3/04/2007

branding in singapore

Branding Singaporeans We have heard the familiar quitters and stayers descriptions of Singaporeans. Then the local talent and foreign talent, the pro govt and anti govt, the whiners, the complainers, the insurgents, the dissidents, the anti establishment, the disloyal citizens etc etc In cyberspace, there is one group, the pro govt, versus the rest, ie the anti govt, the whiners, the complainers, the insurgents, the dissidents, the anti establishment, and the disloyal citizens or whatever negative words that can be used to describe them. Why can't bloggers and forumers be concerned citizens, interested citizens, politically aware citizens, political/social observers, people who just want to have a say about our national affairs, people with an alternative view, a different perspective etc? When the govt talks about the light touch, it reflects the kind of mentality behind the statement. It is control and punishment, light or heavy as it deems fit. It is the stick that rules. Compare this with the BBC's tie up with YouTube and you can straight away see the stark difference in the approach. I quote: "As the BBC has acknowledged, I think it;'s better to embrace it and jump in," said analyst Chris Lake. "That way, you can monitor the quality and the content." Mr Ashley Highfield, the BBC's director of future media and technology, said the BBC would not hunt down all BBC-copyrighted clips already uploaded by YouTube members, but would reserve the right to swop poor quality clips with the real thing, or to have content removed that had been edited or altered in a way that would damage the BBC's brand. "We don't want to be overzealous, a lot of the material on YouTube is good promotional content for us," he said. This right to alter is similar to the govt's stand on the right of reply. The govt is free to reply in cyberspace on any misinformation put forward to clear the air. There is no need to always think of using the stick. It will also generate more healthy debates on issues and better understanding. Did I hear a renaissance? What renaissance if the mentality is to curb and control, and to use the stick? Or anyone with a different view will be branded as anti govt, anti establishment, dissidents or insurgents?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

they are ensuring a certain singaporean breed to persist that allows an unhindered ride. they have your interests at heart which you are too unscholarly to be enlightened.

here, once you make it your own, you set the rules.however, not all rules are bad. they need your love, assurances and understanding but compliance will be best.

they are not saying it maybe because they are suffering from some kind of insecurity but i suspect what they really want is a hug to show you appreciate them

be a good citizen and go give these nice people a hug will ya?

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

shall i start with ah huay or ah lian? hugging is really a very comfortable feeling. i like that: )

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

Nah. Most people need a tight slap to wake them up.

Save the hugs for your family and friends.

The reason S'pore needs "branding" is simply to combat the truth—that despite all the glitz, glamour and hoo hah, it will eventually collapse in a heap of steaming shit.

Well, enjoy it while it lasts! And remember, the harshest dissenters may be the most passionate patriots.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

it will be interesting if everyone agrees and say aye aye to everything.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

Saying and doing are two separate activities :)

I never trust what anyone says. I like the direct experience — and always observe to see if they do as they say.

It is very easy for human beings to move their jaws up and down and create sounds from their oral orifice like blah blah blah. In fact The Public Education systems teach young people to do just that: regurgitate second-hand information to pass exams. This process is supposed to make people "smart"— it doesn't. It makes them stupid and reinforces their stupidity and ignorance.

Words are just "organised noise". ACTION speaks the loudest of all.