veni. vidi. vici. carpe diem!

then we shall know Him.

fully, truly, for our own. (:

there’s an inherent lack of men who dare to dream, have the persistence to betray conventions and subvert social expectations. in Singapore, it is rare to hear of people who would have the guts to forsake a comfortable lifestyle and lead a life of adventure and risk. although i’m not saying that everyone should enter such an industry, we all know that some have the specified talents and visionary spirit, but are held back by rules and conformities.

the constant argument that we have enough problems in one’s life to worry about and to worry about whether one’s income will arrive the next month, is extremely vexing for many Singaporeans. we have been brought up in a pressure cooker that employs eugenics for sure success, creating highly-skilled and efficient workers that are pigeon-holed into the economy. jobs become a bore and sentiments are that everyone in general dislikes working and complain about their jobs. everyone desires to retire early, but are in a dilemma because the retirement age rises each year and they are unsure of how much money is enough for a good retirement. in such a culture, even the blind can feel the heat and accelerated pace of life as we are not living like humans, but workers instead.

as the economy becomes more developed and even Vietnam, India and China are catching up the value chain to produce higher value added goods such as high-end consumer electronics with an educated highly-skilled labour, there is only to this extent how highly educated a population can be after having a masters degree. hence, Singapore needs to change its economic plan within the next few years, or else it would lose its comparative advantage as it gets eroded slowly, leaving us without any jobs due to our only resource – humans, unwanted and too cost-intensive to hire.

many might argue, perhaps we should focus on SS-side policies and retrain the workers, giving them the necessary skills to match with the comparative advantage in the economy so as to create great productive capacity in the economy and ensure low unemployment. however, such a policy is extremely myopic when you consider that Singapore is resource poor, relying on export as a major engine of growth and imports for sustenance and is therefore heavily reliant upon the outlook of the world economy as a price-taking small economy. as recessions get more volatile with heavier focus on speculation and stock trading, recessions fluctuate more rapidly and have a greater consequence. with MNCs and FDI pulling out from Singapore, we will not only see a dip in our productive capacity, but our exports, affecting our real economic growth, but causes rising unemployment due to capital flight. this also impacts our cost-push inflation with the fall in purchasing power. our BOP will also remain in deficit due to a falling (X-M) and capital account deficit as FDI and hot money flee the country. in conclusion, we are screwed.

some might even extend the argument and exclaim the ingenious Jobs Credit Scheme that the government has concepted, effectively using government spending to make them stay and ensure a more stable employment level, giving more security and stability and eliminating any poor sentiments for consumers and investors.

however, all these might face considerable problems in the face of a huge recession that might cause MNCs to just leave so as to protect their own countries.

this therefore warrants a strong case for entrepreneurship.

on the point of sustainability in times of recession, it is certain that entrepreneurship will deliver. in most cases around the world, SMEs take up the highest portion of employment in the economy and in Singapore’s case these SMEs base their main headquarters here in their homeland, with some expanding overseas. in turbulent times, we are sure that these SMEs will not leave, ensuring a much more stable employment rate, which translates into security for consumers and investors, which ensures that purchasing power does not dip too much. this tackles the problem at its root and makes our economy able to withstand against any capital flight that might shake confidence and sentiments amongst consumers and investors. with more entrepreneurs, more SMEs will sprout, leading to greater stability in Singapore as they ensure our survival and are sure not to flee in bad times.

moreover, it is also a benefit in times of booms. more start-ups would lead to greater productive capacity as Singapore would host more patents and hold them, allowing us to move our comparative advantage to become an innovating-manufacturing economy where patents and ideas are redefined every single day. innovation not only ensures we stay at the top of the game, but it assures us as key drivers of the future economy as we have thinkers instead of just workers.

furthermore, Singapore is a perfect location to incubate new start-ups due to the massive amount of hot money and cash that are in abundance with so many angel investors, incubating schemes and student internships, that not only allow entrepreneurs to thrive with the resources that are already made easily accessible to them, which therefore gives the impetus for greater innovation and accelerated start-ups to occur.

although there lies a possibility that our start ups are unable to reach the quality and scale of large MNCs such as those based in the USA, the opportunities are almost equal, as many Singaporeans have access into the different markets of the world and are able to gain funding from the government and angel investors all around. i sincerely believe that innovation is not restricted to the amount of r&d dollars that a company spends on. but it is individualistic and based upon the vision and work culture of the company that determines its efficiency in innovation. that alone, can allow Singaporeans to trump other companies and with the correct people, the initial barriers to entry can be overcome and internal economies of scale can be established.

as the world gets more fluid and volatile each day, idea is king; innovation is the one that will cause the rise or demise of even the most powerful corporations.

the demographics of the game has changed, as we see more firms joining together to form conglomerates that are not only oligopolistic by nature, but so rival conscious that it would mean a total monopoly of information and cut-throat action to cast out any who might seek to rival the big firms.

for Singapore today, we lie in a precarious position. our comparative advantage is eroded slowly as we struggle to hold on tightly to our niches such as pharmaceuticals and oil refining.

lastly, my final case for it is simple. we have one life and many of us dare not dream nor step out of our comfort zones. we have brilliant ideas, which cannot be monetized unless we step forward to change the present situation.

as for governments, they have been doing a lot with providing a good foundation for entrepreneurs. however, the problem lies in the culture of education, which sets many to have a fixed mindset and practicality instead of pursuing their passions. because social conventions in schools cultivate in students the vision of success to be earning a degree in law or medicine and then proceed to be the best in those fields. this can only be achieved by grades, which is the only practical way of success, while the rest of them are futile.

although i agree with MOE on such a strong and well-reasoned education policy, risks must be taken in order for greater practicality to occur. for entrepreneurship would generate an economic growth that would far exceed what we have today in the long run, which must also be taken into account as a key driving force in order for us to stay relevant in long term. the risks are definitely greater with almost a full score of failed start-ups. but, it is this spirit of grit and passion that will drive entrepreneurs to succeed, and make a name for Singaporeans out there.

if we don’t take the first step, who will?

this is our homeland, nobody will fight for it, except we, Singaporeans. only we, will stay to ensure the survival of our nation-state.

when I read God’s Word, I cannot help but reflect upon my own life as parallels that are seemingly identical to myself tear the hypocrisy from my face, causing my conscience to shake in repentance. how I yearn for that blessed hour of prayer for without prayer and seeking God, I have lead a blind life without peace and understanding as all philosophy fails to give an adequate answer to morality and the ironies of life.

only when I am weak without my frail confidence, can I rise up as a man of God and put His armour on. that march to zion and for Christ alone, I know that my lot will not be displaced, for none can kill my soul.

at times, i search myself and ask what has the national identity and glue of singapore evolved into since those years where we cooperated together against the japanese in 1945. the new generation of voters live in a different environment where nationalism is fuelled against the incumbent party due to the fixed entrenched mindset that the government must intervene and make our lives better. national unity is reduced to nothing but noise. although i applaud the active participation of opinionated individuals on the social media scene, there is an inherent abundance of noise and wind to change the situation.

there was a time where people lived for their passions and dreams. people who sought to make things happen. such a strive is lost in such a generation today. we live amongst people who may have many different aspirations, but allow themselves to be held back by the government. many times do we see theonlinecitizen, cited as an example, creating healthy criticisms of the government’s conduct, policies and people. but, what i’d like to see, is that people go further than just making empty noise on facebook! when one generates heat in comments, creating tension amongst the people against the government without solving any problems, it not only destroys and erodes trust in the nation state, but in your identity as a singaporean. this might seem illogical, but i believe that the eventual consensus is always applauding someone to rebel and leave the country. hence, is it not detrimental to national identity and national unity?

what all of us should do right now, is to act and change things. i believe that the government however talented is only made up of a few people. a few people cannot run the entire country without the help of the countrymen. they can only inspire and encourage others to make a difference. therefore, instead of having a pessimistic outlook into thinking that our government sucks and that it is ineffective in this and that, let us seek to change it for ourselves first.

i give the example of Inch Chua, a local-born talent that is forced to go overseas as she is not well-received in singapore. i question. is it the government’s fault then? if we were to depend upon the government for everything, does that not establish a self-defeating argument that we believe in a dictatorship, as we count upon the government to carry out everything for us? the music industry can be controlled by the media but the demand for her also depends upon an implicit demand from the people. seek change. write a proposal to create an event to change things. i see many individuals who are inspired to change systems in singapore and i’m truly honoured to be working amongst them. my desire is to see more of such individuals who do not just create noise and heat, but truly work towards such a goal.

perhaps some of you would say that i’m just a pro-PAP dog or someone too young and unqualified to make such comments. for one, i do not believe in the PAP or any party for that matter. i will vote for the party that will make things happen, regardless of their method of achieving it. it is practicality over ideology. on the second point, i may be unqualified, but i too can make a difference. if you who is reading this, have not sought to do anything, you are no better than me.

you might ask me, “so what is this guy doing?” to be very honest, i dislike the education system in singapore. if you told me to argue a gp essay for the education system in singapore, i’ll agree with many that it has done wonders in creating math and science whizzes and has plonked us far above many developed countries in grades. however, one must realize that as the economy evolves, innovation takes up a greater proportion of the economy as comparative advantages change rapidly at an increasing rate each year. in agreement with kishore mabubhani that “asians are unable to take on global leadership due to the limits we have placed upon ourselves”, as we limit ourselves to the constraints of the education system. the education system has succeeded in producing good grades and capable workers. but leaders and innovators are not taught simply by following and learning acquired knowledge. these select group of capable men must be groomed by passion to be able to observe life and draw new knowledge from it, by applying previous understandings of knowledge, in order to link different subjects and knowledges together. in such a way, we can create new industries that have never been heard before. the occupation blogger was never heard of 7 years ago. with technology rapidly increasing, we need to stay relevant. that requires a change in the education system.

i’m not saying that i can change the education system. i’m not education minister or influential man. but, i know that i can influence the people around me. that is sufficient. moreover, i know that i can create events with other inspirational people and submit it to the MOE or even to various organizations who will be willing to fund an event of learning with sufficient argument.

i’m creating a new event called “fly your dreams”, in cooperation with various well-known organizations. in my own capacity, driven by passion, i know i can create waves of influence. my desire is to break the strata between jcs, polys and ites. this event is to let everyone know that despite your educational qualifications, you have the power to change things and that you should not limited to what society thinks of you.

at least, i’m not just making noise.

why not make some change?

the power of vision is one where it gives the individual focus and confidence in his ambitions.

the basketball test has proven that when one does not set his eyes upon something, he will not achieve it.

yet, such confidence that is derived from self can never sustain one’s walk in Christ.

Christ must be our vision because all other visions are futile. alternative ambitions for self are as transitory objects that eventually goes back to the dust.

be thou my vision, for my vision for the a levels and the rest of my life will be God-centred on Christ alone.

for Christ looks not at the worldly results, but the process of how much you trust Him and do your very best.

for when one’s vision is on Christ, it is set upon things that count for eternity. the crown of life above can never be measured by any treasure here on earth.

the principles of life point to Christ again. for only when true vision is on higher things, that person will never transcend things of momentary value.