Term 3 Week 6: Justice and Mercy

I believe that Justice and Mercy can co-exist together as they are mutually exclusive.
To uphold Justice, the court has to abide to the law and prosecute offenders equally regardless of status, race or religion. However, there are other factors that constitute to the severity of a punishment, such as past achievements. Evidently, Justice can exist in the presence of other factors as it is unaffected if these other factors come from external sources.
Mercy is exactly a factor that can cause the punishment of multiple offenders to deviate according to the will of the victim. When the victim determines that the criminal can be forgiven, the court respects his decision and will change the punishment accordingly.
From many past cases, forgiveness will help a criminal in turning over a new leaf, and might even be for the greater good. On the other hand, there will be criminals who abuse this merciful act to relieve themselves from many years in prison, only coming out to become fiends of society, bringing more harm than good.
In my opinion, Justice and Mercy can undoubtedly co-exist, but should be determined based on situation.

Term 3 Week 5: Anti-Semitism

Shakespeare's main intention of creating Shylock, the protagonist, is to showcase the intense prejudice of Jews during the Elizabethan Era through the usage of a whole individual. This way, anti-semitism is brought out in a situation the audience can relate to, and makes his play a whole lot more interesting and convincing.
First, I would like to emphasise the comparison of character between Antonio, a Christian, and Shylock, a Jew. The biggest similarity among both of them is that they are filthy rich and can afford to give huge chunks of their fortune away. However, Antonio is perceived as a sincere and generous good friend, whereas Shylock is presented as a demanding and sly old miser. Of course, their character might have nothing to do with their religion, but this obvious contradiction persists throughout the entire play, indicating the bad nature of Jews.
Also, anti-semitism is shown through the numerous insults and criticisms of Jews by Christians, and is even a common practice throughout most citizens of Venice. It is evident that Christians have a higher status in society than Jews, and look down upon them as 'devils'.
The main reason for anti-semitism to be the theme of this play, 'Mechant of Venice', is most probably to satisfy the monarch of those days, Queen Elizabeth, as she was undeniable prejudiced against Jews. Her laws and policies banished Jews from society, and Shakespeare works on this fact to promote his own play.

Term 3 Week 4: Global Kids

Jim Rogers argues that the American education system is inadequate in preparing the younger generation for the challenges of the 21st century. His inclination is that kids need to be able to think and act through global perspectives.
I agree that 'globalised' kids will prevail in the future, and this is especially so in the interconnected world we live in currently. At the rate of technology advancement, the convenience of sending information from one end of the planet to the other might take less than the blink of an eye. With unimaginable possibilities and undeniable progress, bilingualism and mutual understanding have risen through the ranks to become top priorities in the needs of attaining success. Personal experiences count as a massive factor in helping children achieve such 'globalised' status, as these opportunities present themselves as learning tools for understanding and interaction.
'Teach less, learn more' was a education model Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong proposed many years back. This is the attitude educational institutions should adopt in order to education the younger generation to become independent and globalised learners and leaders.
Success needs motivation, and to find a cause for this drive, one has to feel this need with his heart and soul.

Term 3 Week 3 (Blogging Assignment)

Ultimately, the education system in Singapore is a failure in today’s society. Why? Schools teach students to memorise and express facts in a way too rigid for improvisation, too structured for understanding and creativity. The Singapore’s education system teaches people to accept facts as they are, and not truly understand the reasons behind these curious questions. As a result, what is being taught does not prepare them for the future and as working adults, but rather to get past the O-levels and A-levels to get scholarships to get into prestigious universities. Yet, it is our foundation and the true potential of our inquisitive mind that is compromised.

In fact, I speak from experience even though I am still at a young age of 13 years old. When my mind was developing at an even younger age, I was exceptionally quiet for a kid my age. Unlike many of the playful children that fool around all day, I retreated into my mind and embraced the many wonders around me; there were always an unlimited number of questions racing through my mind. I recall sitting my parents’ car and deriving mathematical questions from the view flashing across the window. Perhaps that is why my favourite subject is Mathematics now; it is the only source of knowledge that I can truly understand the roots of all my questions, because it is simply a matter of right and wrong, without the need to ask an adult.

As a matter of fact, an ideal education is possible, but not realistic in the context of our advanced society. True education is teaching people to be able to think for themselves, not to listen to facts that others have derived many decades, even centuries ago. Human civilization will become obsolete if we continue to follow, not create. Evolution is reliant on the species’ development and environment, and it is absolutely unrealistic to think that the convenience of obtaining knowledge will enable us to realize and find out about the mysteries of the never-ending realm that we live. When we live in such a convenient society where everything can be accessed at our fingertips, laziness will undoubtedly lodge into our daily behaviour.

What saddens me the most is that people invent new technology not for its future progress, but for the convenience it provides that can enable it to dominate in the competitive industries. Now, what use is convenience for in this case? Obviously, the answer is right in front of our eyes. Money is the bane of our quest to obtain knowledge. Knowledge has become a source of money nowadays, not a source of joy and progress. If this continues, our human civilization will be destroyed while threats triumph and we could not care less but fix our gazes on the pursuit of money. We will implode.

Term 3 Week 2 - The Religion of Water

Water, as a necessity for the survival of human beings, has been a hot topic of debate recently, mainly on the status of water on the market as a commodity. Water being an unaffordable daily need might seem unrealistic in the eyes of people like us, who have been living comfortably since young. However, the lack of water has been an increasing huge problem in poor third-world countries. As a result, I feel that water should be made affordable for every single human being as it is our human rights to have access to drinkable water.

Statistics show that approximately 1/8 of people on the planet face a lack of drinkable water in their daily lives. Also, 3.575 million people die each year from water-related disease. These figures show the severity of the situation around the world and these problems have claimed more lives than any disease or wars in history. The only solution to these problems is to recognise water as a human right, instead of a commodity on the market. Take for example the prices of bottled water. They are ridiculously high for countries that do not provide drinkable and filtered tap water. Governments need to take action to provide drinkable tap water, a cheaper source of water. It is to not that water is scarce throughout the world; it is that the access to water has become limited.

It has become a known fact that people living in slums pay 5 times of what people living in the city pay for drinkable water. This vicious cycle can only stop when we unite and take action. Make it a right, for it is right.

Term 3 Week 1 (Blogging Assignment)

Veteran labour leader Halimah Yacob recently called for the legislation of weekly days off for maids working in Singapore. This has sparked off an intense debate amongst Singaporeans. In your opinion, should the giving of weekly days off be legislated in Singapore?

No, the giving of weekly day leave should not be legislated in Singapore. In today’s society, working adults face tighter schedules and less free time because of the high cost of living in Singapore. As a result, many Singaporeans who can afford it hire maids to take care of the house and their children when they are at work. Therefore, these maids are extremely important in the family to ensure that the household is properly taken care of.

Also, the giving of weekly day leave should not be enforced by the law. Instead, this practice should be negotiated between the employers and maids so that they can come to a uniformed decision without disputes and discontent.

Most importantly, some maids do not feel compelled at all to take leave and would rather stay at home to work for that day’s wages because they do not have friends or any interested places to go to. If so, it would be inconsiderate to enforce weekly day leaves on them.

It remains our responsibility to take care of our maids wherever they are, and we should always take their feelings into consideration when introducing new policies involving their lifestyles. To achieve a win-win situation, the best action would be to let the employers and maids come to a consensus on whether a weekly day leave would be beneficial to both parties, and not enforce it upon them. 

Home Based Learning - Task 2

Children in the darkness – Task 2

There are children in the darkness

Who have not seen the light

There are children in the darkness

Who someone will teach to fight

Chalk and blackboards will not be

To this door there is no key

From this life they can not flee

And these children are not free

Could we simply light a candle

Could we give them half a chance

Could we teach them how to read

Could we teach them how to dance

Or will a war consume them

Their body and their soul

Will their life and blood be poured

Down some endless thirsty hole

Back into the darkness

From which there is no flight

Back into the darkness

Into which there shines no light

Point of view

Point:

 The poem is written from the point of view of a person who is more fortunate than those living war conditions and takes pity on them. He is writing through his feelings because he wants his readers to understand what he is feeling and what they should do.

Evidence:

1.      “And these children are not free”

-                      Lack of freedom

2.     “Could we give them half a chance”

-                      They require our help

3.     “Into which there shines no light”

-                      Their future is full of misery

Elaboration:

The misery in the lives of these children cannot be resolved by their own hands, and therefore require the intervention of our help throughout the world.

The poet is trying to spur support for the less fortunate by throwing his own feelings into this masterpiece. This way, readers can fully understand and empathise for a common cause.

Situation and Setting 

Point:

The situation that the poem depicts is the state of children’s lives in war-affected countries.

Evidence:

1.      “There are children in the darkness”

-                      Children living in bad conditions

2.     “Who someone will teach to fight”

-                      Teach the children to survive in times of war

3.     “Or will a war consume them”

-                      The children’s only aim is to survive

Elaboration:

The poem shows how helpless these children are in the battle against war. They do not have a bright future and no choice but to fight hard for their lives. In times of war, the living conditions are terrible and adults are left to no choice but to teach their children to fend for themselves. Even if they survive the war, it has a huge psychological impact on the children, which is irreversible.

Language/Diction

Point:

The poet used metaphors to describe the consequences of war.

Evidence:

1.      “Darkness”

-                      Terrible living conditions with no hope and happiness

2.     “Light”

-                      Glimmer of hope

3.     “Endless thirsty hole”

-                      Sufferings of war

4.     “Flight”

-                      Escape

Elaboration:

The usage of metaphors is commonly used by writers of prose to add ‘colour’ and ‘flavour’ to their writings. By using metaphors, it not only tells the reader what is being described, but also how it is described.

Personal Response

This poem is extremely meaningful and it is truly written from the heart of the poet, describing his feelings and thoughts towards this matter.

His purpose of writing this is poem is admirable – to raise awareness among those who are more fortunate to provide help and support for those who suffer in war.

Home Based Learning - Task 1

Children in the darkness – Task 1

There are children in the darkness

Who have not seen the light

There are children in the darkness

Who someone will teach to fight

Chalk and blackboards will not be

To this door there is no key

From this life they can not flee

And these children are not free

Could we simply light a candle

Could we give them half a chance

Could we teach them how to read

Could we teach them how to dance

Or will a war consume them

Their body and their soul

Will their life and blood be poured

Down some endless thirsty hole

Back into the darkness

From which there is no flight

Back into the darkness

Into which there shines no light

This poem, titled “Children in the darkness”, depicts the consequences of war that stretches not only to the current generation but to the younger generations and their children.  It is written in such a way that the poem brings out the sufferings of war, specifically the limited options of the citizens to prepare themselves for blood and gore, the citizens’ desperate call for help, and the ugly future that lay ahead of them, by using descriptive language to explain the situation.

In the first stanza, the poet describes the present global situation of under-privileged children suffering under the violence of war. Darkness represents a sense of hopelessness and being trapped in their misery. The last line of the first stanza is the first hint in the whole poem that the poet is writing under the situation of war.

In the second stanza, the main focus is the children in war-affected countries. It gives a comparison of children in war zones with normal children living in peaceful countries. Unlike what we take for granted, the children do not have a choice to pursue any form of education and all their life revolves around trying to survive. The demoralizing thing is, they do not have a choice to choose their futures and can only suffer in silence.

In the third stanza, the poet gives examples about the pleasures in life that these children should be enjoying, instead of cowering in fear for every minute of their lives. It pricks our conscience, compelling us to take action and make their lives easier. Also, it enhances the comparison between the normal lives of children to those in war-affected countries.

In the fourth stanza, it depicts a scene of the most possible future for the children living in war-affected countries and the amount of suffering they have to endure, possibly to the extent of death. Regardless of their victory or defeat in war, the consequences that remain are immeasurable and will affect the generations to come indefinitely.

In the last stanza, it relates back to the first stanza to sum up all the main focus of the poem. In fact, these two stanzas can be combined as a summary of the situation in war-affected countries.

This poem attempts to provoke our feelings, motivating us to take action and save these children from their misery. It is clearly stated in the poem that these children do not have freedom or an alternative path in their lives, and perhaps it is the author’s intention to invoke our pity to donate help to these less fortunate people. 

Does nuclear energy still have a part to play in the world?

The words 'nuclear plant' seem to have become synonymous with 'danger zone', mostly caused by the sudden destruction of Fukushima, Japan by the earthquake and tsunami, and now, its nuclear power plant is not spared either. This has resulted in some discussions on whether Singapore should continue to undertake the construction of a nuclear power plant.

Personally, I feel that building a nuclear power plant in Singapore is no problem, other than the fact that it requires large land space, which we are lacking. The nuclear crisis in Chernobyl and Japan are basically caused by natural disasters which do not occur in Singapore because of our geographical location. Also, these two nuclear power plants have been built decades ago, when the safety precautions and technology were not as advanced as today. 

Building nuclear power plants is a solution to the constant reduction of natural gas and fuels that power up the entire world. When all the natural resources have been used up in the next century, the only way to provide enough electricity is the dependence of nuclear power plants. Undoubtedly, other forms of fuels have been discovered and are developing, such as biofuels, but they still require much research before they can be used and obtained universally.

Nuclear energy is inevitable in the future. It is unwise to jeopardize the hopes of our future, controlled by fears that exist unnecessarily.

Term 2 Lesson 2: War - A personal Response

There was no way anybody could see through the clouded path ahead, but yet their advance through the debris was fuelled by the will to survive, strengthened by the fear of impending doom in the darkness behind. The dust in the air acted as a veil, shrouding the light coming from somewhere miles away, but no matter how small that hope may be, the civilians fought as hard as they could to find a sanctuary among the chaos and pandemonium. The houses at the sides of the roads let out an eerie and ghostly aura, with its tattered windows and broken doors. They looked ready to collapse anytime, destroying its surrounding area, along with any living souls in it.

The only emotion that took control of the people was fear, and relied on basic instincts to run as far as possible. Adrenaline enabled them to overcome their limits; there was only one priority in their current predicament - to survive.

The destruction caused by the numerous bombings and sieges was beyond devastation. Fatalities have clocked above 6 digits, nobody knew where their friends and family were, and all that they had prided and cherished was lost. It was a permanent scar in the history of Ireland, for generations of civilians and soldiers have been affected. Many generations of historical artefacts have been lost, lost with the wind. Food was scarce, and people were on the verge of death.

Who long will it take to recover its previous prosperity? Will the pioneers of the country be able to control the situation?

Term 2 Online Lesson 1: Crisis in Japan

Dear Bob,

How are you? It has been a devastating week here in Tohoku. I don't even know how to describe the scene here in Japan. Everything that Japan has achieved in the previous years has been destroyed and demolished, just in the matter of a few minutes! The anguish Japan and its people are facing is something unimaginable, and I really have no idea how we are going to comeback from this magnitude of destruction throughout Southern Japan.

After spending two years in the same hostel as me, you should understand that I was never a man suited for bravado or danger. Fortunately, when the 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck, I was scared stiff. Everything around me was shaking as if they were about to drop any second. I immediately crawled under my dining table to avoid getting hit by any objects. Indeed, within the next minute, all my precious family photos had smashed to smithereens after falling from the cabinets. I heard screams and shouts coming from my neighbours, but I managed to decipher some words among the chaos, such as "get out" and "evacuate". Instantly, I used my hands to cover my head while I ran as fast as I could through the reigning pandemonium. I followed the huge and hysteric crowd heading towards the evacuation shelter.

It was literally like sardines in a can at the limited space in the shelter. There were hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people scrambling around, unable to calm down. There were also older citizens who fell sick in the midst of the craziness.

Life is harder than you can imagine. I don't even want to think about the devastation created from the aftermath of the earthquake. The tsunami has swept the blood and tears of our hard work for many years. To recover from this level of destruction, Japan has to really maximise everything they can to salvage the situation.

Please help Japan. Every amount of help is appreciated, not matter how small it is. Right now, I don't even know what will happen in the next 24 hours, or whether this letter will successfully be mailed to wherever you are now.

Japan is left in the hands of the world now.

Best Wishes,
Suzuki Atamoko

Comments on Blog Posts

On Phineas' blog post regarding the school track:


It is no doubt that being a tracker has been your passion for a long time, so never say never and train harder than ever since the track has been changed. Adaption is a way of success in life and I hope you manage to overcome all endeavours you encounter on the track, be it standing on the podium or crying your heart out at a nearby bench, because you are already a winner to be able to achieve your passion.


On Pei Yu's blog post regarding Prejudice and Discrimination:


I feel that discrimination is a more common problem between boys, as you have stated, 'defamation, entertainment, political purposes', because we study in a boy's school.
Through psychological studies, scientists realise that females are more empathetic than males, and that is exactly the reason why children are more attached to their mothers than fathers.

However, discrimination cannot be solved, and this is because it is human nature to be selfish. Why are the people in Africa suffering from starvation right this minute? Why are there children in African dying from malaria every 2 seconds? Yet, when you pay thousands of the dollars for a plane ticket to Bali for a week of relaxing and sunbathing in the beautiful scenery of the blue waters, there is no guilt in your actions. Some people call it 'indulging in simple pleasures of life', but right on the other side of the spectrum, there are activists doing whatever they can to save as many lives as they can.

I do not deny that it is inevitable that selfishness is present in every living soul, but we should always try our best to do what we can to open our hearts and be selfless.


On  Chun Yuen's comic strip:


I feel that the slogan of 'I am human, we are the same' is right in terms of humanity. However, we have to accept the fact that it is not so in reality, especially when we grow up to be adults and become a bigger part of the society.

In many cases, people feel that equality means having the same status, same benefits etc. However, that would seem more to be communism.
I think that equality is a concept of life in which we have to achieve through means which may be biased, but if everybody is equal in life, then it would be like living for the sake of passing time, without challenges and endeavors ahead.

Point of view in Narrative Writing

Types of Points of Views:
1) First person - Writer puts himself in the shoes of the main character and uses the word 'I' throughout the story.
2) Second person - Writer adopts the use of 'you' throughout the story where the feelings and emotions are decided by the reader's view of the matter.
3) Third person - Writer is basically a puppeteer controlling all the characters, their emotions, actions and thoughts are free to be shared.
    1. Omniscient - Knows everything that is going on, and able to show the feelings, emotions and thoughts of any character the writers wants to talk about.
    2. Limited Omniscient - Only able to access the thoughts of a specific character, usually the protagonist, and allows the readers to ask questions about the rest of the characters.
    3. Objective - Tells a story based on what is happening and never goes into characters in depth to describe their thoughts or feelings.

From the short video clip on Dead Poets Society:
Headmaster: Glad to see the students in the hall behave in a respectful and orderly manner which showcases the practice of the school motto of 'Vision, Honour, Discipline, Excellence'. This will give the new students a good impression of what the school will hope to achieve in them for the next few years. Also, after this ceremony, the parents should be assured of their children's well-being in this school, allowing them to stay in the school hostel.
Teacher(Mr. John Keating): I am honoured to step into this school, just look at the grandeur of the school compound! The students look ready to uphold their school motto of 'Vision, Honour, Discipline, Excellence', and this will make my teaching very much easier. The new students look pleasant enough to give me a good teaching experience in this new school, compared to my previous school, Chester School. I guess I can't choose my pupils, so I will just cross my fingers and wish for the best.

defamation, entertainment, political purposes etc

defamation, entertainment, political purposes etc

Reflections

I have learnt the way to write more variety of prose, from compositions to essays to poems and now short stories. I feel that this has help uncover some of the potential in classmates who have a flair in writing. Not only that, after learning techniques of analysing stories, we will be able to absorb the content of literature more effectively.
I find the lessons exceptionally engaging because of the numerous group discussions, but it can be improved if focus more on literature instead of answering techniques, if not the lessons will be quite repeated.
I like the idea of using a blog as a big part of our learning because if is extremely related to the future school program we are adapting to.

Description of photo using literary devices

It seems as if Death stood before the majestic doors; most students dreaded every single step toward it, for it trapped you in an inescapable maze, yet it was the inevitable truth that everybody had to face it one day.

Many do not see or recognize the significance of those words encrypted on the slab of stone, which give us pride and honor to be able to study in this school. It has become no surprise that students grow unappreciative of their privileged status, for the society takes this goodness for granted.

The stone is a living memory: it started off as nothing more than something common in nature millions of years ago, but now has a purpose and serves with pride. It is just like the stages in our lives. Right now, we are building the foundation of our lives, training us to become successful adults in the future, who have the abilities to support ourselves for the rest of our lives and let our pride and honor be a guide for the future.

Term 1 Week 4 Assignment

The reason I chose this place of the school is because I will see it every morning when I enter the school and this relates to my identity such that I feel the sense of belonging in the school, and understands that every single student is an asset of the school regardless of conduct or results. As long as you wear the school uniform, the school has responsibility for you and therefore, we should not spoil the school's reputation by fooling around in public. School is like our second home, especially now when we spend more time in school than anywhere else.

Home-based Learning - Comic Strip

This comic strip is done by me to showcase prejudice and discrimination in reality.

I chose these two characters specifically because they have a huge contrast but yet, one similarity. So, I exploited the similarity to showcase how futile prejudice is because you will only be stooping lower than the person's moral levels if you discriminate him.

Prejudice and Discrimination - Where is the Love

After listening to the song 'Where is the Love by Black Eyed Peas', I realise the effect of Prejudice and Discrimination on this world. As the song states in numerous examples, the result of prejudiced mindsets and discrimination of any sort will only create hatred among opposite parties, destroying the warmth of humanity bit by bit.

Where is the love? Terrorism exists in reality. Racism can be seen in many aspects of life despite human rights. Sexism still exists in third-world countries. And why do these law-breakers escape their punishment? Well, most of them are hidden behind the internet shield, what can we do?

And thus, I hope the pleas of disadvantaged people will be hear throughout the world, and empathised upon.
Let us, the more fortunate, improve the lives of these people by spreading the message and abiding to it.

Justin Bieber - Pray (Its impact on me)

Justin Bieber's recent song 'Pray' has become quite the sensation among teenage girls with his somewhat manlier yet calming voice. However, I am not going to talk about how the song is nice to listen to, but the meaning behind this song. 

In America's music industry today, popular singers are mostly part of the 'Illuminati', a word used mostly by netizens, for singers who sing meaningless songs with their fascinating background music as attraction. Therefore, I have to point out this song by Justin Bieber, for the heartening message it brings out. 

The song is telling us to 'pray' for the people out who are less fortunate than us, who do not have a nice house to live in, or a prosperous government who can care for them. Not only that, but we should also try our best, be it donating money, showing care for them, as long as the thought counts, to help them.

This song has reminded me to be thankful for what I have and not take everything for granted. Let us make our society a better place to live in by appreciating what others do for us!