Most people ignore most poetry
because
most poetry ignores most people.

- Adrian Mitchell

***

Someone on someone criticising the alleged decline in drug addiction in Singapore:

"It just seems to me you are just carelessly distorting innocuous remarks made by the drug-busters to serve your insatiable need to put them down.

The way you handle disagreement, I see you are being little different from the very powers you despise."

Indeed, this is a trap some of us fall readily into.


Feedback email:

"Are all those "Someone"s real?

I kind of really like reading them, sometimes even more than your own entries."


1877kb/s upload. New record.

***

Another blow to "Asian Values":

Party elders attack China censors

"A group of former senior Communist party officials in China have launched a scathing attack on the country's handling of the media and information... They said strict censorship may "sow the seeds of disaster" for China's political transition. Among the signatories are an ex-aide to Mao Zedong, a former newspaper editor and a former party propaganda chief.

"History demonstrates that only a totalitarian system needs news censorship, out of the delusion that it can keep the public locked in ignorance," the group said in the letter, according to Reuters news agency."

Someone on Young Republic: Singapore's own argument has long been the opposite: that denying the public freedom of speech prevents group confrontation and social unrest. Granted, China's on the verge of a revolution; Singapore is far from it.

Assume that a civic-minded, politically active youth is essential for the success of political institutions. If Singapore is to develop the "critical thinking" faculties of its youths (I refer you to another ST forum letter which proposed the introduction of an (haha) "Intellectual Development Week"), discussions will inevitably have to include "sensitive-therefore-must-be-restricted" debates on what makes society tick; issues of politics, race, and religion.

***

Is cell phone use in cars really dangerous? - "What gets you into trouble, it seems, isn't so much fumbling with the phone (though that doesn't help) as the apparent fact that driving and conducting a conversation at the same time consumes more mental processing power than most people can spare."
In that case, we should ban drivers from talking to their passengers.

Are bears more likely to attack menstruating women?

VoipStunt - The Other Free Calls Company - This is by the same people behind VOIP Buster, uses the same client (with a different colour) and offers free calls to landlines in even more countries (including Singapore). Speculation on their business model: Finarea SA & VoipBuster. I don't think I can use up 10 euros' of credit in 120 days anyway, unless I keep having to call a certain someone on the mobile line first to make sure that I can call the landline, since the former costs 18 times the latter.

Phantom Heresies: The Deeper Side of Star Wars - ""Phantom Heresies" will run on SPACE.com until May 11, the first anniversary of Episode One's gala premiere. The goal of the series is to refresh some fans and surprise others through pointing out the film's hidden complexities, culminating in a full appreciation of The Phantom Menace as ritual theatre."
These people must be literature students. The article on Jar Jar is enough to convince you that they're nuts.

Steak and BJ Day - "March 14th is now officially "Steak and Blowjob Day". Simple, effective and self explanatory, this holiday has been created so you ladies finally have a day to show your man how much you care for him."

The HBR List: Breakthrough Ideas for 2006 - 20. Why They Call It Work - "Similarly, employees animated by the corporate ideal believe in the existence of a “right” job that meets all the needs on their own, personalized versions of Maslow’s hierarchy. But even a good job in a good company is bound to produce disappointment. In time, these deluded souls will realize that the business is more interested in what they do than in who they are. They will be required to perform tasks they consider tedious or misconceived. They will find that their input is not always welcome. As a result, they will feel frustrated, disappointed, and demeaned."
Addendum: Alternate link

Israeli group announces anti-Semitic cartoons contest! - "“We’ll show the world we can do the best, sharpest, most offensive Jew hating cartoons ever published!” said Sandy “No Iranian will beat us on our home turf!”"