I have, to quote one of my bosses, 101 things to do for these past few days, hence the sparseness of updates. Bad excuse, I know. I realise that I need to find a more effective way of sorting out not only my work, but my personal life. Hard when one knows that one is an impulsive person who likes to live spontaneously. Trying to categorise between work, personal work (as in work done outside work hours) and personal life (which includes, among other things, my social life, family life, other lives (not saying), hobbies and personal interests done to merely feed my satisfaction and ego (doh!)
I thought that blogging could help organise my thoughts, besides being a receptacle to my thoughts, ravings, rants and jottings.
Since I started blogging more regularly 3 weeks back, there is of course a few things added/revived on a professional and personal side. Professional being that I have got a research ongoing, and on a person front...not telling in this public-private blog :P
Hope that all of you would have a better day than me. Oh yeah, gonna attend something tonight which I will enlighten you about later. Ta ta, my sweeties.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Monday, March 22, 2004
Lack of practicability
Glossary for overseas readers
BN - National Coalition
BA - Alternative Coalition
PAS - Islamic Party of Malaysia
The last weekend would had been great if my car had not broken down halfway, partly due to inexperience and carelessness on my part. I supposed I have not bother to keep up to speed with the general condition of my car, having lost my paranoia that it would and could break down anytime. I have forgotten that my car is old and needs constant attention, by keeping a hand on its pulse. Hence I am now without my car for three days.
Having have this happened to me, I realise now that the reason why BN won big time, and perhaps opposition lost big time, is the latter's inability to keep to the pulse of the nation. Perhaps we could blame the apathy in the people, of being afraid of change, of being afraid of losing their perks, or being afraid that they will be ill-used if the Big Brother found out about their 'betrayal' (very real fears for some of them), of couldn't care less as long as the country is still surviving, or perhaps a narrow worldview (knowing more about what is going on in the US than in their own home country). Nevertheless, all these excuses aside, I think in general, the BA has not provided workable manifestors- I don't mean that all their plans are unworkable, in fact most of the plans are good, though lacking in details (but very few voters bother with details, come to think of it). It is always good to have the ideal. But one should not forget what kind of voters one have. And how they think. In a country that places economic well-being above the well-being of the masses, you are not going to get any support for change during the 8 day campaign period. Though I do not always agree with Mike Moore, I do agree when he say that you are not going to buy over your voters by giving them altruistic and idealistic agendas unless they are already converted to that belief. You have to educate them bit by bit. Harping about human rights (something which I feel strongly about), will not work in a constituency who cares more about earning money to feed their kids than about getting minimum wage. Some might think, "what if voting for these people might cause me to lose whatever meagre perks I have now?"
I also believe that the Opposition, should not make small issues their BIG issues, because it would make their voters think that they are reactionaries, people who could react to issues but have nothing solid to back up whatever raw assertions that they make. Take the case of mother tongue education. I am all for learning your mother tongue (or whatever language that you choose to learn), but I believe that it should be done in a way that would benefit the students who are SUPPOSED to be the beneficiaries. What is the point of talking about government conspiracy in oppressing vernacular education (even if it exists) as it would not help these students in any way. I know of course that all schools do not receive equal funding. This is not only the case with vernacular-language schools, but also even government funded national-language (Malay) schools. When the government fails you, you have no choice (until the next election comes about) but to organise yourself and work around them (even if they are trying their level best to screw you).
I do know that the Opposition are hampered by being a minority in Parliament. Perhaps the people are partly to be blamed for it (and for taking the easy excuse of 1. Nobody to choose from 2. BN will win anyway 3. I forgot to register 4. Better the devil we know). But I always think, even with the odds against you, that it is possible to still work around it. Grassroots organisations within oppressed countries like Burma have allowed the various minority ethnic groups their voice. I think that it is a shame that PAS, after having won Kelantan and Terengganu, did not choose to make a difference, even in small ways. In fact, they have oppressed the people further by introducing a host of ridiculous rules that I suspect have little to do with Islam in the first place. I believe that the people voted them into power because they were fedup with BN. But they realised that they weren't getting anywhere with PAS. So why not vote for the devil that we used to know, especially since there is a new Prime Minister who is the son of a Muslim Scholar (as the national dailies are so fond of harping on). DAP, despite its altercation with its allies, have managed to sustain a rather impressive performance. Perhaps we should thank its various MPs who had tried to make a difference, despite the limitations which they have to face.
So, what do you think? In face of a governmental machinery that would make life difficult for you when you choose to work change from the outside, should you then swallow your pride and be its bed partner? Or is it still possible to work around the system for change. This is what I am trying to figure out to determine what I hope to do for my future. Looks like party politics aren't going to go away, since everyone have to campaign under a party flag in order to get the required support (from campaign workers down to the voters). Of course, certain outstanding indivuals have managed to get support even from previously apolitical people, but that is few and far between. Looks like Malaysia is still a long way from achieving a thinking democracy bereft of flags, posters, slogans, propaganda ads and mud-slinging leaflets. One where the media is free to air a list of information and the rest of us to click online and vote based on the candidate's track record (not necessary as an MP, especially for a first timer). Maybe we are still at the phase where we need to consult our astrologer and feng shui instead of listening hard to our minds and heart....but then, how many people are thinking types?
Any thoughts?
BN - National Coalition
BA - Alternative Coalition
PAS - Islamic Party of Malaysia
The last weekend would had been great if my car had not broken down halfway, partly due to inexperience and carelessness on my part. I supposed I have not bother to keep up to speed with the general condition of my car, having lost my paranoia that it would and could break down anytime. I have forgotten that my car is old and needs constant attention, by keeping a hand on its pulse. Hence I am now without my car for three days.
Having have this happened to me, I realise now that the reason why BN won big time, and perhaps opposition lost big time, is the latter's inability to keep to the pulse of the nation. Perhaps we could blame the apathy in the people, of being afraid of change, of being afraid of losing their perks, or being afraid that they will be ill-used if the Big Brother found out about their 'betrayal' (very real fears for some of them), of couldn't care less as long as the country is still surviving, or perhaps a narrow worldview (knowing more about what is going on in the US than in their own home country). Nevertheless, all these excuses aside, I think in general, the BA has not provided workable manifestors- I don't mean that all their plans are unworkable, in fact most of the plans are good, though lacking in details (but very few voters bother with details, come to think of it). It is always good to have the ideal. But one should not forget what kind of voters one have. And how they think. In a country that places economic well-being above the well-being of the masses, you are not going to get any support for change during the 8 day campaign period. Though I do not always agree with Mike Moore, I do agree when he say that you are not going to buy over your voters by giving them altruistic and idealistic agendas unless they are already converted to that belief. You have to educate them bit by bit. Harping about human rights (something which I feel strongly about), will not work in a constituency who cares more about earning money to feed their kids than about getting minimum wage. Some might think, "what if voting for these people might cause me to lose whatever meagre perks I have now?"
I also believe that the Opposition, should not make small issues their BIG issues, because it would make their voters think that they are reactionaries, people who could react to issues but have nothing solid to back up whatever raw assertions that they make. Take the case of mother tongue education. I am all for learning your mother tongue (or whatever language that you choose to learn), but I believe that it should be done in a way that would benefit the students who are SUPPOSED to be the beneficiaries. What is the point of talking about government conspiracy in oppressing vernacular education (even if it exists) as it would not help these students in any way. I know of course that all schools do not receive equal funding. This is not only the case with vernacular-language schools, but also even government funded national-language (Malay) schools. When the government fails you, you have no choice (until the next election comes about) but to organise yourself and work around them (even if they are trying their level best to screw you).
I do know that the Opposition are hampered by being a minority in Parliament. Perhaps the people are partly to be blamed for it (and for taking the easy excuse of 1. Nobody to choose from 2. BN will win anyway 3. I forgot to register 4. Better the devil we know). But I always think, even with the odds against you, that it is possible to still work around it. Grassroots organisations within oppressed countries like Burma have allowed the various minority ethnic groups their voice. I think that it is a shame that PAS, after having won Kelantan and Terengganu, did not choose to make a difference, even in small ways. In fact, they have oppressed the people further by introducing a host of ridiculous rules that I suspect have little to do with Islam in the first place. I believe that the people voted them into power because they were fedup with BN. But they realised that they weren't getting anywhere with PAS. So why not vote for the devil that we used to know, especially since there is a new Prime Minister who is the son of a Muslim Scholar (as the national dailies are so fond of harping on). DAP, despite its altercation with its allies, have managed to sustain a rather impressive performance. Perhaps we should thank its various MPs who had tried to make a difference, despite the limitations which they have to face.
So, what do you think? In face of a governmental machinery that would make life difficult for you when you choose to work change from the outside, should you then swallow your pride and be its bed partner? Or is it still possible to work around the system for change. This is what I am trying to figure out to determine what I hope to do for my future. Looks like party politics aren't going to go away, since everyone have to campaign under a party flag in order to get the required support (from campaign workers down to the voters). Of course, certain outstanding indivuals have managed to get support even from previously apolitical people, but that is few and far between. Looks like Malaysia is still a long way from achieving a thinking democracy bereft of flags, posters, slogans, propaganda ads and mud-slinging leaflets. One where the media is free to air a list of information and the rest of us to click online and vote based on the candidate's track record (not necessary as an MP, especially for a first timer). Maybe we are still at the phase where we need to consult our astrologer and feng shui instead of listening hard to our minds and heart....but then, how many people are thinking types?
Any thoughts?
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Singletons in Kampungs and Towns, big and small
Following from my orevious posting, I can write about young single men and women around Malaysia, their lives, their happiness, their misery, their values, their dreams, goals etc etc. And then, there is plot..
Makes a good novel. Anybody interested?
Makes a good novel. Anybody interested?
To write a book or not?
In this age of anything goes, publishing houses are all jumping on the bandwagon to publish anything and everything, as long as they think that they have a market that would lap it up. In fact, you don't even need to always be a good writer. As long as you publish something that people would read, good writing be damn. I have actually reviewed books that look like they have been hurriedly edited (if edited at all). That by supposedly well published writers. Every consultant in management, grooming, real estate, feng shui, yada yada yada, are publishing their books. In the book hypermarket, you can get anything from how to hammer a nail to how to how to be the next CEO. Talking about hype, Economist actually have an article about the hype surrounding Harry Potter books (and its ilk).. Even bloggers get published because of their blogs. Joseph Epstein has an advice for all potential writers who think that they will write the next great novel or whatever genre they are hoping to write.
I notice that that many publishing houses outside the western sphere do not get listed on google very much, let alone Amazon. Not to say that they aren't listed. It's just that it is hard to find them. I'll see if I can find a list of all the publishing houses within South East Asia, for a start. If there aren't any, I will start compiling them. Perhaps I should put out a call to all houses to send me their website, email, address and types of publications? Or should it be better to compile a list of available books in SEA? As a freelance reviewer, I try checking out publishing houses to get their book lists. I notice that sometimes, some of these houses have not published anything new in a long time. Perhaps they are sending me their outdated list?
What are your thoughts? With the advent of e-publishing, there are now many self-published authors out there. Some stuff are good. The rest is pure vanity.
To get some books from Malaysia, Singapore and some other countries in SEA, you might want to try Silverfishbooks
I notice that that many publishing houses outside the western sphere do not get listed on google very much, let alone Amazon. Not to say that they aren't listed. It's just that it is hard to find them. I'll see if I can find a list of all the publishing houses within South East Asia, for a start. If there aren't any, I will start compiling them. Perhaps I should put out a call to all houses to send me their website, email, address and types of publications? Or should it be better to compile a list of available books in SEA? As a freelance reviewer, I try checking out publishing houses to get their book lists. I notice that sometimes, some of these houses have not published anything new in a long time. Perhaps they are sending me their outdated list?
What are your thoughts? With the advent of e-publishing, there are now many self-published authors out there. Some stuff are good. The rest is pure vanity.
To get some books from Malaysia, Singapore and some other countries in SEA, you might want to try Silverfishbooks
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Why...
have I not posted any new articles on this site? Well, mainly because most of my creative/brain work in progress are geared towards publication, which means I can't publish them here yet. However, hopefully after July, or even before, I would be able to write something which I will post exclusively on archiveoflearning. I just need more time. Speaking of publishing, I came across this article in American Institute of Physics website which talks about the phenomena of publishing or perishing. Remember all the hyper surrounding plagiarising that has caused the downfall of various eminent academics? Here is one on whether and how much value is attached to being constantly published. The title is Publish or Perish--An Ailing Enterprise. I used to be a member of AIP when I was a physics undergrad. In a way, I missed those days, despite all the teeth gnashing to solve indecipherable problems.
Someone once said that Malaysians are very right or left. I suppose they go whichever way that suit their need. Malaysians are also said not to have a concept of Left. What is Left? New Left? Old Left? Marxist Left? Frankly speaking, I doubt most of American polemics have a clear concept of left or right. The worst kind of polemics you get, unfortunately for the rights, are the Rights. Check out this RightWingNews. I know that the Left could be as polemical, given the stage to do so. Or maybe they are rights pretending to be Left? Anyway, counterpart of the RightWingNews is the LeftWingNews. Not exactly opposites of each other of course. But both in blogstyles, bashing regimes here and there. Let you decide whom you think has more reasoned arguments.
Humans are humans. They can lose reason
Someone once said that Malaysians are very right or left. I suppose they go whichever way that suit their need. Malaysians are also said not to have a concept of Left. What is Left? New Left? Old Left? Marxist Left? Frankly speaking, I doubt most of American polemics have a clear concept of left or right. The worst kind of polemics you get, unfortunately for the rights, are the Rights. Check out this RightWingNews. I know that the Left could be as polemical, given the stage to do so. Or maybe they are rights pretending to be Left? Anyway, counterpart of the RightWingNews is the LeftWingNews. Not exactly opposites of each other of course. But both in blogstyles, bashing regimes here and there. Let you decide whom you think has more reasoned arguments.
Humans are humans. They can lose reason
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
A few things
Complex arguments on why the postmodern west is bad in their commodification and materialism has been watered down, sieved and finally simplified to all things from the west is bad for week-kneed Asians. Talk about presumptious generalisation. Apparently, this is how students are being taught at school. Currently reading an old book (from the last century) by Ziauddin Sardar called "Postmodernism and The Other: The New Imperialism of Western Culture". Many of the arguments by various scholars could all be obtained in this book. He has valid points though I think he sometimes make certain generalisations about the West as much as the Non-West. But then, this is what one calls angling and perspective. Virginia Woolf does a good job in providing the pan-optican sweep. Though I agree with the points his made, I disagree with his overwhelmingly negative take on postmodernism, as well as his simplifying of it. Everything has its good and bad. Sometimes, bad things is packaged as something acceptable just to make its presence omnipotent. So many things are lumped into the postmodern because nobody really understands it. I am still trying to figure it out myself. SOmetimes, I think these things have more to do with human failures than human theories. I do disagree with theorists who over-step boundaries to demean the meaning of life. Or perhaps if life is so meaningless, why do we all bother with theories. Lets just live the life of a hedonist, try everything then kill ourselves.
Then there is the question of the soul......or would it be total annihilation?
I supposed Ziauddin is just trying to critique the negative aspect of postmodernism, though from the tone he uses, it seems like he doesn't like postmodernism. That's alright, many people don't like it either. Heck, many don't even like modernism, let alone what comes after...and I don't mean anti-globalists.
Anyway talking about the issue of how The Body Shop and sundry other western cosmetic companies who capitalise on the longing for the so-called exotic, I think it should be the part and parcel of every child's primary education to understand
1. The basics of health care and medicine....especially on drugs use (including THAT prescribed by the doctors). I think many doctors in poorly regulated health care systems tend to over-prescribe on drugs that can lead to overwhelmingly negative consequences.
2. The issue of choice. How does on make a choice when assaulted with so many reasons for swinging this way and that? How to be conscious that we DO leave in a world of propaganda and that we need to make INFORMED choices, and how to go about finding the information.
3.How to be a proactive citizen and take an active in legislations that will affect their lives. We realise that we allow many things to happen coz we couldn't be bothered. Instead of giving ourselves a hard time fighting against a bad system that is already there, be aware of it before it even happens. I know this is hard, since some people will always try to keep information from going out to the people at large. So, lets champion for an act, that not only allows freedom of information flow, but one which we could sue for NOT letting an issue of public interest be MADE KNOWN in its early stage.
Then, there is this chicken-and-egg theory as to what is or is not public interest, but these are details that could be work out.
4.How to be a good consumer of whatever items and products.
5.To understand that everyone does not share 100% of your viewpoints with you. That includes beliefs, ideology, creeds, whatever.
Any more points?
Btw, now that I have installed the comments option, you can all add your comments to mine.
Heh
Then there is the question of the soul......or would it be total annihilation?
I supposed Ziauddin is just trying to critique the negative aspect of postmodernism, though from the tone he uses, it seems like he doesn't like postmodernism. That's alright, many people don't like it either. Heck, many don't even like modernism, let alone what comes after...and I don't mean anti-globalists.
Anyway talking about the issue of how The Body Shop and sundry other western cosmetic companies who capitalise on the longing for the so-called exotic, I think it should be the part and parcel of every child's primary education to understand
1. The basics of health care and medicine....especially on drugs use (including THAT prescribed by the doctors). I think many doctors in poorly regulated health care systems tend to over-prescribe on drugs that can lead to overwhelmingly negative consequences.
2. The issue of choice. How does on make a choice when assaulted with so many reasons for swinging this way and that? How to be conscious that we DO leave in a world of propaganda and that we need to make INFORMED choices, and how to go about finding the information.
3.How to be a proactive citizen and take an active in legislations that will affect their lives. We realise that we allow many things to happen coz we couldn't be bothered. Instead of giving ourselves a hard time fighting against a bad system that is already there, be aware of it before it even happens. I know this is hard, since some people will always try to keep information from going out to the people at large. So, lets champion for an act, that not only allows freedom of information flow, but one which we could sue for NOT letting an issue of public interest be MADE KNOWN in its early stage.
Then, there is this chicken-and-egg theory as to what is or is not public interest, but these are details that could be work out.
4.How to be a good consumer of whatever items and products.
5.To understand that everyone does not share 100% of your viewpoints with you. That includes beliefs, ideology, creeds, whatever.
Any more points?
Btw, now that I have installed the comments option, you can all add your comments to mine.
Heh
Monday, March 15, 2004
Monday Post
Here I am, back at work again, struck with Mon blues. Ok, it isn't that bad except that I just recovered from the stomach flu over the weekend. It hasn't been all bad, since I spent a bit of my time volunteering for a cause as a good citizen of this country. Well, it is a bit political, in the hindsight.
Anyway, here are a few interesting sites which I have surf and found. Am currently working on a project on websurfers. Tell you guys more once it is underway. Need to get back to reading some papers to prepare for that.
On the side, am working on a project related to the eighteenth century. More on that too later...
http://www.cluetrain.com/book/index.html
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/red/
http://www.rageboy.com/scream3.html
P.S> I wonder if I should make this blog more personal. But then, I don't want to turn this into a voyeuer's playground. I will strike my own balance.
Cheerios
Anyway, here are a few interesting sites which I have surf and found. Am currently working on a project on websurfers. Tell you guys more once it is underway. Need to get back to reading some papers to prepare for that.
On the side, am working on a project related to the eighteenth century. More on that too later...
http://www.cluetrain.com/book/index.html
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/red/
http://www.rageboy.com/scream3.html
P.S> I wonder if I should make this blog more personal. But then, I don't want to turn this into a voyeuer's playground. I will strike my own balance.
Cheerios
Few questions to ponder upon
This idea struck me yesterday, but I could only get on today, to blog this:
1. When one nominates candidates to represent a particular state or district in a country, is it fair to the voters in the cases when there are only two contenders, and one is rejected due to technical errors during the nomination, to allow the one and only contender left to have a walk-through? Or should the particular district or state wait for a few months for another contender to come up and therefore challenge the current one? Would that be fairer to the constituents? That would keep them on their toes as oppose to becoming complacent. Bear in mind of course that their is no perfect fairness in elections, especially in a system where the supposed majority (whose votes are not spoilt) are the voice for all.
2. We have seen a dip in the way education is being implemented worldwide, which is a disgrace. How do we overcome this?
3. How well do you think theories work in providing solutions to practical problems?
1. When one nominates candidates to represent a particular state or district in a country, is it fair to the voters in the cases when there are only two contenders, and one is rejected due to technical errors during the nomination, to allow the one and only contender left to have a walk-through? Or should the particular district or state wait for a few months for another contender to come up and therefore challenge the current one? Would that be fairer to the constituents? That would keep them on their toes as oppose to becoming complacent. Bear in mind of course that their is no perfect fairness in elections, especially in a system where the supposed majority (whose votes are not spoilt) are the voice for all.
2. We have seen a dip in the way education is being implemented worldwide, which is a disgrace. How do we overcome this?
3. How well do you think theories work in providing solutions to practical problems?
Sunday, March 14, 2004
stuck in the rut
As a young student, I used to think that getting a scholarship from the government to study overseas was one big deal. That was when scholarships were still rare. Well, scholarships now I not as rare, especially for a non-bumiputera student of Malaysia, and it became a trophy to be coveted by post-high school students and parents alike. Every A1s and A2s are calculated to bringing the student a step closer to the trophy. Many students are taking a lot of subjects just so that they could improve their chances of getting more A1s (who cares whether one learns anything). I was once told by a friend that it is stupid to jeopardize your chance of getting an A for the sake of trying to learn something the proper way. More important to learn how to pass exams with flying colours. Well, I guess that is why I never got my As. Idealism never help in this respect.
Also on the question of scholarships. This government scholarships, dished out to supposedly 'sterling' students (who managed to get all the questions answered the right way), to allow them a chance to study overseas. Many of these students aren't exactly from poor homes. In fact, a number belong to the top 5% income earners of Malaysia, if not top 1%. Scholarships are no longer a financial relieve given to poor students to allow them to pay their fees and further their education. It has become an investment in itself. If I have money to live well but not enough to live lavishly, getting a scholarship will allow me a chance to buy a car or another house (and all these while still a student). I have heard of these happening before. While I think that students who do well should be rewarded, perhaps it is high time to examine this system of reward. Aren't we rewarding people who are already advantaged by the very fact of their birth and socio-economic background? perhaps a few of these people are deserving people who would not go far without financial aid, despite being promising. But nowadays, that doesn't count. Getting a scholarship is all that matters. Whether you are a Datuk's child or if you belong to the squatter's community.
ALso the idea of using scholarship money to send people overseas. WHile I am not totally against it, I do wonder about sending so many students overseas with the tax payers money. Wouldn't it be better, in the long run, to actually improve the system of education IN the country, instead of having all the money flow out? Or perhaps we have not over the colonial mindset that overseas is always better. Perhaps it is, since they have had more centuries to develop. I think student excahnge programmes are good. Europe, America and Japan spend money sending their students abroad for a semester or two's exchange programmes. Wouldn't this be better than sending a few kids abroad to study? It would save money and more students would benefit. More students would be grateful. How does one ensure that those kids you send overseas would be grateful anyway? If there is anything we learn in life, being grateful is for fools...aint it? However, if corporations want to send the kids overseas with their money, by all means. Actually, I think it would be better to send a slightly more mature person (regardless of age) abroad as they actually would benefit more.
Maybe this obssession with A1s and A2s might be something that give you short term honour within your small community. But it does not ensure a brilliant mind, critical abilities or ability to create. It allows mediocre people like you and I, to go around saying "Hey, I got 11A1s, 12A1s etc etc" . We know that we would not write a book worth writing, exhibit our artistic work, innovate a better way of making cars, make technological improvements nor compose a good piece of music by 21.
P.S. To my international readers, this is a mere reflection of the Malaysian community. However, I would welcome feedback from you on your individual communities. Cheers!
Also on the question of scholarships. This government scholarships, dished out to supposedly 'sterling' students (who managed to get all the questions answered the right way), to allow them a chance to study overseas. Many of these students aren't exactly from poor homes. In fact, a number belong to the top 5% income earners of Malaysia, if not top 1%. Scholarships are no longer a financial relieve given to poor students to allow them to pay their fees and further their education. It has become an investment in itself. If I have money to live well but not enough to live lavishly, getting a scholarship will allow me a chance to buy a car or another house (and all these while still a student). I have heard of these happening before. While I think that students who do well should be rewarded, perhaps it is high time to examine this system of reward. Aren't we rewarding people who are already advantaged by the very fact of their birth and socio-economic background? perhaps a few of these people are deserving people who would not go far without financial aid, despite being promising. But nowadays, that doesn't count. Getting a scholarship is all that matters. Whether you are a Datuk's child or if you belong to the squatter's community.
ALso the idea of using scholarship money to send people overseas. WHile I am not totally against it, I do wonder about sending so many students overseas with the tax payers money. Wouldn't it be better, in the long run, to actually improve the system of education IN the country, instead of having all the money flow out? Or perhaps we have not over the colonial mindset that overseas is always better. Perhaps it is, since they have had more centuries to develop. I think student excahnge programmes are good. Europe, America and Japan spend money sending their students abroad for a semester or two's exchange programmes. Wouldn't this be better than sending a few kids abroad to study? It would save money and more students would benefit. More students would be grateful. How does one ensure that those kids you send overseas would be grateful anyway? If there is anything we learn in life, being grateful is for fools...aint it? However, if corporations want to send the kids overseas with their money, by all means. Actually, I think it would be better to send a slightly more mature person (regardless of age) abroad as they actually would benefit more.
Maybe this obssession with A1s and A2s might be something that give you short term honour within your small community. But it does not ensure a brilliant mind, critical abilities or ability to create. It allows mediocre people like you and I, to go around saying "Hey, I got 11A1s, 12A1s etc etc" . We know that we would not write a book worth writing, exhibit our artistic work, innovate a better way of making cars, make technological improvements nor compose a good piece of music by 21.
P.S. To my international readers, this is a mere reflection of the Malaysian community. However, I would welcome feedback from you on your individual communities. Cheers!
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
....
Can't think of a title for this blog, so it shall remain untitled. I have finished the coursework part of my MA course (though I have yet to know the grade I will get for the final paper, hopefully I won't fail at the last leg!). In the meantime, I have to rework a paper on postmodernity and its paradox in today's worlview of Islam. Or maybe I will look at it from a different angle. Who knows. This is going to be another busy week for myself, though I have been taking things slowly since last Saturday. Been reading Faulkner's Light in August. Kept skipping to the back just to see what happen. Shouldn't have. The thing about a good book is that you will never fully understand what happen unless you read it til the end. That is how it differs from potboilers I suppose. I am also suppose to structure out my dissertation on Sylvia Plath while doing the literature review. I better get all those little projects out of the way just so that I can spend more time on them. Looks like that Class on Appreciation has to take a backseat for now until I can get my dissertation off and running. Or until I quit my job. Whichever comes first. Hopefully the former.
Anyway, my dearies, here are some blogs that you might want to check out, some belonging to friends and some to strangers. Oh yeah, some aren't blogs either. Here they are
http://www.infomuse.net/blog/archives/2004_03.html
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Residence/1216/academia.html
http://leeum.blogspot.com/
http://life.of.neekole.com/
http://michel.pycs.net/
http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/9828/index2.html
Have fun surfing! Can be pretty addictive.
Anyway, my dearies, here are some blogs that you might want to check out, some belonging to friends and some to strangers. Oh yeah, some aren't blogs either. Here they are
http://www.infomuse.net/blog/archives/2004_03.html
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Residence/1216/academia.html
http://leeum.blogspot.com/
http://life.of.neekole.com/
http://michel.pycs.net/
http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/9828/index2.html
Have fun surfing! Can be pretty addictive.
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