TR EMERITUS

By Missy Dotty & Darkness. I am sure you’ve all heard of that happy couple who decided to take a stroll el naturale  around Holland Village one balmy evening – as it turns out; lady Godiava happens to be an A*Star scholar – who is currently pursuing a Phd in Infection Biology at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.   I guess some of us may feel she let the side down a tad; the best is usually expected from our scholars after all - wot?   But, have you ever wondered to yourself why do really “intelligent” people do the dumbest things?   I posed the question to Bambi Darkness recently over the weekend when I whipped up my famous laksa. And this was what he had to say. Believe it or not, what Miss Eng did was hardly unusual when you compare it with the antics of some luminaries; intelligent people it seems often do the dumbest things – Issac Newton for example, kept an imaginary cat by the name of Dorothy and even once introduced her to the King of England; Leonardo Da Vinci was another glaring example of a living faux pas. His inventions may be out of fashion these days but there’s no doubt that he was a creative inventor in this age. However, his sense of style was often ahead of its time; as he often greeted visiting dignitaries dressed in women’s clothes – there is even a theory nurtured by art cognoscenti’s the famed Mona Lisa was actually a self portrait of the painter. And if that doesn’t take the cake; what about Alan Turing, the father of the computer – who was so shambolic; he was even considered a prized candidate for lobotomy and electric shock therapy – he had a habit of explaining his complex math formulas to his pet gold fish.   Yes, I know, it seems Miss Eng’s antics even look positively comatose inducing when you compare them with the others who came before her; I know all this must seem terribly puzzling, because we tend to turn to really intelligent people for wisdom – after all, we need them to invent atomic bombs to beat off the barbarians at the gates; we need them to invent cures to beat off small pox and infectious disease – we even need them these days to make sure; we can just tuck into our plate of rojak without dying.   However, the case as stated by Darkness is clear; it is surprisingly often true that as far as really intelligent folk are concerned they have nothing sensible to offer us except maybe comic relief outside their field of expertise.   If his quirky rule of thumb holds about intelligent folks, there are certainly plenty of good reasons to indicate what Miss Eng did may not have been so unusual after all, the question is why?   One possible answer according to Bambi Darkness may be found in our own narrow definition what we usually term as intelligence and common sense. In his words, “we think, the problem lies with them; but it could very well be the other way round – what, if they’re just written in an alphabet, we can’t read?” While no one disagrees aptitude, logical analysis and deductive reasoning skills make up the spectrum of what we term intelligence – what Darkness shared with me is that sort of traditional intelligence isn’t nearly enough these days to crave up competitive advantage in the field of research – what’s usually required is the direct opposite of traditional intelligence – in other words, being sane, doing and saying all the right thing may actually be an occupational liability – being cavalier, reckless and so open minded, one’s brains may even threaten to spill out seems to be the only way to go.   That oddness according to Darkness was what enabled Mozart to be a improviser par excellence of music; the shift with Mozart is subtle; as most people mistakenly attribute Mozart’s genius to his exceptional ability; when in fact, all he really did was write music in a way a child would write and play it – in other words, the Mozart of his age and time was very far from the archetypal genius that we usually consider him today; reality suggest, he was closer to a ramble rouser who everybody perceived as a threat to the establishment – a threat that even had to be forcibly removed which resulted in his eventual murder.   This analogy gives us some insights into how quirkiness can sometimes be feared by the establishment as what it does is bring about precipitous change – anyone who has had to work on a project with really creative people will testify that its not a case of buying into the seven habits of highly effective people; as it remains the very vexing problem of learning how to deal with seven habits of people who can drive you up the wall with their indiscipline and kookiness; and one reason for this is because the blessings come with curse; one can never gut out the human condition in the creative process.   Despite the curse; one reason why oddness these days is still prized by firms is it remains one of the most reliable indicators of the "right stuff"; these days with the diminishing aperture of opportunities; new break through’s are harder to come by; for one science has already migrated away from elegant research to the chaotic realm – as much of what we call cutting edge technology these days – be it software, engineering, nanotech, biotech – is so messy and complex – that to even make modest head way what’s usually required is the direct opposite of a mindset that typically seeks out for form, symmetry and structure - in a nutshell, it pays dividends to be a odd ball.     My point is when we read about Miss Eng and her antics; it’s all too easy for us to surrender ourselves to that cosy insiderim and issue out the trite one liner judgment – “What could she possibly have been thinking?” if that sounds like dictation straight from our shared consciousness – then it is, only bear in mind that may also point to our personal scripting of how we have been traditionally schooled to see the world ONLY in one or a few way; that we may no longer be able to seek out the field of endless possibilities any longer and that limit or cordon whatever you may wish to call may be the defining difference that separates the ordinary from the greats – as darkness went on to elaborate when we concluded lunch.   “You know what Dotty, it could very well be to succeed in this new age; we may not even  need to learn anything new. Rather what we may have to do instead  is unlearn many of the things; other people have crammed into our heads all these years; its hard to say whose thoughts we are really verbalizing when we say and do the things we do – my gut feels tells me – for all you know; it makes a whole lot of sense to go around naked; not to you and me of course…but to her…it makes perfect sense…. have you thought about that Dotty – the whole idea that we see the world clearer than anyone else may well be a nonsense…for one we happen to be the only species that don’t seem to be very comfortable with our own skin and even feel the need to supplement mother nature with clothes and trinkets; now just consider this; how odd do you think we look to all those animals when we stare at them in their cages in zoos; sometimes, I do wonder Dotty – who is really looking at who –  really I  do.”   The brotherhood press 2009  Read More →

Translated by Tan Lee Chong, Chinese Correspondent (Original article by Fang Zhi Yuan HERE) 学习过心理学的人，会认识到人脑对谎言有巨大的容量和忍受性。 就像空白的屏幕一样，将吸收和接受任何投射在它上面的光，而不用进一步分析。 这就是主流媒介如何设法对多数新加坡人施加持续的影响力，虽然超过50%出版的东西不外是编造的故事、费话和宣传。 在一个繁忙的早晨，多数人只是浏览报纸，并不详细阅读它的内容。 报纸标题 (headlines) 是最重要的，因为他们设定每篇文章的议程和语调。 我们之中有多少人实际上肯花精神仔细地阅读文章去了解在词句之后真正的意思？ 首次阅后印象将是决定性因数。新闻工作者知道选择某些词句插入标题内，为了引导或甚至误导读者，在他们的脑袋里产生合乎主流媒介所期望的观念。 就拿最近一篇文章谈及大多数新的工作给了外国人为例。 第二排次标题这样写道：“去年每10个新的工作7个给了外国人，而本地人避开这些行业”。它制造出错误的印象：统计数字是如此，因为本地人不想要工作。 多少新加坡人会停下来想一想这标题首先是否合理呢？ 并且多少人会仔细地了解文章所引述的数字，从而知道公民和永久居民被编组在同一个“本地人” 的类别之下呢？ 新闻工作者既然设陷诱捕信任它的读者，我们便要暴露他们的恶行。 一个谎言经常被重覆不休而不受到反驳和谴责，它很快便将成为无可辩驳的真相。 许多消息灵通的网民知道1993年詹时中(Chiam See Tong)先生从新加坡民主党(SDP)辞职的情况。然而，多数新加坡人仍然拥有错误的印象，认为詹先生被徐顺全(Chee Soon Juan)博士驱逐出该党。 这事件能够如此，是因为谎言未立刻当场被揭穿，还被重覆不休，使它成为新的“真相”。 在黄承德医生(Dr Allan Ooi)去世后整个星期，主流媒介不断地炮制和宣传各种误论关于他自杀的起因。 这些近乎荒唐的猜想包括了他沉迷于网上游戏和赌博。许多新加坡人相信了这个故事，虽然他们并不知道真正地发生了什么事情。 因此，当我们收到了黄承德的遗书时，我们决定立刻把它公布，不得延迟。或许我们可以等待几个月后才公布它，但那时造成的损害将会变得不可扭转，因为虚假的印象已经深深地印在公众的脑袋内而不被扭转。 当真相最终被显露时，所有谎言立刻消散了。媒介停止了人身攻击，网民强烈出来支持黄承德的家人和谴责SPH的新闻工作者，并且家人的委屈得以伸诉了。 无论何处出现误论、神话和谎言，就必须立刻拆毁他们。他们越是长期流通，他们将越是深深地确立，并且随着时间的流失，真相将越是困难地浮现出来。 我们对主流媒介每时每刻都必须保持警惕，我并且恳切地祈望所有网民加入我们的探索行列，作为主流媒介的监视人。 让我们不允许另一名无辜新加坡人的品格和名誉再被这些恶作剧者所抹黑。  Read More →

    This was written by  Chemical Generation Singapore I happen to like it; for one it’s not a mindless departure like Ah Au call to arms (in the name of what?) –  it seems the AWARE saga is fast unfolding like Starwars; the latest development 150 AWARE members seek vote of no confidence in new executive committee suggest the empire will strike back. Lets all see where it all goes.    Singapore Daddy   If what we read in the internet is true, the Christian Taliban have taken over AWARE and they are out to get the gays. This inference is made because some, but not all, of its prime members have openly voiced anti-gay sentiments. The inference is made also because it was assumed that AWARE would besides having an interest in women’s rights, would now also have the time to bash gay activism. The inference is made because gay kingpins like Alex Au voiced concerns and speculation of anti-gay activism became fact of anti-gay activism. The inference is made because the Straits Times planted seeds in the readers minds that AWARE was being hijacked. Suddenly the Straits Times was to be trusted categorically. But credit must be given to those in AWARE who are unseated. Over the weekend of the ST report, they managed to rally the gay community and bloggers to paint the new AWARE committee as devious and anti-gay. The new AWARE committee must have been alarmed at the just as sneaky counter-attack to their conniving attack. The current line-up: President: Claire Nazar (has since quit the post) Vice-president: Charlotte Wong Hock Soon Honorary secretary: Jenica Chua Chor Ping Assistant honorary secretary: Sally Ang Koon Hian Honorary treasurer: Maureen Ong Lee Keang Assistant honorary treasurer: Chew I-Jin Committee member: Caris Lim Chai Leng Committee member: Catherine Tan Ling Ghim Committee member: Josie Lau Meng Lee Committee member: Lois Ng Committee member: Irene Yee Khor Quin Committee member: Peggy Leong Pek Kay I also think people are missing the big picture and should not focus on the anti-gay conspiracy shaped by the gay community. Furthermore, obviously people who never attended any AGMs at all would be shocked but this is what happens during AGMS from condos to country clubs whenever there is a power grab. It is legitimate and actually crafty politiking - if those in power can’t see it coming, they don’t deserve to be in power. The issue in this ousting is instead about how once the results of “democracy” don’t turn out in the way one expects, there would be cries of unfairness and distasteful underhand power games. This is to be expected of course as the losers always have an excuse, and a way to get back. Unknowns knock out veterans at Aware polls Caught off-guard by big turnout, longtime members lose to fresh faces Wong Kim Hoh April 10, 2009 Friday SINGAPORE’S best-known women’s group, the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), has seen a dramatic changing of the guard - which some members are describing as nothing short of a leadership grab. When Aware held its annual general meeting on March 28, everyone expected the usual: No more than 30 or 40 members would turn up at its Dover Crescent centre, and a prepared slate of candidates would be voted into office easily. Instead, more than 100 people came, the majority of whom had joined Aware only in recent months. And when the election of office bearers began, almost every position was challenged by new faces, who won by wide majorities. In the end, nine out of 12 executive committee spots went to the newcomers. One older member who won without a contest was Mrs Claire Nazar, a former corporate counsel nominated to be president by outgoing Aware chief Constance Singam. But barely a week into her new term, and before making her first statement as president, Mrs Nazar quit suddenly this week. She confirmed that she had resigned, but declined to say any more when reached by The Straits Times. It is not known who will now become president. Longtime members took two other positions: Chew I-Jin as assistant honorary treasurer and Caris Lim Chai Leng was elected a committee member. The election results have left longtime Aware members in shock. Former president Tan Joo Hymn, 38, told The Straits Times the big turnout at the AGM surprised her. ‘I arrived at the meeting late and found out that I was No. 100 on the attendance list. I’ve been a member for 10 years, and never before has there been such a turnout,’ said the former lawyer who is now a full-time mother. Another former president, writer Dana Lam, 57, said: ‘There were many faces I had not seen before, and I found that very strange. ‘In previous years, even if there were new members, they would be known to one or more of the older members.’ The first indication that something was afoot came when Ms Chew, an Aware veteran, was challenged and defeated handsomely by new member Charlotte Wong Hock Soon for the post of vice-president. Ms Chew was later elected unopposed as assistant honorary treasurer. ‘It was alarming,’ said Ms Lam. ‘How could a new member who had just joined for a couple of months, and whom we knew nothing about, be picked over someone who has been with Aware for more than 15 years?’ Some of the older members immediately began checking the attendance list. Ms Tan said: ‘We found that about 80 of the 102 who turned up were new members who joined between January and March this year.’ Aware, a feminist group that has prided itself on being ‘all inclusive’, hcs never vetted the people who apply to be members. Men can join too, as associate members. As it dawned on them that a leadership grab was imminent, some older members at the AGM tried asking the newcomers who they were, what they stood for, and why they wanted to be in charge. They got only the briefest answers, they said. Ms Lam said she tried suggesting that new members serve a stint on Aware’s various sub-committees before standing for election to leadership positions. But such suggestions went unheeded as the election proceeded, with more newcomers winning executive committee positions by landslide margins. Ironically, the old guard at Aware had been working towards changing their Constitution to make it a rule that only those who have been members for at least a year would be eligible to join the ex-co. There is currently no rule to bar a brand new member from seeking office, and that was what happened at the AGM. Ms Tan said: ‘We were simply outnumbered. Technically, they got in legitimately.’ She added that the way the election proceeded was so unusual, it was hard to imagine that the takeover was not a planned effort. ‘It could not be pure coincidence,’ she said. But little is known of Aware’s new leaders, aside from the fact that they include women from the corporate sector, lawyers, company directors and academics. Older members said the newcomers spoke well but would not elaborate on their plans for Aware. ‘When asked if they believed in equality, they kept repeating they were there to support women and to make sure they got ahead and got all the opportunities given to them,’ Ms Lam said. Older members were keen to know if the newcomers shared Aware’s vision and values, including equality for all regardless of race, religion or sexuality. But one outspoken new member from the floor, who identified herself as Angela Thiang, said questions about the new office bearers’ religion and their stand on homosexuality were not relevant. Former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Braema Mathi, a two-term president of Aware, told The Straits Times that she, like many other members, was concerned. ‘If you are keen to serve, you don’t challenge every position. We do not know who they are,’ said the former journalist who is now in Bangkok doing consultancy work for international women’s group Unifem. ‘It is very troubling, more so because I’ve heard the new president has resigned.’ Almost a fortnight into their new roles, the new leaders of Aware were not entertaining calls from the media this week. New honorary secretary Jenica Chua Chor Ping told The Straits Times a press release would be issued ‘in a few days’ and added that until then, the committee would not answer any questions. A check showed that some of those at the AGM and on the new committee have appeared in The Straits Times Forum Page. Ms Chua, Ms Thiang and Dr Alan Chin, a male member of Aware who attended the AGM and supported the newcomers, all wrote letters to this newspaper between August and October 2007. In a letter on Oct 17 that year, Ms Chua said NMP Siew Kum Hong had overstepped his non-partisan role and advanced the homosexual cause by tabling a petition in Parliament to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexual sex between consenting men. In another letter on Oct 25, she took issue with a Straits Times report which said NMP Thio Li-Ann had been ‘visibly distraught’ when she opposed Mr Siew’s petition vigorously. Ms Chua said Ms Thio had dealt with several points succinctly, with humour and passion. Dr Chin and Ms Thiang both wrote letters to caution against the risks of promoting the homosexual lifestyle. Meanwhile, news of Aware’s AGM has spread among older members who did not attend the meeting, as well as civil society groups. The most frequently-asked questions: Who are the new women in charge, why do they want the leadership, and what are their plans for Aware? Ms Mathi said: ‘The building of an institution takes many years; building its value system is even harder. ‘Why can’t they come in and be part of the process, and build it together and in a more evolutionary manner? That way, the comfort level will be high for everyone.’ Former newspaper editor and media consultant Peter Lim, a longtime associate member of Aware, said he was very surprised to learn what had taken place. Asked why he thought a group of newcomers would want to take control, he said he did not know if it was an orchestrated effort. But he thought Aware would be attractive to those seeking to be in charge of an established institution. Setting up a new outfit would take too much time and trouble. ‘Aware has built up its credentials over the years and achieved more than a few things,’ he said. Three former Aware presidents - Ms Claire Chiang, Dr Kanwaljit Soin and Ms Mathi - have served as NMPs. ‘Aware is a brand name and most people regard it as the leading voice of the feminists and modern women in Singapore,’ said Mr Lim.    Read More →