"It is funny how Singapore has got a snapshot of the whole world"
As I was walking past Takashimaya to meet my parents at night, I walked past this tourist,American I think who said those exact words.Strange isnt it.I wont really take it as a compliment.Let me tell you why.Yes,no doubt,Singapore is a very cosmopolitain country where not only are we are country with a wide variety of cusine available to the individual tastebud,but we also have an array of fashion available.Our country is a multi racial country and we are a very modern country,with tall skyscrapers,an economy that is prospering from trade with different countries.Not only that, we play a part in the international affairs of the world.No doubt that in Singapore we can find a small part of the whole world.To me,that is somehow or other the intrigue and exotic nature of Singapore.
But-a BIG BIG BUT-is it necessarily a good thing?My dad pointed out something that echoed what I said.Singapore has a snapshot of the world because we want to copy whatever other people do.I absolutely agree with that.The government wants to copy whatever other countries do and while some things have worked,not all thing have and not all things will.Let me draw 2 examples and leave you to think about the rest.First,The Esplanade.The main aim was to develop a growing arts culture,centre,a bit of a copy-cat act by builidng this huge hall that would be something like the Sydney Opera House?Even the idea of the building to house major arts performances is almost a copy of the Sydney Opera House.I am not saying that it is wrong and yes it did work out.The Esplanade area is a beautiful area to have dinner and just walk around and we see how major arts performances held there have been a success.However,did we really need to create a huge complex like the Esplanade to create a culture of the arts?Or could there have been some other way.Is it the building?Or the governments part in cultivating interest in the people to appreciate the arts?Which is more important?
Second,the whole idea of the casino.It is such a copycat idea of countries like Australia,America,Macau to build a casino to attract tourists and generate revenue for our country.Do we really think we can handle the negative externalities that come with the casino?The government says that it would be a sign of a mature society.Are we really so full of ourselves that we think we are a mature society?I think the government has more than enough problems on their hands already.Even if it is made exclusive to people with a certain level of income do you think it helps?I just feel that there will be a high level of not just snoberry but also discrimination that would come with it.Do we really want that?No matter what they say,gambling is still gambling.There is still a chance of addiction and the negative social consequences that comes with it.Can we really handle that?Or do we just want to have a casino for the sake of it?Just to copy because it works in other countries?
As I was walking past Takashimaya to meet my parents at night, I walked past this tourist,American I think who said those exact words.Strange isnt it.I wont really take it as a compliment.Let me tell you why.Yes,no doubt,Singapore is a very cosmopolitain country where not only are we are country with a wide variety of cusine available to the individual tastebud,but we also have an array of fashion available.Our country is a multi racial country and we are a very modern country,with tall skyscrapers,an economy that is prospering from trade with different countries.Not only that, we play a part in the international affairs of the world.No doubt that in Singapore we can find a small part of the whole world.To me,that is somehow or other the intrigue and exotic nature of Singapore.
But-a BIG BIG BUT-is it necessarily a good thing?My dad pointed out something that echoed what I said.Singapore has a snapshot of the world because we want to copy whatever other people do.I absolutely agree with that.The government wants to copy whatever other countries do and while some things have worked,not all thing have and not all things will.Let me draw 2 examples and leave you to think about the rest.First,The Esplanade.The main aim was to develop a growing arts culture,centre,a bit of a copy-cat act by builidng this huge hall that would be something like the Sydney Opera House?Even the idea of the building to house major arts performances is almost a copy of the Sydney Opera House.I am not saying that it is wrong and yes it did work out.The Esplanade area is a beautiful area to have dinner and just walk around and we see how major arts performances held there have been a success.However,did we really need to create a huge complex like the Esplanade to create a culture of the arts?Or could there have been some other way.Is it the building?Or the governments part in cultivating interest in the people to appreciate the arts?Which is more important?
Second,the whole idea of the casino.It is such a copycat idea of countries like Australia,America,Macau to build a casino to attract tourists and generate revenue for our country.Do we really think we can handle the negative externalities that come with the casino?The government says that it would be a sign of a mature society.Are we really so full of ourselves that we think we are a mature society?I think the government has more than enough problems on their hands already.Even if it is made exclusive to people with a certain level of income do you think it helps?I just feel that there will be a high level of not just snoberry but also discrimination that would come with it.Do we really want that?No matter what they say,gambling is still gambling.There is still a chance of addiction and the negative social consequences that comes with it.Can we really handle that?Or do we just want to have a casino for the sake of it?Just to copy because it works in other countries?
posted by tim at 4:36 AM
2 Comments:
human geo - uniformication of all major cities. imagine tokyo with english signs and loads more white people than japs - TA NAH! new york new york. its cool no doubt. and we'll always have our kopitiams and hawker centres and sbs buses and hdb playgrounds. MWAH! SINGSING I LOVE YOU! indos really cool too :D
the whole thing about copying other countries though i think is kinda unfair. How many ways can you build a big theatre to house all arts - okay so only rich people go there so far, but its a start. how many ways can you draw in loads of revenue, there's already a night safari, sentosa, food.a casino's just a tried and tested way to rake in the dollars - they've already put HUGE taxes on addictive(hence inelastic) cigarettes already. i think some singaporeans are quite shallow and obnoxious [not refering to you in anywya] (im singaporean) but definately the majority of the population should be 'mature enough'. not arguing just my views. did i spell arguing wrong? damn. cant tell. well anw. i think however that quite a number of singapore youths are self centered, condescending and in some ways naive in their thinking. but i might just be focusing on the bad. Like the 'new chinese syllabus': im quite skeptical about that, but they're trying so why not see how it goes for a while. not everything takes place over night or over years. definately the esplanade or nade (whiever way you say it haha) will not be frequented by the poorer people around, but at least its there so if they want to go they can. maybe not to every dim sum dollie play (lets hope there will be many more) but now and then is good enough for a start.
dont i sound like a pompous obnoxious singaporean. im not actually - just trying to get my thoughts out. anw. you know who to call. its jian. haha.
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