Did you know Singapore has no press freedom? | ad infinitum

Singapore's dropped 6 places in the Press freedom index. According to Reporters San Frontieres, we're at 146 now because

Singapore (146th) slipped six places because of new legal action by the government against foreign media.

Can't say that comes as a surprise. I suppose they're referring to the requirement that foreign media take out a bond/hostage for the Singapore government, so that they could be sued under Singapore law. The Far Eastern Economic Review refused (no surprise there, since they've been stung before), and promptly engaged on a round of Singapore-bashing. While the bashing was deserved, it doesn't say all that much about FEER's objectivity either.

Rest of the report

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Citizen newsgathering | stomp

Jon Stewart has something to say about Stomp - I mean, CNN's new I-report, whereby everyone is recruited to become a CNN reporter.



The BBC editors' blog - have I mentioned that I really do love their blogs? - also wrote about the idea of citizen journalism.

Essentially, they make an important distinction between citizen newsgathering, and citizen journalism. Stomp - newsgathering. Yawningbread, Backfence, Singaporeheritage, Yesterday.sg - citizen journalism. Newsgathering is just that - getting news and reports in - or out. Journalism - refers to sorting out the story, and analysing it, ultimately producing something that needs to be recorded and presented.

History's sort of like that. You get a stack of materials, from shopping receipts to court records, and while the part about the chancellor caught in flagrant delicto with the tortoise is undoubtedly hilarious, it doesn't do anything for the overall story, nor is it particularly earthshaking. (Unless it involves the phrase Chelonius Mobilus, and that's a whole new planet. Literally) So you leave it out.

In fact, the recent efforts by the National Heritage board have reminded me of this important distinction. With webbies and programs like Singaporealbum.org and the Family tree project, and the NLB's decision to archive websites - well, what the NHB is doing to essentially citizen heritage resource gathering. (That's a damn clumsy phrase, I admit.) They're gathering records for the future and the present, sending citizen heritage/memory gatherers into past. And eventually, a historian will put it together, and write up these little histories.

There's also a point that the BBC makes, that I think historians can empathise with. Much has been written recently about the threat that blogs and citizen journalism pose towards the traditional media - both from insecure bloggers and equally insecure MSM. (I'm not going to discuss the Singapore context here) However, it's worth noting that BBC, arguably the veteran of MSM, doesn't quite share the concerns of lesser newsbeings, and in fact has taken the simple stand that there isn't a threat - and in fact, that they complement each other.

Historians don't regard citizens as a threat - why should the BBC?

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Gay animals in Norway | Singapore art

There's a gay animal exhibition in a museum in Norway. I understand that's the first time such an event has been held in a museum.

Curators say a Norwegian exhibition on homosexuality among animals has been well received, despite initial indications of strong opposition.

from the BBC

Sometimes, I think that it's Singapore's attitude towards sex/political commentary/mystical Asian values that is holding the arts scene back. After all, art thrives - heck, throws parties - on top of societal OOB markers. Those are the grey areas, relatively uncomprehended, which requires explanation and illustration through art.

The odd thing is this - the MDA always cites some group being potentially offended as a reason for clamping down. But often the cited group doesn't care, or thinks that kicking up a fuss will just make them seem silly. Take Talaq, for example, banned on grounds of being insensitive to Muslims - every Muslim I talked to couldn't figure out why it should be banned. Ironically, Malays as usual got the brunt of the blame - which is odd, since it was an Indian group that first complained.

So just who is holding MDA's leash? Or is the MDA like a tradition that's gone on for so long that everyone continues to do it, despite the fact that no one can quite remember why?

Bah. I want to see gay penguins in Singapore. Then again, there's always been something gay about penguins.

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Copyright and Singapore | owning air

Just came across this.

The argument was sparked off by the writer spotting a sign that declared an area was copyright protected. Long and short of it: there was a photography service there, that charged you $15USD have your picture taken with birds. The owner understandably didn't want people standing outside and photographing the birds for free.

However, the writer makes a greater comment about the whole situation - namely, that copyright isn't working. It's litigious, harms society, and harms the person who took out the copyright to begin with.

In Singapore, maintenence of copyright and its friend intellectual property is a problem. It's on the back-burner again, but just like that last crumb from the toast you ate in bed, it's going to bite again when least expected.

Enforcement of copyright - especially with regards to foreign copyright - is a headache for Singapore. On one hand, we're building the whole knowledge-based economy thing, and need to convince investors that we'll protect their shit from reappearing at Sim Lim. On the other hand, the contributions of Queensway Shopping Centre towards education can never be underestimated - UltraSupplies would receive a Pingkat Bakti Masyarakat if they weren't making so much money too.

Of course, there's a difference of effect/influence depending on the object discussed. Software isn't music, books aren't images, bio-sci processes aren't the ST interactive subscribers-only service.

Still. I do wonder what's going to happen in the long term for a society that jealously resents the idea of anyone getting anything for free. To art, and the flow of ideas and information, that make life that much richer. As it is, the National archives has its restrictions, and heritage mover-shakers found it necessary to include a talk on copyright along with its recent workshops.

Sun sets in two and a half hours. I'm hungry.

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Mobile clubbing | p65

There's a new sort of flashmob in London - and it's called mobile clubbing. Essentially, a message was sent out asking people to turn up with ipod and dancing shoes at Liverpool Street Station. When the clock struck, the participants amped up their music, and gyrated to a beat only the could hear.

I'd describe it, but Geoff Dyer does it better.

P65 MPs - as one p65er to another - now that is cool.

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North Korea is one with a bomb and no plastic surgeons

As usual, Jon Stewart sums up the North Korean situation.



Funny. When Bush first listed the three countries that formed the Axis of Evil, North Korea was thought to have been thrown in so as to avoid charges of an anti-Muslim bias on the part of the Bush administration. Now, three years on, of the three countries cited - Iran, Iraq, North Korea - it's North Korea that has nuclear missiles and is prepared to test it.

I wonder if the Daily Show decided to have Aasif Mandvi as their "North Korean Correspondant" on purpose. He's Indian American, but usually plays some sort of Middle Eastern. Ragingly funny, and one of the latest Daily Show additions.

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Reflectoporn | Singapore and Qatar

I have learnt a new word today: Reflectoporn.

This is reflectoporn:



This is also reflectoporn. (Hint: look at the mirror)



Both were taken off Ebay auctions. For further explanation, see Snopes, created by the wonderful Barbara Mikkelson whom I workship for her l33t research skills.


Random comment: Singapore's forged a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Qatar. (CNA report)

I can't say that I'm surprised, but then again, I don't think anyone was surprised by this. Southeast Asia has traditionally been seen as the pivot and punching bag between the twin forces of China and India. We're the original middleman of Asia, due to geographical location and demographics.

Singapore's been playing nice with China for some time - well, about 30 years? I'm glad that we can actually step away from this racist mindset that Singapore = Chinese, and realise that we have historical and demographic links with darker skinned people to the west as well, and that it's in our best interests to forge links there as well.

Of course, the fact that Malaysia's been forging links with the Middle East just a bit longer than we have is not a factor at all ... as the saying goes, kalau Malaysia boleh, Singapura juga boleh.

I really don't know anything about the Middle East though - for some reason, they just don't teach it at NUS, a situation that I suspect is going to be remedied pretty soon if recent hires are any indication. However, if Qatar looks set to be another Dubai - and it does - I wonder what that means for Singapore's relationship with Dubai. Dubai's been projecting itself as a port city, (which it is), and is pushing its way into the port administration business thingy. IIRC, our PSA has had dealings with them, maybe even taught them. Then PSA found out that we'd maybe taught them a bit too well, since they beat us out for a lucrative contract involving the management of American shipyards.

Hmm. So now we're in Qatar, a little country set to modernise that's been pissing off the rather more conservative countries around it with its Al-Jazeera network. Annoying Muslim neighbours - yes, Qatar's come to the right little city-state for lessons.

In the meantime, I think I'm signing up for Arabic classes.

(Reads entry again: You know, I don't even know why I bothered to write all that down. The net is full of noise - it feels almost irresponsible to add to it)

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Batman wants you to slap his ass | big boy

Much has been written about the difference in artistic approach towards comic book heroes versus heroines. The heroines, although proported to be representative of Gurrrrl power and therefore "strong female role models", are nevertheless portrayed in a sexualised way. The sexualisation is normally done in such a way as to presumably satisfy heterosexual male fantasies; e.g. exarggerated arched backs, thrusting breasts. Academics have argued that such a sexualisation reduces the potentially positive message of an alpha female to that of a mere sex object, seen through the male gaze and whose purpose is ultimately directed by (heterosexual) men.

The paragraph I've just written has its conceptual problems that stem from my own poor understanding. However, the main reason why I wrote it anyway is because it's a leadup to a link I came across. Essentially, comic book artists decided that it would be interesting to draw male heroes in female postures.

and this is what they came up with:






There's more here and it's all hilarious, and rather homoerotic. However, I'm especially fond of the fiery ball-pouch-thong thing.

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Public demonstrations in Singapore | vivocity

I did think of going down to check out Chee Soon Juan during the IMF, but never bothered. Partly because I was busy, partly because I detest him on a visceral, logically untenable level, but mostly because I'm Singaporean and if I was there, I'd die of embarressment. The embarressment would have come on two levels: for Chee, and for Singapore.

And I suspect that I wasn't the only one. Your average policemen finds it all quite embarressing too. We'd have all melted into a little red-hot puddle of embarressment.

I still mean to write something about it, concerning the historical geography of the place, but it'll have to be another time.

However, I was subjected to another public march 'n demonstration last Sunday.



I was driving and had paused at the Ngee Ann City junction along Orchard. There was a sudden influx of people in white t-shirts crossing, and I didn't think much of it till they stopped to form a circle in the middle of the junction.

Then they did a sort of clap 'n cheer that basically advertised for Vivocity.

Then they left.



It should be noted that they only formed the main circle after the bulk of the pedestrians had crossed, but as anyone who's been to Orchard on a Sunday can tell you, the bulk of pedestrians cross, and new bulks come along. There were a few irritated people trying to make their way through the circle.

Later, I saw the group head down towards Plaza Singapura. Clearly, they were prepared to repeat that stunt all over the city.

On one hand, that was a pretty cool advertising stunt.

On the other hand:

1. There were more than four people.
2. They were a public nuisance.
3. They were shouting.
4. They were guilty of being university-age students.
5. It was partisan.
6. Road usage comes under LTA.

What I want to know is this - how did they get a permit anyway?

[NB: This is not entirely nonsensical post. Originally, I posted it because I found it an entertaining form of advertising and because if I squinted a bit, it was almost like a public demonstration in Singapore, of all places. But after awhile, I got to thinking - how do you apply for permission to advertise/perform on the road?

Who owns the road? Who controls the street? In an academic exercise that I conducted some years ago, I predicted that ownership of the street would become an issue in time to come in Singapore. The laws just aren't up to it yet. ]

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Miss Singapore got 'jacked | money well spent?

Last night, a Turkish plane flying from Tirana to Istanbul was hijacked. No one was hurt, the hijacker voluntarily surrendered. He seems to be a Turkish army deserter, and claims that as a Christian convert (he's Turkish), he should not be forced to serve in a Muslim (Turkish) army. So he's a conscientious objector.

However, the only reason why I'm mentioning this is because several beauty contestants were on board - including Miss Singapore. They were en route to Butrint, Albania, to participate in the Miss Globe International contest.

The People's Daily Online is inadverdently funny about this event:

Much of the pageant's history and related information remain sketchy. No one can say for sure how many times the event has been held. And this has led to minimal publicity of the pageant, as well as the lack of interests by international pageant enthusiasts.

Wikipedia is also vague. I like this bit:

Much of the pageant's history and related information remain sketchy. For example, the website claims that the 2004 pageant edition was its 31st, while several editions were also held on American soil. However, such information remain unavailable for scrutiny and verification. The number of delegates per edition, and even the name of the winners for some years, remain a mystery. These inconsistencies have led to minimal publicity of the pageant, as well as the lack of interest by international pageant enthusiasts

A look at past winners seem somewhat, well, dodgy. The requisite Brazil is there, and Venezuela, but you'd expect India to have run off with crowns as they routinely do. Strangely, Estonia, Turkmenistan and the Czech Republic have won before.

While I agree that there is no universalist standard of beauty, and that more recognised beauty contests such as Miss Universe do seem to favour a type, it does seem strange that crop of listed winners for Miss Globe are fairly spread over the world - but doesn't include India. And the official website is just downright dodgy.

Did the STB just spend money to ship our Miss Singapore over to a one-horse town, to win a two-bit tinfoil tinsel crown, at a competition that isn't going to do jack squat in terms of publicity for Singaporean lovelies? Or did they spend the money in hopes that we could nab a cheap title if no one else was really competing?

Either way, money well spent? Seriously, why bother? The only publicity that Ms Singapore got for this competition happened because her plane got hijacked.


BBC report is here.

(And if it comes back that Miss Singapore wasn't on the plane - well, blame it on the BBC, and I apologise to STB. By the way, Miss Globe International has no relation to Globe International, a Mongolia-based NGO involved in press and information freedom.)

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The time of your life | killing time

Playing around with Google has got to rank as the no.1 time-waster ever. I sort of envy youth nowadays - in my time, I only had telnet and solitaire.

Anyway, google search led me to that time hallowed statistic about suicide being the leading non-medical cause of death in Singapore. Apparently - and when I say apparently, that's short-hand for "It was on wiki so don't quote me" - 1,700 people committed suicide between 2000-2004.

Other details that you should pull up and mention at a wedding dinner you didn't actually want to attend:

1 in 8 suicide attempts by Singaporeans are successful. I think our start-up companies experience the same success rate.

By comparison, 408 people were executed between 1991 to 2003.

Because we're Singaporeans, we have to compare to Malaysia - 2,000 committed suicide in 2005. That's 1 in 12,000. In Singapore, that's roughly 1 in 40,000. (I think)

In both countries, Indians have the highest suicide rate. Does that mean that they're simply better at it?

The FAQs of dealing with death in Singapore are handled by the NEA (?!)

Foreigners who want to be buried here are not eligible for public post-mortem housing, but must instead opt for more expensive private niches.

The plural of columbarium is columbaria.

Killing your child of less than 12 months of age is not considered murder if you're the mother. Still not kosher though.

If you commit suicide unsuccessfully, you shall be punished with a term that may extend to one year, or a fine, or both. Whatever happened to "it's ok to fail"? Is it ok as long as you learn from your mistakes and do better next time?

If you commit suicide in Singapore, you're more likely to be male. Oh, and you jumped.


Now I know what to avoid. God forbid that if I commit suicide, I die as I have lived - perfectly average.

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