The Key To Changing The World Lies In Changing Oneself

Have you seen movies that depict a heroic individual changing the world? Have you ever though of the difference one person can make? The world is constantly changing around us, regardless of for better or for worse. Change, is a broad term that is universally known to all. Change, is the cause of the rich history of the world that we are currently in. I believe that the change we wish to see in this world has to start from the individual. It does not do us any good by focusing on the sheer size of this task. Even if individuals are not able to alter the course of nature, or control large communities of people, the key to changing the world lies in changing one's mindset. In other words, changing one's belief, attitudes or behaviour can make a huge impact.

Effecting social change lies in changing oneself. Agents of change start internally, especially in our society. We make up the society, and every aspect of it, no matter how small, is related to us. When talking about social problems, the list is endless. They affect us both directly and indirectly in our lives. Thus, it is logical to say that every one of us plays a part in solving social problems. However, there has been little to cheer about regarding some major social problems such as terrorism and Singapore's decreasing birth rate. Although there are no one-size-fits-all solutions to the myriad of global problems, what matters is our intentions to make the world a better place. Due to the fact that Singapore is a secure and peaceful island with a vibrant economy, Singaporeans inevitably tend to have a sense of detachment regarding global problems. For example, many Singaporeans have the misconception that only Middle-Eastern and Western countries are terrorist targets or even bases, but the threat of terrorism is in fact everywhere. Who can forget the time when Mas Selamat, a terrorist leader, escaped from a detention centre on our home soil. Will we still be so ego centric if terrorists cause damage to us? Furthermore, this ego centric way of thinking also explains the declining birth rate in Singapore. In order to prevent this from affecting our country's future prospects, the government has tried to encourage couples to have more children through subsidies, but to no avail. This highlights the importance of adopting a sense of social responsibility.

Many individuals are generally apathetic to the world of politics, as they feel powerless to effect any changes. However, it will not benefit us if the government is allowed to have a free rein over us, as not every decision will please us. Thus, it is indeed true that during any election, every vote counts.

The rest of the world is not spared when some countries are embroiled in war or plagued by internal strife. The causes of the disastrous world wars that have changed the course of history are mainly related to violence. Some countries may feel that violence is the way to resolve conflicts and solve problems, but violence only begets more violence. As individuals, we should rid ourselves of violent and knee-jerk tendencies that may cause social tensions. An apt example will be Gandhi, who led a peaceful campaign for India's independence, illustrating that changing the world through peace is possible.

Last but not least, climate change! The pressing dangers of climate change is real and happening at a rapid pace. Green technological and economic policies are springing out in every part of the world. Unfortunately, big corporations and governments exploit the earth for their own indulgence, using the earth as a dumping ground. The earth is our home, and we are obliged to protect and conserve it, or else we will regret our actions in the future. Believe it or not, our myopic and self-centred actions and behaviours can help alleviate the effects of climate change. If everyone does his part to reduce pollution, the world will be a greener place.

Change is a big word, but it starts small. When we take the effort to change ourselves, we can change the world either socially, politically or environmentally in a peaceful way. It is never too late to start now.

Should All Civilised Societies Abolish The Death Penalty?

Should all civilised societies abolish the death penalty? In our modern society, the laws for punishing criminals have evolved through the years. In Singapore, the death penalty is considered the heaviest punishment for the worst offences, in other words, the nightmare of all criminals. What is the definition of civilised societies? A civilised society is a highly developed and sophisticated society, with continuous intellectual and moral advancement. Being an advanced and humane society, Singapore fits the description aptly. In my opinion, not all civilised societies should abolish the death penalty.



All societies are not the same. Depending on which part of the world they are from, they differ according to differing conditions and traditions. Hence, the style of governance will also be different. Until today, the laws that the government has set for us have worked. The death penalty is the key to our falling crime rate. Due to our draconian laws and insistent stand on the death penalty for heinous crimes, Singapore is one of the most secure countries in the world. The death penalty effectively deters future criminals from committing crimes, as they may never get a second chance.



Furthermore, the notion of humane in the case of the death penalty is problematic. There are many viewpoints regarding this issue. The first type of death penalty subjects criminals to a life time behind bars. Many human rights activists argue that it is inhumane to curtail one's freedom till his dying breath. Moreover, it would be a waste of resources to provide food and necessities for the prisoners. Other types of death penalty include hanging, which is undoubtedly the most painful way of dying. Instead of using these methods to punish criminals, the government should consider more humane forms such as lethal injection, which is fast and painless. The death penalty as a form of punishment is justifiable, but the way it is executed can be improved.



In a democratic society similar to Singapore, the state has rights too. By being citizens, we inadvertently give up some of our rights. The government has to protect its citizens, and protection granted comes in the form of law and regulations. In a way, the death penalty actually protects law-abiding citizens by acting as a deterrent against crime. Usually, a person is sentenced to the death penalty when he or she commits crimes such as murder or drug trafficking. Such crimes are obviously a transgression against the rights of others. In order to protect the rights of society and uphold our national values of equality, the government has an obligation to intervene and address the situation. The death penalty ensures that dangerous criminals will be duly punished. The physical and mental pain of the death penalty is a strict but practical way to account of the loss of innocent citizens.



Since Singapore values every human life, we should not abolish the death penalty. The abolishing of the death penalty not only has a possibility of increasing the crime rate, but also signals a lessened regard for every victim's suffering, humiliation and personal integrity. Most importantly, it shows a lessened regard for the value of a victim's life. From the viewpoint of the victim's kin, they will not be satisfied with any punishment lighter than the death penalty. Exacting the highest penalty affirms the highest value of human life. A life for a life, an eye for an eye, the death penalty is fair even in a civilised society.

"The Only Child In The Family Is A Lucky Child. " Do you agree?

Families with only one or two children is now a common phenomenon in Singapore. In contrast, families in the past could have up to seven or eight children. The decrease in birth rate is partially due to the rising costs of living. Raising a child requires a lot of money, taking into account the daily necessities, school fees and food costs. Having more children can result in higher stres levels, as children have to be given undivided care and material welfare. Other social and economic factors also play a part in causing a decrease in birth rate, including the subsequent psychological ramifications when couples have children. The question is, is the only child in the family a lucky child?

The only child in the family benefits from resources provided by parents. Material welfare is maximised as there is no competition and diversion of resources to other siblings. As a result, an only child gets more attention and his or her needs are often satisfied. An only child is nurtured in a potentially better environment. The only child in the family is given more opportunities to develop his or her own potential as the parents' resources are devoted to him or her.

However, life as an only child might not be a bed of roses. An only child has to live up to expectations of parents, which are often high, as he or she is perceived as the "only hope" in the family. This inevitable generates greater stress. The need to live up to the expectations of parents may even cause an only child to give up certain ambitions. The possibly impossible goals that an only child strives to achieve can cause him or her to lose confidence and passion for life.

The only child in the family receives maximum care and concern from his parents as more attention can be bestowed upon him. This can foster close family bonds. An only child is often given a warm and safe environment to grow up in, while enjoying undivided care from his parents.

However, the only child in the family often experiences an age gap between him and his parents. It will be tough to confide in his parents regarding sensitive issues. As a result, his personal concerns may not be conveyed to his parents. His parents may also have difficulty understanding his situation, thus causing misunderstandings between parent and child. Children with siblings often have a smaller age gap as they have ease sharing common experiences. In my opinion, it is unhealthy for an only child to bottle up his feelings and concerns.

An only child may lack necessary exposure to peers of a similar age. He may develop an introverted personality due to the fact that there is no chance of him being exposed to relationships. Thus, it is difficult for him to immerse himself in any social gathering.

The only child in the family is fortunate in a way as he enjoys undivided attention and material well-being. However, he is often subject to pressure from parents and experiences intimidations in stepping out of his comfort zone. In my opinion, an only child is lucky to a certain extent only. There may be ramifications arising from the virtue of a single child status.

Are people in Singapore "Humane & Compassionate" Or "Materialistic & Self-Centred"?

In my opinion, Singaporeans are more humane and compassionate than materialistic and self-centred. The materialistic and self-centred deeds of a minority of Singaporeans should not be used to describe Singaporeans as a whole. In fact, many Singaporeans have contributed to the society and helped those who are in need.

Foreign aid is given generously to any country that is in need of help. Singapore, like many other countries, has given humanitarian help in times of crisis. For us, our aid is in the form of the Red Cross society. The Red Cross society has helped countries such as Indonesia and Kashmir through donations and manpower. Furthermore, no material rewards can be obtained from such actions. This shows that the government is willing to help our countries in need without materialistic desires. Not only does the Singaporean government show compassion through foreign aid, but so do our citizens. Volunteerism in overseas places like Bhutan, Indonesia and Vietnam has indeed helped to alleviate the suffering of victims in those countries. Are you willing to sacrifice time with your loved ones to help others for no materialistic gains? I believe that as Singapore is a developed and prosperous nation, we should not ignore the fact that many people from poorer countries are suffering as we speak.

Nowadays, more Singaporeans are involved in community service. Charity concerts by individuals and organisations have raised substantial sums of money to help people who are in need. Even students are involved in community service, through Community Involvement Programmes. This is an important step in nurturing students to be considerate and compassionate, as instilling such values while they are young will be more effective. Singaporeans are also raising funds for charity through their own effort and sweat, in events such as marathons or races. It is indeed heartwarming that Singaporeans are willing to help others in need.

Social causes are gaining more public attention. Mistreatment of animals by a minority of Singaporeans have resulted in letters to the press, indicting abusive acts towards animals. I feel that such abusive acts towards animals cannot be condoned, and it is good news that public awareness has been raised about these issues.

The government has implemented projects to destigmatise sections of society that are being marginalised, such as the Yellow Ribbon project for ex-convicts and Silver Ribbon project for people with mental illness. These projects have helped many disabled or ex-convicts to integrate into society. In my opinion, we cannot have stereotypes of them just because of their background, in order to emphathise with them, we must put ourselves in their shoes.

Singaporeans seek non-materialistic rewards and quality of life rather than pure materialism. Most Singaporeans travel to enrich themselves, gain knowledge and have memorable experiences. These non-materialistic pursuits done for intrinsic value are evident in our country's expeditions to Mt. Everest and the South Pole.

Materialism may not necessarily be a self-centred or negative attitude. It can also be seen as a display of love for family members as such people seek a better standard of living for their loved ones. As the saying goes, we cannot judge a book by its cover. In my opinion, Singaporeans are more humane and compassionate than materialistic and self-centred.

Is Music Just for the Background?

Music is everywhere. Music can be made by just simply tapping a rhythm with your fingers. Music is well-known for creating the ambience of a place and expressing the emotions of composers. Some people think of it as a background for filling up the silence or creating an atmosphere. I do not dispute with the fact that music is valuable as a background. It allows us to relax and is often used in therapy. If you have watched any film before, you will find that the background music in films are mainly responsible for stirring our emotions. Without music, films will not be able to captivate us. In my opinion, music not only "fills the emptiness", it also has many purposes that are relevant to us.

Learning music gives one's life a whole new dimension. We will be able to gain something by learning a musical instrument. Nowadays, not only are the young interested in music, even old folks have started to learn musical instruments. Music does not simply give us expertise in the musical instruments that we learn, it also allows us to have knowledge of musicians and composers. Music exists in the form of writing too, that is referred to as theory. Besides knowing the techniques needed to play the instrument, one must truly understand music itself by studying its universally known form, in written scores.

Music can affect us in many ways. It has the power to bring us to tears or even cause us to laugh. How many times have your spirits been lifted when you listened to happy music? How many times have you wept when you listened to melancholic tunes? Music can also remind us of our past experiences, regardless of whether they are happy or sad. When I listen to a familiar tune, I often reminisce about my early childhood days. Music is indeed a thing of beauty.

Music can be explored in many different ways, each having their own meaning. Classical and jazz music are just two of the kinds of music. Music can engage our creativity as we can dance to them. Folk dances, waltzes, ballet, pop dances or latin dances are all inspired by music. National anthems are music too! Singing the national anthem makes us feel a sense of belonging to the country.

Music has also been used in advertising to promote sales! When you listen to a particular tune, you will tend to associate it with a certain company. This causes us to take more notice of them. For example, Coca-Cola uses the "Living In Perfect Harmony" tune in its advertisements. Music can also be for educational purposes. It can be used to help us concentrate or make us become more creative learners. Music serves to liven up a social activity more effectively than anything else. It contributes to the life of occasions through other means too, such as a choir or an orchestra. Competitions have been made specifically for musical groups, for example, the Singapore Youth Festival competitions involving many schools.

There are also modern examples of bands or singers that convey their own opinions through music. One such example is the band "Green Day". One of their songs "Holiday", actually criticises the Iraq war and blames the American government.

Music is much more than a mere acoustic wallpaper. It serves us in many ways. To some, it is their career. To others, it is a form of relaxation. To me, it is my passion.