spirit. I will dare to say this- person to person, I do believe that there are people in government who genuinely do care. I can’t […]
I have lately felt a pressing need to understand Singapore’s road map. As in, literally, the map of our roads. Our expressways. I want to know what is where in our country, and I want to know it fairly well. Anybody who knows me personally knows that my understanding of Singaporean topography is horrible. My […]
(Visa: I’ve been reading LKY’s ‘Hard Truths.’ Here are some quotes that have caught my attention and interest as I’ve been reading.) On his persuasive powers: “I can speak to the people over the blather of the media. In a way, I’m like a local Ronald Reagan.” On the unpredictability of the future: “I’ve lived […]
2014 UPDATE: This post is getting lots of shares again, for some reason or another. It’s a little embarrassing– I was so excited at the time, and my writing was so clunky! But I’m leaving it as it is. – Before anything else, I want to start by clearly stating that I am not […]
I often feel like we don’t explore Lee Kuan Yew’s personality enough. His swag. He used to smoke, drink and hang out with lawyers, criminals, academics and communists. His white-washed political persona is far less interesting. He was once a visionary, entrepreneur and hustler extrodinaire. I read a fantastic article once by someone who said […]
We live in exciting times. The most exciting times in human history so far. The industrial revolution was a big deal, but what we’re going through now is even bigger- and a lot of us on the ground don’t really appreciate it. Consider this- take your favourite historical figure or hero, and ask yourself what […]
(2012) – 1 – In a strange way, I sometimes feel that the PAP, our former liberators, have turned into our oppressors- much like the pigs in Animal Farm, or pretty much every other regime that overstays its welcome. “You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” […]
We’ve all heard the news. Local artist sklO has been arrested. Here’s what I want to focus on: A Singaporean set out to do something witty, creative and fun. She entertained us, tickled us, made us laugh and smile. She is now being punished for it. By the authorities that we elected to represent us, […]
Have you ever read Animal Farm? It’s a book by George Orwell, reflecting events leading up to and during the Stalin era before World War II. The novel addresses not only the corruption of the revolution by its leaders but also how wickedness, indifference, ignorance, greed and myopia corrupt the revolution. While this novel portrays […]