To a certain extent, we agree that Singaporeans migrating to other countries is deemed as disloyal. Being in a country where you were born and raised and leaving it to migrate to another country, cutting off all ties which you have built for several years. This seems to be abandoning Singapore without contributing much, let alone returning anything which Singapore has done for or given you.
So, what are the reasons for Singaporeans leaving Singapore then?
Firstly, it might be due to the increasing competition and stress level due to the increase of foreign talents coming in to Singapore. The government has been recruiting foreign talents to boost the economy and at the same time, to make up for the aging population that is starting to happen here, but the people think otherwise that these so-called foreign talents are snatching their 'rice bowls', hence creating these high-level stress.
Secondly, life in Singapore may seem too standardized and repetitive to them, doing the same things over and over again. For example, a typical life of an average Singaporean working adult will be waking up early in the morning, go to work and come back home. This cycle continues until they reached their retirement age, therefore it is not surprising to hear some Singaporeans complaining about their dull life. And thus, some Singaporeans can’t help but consider looking abroad in search of a more relaxed or interesting lifestyle compared to the hectic and monotonous lifestyle in Singapore.
The third reason why they might want to migrate is for the sake of their children's future. The education system in Singapore does not promote creativity and critical thinking skills as actively as schools in other countries especially in western countries. Schools in these western countries focus more on practical skills, providing more hands-on experience through projects and classroom participations which takes up majority of the grades of a student. This is, on the other hand, the opposite of the education system in Singapore where student’s grades are mainly made up of examinations and tests of their ‘memorising skill’ of the contents in textbooks. This is why most of the parents who migrated overseas feel that overseas education could benefit their children even more.
However, we cannot say that Singaporeans who are living overseas are disloyal. One good example is during National Day, Singapore set up a website for Singaporeans living overseas to watch our live parade broadcast online and the response was very overwhelming. This shows that Singaporeans living overseas are in fact still having some feeling left for Singapore, their homeland. If not, they may not even access the website to watch the National Day Parade live broadcast.
In addition, the Singapore education system was also as good as any other countries such as America or Europe and some education systems from other countries were not as good as Singapore's. It is said that a secondary four student in Singapore can be compared as a pre-university student in America. This shows that the quality of Singapore’s education is on par or better than other countries’.
Moreover, schools in Singapore also educate students on national education which teaches them about racial harmony, national loyalty and sense of belonging to the country. This inculcates a sense of belonging and loyalty and students are able to be tolerant of people from other races and cultures, allowing Singaporeans to live in a peaceful country without conflicts. This is different from other countries where these countries either have internal conflicts such as racial riots and demonstrations or a high crime rate making it rather an unsafe place to stay in. Also, when a good education is provided, it means that there will be more job opportunities which lead to a good and bright future. It is not always true that the grass is greener on the other side.
In conclusion, we feel that it is wrong to say that all Singaporeans who migrated overseas are disloyal, as some still retain their sense of belonging to the country and show their loyalty in one way or another even after migration. We also think that it is their own personal choices to migrate as they hope for a better life which other countries might offer something which Singapore may not have.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
To Save Lives, Legalise Organ Markets
From: InvalidReasons
To a small extent, we agree that to save lives, organ markets have to be legalised.
Firstly, if organ markets are legalised, it would be easier to get organs because there would be more availability instead of having to search and wait for a suitable organ for transplant. The patients also do not need to go through the danger while having to wait for available and suitable organs. Hospitals would also have an easier time searching for suitable organs for a patient. And thus, this increases the patients' rate of survival hence increasing the number of humans living.
Secondly, people do not have to approach black markets to purchase organs as these organs in the black market tend to be very expensive and might not be safe. These organs bought from the black markets cannot be used to make a transplant in the hospital as it is illegal. Thus, they have to find ‘black’ doctors who might not be professionally trained to help them carry out the operation, this would further put their lives at risk. They also might not get the proper treatment and care for the operation and might also get infected with unknown viruses as they do not know where those organs are from.
However, if organ markets were to be legalised, poor people would think of ‘selling’ their extra organs, like their kidneys, part of their liver and etc for cash. And if something were to happen during the operation, the family of the donor or ‘seller’ would definitely scold and blame the doctors’, hospitals’ and the government for legalising organ markets. Thus, organ markets shouldn’t have been made legal from the start so as to avoid unnecessary trouble.
In addition, crime rates would increase as people might cheat the elderly to buy organs from them by saying it is of very good quality, but in the end, it cannot be used or it might be from animals. And if people were desperate for money, they might go around and kill people to extract their organs and sell it for cash. This is only causing more people to turn to the bad side to obtain such ‘dirty money’. Thus, this will be doing more harm to people than to saving lives.
Moreover, once the organ market is being officially set up. There might be a lot of people trying to sell their organs and it can be sold at a very high price. Then, there will be more supply than demand as not alot of people might need the organs. This will result in a drop in price in the organ market which makes human organs look so unimportant. This is like money is more important than a person’s health.
In conclusion, we would suggest if there was to be an organ market, it has to be under the government so as to prevent unauthorized selling of organs. Meaning, the organs sold has to be registered and verified. But we still strongly disagree that to save lives, we have to legalise organ markets. Because legalising organ markets is only doing more harm to the people and to the world instead of saving lives.
To a small extent, we agree that to save lives, organ markets have to be legalised.
Firstly, if organ markets are legalised, it would be easier to get organs because there would be more availability instead of having to search and wait for a suitable organ for transplant. The patients also do not need to go through the danger while having to wait for available and suitable organs. Hospitals would also have an easier time searching for suitable organs for a patient. And thus, this increases the patients' rate of survival hence increasing the number of humans living.
Secondly, people do not have to approach black markets to purchase organs as these organs in the black market tend to be very expensive and might not be safe. These organs bought from the black markets cannot be used to make a transplant in the hospital as it is illegal. Thus, they have to find ‘black’ doctors who might not be professionally trained to help them carry out the operation, this would further put their lives at risk. They also might not get the proper treatment and care for the operation and might also get infected with unknown viruses as they do not know where those organs are from.
However, if organ markets were to be legalised, poor people would think of ‘selling’ their extra organs, like their kidneys, part of their liver and etc for cash. And if something were to happen during the operation, the family of the donor or ‘seller’ would definitely scold and blame the doctors’, hospitals’ and the government for legalising organ markets. Thus, organ markets shouldn’t have been made legal from the start so as to avoid unnecessary trouble.
In addition, crime rates would increase as people might cheat the elderly to buy organs from them by saying it is of very good quality, but in the end, it cannot be used or it might be from animals. And if people were desperate for money, they might go around and kill people to extract their organs and sell it for cash. This is only causing more people to turn to the bad side to obtain such ‘dirty money’. Thus, this will be doing more harm to people than to saving lives.
Moreover, once the organ market is being officially set up. There might be a lot of people trying to sell their organs and it can be sold at a very high price. Then, there will be more supply than demand as not alot of people might need the organs. This will result in a drop in price in the organ market which makes human organs look so unimportant. This is like money is more important than a person’s health.
In conclusion, we would suggest if there was to be an organ market, it has to be under the government so as to prevent unauthorized selling of organs. Meaning, the organs sold has to be registered and verified. But we still strongly disagree that to save lives, we have to legalise organ markets. Because legalising organ markets is only doing more harm to the people and to the world instead of saving lives.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
RE: "Fox's" Paper qualifications are not as important or relevant as work experience in the real world.
From: Abraham
I agree with the point that work qualification is more important than paper qualification. Work qualification is years of practical experience which is what most of the employers look for.
Just like what ‘Fox’ said, ‘For example, you might have the perfect answer on how the machine operates and how to operate it, but when it comes to hands-on, you might be confused.’ Someone who has the practical experience would then definitely come in handy as he knows the machine almost inside-out.
Work experience also allows one to adapt quickly to its working environments as the person might have already gone through changes and has already adapted to it. So, when a problem occurs, he/she can solve it quickly compared to a person with no work experience as he/she doesn’t know the procedures well or doesn’t really know what to do.
However, paper qualification also has its use, like going for an interview. Take for an example, what will make an employer more interested in an interviewee? A diploma or a Masters Degree? Obviously, they will take a look at the interviewee with a Masters Degree first. So, we cannot say that paper qualifications are totally useless as it increases the chances of getting employed, and then can we start having work experience.
In conclusion, I think that both work and paper qualifications are both equally of use. Because if a person does not have paper qualifications, it is hard for him/her to get a job. If a person does not have work qualifications, he may get employed, but employers tend to look for people with practical experience, just like some paper advertisements whereby it states that you need few years of relevant work experience to apply for the job. Thus, both qualifications are equally important, one cannot do without the other.
I agree with the point that work qualification is more important than paper qualification. Work qualification is years of practical experience which is what most of the employers look for.
Just like what ‘Fox’ said, ‘For example, you might have the perfect answer on how the machine operates and how to operate it, but when it comes to hands-on, you might be confused.’ Someone who has the practical experience would then definitely come in handy as he knows the machine almost inside-out.
Work experience also allows one to adapt quickly to its working environments as the person might have already gone through changes and has already adapted to it. So, when a problem occurs, he/she can solve it quickly compared to a person with no work experience as he/she doesn’t know the procedures well or doesn’t really know what to do.
However, paper qualification also has its use, like going for an interview. Take for an example, what will make an employer more interested in an interviewee? A diploma or a Masters Degree? Obviously, they will take a look at the interviewee with a Masters Degree first. So, we cannot say that paper qualifications are totally useless as it increases the chances of getting employed, and then can we start having work experience.
In conclusion, I think that both work and paper qualifications are both equally of use. Because if a person does not have paper qualifications, it is hard for him/her to get a job. If a person does not have work qualifications, he may get employed, but employers tend to look for people with practical experience, just like some paper advertisements whereby it states that you need few years of relevant work experience to apply for the job. Thus, both qualifications are equally important, one cannot do without the other.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Comments on Tan Betty Blog Article
Coming soon: Made-in-Asia reality TV shows
Tie-up between Genting International and Mark Burnett International will bring Asian version of reality shows like Survivor or The Apprentice to region.
By Lim Wei Chean
AN Asian version of famed reality TV shows like Survivor or The Apprentice may soon come to screens in this part of the world following an announcement of a tie up between Genting International and Mark Burnett International on Tuesday morning.
The two companies announced a 10-year exclusive partnership under the newly-formed Mark Burnett Productions Asia to develop, produce and distribute reality TV series and game shows for the region. Both will jointly invest US$20 million (S$29 million) in this project.
The new company will be based in Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS), the S$5-billion integrated resort being built in Singapore by Genting International. Visitors to the Sentosa IR when it opens in 2010 could participate in game shows, watch programmes being filmed live on-site, as well as interact with the participants of other shows.
Genting International's executive chairman Lim Kok Thay said: 'Mark IS reality TV. We are privileged to work with him. RWS, with its gamut of entertainment and resort offerings, will be an exciting backdrop as any TV, movie or concert venue. This partnership boosts RWS's already rich entertainment offerings, and will draw many more visitors to the Resort when it opens.'
Singapore's Economic Development Board had a hand in the signing of the deal as it was the match-maker for the two companies in June this year.
The new company will be based in Resort World's temporary office for now. It will not only hold exclusive licence to produce and distribute programmes to multiple media format, from broadcast to Internet, but it will also develop original TV shows for Asia.
Group: Invalid Reasons
Intro: One foggy day,when the world is in chaos, four great, almighty and superior men met up and they form a group called the I-N-V-A-L-I-D R-E-A-S-O-N-S.
What a wonderful group which consist of A-BRA-HAM, Mell Merveyn, JinnJinnJinnYOOYOONg and Laa saam.
Our comments on this article:
It's a good idea to have these companies set up a partnership at the RWS to attract more tourists to visit the resorts. However, they should produce shows which are original and not copying from past western reality shows such as Survivor and The Apprentice. Asia should produce more of their own original shows as if these shows are successful, it could help promote Asian tourist attractions, boosting economies of Asian countries.
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