quotes n quotes

'The difference between a genius and an idiot is that the genius knows his limits.' Einstein. 'No matter how conceited one is, one shall not tell the people tomorrow will not rain.' Redbean

it's so unbecoming

Based on a list of factors Singapore is name the most conducive city for business but lags behind other big cities in other areas. We scored badly or at the bottom in areas like lifestyle assets, intellectual capital, technology and innovations, and even financial clouts. Have no worry. We shall overcome and be number one in these areas too. It is so easy to achieve. Lifestyle assets, once the marinas and all the high end properties are up, all these rich residents will bring in their pleasure crafts and all their Rolls Royce and antiques and exquisite jewelries here. Technology and innovation, and they are talking about broadband penetration. We just introducted this and in no time we will exceed the numbers needed. Maybe our Bus Arrival Time Panels will put us ahead of other countries. This innovative act is hard to beat. And taxi waiting time too. Intellectual capital is quite puzzling. With so many super talents and foreign talents, how can we be rated so lowly? Maybe we need the 6.5 million population of talents to put us up there in this category. Lack of financial clout, do what Mahathir did. Make more billionaires. What is unbecoming is that we are placed joint fifth with New York in terms of safety and security. Hmmm, all the muggings in the streets of NY and Central Park. Are we near there or already there?

myth 124

Myth 124 The Govt is overpaid I need to demolish this myth that the govt is overpaid. Simply look at the pay of the CEOs of our local banks, in 7 to 10 millions. Compare that to our ministers, no fight right? Our ministers are really being paid peanuts compare to these bank CEOs. And looking at the things and issues our ministers are doing, they deserve to be paid more than the bank CEOs. For their decisions affect the 4 million people in the island. On the other hand the decisions of the bank CEOs affect only the business people and hardly affect everyone in the island. Perhaps one, when they charged all the cheapskate people who have very little money but insisted on having a bank account. And they were so kind to charge them a token sum of $2 monthly. The cost of maintaining the accounts is very high, expensive buildings, expensive staff, expensive softwares and equipment and expensive CEOs to pay. What is $2? They would rather these cheapskate depositors keep their money in their Milo tins. Back to the ministers, every decision they make, good or bad, will hit the people in one way or another. If the decision is bad, they will suffer the wrath of the people and the bad karmas from 4 million people. They deserve every cent they are getting and more on this alone. The counter argument to this is that they are making all the good decisions that are good for the people and will be amply rewarded by 4 million good karmas. In the Singapore context this is true as all the decisions are for the good of the people. But no one get away from the appointments and titles of the job. These are national appointments. Just like the kings and princes and princesses, they are on top of the heap and must be rewarded accordingly. The king or prince may be born an idiot, but by virtue of their titles, they should be paid more than the commoners. In the case of a government where the ministers have huge responsibilities and are the best of all the talents the country can produced, they must be paid more. Or at least more than the bank CEOs. I rest my case.

bright ideas are needed

I would like to borrow a few phrases from Liang Dingzi from his article 'Changi must learn to excite.' Changi has dropped from poll position to number four. And that is a rude shock to many. What Liang Dingzi thought was the problem is that Changi does not excite anymore. Changi needs to inject more exciting stuff to meet the demands of frequent flyers. I thought the solution would be simple enough. Just move a part of Geyland to Changi and we can be assured that excitement will be all over the faces of travellers. The men will be excited. The boys too. And their wives as well. But where is the real problem? Let me quote Liang, 'When you believe you have the Midas touch, there is a tendency that whatever you do next becomes self serving. You become convinced you know exactly what your customers want. Consequently your product takes on a tired mien.' Is the introduction of arrival time of buses, waiting time for taxis etc falling into such trend? I think not only the transport companies are pushing out 'tired miens', but many organisations are doing the same. Yeah, running out of ideas.

the mysterious truth

Witnesses appearing in court will be told how serious it is to tell the truth. And they will be sworned in by the court to tell the truth, nothing but the truth. Then there are witnesses who have been given friendly advises by their good friends to tell the truth. Some even have emissaries to remind them to tell the truth. Anyone being reminded over and over again can be expected to tell the truth. What happens if the truth is so confusing and contradictory that it gave the impression that the truth teller is coming through as either a knave or a fool? Is simple truth so confusing? Or confusion and contradiction is what truth is all about? Under such circumstances, shall one examine the truthfulness of the truth of the soundness of the witness?