This came on my computer screen this afternoon..
Subject: Looking for Holiday Job as a Tutor
Body: I am Kevin Seng from Hwachong Institution .... -- Best Regards, Kevin Seng
Hehe ... Hope I get a call tommorrow.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Going Green? Think again.
Save the Earth
Save the Animals
Save the Environment
Save the Future
You should have heard, read, seen these phrases almost everyday now. Last time they were non-existent on your televisions or dailies, and it was just a few years back?
Dr Jane Goodall came to our school today, giving an inspirational speech on her life, her work, her dedication to saving the world, particularly our closest relative - the chimpanzees.
She described her adventures with nice detail, adding some sound effects here and there , including mimicking - you guessed it - monkey calls.
Then she went on to talk about how youths around the world help others, even in the most remote areas.
It was really good, uplifting, inspirational and motivational.
However, I have recently watched a documentary called "God is Green" (you may find it as "Is God Green?"). And something in there really sparked a good debate that has been battling my mind ever since I entered the auditorium for Dr Jane's presentation.
Just how much can EACH person change? You can recycle every day, you can walk to school daily, you can cut down on wastage you can this you can that. But think about it, how much of an impact can it make? Look at those pollutant-spewing factories, look at the thick cloud hovering over the developing countries.
You can save your food, but still overfishing will occur.
You can try and recycle plastic bags, but still companies will continue making plastic bags.
You can save on electricity, but there will always be the flashy lights that illuminate the skies at night.
I mean, even if a group, a city decides to go green, I doubt it has much impact.
We need a global effort. But in this globalised world, is the national interests of every country "Going green"? I doubt.
Every country wants economic development.
Let's just take an example of carbon emissions:
India is a fast developing country, China is another too. Even though they rank 3rd and 2nd in terms of total carbon output, their carbon output per person is one of the lowest!
Furthermore, India has just started the run to industralised nations, have started their journey that their Western counterparts have long gone in front. Think about this quote: "Why do we have to reduce our development rates and lose our 'right' to develop when the Westerners can do it? Furthermore the Westerners are the one that produces the most carbon, why bother us?"
What do we do with it?
You can ask them to develop the "green method". But 良药苦口, good medicine always tastes bitter, the green methods to really cut down the carbon emissions requires more revenue, more expenditure. What the government want is fast, quick, good bucks to make. Furthermore, the land is so big, how can the government really enforce? You think the money hungry people do not want a nice house, big cars and so forth, and they can only get that if they get alot of money, and if they can reduce production costs, and therefore the environment get cast aside.
Think about it.
How powerful are the green activists compared to the power-wielding politicians. After each campaign, you spend so much on posters, banners, flyers, you guess how many resources have to be used? You can use recycled materials, but that will cost more.
Think about it.
You want tobacco companies to shut down because of their poisonous, intoxicated sticks of supposed charred leaves? Oh yes you can. But that will mean laying off thousands of people.
You want poachers to stop their erratic behaviors before some animal will only appear in books and pictures? But that will mean causing the really desperate, those living in poverty and making ends meet through this means.
Oh yes I asked her, and she replied, "They can go find other jobs? Why should they risk other people's lives "
But I shall reply. I did not have the chance, but I shall reply here. Most of these people are poorly educated, where do you want them to go? You bring them to factories, that will mean increased usage of resources. You cannot have thousands of plumbers, road sweepers, construction workers, hawkers, trishaw riders etc.
So what do you think? I am not against or criticizing the efforts to go green, in fact I support and I am in full agreement. But on the hindsight, are our efforts just a tiny drop in the whole ocean? Do not give the crap that it stacks or something. The world has been made like this, you want to save something, you will hurt another.
How? What can we do? What can we REALLY do? Before you shout, "Let's stop Animal Testing", do you want you yourself to be a test subject?
Sorry, but all this work and effort, is seriously ... worth it?
Save the Animals
Save the Environment
Save the Future
You should have heard, read, seen these phrases almost everyday now. Last time they were non-existent on your televisions or dailies, and it was just a few years back?
Dr Jane Goodall came to our school today, giving an inspirational speech on her life, her work, her dedication to saving the world, particularly our closest relative - the chimpanzees.
She described her adventures with nice detail, adding some sound effects here and there , including mimicking - you guessed it - monkey calls.
Then she went on to talk about how youths around the world help others, even in the most remote areas.
It was really good, uplifting, inspirational and motivational.
However, I have recently watched a documentary called "God is Green" (you may find it as "Is God Green?"). And something in there really sparked a good debate that has been battling my mind ever since I entered the auditorium for Dr Jane's presentation.
Just how much can EACH person change? You can recycle every day, you can walk to school daily, you can cut down on wastage you can this you can that. But think about it, how much of an impact can it make? Look at those pollutant-spewing factories, look at the thick cloud hovering over the developing countries.
You can save your food, but still overfishing will occur.
You can try and recycle plastic bags, but still companies will continue making plastic bags.
You can save on electricity, but there will always be the flashy lights that illuminate the skies at night.
I mean, even if a group, a city decides to go green, I doubt it has much impact.
We need a global effort. But in this globalised world, is the national interests of every country "Going green"? I doubt.
Every country wants economic development.
Let's just take an example of carbon emissions:
India is a fast developing country, China is another too. Even though they rank 3rd and 2nd in terms of total carbon output, their carbon output per person is one of the lowest!
Furthermore, India has just started the run to industralised nations, have started their journey that their Western counterparts have long gone in front. Think about this quote: "Why do we have to reduce our development rates and lose our 'right' to develop when the Westerners can do it? Furthermore the Westerners are the one that produces the most carbon, why bother us?"
What do we do with it?
You can ask them to develop the "green method". But 良药苦口, good medicine always tastes bitter, the green methods to really cut down the carbon emissions requires more revenue, more expenditure. What the government want is fast, quick, good bucks to make. Furthermore, the land is so big, how can the government really enforce? You think the money hungry people do not want a nice house, big cars and so forth, and they can only get that if they get alot of money, and if they can reduce production costs, and therefore the environment get cast aside.
Think about it.
How powerful are the green activists compared to the power-wielding politicians. After each campaign, you spend so much on posters, banners, flyers, you guess how many resources have to be used? You can use recycled materials, but that will cost more.
Think about it.
You want tobacco companies to shut down because of their poisonous, intoxicated sticks of supposed charred leaves? Oh yes you can. But that will mean laying off thousands of people.
You want poachers to stop their erratic behaviors before some animal will only appear in books and pictures? But that will mean causing the really desperate, those living in poverty and making ends meet through this means.
Oh yes I asked her, and she replied, "They can go find other jobs? Why should they risk other people's lives "
But I shall reply. I did not have the chance, but I shall reply here. Most of these people are poorly educated, where do you want them to go? You bring them to factories, that will mean increased usage of resources. You cannot have thousands of plumbers, road sweepers, construction workers, hawkers, trishaw riders etc.
So what do you think? I am not against or criticizing the efforts to go green, in fact I support and I am in full agreement. But on the hindsight, are our efforts just a tiny drop in the whole ocean? Do not give the crap that it stacks or something. The world has been made like this, you want to save something, you will hurt another.
How? What can we do? What can we REALLY do? Before you shout, "Let's stop Animal Testing", do you want you yourself to be a test subject?
Sorry, but all this work and effort, is seriously ... worth it?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
So.. O levels Higher Mother Tongue has just ended.
It may seem like freedom .. but think again.
this is only the first few 2.4km NAPFA test you have taken..
this is only the first few major hurdles you have encountered..
this is only the first few encounters with anxiety, excitement, curiousity...
ok let's get straight to the point..
this is only one of the first few exams you'll take
there is still the As, there is still your Unis, there is still that PhD, there is still that JOB...
can't slack
can slacken, but cannot slack
[Slack level: 0% |||||||||||||| 100%]
千万不可以停止，还要坚持，继续努力！
haiz .. sounds so cliche .. but that's what my parents tell me .. and also what my heart tells me..
but first thing I got home is to Switch on computer > Admire the dusty screen > Play DOTA > Dinner
oh wellz..
It may seem like freedom .. but think again.
this is only the first few 2.4km NAPFA test you have taken..
this is only the first few major hurdles you have encountered..
this is only the first few encounters with anxiety, excitement, curiousity...
ok let's get straight to the point..
this is only one of the first few exams you'll take
there is still the As, there is still your Unis, there is still that PhD, there is still that JOB...
can't slack
can slacken, but cannot slack
[Slack level: 0% |||||||||||||| 100%]
千万不可以停止，还要坚持，继续努力！
haiz .. sounds so cliche .. but that's what my parents tell me .. and also what my heart tells me..
but first thing I got home is to Switch on computer > Admire the dusty screen > Play DOTA > Dinner
oh wellz..
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
oh man.. why is my internet so screwed up.. zzzz
Singnet really need some quick fixes to their screwed up system.
anyways on the lighter side, Ortus Night yesterday was darn nice!
I bet its the best in my whole 4 years in Hwachong.
Aside from the $5 dinner that we get.. I shant complain .. but you should know what it was.. at least they redeemed it with an outstanding performance ..
the emcees were really great at entertaining us.. even as Sec 3s. witty remarks and laughable jokes... even though some parts were rather an anticlimax .. but even then .. they are really good! thumbs up!
oh yes... yew wei's band was DARN GREAT! (other than the 2nd song) .... Zhenyang's nice voice ... the 3 uber guitarists (Jon, Yew wei and Wei Leong) and of course... LEONG the drummer... really good cohesion .. pounded our hearts and everyone else!!
haha another unforgettable one : teacher's musical..
didnt know the singing talent in my Physics and Chem teacher for 2 years! hehe .. the songs they sang were rather old songs =/ ... but nevertheless they did it very well.. very well indeed....
HOWEVER.. the closing abit zzzz lolz....
overall... almost everyone got darn high haha ... but not all the time..
at least for me .. I enjoyed myself =) .
YEA!
Singnet really need some quick fixes to their screwed up system.
anyways on the lighter side, Ortus Night yesterday was darn nice!
I bet its the best in my whole 4 years in Hwachong.
Aside from the $5 dinner that we get.. I shant complain .. but you should know what it was.. at least they redeemed it with an outstanding performance ..
the emcees were really great at entertaining us.. even as Sec 3s. witty remarks and laughable jokes... even though some parts were rather an anticlimax .. but even then .. they are really good! thumbs up!
oh yes... yew wei's band was DARN GREAT! (other than the 2nd song) .... Zhenyang's nice voice ... the 3 uber guitarists (Jon, Yew wei and Wei Leong) and of course... LEONG the drummer... really good cohesion .. pounded our hearts and everyone else!!
haha another unforgettable one : teacher's musical..
didnt know the singing talent in my Physics and Chem teacher for 2 years! hehe .. the songs they sang were rather old songs =/ ... but nevertheless they did it very well.. very well indeed....
HOWEVER.. the closing abit zzzz lolz....
overall... almost everyone got darn high haha ... but not all the time..
at least for me .. I enjoyed myself =) .
YEA!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Batch Dinner 2007 : Framed Reality has just ended. Tossing and turning, unable to sleep for 30 minutes already. Drats, the tea. Downed quite a number of cups... But such dinner tea should usually be decaffeinated. Maybe its my preoccupied mind.
Looking at the key people that made the dinner such a nice success. They are all leaders. Hwa Chong is a place for leaders, nurturing leaders, developing leaders. By the time you are Secondary 4, you should be a leader in a certain "industry".
But not all.
Looking at my own, I think I have rather not lived up to the standard. I am neither here nor there. I am not notable for anything, I aint even good in what I do for my own CCA - computing. Maybe I am just an attention-seeker, but hey... what do I have? The things I like, I do not excel.
In a class where competition is really stiff, getting 1.00 is nothing but common. Ok add in some errors, 1.1 to 1.2. I bet more than 50% of my class mates can at least get the Outstanding Student Award, a couple will go on to get the All Round Excellence award. But me? Nothing. Even with all the additions from ACE and CA marks. All the people who are emceeing, "celebrating" tonight, are all those who are notable, have good grades and so forth. Whereas for me? Hmm I really wonder.
I guess I was overconfident, or maybe I am actually just dumb in the first place. I always say I want to change, but when I am alone, things do not turn out for the better.
Maybe I am too over zealous or something.. or issit the environment, or just me alone?
I apologise if I have insulted you in any form in anyway or another.
Looking at the key people that made the dinner such a nice success. They are all leaders. Hwa Chong is a place for leaders, nurturing leaders, developing leaders. By the time you are Secondary 4, you should be a leader in a certain "industry".
But not all.
Looking at my own, I think I have rather not lived up to the standard. I am neither here nor there. I am not notable for anything, I aint even good in what I do for my own CCA - computing. Maybe I am just an attention-seeker, but hey... what do I have? The things I like, I do not excel.
In a class where competition is really stiff, getting 1.00 is nothing but common. Ok add in some errors, 1.1 to 1.2. I bet more than 50% of my class mates can at least get the Outstanding Student Award, a couple will go on to get the All Round Excellence award. But me? Nothing. Even with all the additions from ACE and CA marks. All the people who are emceeing, "celebrating" tonight, are all those who are notable, have good grades and so forth. Whereas for me? Hmm I really wonder.
I guess I was overconfident, or maybe I am actually just dumb in the first place. I always say I want to change, but when I am alone, things do not turn out for the better.
Maybe I am too over zealous or something.. or issit the environment, or just me alone?
I apologise if I have insulted you in any form in anyway or another.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
woots Chemistry exam over!
Final listings:
English
Chinese
Mathematics
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Humanities (History)
Humanities (Geography)
Days to go: 8 days
woo hooo i have never felt scammed by an examination. mug so hard, yet the questions test so little about what I thought would be a main topic =X
to think again, that means I will have a higher chance of scoring better.. so hmm I WISH THIS WOULD BE THE SAME FOR THE REST AS WELLL!!
Final listings:
English
Chinese
Mathematics
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Humanities (History)
Humanities (Geography)
Days to go: 8 days
woo hooo i have never felt scammed by an examination. mug so hard, yet the questions test so little about what I thought would be a main topic =X
to think again, that means I will have a higher chance of scoring better.. so hmm I WISH THIS WOULD BE THE SAME FOR THE REST AS WELLL!!
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