I am here partly because I haven't been, for quite some time now, and partly because I need to take a break from all the PSI rants on Facebook.
The last time Singapore was so hazy was more than 15 years ago. I am not gonna talk too much about ethical business practices and corporate responsibilities, but I just want to point out that I am very disappointed that the issue of burning of forests has been happening for more than 20 years already, and is never gonna stop unless someone mandates it. Reluctance, inaction, and a nonchalant government has indirectly condoned such atrocities. Funny how it's not really anybody's business until someone actually complains about it when it gets detrimental, and we realise the model of action-reaction in our societies. If it really is "counter-measures" all the time, then perhaps it is time to evaluate if current systems are adequate in confronting national crises like these that involve transnational elements.
Yet we know there's nothing we can do. In the face of this atrocity, we can only brandish our little sword of defiance through online social platforms, rant on about how it's affecting our health and livelihood, diss the culprits responsible, but in fact rendered powerless because we value diplomacy more than anything else. The truth is we can't challenge somebody else's sovereignty. The truth is we can't issue sanctions. The truth is inaction breeds audacity.
But how can we make them see the light when they choose to turn their heads away?
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Fine Read
It feels like so long since I've last been here! I'm typing away effortlessly on my new laptop which I believe somehow makes my flow of thoughts slightly more coherent due to the absence of annoyance from a malfunctioning spacebar. Sweet.
I've been feeling lazy lately about coming here to post something. It's not that I feel compelled to, anyway, but I think the hindrance of a broken spacebar has critically limited my enthusiasm of penning my thoughts down. But now, finally.
I've recently completed 3 books (on my kindle, actually; but really - technicalities) back to back, and I feel the need to congratulate myself for this significant achievement. I can't remember the last time I've picked up a real, physical copy of a book. I must confess that I do miss that feeling of it, but technology has been so kind to provide all these hassle-free digital copies of wonderful, magical, and enriching tapestries of literary expressions that I simply find hard to refuse. I will admit that I am a cheapo who rarely pays for books, partly because I don't have space to store them, but mostly because its affordability is something I personally find unsustainable. I grew up with free copies of the likes of Enid Blyton, The Bookworm Club, and the Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew series from my cousins. When I was younger, I'd almost always borrow a book, from a friend or the library, instead of owning one myself. I adore the idea of entering the library without any title in mind, and just be there to explore the possibilities of discovering a good read on those tightly-packed shelves simply by the advice of a blurb. Nevertheless, I'd love to get a copy or two of these books if I could, and I would, in fact, if I was sufficiently captivated by it.
I don't know about you, but every time I start on a book it's like I'm embarking on an exciting journey. I always feel slightly daunted when I'm about to begin, because I absolutely hate starting on a book which I will ultimately not complete. The dilemma is that if we never venture deeper into a book, we'd never know its development. (But what if we do and it sucks?) There definitely have been times when I simply couldn't convince myself to carry on reading a boring and unenlightening piece of work. I'm sorry to all avid readers out there who think I am just a myopic, judgemental provincial who doesn't understand the beauty of literature, but I have been through enough times when I was grievously disappointed by a lacklustre narrative, and so I aim to avoid that sour feeling of emptiness exacerbated by a realisation that I have completely wasted x hours of my time, if I had a choice.
I'm in the middle of another book now, and I'm glad that it is has been pleasantly entertaining so far. I love my kindle. I'm signing off to continue on it now.
Oh, have I mentioned my new laptop keyboard is awesome? I might just overflow this blog with posts this month! Hahahaha
I've been feeling lazy lately about coming here to post something. It's not that I feel compelled to, anyway, but I think the hindrance of a broken spacebar has critically limited my enthusiasm of penning my thoughts down. But now, finally.
I've recently completed 3 books (on my kindle, actually; but really - technicalities) back to back, and I feel the need to congratulate myself for this significant achievement. I can't remember the last time I've picked up a real, physical copy of a book. I must confess that I do miss that feeling of it, but technology has been so kind to provide all these hassle-free digital copies of wonderful, magical, and enriching tapestries of literary expressions that I simply find hard to refuse. I will admit that I am a cheapo who rarely pays for books, partly because I don't have space to store them, but mostly because its affordability is something I personally find unsustainable. I grew up with free copies of the likes of Enid Blyton, The Bookworm Club, and the Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew series from my cousins. When I was younger, I'd almost always borrow a book, from a friend or the library, instead of owning one myself. I adore the idea of entering the library without any title in mind, and just be there to explore the possibilities of discovering a good read on those tightly-packed shelves simply by the advice of a blurb. Nevertheless, I'd love to get a copy or two of these books if I could, and I would, in fact, if I was sufficiently captivated by it.
I don't know about you, but every time I start on a book it's like I'm embarking on an exciting journey. I always feel slightly daunted when I'm about to begin, because I absolutely hate starting on a book which I will ultimately not complete. The dilemma is that if we never venture deeper into a book, we'd never know its development. (But what if we do and it sucks?) There definitely have been times when I simply couldn't convince myself to carry on reading a boring and unenlightening piece of work. I'm sorry to all avid readers out there who think I am just a myopic, judgemental provincial who doesn't understand the beauty of literature, but I have been through enough times when I was grievously disappointed by a lacklustre narrative, and so I aim to avoid that sour feeling of emptiness exacerbated by a realisation that I have completely wasted x hours of my time, if I had a choice.
I'm in the middle of another book now, and I'm glad that it is has been pleasantly entertaining so far. I love my kindle. I'm signing off to continue on it now.
Oh, have I mentioned my new laptop keyboard is awesome? I might just overflow this blog with posts this month! Hahahaha
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