Cyber Lynch Mob

It isn't justice, whatever it pretends to be.

The swift, devastating retribution that engulfed Anton Casey and the Bad Honda Driver (BHD) isn't justice.What I observe is merciless harassment by a lynch mob, by people who are not even personally injured by the deeds of the two unfortunate culprits. 

While Casey and BHD might have behaved disgracefully, the responses that took place in cyberspace were nothing short of a public lynching. And did they deserve to be treated like that? Were they pedophiles, serial rapists or mass murderers? They were simply ordinary citizens who have been guilty of some incivility, that's all. Sure, they should have been chastised. But it is terrifying to see how punishment was poured out without measure, not just unto them, but upon their family members and loved ones. It is as if their acts of transgression somehow unleashed pent-up fury of origins which are surely different from the igniting spark. In short, they have become excuses for a raging mob to inflict pain mindlessly, without restraint, and probably for their own spiteful enjoyment.

I think we will regret the day we allow Internet vigilantes to judge, sentence and execute in the name of free speech and justice. 

Speak Mandarin Campaign: 30 years on

One day, Mummy came home and announced: from then on, we will only speak Mandarin at home (and English, of course). No longer will we speak Teochew, the language of our dialect group. Up to that time, Teochew was the only language I knew, so imagine my trepidation upon receiving this news. What was I going to use then?

Still, being only 4 year old, adapting to the new languages was quite an effortless process for me. Without remembering how it happened, Mandarin and English completely replaced Teochew in my thoughts and expression. I hardly understood the dialect now.

If only it were as easy for the older generations.

A few days ago, V and I had breakfast at a coffee shop, sharing a table with an old man. He spoke only Teochew, and when V was able to respond in his dialect, his delight was palpable. Though there was so little in common to talk about, he couldn't stop chattering. He told us he was 9 when the Japanese occupation took place, and his former job as a noodle seller. How lonely it must be to wander around a city where few speak your language, even though it is your home.

Am very glad that this Chinese New Year, there are gifts prepared for this pioneer generation, who have lost so much as our country progressed, from the primitive village to today's metropolitan city.

Sorry is the hardest thing to say

An expatriate in Singapore sneered at “poor people” – the suffering plebeians in public transport, and triggered a storm in the social media. 

Public fury never seemed more futile and impotent.

Insulated in his fast cars, luxury housing and privileged social circle, what does it matter to him that the 99% hate him? Maybe he would find this furor childish, laughable even. He issued an apology through a public relations firm. I never knew that saying sorry so hard that it takes a professionally paid team to help one do it. 

I guess I became envious of the rich, the powerful, and the bullying. It is hard not to be, strap-hanging in crammed buses while porsches zip by. Though the Bible promises that God loves the humble, and that the meek will inherit the earth, daily life certainly does not always feel that way. How gratifying it would be to see everyone get his comeuppance or reward instantaneously. The fat of the land should go only to those who deserve it, and everyone pays an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. At that time, surely it would be a no-brainer to choose to do good, in order to merit rewards.

Yet patience is perhaps the greatest test of faith. God’s word is indubitable on the ultimate outcomes for who honor him, and those who mock at him. Each of us then get to choose our path accordingly to how much we believe in these promises. In this sense, we are truly walking by faith and not by sight, whether this faith is in His word, or in the worldly rules that often reward greed. I think that it is His mercy which is delaying the immediate consequences of our actions. We have many decades to discover the results of our choices, and to change our minds. For the sneering man in his Porsche, maybe the public condemnation could be a wake-up call, before the eternal one. That too, is his choice to make. 

Little India riot: While you were sleeping

Like everyone else, I was transfixed to my iPhone and TV late last night, watching the live coverage of the Little India riot in fascinated horror. The scenes seemed unreal, especially those of police cars overturned, burning. Is this Singapore? Finally, at 1am, I was exhausted and went to bed.

The next morning, I woke up to find that peace had been restored. The streets were cleared, and some culprits had been arrested. It was almost like magic, but of course, it was not. While you and I were sleeping, there were people toiling through the night to maintain the security and order that we have become used to. Thank you very much.

It was sad to read all the crazy, inflammatory remarks on the social media. Some inveighed against another race, others nitpicked at the way our police handled the situation. There was even gloating over the trouble caused. These must be people who are so bitter about life that all they want to do is to make everyone as miserable as they are. Haters will always hate, but friends, let's do our best to make the voices of sensible folks be heard over theirs.

Let compassion, common sense and truth be louder than hate and lies.

Responsible Free Speech

Why should free speech be turned into free-for-all verbal assassination, reduced to our society's lowest denominator in civility?

There are voices on the Internet against recent governmental moves to bring back some semblance of accountability to online discourse, mainly by limiting anonymity and throwing the book against those who have written falsehoods. Is the government regressing by imposing these regulations?

Considering the level to which some netizens have stooped, I am one who would be very relieved to see people held responsible for what they said. While we all value the freedom and richness of what is available online, who actually benefits if falsehoods, defamation and cyber bullying are allowed to rule unchecked? Only the culprits themselves! The rest of us, who are willing to obey basic rules of decency in engagement, will only suffer at the receiving end of this behavior.

Rules exist to protect the peace loving from the aggressive, those who prefer order and stability from those who seek to disrupt and destroy. There is little to be said for the honor of those who insist on their right to speak without accountability. Perhaps honor has become an old-fashioned concept in this digital age. Personally, having no desire to defame or dissemble online, I would be happy to know that there is legal recourse for those who have fallen victim to the lawlessness that defines the cyberspace now.

FreeMyInternet? Certainly, if you come out from your hiding first. If barbs are received, the victim has the right to know who fired them. Why should the rights of internet trolls be protected above others' right to peace and safety?

QR Code

Is this how the old folks in our society feel?

I had a moment of distinct obsolescence while booking movie tickets online. Mind you, I have had plenty of experience doing it. Usually, after paying for the tickets at the Golden Village website, I would find an AXS machine to print out the tickets. The last step was rather a nuisance, but I had the assurance of arriving at the cinema's door step with physical proof of purchase.

Abruptly, it all changed. After booking the tickets, I received an email with an e-ticket, and a square with a black and white pattern. The email instructed me NOT to print out the ticket, and all I have to do is to use QR code to enter. And so I wondered...

What is a QR code? That black and white square?
What does it mean to "use" the QR code to enter?

It was so tempting to print out that pattern and bring it to the cinema, but it would probably make me a laughingstock :P And so I googled what a QR code is, and how one "reads" it. My conclusion is, I will show my iphone with that email to the usher when the time comes :P and hope for the best.

If it is difficult even for someone reasonably literate and comfortable with technology, what is life like for the old people who do not even know English? It must be like living in an alien world where most of the ongoing communication is completely unintelligible. No wonder there are still people willing to queue up at ticketing booths or bank tellers to transact the old-fashioned way, but how long will these options remain available?

Smoked out

Abruptly and without warning, we found ourselves enveloped in another country's environmental disaster.

The severity of the haze sparked off panic buying of face masks, which in turn generated further anxiety by creating supply-chain bottle necks, snaking queues and profiteering. Just when Singaporeans are asphyxiating, an Indonesian minister drew howls of anger by commenting that we were childish to have overreacted to the pollution. Yet, I have to admit that some of the opinions expounded on the Internet and social media are not very far from being juvenile.

Some railed against the government for not taking a stronger stand, as if we could, by kicking up a bigger fuss, force another sovereign state to act. What are you thinking of? Going to war? Just think of the neighbourly disputes acted out every day in our society. Haven't you found it difficult to persuade your neighbour to be more considerate? Now imagine this challenge magnified manifold in the delicate bilateral relationship between two states.

There is such exquisite irony that even as people are busy criticizing the government, the demands they made reflect an almost touching faith in the ability of our government to solve any problem, and to solve it quickly. That is always how life has been, why should any problem be beyond the Government's capacity to manage? I remember that, as a child, this is how I used to feel towards my parents too - a sense of dependency, and firm belief that nothing is too difficult for them to handle.

To be frank, I find our reaction to this crisis is deeply disturbing, if this is truly a reflection of the strength of our character. In a war, would our citizens hope to complain our way to victory and expect no one to die? Would we, instead of presenting a united front, help others to criticize and discredit our own leadership? It seems that we have been so safe for so long that we have forgotten that life does give us occasional crises. In hard times, many factors would be out of our control, but each of us is responsible for how we conduct ourselves. And all of us have the duty to make things better in whatever little ways we can. Sneering, scoffing and nitpicking help nothing at all.

Hyde-ing in Cyberspace

There seems to have been an outcry among netizens against MDA's new regulations on the discourse in the Internet.

Much of the opposition against these regulations cite the right to free speech as a human right. But one's human rights cannot come with the right to harm others, even the American constitution recognizes this fundamental caveat to all forms of freedom. Why should free speech be any different?

Some protested that they are not children, and can do without this nannying. But dear friends, many are indeed either immature or nasty enough to engage in extremely unpleasant behaviour in the cyberspace. Just look at the vitriolic, hate-mongering comments in Yahoo, STOMP, or other political forums. Don't you ever wonder who on earth made them? If we meet these netizens in real life, are they just as uncouth, or maybe we would be surprised by how normal they appear on the outside. It is as if people behave like Dr Jekyll in face-to-face interaction, and then morph into Mr Hyde in the darkness of cyberspace, hiding behind anonymity.

It is obvious that the much vaunted free speech has turned into a free-for-all melee. Of course, one is free to give as good as he gets i.e. if you are flamed, trolled or slandered, you could jolly well retaliate in whatever way you like. But personally, I would prefer not to be attacked in the first place. I guess, since we live in a community, where one man's right is another's slander, it is best for there to exist some form of refereeing.

I, for one, have no objection to the new MDA guidelines.

Conversation overheard

It was a lull period in the salon, and a group of manicurists sat around chatting. One was having a long-distance phone conversation with her daughter, explaining to her why she should not have stolen money. As she put down the phone in exasperation, she explained that it was difficult to discipline her younger daughter as she left her country to work in Singapore since the girl was very young, while the rest of the family remained in their home country. Another manicurist shared that she had the same experience, as she left her baby behind when he was only 40 days old. The conversation then wandered into a comparison of the cheapest way to call home, and I was left alone with my own thoughts.

Sometimes people carry out their daily activities while harboring quiet tragedy, and it takes unguarded moments like this to allow others a glimpse into their private struggles. In these migrant mothers’ efforts to provide more for their dearest, they ironically have to suffer estrangement from them, as well as the dreariness of working long hours in a strange land.

The media, both mainstream and on the Internet, often present these foreign workers in terms of statistics – the percentage they make up in our workforce, and the pay they receive relative to locals. Then there are the occasional hostile murmurings, rumblings of unfair competition. Fortunately, open xenophobia is not socially approved in Singapore. It must never be. Whatever political leanings one has, do not forget that each of these workers made immense sacrifice to come here, and who does not want to have a better life if they could help it? 

Thanks, SPCA

I wrote yet another email to SPCA, this time, complete with pictures and full address.

It makes me feel uncomfortably vigilante, but if not, what is going to happen to the poor rabbit?

The full story:

The rabbits were kept along the corridor of the block of flats, exposed to rain and sunlight. The cage was fairly clean, too clean, in fact, because there was not a SINGLE SHRED of hay inside! There wasn't any food either, so obviously, this owner doesn't know the feeding habits of rabbits. At first, there were two of them, and they appeared perky, so I did not interfere. Months later, when I went pass the cage again, one of the rabbits was gone, and the other looked distressed and subdued. There still wasn't any signs of hay, pellets or other food :(

So I made an SPCA report. Sure enough, they wrote back to inform me that the rabbit had an ear infection :(

Frankly, I hate doing reporting of this sort. It makes me feel like a tattle-tale or a spy, but   I cannot bear to think of all the mistreatment that goes on. Why don't people learn how to keep their pets properly before getting one? Why have pets if you find them too much work? Does it make you happy to have an animal suffering at home?

Because animals cannot seek help for themselves, I am just going to have to do it. Yes, be a busybody and make sure that all such cases are brought to light. So there!

This picture terrifies me

This picture terrifies me

from Yahoo

Where shall I begin my explanation? Is it the look of angry defiance on his face? Or the tightness in the gathering of fellow protesters, giving the impression that the event was packed with supporters? Or the naked, unabashed jingoism in the simple message on the placard?

It terrifies me to see our usually trouble-fearing (kiasi) people stirred into such angry passion that they would brave the rain, accusations of xenophobia, and infamy just to go and tell a group of people how little they welcome them. No, this isn't the Singapore I know. Something is changed...and I don't like it.

On Sandy Hook

The tragedy is so unnecessary.

How many more of such massacres must happen before the obvious preventive measure is taken? I know gun ownership is considered an constitutional right in the US, but when the 2nd Amendment was written, guns were not the automatic, rapid-fire mowing machines they are today. How can anyone be allowed to walk along the streets carrying weapons that are made for the battlefield?

So, "guns don't kill, people do", huh? Much has been suggested about the boy's troubled psychology. There will always be troubled people in our society, but at least, keep lethal weapons out of their hands. It would have been so much easier to subdue him, if he were not so heavily armed.  Is it because I am not American that I cannot understand this fierce protection of the right to bear arms?

Ah Boys to Men

The war scenes in Ah Boys to Men are more frightening than World War Z.

It was terrifying to imagine our familiar landscape bombed to bits, landmarks demolished, and civilians shot, cowering. Singaporeans, complacent in our daily safety, scrambled to make sense of sudden disaster and survive. Most of the war scenes in our shows have been based on the Japanese Occupation - our latest memory of military aggression, and comfortably remote. War scenes, updated and transplanted into modern Singapore, brought close to home how fragile our way of life is. It struck me abruptly that I do not even know where the nearest bomb shelter is!

That aside, the rest of the movie was peppered with many laugh-out-loud moments, and for female audience, illuminating revelations about the army. Hm...I must admit that I hadn't expected such a great amount of vulgarities. The movie had certainly exceeded my expectations, and there are scenes to appeal to every one, including moments of nostalgia for retired army men.

Indignantly, I asked V what can be done about those who shamelessly "geng" (fake illness) during training. Sadly, he said nothing much could be done. Hey guys, we are counting on you, you know. I suppose the opening scenes were intended to remind everyone that while National Service demands a lot on our men, we cannot dilute the training or reduce the rigor. Nothing can ever be taken for granted. I mean, even if we gripe about the architecture of the "Durian", we don't want to see it bombed, right?

Clean

Overhead at the management office. The cleaning supervisor explained to the estate manager that he had immense difficulty getting new gardeners. Then came some negotiation over whether the gardeners should help with area cleaning since that was short-handed too. Oh no, we are going to need to start picking up after ourselves soon.

Wait...isn't it something we should be doing anyway? Strange isn't it, that our beautiful city requires such a huge army just to keep the litter off the streets. I have always wondered who on earth are the people scattering litter everywhere, when there are so many rubbish bins everywhere!

What is the point of paying a million for an apartment, only to spoil the whole place with dirty habits?

Amendments to Animal Protection Law

The great news is that they are reconsidering the animal protection laws in Singapore. It is heart wrenching and infuriating to see animals badly treated. I have a few suggestions:

1. Establish minimum living standards for pets e.g. suitable size for cages, daily care routine etc

2. Everyone buying or adopting a pet should be made to sign an undertaking that he/she understands what is needed to keep this pet healthy, and is willing to take up such a commitment. i.e. it ISN'T AN IMPULSE BUY!

3. Pet abandonment should be punishable by fine or jail. This isn't a frivolous suggestion. Pet abandonment is at once cruel and also a hazard to our local ecosystem. Imagine people releasing turtles into our river, for example. These would rapidly reproduce and be threat to native species of water animals!

We don't want to be draconian, but having these laws show people that animal welfare should be respected.

Almost a Crowd

Just in time, I remembered that two is a party, three is a crowd. So luckily for Blackie and Whitty, the adoption didn't happen after all.

The House Rabbit Society organised a rabbit adoption drive last week. It was quite a fantasy come true for me, to be in a room full of fluffy rabbits frisking everywhere - dashing across my path, nosing around my ankles, and nibbling shoes. Yes, even the last part was unbearably cute :P Anyway, those were V's shoes, not mine. As it was neutral grounds for all rabbits involved, there wasn't any fighting. And I could pat and play with all the rabbits there freely. One little grey Netherland dwarf didn't seem to have any friend, though he went from litter box to litter box. They all seem to ignore him. If I were to adopt any of them, it would be him.

But you see, three is a crowd. What would my two spoilt rabbits at home think? Maybe they would ostracize him, or eat up all his treats. What if he gets funny ideas about Whitty!

I was sad to see two handicapped rabbits at the adoption drive. One had only one hind leg, the other lost a front paw. By the time they were rescued, apparently they had already met with some mishap. It always makes me infuriated to see how some people treat animals, just because animals are weaker than them. These people don't ever deserve to have power over any animal again.

We left empty handed...well, not exactly. I parted with $5 for homemade cookies as part of the fund raising. Hope some rabbit gets to benefit from it!

Busy Bunny Time

I know...it is like rewarding the rabbit for his naughtiness. Remember that Blackie:

1. Nibbled my new shoes

2. Spoilt my vacuum cleaner

3. Chewed holes in my door frames...

And the result is, we concluded he is bored. He gets to run in our yard and kitchen, and has a pretty bunbride, but these are not enough to keep this naughty rabbit occupied. So he gets new toys. This BusyBunny mini maze had better do the trick. 

Ok Blackie, now you get a giant slipper of your own to chew. So please leave my shoes alone! 

Thanks very much, bunny slave. I shall be very interested in them...for a few days.

A diatribe against diatribe

Warning: do not read if you are easily offended.

Isn't it ironic? Our country has never been wealthier but people have never been angrier. Reading people's comments on the Singapore Conversation dismays me - with their cynicism, nitpicking, fault finding and general discontentment. Friends, look around you. Women are beautifuly dressed and toting branded bags, our roads are full of flashy cars. It is hard to get a table at popular restaurants at any time. Even the mrt stations are gleaming! Our shop shelves are laden with choices and even pets go to spa. There is much anxiety about making sure that one's children get into a prestigious school. But, even if one doesn't, any public school in Singapore can boast of good facilities and well-trained teachers. I dare say that every school in Singapore has its fair share of successful alumni.

I quite agree with Sumiko Tan that we are in our nation's golden age. Know that a country will not always be rich, so we are lucky to have experienced this era. There might come a time when we decline, then, is one going to be even angrier? Or perhaps paradoxically, the chastening of poverty would bring about a more appreciative attitude instead.

Love your neighbour

Bemused by the contributions to our national conversation. Apparently, many people want our society to be a happier one, to be more caring, less selfish, more generous, less demanding, to allocate more resources to the poor, old, weak and sick. BUT...

At the same time, there are so many reports of neighbourly discord, conflict over noise pollution, poor driving, animal abuse and other niggling social discomforts. Something just doesn't gel.

The paradox is, while we dream of a better society, we don't behave according to the ideals of this improved society. Since  our country is made up of people like you and me, if we remain the same, the society remains the same. Somebody has to start making these ideals come true. Somebody has to start by loving his/her neighbour.

But I am in no position to speak, as I have just called on my neighbour (politely, if perhaps coldly) to ask them to reduce their noise level, late last night. And whose fault is it? Should they have been more considerate? Could I have been more tolerant? I really can't tell.

In favour of PSLE

There are increasing calls to remove the PSLE from our national school system, because it is causing too much stress to our children (and parents).

Many complain that our education scene is no longer a level playing field for all children because rich parents can afford more resources and tuition for their children. But would removing the PSLE change that? If anything, I have always thought that the exam hall is the place where, stripped of all external help, each child gets a fair shot at doing his very best. 

If there isn't such objective yardstick anymore, we would have to rely on other measures that could require far more resources, such as cultivating niche skills, or elaborate project work (which parents won't be able to resist helping in). 

Some mentioned the possibility of a through-train system from primary to secondary school so that children do not have to take an exam so early. Wouldn't that mean even greater stress at the annual P1 registration? Imagine if one registration determines the child's experience for the next ten years! At least our present system allows children again, a fair shot, at getting into their preferred secondary school, where admission cannot be influenced by their parents' volunteer work or other such advantages. 

I come to realise that the stress does not come from external factors in the system but inherently from parents' keen desire for the best for their children. Come on, as long as resources are finite, one always wants a headstart over others and be in a position of strength. Isn't this the true source of anxiety? 

While we shouldn't be afraid to reexamine sacred cows and slay them if necessary, we cannot become trigger happy! These are features in our educational system that served us so well for so long, for good reasons. Remember that once Humpty Dumpty has a great fall, all the King's horses and all the King's men cannot put him together again.