The Taylor Swift fiasco
March 6th, 2024 | 
Author: 
Yesterday, Minister Edwin Tong (“Edwin”) had to parry off a barrage of questions about the biggest catch of his ministerial career, thus far - Taylor Swift.
But the bait to lure her in left some parliamentarians and citizens wondering if it is the right thing to do. It seems to smack of a-cloak and-dagger deal, where plausible deniability was the chosen pathway.
The elephant in the room comes from Thailand. PM Srettha Thavisin said “he was informed by the promoter that Singapore Government had offered subsidies of up to US$3 million (S$4 million) for each concert, in exchange for Swift agreeing not to perform elsewhere in South-east Asia during the Eras Tour.”
When a prime minister has to step in, and blow the bugle, you sort of get the feeling that things are more than meet the eye.
What is the upside then?
Well, Edwin quickly got his ducks in an economic roll with this assurance: “I can assure members of the House that the economic benefits to Singapore are assessed to be significant and outweigh the size of the grant.”
Economists have in fact estimated that our economy will get a $500m shot in the arm in tourist receipts, ticket sale, flights, hotel stays as well as entertainment, retail and dining. It’s all good in the economic front.
The downside?
Well, it’s hard to say. Edwin defended his courtship of the superstar with this pitch: “This helps to brand Singapore as a fun, vibrant destination. Singapore faces intense regional competition for these concerts, and we will need to continue investing in our infrastructure and software to continue attracting marquee entertainment and lifestyle events.”
He does have a point. It’s about branding, and we aspire to be the Pepsi-Cola or Nike of South-east Asia when it comes to top-notched, billboard-worthy star performances. Everytime the National Stadium or Sporthub remains vacant, we are bleeding millions.
So you have to spend some to get some. Especially one this huge in stardom attraction, you need to get a bigger bait. And this requires daggling a fat carrot in front of the Tay-Tay’s team.
That said, the exclusivity deal did strike a raw nerve with some leaders in the region. It is one thing to compete between businesses and private individuals, but it is quite another when it comes to competing between neighbours. It gets more complicated, and one has to question whether we have crossed the ethical line.
Be that as it may, I should not be so naive to think that when nations compete, it is always a case of love-thy-neighbors, or offer them the other cheek.
In the end, it’s still the unspoken Darwinian law of survival of the fittest, the fastest and yes, the swiftest. The prize goes to the one who knows how to cut a deal, a big fat one, even if it means under-cutting it to win. It’s just more complicated on that level of engagement, with million mouths to feed and a reputation to keep.
Maybe my concern that this would set a bad precedent and sour the demonstration of public comity amongst nations is an exercise in vain hope and impracticality. But still, I feel more thought has to be given to this considering what the long run impact will be for such intensity in competition.
Will it turn out to be a rush to the bottom of the barrel? Will there be boundaries that nations have to respect? Is there other ways of attracting superstars rather than paying them, and depriving others, all done with the knowledge that the ones laughing all the way to the bank are the superstars themselves?
As a side note, it is said that the rich will grow richer, and the poor, poorer. Is this then one of the ways the top percentile amongst us add to their already overflowing wealth acquisition, and leave many earnest and talented seekers far back in the competition trail?
Food for thought?
Michael Han
Posted in 
What’s in it for me? NOTHING.
Place gets more crowded. Prices go up.
All bad. No good.
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What it tells me is that Taylor Swift has sold out her fans in Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and (maybe) Malaysia for big bucks. If I were her fan in those countries, I’d ditch her like a ton of bricks in the ocean.
According to Forbes magazine, Taylor makes $13.6 million per show. I believe that’s USD. So for our officials to say she was paid a lot less than $3 million per show for exclusivity is utter rubbish.
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Honestly, what do you think that these guys are going to do for you?
Edwin and his ‘cohorts’ preach a pitiless social Darwinism that assumes that people will be better off in the end if we allow the best to rise to the top, and the worst to perish. Their only yardstick is economic wealth. Ego is the real issue here. They believed they are more deserving because of their talents or efforts..Their only purpose in life is to make MORE MONEY! That is all they know. It is all they ever will know.
To add to it further, consumer culture seems supports a world view consistent with the veil of opulence. Too often our desires for increased material wealth and status override, outshine, and smother our concerns for fairness and justice for all.
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Honestly, what do you think that these guys are going to do for you?
Edwin and his ‘cohorts’ preach a pitiless social Darwinism that assumes that people will be better off in the end if we allow the best to rise to the top, and the worst to perish. Their only yardstick is economic wealth. Ego is the real issue here. They believed they are more deserving because of their talents or efforts..Their only purpose in life is to make MORE MONEY! That is all they know. It is all they ever will know.
To add to it further, consumer culture seems supports a world view consistent with the veil of opulence. Too often our desires for increased material wealth and status override, outshine, and smother our concerns for fairness and justice for all.
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Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win-win means agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying.
-7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Franklin Covey)
This Taylor Swift fiasco speaks volume of pappy leadershit’s ineffectiveness!
Are they deserving of their peg-to-private-sectors-top-earners salaries for such ineffective handling of the Taylor Swift deal?
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I see this as us knowing how to make an offer one cannot refuse. The whole week has been about the sour grapes whining non stop about her performing exclusively in our country and nowhere else in Asia. To that I say SUCK IT UP. It’s not our fault that our neighbours could not secure any of her concerts in their countries. Be it making a lousy deal or whatever other reason it’s amazing that the smallest country in Asia managed to do something that all her bigger neighbours could not.
Perhaps it’s the strength of our currency but whatever it is all I can say is that our neighbours vetter pull up their socks and try harder. No use whining non stop and looking like sour grapes. You want something you better do something about it then.
For a start, how about these whiners making a bid for the F1 circus to skip Singapore after the contract ends? F1 also can make big big money and it’s a yearly thing some more leh!
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https://bnnbreaking.com/world/singapore/former-minister-mah-bow-tan-sells-holland-rise-gcb-for-50m-to-singapore-citizen-wang-qianqian
The rich gets richer and the daft ones get scammed. While the ex-Ministers retired filthy rich, the daft ones are struggling to pay off their million dollar HDB loans…hahaha.
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Some people, likely pappies, say this is a case of sour grapes. Far from it. This is a case of daggers behind your backs. These people are inviting “neighbours” to reciprocate. What are they smoking.
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Face Reality …
Can Singapore do anything if TS want to do the same exclusive deal in Thailand/Philippine/Malaysia or any other SEA country?
Move on,silly of Countries to fight over a Singer.Singers and their Promotor are laughing all the way.
Better for Government to do their job to look after the Citizen welfare..make sure their Citizen has food on the table for their family.
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If your child or grandchild likes Taylor Swift, you should breathe a sign of relief. Taylor Swift does not have tattoos or lip-rings.
I would buy Taylor-Swift-endorsed products for my children.
From a business perspective, Taylor Swift concerts are a success.
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听说贵宾席是三千五百新元一张！
听了之后会有什么好处？
新陈代谢加快？
脑袋瓜里的摺文多几条，数理化变得很强？
高血压，高血糖，高血脂立刻消失？
做人的过程会更愉快更持久低生育率立马获得解决？
人真的是非常不理性，一个从这么远的地方来的陌生人竟然能让他们疯狂！
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This gov is so so confused. On one hand, they want to encourage marriage and children. On the other hand, they invite Taylor who is not married in her mid 30s. All our young swiftees and new swiftees cannot be relied on to boost the fertility rate.
One hand undoes the other hand. For 5 decades, the f. rate drops and drops.
They should have invited the British young woman who became a grandma at 28 years old. She’s definitely the role model for young Singaporeans.
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Who is this woman in bling bikini Taylor Swift ?
Every day and every where people gets talking about her non stop ?
Worshiping her like a pagan godess more popular than a christian god.
Her singing is horrible and the songs are without rhyme and melody that want to make you groove and sing along.
Did not reach the top ten of the pop charts.
She is “famous” is because you made it so and its hype to be her fan and the in-thing to do.
Why want to know so much about her when she doesn’t even know you exist ?
Another BOB DYLAND.
Have you heard Bob Dyland sing?
Unpopular Horrible singer with horrible songs.
Yet those crazy enough in the Nobel Prize committee awarded him the Nobel Prize.
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This is same as F1.
The G is so generous when it comes to $ubsidising THE RICH.
The G told the young we cannot give decent help to the senior/WLDERLY sgs or it will increase the TAX BURDEN for the young.
But when G took out $100B to supplement even HIGH-SALARIED NON-sgs they called FTs,that will not increase TAX BURDEN FOR THE YOUNG?
The G has put $ before the ordinary sgs.
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How LHL became PM?
Even LKY said,
that LHL was the smartest guy in the room.
Till today, I am unconvinced.
–
Taylor Swift SG concert –
The Singaporean leader confirmed Tuesday that Swift was provided with “certain incentives”
in exchange for making Singapore her only Southeast Asian destination on her Eras Tour.
LHL –
“If we had not made such an arrangement,
would she have come to someplace else in Southeast Asia or more places in Southeast Asia? Maybe, maybe not.”
ie. a red herring
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TS no see contract.
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Yes other asean countries sour grapes.
Sore loser mentality…眼红…赌烂….
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Taylor $wift reeks of americunti$m.
Stupid of those who dislike Americanism to be so me$merited by $wift.
Frankly,even if you give me a FREE TIC ,I can’t bothered to attend.
And,to save another person from all the angmoh crappie,I will just flush the Free Tic into my toilet.
Stupidity is stupidity,however you justify.
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Can someone confirm that other countries who bring TS in their countries also sign exclusive clause? SG government can give money but forbid her to perform in neighbouring countries may sound too business style. This is entertainment shows only, why deprive other countries to enjoy the shows in their own countries.
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what we know that when we go to US to sign the deal, i mean they go to her not she ask whether can she come here to perform is a different story furthermore, exclusive right and tell her not to perform elsewhere,i think we are really big one, so for each performance only 3mil,i really think just too same the amount, what do u all think, come to me or u come here
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TS is talented in her own rights, but still overhyped.
ANY production house can pick a street singer off any street in China and make another TS out of him/her.
TS like it or not, is just a well-packaged human being, talent, so so nia.
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Some of our gahmen said Taylor $wife’s lyrics are inspirational.
It would be very helpful INSPIRATION-WISE if Taylor can tell us what she think of POFMA?
Taylor Swift got her name from James Taylor,the singer who sang “You got a friend”.
Is Taylor $wift a friend to disadvantaged sgs?,
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Sinister.
Not unfriendly. Yes, unfriendly is not the right word. It’s sinister behaviour.
Some pappies defend this by insulting the neighbours, claiming that TS would not have gone there even without the exclusivity incentive$. They slap the sg gov. Do they realize that?
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China also give incentives e.g. foxconn, tesla ,….
I heard from friends colleague a financial controller ….
As long as one set up factory ; hired x number of workers ( cant remember exact minimum figures i think in terms of thousands ) , the land is free.
@ 比蛋腥！:
那中国的综艺节目可以 close shop 了. Including 春晚 , 歌手, …..
回去看样板戏 e.g. 海瑞罢管, 白毛女, 智取威虎山, ……
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@PAP mandate strong
For big business, this is true. Eg: Foxccon their land for housing is heavily subsidised.
This mostly applies to HUGE local business and foreign businesses. Also, every city has their own incentives for loca business also.
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This pappy cannot tell the difference between
1) offer incentive to come to your country
2) offer incentive to ban going to neighbouring countries
Typical pappies.
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Using taxpayers’ monies but no win for taxpayers as the increased revenue is not being shared with the citizens who funded the shows. The reaping of rewards is done by the PAP as she is being used as a propaganda tool. Elections will be called soon as we watch her songs being sung by LW or OYG’s PR team using her to promote him.The win is for the PAP party at our costs.
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Taylor $wift is basically a “marketing” package for the “values” of the Democrats of mighty u$a.
Pro-LGBTQ N Pro-Abortion.
Human rights and dignity of women?
Hey!There are ABORTED BABIES WHO ARE ALSO FEMALE!
Gals n older gals all jumping around ,mesmerised!
Its kind of CULTIST.
All charmed and crazy,kiddy gals as well ad their mums.
Sun Ho must be jealous.
She spent church-goers’ money but could not work out the crazine$$.
Soon many christians will CONvert to become $wiftians.
Well,don’t blame me,i am just an old-fashioned old sg uncle.
But i am for sanity and don’t wish to become a $wiftie.
Go Ahead if you want to be crazy like the Americanos.
me doesn’t care.
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This gov is like a used car salesman.
It screams how much money coming in, pure estimates, but it does not say how much money going out.
It also does not say who are the people getting the monies and who are spending.
I bet TS gets to scoop out all her earnings tax free from Singapore.
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@ Sinister
Offer incentive to ban going to neighbouring countries ?
You mean China is it ? Nancy Pelosi if you land in Taiwan i fire missile. In the end ? 算了吧.
This agreement cannot be exclusive for whole life right ?
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You pretend to know a lot about China, but you don’t know about Singapore.
Now we know you pretend to be a Singaporean.
Whole life or not, who cares. The crucial period is enough.
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你西北无里头！
中华人民共和国的综艺节目和这个万里之外飞来的疯婆娘有什么关系？
这疯婆娘妖里妖气的，在我的认知里，她连最劣等的一毫银也不值！
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Clap. Clap.
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@ 比蛋腥:
Normal lah.
Some people like her some dont. Cannot be everybody like her.
Nobody forcing you to see her concert, listen to her songs.
As for image mah. 娱乐音乐事业, 形象设计包装,舞台设计包装. TS 的定位.
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