Meritocracy is a system where everyone is rewarded by their own achievements and merits. This not only makes a level playing stand for everyone, it also lets children get motivated to work harder and be a cut above the rest.
However, many people have complained because they feel that everyone deserves an equal chance. Following the views of Utilitarianism, everyone should be given an equal opportunity. This is not fair to those who have worked much harder than others. Why should the person that put in no effort at all get the equal opportunities than the one who worked hard? Following Existentialism, you should take responsibility for your own actions. So if you do not work hard, you have to face the consequences.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Football match
Recently, in a World Cup qualifier match where Singapore versus Malaysia, a Malaysian fan shone green laser into the eyes of the Singapore goalkeeper. This is an utter disgrace for the man, and he was a disgrace to his country. This is a form disrespect for Singapore and this will definitely affect our ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
Firstly, the man should not shine the green laser, because this shows his lack of morals, which reflects badly on his country. He clearly has no sportsmanship, and even if his country was not winning, he should at least try to cheer his country on, not try to handicap the opponent's team by using despicable means.
Secondly, this man never thought about the welfare of his country. Not only may he have jeopardised the match, he may also have given Singapore an auto win because of the serious consequences of his actions. This will backfire on him and make him infamous in his own country.
Firstly, the man should not shine the green laser, because this shows his lack of morals, which reflects badly on his country. He clearly has no sportsmanship, and even if his country was not winning, he should at least try to cheer his country on, not try to handicap the opponent's team by using despicable means.
Secondly, this man never thought about the welfare of his country. Not only may he have jeopardised the match, he may also have given Singapore an auto win because of the serious consequences of his actions. This will backfire on him and make him infamous in his own country.
"Ha Ha Hamony"
For Racial Harmony Day, a group of people from Wild Rice came and did a performance called "Ha Ha Harmony". The basic story is that 3 students, 1 Chinese, 1 Malay and 1 Indian, have to come together to form a performance for Racial Harmony Day because of the racist acts and speech that they have been committing. On the outside, all of them may seem very cold and unfeeling, but actually on the inside, they are very warm and compassionate.
From the musical, I learned that racists acts may come from people who appear very annoying or irritating, however on the inside, they may have also experienced racist remarks or racist prejudice against them. Hence, I feel that no matter what race we are, we should accept each other and help each other improve, bonding as a community, not as individuals.
From the musical, I learned that racists acts may come from people who appear very annoying or irritating, however on the inside, they may have also experienced racist remarks or racist prejudice against them. Hence, I feel that no matter what race we are, we should accept each other and help each other improve, bonding as a community, not as individuals.
"How sweet and fitting it is to die for one's country" Is this a lie?
I feel that this is the twisted truth. It is true that it is honourable to die for your country, however, is it really worth it?
When your country is being invaded, many people will have to be called up for the army because either they are forced to or they want to protect their country. These soldiers fight for their country and end up either victorious or end up being killed. While it may seem like an honourable thing, this should not be the mindset of the soldiers.
The main mindset of the soldiers should be to defend the country at all costs, not to think about the honour and glory that you gain for defending your country. You want your country to be a safe place, not one that is dangerous.
However, if the soldiers are attacking other countries, it should not even be honourable because of the innocent lives that they kill because of their selfish desires. This is why this is the twisted truth.
When your country is being invaded, many people will have to be called up for the army because either they are forced to or they want to protect their country. These soldiers fight for their country and end up either victorious or end up being killed. While it may seem like an honourable thing, this should not be the mindset of the soldiers.
The main mindset of the soldiers should be to defend the country at all costs, not to think about the honour and glory that you gain for defending your country. You want your country to be a safe place, not one that is dangerous.
However, if the soldiers are attacking other countries, it should not even be honourable because of the innocent lives that they kill because of their selfish desires. This is why this is the twisted truth.
CIP for Awards Presentation Day
On this CIP, I was called up to marshall. I felt very unhappy at first, because it was on my birthday. However, I realised that I did not have much of a choice, hence I unwillingly went for the marshalling. Throughout the entire marshalling, I was quite unhappy and quite glum for I thought it was wasting my time. However, I found out the importance of my role as I had to guide many parents and ex-students to the dedicated area.
After this CIP, I learned to sacrifice and to give, even though it may not have benefited me. I did not really need the CIP hours, but I still went in the end. Serving is an important part of our lives, and I learned it through that one day in CIP.
After this CIP, I learned to sacrifice and to give, even though it may not have benefited me. I did not really need the CIP hours, but I still went in the end. Serving is an important part of our lives, and I learned it through that one day in CIP.
Euthanasia
Euthanasia is basically "assisted killings", where in the case that a patient is suffering from a terminal disease and decides that he/she wants to die, he/she can apply for euthanasia.
From the ethical point of view, Euthanasia is a straight no. This is because it is never right to take someone's life away, even if that person agrees to it. Euthanasia is no difference from the actual killing itself, for we do not know whether a miracle may happen to that patient, no matter how slim the chances may be.
However, the patient does have a right to decide. It is up to his/her decision to choose whether he/she wants to die. This may be due to certain reasons, like lost of meaning in life and too much pain that they cannot endure it. This are the main reasons why the patient wants to go through euthanasia. Other reasons may include the fact that the patient does not want to burden the family anymore, hence they rather die than to carry on living
From the ethical point of view, Euthanasia is a straight no. This is because it is never right to take someone's life away, even if that person agrees to it. Euthanasia is no difference from the actual killing itself, for we do not know whether a miracle may happen to that patient, no matter how slim the chances may be.
However, the patient does have a right to decide. It is up to his/her decision to choose whether he/she wants to die. This may be due to certain reasons, like lost of meaning in life and too much pain that they cannot endure it. This are the main reasons why the patient wants to go through euthanasia. Other reasons may include the fact that the patient does not want to burden the family anymore, hence they rather die than to carry on living
Should leaders be judged by their private lives?
This is a question that has been debated by the public for a long time. Personally, I feel that leaders should be judged by their private lives. This is because they have to set an example for the people, to show that they are truly the right people to lead. If they can lead very well, but yet cannot control their private lives, who knows what will happen when trouble arises? They may back out, run away from the problem, or worse, get the followers into deeper trouble.
The leader's private life also will affect his credibility. It affects the trust that the leader has with his/her followers. This also affects the respect he/she gets, and it will be very tough for him/her to lead without that.
The leader's private life also will affect his credibility. It affects the trust that the leader has with his/her followers. This also affects the respect he/she gets, and it will be very tough for him/her to lead without that.
Reflections for CIP for CDAC Redhill
I feel that this was the toughest CIP I've ever done. This is both mentally and physically tough. Firstly, I was supposed to tutor children through Maths and English and make it fun. I did not know what to expect, but I was feeling quite confident that I could control the children. However, I was horribly wrong. The children kept disobeying me and the other Secondary 1 students that I was working with. This made me very angry, but I could not scold or blame them because this was supposed to be a fun camp for them.
Now I finally realized how tough it is to teach us for our teachers. Even as I taught those students, they kept asking me the same questions over and over again and I felt frustrated with the 5 hours that I spent with them. However, in the end, I learned to endure and to serve with my whole heart, so that they may see my sincerity.
Now I finally realized how tough it is to teach us for our teachers. Even as I taught those students, they kept asking me the same questions over and over again and I felt frustrated with the 5 hours that I spent with them. However, in the end, I learned to endure and to serve with my whole heart, so that they may see my sincerity.
Reflection for CIP for ASEAN Games
On the 4th and 5th of July, I went to marshall for the ASEAN School Games, Rhymthmic Gymnastics. Basically, I was there to marshall the atheletes and control the public crowds. I thought that this was a very easy task, however, on the first day, I realised that we needed a lot of mental endurance for the CIP, because we would be standing for most of the 7 hours. Throughout this, I learned the true servanthood nature of the CIP.
Furthermore, I had to skip classes just to go for this CIP, which I didn't want to. I had to make a sacrifice just for this CIP. In the end, I endured through it and have learned servanthood through the hard way.
Furthermore, I had to skip classes just to go for this CIP, which I didn't want to. I had to make a sacrifice just for this CIP. In the end, I endured through it and have learned servanthood through the hard way.
A day in the life of the World War 2
Everything is collapsing. Nothing seems to be right. The screams that echoes through my head seem to go on forever. Blood spilled in front of my eyes like water. Hope is lost. Britain has abandoned us and now there is no one to protect us. We are doomed.
Should the Parents Maintenance Act be abolished?
I feel that the Parents Maintenance Act should not be abolished. This is because the poor elderly that cannot support themselves will have no source of income if their children do not support them. All they will end up to be is helpless individuals.
Furthermore, the children have a moral obligation to do it. They must be filial for their parents brought them up. It is just plain cruel to abandon your parents when they need you the most.
Furthermore, the children have a moral obligation to do it. They must be filial for their parents brought them up. It is just plain cruel to abandon your parents when they need you the most.
Are girls the stronger sex?
I feel that girls and guys have both different strengths, and it is subjective whether girls are the stronger sex.
Guys are stronger in physical strength. It has been scientifically proven that guys have bigger and stronger muscles. This is the reason why in Singapore, it is compulsory for a guy to go through NS.
Girls are more detailed and mentally stronger. Guys are known to have lesser self-control than girls. Futhurmore, girls look out for small little details that may seem unimportant to guys.
Hence it is subjective whether guys or girls are the stronger sex.
Guys are stronger in physical strength. It has been scientifically proven that guys have bigger and stronger muscles. This is the reason why in Singapore, it is compulsory for a guy to go through NS.
Girls are more detailed and mentally stronger. Guys are known to have lesser self-control than girls. Futhurmore, girls look out for small little details that may seem unimportant to guys.
Hence it is subjective whether guys or girls are the stronger sex.
STOMP
I feel that STOMP has already became more of just a website where Singaporeans share their views on, it has became a gossip site. STOMP not only reporting on what people feel, it is also bad mouthing a lot of people behind their backs. This not only shows about the bad "culture" of Singaporeans, it also reflects badly upon their morals.
STOMP - Maid carries NS man's bag
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/caught_in_the_act/588060/nsmen_trained_to_be_fit_strong_soldiers__yet_this_one_makes_maid.html
This NS Man was found to be letting his maid carry his bag on the way home. He was found to be using his phone and did not even care about his maid. I feel that this is very irresponsible of him because this not only ruins the reputation of Singapore's Army, it also reflects badly on the generation that had lived in comfort.
However, I feel that he was quite courageous in admitting his mistake to his sergeant. He did the right thing, but still can reflect on his mistakes.
This NS Man was found to be letting his maid carry his bag on the way home. He was found to be using his phone and did not even care about his maid. I feel that this is very irresponsible of him because this not only ruins the reputation of Singapore's Army, it also reflects badly on the generation that had lived in comfort.
However, I feel that he was quite courageous in admitting his mistake to his sergeant. He did the right thing, but still can reflect on his mistakes.
Difference between tabloid and broadsheets
Tabloids usually contain more colours and more pictures in order to gain a reader's attention. It contains sensationalized news and usually exaggerates the news. The articles itself are usually shorter and the newspaper itself is smaller in size. They are also more unreliable because in order to fight with the competition, they have to twist some facts to make it more interesting and to make the story original.
Broadsheets contain less colours and pictures. They consist more of proper news reports and the articles are generally longer as they are more detailed. The broadsheet newspaper itself, as the name suggests, is much larger as it is broader. They can be used for political views and provide alternative points of view.
Broadsheets contain less colours and pictures. They consist more of proper news reports and the articles are generally longer as they are more detailed. The broadsheet newspaper itself, as the name suggests, is much larger as it is broader. They can be used for political views and provide alternative points of view.
STOMP - HCI Students eating on the bus
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/ugly_commuters/606506/even_students_from_elite_school_cant_follow_noeating_rule_on_bus.html#commentSection
Personally, I feel that this is very disappointing of the students that ate on the bus. Even if they were rushing to go home, they should have the decency to finish their ice cream before entering the bus or throwing their ice cream away before boarding the bus. Furthermore, one of them even responded on the post with anger and this is a disgrace to our school.
Personally, I feel that this is very disappointing of the students that ate on the bus. Even if they were rushing to go home, they should have the decency to finish their ice cream before entering the bus or throwing their ice cream away before boarding the bus. Furthermore, one of them even responded on the post with anger and this is a disgrace to our school.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The house that Jack built
This is the house that Jack built.
This is the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cat that killed the rat
That ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the farmer sowing his corn
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the horse and the hound and the horn
That belonged to the farmer sowing his corn
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This interesting poem shows how everything is related to each other. Personally I had never heard of it before Ms Huang told me about it and now I have finally read it. I felt that this poem should have linked the "chain" back to Jack so that it could really show the co-relation with everything around us. This poem shows us how one thing will lead to another hence we should not do anything stupid or it may result in us getting hurt in the end. Overall I feel that this poem is rather funny.
This is the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cat that killed the rat
That ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the farmer sowing his corn
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the horse and the hound and the horn
That belonged to the farmer sowing his corn
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This interesting poem shows how everything is related to each other. Personally I had never heard of it before Ms Huang told me about it and now I have finally read it. I felt that this poem should have linked the "chain" back to Jack so that it could really show the co-relation with everything around us. This poem shows us how one thing will lead to another hence we should not do anything stupid or it may result in us getting hurt in the end. Overall I feel that this poem is rather funny.
Blog Prompt 8
Pick a poem or prose extract that has left a deep impression on you. Write about why it left such a deep impression on you. Write about why it left such a deep impression and what you learnt from it. Include the poem/prose extract in your post.
I chose Childhood by David Bates
Childhood, sweet and sunny childhood,
With its careless, thoughtless air,
Like the verdant, tangled wildwood,
Wants the training hand of care.
See it springing all around us --
Glad to know, and quick to learn;
Asking questions that confound us;
Teaching lessons in its turn.
Who loves not its joyous revel,
Leaping lightly on the lawn,
Up the knoll, along the level,
Free and graceful as a fawn?
Let it revel; it is nature
Giving to the little dears
Strength of limb, and healthful features,
For the toil of coming years.
He who checks a child with terror,
Stops its play, and stills its song,
Not alone commits an error,
But a great and moral wrong.
Give it play, and never fear it --
Active life is no defect;
Never, never break its spirit --
Curb it only to direct.
Would you dam the flowing river,
Thinking it would cease to flow?
Onward it must go forever --
Better teach it where to go.
Childhood is a fountain welling,
Trace its channel in the sand,
And its currents, spreading, swelling,
Will revive the withered land.
Childhood is the vernal season;
Trim and train the tender shoot;
Love is to the coming reason,
As the blossom to the fruit.
Tender twigs are bent and folded --
Art to nature beauty lends;
Childhood easily is moulded;
Manhood breaks, but seldom bends.
This poems talks about how childhood is just like a free spirit, roaming and exploring. I feel that childhood should be unrestrained, just as how this poem has depicted it. This poem talks about what a wrong it is to instill a child with terror and fear, and even relates childhood to a flowing river using a metaphor. It is true that no matter how much we try we would not be able to stop a child from having fun and moving forward. Curiosity and determination will drive the child forward and keep him/her moving forward.
I chose Childhood by David Bates
Childhood, sweet and sunny childhood,
With its careless, thoughtless air,
Like the verdant, tangled wildwood,
Wants the training hand of care.
See it springing all around us --
Glad to know, and quick to learn;
Asking questions that confound us;
Teaching lessons in its turn.
Who loves not its joyous revel,
Leaping lightly on the lawn,
Up the knoll, along the level,
Free and graceful as a fawn?
Let it revel; it is nature
Giving to the little dears
Strength of limb, and healthful features,
For the toil of coming years.
He who checks a child with terror,
Stops its play, and stills its song,
Not alone commits an error,
But a great and moral wrong.
Give it play, and never fear it --
Active life is no defect;
Never, never break its spirit --
Curb it only to direct.
Would you dam the flowing river,
Thinking it would cease to flow?
Onward it must go forever --
Better teach it where to go.
Childhood is a fountain welling,
Trace its channel in the sand,
And its currents, spreading, swelling,
Will revive the withered land.
Childhood is the vernal season;
Trim and train the tender shoot;
Love is to the coming reason,
As the blossom to the fruit.
Tender twigs are bent and folded --
Art to nature beauty lends;
Childhood easily is moulded;
Manhood breaks, but seldom bends.
This poems talks about how childhood is just like a free spirit, roaming and exploring. I feel that childhood should be unrestrained, just as how this poem has depicted it. This poem talks about what a wrong it is to instill a child with terror and fear, and even relates childhood to a flowing river using a metaphor. It is true that no matter how much we try we would not be able to stop a child from having fun and moving forward. Curiosity and determination will drive the child forward and keep him/her moving forward.
Blog Prompt 7
As you followed the action in the courtroom, which character did you empathize with most? Least? Explain.
I empathize with Atticus the most. Even though Tom Robinson may have had a big burden on his shoulders because of being convicted as a murderer, Atticus had to carry his burden too despite having nothing to do with the case at all. Atticus had to find a way to lure Mayella and Bob Ewell to make a mistake and tell the truth, something that was not easy to do. Alot of pressure was put on him and he had to face it calmly and think of a solution. What was more pressurizing then having an innocent life in your hands and only you can find a way out for that innocent life. Atticus was also at risk of danger and faced it bravely, all in the name of justice.
I emphathize the least with Bob Ewell because he is the mastermind behind everything. This evil character deserves nothing from anyone because of his cunning lies and his manipulative ways. I despise him because he does not dare to face his mistake and correct it and yet makes use of Tom's skin colour to make the jury and the judge turn against Tom.
I empathize with Atticus the most. Even though Tom Robinson may have had a big burden on his shoulders because of being convicted as a murderer, Atticus had to carry his burden too despite having nothing to do with the case at all. Atticus had to find a way to lure Mayella and Bob Ewell to make a mistake and tell the truth, something that was not easy to do. Alot of pressure was put on him and he had to face it calmly and think of a solution. What was more pressurizing then having an innocent life in your hands and only you can find a way out for that innocent life. Atticus was also at risk of danger and faced it bravely, all in the name of justice.
I emphathize the least with Bob Ewell because he is the mastermind behind everything. This evil character deserves nothing from anyone because of his cunning lies and his manipulative ways. I despise him because he does not dare to face his mistake and correct it and yet makes use of Tom's skin colour to make the jury and the judge turn against Tom.
Blog Prompt 6
Did the ending of the novel surprise you? If you were the author, would you have ended the story differently? Explain.
The ending of the novel did surprise me. I did not expect Arthur to come out and defend Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell's murderous intentions. I also did not expect Mayella Ewell to commit suicide. If I was the author, I would have placed more emphasis on the court case as that was actually the main gist of the story and that is where most values are learned. Other than that I thought that the story was very good, especially the reality of the story where Tom Robinson still died despite the truth being told. In reality the good guys may not always win and injustice is bound to happen. This can be related with the present situation many countries are in now, where crimes are committed everyday and not all criminals are caught.
The ending of the novel did surprise me. I did not expect Arthur to come out and defend Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell's murderous intentions. I also did not expect Mayella Ewell to commit suicide. If I was the author, I would have placed more emphasis on the court case as that was actually the main gist of the story and that is where most values are learned. Other than that I thought that the story was very good, especially the reality of the story where Tom Robinson still died despite the truth being told. In reality the good guys may not always win and injustice is bound to happen. This can be related with the present situation many countries are in now, where crimes are committed everyday and not all criminals are caught.
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