ku10's last take

ku10's parting thoughts on Singapore. Many of his observations are spot on and I totally agree with them. I mean, how can you teach creativity? How can you expect creativity to flourish in a country where, from cradle to grave, one is told what to read, what to say, how to say, when to say, what to watch, when to watch, and even, when one dies, how long one remains buried?

I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn’t be here today. And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn’t be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervened on very personal matters—who your neighbour is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use. We decide what is right. Never mind what the people think.

         (Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Straits Times, 20 April 1987)


Yes, life in a hamster's cage is safe, efficient, and predictable. Meals are guaranteed, and shavings changed regularly; you will never be eaten by predators; and, if you fall ill, someone might even take you to a veterinarian. There is even an exercise wheel for you to run in; getting nowhere whilst imagining you are running up and down vast, open mountain meadows. And if your illness is incurable, there is the quick and easy end of euthanasia. Thank the powers that be for little mercies. Majulah Singapura.

The complete post here.

On takchek's blog, luckysingaporean commented:

Elitism 101

Elitism 201

Elitism 301

Elitism and being an elite are 2 different things. Some of us will be better educated than others - it is natural. The fact that I have a Masters or a PHD does not mean I subscribe to elitist view or elitism. Elitism is a belief that only the opinion of the elites matter, the elites have an elevated importance hence entitlement within our society.

Once you understand what elitism is...you have no problem why some people in our society dare to ask for the highest salaries in the world for the role of serving the public...as a public servant. You will have no problem understand why there are no debates in Singapore and why our daily reading is unstimulative propaganda...and why alternatives have to be fixed, crushed and destroy...you will also understand why everything is done for your own good so you should shut up, stop whining and learn to appreciate the grand achievements of our elite leaders.

Not all of us are content to live out our lives in simulacra.



Raise your head and look outside the ring sometime.