Wednesday, November 15, 2006

On Naivety

Princeton Uni professor Harry Frankfurt has come out with a new book called On Truth after his On Bullsh*t became an unexpected hit. I haven't seen the Truth book yet, but Stephen Colbert's On Truthiness might just as as informative. Today, we shall look at a new pamphlet called On Naivety, something that speaks the truth to a lot of us, I reckon. From the ST:
Opposition MPs 'naive' to expect upgrading funds OFFERS of upgrading in opposition wards were part of a slew of policies proposed by People's Action Party candidates during the General Election, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said yesterday.

But as voters rejected the PAP's candidates, it was 'naive' of Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir) and Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang) to now expect the Government to give them the funds for upgrading, he added...

Yesterday, Minister of State (National Development) Grace Fu... made the point - reiterated by Mr Mah - that the PAP's upgrading offer was part of a larger package of policies which the ruling party offered to voters.

'The electorate in Potong Pasir has obviously not supported that and therefore they should not stand to benefit from any surpluses that are generated from that suite of policies,' she said.

On Naivety deals with what we think we know, and what actually happens in real life. It has to do with the disconnect between our ideals, and how the world actually works. It delineates the idea that even though everyone matters, some matter less than others, especially those who live in certain districts. It reminds us that despite a call for inclusiveness and that everyone pays taxes, some won't have access to the benefits accorded by those same tax monies. On Naivety forces us to self-reflect; that even though we have come so far, we need to do so much more. Anyway, On Bullsh*t might be appropriate reading at this juncture. Update (!): An 'anonymous coward' has tomorrowed this entry.

6 comments:

trisha said...

Sigh..My heart fell when I read the report too.

My profession prevents me from saying openly things that really irk an depress me about this nation but I echo your sentiments.

jeffyen said...

It's so ironic that the people who are tasked to determine the future of this country aren't able to talk openly about what's happening to our country... The consolation I have is... never mind, it's up to the kids to make things right! ;p

Anonymous said...

So now what? PAP = government? The people in Potong Pasir did not reject the government, they rejected PAP. What's the basis for them being "naive" to expect the GOVERNMENT to upgrade their flats? Naively believing they will have upgrades because they are Singaporeans?

In that case, we're all naive, whether or not we are living in PAP wards or not.

Anonymous said...

Mah Bow Tan's Tampines isn't that great either. The so-called lift upgrading and landscaping are progressing at snail's pace. They have started hoarding up before the election but now, still no sight of lifts and nicely paved walkways.

Adding to the noise pollution by day is the shouting and screaming from a bunch of inconsiderate people gathering at the void deck way past midnight almost everyday. It's been going on for months. Where are the blue poodles?

Agagooga said...

"I make no apologies that the PAP is the Government and the Government is the PAP." -- Lee Kuan Yew

Anonymous said...

I wonder if non-HDB home owners will be given an "upgrade package" for voting PAP. Everyone contributes to the taxes, so it's only fair.