Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Childish voices
I know I'm late, but take a look at this.How childish!
And to think he added one more to his pockets yesterday.
Who does he think he is? Curse and it will come true? *shake head*
Max childish. >.<
posted by QueenPig @ 10:41 PM
0 Comments
Friday, July 10, 2009
Yet another earthquake in China...
Yes, another earthquake hit China, Yunnan province yesterday, slightly more than a year after the May 12 Sichuan earthquake last year.Measuring 5.7 on the Ritcher scale, it destroyed more than 10,000 homes and left hundreds of people injured.
posted by QueenPig @ 8:39 AM
0 Comments
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Another death...
Here goes another Chinese guy from EEE who hanged himself dead.I can't help but be reminded of what I learnt previously about Werther Effect. You can read more about it here.
To put it simply, Werther Effect predicts that following a highly publicised suicide in the media (the stabbing incident was front-page news!), there will be a shocking increase in similar suicides from people with similar backgrounds in the week that follows. The first peak is on the 7th day and the second peak on the 11th.
In this case, today is the 5th. Will we see more of these?
Responsibility, people.
Labels: China, news, NTU, school, Singapore, Werther Effect
posted by QueenPig @ 3:30 PM
0 Comments
Friday, March 06, 2009
This is the reason why news reporters need to be extra responsible and ethical
With response to the stabbing-suicide incident, there has been a spike in debates on how transparent and responsible the media is in covering the story.Apparently, an Indonesian friend of David stepped out and clarified (or make it more confused) the situation. In essence, there is a divergence in the story provided by his friend and the news media.
Usually, the stories in the news are seldom doubted by the readers. We place almost 100% trust in what the reports say. There is no room for guessing -- we expect 100% facts, no speculation whatsoever. After all, isn't the media supposed to be objective? Isn't the media supposed to be the watchdog which bites back on untruths? Isn't the media supposed to serve the readers?
The amount of trust the readers place upon news media should not and cannot be misplaced and abused. In the past, maybe, but not now. The once gullible, all-believing readers can now turn to other sources.
With the emergence of new media, it is now even harder to "cover the fire with paper". 纸是包不住火的。
And whether or not the trust relationship of the news media and the readers has been abused, only time will tell. This trust, if misplaced, is hard to rebuild.
Media, beware!
Labels: Indonesia, news, NTU, school, Singapore
posted by QueenPig @ 11:40 AM
0 Comments
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
FYP stands for...
... Final Year Project.But after the gruesome incident at NTU, it may jolly well mean Finish Your Professor (thanks to Dajie).
Others include Four Years Passed (finally!), Five Year Plan (retain another year!), Find Your Partner (marriage?), Find Your Professor (they went into hiding!), F*** Your Partner/Professor (sex for relief), For Your Pleasure (kinda sadistic here...) etc!
What does FYP mean to you?
Labels: news, school, Singapore, WKWSCI
posted by QueenPig @ 3:25 PM
0 Comments
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Men out there...
Which of your finger, the ring or the index fingers are longer?Recent research showed that men with longer ring fingers tend to be more successful financially.
Now, we all know how bored researchers are, finding out this kind of information.
And I bet you guys out there are comparing your fingers! Man, are you bored! :P
posted by QueenPig @ 1:25 AM
0 Comments
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Spider with 7 legs
A man tried to use an electronic drawing of a 7-legged spider to pay his utilities bill!And then the drawing was placed for bidding at ebay! It's selling for thousands!
But the person who won the bid refuses to pay up. Ebay says it's a valid and legally binding contract, though the man disagrees.
It's pretty troubling for the guy, but it's quite funny for the rest of us, isn't it? ^^
posted by QueenPig @ 11:59 PM
0 Comments
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Charisma
I have a new research idea!As we all know, Obama won the elections right? Given all the odds, he's being supported by organisations, media and the people of America. Heck, even out of US, people support him!
But what are the reasons behind his success?
Is it the solid arguments he gave, if any?
Is it the words he use to elicit emotions, hope and beliefs?
Or is it just a pure charisma at work?
Content analyse, babes! ^^
P.S. Some, like Scott Adams and Xiaxue (credibility not taken into account) described a vague feeling of discomfort. It's really worth looking into, isn't it? There are times when the herd follows a leader to prosperity, but there are also times when they head to the hallows for mass slaughter.
Labels: news, Obama, school, US
posted by QueenPig @ 4:08 PM
0 Comments
Monday, November 10, 2008
Euthanasia
Euthanasia, or mercy killing, is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable disease or in an irreversible coma.There was quite a buzz on this topic in Singapore as Health Minister brought the topic of legalizing it into consideration. Euthanasia is illegal in Singapore and in most other countries.
The same debate, pro-life or pro-choice can arise for this topic (similar to abortion). But pro-choice can only be used as an argument if the patient choose to die.
However, even this is fundamentally flawed. For one very simple reason, it is based on the assumption that as individuals, we should be responsible for ourselves.
*Just a note before I continue, I admit that many times, I am rigid in terms of morals and ethics. A wrong is a wrong, regardless of the circumstances. But the wrongness of a wrong (what a mouthful) will vary, depending on the intention, means and other factors.*
Yes, I agree that we should be responsible for ourselves. However, responsibility does not entail the rights to take away lives. Not somebody's else's, and not the self.
Why is this so?
We all agree that taking somebody else's life (aka murder) is wrong. It can then be inferred simply that taking a life is wrong. Why would it even matter whether if that life is your own?
Truth to be said, if we are really responsible for our lives, we should live it to the fullest, be the most mindful that we can be, and constantly strive to be the best, even at the doors of death.
If we are really responsible for our lives, we should be courageous in facing it, and urge others around us to do the same.
If we are really responsible for our lives, we should not shrink away from it. Especially not by choosing the easy way out - death.
That said, quality of life can be enhanced even at the death bed. If one can talk, one can educate the others around him/her. If one can't even communicate (i.e. coma), then such education, if possible, should be done prior to the unfortunate long sleep. If it was an accident, then the role falls on others to polish and educate.
Every circumstance and situation is a chance and opportunity to be a better self, to discover the meaning to life. It should not be treated lightly and cast aside carelessly.
Yes, we talk about the patient leading a 'meaningless' life. We talk about the patient being a burden to society and those around him/her. But humans are not a mean to pleasure. Should we even treat ourselves purely as a pleasure-seeker?
To end off, if committing suicide is against the law in this country, I see absolutely no reasons why euthanasia should be legalised.
The real pro-choice, is to choose the right choices NOW. Lead a beautiful life!
Labels: Euthanasia, news, Singapore
posted by QueenPig @ 1:24 AM
6 Comments
Thursday, November 06, 2008
The power of Obama
Yay! I'm so happy Obama won! I wanted to blog about this yesterday but was too busy.And hey! Look at the power of Obama! The Asian stock market is on its highest in three weeks!
I'm looking forward to more good news! As Obama said, "We'll get there!"
Labels: news, Obama, Singapore
posted by QueenPig @ 6:04 AM
0 Comments
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Economic Plan
The US economy is down.The UK economy is down.
The Asian economy is also down.
We hear promises of tax cuts, interest rates reduction and more, but such actions (some to the extent of drastic, I would say, for certain economy type) may make things worse. Perhaps, the best economic plan now is to address the confidence issue.
The question is, how?
Where did you get your news from? Newspapers? Television newscasts? Online?
Perhaps it's time for some 'developmental media' to work it's magic together with the governments all over the world.
That, of course, is based on the assumption that most of us are vulnerable to media influences. :)
Labels: economy, news, random, US
posted by QueenPig @ 2:10 AM
0 Comments
Monday, October 13, 2008
Noah's Ark
The New Paper on Sunday published an article on this Dutch man who built a Noah's Ark.Don't you think this resembles alot like the movie, Evan Almighty?
posted by QueenPig @ 10:44 AM
0 Comments
Friday, September 19, 2008
What do you wish to see?
Referring to this case, the subject in question, Gopalan Nair was sentenced to 3 months in prison. For more, click here.We learnt in Media Law class defamation and their defences.
I have absolutely no doubt that Justice Belinda Ang Saw Ean's reputation was hurt when Nair commented that she was 'prostituting' herself in court. Of course, he didn't mean it as real prostitution, but any 'right-thinking member of the society' would have linked her with some sort of relationship with the Lees.
So there's defamation, but are there any defences?
Truth? It's almost impossible to determine if what he said was true (or false). But given the legal and political system set up, the basic assumption is that the court will uphold justice and therefore, Nair's comment is fundamentlly false without evidence.
Fair comment? I don't think so. Neither do I think that there's any privilege, both absolute and qualified, in this situation.
Law aside, Nair said he'll appeal and that he had no regrets (although he said he could have "moderated" his language). This particularly, struck me as jarring.
The maximum sentence was a year with a fine. Is three months enough for him? What then do you think should be a sufficient enough punishment, not considering the fact that he is now a US citizen and Singapore might need to maintain healthy relations?
Labels: news, school, Singapore, WKWSCI
posted by QueenPig @ 7:18 AM
0 Comments
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
May peace reign over Buddha's head
An ancient 'sleeping Buddha' was found in Afghanistan!May the love and peace continue to spread far and wide! ^^
posted by QueenPig @ 9:08 PM
0 Comments
Friday, June 06, 2008
Press Freedom?
For those who are following the news, Nair is now currently on bail.Compare and contrast the stories: CNA and Yahoo!
I can only say that, if Nair has any evidence or concrete proof that Justice Belinda Ang Saw Ean "was throughout prostituting herself during the entire proceedings, by being nothing more than an employee of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his son and carrying out their orders", there'll be no charges against him.
Unfortunately, a man as old as him is certainly not as wise. (Do I even need to support this? If he is wise, he wouldn't have said such baseless accusations.) What's more, he was a Singaporean, and he was a former Workers' Party candidate!
If the Singapore's opposition party members continue to act in this manner, it's little wonder why people doesn't vote for them (albeit there's an increase). The aunties and uncles may not know what press freedom etc we're talking about, but seeing the kind of 'claims', for lack of a better word, made by the opposition is enough to be a turn-off. For me, at least.
That said, I think the US-based press freedom watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)'s concern over this case is more 'unwarranted' than Singapore's detention of Gopalan Nair.
1. I wouldn't consider Nair a journalist. If he is one, that is really an insult to all the journalists in the word. Where's the research and objectivity? Enough said.
2. CPJ said, "Freedom to criticise the judiciary is fundamental to a modern society. This case illustrates the Singapore government's ongoing commitment to silencing opposition voices both in print and online."
Once again, freedom to criticise the judiciary is one thing, it's another issue altogether when one attempts to link the judiciary to the party in office, makes personal attacks of the integrity of the judge, both on baseless grounds.
Furthermore, the link made between the judiciary to whatever the government do, true or not, to "silence opposition voices" is weak. It's so faint and ridiculous that I believe any critical reader will be able to point out that CPJ seems to already have made their own 'judgement' to the case. Who are they, judges?
The case here is not for them to judge if we have press freedom or not. They will probably have a stronger stand if they are fighting for freedom of speech instead. If the press is to be made up of bloggers, who are 101% prone to their own biased opinions and incomplete information, I'll be pretty disappointed. (I'm not saying all bloggers are biased and have incomplete information. I'm just saying MOST of us are. Maybe you can go do a survey on how many bloggers search thoroughly for information. I bet most write based on their own experience, supported by their own experience of, e.g., good and bad service.)
And I'm not spared from this either. So, if you have read thus far, do be warned that the above is my own opinions of the issue.
Be a smart reader.
posted by QueenPig @ 9:42 AM
0 Comments
Monday, June 02, 2008
More earthquakes
You know, I didn't exactly go looking for earthquake news, but there seems to be a surge of strong quakes recently that I can't seem to ignore.Here's one more at Philippines and Taiwan, measuring 6.4.
And here's another at Taipei, measuring 6.0.
Labels: news, Philippines, Taipei, Taiwan
posted by QueenPig @ 11:09 AM
0 Comments
Sunday, May 25, 2008
70 000 homes 'damaged'
If you think the 7.8 Sichuan earthquake damaged everything there is, you're wrong.There's futher damage by the 5.8 (or some say 6.4) aftershock at Sichuan today.
Goodness grace, when will this stop? >.<
On a different note, the 3-day torch relay orginally planned in Tibet will be shortened to 1. Deliberate or convenient sacrificial?
posted by QueenPig @ 11:28 PM
0 Comments
Thursday, May 22, 2008
How small are you?
CNN reports that the explosive death of a star was caught on film.Apparently, all stars will die someday. It suddenly dawned upon me that the Sun, too, will die. Maybe in a few hundreds or thousands million years later.
A long time, yes. But death is eventual.
What will become of Earth then?
This explosive death reminds me of something. Things may just happen. It's nature. It's a cycle, and in a cycle, there's no start or end.
And it applies for Earth too, I think.
According to Buddhism, it is of little value to debate over how the world started. It's all part of Samsara.
But it does make a difference when you realise we are, but one small insignificant speck in the vast universe. And we haven't even talk about other universes.
And what a chaotic speck we are. Often clashing, often fighting, often at conflicts.
Where is the peace that all of us seek?
We say, we have weapons to protect ourselves. But if none of us have weapons, we can't hurt each other and there'll be no need for weapons.
We say, we fight for truth and justice. But the real truth needs no fighting and is always self-standing.
We say, we execute to have peace. But peace is when we let go of anger and hatred and any ill-feelings - only then can we have peace.
The difference between a dog fight and a war or between two groups of people is only in its organisation.
All these fights... there are all within our minds, right? Second guessing, precaution, attacking as defending... it's all in the mind.
We say, scientific development. But where is the development when all we 'develop' is weapons of mass destruction that aims to kill more faster?
It's time.
To realise how small we are.
To realise that we need to stop.
To realise that what the world is doing is not helping.
Before it's too late.
Before WW3 really start.
Before the Earth is gone before the Sun goes poof.
Labels: Buddhism, emo, life, news, religion
posted by QueenPig @ 11:58 AM
0 Comments
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Earth is breaking apart
Here's another major earthquake, this time at Sumatra, Indonesia. It showed 6.1 on the Ritcher scale.Luckily, there's no reported damage or casualities.
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Myanmar too had their share of 3-days of mourning. But contrast that with the mourning in China, we can already guess how much resentment there are among the Burmese.
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Meanwhile, it seems that Chinese has a amazing will to live. More than a week after the terrible earthquake at Sichuan, there are still survivors being found, albeit tapering off. Here's an account of one survivor. The death toll now tops at 40 000.
As China struggles to house her homeless quake victims, all of us looking at this webpage are probably seated in a comfy chair, with a solid roof over our heads, as well as knowledge that food and water is within reach.
With more calls for help, shouldn't we all do something?
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It is extremely depressing to read the news. While we have unavoidable natural disasters taking thousands of lives away, we have people fighting each other and have no idea how precious life is.
Although I personally do not believe the John Titor story fully, but it seems highly probably that if we continue to live the way we are living now, doomsday is not far from us.
The Earth is breaking apart without our help. We have done enough to destroy it, but when we start to learn to clear our own shit?
To end off, here's a verse for thought:
If you observe the tree or the grass,
Without knowing it, they exhibit different types and kinds.
There are many different species.
Then observe beetles and moths or small insects like ants;
They exhibit different types and kinds.
There are many different species.
And in the four-footed creatures, both great and small,
They exhibit different types and kinds.
There are many different species.
Observe creatures that crawl on their bellies, snakes and reptiles,
They exhibit different types and kinds.
There are many different species.
Observe fish and those that have the water as their home;
They exhibit different types and kinds.
There are many different species.
Observe birds on the wings, those that travel through the sky.
They too exhibit different types and kinds.
There are many different species.
In these creatures types and kinds can be seen;
In humans no such types or kinds can be seen.
Not in hair or head, not in ears or eyes,
Not in mouth or nose, lips or eyebrows
Is there any great difference.
Not in neck or shoulder, not in abdomen or chest,
Not in genitals is there any great difference.
Not in hands or feet, not in fingers or nails,
Not in calves, thighs or complexion
Are there different types or kinds as there are with other creatures.
Human types do not differ greatly as other species do.
The differences between humans are only differences of convention.
Sn.601-611
Labels: China, Indonesia, John Titor, life, Myanmar, news, Singapore
posted by QueenPig @ 9:44 AM
0 Comments
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A rainbow from you, a school for them
Hi all,Please put a rainbow in your MSN nick! $0.20 RMB will be donated (I have no idea why it's RMB)! The money will go towards the building of a school called 彩虹学校 for the little children in Sichuan. They lost their school, their teacher and many of their schoolmates.
They need a future.
And the future lies in your nick! ^^
Labels: China, news, random, Shanghai, Singapore
posted by QueenPig @ 5:20 PM
0 Comments
