I was a little excited (just a little, nothing quite fazes me these days) when a friend told me she had a golden business opportunity for me. After I thought for about one minute, I replied.
"MLM ah?"
"ha
network marketing
i personally hate MLM too"
Damn.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2258280
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Michael Jackson spoof by Weird Al - Eat It
The late Michael Jackson would have turned 51 on Saturday (29 August). Famed director Spike Lee organized the massive dance party in Prospect Park to remember the King of Pop. Thousands of one-gloved moonwalkers turned up for the event.
Read more here: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/08/29/2009-08-29_spike_lee_throws_michael_jackson_birthday_bash_in_brooklyn_.html#ixzz0PgUdo7Rj
Here is a comedic spoof video of Michael Jackson's Beat It, which I think MJ would have approved too.
Read more here: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/08/29/2009-08-29_spike_lee_throws_michael_jackson_birthday_bash_in_brooklyn_.html#ixzz0PgUdo7Rj
Here is a comedic spoof video of Michael Jackson's Beat It, which I think MJ would have approved too.
SG government and their campaigns
Many of us can still remember Courtesy, Keep Singapore Clean, Speak Mandarin, Speak Good English campaigns (amongst many others). It seemed that Singaporeans lack motivation to practice basic social etiquette and had to be reminded. While they were effective years ago, the new marketing-campaign/propaganda team seems to have lost their magic.
It all seemed like a simple commercial aimed at asking Singaporeans to be contented and have less misgivings. However, the people at the helm are not practicing what they preach. These million-dollar ministers probably have the faintest idea as to how the average Singaporean is coping in this bad economy.
Many new polytechnic and university graduates are finding it hard to land a job that meet their expectations. Instead of trying to improve the situation for these fresh graduates, the government's stance is to tell them to suck it all up. More foreigners are entering our job market and the government says this is to keep Singaporeans at their feet (improve productivity and increase competition so as to lure in more investors). It seems that Singaporeans are becoming more lazy, complacent and negative-thinking.
I will not sugar-coat my words - I blame our current leaders for our situation and cannot help but wonder why their salaries are pegged to the private sector if all they can think of is more stupid campaigns to further incense the average Singaporean. While I cannot say that I speak for every other Singaporean, Im quite sure that I am not alone. Look at this thread from hwz which spans nearly 10 pages (http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2481339)
It all seemed like a simple commercial aimed at asking Singaporeans to be contented and have less misgivings. However, the people at the helm are not practicing what they preach. These million-dollar ministers probably have the faintest idea as to how the average Singaporean is coping in this bad economy.
Many new polytechnic and university graduates are finding it hard to land a job that meet their expectations. Instead of trying to improve the situation for these fresh graduates, the government's stance is to tell them to suck it all up. More foreigners are entering our job market and the government says this is to keep Singaporeans at their feet (improve productivity and increase competition so as to lure in more investors). It seems that Singaporeans are becoming more lazy, complacent and negative-thinking.
I will not sugar-coat my words - I blame our current leaders for our situation and cannot help but wonder why their salaries are pegged to the private sector if all they can think of is more stupid campaigns to further incense the average Singaporean. While I cannot say that I speak for every other Singaporean, Im quite sure that I am not alone. Look at this thread from hwz which spans nearly 10 pages (http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2481339)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou criticized for slow rescue efforts
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has been criticized for his handling of government efforts to save storm victims and help the island's hard-hit south recover.
The criticism of Ma is reminiscent of the hostile reaction to former President George W. Bush's handling of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 — criticism that played a major role in turning public opinion against the U.S. leader.
The worst storm to strike the island in over 50 years has claimed more than 500 lives. About 380 of about 600 people living in the mountainous village of Shiao Lin in southern Taiwan are believed to have perished when flash flooding unleashed calamitous mudslides that buried the community on August 9th 2009.
Apparently part of the reason was because he had displayed a lack of tact during the initial rescue efforts.
"They were not fully prepared. If they were, they should have been evacuated much earlier," Ma told an ITN reporter. "They didn't realize how serious the disaster was."
----------------------------------
As usual, the Taiwanese are quick to point fingers. While I sympathise with their loss, I feel that it is not right to blame Ma Ying-jeou for choosing to make some of these decisions. Would any leader have deployed the troops when the typhoon was still raging and there was a severe lack of necessary information?
It is afterall impossible to please everyone. However, Ma has since apologised for his actions.
The criticism of Ma is reminiscent of the hostile reaction to former President George W. Bush's handling of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 — criticism that played a major role in turning public opinion against the U.S. leader.
The worst storm to strike the island in over 50 years has claimed more than 500 lives. About 380 of about 600 people living in the mountainous village of Shiao Lin in southern Taiwan are believed to have perished when flash flooding unleashed calamitous mudslides that buried the community on August 9th 2009.
Apparently part of the reason was because he had displayed a lack of tact during the initial rescue efforts.
"They were not fully prepared. If they were, they should have been evacuated much earlier," Ma told an ITN reporter. "They didn't realize how serious the disaster was."
----------------------------------
As usual, the Taiwanese are quick to point fingers. While I sympathise with their loss, I feel that it is not right to blame Ma Ying-jeou for choosing to make some of these decisions. Would any leader have deployed the troops when the typhoon was still raging and there was a severe lack of necessary information?
It is afterall impossible to please everyone. However, Ma has since apologised for his actions.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Google wants a slice of social-networking pie
They are adding Social Gadgets (widgets) to a list of growing Google services. Nowadays, search engine companies venture into other online services to entice both users and advertisers to use their services. Google seems to be on the way to becoming a full-fledged internet portal much like yahoo. Will the foray into social networking be worthwhile for Google? Yahoo seems to be dying a slow death on the other hand.
For more information - visit google.com/igsocial
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Darth Vader goes Pink
The dark lord has finally succumbed to his feminine side.
The Star Wars star-villain has reportedly checked into the Hello Kitty plastic surgery clinic for an appearance overhaul.
Emperor Sid could not be reached for comment at press time.
KAWAII NEH! So, how do you like it, Starwars fanboys?
Links: kittyhell.com
Monday, August 10, 2009
Singaporean Director Jack Neo Loses His Magic
Most of Jack Neo’s movies lack creativity but nevertheless manages to appeal to Singaporeans due to their local context which many can relate to. However, it seems that Jack Neo has finally lost his magic touch.
While he was perhaps once the most famous director from Singapore, his recent 7th month blockbuster “WHERE GOT GHOST” seems to be a real letdown with movie goers deterring everyone else from catching the movie.
HWZer “decibels” created a movie review thread and called it “1 of the worst movies of 2009”.
“Where got ghost” is the latest movie which tries to provide some comic relief and tasteless scares for people obsessed with the supernatural world.
Director Jack Neo tries to string 3 unrelated tales in the movie, but fails miserably in his cringe-worthy attempt.
For would-be movie-goers, I hereby offer an unofficial synopsis to what you can expect and would advise that you bring your cash elsewhere.
- The first story talks about spirits and offerings. It gives young people an idea of Hungry Ghost Festival and this is perhaps the best story of the 3.
- The second story talks about National Service. It started off well but the story was killed by an anti-climax.
- The 3rd story is the worst, if you had watched "Money No Enough 2", be prepared to go WTF as the ah ma returns to haunt her sons (and the audience).
I have to agree. The director seems to be running out of ideas and is more concerned about churning out new movies in time to milk the Singaporean audience with cheesy, repetitive themes. The movie is released to coincide with the coming lunisolar 7th month (Ghost Festival). In Chinese tradition, the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Ghost Day and the seventh month in general is regarded as the Ghost Month(鬼月), in which ghosts and spirits, including those of the deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm. During the Qingming Festival the living descendants pay homage to their ancestors and on Ghost Day, the deceased visit the living.
Please, Director Neo, it is time to come up with more credible storylines. Playing with the movie title is no longer witty and telling a stale joke twice is no joke.
"Jack Neo Chee Keong, PBM (simplified Chinese: 梁智强; traditional Chinese: 梁智強; pinyin: Liáng Zhìqiáng), born January 24, 1960 is a Singaporean actor, host andfilm-maker, most notably known for his comedic acts and skits.
Career
Neo started his TV career in 1980 and has become one of the most successful TV celebrities in Singapore, well known especially for his comic cross-dressing roles, one as a feisty eighty-something granny (Liang Po Po), another as a fortyish woman homemaker (Liang Ximei) with two adolescent sons in the Comedy Night series.
In 1998, he received the Best Director Award at the Silver Screen Awards for his short film. He has also recorded and produced several albums.
He started directing features, although he had starred in a number of movies, in That One Not Enough (1999). He has also set up his own artiste management company J Team Productions which nurtures some of Singapore's better known comedians such as Mark Lee, Henry Thia and John Cheng.
His movies, especially Money No Enough and I Not Stupid are recognized for having touched an emotional chord in Singaporeans. In recognition of his achievements and contributions towards Singapore’s media industry, Film Director Jack Neo was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. In 2004, he became the first local film-maker to be honored with a National Day Award, the Public Service Medal. On October 21,2005, Jack Neo was presented Singapore's Cultural Medallion, together with other talents like Dick Lee.
In 2008, Jack and Mark Lee bought the Singapore master franchise rights for OLDTOWN White Coffee, a coffee retail concept from Ipoh, Malaysia. The grand opening of their first store at Big Splash was on March 30 2008."
Source: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2460432
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2460432&page=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungry_Ghost_Festival
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Neo
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The Singaporean Identity
A few days ago someone posted this thread in hardwarezone forums: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2458715&page=8
Which I concur - Why are we paying top dollar for ministers who have lost touch with the common ground? All they do is rule from their ivory towers with their own intentions and self-righteous convictions that many Singaporeans do not agree with?
Any minister in SG earns more than Barack Obama (the U.S. president earns $400,000 USD annually). Is this pay justified? Well, I only know that many of the policies are not created with true-blue Singaporeans in mind.
So what is a true-blue Singaporean - you might ask? By most Singaporeans’ definition, I would believe that this means born, educated and working in Singapore. This excludes many (if not most) first-generation immigrants.
It is unfathomable as to why we are “importing” so many foreigners with similar qualifications and skillsets when it is obvious that our economic infrastructure cannot support a bigger population.
I am pretty sure that most Singaporeans are fine with the hiring of true Foreign Talents (those this term has probably been overused and misused under too many circumstances that we are getting a little confused). It is important to hire and attract scientists, researchers, professors and other professionals/specialists that we lack in Singapore. Most people would also agree that we need foreigners to work in jobs (construction workers, cleaners) that Singaporeans shun. No doubt this can be seen as a selfish thought, however, as Singapore progresses into a more developed country with a “knowledge-based economy”, fewer youngsters would enjoy working in occupations which are seen as less glamorous and less well-paying.
Many Singaporeans are perturbed as to why we are funding foreigners with scholarships. We are also surprised at how our sovereign wealth fund is able to lose billions without the CEO (Ho Ching) batting an eyelid and nary an apology. I am hardly surprised at many of these moves but I am surprised at how the SG government is able to do so without much protest nor repercussion from the public. This goes to show how disunited and weak the Singaporean voice is. Singaporeans agree wholeheartedly on issues that need to be addressed but are too cowardly to speak up. That is truly and sadly the essence of the current Singaporean Identity.
Which I concur - Why are we paying top dollar for ministers who have lost touch with the common ground? All they do is rule from their ivory towers with their own intentions and self-righteous convictions that many Singaporeans do not agree with?
Any minister in SG earns more than Barack Obama (the U.S. president earns $400,000 USD annually). Is this pay justified? Well, I only know that many of the policies are not created with true-blue Singaporeans in mind.
So what is a true-blue Singaporean - you might ask? By most Singaporeans’ definition, I would believe that this means born, educated and working in Singapore. This excludes many (if not most) first-generation immigrants.
It is unfathomable as to why we are “importing” so many foreigners with similar qualifications and skillsets when it is obvious that our economic infrastructure cannot support a bigger population.
I am pretty sure that most Singaporeans are fine with the hiring of true Foreign Talents (those this term has probably been overused and misused under too many circumstances that we are getting a little confused). It is important to hire and attract scientists, researchers, professors and other professionals/specialists that we lack in Singapore. Most people would also agree that we need foreigners to work in jobs (construction workers, cleaners) that Singaporeans shun. No doubt this can be seen as a selfish thought, however, as Singapore progresses into a more developed country with a “knowledge-based economy”, fewer youngsters would enjoy working in occupations which are seen as less glamorous and less well-paying.
Many Singaporeans are perturbed as to why we are funding foreigners with scholarships. We are also surprised at how our sovereign wealth fund is able to lose billions without the CEO (Ho Ching) batting an eyelid and nary an apology. I am hardly surprised at many of these moves but I am surprised at how the SG government is able to do so without much protest nor repercussion from the public. This goes to show how disunited and weak the Singaporean voice is. Singaporeans agree wholeheartedly on issues that need to be addressed but are too cowardly to speak up. That is truly and sadly the essence of the current Singaporean Identity.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
What I would avoid as a job seeker
For more than a year, financial consultancy firms have been flooding my inbox with "requests to view your full resume". You must be thinking, wow, this guy is a high-flier and I better start subscribing to his blog! The underachiever in me cant be further away from the truth.
Everyday when I check my email, I get quite irritated with fake job offers on top of lottery/nigerian scams and useless newsletters from websites of which the content are of little interest to me.
Not that they have been particularly intruding on my privacy, but I think that these can be considered as a type of spam. Which is why after taking a really long thought, I decided to expose these financial companies' gimmicks.
1. Many of the insurance companies and MLM companies advertise under "The Advertiser", which I assume is a default name for those who do not want to list their company name on jobscentral/jobsdb. Therefore, I do not bother even clicking on the job description links.
2. Then there are those job listings which boast that you can become a management trainee. While some of these are true positions for banks to recruit fresh graduates, some of them are posted by financial firms/MLMs in disguise. Unless your CV/Resume is really impressive (such as hailing from one of the Ivies) and you are really sure of the source (employer), do yourself a favour by ignoring these posts.
3. Look at the job description carefully, whether if it fits the bill if they are hiring for a certain position. If it either sounds too simple, too common yet they state that you can POSSIBLY earn more than $2,500 (and some even say up to $4,000 per month! Which we all know that no Singaporean employers are willing to pay that much when they can hire Foreign Labour for much less.
Foreign Talents, are a different matter altogether - Singaporean employers seem to be infatuated with these FTs and are willing to shell out top dollars just to attract them. As they say - Ang Mors ideas are always very good (Excerpt from I Not Stupid). Well, God knows.
4. Job titles are worthless if they do not command the industry standard's remuneration. However, I would not be too over-zealous at bashing this. Well give and take a little, since Singaporean employers are more than well-known for their thriftiness, they would certainly want more bangs for bucks. So you are expected to be a jack of all trades and master in 1. Or in the local context (ai pi ai qi ai dua liap ni).
5. Look for jobs with a decent basic pay. In these pretty tough times, most Singaporean employers go all out to undercut salaries, reduce benefits and all forms of compensation. If the job is fully commission based, you better pray hard that the good is like an FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), or that you can take them home for dinner. (This is another reason why I avoid insurance and MLM companies because the agents are not usually paid a basic and therefore they are only concerned with selling their products and in the process, knowingly or unknowingly hoodwink consumers into buying risky/unnecessary/useless products) of which the agents probably have no idea too. Well there would of course be arguments that insurance agents have to take CMFAS exams. But as someone who has taken countless exams I can safely say that most people forget whatever they have studied or mugged over just to get past the exams. Unless the person is really responsible, trustworthy and so enthusiastic about his products..... which is rarely the case.
Everyday when I check my email, I get quite irritated with fake job offers on top of lottery/nigerian scams and useless newsletters from websites of which the content are of little interest to me.
Not that they have been particularly intruding on my privacy, but I think that these can be considered as a type of spam. Which is why after taking a really long thought, I decided to expose these financial companies' gimmicks.
1. Many of the insurance companies and MLM companies advertise under "The Advertiser", which I assume is a default name for those who do not want to list their company name on jobscentral/jobsdb. Therefore, I do not bother even clicking on the job description links.
2. Then there are those job listings which boast that you can become a management trainee. While some of these are true positions for banks to recruit fresh graduates, some of them are posted by financial firms/MLMs in disguise. Unless your CV/Resume is really impressive (such as hailing from one of the Ivies) and you are really sure of the source (employer), do yourself a favour by ignoring these posts.
3. Look at the job description carefully, whether if it fits the bill if they are hiring for a certain position. If it either sounds too simple, too common yet they state that you can POSSIBLY earn more than $2,500 (and some even say up to $4,000 per month! Which we all know that no Singaporean employers are willing to pay that much when they can hire Foreign Labour for much less.
Foreign Talents, are a different matter altogether - Singaporean employers seem to be infatuated with these FTs and are willing to shell out top dollars just to attract them. As they say - Ang Mors ideas are always very good (Excerpt from I Not Stupid). Well, God knows.
4. Job titles are worthless if they do not command the industry standard's remuneration. However, I would not be too over-zealous at bashing this. Well give and take a little, since Singaporean employers are more than well-known for their thriftiness, they would certainly want more bangs for bucks. So you are expected to be a jack of all trades and master in 1. Or in the local context (ai pi ai qi ai dua liap ni).
5. Look for jobs with a decent basic pay. In these pretty tough times, most Singaporean employers go all out to undercut salaries, reduce benefits and all forms of compensation. If the job is fully commission based, you better pray hard that the good is like an FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), or that you can take them home for dinner. (This is another reason why I avoid insurance and MLM companies because the agents are not usually paid a basic and therefore they are only concerned with selling their products and in the process, knowingly or unknowingly hoodwink consumers into buying risky/unnecessary/useless products) of which the agents probably have no idea too. Well there would of course be arguments that insurance agents have to take CMFAS exams. But as someone who has taken countless exams I can safely say that most people forget whatever they have studied or mugged over just to get past the exams. Unless the person is really responsible, trustworthy and so enthusiastic about his products..... which is rarely the case.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Insurance and MLM companies ought to be taken to task
For a long time, I have been receiving emails from employers wanting to view my resume. You may think that I may be a high-flier with many big corporations out to headhunt me. This is certainly not the case. My inbox is always flooded with "financial" companies. some shamelessly market themselves as MNCs simply because they sell financial products such as insurance from big companies like AXA and AIG.
Insurance and MLM companies ought to be taken to task for irresponsible advertising and shady practices in recruitment processes. This includes posting on websites such as jobsdb and jobscentral but sometimes omitimportant information on purpose so as to lure unsuspecting potential job applicants (often fresh graduates) to join their companies.
MLM, especially, is an evil business practice and does nothing to improve the lives of the average wage earner, neither does it value-add to the economy. Prices of products such as that of magnetic mattresses, air purifiers and magnetic bracelets have no scientific basis and at best, serve as ornaments and accessories for gullible people.
Yet, these MLM companies blatantly claim their therapeuticand healing effects for chronic ailments and even terminal illnesses. While some MLM companies sell health
supplements which serve more than the placebo effect, these supplements are often overpriced and the quality equally dubious. There is also no scientific proof as to whether detoxification is beneficial for humans.
The more famous variants of supplements today are based on anti-oxidants such as those of tea extracts, mangosteen extracts and herbs with alleged properties of improving overall health. Not everyone is suited for these supplements and most, if not all MLM companies do not practice much corporate responsibility. They do not engage doctors to assess the health of their "clients" (which are also their employees) before proceeding with such treatments and medications.
Granted, MLM is good if the product is useful and of low cost. It could also serve as a sideline for people who wish to supplement their paltry income. However, the prices of these products are grossly inflated through direct selling/marketing (which was the original intent of MLM preachers), instead of being cost effective (low cost). Therefore, the purpose is defeated and the despicable top management (upline) of the pyramid scheme profiteer from the unscrupulous inflation of prices of useless goods to naive consumers (downlines who are coerced into joining as "associates" and "managers" after paying a huge sum of money to the company to join as a member) while giving empty promises of profit-sharing. The members are then encouraged to con their own families and friends into joining the MLM company as members. This rampant recruitment is hardly monitored by government even though many of these are unfair and illegal business practices.
While Im on this topic, I guess the insurance sector deserves a notable mention too. The insurance sector had been dealt with crushing blows to its confidence after AIG was in trouble due to the mortgage/leveraging crisis in U.S. early this year. Things did not improve as more stocks crashed, companies merged in a bid to merely save the businesses, work-force/production was cut due to the lack of demands and many companies went bust/insolvent or at least cash-strapped. The final straw came when the Maddoff Ponzi scheme saga was uncovered and many prominent investors were left high and dry. Both Wall Street and Main Street were in a terrible mess which many likened to the Great Depression (only now to be known as the Great Recession)
A few months later, the insurance sector is still struggling to restore their reputation and improve on the impression still fresh in people's minds. How many people truly believe the claims of insurance companies now? Especially when these insurers and mega-corporations invested our money in dubious and risky products and eventually had to be bailed out by governments around the world? While when we sometimes defaulted on premiums, these companies chased us for payment and threatened to void the policies.
So, they started recruiting more people recently in an attempt to restore investors' confidence and also to hopefully bring in more contracts. On a side note, insurance is rather similar to MLM (with the promises that are not always fulfilled and a somewhat "intangible" product) and not everyone knows the contracts' terms and conditions and the policy's liability under all conditions. Insurance companies now peddle a range of financial products for investment purposes.
How much is revealed to the potential investor is dependent on each agents' conscientiousness and personal morals. More often than not, hard-selling tactics conveniently leave out the necessary issues that investors have to take note of (such as risks and implications). These products are packaged into seemingly risk-less investments though the truth is far from it. Thanks to a certain lack of protection and transparency for both investors and policy holders in Singapore. Which is why, some consider Singapore is a safe haven for employers and errant/irresponsible/profiteering businesses.
Insurance and MLM companies ought to be taken to task for irresponsible advertising and shady practices in recruitment processes. This includes posting on websites such as jobsdb and jobscentral but sometimes omitimportant information on purpose so as to lure unsuspecting potential job applicants (often fresh graduates) to join their companies.
MLM, especially, is an evil business practice and does nothing to improve the lives of the average wage earner, neither does it value-add to the economy. Prices of products such as that of magnetic mattresses, air purifiers and magnetic bracelets have no scientific basis and at best, serve as ornaments and accessories for gullible people.
Yet, these MLM companies blatantly claim their therapeuticand healing effects for chronic ailments and even terminal illnesses. While some MLM companies sell health
supplements which serve more than the placebo effect, these supplements are often overpriced and the quality equally dubious. There is also no scientific proof as to whether detoxification is beneficial for humans.
The more famous variants of supplements today are based on anti-oxidants such as those of tea extracts, mangosteen extracts and herbs with alleged properties of improving overall health. Not everyone is suited for these supplements and most, if not all MLM companies do not practice much corporate responsibility. They do not engage doctors to assess the health of their "clients" (which are also their employees) before proceeding with such treatments and medications.
Granted, MLM is good if the product is useful and of low cost. It could also serve as a sideline for people who wish to supplement their paltry income. However, the prices of these products are grossly inflated through direct selling/marketing (which was the original intent of MLM preachers), instead of being cost effective (low cost). Therefore, the purpose is defeated and the despicable top management (upline) of the pyramid scheme profiteer from the unscrupulous inflation of prices of useless goods to naive consumers (downlines who are coerced into joining as "associates" and "managers" after paying a huge sum of money to the company to join as a member) while giving empty promises of profit-sharing. The members are then encouraged to con their own families and friends into joining the MLM company as members. This rampant recruitment is hardly monitored by government even though many of these are unfair and illegal business practices.
While Im on this topic, I guess the insurance sector deserves a notable mention too. The insurance sector had been dealt with crushing blows to its confidence after AIG was in trouble due to the mortgage/leveraging crisis in U.S. early this year. Things did not improve as more stocks crashed, companies merged in a bid to merely save the businesses, work-force/production was cut due to the lack of demands and many companies went bust/insolvent or at least cash-strapped. The final straw came when the Maddoff Ponzi scheme saga was uncovered and many prominent investors were left high and dry. Both Wall Street and Main Street were in a terrible mess which many likened to the Great Depression (only now to be known as the Great Recession)
A few months later, the insurance sector is still struggling to restore their reputation and improve on the impression still fresh in people's minds. How many people truly believe the claims of insurance companies now? Especially when these insurers and mega-corporations invested our money in dubious and risky products and eventually had to be bailed out by governments around the world? While when we sometimes defaulted on premiums, these companies chased us for payment and threatened to void the policies.
So, they started recruiting more people recently in an attempt to restore investors' confidence and also to hopefully bring in more contracts. On a side note, insurance is rather similar to MLM (with the promises that are not always fulfilled and a somewhat "intangible" product) and not everyone knows the contracts' terms and conditions and the policy's liability under all conditions. Insurance companies now peddle a range of financial products for investment purposes.
How much is revealed to the potential investor is dependent on each agents' conscientiousness and personal morals. More often than not, hard-selling tactics conveniently leave out the necessary issues that investors have to take note of (such as risks and implications). These products are packaged into seemingly risk-less investments though the truth is far from it. Thanks to a certain lack of protection and transparency for both investors and policy holders in Singapore. Which is why, some consider Singapore is a safe haven for employers and errant/irresponsible/profiteering businesses.
Sham marketing companies
A couple of years ago I applied for a job with a company at Mosque Street. So I went down in my neatest office wear arriving much earlier than the stated time for the interview. I was greeted by a young and rather pretty receptionist. Although it was not a prime location for businesses, the office was professionally furnished and had an impressive decor. While all the interviewees filled up their personal particulars, TV commercials were played and replayed on a big LCD screen. I was quite surprised to see that the place was swarming (ok a little too exaggerated, but nonetheless quite crowded) with young people dressed in office attire and looking really confident. There were also a few caucasians but all looked to be below 30. Then of course there were the misfits like me who looked so out of place even in my most expensive shirt and pants.
I promptly filled up my form and passed my IC to the receptionist for photocopying. After a wait of about 15 minutes, the interviewer came and greeted us. She looked to be in her early 30s and I was led to a small meeting room along with a female job applicant. The interviewer sat us down and began asking the standard questions (what type of job are we looking for, do we know whats this job about, what did we previously work as). I am a self-professed good speaker and I never had problems interacting in others even in formal settings but the other job applicant hardly muttered coherently. So after a short interview of about 20 minutes we were all out.
As we were walking out, I overheard crazy shoutings from one of the bigger meeting rooms. The interviewer explained that those people were there for training. My previous experiences with normal companies who were really interested in hiring never resorted to such crazy training rituals comparable to exorcism of Emily Rose. So while Im making my way down the stairs, I was fully convinced that I have wasted my time attending this interview. Before long, the interviewer called up and said I was selected for a second interview (and Im pretty much sure that the girl who could hardly converse would have gotten this "job" as well). I politely declined while cursing softly under my bated breath.
I promptly filled up my form and passed my IC to the receptionist for photocopying. After a wait of about 15 minutes, the interviewer came and greeted us. She looked to be in her early 30s and I was led to a small meeting room along with a female job applicant. The interviewer sat us down and began asking the standard questions (what type of job are we looking for, do we know whats this job about, what did we previously work as). I am a self-professed good speaker and I never had problems interacting in others even in formal settings but the other job applicant hardly muttered coherently. So after a short interview of about 20 minutes we were all out.
As we were walking out, I overheard crazy shoutings from one of the bigger meeting rooms. The interviewer explained that those people were there for training. My previous experiences with normal companies who were really interested in hiring never resorted to such crazy training rituals comparable to exorcism of Emily Rose. So while Im making my way down the stairs, I was fully convinced that I have wasted my time attending this interview. Before long, the interviewer called up and said I was selected for a second interview (and Im pretty much sure that the girl who could hardly converse would have gotten this "job" as well). I politely declined while cursing softly under my bated breath.
Its in times like these when such companies start their unethical and shameless preying on the jobless to work for them for free. Which really makes any desperate job seeker really pissed. I also wonder why our beloved government is doing nothing to stop these scammers while at the same time complaining that Singaporeans are lazy and turn down jobs. I dont consider these no-cpf no benefits, fully commission based, no insurance and no meal allowance exploitation sessions as jobs.
A google of the company name shows the following companies appear to be related -
1) Dreamworkz Pte Ltd.
9B Mosque Street 3rd Floor.
Tel: 63254208
Caller said, find the person Maz, when you appear for interview.
2) Redwoods Advance Pte Ltd
33 Jalan Afifi
Etonhouse #06-01
Tel: 68460623
These are some other firms I got off the blog site.
3) Clover Advertising
Website: http://www.cloveradvertising.co.uk //http://www.cloveradvertising.com
4) Dirad Pte Ltd (Same address as #1)
5) Appco Pte Ltd
6) Ascentia Group Marketing (Same address as #2)
7) Red Planet Marketing
Website : http://www.redplanetmarketing.co.uk
Last but not least.
The website of this Cobra Group : http://www.cobragroup.com
For a more complete "review" of the notorious group, please look here - http://elefanie.blogspot.com/2009/04/cobra-group-is-it-scam.html
A google of the company name shows the following companies appear to be related -
1) Dreamworkz Pte Ltd.
9B Mosque Street 3rd Floor.
Tel: 63254208
Caller said, find the person Maz, when you appear for interview.
2) Redwoods Advance Pte Ltd
33 Jalan Afifi
Etonhouse #06-01
Tel: 68460623
These are some other firms I got off the blog site.
3) Clover Advertising
Website: http://www.cloveradvertising.co.uk //http://www.cloveradvertising.com
4) Dirad Pte Ltd (Same address as #1)
5) Appco Pte Ltd
6) Ascentia Group Marketing (Same address as #2)
7) Red Planet Marketing
Website : http://www.redplanetmarketing.co.uk
Last but not least.
The website of this Cobra Group : http://www.cobragroup.com
For a more complete "review" of the notorious group, please look here - http://elefanie.blogspot.com/2009/04/cobra-group-is-it-scam.html
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Zanetta Joan Sit and the leaked photos
In reply to a thread in HWZ:
Pragmatic World we are in, curious cats we all are...... if she isnt pretty or does not have any social status...... I reckon no one would want to bump this news up again. so I guess she has to accept it and take it as a compliment that people love to see her naked and would want to trod on her further by linking the exposure (pun) to her alma mater. and all she can do now, is to put this matter behind her and move on and at the same time dont make similar mistakes. otherwise, she can actually bask in the limelight and make another such video/pics No news is good news but bad publicity is still better than no publicity *rolleyes*
For whoever is interested - gutteruncensored.com is your 1st source for indecent exposures
A little note on Internet Marketing (1)
If you have ever visited a bookshop/store like Popular, Times, Borders or Kinokuniya, you would have realized that they have a dedicated “self-help” section.
In this section, shelves would be aligned with grooming guides to books on improving EQ. There would also be books for Casanova wannabes (Pick-Up Artist guides, or rather, PUA guides). The most popular books would be on achieving success (whatever that means) and more specifically – How to be a millionaire. All these books are highly theoretical and some even lack empirical evidence (scientific backing). I am not saying that the content is objectionable, just how we should be discerning enough to not take them at face value - reading a book by a successful entrepreneur will not make you rich.
So how different is this blog entry from balderdash? Since I am not a prolific blogger, much less an award bagging marketer? For two good reasons, I am only sharing thoughts and observations and there is nothing to lose from reading this. And before I proceed, I must highlight that I will try to present unbiased facts for most parts of the article. All my personal comments will be explicitly noted with an asterisk *
Though Im a novice marketer, I can safely claim that I am an experienced net user and have had some training in web-related technologies. At the very least, I have surfed so many websites and seen how people can attract plenty of unique visitors even though the content falls nothing short of (my apologies), nonsense. What do these websites have in common that makes them so irresistible to the average Internet surfer? Perhaps at this point of time you should think deeper and note down the similar traits between such websites. Many of these sites have vastly different content; appeals to different crowds yet at the same time command a religious following.
The Internet has revolutionized the imparting of such knowledge as many such books are now available online in the form of e-books and websites. Well this has greatly enhanced the interactive value of good ol boring texts and at the same time increased knowledge diffusion but it does not change the fact that you will not become a millionaire overnight unless you win the lottery.
There are Internet marketing "gurus" like Stuart Tan and Ewen Chia who swear by marketing through the use of Internet (affiliate, link exchange). However, most of these tactics are more than a decade old (Ewen Chia first used these in the late 90s) and I can attest them to be more of bloated truths. Indeed if there is money to be made you still have to be the “best” in this field. “Best” here does not refer to just technically inclined or gifted. You have to be unafraid of the attention and use it to boost your popularity because this gives you more credibility (well, somewhat) and reach to the vast internet audience. You also have to be incredibly innovative or die trying.
In exchange for your popularity on the Internet, you would be able to effectively use the various marketing techniques and tools to sell your products/services or help your sponsors advertise theirs.
So what exactly is Internet Marketing? By definition from wikipedia: Internet marketing, also referred to as i-marketing, web marketing, online marketing, or eMarketing, is the marketingof products or services over the Internet.
This does not shed light on what exactly Internet Marketing is and how we can use it to our advantage. Reading on - Internet marketing also refers to the placement of media along different stages of the customer engagement cycle through search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization(SEO), banner ads on specific websites, e-mail marketing, and Web 2.0 strategies. In other words, even random email spamming can be considered as a type of web marketing.
Many marketing companies now use search engine marketing and search engine optimization in a bid to manipulate the results that search engines like Yahoo, Google and Microsoft’s Bing come up with when a user enters a word. The higher a particular link appears on the search would mean that a higher likelihood of a user going to that particular website. On a side note, search engine companies are always trying to improve on the accuracy of searches - which means they change their algorithms very often and these algorithms are never revealed to the public as they are the means and commercial secrets for search engine companies to earn dollars
This gives the companies a chance to pitch their products to the unsuspecting consumer who may not know that the search was rigged. Well, of course this is an unscrupulous practice which is becoming less apparent, not that this is no longer in use. Search engine companies sell links and banners to companies which are displayed during ongoing related searches. Google for example, makes money by packaging advertising products (such as Adwords and Adsense), and gives a portion of the money for Internet users to display dynamic links on their blogs and websites. Therefore the most popular search engines will have more regular users and this will provide a regular income stream for search engine companies.
On a separate note, different words command different prices. Generic words/string of words such as “pizza” or “Korean television” are worth much more than strings of rarely used/unpopular words such as “plucky duck chair” or any other unintelligible terms.
With more of such generic words being used by competitors for businesses and websites (and also banning of use of some words by some countries – for example, the use of Temasek in Singapore is disallowed unless approved), you are left with not many choices. One can only seek short and easy to remember strings of words yet nothing too extraordinary as business and domain names. Do not fret however, as this might prove to be the wisest move*.
The one aspect which you can toy with is to use non-generic words for your website/business. Although generic words are those that come to mind first for most people, it helps if you are able to establish a brand from scratch. One example would be “BreadTalk” which is obvious enough that it is a joint-word. “BreadTalk” was unlikely to immediately evoke any understanding as compared to “BreadShop” (until now). Another thing to note would be the less costs of buying up search engine banners and links if your target market is niche and your domain-name/business/product/service, unique.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A trip to Claremont (Part 1)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
H1N1
About a week ago I went to a certain dim sum restaurant at Bugis Junction with a friend. We were enjoying our meal when this family of 4 sat down beside us. The mother (I assume so) looked really unwell and was constantly coughing and sneezing.
While the various pharmaceutical companies and governments are believed to be rushing out the vaccines, I urge everyone to hopefully practise some personal hygiene and social responsibility by not infecting everyone else at shopping centres. I am quite certain that this inconspicuous snot republic in the southern province of a certain somewhere will likely to be the worst hit due to the close proximity of its peasant accommodating pigeon holes.
I applaud her for being so supportive of Singapore's economy but she certainly put the rest of the patrons at risk from H1N1. I would like to think I got the common flu though I am feeling really quite sick for 2-3 days already (H1N1's incubation period is about 1-7 days). I must certainly thank some of these mindless and un-civic-minded people for spreading the "love".
Now, the World Health Organization says the pandemic (no longer imminent because it is already here) is gaining speed and they are foreseeing high winter risks. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090724/ts_nm/us_flu_who_behaviour). In the next few months, more people will contract H1N1 and it remains to be seen if the virus strain will remain as it is or mutate to a more fatal variant. What they are fearing is that H1N1 will have sex with H5N1 and have an offspring called H1N1 x H5N1 *or something along that line.
Now, the World Health Organization says the pandemic (no longer imminent because it is already here) is gaining speed and they are foreseeing high winter risks. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090724/ts_nm/us_flu_who_behaviour). In the next few months, more people will contract H1N1 and it remains to be seen if the virus strain will remain as it is or mutate to a more fatal variant. What they are fearing is that H1N1 will have sex with H5N1 and have an offspring called H1N1 x H5N1 *or something along that line.
While the various pharmaceutical companies and governments are believed to be rushing out the vaccines, I urge everyone to hopefully practise some personal hygiene and social responsibility by not infecting everyone else at shopping centres. I am quite certain that this inconspicuous snot republic in the southern province of a certain somewhere will likely to be the worst hit due to the close proximity of its peasant accommodating pigeon holes.
---------------------------------------------
Some snippets of information on H1N1
Some snippets of information on H1N1
A/H1N1 is a subtype of A influenza type. Both humans and pigs can be infected, but it seems that the virus currently has low fatality rate (under 1%). What would happen if swine flu mixes with the bird flu?
Republish this Article 
H1N1 is currently endemic in both human and pig populations. A variant of H1N1 was responsible for the Spanish flu pandemic that killed some 50 million to 100 million people worldwide over about a year in 1918 and 1919. Another variant was named a pandemic threat in the 2009 swine flu outbreak.
"When he compared the 1918 virus with today's human flu viruses, Dr. Taubenberger noticed that it had alterations in just 25 to 30 of the virus's 4,400 amino acids. Those few changes turned a bird virus into a killer that could spread from person to person
H5N1 is the world's major influenza pandemic threat. ( from Wikipedia.)
And now it seems that H1N1 is the world's major influenza pandemic threat.
For H5N1 is known that it can be spread from birds to humans, and not between humans. The lethality of bird flu in humans is over 50%, which means that swine flu is very deadly. H5N1 is difficult to be transferred to humans, but in the last 11 years, around 400 people were infected and more than 200 deceased. The best most efficent cure is Tamiflu and Oseltamivir (Relenza). The same cures are being used in treatment for swine flu (H1N1).
As of 26 June 2009 07:00 GMT, there are over 60.000 infected and about 290 deceased people around the world. Compared to the bird flu this is much, much lower lethality. And nobody mentioned that ordinary, seasonal influenza infects around 500.000.000 people around the world every year, and kills thousands... When you consider it like that, the "ordinary" flu, most often H3N2 sounds more dangerous than swine flu... But still there is much panic about it...
But what would happen if someone who catches swine flu cathes the bird flu too? Nobody knows. For now, some of the countries which have reporteed both swine flu and bird flu this year are Egypt, China, and some other SE Asian countries.
H1N1 has mild symptoms and almost none consequences and it's lethality rate is below 1%. Spreads easily between humans.
H5N1 has severe consequences, it's hardly transmitable to humans, and the lethality rate is over 50%.
The question is, is there a possibility that these 2 viruses mix, and create a disease that has over 50% lethality, and would be easily transmitted between humans? That sounds like a BIG threat to mankind.
Source: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/113815_when-will-the-swine-flu-h1n1-mutate-and-what-will-happen-then
A certain derelict hell under guise
In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
"German anti-Nazi activist, Pastor Martin Niemöller"
Somewhere in the corner of this already god-forsaken world, there's a little place where depravity thrives.
The people should not be afraid of their governments, their governments should be afraid of their people. Or so Zorro said (or was it V for Vendetta it didnt matter then and still doesnt matter now). To be really honest I could have written a lengthier and more bothersome post but I decided not to do that since these issues have been blogged to certain deaths (not literally... I hope). So let the links speak for themselves while you be the judge.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
"German anti-Nazi activist, Pastor Martin Niemöller"
Somewhere in the corner of this already god-forsaken world, there's a little place where depravity thrives.
Where the rich and powerful write and rewrite their own laws.
1. http://talkback.stomp.com.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=69270&page=5 - Chief Editor of a certain propaganda arm having her jail term cut from 18 months to 1 day. This woman was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, will now serve one day in jail, down from the original sentence of 18 months.
2. http://www.geraldtan.com/medaffairs/misc-nkf.html - A certain health foundation ran like a for-profit-organization.
1. http://talkback.stomp.com.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=69270&page=5 - Chief Editor of a certain propaganda arm having her jail term cut from 18 months to 1 day. This woman was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, will now serve one day in jail, down from the original sentence of 18 months.
2. http://www.geraldtan.com/medaffairs/misc-nkf.html - A certain health foundation ran like a for-profit-organization.
4. http://www.asiaone.com/News/The+Straits+Times/Story/A1Story20071108-35171.html - A religious organization under scrutiny
5. http://www.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20080710-75873.html
http://www.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20090111-113780.html
http://www.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20090111-113780.html
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mas_Selamat_bin_Kastari - Terrorist escapes and the people are to be blamed for complacency
7. http://stargaterichgoh.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/134/ - "Sunshine" Conman runs scam repeatedly
AND an extensive list of misappropriation of funds, misuse of authority, gerrymandering and other acts that would never be condoned elsewhere in this world but shrugged off by the "higher echelons" of the society.
AND an extensive list of misappropriation of funds, misuse of authority, gerrymandering and other acts that would never be condoned elsewhere in this world but shrugged off by the "higher echelons" of the society.
The people should not be afraid of their governments, their governments should be afraid of their people. Or so Zorro said (or was it V for Vendetta it didnt matter then and still doesnt matter now). To be really honest I could have written a lengthier and more bothersome post but I decided not to do that since these issues have been blogged to certain deaths (not literally... I hope). So let the links speak for themselves while you be the judge.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
New Ipod Touch with camera and mic?
I really wonder whats the big hype with all the convergence. First Apple decides to come up with the iPod Touch and iPhone, which are essentially the same device (except that the iPod Touch does not come with the call and SMS functions). Then they tag a price premium for iPhone and launches it exclusively by telecommunication operators in different countries/regions. Now it seems that all the bells and whistles of the iPhone (still sans the call/sms function) will be implanted into the next generation of iPod Touch.
Let's take a look at what the current Ipod Touch lacks in comparison to the iPhone:
- Phone (including SMS)
- Camera
- Stocks
- Maps
- Weather
- Notes
Apple addressed this issue with an iPod Touch update that upgrades the device to include the Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes & Weather applications found on the iPhone. The upgrade costs $20 via iTunes. Source: http://www.appleiphonereview.com/reviews/ipod-touch-vs-iphone/
So, how does 1 actually differentiate the two now? I think the wiser choice would be to go for iPod Touch and buy another (cheaper) mobile phone. That is if you like apple. However, if you are a die-hard Apple supporter (or rather, fanboy), I guess you would probably buy the iPhone first THEN maybe get the iPod Touch another day. Personally, I do like iPhone's sleek design, user-friendliness and intuitive interface although I would attribute some of the popularity of Apple's devices to ingenious marketing by Steve Jobs.
I cannot help but bash Apple for their unreplaceable battery issue, which has now probably been forgotten and forgiven by everyone else. (Most mobile gadgets have replaceable batteries which consumers can simply remove the back casing and replace the old battery with a new one)
To me, this is monopolizing/antitrust and an unethical business practice. Definitely Apple would argue that customers will still be able claim the warranties on their devices from the company.
It also leaves consumer with little to no choice other than to 1.) DIY or go to a third party repair shop and risk getting your warranty voided and loss of information due to negligence (remember the Edison Chen saga)? 2.) Bring it to an authorized Apple Care centre for them to replace your set with a refurbished one/replace the battery. However, there is still a likelihood of unnecessary divulgence of personal information. Besides, the warranty must be valid, which otherwise you would need to pay a higher price for replacing your faulty battery.
To me, it is a big issue since I once had a bad experience with an iPod that was out of juice and out of warranty. Battery life is one of my most important criteria in buying a device as I am someone who likes to play safe (Im a worrier by nature and do not want to miss a certain call/song when Im on the move). Therefore, I will not want to get any Apple devices yet... not even with the extra battery pack that sticks out like a sore thumb which also defeats the purpose of iPhone/iPod's sleek design
Source: http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2009/07/22/is-a-new-ipod-touch-with-camera-and-mic-coming-/
It also leaves consumer with little to no choice other than to 1.) DIY or go to a third party repair shop and risk getting your warranty voided and loss of information due to negligence (remember the Edison Chen saga)? 2.) Bring it to an authorized Apple Care centre for them to replace your set with a refurbished one/replace the battery. However, there is still a likelihood of unnecessary divulgence of personal information. Besides, the warranty must be valid, which otherwise you would need to pay a higher price for replacing your faulty battery.
To me, it is a big issue since I once had a bad experience with an iPod that was out of juice and out of warranty. Battery life is one of my most important criteria in buying a device as I am someone who likes to play safe (Im a worrier by nature and do not want to miss a certain call/song when Im on the move). Therefore, I will not want to get any Apple devices yet... not even with the extra battery pack that sticks out like a sore thumb which also defeats the purpose of iPhone/iPod's sleek design
Source: http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2009/07/22/is-a-new-ipod-touch-with-camera-and-mic-coming-/
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
New shopping centres and less personal space
For the benefit of those living in caves or simply holed up at home - ION Orchard is now open.
I havent visited any of these new shopping centres yet - Orchard Central, Tampines One, extended Jurong Point, ION Orchard, ILUMA (?). I have been to Bugis Junction recently and Iluma looked spectacular with flashing lights spelling out "Silver Screen Awards" (or something along that line).
Guys, well most guys, are not avid shoppers who enjoy the experience. I, for one, try to avoid squeezing with the crowd so I plan my shopping trip beforehand. If I decide to get a pair of shoes or a shirt, I would try to go early, or late.
Upon arrival, I would head for the particular section and find my item, browse a while for alternatives and leave. I think shopping is an acquired hobby, especially for guys.. though I do know of a few male friends who like to window shop for clothes and accessories. One of whom can literally spend hours tearing his hair out deciding which T-shirt looks better. Girls, on the other hand, love shopping a lot and that is quite an understatement. I can never fathom how they choose to take a lift for a measely 1-2 flights of stairs but can prance around looking pretty in shopping centres.
I must however, concede that most people who like shopping are usually good looking, well-groomed people who care more than a hoot about their dressing. God must have spent more time on blessing some people with good looks and a hot bod. Needless to say, they are more than often spoilt for choice with the wide selection of clothes and accessories.
Then again I wonder if these shopping centres can actually be profitable with so much competition already in Singapore. Comparing Singapore to Australia, this place is indeed overcrowded and shopping is more than a hassle, in fact, I think it is more of an unpleasant experience (jostling people around, impolite and untrained shop personnel).
On another note, I feel so much constricted and immobile especially in town (well thats what some youngsters call Orchard Road though imo Singapore is a town itself).
Everyone is confined to very little walking space especially during weekends and public holidays and I wonder if it does trigger claustrophobia in certain individuals (half-jokingly). You can hardly move around and I certainly dont recommend bringing young children/elders there during such "peak" periods.
On another note, I feel so much constricted and immobile especially in town (well thats what some youngsters call Orchard Road though imo Singapore is a town itself).
Everyone is confined to very little walking space especially during weekends and public holidays and I wonder if it does trigger claustrophobia in certain individuals (half-jokingly). You can hardly move around and I certainly dont recommend bringing young children/elders there during such "peak" periods.
Singapore is really overcrowded AND overpopulated. I bet many of us want some peace, tranquility and personal space to breathe. Certainly the IR is not going give us that.
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