Acts done, going to Romans

We finished with the Acts of the Apostles last week. I often told them that they can easily find maps of Paul's travels in the region on the Web. Here is an excellent one.

One of them took the initiative to read my copy of Walter Wangerin's, 'Paul: A Novel'. I had it for years but hasn't read it yet. I would have gotten to it sooner if there was a Kindle version.

This Sunday, we return to Romans because I have been referring to it on many occasions in the last few months.


Another time, another place, we shall visit Acts again.

The meaning of Wukan

I wouldn't be surprised that careers of many high ranking officials in the party are at risk because of this. What's new? Only the attire and technology reflect modern times. The habits and ways are as ancient as those of imperial times.

The rise of China is not a foregone conclusion. Historically, she has been too capable of shooting herself in the foot.

SMRT: 3 days, two major breakdowns

Two days ago a major segment of the Circle Line broke down. This evening there was no train service during rush hour between Bishan and Marina Bay Station.

Our MRT system has become a laughing stock. At this rate every commuter would wonder if it can reliably take us anyway without incident.

Commuters must be so frustrated to break a train window to let in air.

Most aggravating there is little transparency or accountability. The system is not going to improve for a long time to come!

Where is the CEO? Where is the leadership?



Update: The next day afternoon, SMRT CEO offers her apology

Sedlacek's book won

Two books  competing for my time. Tomas Sedlacek's, "Economics of Good and Evil : The Quest for Economic Meaning from Gilgamesh to Wall Street" won. I am going to get the Kindle copy to marked up and heavily annotate.

In my view, "Reinventing the Bazaar" is a lightweight, unnecessary book.

As much as possible, I would like to go to the bedrock of Economics. Sedlacek's book would be a good start. I have enjoyed Niall Ferguson's writings, and I think Sedlacek goes further.

'O' Levels Physics

This succinctly put is the outcome of my daughter two years of  learning Physics for the 'O' Levels exams. Her school doesn't teach her such values of the subject. They are picked up outside the classroom. She was taught mainly by teachers with an engineering background. You need a more thoughtful approach to arrive here. The path did not begin in school but in our excellent NLB libraries.

Physics

Physics is a magician

Of my imagination

A box of many presents

Some which I can’t open at present

Sometimes it’s like fireworks

That dance to your hearts delight

Sometimes it’s like a gentle stream

Slowly turning darkness into light

At times I am tempted

To call it an imp

Who delights in torturing me

With its many whims

What was complex is simple

What looks right is wrong

Mathematics is a tool

But even that can be wrong

Yet at other times it’s delightful

As it opens up your mind

To what could be the treasures

In this universal mine

It has thoughts so deep

That they are deeper than the sea

When your mind can’t grasp

What you seem to see

So that’s why I call physics a present

One that that never ends

Because until you know everything

There’s still some treasure left 

Copyright © 2011 by May Kwek

Amazon and the ISA

Our brains, or may be it is just mine that makes associations where there are supposedly none?

I have bought technical insurance against the day when Amazon fails and I have a ton of their ebooks in their proprietary format.

Amazon has recently become the baddie. It is underhanded to encourage book buyers to browse in the stores but buy at Amazon. When I buy my books from Amazon, I don't browse at the stores. Let's play fair. Would we? At least, would the Americans which are their main customers.

It is really up to consumers to decide. Likewise it was really up to us voters to decide if our ISA stays in its current form. A clever government is wise enough to recognize the faint line in the sand and be careful not to cross it. In the end it is a minority and long suffering voice asking for the repeal of the ISA here.

What is permitted in business, the banks and government is ultimately admitted by us. Eloquently written articles like this one in the NYT is not going to change anything unless it is able to resonate with consumers. As I pondered how Walmart rose to the behemoth and bully it is today, I see no reason why Amazon would not also similarly rise.

If you want to open a bookstore, occupy those spaces that Amazon by virtue of its size and feeding habits must leave you alone.

May the world be spotted with many niches even as the large open spaces are occupied by bullying giants. Beyond books, Singapore society will also need little pockets of freedoms beyond the reach and interest of government. We can't plan the future, but we must be open minded to other forms of social organization and the political economy that is completely unrecognizable now. Where can they arise from except from permitted humble niches today. We compromise our long term viability if the ISA turns out to be an effective inhibitor of such activities. As it is, I don't think so. After all they cannot be recognized as threats in their present form.

For my kids: Communication skills

Communication skills would, if not already become the most vital skill today. Not just knowing how to speak or write clearly, but also persuasively and succinctly.

Even if you aren't the leader, you need to be effective and efficient communicating with your leaders.

There are no exceptions.

It would not stop at language, but the whole works.

If you can master the art of the soundbite, it has the highest potential for your message to go viral.

These union leaders and politicians are over worked using old methods in new situations. I hope they understand they need to be other worldly imaginative now.