z) Is this 'me' you are currently reading right now my blog persona? Or is the 'me'you know in real life the persona?
y) IF our identities and personalities are multi-faceted, where then is the truth in anything you know about yourself. Everything that is true about yourself simultaneously escapes your grasping and falls within your knowledge.
x) Is this blog 'me' an extension of myself, or is it only an image of it.
w) Is it a reflection or a distortion?
v) If you can create something and make it a true part of yourself, does it mean that there was never an
a priori reality of youself?
u) Is blogging thus a problematic thing for our identity? Should we see our identity as being flexible and thus easily absorbs and integrates but in this case unstable. Or should we see it as something that does exist, so other elements are merely extensions or additions onto this central core?
t) Is blogging an attempt to understand ourselves or an attempt to re-create ourselves? can it be both at the same time? If we choose to recreate ourselves must it necessarily mean that our identity constantly changes and escapes our understanding?
s) Is the blog persona and 'me' one and the same?
r) Who is asking these questions? My blog persona or 'me'?
q) Who the hell am 'I' anyway?
By: Nippy | Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 11:21 AM | | 
boredom kingdom stardom random
freedom
free-style free-will free-bies free-man
many nanny fanny canny tyrany
T.V T-rex T-bone Tea-tree tree-house tree-lover tree-trunk tree-dweller
Helen Keller seller fortune-teller fella stella
lap slap clap trap rap
random stardom kingdom boredom
By: Nippy | Sunday, September 25, 2005 at 10:49 PM | |
Science, what this word brings to mind. Everything we associate with it now. Everything that it assumes. Science, the thing we claim leading us into the future with a blazing torch of optimism. Whilst we once turned to religion, mysticism for miracles, we now turn to science. It explains the world, it might change our lives. It will one day prolong lives, we will conquer far corners of the universe. We will find a cure for aids. We will understand the distant past and the far future. But science has its assumptions, which we are perhaps more than happy to ignore. As long as science works. Its theories explain things fair enough. The technology it churns out works well. SO why should we pick at the nitty gritty little things?
But sometimes I wonder if science's view of the world can ever be as complete as it hopes to be. Can science seek to reveal the truth of the way things are if it conceals the very truth that science is imperfect and relies on so many assumptions. It is not that the scientific theories in themselves are problematic though they may be. It is the very enterprise of science. The intentions perhaps are noble, but of all the various faculties of learning about the world. It is science which remains the most blind to its own flaws and assumptions. Most historians know that the past is irretrievable, but do most scientists acknowledge the fact that the systems of science are ultimately story-telling that differs little from the study of history. We are all telling stories, just different versions. So why does science have so much more legitamacy than the other versions? As it has already been pointed out by critics, the very believe that science is fair, science is rational, science is supported only by factual evidence, is itself a narrative.
Even beyond this, science requires that any explanation true today, must fit the criteria of being true, yesterday, today and always. Because, science looks for fixed pattern that has to exist in nature. This makes science true, true to the extent that it is provable. This also necessarily means that science is selective learning in that things which are inexplicable or falls outside the patterns will be ignored. Moreover, science as of today, consists of patchwork of theories and observation which rests on the assumption that our whole natural, physical reality rests on a fixed system that doesn't change (even Heisenberg's uncertainty theory rests on constants and patterned observation), but there is no solid proof for such a believe. Other than the fact, that we believe this is how the world is. Science, in other words, looks at the world through a fixed lens that is less than perfect, yet proclaims itself as an objective search for an objective truth. The goal now is to search for the ultimate unified theory, the big answer to why the universe is the way it is. But unless, science acknowledges its own problems and its narrowness, it can never (in my opinon) achieve the wholistic understanding of the world it hopes for. But perhaps, the solution lies in the distant future when knowledge will no longer be segmented into arts,science etc... Maybe only then can we hope to see a truly unified theory?
By: Nippy | Saturday, September 24, 2005 at 12:55 AM | |
what a long title.
the last day of my mid-term break.
Been doing a bunch of essays.
The best way to de-stress,
is to do somthing totally frivolous
totally pointless
just to waste time.
So,
I came up with a list of music which make me have internal haemorrhage if I listen for too long,
at the top of the list is
(drum rolls)
1) Zhang Xin zhe 张信哲 (he wins because, after hearing his voice for a long time, I feel like flinging myself at the wall, or bleeding from the ears)
2)Frank Sinatra (he is second on the list, because, at first he's great, but after a while, your wonder where that draggy note is going to lead you. If you're holding your breath waiting for him to go on, you'll die of suffocation.)
3)Elvis Presley (self explanatory)
4)Jocie "lao shu ai da mi" (this ugly song is bloody overplayed)
5)Abba (for some reason, I can't stand dancey music, it gives me a headache. especially those 80s disco stuff)
6)Opera stuff (I have no culture, it gets on my nerve when the ladies go high and staccato)
7)Jazz (inexplicable: My brain feels itchy when I hear jazz)
The moral of the story is that, I'm bored. Wasting time blogging about what music makes me bleed, won't save me from the essay deadline and tests lined up. Maybe I should listen to some jazz, make my brain itch and not think about those....
test test test test test test test test test test test test test test
By: Nippy | Thursday, September 22, 2005 at 10:37 PM | |
Haiz, I'm in one of those nostalgic mood again. Maybe it is because I'm having a short break now, so I have the time to savour past memories. But most probably it is because of a post by my secondary school friend. She posted one of our favourite poems in sec school days. It still remains my favourite today. "The Road not taken" by Robert Frost.(if you want to see it, can look at Wei Ling's blog)
It means so much, to so many of us because, we all have our little regrets. Curiousity. Whenever we make choices. How would things be different if I had done this instead of that. Or how would I be changed? We will always look back to that cross road and wonder where that road not taken might have led us. Beyond the thick covers, we can't see ahead, but we will always imagine how that other path will be different. But the poem means so much to me, also because, it is not just about the paths not taken, but those I've shared with my close friends. Rain and shine, the roads we accompained each other on and the divides which lead us to where we are right now.
I think it is beautiful that whenever I see Frost's poem, I will not just think of the path I have missed, but also the ones I have travelled on. It will always trigger memories of my sec school days. And these memories are so dear to me. Once in a while, we will wonder if the other road might have the better one. I do this too. It is hard to have no regrets in one's life. But whatever I wonder and regret, I know it will never take away things I treasure in the past and the present. Even if I should look back at my life, many years on, I know I will not only have that sigh described by Frost, but also a smile, because of the people I've met along the way. And the experiences which mark my journey as unique. Where-ever the future leads me, I will always look back at the paths in those yellow woods.(I'll think of all of you guys) And I know it will make me glad.
By: Nippy | Sunday, September 18, 2005 at 1:04 AM | |
In case, you guys don't know which IR I'm talking about, I am talking about our very own Integrated Resorts. Yup, the casion which is in everybody's conversation now. I am utterly repelled by one of the proposed theme by US based Las vegas Sands for our IR. I saw this in a free magazine given out in school. (Intern SG). they suggested using the theme of colonial-era singapore River in the marina area! Erk! I really don't think that that is a really good idea. We are not very keen to watch re-enactments of Raffle's landing all over again, and again. we have had enough of this in textbooks, NDPs already. And how sensitive can they be. Do we really want a colonized Singapore as a theme ride? What a misuse of history! In addition to being really cheesy, I think it is doing a terrible injustice to history.
What are they having in mind when they propose this plan? Most of us aren't exactly euphoric in reliving Raffles and Farquhar experience. I have no problem with them using history as a theme, but the selection of the period says alot of the mindset of the desinger. Moreover, are we locals perfectly happy with this arrangement? there has to be other values we have to consider beyond the entertainment. Beyond wanting to dazzle, we really need to think about what the choice involves. It involves our identity, what are we putting forward in our building of the IR?
But I think injecting our nation building history into the IR might be trying too hard in wanting to establish a justification of a truly singaporean resort experience. It might be redundant and perhaps even an overkill, somethings should always remain sacred if we are to respect them. Allowing them to slip into perceived lower popular culture, does something to these things. And a good question is how far do we want to let our history become a commodity we sell. Will it take away something deep and make it all surface and cheap?
By: Nippy | Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 12:29 AM | |
Go watch it before it close! And this is an order! Haha really, it is not exactly our normal idea of an enjoyable movie. In fact, at points it can be lame. It's basically, a documentary with narrators telling stories from the point of view of the emperor penguins. But it is really really beautiful.
The film traces how the emperor penguins journey to their mating grounds, and how they have to withstand quite a lot of challenge to procreate. It is amzaing, how in the extreme conditions, life still finds a way. In having to raise a new generation of young penguins, the penguins have to rely on teamwork, instincts that will lead them back to their meeting place in time. And they have to push their bodies to the limit in order that they and their yound can survive. It made me wonder, why we think we humans are so special. That only we have our knowledge, our own rituals, that only we have our social organization. That our idea of society is unique to human. That only we understand what relationship, bonding, family means. That only we have the ability to keep time and dates, to organize and to interact in meaningful ways. For all we know, we know no better. I think the documentary highlights this. That maybe at the end of the day, we are not much different from the emperor penguins.
Anyone who thinks your life sucks, go watch the documentary. It really makes one so amazed by the magic of life. It is really a miracle. Before we start bashing ourself, comparing ourself to others. I think the movie, revealed how improbable life is. How out of the infinite chances and probability that creatures may not survive. One slip up, one accident,wrong timing, and the baby dies. Reflecting back on ourselves, that we can be in this world as who we are today, is itself a miracle. Everyone one of us is perhaps, a one in a million chance. Yet we exist, shouldn't we be amazed by the beauty of this? That in the universe of infinte possibility, here we are. I am amazed.
By: Nippy | Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 8:21 PM | |
Postmodernism, postindustrialization.. Sigh, I'm beginning to think we're in a postmorality, post-ability to see beyond the rational. HA, maybe I am romanticising the past. But I seriously think our society is heading in a terrible direction. Maybe we are a generation which places more faith in science than arts, maybe we believe it is better to rely on our head than our heart. We get a lot of brain washing that we have the ability to change our future. Make it better. Look ahead. Look ahead. The past? It's just some nightmares we've gotten over. Pity those people who had to use candles in the past. Look how much we've progressed.
But I think the idea of historical progress is a dangerous idea we all buy into. It took World War I and II to shatter the enlightenment project, and brought the idea of the 'modern'society into question. That technological 'progress' should unleash such devastating loss of life should have made us 'post-modern' generation all the more cautious of the word "Progress". But we are not, we buy into it hook , line and sinker. What do we assume when we say humanity has progressed? Should it be a wonder then that the greatest scientific ideas of the 20th century contributed to the nuclear bomb. In our eagerness to look to the future, we have forgotten to look at the past. And this is perhaps the saddest and scariest of all.
Post-modernist theory have created a group of people who are skeptical of the present. We apply relative standards to everything. Everything can be questioned now. Even the idea of good and evil. Religion, justice, all the major frameworks of society now become meta-narratives we can choose to disregard. But will this post-modern project much like its predecessor end in misery? Maybe it would not come in the form of wars, but perhaps, we might wake up one day to find that the most important things which make us human. Things which make life still worth living lost due to our endless questioning. In an age where skepticism, and relativity is celebrated. Do we wonder if even they have limits?
Once in a while, I get sick of the mentality surrounding our present society. But maybe my protest is futile. There is no way back. But still, maybe we should have a limit to where our questions should end. Maybe it is time, we stop asking and start believing more. But then, I contradict myself. Because the next question comes: What to believe in? Should i then, take back everything i've said earlier and start buying into the idea of the great leap forward of the human race: Progress you say?
By: Nippy | at 12:18 AM | |
A mushroom cloud of exclamation marks.
A smart ass wise cracking guy for a project mate.
3 storey high readings.
A whole string of deadlines tightening around your neck.
Motivation level that is lower than hell.
Drowning in deep space of physics.
Canteen for inmates for 3 years.
Projects piling
HAte the groupings
Another *yawn lecture
Study about the theory of war while I'm dying.
crazy competitive coursemates game on killing.
Stop talking!
ANALYZE THIS!
How much can a student take?
How not to go crazy in an academic setting?
-------------------
Hey guys, sorry for this really bitter thing. But the best way to de-stress is just bitch about whatever that's driving you mad. It's beyond chocolates now. Year 3 sucks.. everyone is so competitive, and quarrelsome. Supposed to be really civil debates, but hey no one wants to be wrong, so we'll just go for each other's throats. It's all books and readings. Even if I'm not going blind, I'm turning colour blind. All I see is black and white. Tiny little fonts, pages of them. They're like ants, they get into your brain and they destroy your sense of well-being ever so slowly.
NO movie modules for me this sem, it's all really 'history' history modules. Stress out for modules I don't feel very much for. hm.. it's not really worth it. But moaning won't get me anywhere. So I might as well just try to survive.
By: Nippy | Friday, September 09, 2005 at 9:37 PM | |
Time ain't nothing but time
It's a verse with no rhyme
Man, it all comes down to you
Change ain't nothing but change
Just the faces and the names
But you know we're gonna make it through
I'll believe
When you don't believe in anything
-Bon Jovi "Next 100 Years"
I wonder if Bon Jovi has some knowledge of special theory of relativity. I'm drowning in my physics module. Even though what I'm learning is pretty cool, my mind seem to reject science stuff. Ha, it is not only counter-intuitive, it's counter-everything we assume to be true. So at the end of the day, we get a really strange view of the world. I'm definitely declaring S/U for my physics module... [switched off ]
Here's my pseudo-physics theory for everyday life: Disclaimer: This is just to release some stress, any serious scientists out there should forgive my stupidity.
1) The more you dread going to someplace, the more you should speed up getting there. Because then time slows down. So if you hate driving to school, the more you should accelerate.
2) There is a reason, why we should remain still in class. Especially if the lesson is boring, cause with less speed, time for the observer goes faster than for an observer on a fast moving object.
3)If we can move fast enough, we might live forever. Here's an anti-ageing method for all you people.
4)If light is the only constant, and time and space are only realtive, what happen to places where light can't reach? What happen to those observers? The same still applies? What happens to those strange creatures at the bottom of the ocean?
5)Time goes fastest for things moving slowly, no wonder trees and plants tend to have such long life. In a blink of an eye for them, a 100 years have passed. To anyone keen on obtaining immortality, you can either consider travelling at the speed of light, or not moving at all. so either, you stretch time or you compress time.
6)If you want to impress your boyfriend, no need to go for slimming pills, you can make him look at you on a speeding object. He will see a more compressed you.
7)If lawyers can get a good hang of special theory of relativity, and if it is accepted as a possible evidence in law. They might even argue that the sequence of events depend on the observer. Now, if time is relative, maybe for different observers, the sequence of events could be confused. Great defense case.
8) If the constant for causal events is not time but light.Since light is the only constant, what happens to things happening in the dark?
By: Nippy | Wednesday, September 07, 2005 at 7:49 PM | |
Hm.. I wonder if you guys feel it too. The anxiety. No it should be the increasing pitch of the anxiety in Singapore. I take public transport everyday (MRT) and the message reminding us to keep a look out for suspicious articles have increased in frquency and volume (literally, they got louder). It is there the anxiety, the worry, but the government does a pretty good job of keeping us calm, and perhaps in the dark about how safe we are. (or rather how unsafe we are). It is easier if we choose not to think about where we are. We are perhaps standing right on the yellow line. Our geographic location, where we stand regarding the issue of the Iraq war, our population profile. Everything, we assume to be something stable and safe, are really pretty fragile. Yet, we are still capable of our present complacency. The continous replay of that message in the MRT stations have long been accepted as another stupid piece of warning, We have now conditioned ouselves to ignore it. Along with the ones about 'no food and drinks' and 'stand behind the yellow line'. We would much rather concern ourselves about the lack of dustbins in the stations and how much inconvinience it has caused.
How long has it been since the dustbins have all been removed? Slowly we get use to it, we see nothing strange. We forget to keep ourselves on our toes. We worry more over our grades than our national security. We get bored with the long display of our military prowess in the NDP, we much prefer watching fire works. We put absolute trust that the system we've built will support us. We know we will never suffer natural disasters like the one in New Orleans right now, or the Tsunami in Indonesia last year. But does that make us safe? How blind can we make ourselves to possible dangers? I would much rather be ignorant and happy any day over knowing and worrying. But I think sometimes, we need to ask ourselves how close are we to threats hovering just above our horizon. How close are we?
By: Nippy | Saturday, September 03, 2005 at 4:20 PM | |
