It is interesting to note that most of the furore over my post on "Corporate Philantrophy" is over what I wrote on the sidenote, on the apathy of Singapore University Students.
Most responses are (i guess) from students defending themselves, saying that I have somehow wronged them. Most seemed to have little to say about my main topic. Which seems to prove my point.
Ok, I might have tarred the whole bunch with the same brush. I know some who are actively doing a part in contributing to the rescue efforts, but lets not kid ourselves into beliving that they are the rule, not the exception.
see this
post:
Four reasons (from the above link) are given for being labelled as apathetic:
1) don't know what to say
2) too much media coverage already. nobody likes to be a parrot.
3) better to do something than to say something
4) really can't be bothered.
Lets examine the reasons:
1. If you don't know what to say, and have not a single opinionated bone in your body, do you feel sad for yourself? I feel sorry for you, and for the failure of the education system.
2. No one wants you to be a parrot, I hope you at least show some original/critical thinking. If not, please state your honest opinion. Having no opinion does not count, sorry.
3. Yes, of course, better to do something than say something. But again, cases of people actually doing something are at the minority. I cannot disprove or prove this reason is right.
4. If you can't be bothered, then I rest my case...
I have nothing against writing about your daily life in your blog, by all means do so. But please, for such a large catastrophic event so near home, it does not seem deserving a mention in most blogs.
Ok, some treat their blogs as their diary. But if blogs are to be a chronicle of your life, a bank for your memories, do you want to mark boxing day (day of the tsunami) as the day you took your dog out for a walk or (- enter some unimportant activity) ? Why are most blogs I see so short in
substance and so lacking in gravitas?
If as some say, that blogs are not a reflection of real life, then I have to take whatever you write in your blog with a pinch of salt.
i leave you with this choice quote from the
link:
"i still do hold some hope for singaporean students. we're a stressed bunch of people. people expect us to be too many things at the same time, sometimes. it simply isn't human."
So stressed that you ignore the biggest disaster so near us? Ok whatever, I hope I am not your neighbour next time.
Blogs are (i hope) supposed to spread ideas, a soapbox for your opinions.
It is sad that most are proud to have no opinions of their own. For those who are not, I am proud and happy that people like this still exist. I hope to be your friend.
Note that I am a Singaporean University Student myself.
This will be my last word on the tsunami, unless there is something worth writing about.
edit: the author of the
post i referenced was just thinking aloud about what could be the possible reasons for such apathy. He says he is not apathetic.
