Why is cyberspace more powerful?

Other than those wild postings, internet blogs and forums have certain distinct advantages over msm. It can be very real, the feelings. And the truth can also be very real, minus the misinformation which is also present in msm. We can be as objective as msm and as bias as msm. The blogs and forums are instant news and information on a topic that is of interest to the bloggers. Not somebody else interest. We set the agenda and decide what is important to us to talk about. And we can keep it current and stay there for as long as we want. No one is able to say, it's over, let's move on. Here we decide when it is over and when to move on. Our hot issues need not be msm's hot issues. And we can harp and harp over an issue to our heart's content. We talk about issues that msm will not dare to touch or touch it gingerly. Cyberspace is here to stay to provide the views that msm could not provide or will not provide. Keep posting guys and gals.

Myth 170 - Improvement

Improvement in the commercial sense in the provision of goods and services means an increase in value of the service or goods provided. It could come in more quantity, better quality, better service or lower price. Using a chicken rice stall as an example. A stall may be selling a plate at $3 with 5 pieces of chicken. His next competitor may offer 6 pieces at the same price or add in a bowl of soup. Another may improve the quality of rice or chicken. A more aggressive competitor will sell the same thing for $2! Now this is real competition and real improvement in the value of the product or service. In a cartel or monopolistic condition, or in a make belief competitive environment, the best you get in terms of competition is hogwash. If every additional piece of chicken means another dollar, it is not improvement. There is no betterment in value. In fact it is more expensive. What about hotel selling chicken rice for $15 a plate? They provide a totally different experience in quality, quantity and service. Aircon, waitresses serving, better quality crockery, better quantity etc. And the customers are not complaining and going for more. The difference is that they have a very selected customer base. The people who are rich and can afford to pay for quality. They would not mind paying 3 or 10 times the price an average customer will pay. In the provision of exclusive goods and services, this kind of differentiation is acceptable and make business sense. But when the service is to the masses, to the ordinary people in the street, the Ah Pek and Ah Mahs and the poor foreign workers, we need to think twice about providing world class services. These people have no choices, and don't have the money to pay. On the other hand if we really want to provide world class services and price it at world class prices, it is a conscious decision. Then we can do away with the poor buggers who cannot afford the service. Tell them the brutal truth. Can't afford find alternative means. Walk or cycle. Public service and public administration is not serving the elite class.

Myth 169 - World Class

As we relentless pursue being world class in every thing, we forgot that our people's income is not world class. Oops, I apologise for this mistake. Some are. What are the implications? World class means world class price tag. Period. If everything is world class, everything must be paid in world class dollars. Good things don't come cheap. The word 'world class' is becoming very disturbing to many Singaporeans. Many are getting nightmares hearing it. Singaporeans are not rejoicing that everything around them is world class. Shit, my mistake again. Some Singaporeans are frightened but many are looking forward to world class facilities and services. They can afford them. For those who cannot afford world class stuff, please snuff out. The most frightening development coming our way is World Class Transport System and you can expect world class fares.

Perfect solutions to our transport problem

1. Too many cars, increase taxes, ARF, PARF, Road Tax, Petrol Tax etc etc. 2. Too many cars on expressways, increase fees of expressways. 3. Too many cars in other roads, erect more ERPs. 4. If all these ended with too many cars in car parks, increase parking fees. 5. Too many people using bus and MRTs, increase fares. It only took me 1 minute for these remedies. Brilliant!

Born, age, sick and die

These changes the life of Gotama Buddha, the prince. Suharto’s images on TV is a grim reminder to everyone that this is their fate, especially in this paradise. It would not happen to many elsewhere. But here, everything is possible, especially when you have a lot of money to spend in your dying days. It is not cheap to have all the tubes hooked on you and running out of your nostrils and mouth and whatever part of the body they deemed fit to attach them.

If I have a choice, I would not allow it to happen. I rather have my $30k in my Medisave be locked away and then pass on to my children. Not much money though. Unlike Suharto with his millions and billions and everyone waiting to snatch it back for one reason or another. Looking at him in his helpless and pathetic state, who knows what will happen to his children’s wealth.

Matilah would say let the show go on and for everyone to enjoy it. It may be a tragedy waiting to happen.