I think that arts play a very significant role in Singapore. Arts and aesthetics remind peole to be graceful and appreciate the art of beauty. It teaches and educate to be gracious in this selfish society and be conscious at our actions. Art through painting and many other forms brings one back to the past and also allow one to learn more about his or her heritage. Through art, people are able to feel the past and probabbly appreciate the present and predict the future.
However, as said by the Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, poeple nowadays see the arts as an indulgence, or for the well-heeled and rich, or if we have time to spare. This is very true in the modern society where the pace of life is painfully fast and does not allow people for much leisure time. Even when one is able to spare a few minutes for relaxing, many a time, people spend their leisure time on their electrical gadgets or on other materialistic products rather then make a trip down to the musuem or wherever that resides artistic values.
Besides, in this modern world where one is driven by profits and money, many artists do related arts job because of the extrinsic rewards they can derive from it rather than the pure interests of it.
Hence, I feel that more should be done to increase the role of the value of arts for people to appreciate its beauty. Art allow one to be more elegant and poised as it brings out the elegance of people. Therefore, arts play a very important role in Singapore as the people are not as graceful and has lots of improvements to be made.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Role of the art and the importance in Singapore
What roles do the Arts play in Singapore? How important are these roles?
According to the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts in Singapore, the arts plays three important roles in our society. It is a foundation of our cultural heritage, a source of aesthetic inspiration and intellectual stimulation and lastly, a rich resources for our creative industries.
These roles are of different importance. The role of art being a foundation of our cultural heritage is the most important. Through art work, Singapore can create its own unique identity that as Singaporeans can identify with. An example is the Singapore Season launched in London in 2005. It was also held in Beijing and Shanghai in 2007. Singapore Season aims to showcase Singapore's most creative talents to the rest of the world. Many Singaporeans in these cities who attended the festival also enjoyed themselves. It displayed many Singapore music groups like the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the Singapore Dance Theatre. Singapore pop star JJ Lin was also involved in the show.
Art has also been more recognition in recent years. The setting up of the School of the Art, Singapore (SOTA) represented the level of importance of art in Singapore. The school will help breed a new generation of artists who are well equipped with the knowledge of the various form of art. Singaporeans who are talented and passionate about art will no longer have to travel overseas to study. Singapore has also build the esplanade - theater by the bay which serves as a venue to stage all forms of art. Besides having a large theater to stage world class productions, the also stage works out in the open air which is free for all to watch and enjoy. It hope to bring the art to the people.
Without doubt, economics still play an important role in the promotion of the arts. Without the financial support, it is almost impossible to run the various outreach programme by the National Art Council. Many companies sponsor the plays which in turn help them to advertise. This results in a win-win situation in that more people can enjoy the plays.
In conclusion, art in Singapore plays many roles and that the different roles are important in different areas.
Chee Ying
According to the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts in Singapore, the arts plays three important roles in our society. It is a foundation of our cultural heritage, a source of aesthetic inspiration and intellectual stimulation and lastly, a rich resources for our creative industries.
These roles are of different importance. The role of art being a foundation of our cultural heritage is the most important. Through art work, Singapore can create its own unique identity that as Singaporeans can identify with. An example is the Singapore Season launched in London in 2005. It was also held in Beijing and Shanghai in 2007. Singapore Season aims to showcase Singapore's most creative talents to the rest of the world. Many Singaporeans in these cities who attended the festival also enjoyed themselves. It displayed many Singapore music groups like the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the Singapore Dance Theatre. Singapore pop star JJ Lin was also involved in the show.
Art has also been more recognition in recent years. The setting up of the School of the Art, Singapore (SOTA) represented the level of importance of art in Singapore. The school will help breed a new generation of artists who are well equipped with the knowledge of the various form of art. Singaporeans who are talented and passionate about art will no longer have to travel overseas to study. Singapore has also build the esplanade - theater by the bay which serves as a venue to stage all forms of art. Besides having a large theater to stage world class productions, the also stage works out in the open air which is free for all to watch and enjoy. It hope to bring the art to the people.
Without doubt, economics still play an important role in the promotion of the arts. Without the financial support, it is almost impossible to run the various outreach programme by the National Art Council. Many companies sponsor the plays which in turn help them to advertise. This results in a win-win situation in that more people can enjoy the plays.
In conclusion, art in Singapore plays many roles and that the different roles are important in different areas.
Chee Ying
Friday, August 22, 2008
THE ROLE OF ARTS IN SINGAPORE
What roles do the arts play in Singapore? How important are these roles?
The arts not only contribute to the culture of Singapore today. It helps in the contribution in the economy of Singapore today. The arts in Singapore are also an essential role in the society today, where it may benefit the social aspect of Singapore by inserting some form of creativity. In the Singapore society today, the arts play a crucial role, as important as science and technology is to Singapore.
In order to remain at the competitive edge, there will be a need for Singapore to diversify as a society into greater aspects. Our sole focus on the science is definitely insufficient to cope with the higher demands of sustaining as a highly competitive country in the future. Therefore, there will be a need to open up the arts in Singapore in order for the ‘creation of new jobs and greater competitiveness’ to take place. As the arts can also be ‘economically-driven’, the arts will therefore allow growth in the Singapore economy, indirectly playing a crucial role in the development of Singapore in the future.
As the arts is also considered as the ‘bread for society soul’, where different perspectives can be formed. This will allow the mindsets of the people in the society to broaden, where various opinions can be taken into considerations. In this way, the arts will assume the role of broadening perspectives and speed up the growth of Singapore socially. The broadening mindsets of Singaporeans through the appreciation of the arts will definitely be a catalyst in the growth of the country.
The arts are definitely important and crucial to the future developments of Singapore. It will serve as an important factor in determining the extent of growth of Singapore for the years to come.
The arts not only contribute to the culture of Singapore today. It helps in the contribution in the economy of Singapore today. The arts in Singapore are also an essential role in the society today, where it may benefit the social aspect of Singapore by inserting some form of creativity. In the Singapore society today, the arts play a crucial role, as important as science and technology is to Singapore.
In order to remain at the competitive edge, there will be a need for Singapore to diversify as a society into greater aspects. Our sole focus on the science is definitely insufficient to cope with the higher demands of sustaining as a highly competitive country in the future. Therefore, there will be a need to open up the arts in Singapore in order for the ‘creation of new jobs and greater competitiveness’ to take place. As the arts can also be ‘economically-driven’, the arts will therefore allow growth in the Singapore economy, indirectly playing a crucial role in the development of Singapore in the future.
As the arts is also considered as the ‘bread for society soul’, where different perspectives can be formed. This will allow the mindsets of the people in the society to broaden, where various opinions can be taken into considerations. In this way, the arts will assume the role of broadening perspectives and speed up the growth of Singapore socially. The broadening mindsets of Singaporeans through the appreciation of the arts will definitely be a catalyst in the growth of the country.
The arts are definitely important and crucial to the future developments of Singapore. It will serve as an important factor in determining the extent of growth of Singapore for the years to come.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Soul, space and recognition
Paulo argues that talent needs soul, space and recognition in order to flourish. Do you think such conditions are present in Singapore?
According to Paulo, local talent needs the soul, space and recognition in order to flourish. However, not all of the three conditions are present in Singapore.
Singapore lacks the soul in that there is a lack of passion among the Singaporeans workers and students. The way for a newly independent Singapore to survive despite being a small nation lacking in natural resources is to be practical. Thus pragmatism becomes the trademark of the Singapore’s society. This has resulted in a restrictive education system whose aim is to train the students of the past to become efficient workers today. Although there have been many changes to the education system, it has failed to ignite the passion for learning in majority of the students. Students become employees, carrying with them the “just follow instructions’ mindset into the workplace that is being honed during the school days. According to a survey done by the Singapore government on the employers in Singapore, Singaporeans are efficient yet they lack the initiative and decision making skills. This shows that Singaporeans are treating their job as a way to earn a monthly salary instead of something that they would like to do. Therefore, there is a lack of soul that is needed for local talent to thrive.
Singapore also lacks sufficient space for the local talent to flourish. In Singapore, too much is being focus on academic achievements in the area of science and technology. It lacks the room the artistic talent in Singapore to be developed further. Despite the recent introduction of the sports school and the arts school, these schools are still placing equal emphasis on the academic results. At the end of the sports or arts education, the students at the respective schools still need to sit for the academic based exams, the ‘O’ levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma respectively. The students are also faces parental constrains. Not all the Singaporean parents are also willing to let their child join the specialized schools. Singapore has yet to reach the level of openness where diverse talents are welcomed and groomed.
In conclusion, although the level of recognition in Singapore is quite high, the lack of soul and space will diminish the amount of talent discovered in Singapore.
Chee Ying
According to Paulo, local talent needs the soul, space and recognition in order to flourish. However, not all of the three conditions are present in Singapore.
Singapore lacks the soul in that there is a lack of passion among the Singaporeans workers and students. The way for a newly independent Singapore to survive despite being a small nation lacking in natural resources is to be practical. Thus pragmatism becomes the trademark of the Singapore’s society. This has resulted in a restrictive education system whose aim is to train the students of the past to become efficient workers today. Although there have been many changes to the education system, it has failed to ignite the passion for learning in majority of the students. Students become employees, carrying with them the “just follow instructions’ mindset into the workplace that is being honed during the school days. According to a survey done by the Singapore government on the employers in Singapore, Singaporeans are efficient yet they lack the initiative and decision making skills. This shows that Singaporeans are treating their job as a way to earn a monthly salary instead of something that they would like to do. Therefore, there is a lack of soul that is needed for local talent to thrive.
Singapore also lacks sufficient space for the local talent to flourish. In Singapore, too much is being focus on academic achievements in the area of science and technology. It lacks the room the artistic talent in Singapore to be developed further. Despite the recent introduction of the sports school and the arts school, these schools are still placing equal emphasis on the academic results. At the end of the sports or arts education, the students at the respective schools still need to sit for the academic based exams, the ‘O’ levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma respectively. The students are also faces parental constrains. Not all the Singaporean parents are also willing to let their child join the specialized schools. Singapore has yet to reach the level of openness where diverse talents are welcomed and groomed.
In conclusion, although the level of recognition in Singapore is quite high, the lack of soul and space will diminish the amount of talent discovered in Singapore.
Chee Ying
1. Supian and Hartung argue that talent in Singapore is too narrowly defined and that we tend to produce only certain types of talent. Do you agree with their views?
With its outstanding education and meritocracy system, Singapore is able to produce a pool of talents whom are able to aid in boosting Singapore’s economy in different working fields. However, I agree that the talent in Singapore is too narrowly defined which may be caused by the stereotypical definition of talents.
First of all, Supian argued that Singaporeans should embrace a culture that rewards risk taking as being the ‘standard’ talents will become too heavy a task and narrows the people’s views on talents. According to Supian, ‘Down here, it’s very hard to fail economically. If you fail, you don’t have a good place to stay and there’s social stigma. In Silicon Valley, if you fail, you just start again. Nobody looks down on you. You just rent a cheap apartment and start again.’ This is true for the case in Singapore, The talents nurtured in Singapore are usually being accessed by their academic results in schools and success in career. There is hardly a chance for you to try something out of the box without having the fear of consequences to face if things were to fail. Talents hence are usually produced in the same manner, bearing the same capabilities, with no change in their area of talent.
In addition, Singapore has failed to produce talents that are able to be manipulative, flexible or creative. According to Hartung, ‘One banker told of mixing graduates of foreign and local universities in the marketing department, to blend foreign-nurtured creativity with the locally-nurtured ability for process management. Another manager related how he often had to push staff to find alternative solutions since they routinely develop just one solution and easily accept rejection.’ Hence it also implies that Singapore’s definition of talents is usually understood on a narrow scope which nurtured talents on the same narrow base. I agree on this point as the current education system in Singapore largely instills thinking in students that talents are people who are able to provide standard solutions to every question. As a result, many students lose their ability to be flexible to situations out of ‘standard solutions’ and have lost the creativity to think up of new solutions to the unexpected problems that arised.
In conclusion, I agree that Singapore’s talents are too narrowly defined and this may hinder Singapore’s future economic growth if Singapore’s talents are confined to such a narrow scope of development.
tianhe![:
Friday, August 15, 2008
Ravi Veloo believes that the key to solving the problem of talent shortage in Singapore lies in changing the mindset of the people. Do you agree with his views?
There are certain talents that are gifted while certain are cultivated through time. It is hard to cultivate talent in one if one contains a wrong mindset that all talents are gifted and is impossible to attain talents through hard work. This misconception is a factor for the talent shortage in people in Singapore today. Therefore, I agree with Ravi Veloo that the key to solving the talent shortage in Singapore lies in changing the mindset of the people.
Firstly, the mindset that Singaporeans are boring and uncreative is vital in hindering the discovery of talents among Singaporeans. This labeling is certainly unfair and shows the lack of confidence we have in ourselves. The misperception definitely cause a restriction in further developing our talents due to the display in lack of belief among Singaporeans on the possibility of being ‘talented’. Most Singaporeans feel that they are ‘having just one talent for the rest of their lives’. This typical mindset is a key factor in the shortage of talent in Singapore today, where there is a lack of belief that talent can be nurtured and not necessarily gifted
The mindset that self content brings stability and happiness is also a reason of the talent shortage. Singaporeans are too satisfied with their own life so much so that they are not interested in discovering their hidden talent. They are often self contented and are not bothered about what they can actually attain. They are just happy with their lives and are uninterested in improving their lives and discovering their talents. The mindset that ‘self content brings happiness’ brings about the talent shortage problem. They lack the desire and passion to excel and are living in self content.
In order to discover our talents, we need to have the courage to take on the first step of exploring before nurturing the talent. The mindset in most Singaporeans is definitely an obstacle in the increasing of talent pool in Singapore today.
There are certain talents that are gifted while certain are cultivated through time. It is hard to cultivate talent in one if one contains a wrong mindset that all talents are gifted and is impossible to attain talents through hard work. This misconception is a factor for the talent shortage in people in Singapore today. Therefore, I agree with Ravi Veloo that the key to solving the talent shortage in Singapore lies in changing the mindset of the people.
Firstly, the mindset that Singaporeans are boring and uncreative is vital in hindering the discovery of talents among Singaporeans. This labeling is certainly unfair and shows the lack of confidence we have in ourselves. The misperception definitely cause a restriction in further developing our talents due to the display in lack of belief among Singaporeans on the possibility of being ‘talented’. Most Singaporeans feel that they are ‘having just one talent for the rest of their lives’. This typical mindset is a key factor in the shortage of talent in Singapore today, where there is a lack of belief that talent can be nurtured and not necessarily gifted
The mindset that self content brings stability and happiness is also a reason of the talent shortage. Singaporeans are too satisfied with their own life so much so that they are not interested in discovering their hidden talent. They are often self contented and are not bothered about what they can actually attain. They are just happy with their lives and are uninterested in improving their lives and discovering their talents. The mindset that ‘self content brings happiness’ brings about the talent shortage problem. They lack the desire and passion to excel and are living in self content.
In order to discover our talents, we need to have the courage to take on the first step of exploring before nurturing the talent. The mindset in most Singaporeans is definitely an obstacle in the increasing of talent pool in Singapore today.
Ravi Veloo believes that the key to solving the problem of talent shortage in Singapore lies in changing the mindset of the people. Do you agree with his views?
There are certain talents that are gifted while certain are cultivated through time. It is hard to cultivate talent in one if one contains a wrong mindset that all talents are gifted and is impossible to attain talents through hard work. This misconception is a factor for the talent shortage in people in Singapore today. Therefore, I agree with Ravi Veloo that the key to solving the talent shortage in Singapore lies in changing the mindset of the people.
Firstly, the mindset that Singaporeans are boring and uncreative is vital in hindering the discovery of talents among Singaporeans. This labeling is certainly unfair and shows the lack of confidence we have in ourselves. The misperception definitely cause a restriction in further developing our talents due to the display in lack of belief among Singaporeans on the possibility of being ‘talented’. Most Singaporeans feel that they are ‘having just one talent for the rest of their lives’. This typical mindset is a key factor in the shortage of talent in Singapore today, where there is a lack of belief that talent can be nurtured and not necessarily gifted
The mindset that self content brings stability and happiness is also a reason of the talent shortage. Singaporeans are too satisfied with their own life so much so that they are not interested in discovering their hidden talent. They are often self contented and are not bothered about what they can actually attain. They are just happy with their lives and are uninterested in improving their lives and discovering their talents. The mindset that ‘self content brings happiness’ brings about the talent shortage problem. They lack the desire and passion to excel and are living in self content.
In order to discover our talents, we need to have the courage to take on the first step of exploring before nurturing the talent. The mindset in most Singaporeans is definitely an obstacle in the increasing of talent pool in Singapore today.
There are certain talents that are gifted while certain are cultivated through time. It is hard to cultivate talent in one if one contains a wrong mindset that all talents are gifted and is impossible to attain talents through hard work. This misconception is a factor for the talent shortage in people in Singapore today. Therefore, I agree with Ravi Veloo that the key to solving the talent shortage in Singapore lies in changing the mindset of the people.
Firstly, the mindset that Singaporeans are boring and uncreative is vital in hindering the discovery of talents among Singaporeans. This labeling is certainly unfair and shows the lack of confidence we have in ourselves. The misperception definitely cause a restriction in further developing our talents due to the display in lack of belief among Singaporeans on the possibility of being ‘talented’. Most Singaporeans feel that they are ‘having just one talent for the rest of their lives’. This typical mindset is a key factor in the shortage of talent in Singapore today, where there is a lack of belief that talent can be nurtured and not necessarily gifted
The mindset that self content brings stability and happiness is also a reason of the talent shortage. Singaporeans are too satisfied with their own life so much so that they are not interested in discovering their hidden talent. They are often self contented and are not bothered about what they can actually attain. They are just happy with their lives and are uninterested in improving their lives and discovering their talents. The mindset that ‘self content brings happiness’ brings about the talent shortage problem. They lack the desire and passion to excel and are living in self content.
In order to discover our talents, we need to have the courage to take on the first step of exploring before nurturing the talent. The mindset in most Singaporeans is definitely an obstacle in the increasing of talent pool in Singapore today.
Brain drain in Singapore?
2. Loh explores several suggestions on how to deal with the outflow of talent from Singapore. Evaluate his suggestions.
An estimated 10,000 Singaporeans leave the country each year to pursue their studies and many eventually face a dilemma as they become torn between returning to their motherland or settling down in a “better” place for them. There is an estimated 150,000 Singaporeans or 3.3% of the entire population working or living abroad. Though 3.3% seems a pretty insignificant value, 150,000 tells you much that Singapore is losing its core talent. People who leave Singapore for other countries are mostly talents who can find better job opportunities elsewhere in the world. With such a phenomena happening, there were some articles that had suggested solutions to this occurrence.
I read an article in ‘Today’ newspaper, a free newspaper that is available at public places such as mrt stations which had mentioned about the losing of local talent in Singapore. One of the suggestions found in the article that I strongly agree with is that to ensure that your people do not give up their citizenship, the government should bring about family togetherness by keeping a family rooted. I too, believe families are very significant and they are probably one of the most important sentimental feelings that one is unable to leave behind for better job prospects. What good is it if you can be rich but not happy? Hence, I feel that a pro-family centered policy would help to keep local talents.
Another suggestion made in the article was that people should be given a say in how things are and if one’s content or discontent is responded in some way. By giving people a say in the management of the country, people will feel more patriotic to their country as they are able to give ideas to improve the country. This makes the person proud of hi stand in the country as he or she feels that they are essential to the country and therefore feel rooted towards Singapore.
By preserving old buildings and heritage areas, it will also help to keep Singaporeans rooted to their country. These places are sentimental for people as it brings them back to the past and demolishing will only make one lose their sense of belongings. If such places were to be replaced by skyscrapers, what more is there for Singaporeans to feel that there is something in Singapore that contains memories of the past which cannot be found elsewhere? Yes, the economy requires constant changes in landscape, but surely something can be done to keep these heritage ares untouched right? With these significant feelings that cannot be bought no matter how rich one is, surely one would feel sentimental towards his motherland and choose to stay at home.
An estimated 10,000 Singaporeans leave the country each year to pursue their studies and many eventually face a dilemma as they become torn between returning to their motherland or settling down in a “better” place for them. There is an estimated 150,000 Singaporeans or 3.3% of the entire population working or living abroad. Though 3.3% seems a pretty insignificant value, 150,000 tells you much that Singapore is losing its core talent. People who leave Singapore for other countries are mostly talents who can find better job opportunities elsewhere in the world. With such a phenomena happening, there were some articles that had suggested solutions to this occurrence.
I read an article in ‘Today’ newspaper, a free newspaper that is available at public places such as mrt stations which had mentioned about the losing of local talent in Singapore. One of the suggestions found in the article that I strongly agree with is that to ensure that your people do not give up their citizenship, the government should bring about family togetherness by keeping a family rooted. I too, believe families are very significant and they are probably one of the most important sentimental feelings that one is unable to leave behind for better job prospects. What good is it if you can be rich but not happy? Hence, I feel that a pro-family centered policy would help to keep local talents.
Another suggestion made in the article was that people should be given a say in how things are and if one’s content or discontent is responded in some way. By giving people a say in the management of the country, people will feel more patriotic to their country as they are able to give ideas to improve the country. This makes the person proud of hi stand in the country as he or she feels that they are essential to the country and therefore feel rooted towards Singapore.
By preserving old buildings and heritage areas, it will also help to keep Singaporeans rooted to their country. These places are sentimental for people as it brings them back to the past and demolishing will only make one lose their sense of belongings. If such places were to be replaced by skyscrapers, what more is there for Singaporeans to feel that there is something in Singapore that contains memories of the past which cannot be found elsewhere? Yes, the economy requires constant changes in landscape, but surely something can be done to keep these heritage ares untouched right? With these significant feelings that cannot be bought no matter how rich one is, surely one would feel sentimental towards his motherland and choose to stay at home.
Monday, August 11, 2008
1. Do you think there are circumstances where human rights may be curtailed?
Human rights has always been an important issue of discussion and much attention was given to ensure that adequate amount of human rights are given to the different groups of people. However, I feel that there are circumstances where human rights may be curtailed in thought of the general welfare of the society and when minorities were not given enough attention.
First of all, human rights may not be able to protect the rights of minorities or groups of a generally deemed lower social status. Promulgations like the United States Bill of Rights and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen existed 200 years earlier. They even proclaimed certain rights as 'universal' - but their definition of universality did not include blacks and women. The declaration of several human rights may seem to protect the welfare of all the population but there are groups who were left out. When faced with problems, the rights are unable to protect them as they were not included due to some prejudice and discrimination. Hence, human rights are curtailed as it failed in some areas to protect the welfare of everyone.
Furthermore, as human rights have to be able to be of the benefit to the society as a whole, the rules of human rights may overlook some specific welfare of the people themselves. Freedom of expression - Article 19 in the Universal Declaration - is most commonly championed by human rights groups in relation to Singapore. But Article 19 is just one of 30 Articles. There is also Article 29 which notes that limits may be placed on individual freedoms 'for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society'. Hence, it can be seen that individual freedom and rights may not be protected by human rights as they cannot tend all of the individual benefits of everyone. There will be times when human rights are curtailed as these rights are also set in the perspective of the general situation in the society and not just individuals.
Hence, in conclusion, I feel that there are circumstances where human rights are curtailed. Human rights are declared by human themselves, hence there will be cases where human rights apply only to the majority and leave out those for the minority and individual needs.
TIANHE[:
Human rights has always been an important issue of discussion and much attention was given to ensure that adequate amount of human rights are given to the different groups of people. However, I feel that there are circumstances where human rights may be curtailed in thought of the general welfare of the society and when minorities were not given enough attention.
First of all, human rights may not be able to protect the rights of minorities or groups of a generally deemed lower social status. Promulgations like the United States Bill of Rights and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen existed 200 years earlier. They even proclaimed certain rights as 'universal' - but their definition of universality did not include blacks and women. The declaration of several human rights may seem to protect the welfare of all the population but there are groups who were left out. When faced with problems, the rights are unable to protect them as they were not included due to some prejudice and discrimination. Hence, human rights are curtailed as it failed in some areas to protect the welfare of everyone.
Furthermore, as human rights have to be able to be of the benefit to the society as a whole, the rules of human rights may overlook some specific welfare of the people themselves. Freedom of expression - Article 19 in the Universal Declaration - is most commonly championed by human rights groups in relation to Singapore. But Article 19 is just one of 30 Articles. There is also Article 29 which notes that limits may be placed on individual freedoms 'for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society'. Hence, it can be seen that individual freedom and rights may not be protected by human rights as they cannot tend all of the individual benefits of everyone. There will be times when human rights are curtailed as these rights are also set in the perspective of the general situation in the society and not just individuals.
Hence, in conclusion, I feel that there are circumstances where human rights are curtailed. Human rights are declared by human themselves, hence there will be cases where human rights apply only to the majority and leave out those for the minority and individual needs.
TIANHE[:
Lim discusses the pros and cons of using extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Which do you think is predominantly used in Singapore? What do you think are the impacts on the Singapore society of using such a mode of motivation?
In the modern society, government has learnt to implement several policies to try to motivate the population to work hard in order to improve the economy. This is no different in Singapore which has its own share of policies and regulations set to motivate the people. This will inculcate extrinsic motivation in the people which will result in negative impacts if this form of motivation becomes the main source of motivation for the people.
First of all, extrinsic motivation will mould a society of people who only work for short term benefits. Extrinsic motivation will make the people work hard only to reach materialistic goals and incentives which appear to be beneficial to them at that moment. As the text quotes, Intrinsic motivation, by contrast, drives people to perform an activity for which they receive no reward except the activity itself. Social psychologists have observed a phenomenon known as 'the hidden cost of reward', in which external incentives can actually cut away at people's inner motivation for doing what they consider worthwhile. As a result, the people may be over driven by extrinsic motivation, which applies to the current situation in Singapore. IN Singapore, several childcare policies and education policies are set in such a way that the people fulfill the ‘criteria’ just to reap the benefits from the policies itself. This will produce a new batch of population where work has to be balanced with equal incentives and not for the joy of accomplishing it.
To add on, I agree with Yiqi’s point that is that there will be no breakthrough in the society, where people only work for the sake of self benefits and do not wish to excel in the jobs they do when no benefits are given. For Singapore, there are several systems such as the L.E.A.P.S system in secondary schools where students score points by fulfilling its criteria such as serving community service. Most students serve these hours not out of the heart to serve the community, but rather to earn points so as to allow easier entry to junior colleges. As a result, more students will be driven by its extrinsic motivation rather than intrinsic as it is easier to aim at self benefits. Hence, the society will be unable to progress without a balance of feeding incentives to the people.
IN conclusion, I feel that Singapore is more dominated by extrinsic motivation which will have serious negative impacts when the people get over driven by short term incentives and confine themselves to be calculative. Creativity will not be needed as the people will only be interested in doing things that are beneficial to themselves.
In the modern society, government has learnt to implement several policies to try to motivate the population to work hard in order to improve the economy. This is no different in Singapore which has its own share of policies and regulations set to motivate the people. This will inculcate extrinsic motivation in the people which will result in negative impacts if this form of motivation becomes the main source of motivation for the people.
First of all, extrinsic motivation will mould a society of people who only work for short term benefits. Extrinsic motivation will make the people work hard only to reach materialistic goals and incentives which appear to be beneficial to them at that moment. As the text quotes, Intrinsic motivation, by contrast, drives people to perform an activity for which they receive no reward except the activity itself. Social psychologists have observed a phenomenon known as 'the hidden cost of reward', in which external incentives can actually cut away at people's inner motivation for doing what they consider worthwhile. As a result, the people may be over driven by extrinsic motivation, which applies to the current situation in Singapore. IN Singapore, several childcare policies and education policies are set in such a way that the people fulfill the ‘criteria’ just to reap the benefits from the policies itself. This will produce a new batch of population where work has to be balanced with equal incentives and not for the joy of accomplishing it.
To add on, I agree with Yiqi’s point that is that there will be no breakthrough in the society, where people only work for the sake of self benefits and do not wish to excel in the jobs they do when no benefits are given. For Singapore, there are several systems such as the L.E.A.P.S system in secondary schools where students score points by fulfilling its criteria such as serving community service. Most students serve these hours not out of the heart to serve the community, but rather to earn points so as to allow easier entry to junior colleges. As a result, more students will be driven by its extrinsic motivation rather than intrinsic as it is easier to aim at self benefits. Hence, the society will be unable to progress without a balance of feeding incentives to the people.
IN conclusion, I feel that Singapore is more dominated by extrinsic motivation which will have serious negative impacts when the people get over driven by short term incentives and confine themselves to be calculative. Creativity will not be needed as the people will only be interested in doing things that are beneficial to themselves.
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