1: The Straits Times / HOME Saturday 20 Nov 2009
Too much time online hurts your grades: POLLS
The article clearly states, students who uses facebook generally score less than those students who doesn't surf facebook, instead spent their time studying. Also those who are hooked to gaming did far worst. 1 severe issue noted was that gamers vent their frustrations on themselves or even relatives when losing a game.
Most of the facts stated as above are plain common sense; You reap what you sough, if you spend X hrs on gaming and not studying, you actually wasted 2X hrs because you could be studying. And since you studied/practice more, you SHOULD and MUST do well right? Duhz?
What our papers failed to recognize is the social problems sustained by children who have only been studying, going for enrichment problems and Core Curriculum Activities which will only provide them an edge for entry to a more prestigious institutions. Articles like these are encouraging parents to "bury" their children in this "False World of Success or rather PATH to success". Why aren't our papers polling success of Open Universities vs National Universities or employ-ability of students who have facebook accounts to those who don't? simply because the truth hurts!
Cybergamers who are constantly addicted to MMORPGs and certain games with no goals and visions ought to be slapped, that I agree. MMORPG are games that you have to spent hours 24/7 just to be the best and you get nothing out of it. But there are games that wins you experience, Counter-Strike, DOTA etc. There are proper community and organizations that hosts competitions for gamers to compete, the prize money is quite substantial and often gamers get to travel across the world to meet people with all walks of life to experience what the world is about. If gaming itself is such a shallow hobby, it speaks the same of the person who have the same opinion of gaming.
Often competition involves more than 1 player thus involve teamwork, analysis of situations and personality to forge out proper tactics and strategies. These are life long skills which top executives and managers of our corporations, needless to say even our ministries are lacking. The proper recognition of strength and weaknesses and the will to strive as one for the common goal.
That said, no one can play game forever, there isn't an occupation titled cybergamer as yet within our region, needless to say our country, therefore there will always be a "prime time" for gamers like athletes, after their prime it'll be the same for them and the rest to struggle and find their path in today's society. Those whom I know, international players or our very national top players, are in fact well equipped for the future than those who, study.
I was and am, a fallen warrior of this path. I ain't have that glorious past to speak of, but I treasure those fond memories and have never regretted what I did. And I sincerely apologize to those who I've hurt and disappoint, I hope you all would understand and appreciate how much I've grown, taking this rocky path instead ...
2: The Straits Times / Saturday 20 Nov 2009
To Market, To Market... To Gawk
The article features our WET MARKET. A very very sad line was added to the title "Will the day come when Singapore's wet markets are reduced to little more than tourist attractions, relics of our pasts?" Article features Serangoon Wet Market foreclosure, saved only for now...
This thought long lingered in my mind, 12yrs back...
Then, Holland area, where I used to reside, had 2 wet markets. They tore down 1 market to make place for a hawker centre and renovated the larger market. Old tenants left due to the absurd rise in rents, my aunt, a legendary carrot cake chef was one of the fallen. The Kway Chap stall, who used to charge higher than average prices started using cheaper ingredients, bowls and culinary. Hot stuff are best served using ceramic bowls and spoons but all is gone and lost. My grandma sold her stall, she used to sell bread, cheaper than NTUC by 5 - 25cents...
I moved to Boon Lay 10years ago, there were markets, hawker centres, DIRTY hawker centres, which made me felt so much like home, but look at it now, 2 markets are lost, we saved 1 through petition, still the rise in rents killed tonnes of good hawkers.
Many of us ate food, fresh or cooked, from these places, grow up healthy and strong... Why the need to keep changing to suit the taste of rich fancy assholes who can't stand a little bit of dirt? If you can't even survive a cup of freshly made sugar cane drink, you aren't fit to in Singapore or at least, the heartland areas. Go on and live in prime areas, where all you have are air-con restaurants and eateries, contributing to the absurd global warming...
If these actions persist, wet markets are really going to be relics... And to think, most of the decision makers do not even dine at such places, who the FUCK are they to decide what is best for us?
The same for those medium tier family who used to earn big bucks, mock at lower income group people, showing off their fancy cars, labels and watches, are suffering due to the economy crisis. Why must we help them when we, ourselves are spending within our means, saving up enough for times like this, to help them who have been lavishing and overspending?
The above paragraphs are targeted at a minority group who...
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