Status Updates From Singapore: The Air-conditio...

Essay 2: The examples on Fay and Fricker helped illustrate the "Asian way" Vs Western ideals very well. I also liked that George highlighted that it is difficult to fully embrace Western idealism when, in fact, we have been colonised by them and treated as second rate citizens.

Essay 1: George writes quite beautifully and lyrically, albeit academically as well.
Thoughtful points brought up:
- the metaphor on the AC mirroring SG politics was brilliant (controlled env, centralised decisions, comfortable)
- PAP priorities on providing prosaic material comforts 10/10 but kind of creepy when I give it a 2nd thought - why?
- starting with Lee's sensitivity to temperature 10/10

Depolitization of society weaponized to maintain control (as long as economic growth and material comfort are maintained).

Section 4 - Culture
- Race relations and the specter of “Chinese dominance” over minorities
- Americanization of Singaporeans (culture seen as a free market like any other industry - George points out protectionist policies might be helpful in building up Singaporean identity and preserving heritage)

Section 3 : Civil society in Singapore

- How NGOs adapt and operate
- How the government succeeds in attracting talent and therefore maintaining adhesion to its policies (less tempting for competent people to join opposition parties when the ruling institutions propose stimulating and advantageous positions)

Chapter 5 - The media in Singapore / censorship

“Freedom from the press : in Singapore, the government, who embodies the popular will, must be protected from the unelected press which is prone to be swayed by private interests or the hubris of journalists.”

Chapter 3 - Singapore school of thought about Asian liberalism vs western vision of liberal democracy