War works for no man

“The wars of the world don’t come from outer space. People create them, people who have a war within themselves. I want to create music that eases that war within.” – Kitaro

One more reason why I love the man and his music.

More often than not, the major wars in the 20th to 21st century are orchestrated by a few men, whose self agenda soon overtook that of the large majority.

But wars are mostly triggered off by the territorial nature of humankind. The survival instinct – to put it more kindly – to protect one’s turf and self-interests.

The argument works both ways for the attacker and the defender. The misplaced and the poor will have more motivation to attack others in order to strengthen their positions. The defender – being threatened with a loss of territory – will arguably have a more legitimate reason to fight the battle, and – in the event when they earn a victory – penalise the attacker.

Either way, it is a poison that would blind man’s conscience. To the extent which the majority is easily manipulated to support the agenda of the elite few. History will have a way of getting at these ruling elites, but before then, the damage would have been done.

War does not resolve differences. It only magnifies the problems. Victory of one party does not guarantee immunity to repercussions in the future. But self-interests at play continue the dictate the politics and economics of the post-modern world. And the majority will have to suffer but for the few who would raise war – and continue fighting a war – often in the name of nationhood and religion.

If only music is the universal cure to the poison in all men’s hearts.

Can man create [and destroy] life?

Scientists at J. Craig Venter Institute in Maryland in the United States have created a gene map for synthetic life, in a move that could re-define birth of life and the fundamentals of human civilisation.

The research is aimed at designing synthetic life form that could be used in medicine and for industrial purposes like the production of biofuels.

Before they embark on the venture to create what could be considered as a real-life Frankenstein, the god-fearing researchers are planning to seek guidance from religious and ethical experts.

Fact is if man indeed is able to or attempting to create life, is man not playing god or at least attempting to do so? Needless to say, such a ‘blasphemous’ act will be or have already been met by resistance from others who have held on to the established fundamentals of our current human civilisation.

But this is far from the first time humans have attempted to manipulate life, nor would it be the last. Stem cell research is the most recent human attempt to replicate lifeforms with the goal of extending rather than creating new [human] lives. However, the twist in the latest project undertaken at the J. Craig Venter Institute in Maryland is that the life of the synthetic lifeform could be sustained indefinitely depending on its use value for instance in helping biofuel production.

The premise of the new research on the synthetic lifeform then throws up a new challenge to human civilisation. How far can we humans tolerate the existence of Frankenstein lifeforms living and breeding among us, though the purpose of their beings is indeed to serve our ends throughout their lifetime?

Can we be made equal?

Race, sex/gender, age, appearance, nationality, wealth, intelligence.

Every man/woman is marked by traits, some in-borne, others acquired, but nonetheless traits that would define his/her standing in society, justified or unjustified.

Some of which are inherited by virtue of birth, not of personal choice or merit. But they have come to define us. We do not choose to be borne men or women. Neither do we have a choice on our parents or our siblings or the nation we are borne into, all factors which would come to shape the world’s perception of our being or our perceptions of the world.

Yet humans have attempted along the way to temper with their fates.

Education, (im)migration, plastic surgery, sex-change operation.

Social, scientific or plain blasphemous – human civilisation has picked up ways to take control of our own destinies.

Education is the key to wealth creation – ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for the day, teach him how to fish and you would feed him for a lifetime’.

If we are not happy with where we are – there is the option to uproot and leave in search for our next promising lands.

And if age, looks or gender get us down in our life options, we could look to plastic surgery or sex-change operations.

Humans have picked up the ropes, but not all these approaches work out flawlessly or at without any costs. For the idea that we are all citizens of the world remains an unattainable ideal. Despite what we would like to believe – that the world is everyone’s oyster – some will have a greater share than others. Not by virtue of who you will become, but by virtue of where you start from. And we remain slaves most part through our lives to our own self-interests. No one single human – save for the greatest ones in history perhaps – will forgo his or her own interests or the interests of his or her own tribe entirely for the greater good of everyone else.

And so we continue to judge and be judged by skin colour, race and nationalities.

And so we try harder to change the visible traits with which others judge us. Some choose to go under the knife of a plastic surgeon to correct the ‘flaws’ – to lighten up the skin tone so one could pass as a person of another race or even gender. Looks matter even more in modernised and capitalised societies where the first impressions count in passing the entrance exams to some jobs.

But are these indeed the answers to one’s prayers to be the every man and woman one wishes to be?

Sadly no. Despite the human efforts at transcending the boundaries – to play god for our own good – people remain judged by what they are borne with and not what they have become. People who go under the knives to improve their looks are considered plastics, those who change their gender are perceived as freaks.

Humans want to play god, but we don’t seem to be able to unload the burden of humanity.

So we question and challenge the rights of those who try to do so. But it doesn’t stop us from trying to test the boundary. Now we aren’t quite happy to stop at changing the physical attributes – we want to improve our genetic make-up, defy life and death.

Yet we remain trapped by our double standards. Dolly, the clone, will remain the Frankenstein, and never the sheep. Because Dolly is the first to re-write history and traditions long-held to be true and the guiding principles of morality. She could not be perfect as the first, and will always remain the sinner as the first.

Such is the dilemma of the human race – the want to be what one wants to be in the future held back by the want of being acceptable by the standards of the past.

No, we can’t be all equal, because there’s no equality in history.

*NB: Text should not be read as an unequivocal endorsement of plastic surgery, sex-change operation, stem cell research or cloning. Author remains a god-fearing human being who prefers to adhere to rather than challenge traditions. But this does not impede the author from applauding those who have the courage to try to do so.

Wealth is a relative concept, so is the value of life

Would you stick your head out for US$3,000? These men are about to lose their lives for US$3,000 worth of crude oil, or more specifically less than US$1,000 for each of their share. It makes me wonder about the concept of wealth and the value of life. About a year ago, an Indian course-mate was wondering aloud in class about how human lives in Australia seem to be valued more than those back home (in India). She was referring to the numerous accounts on victims dying from drunk driving accidents. In India, she said these will not warrant much of a mention in the news – well needless to say, the work volume would be too much for local press to handle. But it also speaks of the relative value of human lives in Australia – where population density is low, and in India – the second most populous nation in the world.

There is also the question of whose lives matter more? The lives of wealthier nationals/citizens, or those hovering above the poverty line. Granted the Chinese nationals should be aware of the harsh punishment, but is life worth living if everyday is a struggle to meet your most basic human needs? Greed is definitely a factor in the equation, yet in a nation where some are surviving on less than US$1 a day, US$3,000 is a lot of money indeed, and may just be worth risking your neck for.

Wealth is relative, but so is the value of life.

The invisible poor and disadvantaged

One year ago, a friend and I happened to drop by Tiong Bahru estate while on the way to the once famous and now revamped hawker centre for lunch. We chanced upon this old lady who’s busy stuffing some newspapers into a plastic bag. The sight of her shrivelled body in the slightly oversized New Paper Big Walk T-shirt made me wonder aloud about the plight of the poor and/or aged and misplaced Singaporeans. I couldn’t help but highlight an observation to my friend at that point in time, of the increasing number of ’scavengers’ and people who seemed to be out of their mind I’ve come across ever since my return to Singapore from overseas studies. And this is in spite of our booming economy back home. My friend, who had just returned six months earlier than me to Singapore from overseas studies recounted an incident, which further disturbed me. Whilst she was hanging out at Holland Village – where the young, hip, trendy and some would say ‘atas’ people would congregate – an old lady was going around the tables to ask for two dollars to a buy a meal. No one really took notice of her, but when she approached my friend’s table, my friend did not hesitate to fork out a ten dollar bill and asked the old lady to keep the change even while she’s still unemployed at the moment. But the old lady did not take advantage of the entire situation. She took the ten, went to get a nasi lemak for two bucks and came back to return my friend the change. We were both appalled at how the yuppies in Holland V could turn away from a helpess old woman who is just seeking help to fill her stomach. What has become of our fellow Singaporeans?

* * * * *

A couple of weeks back, I came across a report about a local-run cleaning company being fined for housing four foreign employers in a public toilet located in Waterloo St.

The four foreign labourers had reportedly cooked, eaten and slept in the public toilet. But what is even worse is that 116 employers were found in breach of the foreign work permit conditions to provide suitable housing for their employees.

Food and shelter are the most basic in the Maslow hierachy of human needs. In Singapore where the government used to pride itself of providing housing for its citizens, it is unthinkable how a human being – regardless of his or her nationality – has to put up with living in public toilets. Lest we think every Singaporean does indeed have a roof over his or her head, let’s take a step back to reflect on the invisible homeless whom we hardly ever come across on the streets – save, perhaps the dubious beggars who tend to invoke more doubt and cynicism in the average Singaporean than sympathy. Here again I have to quote a news report which was published on Straits Times (I believe) in the distant past. The journalist took a stroll along the poorer quarters of Singapore one night with a bunch of law enforcers who were out to nab the homeless sleeping in the streets. He/she came across this lady who seemed out of her sorts and who had menstration stains on her clothes. Although there wasn’t any photo to accompany the story, it is not difficult to picture the very disturbing scene. Perhaps we should thank these law enforcers for cleaning our streets of the ‘vagrants’. But it also really begs the question whether they erased the average Singaporean’s consciousness of the plight of the poor and disadvantaged.

Of course, we still have the charity shows such as the now defunct NKF annual fund raising event or its successor, the Ren Ci Charity show to remain us of the importance to be kind towards the less privileged. What is worrying, however, is that the growing cynicism towards such charitable organisations and events – after the NKF saga – would have influenced our attitude towards the poor and the disadvantaged. How often do we walk past a street beggar ignoring his/her pleas for token sums of money? Indeed, some would say it is wise for us to do so, but what does it do to the moral health of our society? Should we rethink our approach towards poverty?

* * * * * *

A few days ago, the question of the poor in Singapore popped up again during my conversation with a fellow colleague. Both of us have spent extended period of time overseas – either working or studying or both. And both of us felt strangely insulated here by the bliss surrounding middle-class Singaporeans especially with the upturn of the economy. Armed with a decent degree, blessed with rather comfortable jobs and the pleasant company of friends leading similar lifestyles, we are so emersed in the self-indulgence of middle-class Singaporeans that it takes quite an effort to remind ourselves that we should not take what we have for granted.

Indeed, my colleague was sharing with me how she was reminded by her occasional direct or indirect encounters that the less fortunate do exist in Singapore. These are often the faces either of the old or disabled who usually reside in the one or two room public housing in the older estates (here I generalise). And she would only come across these people when she passed by these districts or on a very occasional news coverage – alas! she doesn’t read Chinese papers and so reduced her exposure.

The situation is made worse by the optimism of the economic upturn, which seems to inundate all our news coverage these days. Almost every other day if not everyday during the last week there were reports on private estate owners benefiting from enbloc sales – sales of a whole private residential development. The only news that seem to challenge the norm is of course, the climate change, which seems to dominate the global agenda. Granted climate change affects all human kind, but what about who will be the most effected? Are these going to be the swinging overnight millionaires or billionaires who just sold their condominiums for handsome sums of money? Or, should we be looking at the aged who can’t get decent-paying jobs to feed themselves, let alone going green and caring for the environment? Are they not affected by climate change? But of course they will be! These are the people who will lose the most when the crunch times come. But speak to them about climate change when they can’t even feed themselves? I think not.

Some will also argue the developed nations are looking to help the poor now, particularly in the Africa – now that is the pet agenda of the now ex-UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. And it also merits a mention in the new UN Secretary’s Ban Ki Moon’s first address. However, I would also like to remind us, the Singaporeans who are enjoying the fruit of labour of our hardy ancestors, there are also some poor people (often old folks) around us, who have contributed their fair share of their lives to the building of our tiny red dot. They are now left behind in the rat race, struggling to catch up with the younger and more IT literate Singaporeans. And they are often ‘invisible in the public sphere’. Their sufferings often warrant insufficient coverage in the media vs the number of new condos we could be expecting or the number of plastic bags we should be cutting down in supermarkets. Is it not time to take a step back from our daily rush to reflect on how these people are and will be doing in the increasing frenzy for more personal wealth and well-being? The poor in the poorest country may be suffering, but the poor in the richest nations may not be any better if their compatriots choose to ignore their plight.

Ramblings on treatment of extramarital affairs

Having an extramarital affair may be a big boo boo for public figures in Singapore and serve to taint the image of politicians in America, but it’s not likely to make a big difference amongst French.

The MIW in Singapore will probably rather die than be caught with another woman or man for that matter, (other than their legitimate partner) in bed. It certainly isn’t going to sit well with their spanky clean image. But it ain’t much difference in the so-called liberated U.S. where the much adored Bill Clinton has to suffer public ‘flogging’ for his indiscretion with an intern. Now the situation will be entirely different for Clinton if he were the President of France rather than the U.S. The French appear to be totally blase towards Jacques Chirac’s confession of his extramarital affairs in his biography which made headlines elsewhere but not at all in France.

Baffled by the nonchalance of the French, the Brits put this question out to a French woman about a fortnight ago on the BBC. Apparently, Chirac’s public achievements appears to have overshadowed his private indiscretions in France. And while the feminists may scream foul play, the same freedom is also accorded to a married French woman. So if the Presidents are allowed mistresses, there’s no stopping any First Ladies from having their one night stands or affairs. But of course, the key is to handle these with discretion, which possibly explain the silence of the French media when it comes to such reportage. In fact, the French had found the Americans childlike in the handling of marriage or relationships.

So where does it place Singapore then? Are all our politicians or their wives or their families beyond reprimand when it comes to their personal lives or matters? I seriously think it’s impossible for anyone to be 100 per cent squeaky clean. Members of the opposition aren’t likely to be spared the heat from public scrutiny for any misconduct but I have doubts whether the MIW will be subject to similar treatment. I’ll say it’s more likely the silent treatment but it’s definitely not in the same class action as the French.

Whereas freedom and respect for privacy may be the French liberal operation modus, there is little or no appetite at all for such indiscretions in Singapore when it comes to public figures. That leaves no room at all for paparazzi and juicy exposes on our politicians in the majority league – unless of course, if and when they chose to step down.

Realistically speaking, no man and woman is a saint. I do not think our MIW and their families or for that matter, our Mediacorp artistes are entirely free of any blemish. I’m certainly not arguing for the value of paparazzi reports but methinks selective silent treatment has compromised the credibility of local press. Whether or not we ought to condone extramarital affairs has to be considered in conjunction with the respect for privacy (of the entire population not just the selected few). So if the ruling elites are spared the public embarrassment, it’s only fair the same should be extended to the man or woman in the street.

Do it the American or French way, but not a hybrid of both. You will only mess up nationhood with contradicting missives.

Tea, Coffee, Wine, or Cocoa?

It’s a sorta typecasting exercise, but I still love the lyrical phrasing of this quote I came across on a tea cup this morning:

There is a subtle charm in the taste of tea which makes it irresistible and capable of idealisation. Western humourists were not slow to mingle the fragrance of their thoughts with its aroma. It has not the arrogance of wine, the self-consciousness of coffee, nor the simpering innocence of cocoa.

Kakuzo Okakura in The Book of Tea.

What a way to augment the pleasure of having my morning tea .

Asian Toilet Culture

Malaysia is the latest Asian nation to announce a revamp of not just its public toilets (hardware) but now also a campaign to improve the toilet manners of its citizens.

Strangely but quite predictably I must say, the ‘T’ word – stands for toilet – often pops up in my conversations with fellow Singaporeans who have spent an extended period of time overseas.

Sadly, we all appear to agree on one fact, that Asians – other than the exceptional Japanese and possibly Koreans – generally aren’t quite civic-minded when it comes to public property (especially toilets!) and for some reason or other our toilet manners suck.

Some are quick to advise me that Asia has generally come a long way since SARS particularly in hard-hit countries/cities like China, Hong Kong and Singapore. But much remains to be done with the mentality of the Asian citizen.

Case in point: where else in the world can you find automated toilet flushing systems other than Singapore or now Malaysia?

What makes it so difficult to inculcate in the nationals the habit to flush and clean up before you leave the cubicle for the next person?

As the Chinese saying goes, Zi Bu Jiao Fu Zhi Gao, if the son isn’t well-schooled in his manners, the fault lies with his father. The same could be said about how the current generation may reflect (badly) on their ancestors. I’ve not had the luxury to go in depth in my research on the toilet manners of ancient Chinese or other Asian races. But I do have a nudging suspicion that the entire problem is rooted on a lack of consideration for anything that does not fall under one’s ownership. So that toilet in the market cannot be equated the same status as my private toilet at home, that grass field isn’t part of my own garden and the void deck is a shared area that is under regular maintenance by the town council. So why should I care for public property when it should be some one else’s responsibility? Well, perhaps only when I am fined for not doing so – then again fines don’t really work all the time in Singapore .

Ok this post has already run a longer length than expected. Have to stop rambling now. I’ll be listening here if you like to share your thoughts.

Declared a ‘non’-painter

By this I mean both painter the artist and painter the artisan. I’ve never really harboured great hopes for my artistic talents. Now I’m convinced I’m really not a bona fide painter – in both senses of the word. You need only one look at the now patchy walls in my room to verify my statement. Am giving up on brushes haha…

Food for life and death

Chatting with a friend about event planning and brought up the topic of food allergy. The most life threatening seems to be nut allergy, or as the doctors would have termed, anaphylaxis.

You might be asking the same question as I did: how then do these folks find out they are suffering from anaphylaxis? Guess what, it takes a life after death experience to realise one is inflicted with this condition. So as this friend of mine would recount, one of her client nearly died from nut consumption whilst as a baby – imagine registering pulselessness on a cardiac monitor and nearly, nearly certified dead.

And strangely, this condition seems to inflict more the west than the other parts of the world, leading to a popular speculation amongst some medical practitioners that the allergy is the side effect of a ’squeaky clean’ western lifestyle.

With the extensive clean up campaign going on in Beijing right now, I wonder what the Chinese authorities will say to this .