No time to blog, so just jotting down some thoughts from recent news ...
1. Financial fiasco, beginning with fall of Lehman.
Being an investment-dummy saved me from any financial loss this round, though there is a definite impact on me financially/economically as it does affect my company's business.
Mis-selling? Yes, I'm sure there're genuine cases.
Read of some who opposed compensation even in misselling 'cos each person must take full responsibility for what he does with his own money.
True only to a certain extent. It is not realistic/practical for a person to go through all the fine prints.
2. Forum debate over what a Singaporean man wants and what a Singaporean woman wants, started by a certain Alvin Tan with his letter "Why I marry a China bride".
Tempted to say it's a total waste of time, but at least it affirms to me that nothing has changed for the last 30 years or so - men and women are still talking in different languages.
3. Transport study indicate buses run on time and not overcrowded.
My response: Though I drive to work, I have to say the study's conclusion is nonsense.
4. Young Singaporeans unfazed about economic downturn, citing an interview with a certain Agnes Lin.
My take: Interview report is most likely flawed. The bizarre content made me question its integrity, and suspicion further raised when I read the blog of Agnes Lin. ST needs more integrity.
Amen!!!!
ReplyDeletePeriodically, I do have to take public transport to work when the car has to be sent to the workshop for regular maintenance.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it is also related to the fact that the workshop is @ Bukit Timah Road while my office is in Changi.
Who says is not crowded during peak hours ? There are simply not enough standing space in those single buses and sometimes when the aircon bus is overcrowded, there's simply not enough ventilation and aircon.
ReplyDeletehonestly I don't see why stock markets across asia need to shudder and fall everything something happens on wall street. True, when things happen in the world's largest economy, our economies are impacted, but surely not immediately and to such a degree especially in view of the previous decade of diversification and semi-decoupling from the american/european economies after the 1997 asian financial crisis.
ReplyDeleteWe simply have no confidence and faith in our own systems and economies and are instead merely reacting, I would hazard a guess, 70-80% of the time out of sheer illogical panic.
I really wish we were a little more level headed and collected here in Asia, with better confidence in our choices and abilities, showing our strengths and stock market resilience in what is fundamentally a crisis on the other side of the world. Let our stock markets remain firm in the chaos of tumbling european and american markets and be the beacon of stability, he safe harbour for investors and funds to shift and park their billions in.
Actually, Asian economy depends a lot on selling to the West. Chinese import market is also tied to what they can afford after selling to US and Europe. The sea and air freight figures have been down, down and down.
ReplyDeleteYes but the reactionary impact is not within hours as the stock market seems to reflect.
ReplyDeleteIt's called speculation. The speed is due to technology and institutional kiasu-ism. (Bulk of investors are institutional investors - it's more market psychology than a technical correction of a heated market)
ReplyDeleteUS economy and political power have a lot of influence on the global market so it's no surprising that once the US fall the whole world is shaking.
ReplyDeleteyes, and sadly because of it, we lost an opportunity to lead. If not now, then when? Instead we continue to show the world that we will remain followers, quivering when our leaders falter, ducking when our betters fall.
ReplyDeleteWe are sadly, obviously still not collectively ready for global leadership.