TR EMERITUS

On their ‘Samsui, Prostitute and Cigarette’ kerfuffle; Mr. Dunston, Mr. Yip YC and KF Seetoh. Just to say thanks to all - I'm far too dim-witted for this erudite discourse, but it is certainly fascinating. In art, precisely because of its subjectivity, and especially in the hands of great artists communicating to us, we are immersed in an experience of reality we never expected, never knew could exist. Great artists might depict something that reminds us of an old memory, or combine aspects of existence into a higher intensity, or imagine some future combination of elements of reality, but in all cases and others it's like we're supercharged into being in reality like we never would have expected. Thanks especially to KF Seetoh for all the reading suggestions. Don't know much about history, don't know much biology ...For accuracy’s sake, the Makansutra founder agreed that the cigarette should be removed from the painting but also said that it should be replaced with “anghoon, the affordable roll-up tobacco smokes they are known to puff after a long day of hard work. That’s the truth, it’s accurate and part of our real history. Don’t deny this country its truth. Confront it fearlessly and be proud of who we are,” he added. I was just pleased, after examining the painting that I was able to identify the strange ‘little animal’ as a weasel, and that I did actually notice that her hand is rather 'bend out of shape' and her ciggy is ‘too avant-garde’. Today an artist is anyone who has a license to practice art (a degree). Whatever that person says is art, is art. Skill of any sort is not required and there's no way to judge the product (if there is one), in any case. The great art of the past always was created and evaluated within a social context. There is no context for art any more, and without a way to say whether it is good or bad, it no longer exists. Whether art is described as “imitation” or “indefineable” does not detract from the long history of artists who in their work dealt with interpretation and tried to contribute to the understanding of ideas, concepts, realities, conflicts and so on, whether that art is traditional or avant garde or experimental. But I have to point out that the examples of subjective “art” referenced by Mr. Yip YC are just from a ‘white, male Caucasian’ standby from a 500-year period? This is pretty tiny sliver of artists chosen to represent all of art in a piece that otherwise takes the entire universe (including this little Reddot) and all of human history into its scope. Philosophical questions aside, it's a fascinating painting with a fascinating history. Hogwash, arguing against a materialist examination of human perception and cognition of art objects, with the worn rationale is futile, or the inference it might ruin the 'magic'. It's the investigation that matters not the explanation. If the reverse was true philosophy would be out of business. Without venturing into the intellectual cat's cradle of dialectic concerning "art", Mr. Dunston, Mr. Yip YC, I just wanted to let you know that your ‘performance’, brought tears to my eyes.   Sjorne Shen    Read More →

Singapore Wants To Be The Monaco Of Asia! I have always said the PAP wants to turn Singapore into the playground for the rich and privileged,the Monte Carlo of Asia. Well,at least for the costs of living,we are coming close to Monaco although we are actually light years behind on having the Swiss standard or living.Look at how “cheap” the European countries are compared to Singapore.Even Switzerland is cheaper! And don’t let the PAP tell you these rankings are inaccurate because they only apply to expats.The rankings take into account food, transport, rental etc all the essentials of life.The ranking below assumes a moderate lifestyle and average consumption. Monaco is a tax haven inhabited by movie stars,sport stars and the rich and famous who can well afford the high cost of living. Are you one of them in Singapore?   Lim Tean    Read More →

About 900 tertiary students attended the talk by PM Lawrence Wong (“Lawrence”) recently. Students took the opportunity to ask many questions. One of them asked him - “how young people here can stop comparing themselves with others when they exist in a system that constantly compares them against others, such as at the workplace.” Well, young or old, we tend to compare ourselves against others. For the young, they still have runways to make u-turns and make the most of their lives. For the older folks, close to retirement, the sand in the hour glass is fast running out. And health is always the issue. They thus have shorter runways to make u-turns. Here comes Lawrence’s reply. He reminded the students that he had made a speech to redefine success. He said we are moving away from the “much-vaulted 5Cs - cash, car, credit card, condominium and country club.” Lawrence aims to build a society that “allows space for U-turns, side-steps, slow-downs, pauses, experimentations and outliers. We want to broaden our concept of achievements.” He added: “One where we can all strive to be the best possible versions of ourselves. One where our success is defined by how we help each other to do well collectively.” Hm…it’s a familiar script. Leaders can’t go wrong with that. But script requires actors, and actors require ticket buyers. And ticket buyers have to give a good review of the script acted out on stage. Alas, one season comes, and another season goes; whichever way the wind blows, we will sail together with the flow. But how do we stop the comparing then? Lawrence was grounded enough to say it is impossible. We live in a competitive society, from day one, when we first enter childcare. He said our society is organised around a “command structure”, and it is inevitable we will have leaders and followers. There will be hierarchies of ranks, abilities and achievements. Some will outshine others. They will get more attention, recognition and pay. Reality bites; sometimes it gnaws at us. That’s a fact. Yet, like in a family, we can’t change the number of kids we have under one roof, or their genetic makeup. But we can work together to make it a nurturing home, and not just a house with four walls. I think that’s what Lawrence is talking about, though the challenge, in his case, is complex and daunting since it’s nationwide, with 6 million people (and counting) under one roof. I nevertheless take his cue on the part about striving to be “the best possible versions of ourselves”. And it is defined by how we help each other to do well collectively. That comes with acceptance. It means doing the best we can, with what we have, wherever we are placed. Expect storms and dry seasons though, but don’t sail with a broken rudder. Don’t lose the plot and drop the steer. Don’t surrender, and let the tide take over. Be the better angels of ourselves, don’t give the devil free rein. We accept what is given, where we are, and who we are, and improve from there. It is about reconciling with our past, and shaping our future. The present is therefore our sturdy rudder. That is what Lawrence meant by “be the best possible version of ourselves.” You compete not just to do better, but more importantly, to be better. It is a “competition” of character building, not a competition to prove that I am better than you. You compete against yourself, and you go beyond achievements based on material success to accomplishments based on being a better you. Achievement benefits only you, and you leverage that for bragging rights. Accomplishment however is about being a part of something beyond yourself so that your actions benefit all. The difference is that one is about character building in a virtuous circle of blessings to others and the other is about building yourself up in a vicious circle where nothing is ever enough. It will take time to accept that or to see beyond the rat-race waiting for you after you graduate or when you look back at the trail and lament over what could have been (thereby, living a life of quiet desperation). Tbh, I too am still struggling with it, hoping that I will swallow every word I have written here, and not just leave them out in a cold platter for display. But, what is the alternative? Either we spiral upward, making every notch counts, or we spiral downward, sinking into a swamp. If a plant leans towards the sun, let’s always choose the right alternative, every step of the journey, in every twist and turn. And here’s a toast to good choices, affirming life, affirming other lives.   Michael Han * The author blogs on Facebook.    Read More →