“Do your fathermother proud!”

In the field of rhetoric, there is probably nothing as powerful as the Appeal to Parents, or rather Appeal to Filial Duty, especially given the ingrained values of this asian society.

It speaks of the hardships of your parents, the sufferings and sacrifices of your parents and their supposedly unconditional yet unappreciated love for you — all of which are probably true and hard to dispute.

This device is supposed to target the emotional rather than rational faculty, namely that of guilt and belated appreciation.  Subconsciously, it might be due to how you’ve been raise to view your parents as a figure of authority — and now their name is used, much like a shadow. Under such emotions you have an inclination to  ”Pay Back” — how then do you pay back..

You then have a duty to pay back by doing as you’re told(to whom, i do not know) because of the mention of their name.

[...]

In the field of logic however, it is simply a silver bullet with hardly a logical link. It can be broken down to a structure of “do X so that you will do your fathermother proud” — with X being Anything you’re instructed to do.

X can range from diggingholestofillthemupagain, manufacturing pins, constructing highrise buildings, to even being ushers at the Beijing Olympics (real-life example of this rhetorical device!)

Essentially, the appeal to parents is most useful in making a person look less at their selfish interests, and to look at the bigger picture, give to the greater good, and do their fathermother proud. Don’t think of yourself, think of your parents.

Song of the week

It seems as if every week I have a song in my head while on The Island, and they are as follows:

Week 1: (I Can’t Get) No Satisfaction — Rolling Stones
Week 2: I’m Only Sleeping — John Lennon
Week 3:   You Were Meant for Me — Bellefire
Week 4: Enter Sandman — Metallica
Week 5: She’s My Man — Scissor Sisters

Seems that they are either old school or girlysort (im somewhat embarassed to admit!)… ><

I wonder if the songinmyheadoftheweek correlates with the events of the week and weekends which set the mood for the rest of the week.

And I wonder what this week’s will be.

*****

TWO MORE SONGS LEFT, BITCHES.

New Moon Ad

Upon returning to civilisation, I passed a few bus stops with ads…

- and in my half awake state, I actually thought:

Huh, Fann Wong got 45 Points?

Glasnost!

An old cold war joke:

Why are the meatballs of cubic shape?
Perestroika!
Why are they undercooked?
Uskoreniye!
Why are they bitten?
Gospriyomka!
Why are you telling me all this so brazenly?
Glasnost!

Lessons in history show that openness, or the revelation of truth, or even in the form of relaxing of controls  should never be introduced too suddenly, much like a shock. Instead it should be a gradual process…

… which, even then, usually ends up accelerated.

impressions and expectations

In the art of marketing, where the ‘Imaginative Space’ to be depicted is important, I sometimes wonder about what sort of Expectation to create.

1. You want people to know that whatever you’re recommending is good and worth buying

2. So before they see the product, you either
a) tell them not to expect much — so that their expectation is easily met.

b) tell them to expect good because that will slant their perspective in a positive way.

It’s a bit hard to tip the argument without experiment/statistics — even then experiments have too many variables and “environmental differences” to extrapolate a principle.

So what do I do in such situations?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Nothing.

*****

Actually the correct answer according to marketing (and proselytizing) is b. Either way you need to maximise the good and hide the bad.

“It has to be good, credible source X told me that it is!”

The Reality of Sisyphus

The gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, whence the stone would fall back of its own weight. They had thought with some reason that there is no more dreadful punishment than futile and hopeless labor.

Previously when I went for the six-set series of lectures cum intellectual discussion on Christianity, the Myth of Sisyphus was used to illustrate the purposelessness of life — in particular, the kind of the typical urban salaryman, to point out that everything in life was temporal therefore meaningless. I disagreed with this because life was more than just wakeupgoworksleepwakeupgowork….

But of late I saw the reality of Sisyphus in something supposedly meant to represent discipline and order. And this is how it sounds:

“Left, right, left, right, left — turn around (in the Aboriginal language)
Left, right, left, right, left — turn around (again)
Left, right, left, right, left — turn around…….”

Now, that is Sisyphian. But at least time is on our side and seems to be sprinting through this period (when I previously had length of days).

This much I observed while spending the two hours resting in the shade sipping cold water.

***
Heh, the myth of Sissypuss.

Forgotten existence

I think my “long”  dutiful and servile disappearance (you assholes!), depending on how you define “long”  has led to a gradual forgetting of my existence. After all, I didn’t see my mum last week since I got home past midnight on saturday and she was out the whole day the next day. I spend a bit too many late nights out — depending on how you define “too many”

This morning I went to her study room and asked “whafurwunch?” (what’s for lunch) and she had a rude shock, the kind as if you saw a ghost pop out from behind -_-

***

Now I know why they bought that dog.

And so it goes

IF you could get the many things you don’t care about but the few things you value and yearn for, you cannot get — isn’t it sad?

The cynic wold say that’s part of human nature: to only want the things you cannot get.

Of course, the above sentiment isn’t mine. I always insist that the grass is greener on My side, that I am superior — if not, satisfied and content with whatever I have.

It was from a friend whom I cared about and spent one morning (one rare morning of  the scarce free time I have) with, you assholes!. It did not concern me in anyway, but somehow dampened my mood for quite a while. Somehow.

It left me thinking for quite a while, subtly and not-so-subtly. All I can say is, “what is that to me?”  (especially when it didn’t concern me, I must really care for her..) and at the same time, “Everything will be okay…I hope“

Or as the Zen master Hakuin said, “Is that so?”

[...]

On a happier note, I moved on later in the afternoon to my next location where I had italian beef and mushrooms, thai mango rice dessert, protein shake (without the protein, since I think that it is UNHEALTHY), and a glass of german beer — all for the price of S$0.00, without me forking out a single-cent of my non-existent salary that has yet to arrive,  you assholes!

<3 as usual.

***

Weighing the two, its quite obvious to see why it was still a good day overall.

Misshapened priorities

You know that common saying that workerholics (and at times, game addicts) have: “I can sleep all the hell I want when I’m dead” or the more lyrical “there will be sleep enough in the grave”?

Right now I am burning sleep for supposed reasons of freedom and leisure. ive been awake from 0530, soon 24 hours would have been over without a wink, before proceeding to survive another 16 hours — in total roughly 40 hours. I might suffer throughout the day or I might be in a semi-druggie state for the day. Better worse still, I might fall ill.

And the reason I am doing this is because my time now is more valuable and needs to be milked dry (Like maximising toilet paper — I VERY CHINESE)

I can sleep all the hell I want when I am in -

***

Of course my health might take a toll — to quote Schopenhauer,

“Sleep is the interest we have to pay on the capital which is called in at death; and the higher the rate of interest and the more regularly it is paid, the further the date of redemption is postponed.”

which makes sense as an analogy. And as a second-tier argument, even if i were to fall sick now…… heh.

But right now, in a time of war, priorities are misshapened. Money is secondary to time and health in the long term is secondary to freedom. What people normally value more has swapped around because of circumstances.

Its like how I’d throw away diamonds  for water in a desert.

Rifle

1. You’re initially very excited about it as a new Boy’s toy, and then after a while, the excitement dies down.
2. It is very light to carry at first, after a while, it gets heavier — its like it puts on weight.
3. You need to take it with you where-ever you go
4. No sharing with other guys (LOL)
5. You get to need to learn how to strip it in a given period of time
6. Remember to always put to SAFE unless you want an ACCIDENT
7. Before actual shooting, the finger should always be on the outside of the, nevermind
8. It is a CHARGABLE OFFENSE not to lubricate.
9. NEGLIGENT (EARLY)  DISCHARGE before you’re told to do so and you’re Screwedddd.

****

I really have no idea what they mean by Treat Rifle Like Wife, but thus far I have 1) changed rifle four times and 2) chuck it in a locked cupboard for most of the day.

I think it might be funnier to compare Rifle to something else.

TREAT YOUR RIFLE LIKE YOUR –

><

Update from Themeparkisland

theme parks — a land of fantasy cut away from the rest of the world, where the Owners of the theme park set their own rules and a dimension, which follows one running theme completely distinct from real life, is created. Think Jurassic Park, think Disneyland, think Tek-

FOR REAL?

SHIT I CANT BELIEVE ITS TRUE.

It is quite fun and most of the deprivations are manageable.

And the deprivation that is less bearable — does more good than harm i think.

Any last request?

Ah i feel so loved by the small select group of people around me (:

All the phone calls, emails and smses from various people — some i talk to often, some not so.

Mostly unexpected either way, and thoughtful of them, these nice gestures I appreciate .

(For some reason, they mostly involve a component of asking me to stay alive. Ye men of little faith -_-)

[...]

And HOW do I respond and show my gratitude?
1. I cut people off on the phone (cos I am busy with other people on the phone also)
2.I take forever to reply smses (cos I am on the phone…)
3. I don’t reply to most of the SMSes (cos I swapped my SIM card to the crap-ass NS phone, which I’m still having trouble getting used to, and has a different inbox entirely)

Oh well. The last lecture before entering was useful though — I have things to prepare tomorrow.

And as I always say “This too shall pass”. Time is on my side, BITCHES — My new phone however is not on my side and is quite a bitch.

****

Conversation with beulah (refer to previous post):
“eh i’m going holiday tomorrow”
“huh, but don’t you have NS…where are you going?”

- some time before I cut her off, sorry =\

Holiday advertisement

Stressed and need a break from people, applications and work?

I got just the thing for you — a two week Island holiday off the coast of Singapore.

This getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is an opportunity for you to return to nature and meditate on the meaning of life!

What could be more enjoyable than spending the day eating, exercising, sleeping and making new friends?

We guarantee that we will look after your physical well being and put you into shape!

In addition, there will be a guided tour of the island by our trained instructor.

Especially for those who are tired of decision making and ten years of using your brain, this is a chance for your mind to take a holiday. There will be no difficult decisions for you to make whatsoever — you will have the privilege for all dilemmas to be solved for you.

Don’t you think that two weeks is not enough? Take our seven-week package: Come back for more the week after and the week after and the week after and the week after and the week after.

This Kung Pao Chicken!

Partly due to what the coho told me about this chinese girl who’s going to get married soon and partly due to me running into some russian people (wtf?) in town lately:

Inductive reasoning develops a generalisation from various instance of facts — for some certain reason, I think that when an angmoh guy likes a chinese girl, it is hardly a compliment to the girl.

As for angmoh girl liking chinese guy — seems unheard of. Then again, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence!

Very mean and harsh generalisations — but generalisations take the average. Of course there are exceptions — I say this lest some get offended. If you do read this, just assume you’re a special exception and treasure your scarce experience. (I always assume I’m an exception)

Pause. Is this racially offensive…? Nah, haven’t offended any of the offendable ones yet.

[...]

“Veblen good is not quite the right term in this case right?”
“Giffen good?”
” Uh….more like niche market”

Free books etc.

I just downloaded like close to 200 eBooks on a wide array of topics.

Realistically speaking, I probably won’t go through all of it even in an entire lifetime (-_-). But i now know what to do if ever i need/want to slack in office.

AND ITS ALL FREE. OH -imdoingmychineseancestryproud- YES

This means it will be some time before I hit the bookstore. Not to mention that most of the books in the bookstores are available from the library anyway. It’s the chinese books that can’t be found in the library (partly cos i dunno how to search chinese) — but those are dirt cheap; from half the price of normal books to 3 for $10 kind of thing.

If it takes up space and money unnecessarily, I have no idea why I/people still buy books. Might be a DOMINATION ownership thing — like collecting stamps.

New year

New year’s day is perhaps the only time when I go home after midnight and I don’t actually feel alone on my way walking home.

Also, the Inner Jew dictated that I drained my newly topped up concession card to $1.30 knowing that it expires on the last day of the year — after which, i probably won’t bother going out until I need to Go In.

Fallibility

Ah, it was as I guessed:

When it comes to fallibility and failure, it is either my fault or the fault of others.

One is more probable — by far. How the heck did I forget that?

****

Heh, I love these vague posts that can have either meaning.

Chocolate

When you finally have a taste of the most awesome thing (in this case, Royce chocolates: MY LITTLE PIECES OF HEAVEN), you realise that all the other chocolates you have been eating were crap.

You lose your desire for all other chocolates and all you want is more and more of those chocolates!

(STAIRWAY OF HEAVEN. FUCK GOLD — IN HEAVEN THERE ARE STREETS OF ROYCE CHOCOLATES)

Wow, I almost sound like I’m proselytizing (Good News!) — especially if i were to say that anyone else who eats any other chocolate GOES TO HELL, BIATCH! Heh.

And from another perspective, it sounds like I’m promoting a vice — all vices starts from its initial tastes of sweetness, cultivates an addiction which latches on and removes desire from other things.

That aside, the question is — what if you don’t get any more of it? (WHAT IF YOU SPEND ETERNITY SEPARATED FROM ROYCE!! Can you feel my existential angst?!)

*****

I make a good advertiser (:

Having said all that, $15.

The Christmas Post

In the final session of Revisited, the topic was “Solution: Who is Jesus?” A.S did presentation centred around C.S Lewis’ trilemma — Based on the two certain facts that Jesus was a real man and did  die as a political criminal, Jesus cannot be a mere good man/teacher because of his audacious claims. Either he is a Liar, Madman or God.

The fourth historiographical perspective is then added to make it a Quadrilemma — a Legend constructed by followers after his death. And this is an idea I have been looking at, how are we sure that the Jesus of real life is the same as the one who has teachings recorded in the Bible? Some theologians claim that the story of the adulteress was a fabrication. What is to stop people from adding their own descriptions of Jesus? I think it is possible that we do not have a complete picture of Jesus — perhaps even a slightly distorted one.

Let’s examine the claims in brief and the counterclaims in not-so-brief. Most of this are from the presentation, usually two arguments were given per point, I just selected whichever I thought was stronger:

1. Liar? Most unlikely, given that he went through the torture of crucifixion. A supposed mere liar would cave in and simply concede unless he had a cause and motivation to suffer — which would mean serious delusion.

2. Madman? A.S claims that Jesus could not have been a madman because of his intellectual wit in dealing the pharisees and in the Sermon of the Mount. I think there’s room for doubt — since intellect and delusion are not mutually exclusive and there are probably multiple historical examples.

A valid counter-argument would be a mere Madman would not actually have been able to do whatever Jesus did. But for that, we have to examine those who recorded what he did — historiography (or heh, bibliography)

.
3. Legend? According to A.S, this is unlikely on the grounds that the Teachings of Jesus were actually not the sort that would be popular with both the ruling romans as well as the common legalistic Jews.

I find this argument valid but not sufficiently compelling. 1. I would think that his teachings offered some form of hope to the outcasts of society (otherwise there will really be no appeal to anyone) 2. Even if some parts were authentically Jesus’, there could be parts added by others which aren’t — not so much teaching-wise, rather than miracle-wise.

From how I see it, to ascertain whether something is a fabrication or not, you need to examine the “fabricators” as well. This is where the Liar counter-argument applies to the disciples who supposedly saw the resurrected Jesus. Most ended up martyred for what they saw. And my central assumption is that if there is no real cause, you will not martyr yourself. In addition, it is highly unlikely that a whole bunch of disciples hallucinated the same thing.

But isn’t my assumption shakey — aren’t there many suicide bombers, am I saying that they have a real cause too? Not necessarily. These were not the deluded and  impoverished minions with nothing to lose and only 72 virgins to gain, these were the supposed first hand witnesses/disciples/creators of the ‘Legend’. They endured the Roman torture with a strong cause. Even if we assumed that Jesus was a madman, surely not all his disciples were? In essence, Jesus’ witnessed act of resurrection is more significant than his claims alone.

I find this central argument the strongest: beyond the mere teachings of Jesus, the witnesses of resurrection martyred themselves. (In bate terms, this is a Hung Case though)

My ‘The Sunday Posts’ often point in a direction of rational criticism rather than evangelical direction, but in this quadrilemma, that leaves….

** **

Two additional thoughts:
1. I strongly disagree with militant Christian nuts who believe that non-Christians shouldn’t get to celebrate Christmas — on the grounds that strictly speaking the origins of Christmas is Pagan in nature. In fact, history would show that the Church at one point did try to ban Christmas because of its merry making. At the same time I disagree with militant Atheist nuts who think that it should be “seasons greetings” instead of “merry christmas” — since the festival has evolved to put on a secular face as well.

2. On the point about its secular face and the historical origins of Christmas, I think its merely a Capitalist Conspiracy to get people to buy things they otherwise can’t bear to buy. No better way to move people to buy things they otherwise would be unwilling to buy than to tell them its a sacrifice for someone they love — even if they might not reallyyy want it.

I suppose though — the physical gifts itself don’t matter, its the thought and meaning behind the giving that impresses matters. Heh.

Happy Capitalistmas. Ho ho, hos. (heh, I just asked Gremlin if she wants a guy wrapped up in a ribbon with something the size of Mistletoe or the size of Christmas Tree =D Sigh, I think i’ll just get her an Elf Suit instead)

Tuts my barreh!

I refer to this newspaper article today that talks about women who demand from $1000, $2000, $5000 and even an outrageous sum of $50000 as compensation for alleged molestation.

Four thoughts.
1. It makes me wonder how many of these are actually real. I am inclined to believe that many of these are in fact false accusations — but the fact of the matter is that there is no way to ascertain against such untruthful claims. Its a bit like witchhunts – it’s easier to just admit to the false accusation that you’re a witch!  Clearly, the law is tilted in favour of women!

2. On one hand, it seems that there is an added deterrent for guys now — on the grounds that it equips women  with the knowledge of how to respond to such incidents. From a less intuitive perspective, I would assert that this atmosphere of “falsity” might even encourage molesters thinking that they can either pay their way out or better still, claim that they were falsely accused. (This however depends on what “checking mechanism” there are against false accusations. I doubt there will be anything effective though)

3. It just shows how lucrative law might Not be. Singaporeans aren’t exactly the kind who want the trouble of going to court especially when the legal fees might be more than the wrongful compensation O_o

4.Most strikingly: Wow, these women are getting a lot more money than hos for doing even less. Oh yeah, it is cheating after all.

Yeah, reasons I’m not doing law. I think its a very good scenario to pose at a university law interview though!

[..]

And i have no idea why my mum/dad specially left that page in my bed before i woke up. Not my sort of place to go anyway -_-

Books

I have many books in my library.

Most of them are interesting, rather intellectual, maybe even enigmatic.

Some of which are still in the process of being read.

Others I had put a bookmark in for some time.

One or two I pick up and start reading again from where I left off.

Others, the book is completely gone — I am unable to start where I left off.

Many of them I have finished reading, closed the book and put it away-

- for good.

I think books can reflect how the reader is like.

And in my opinion, better a few good books than many crappy ones.

Emails

“Some folks have it, some don’t. Those who have it would be devastated if it were ever cut off.

They think that those who don’t have it are somehow inferior. They think it gives them power.

They are wrong. Those who don’t have it may agree that it’s a nifty toy, but think it’s not worth the fuss that those who do have it make about it. Still, many of those who don’t have it would like to try it.

It can be up or down. It’s more fun when it’s up, but it makes it hard to get any real work done.

In the long distant past, its only purpose was to transmit information considered vital to the survival of the species. Some people still think that’s the only thing it should be used for, but most folks today use it for fun most of the time.

Once you’ve started playing with it, it’s hard to stop.
Some people would just play with it all day if they didn’t have work to do.

It provides a way to interact with other people. Some people take this interaction very seriously, others treat it as a lark. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what kind of person you’re dealing with until it’s too late.

If you don’t apply the appropriate protective measures, it can spread viruses.

We attach an importance to it that is far greater than its actual size and influence warrant.

If you’re not careful what you do with it, it can get you in big trouble.”

A Good Day

Not often I talk about the events within a day, but  I find today rather satisfying.

Work-wise: I finished preparing a powerpoint this morning. Ironically, the less slides they want, the more time I take. Work/Output is a necessity to appreciate mucking around/rest.

Spiritually: Went for the Final talk  at church, which I found quite enriching. (More of this on Christmas Day)

Nutrient-wise: potato pie, ham, turkey meat and then THREE CUPS OF SOFT CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

Philosophically: spent an afternoon by myself reading philosophy. First I read a bit about the basics of Logic. Then the fulfilling part comes when I sat down to read Bertrand Russell’s Conquest of Happiness (which coho has read before and recommended). I don’t necessarily retain everything, but it leaves me feeling good and fulfilled. After the seventh chapter, I realised — it was better to read one chapter a day instead, plus I had other books waiting for me at home.

So I went home.

Physically (and aesthetically): I WALKED back from jurong east to lakeside in about 45 minutes, humming New Slang — since no one was around to walk apart from joggers, indians and chinesenationals. The things people miss out on because they’re in a rush to get from point A to point B/too preoccupied running.

Any further additions: Drinking soco by itself now while I type this.

Only one thing is lacking — companionship. I didn’t really spend any time with anyone I was close to today. Yes, there were a few nice NSmen seniors — but they’re still fresh acquanitances. Yes, there were a few from school — but they’re the churchy felloshippy kind I don’t talk to.

So it was a good day by myself — a time and place for everything I guess.

***

With almost exactly two weeks to confinement, I still have six people I need to meet up with (not counting the three or more I decided to postponed to post-confinement)

Unhappiness and work

I offer a rating of workerholism based on the link between unhappiness and work when the two can actually be quite separate.

Low: You’re unhappy because of work
Below average: You’re unhappy about work
Moderate: You can’t work because you’re unhappy
Above average: You work inspite of being unhappy
High: You work IN ORDER TO take your mind off being unhappy.
Workaholic: You find happiness in work

***

If I’m damn awesome– I will be able to finish a research paper in a day (as usual, not counting the sit around and think about it time)

Nothing New.

Nothing new.
I want nothing new.
This is information that is nothing new — I am essentially a reactionary.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

If you do something to solve the problem, a new set of problems arise (sometimes worse)

In the study of economics, I am anti- interventionist, anti-equilibrium disruption. (ironically I’m probably quite the opposite! — need to balance my readings with other school of thought soon)

In the study of history, I am YEHENALA your conservative Qing official (in my dream, I was in fact an embezzling one)

In terms of technology, I am more akin to the dinosaur generation.

[...]

I am also a hypocrite through and through, that merely claims to believe this as an excuse for doing nothing, for resisting change — for reasons of fear, uncertainty and laziness. Of course improvements always have its merits and its risks

… but I’d rather not pick up the magic egg, when I don’t know what’s inside.

***

You know what the reality is, change is the only unchanging inevitability. It isn’t an issue of “Yes we can”, it is one of  like it or not, “Yes we must.”