Does technology make people feel alone?

Technology has changed the ways we live our life in today society. In the past, when technology was not yet so advanced, searching for information from the comfort of our home was nearly impossible. Students who need to find information have to hit the libraries and going through shelves to shelves to look for relevant information. Instant communication with your loved ones instantaneously with a click of button is like a dream for many. Mailing letter across the cities or countries was the only form of communication mode at that time as well. Fast forward to the present, technologies have advanced so rapidly that disruptive technologies like internet, mobile phone apps and online streaming have impact on every individual life.

As the technologies have beneficial many user it also add on problems that we already had. For instance, socializing between families and friends was greatly affected. Social isolation resulted in the lack of connect with other people. Youngsters can be seen carrying their phone whole day even carry the phone to the dining table where families are supposed to sit down to have a proper gathering. Studies have shown that constant dependence on technology also decreased time spent with families and take away the chance for face to face communication with friends. It reduced friendship bond and lower their social interaction.

Although some downsize is unavoidable but the benefits have outweigh their cons. For example, with the social media, online streaming, and social networking site. There are plenty of entertainment around to lift your life up. The studies have shown everyday millions of people will go into their social media account to see news, articles and look at their friends’ timeline. More and more couple found their partner through dating apps like Tinder and Paktor. With a phone in hand people can download game into their mobile phone or movies to watch during their free time. The companion and reliance on phone was so great and exaggerated that some people can’t live without one.

In conclusion, achieving a balance in using the technology in your relationship and daily life is important. Modern technology indeed brings in more exciting and interesting stuff into our life but I would recommend putting your phone away when you are trying to discuss issues that are important and involve strong feelings and emotions.     

Advantages and disadvantages of English language as lingua franca?

The rise in use of English as a global communication tool has taken place over the last two decades. It is widely acknowledged by the world as a common language for use in international political conference when the world leaders meet up for international relations. English has reached such a high status world-wide that can be easily traced by several reasons. It is a mother tongue of millions of people all over the world, the world strongest countries like United States, United Kingdom, and countries in Europeans are speaking English as their native language. Furthermore, in the early century many colonies became independent and kept English as their official language. With the strong geographical reason across the world and socio-cultural it is no doubt that English has been adopted by people as a global language. 

Even though there are many positive aspects of having English as a global language There are, however, negative aspects as well. For instance, native people who might take this as an advantage due to their possibility to think and work quickly in their mother-tongue language and use it to manipulate word or speak to other people who are not a native English speaker. In addition, non-native English speakers are hard to give a clear speech sometime due to their own native language which has different accents in comparison to English accents. In order to overcome this, some politician might need a translator during interaction. Still, reliable translation might diminish some important original expression of their own language when replacing the translation word to other parties.  

Nonetheless, more than 85% of the scientific, technological and academic production in the world today is performed in English. Any field related to international commerce organisation, economy powerhouse and politics bodies are highly involved in using English today. Therefore, it is helpful to have knowledge of and fluency in English.

In conclusion, having a common language is crucial for trade and security, businesses, and politics. It brings people from different background, ages, social status and nationalities to the same common ground. English is growing, and there are many career opportunities out there for people who master and become able to speak a common language in international platform. With all this in mind, it is the best and strongest language for everyone to pick up for a good bright future. 

   

Advantage and disadvantage of living alone

In many societies, having a property has always been thought of as one of the final phrases of adult’s life. One of the basic needs for human is shelter. When children are young they live under the same roof with their parents. However, when they grow up some of the children will more likely want to have their own house and move out from their parent's house. Hence, is living alone a preferable choice for many?

Living by yourself can have several advantages. For instance, you can find a quiet and peaceful life without having to listen to other people coming and going, banging door, watching show and listening to music. You can have your own personal space. Another great thing about living alone is you can create and design your own space. You can paint your wall whatever colour you like and arrange your own décor to suit your ideal setting.

Even though, living alone indeed can offer you privacy occasionally you might have the feeling of loneliness. An empty living soul inside a house other than yourself can sometimes make the home feel dull and emotionless. Also, nobody will be there tolook after you if you fall sick. Besides that, you have to do all the house chores by yourself like sweeping the floor, changing a new bed-sheet, washing your own clothes and tidy your stuff.

In conclusion, living alone might be lonely but having the freedom to live the way you want is more desirable. You get to experience many things you would never thought of or doing when you are living with your parents. It will definitely help you to become a more self-independent person.   

A life-changing event

Every Singapore child will be obligated to serve their National Service when they reach the age of 18 to 22. I was not exception as well. On 5^th March 2013 was a great sunny afternoon, that day I could always remember clearing as I was carried two large heavy bags. One of the bag was secured on my shoulder and the other bag with a trolley function was being pulled along. I traveled together with my parents from the West region of my hometown to the East region to the ferry terminal to report for my enlisted basic military training.

As we arrived to the ferry terminal, immediately we could saw a large crowd packed with people who were my age with their parents or girlfriends ready to send them off to a remote island which had an infamous name called Palau Tekong Island for their basic military training. Following the instruction given by the officers, everyone started to form a line and stand in an orderly manner before they started to move into the ferry that WOULD later bring us to our destination. Upon arrival to the destination everyone alighted and holding their heads straight to their respective unit for attendance taking.

At the assemble hall the officer called out the name for attendance taking. This was the first time I WAS encountered with the army staff in my life and it was also the first time I realized how regimental and fierce an army personnel were. Every few words that came out from his mouth well enhanced with harsh vulgar word along. I could remember seeing the surprised and shocked facial expression from everyone around me.

Next, we were all bought to a foyer where we were given a script to memorize the oath ceremony later. We were taught to present in our best during the oath ceremony to impress our parents that their child from this moment on will transform to a man that will protect his country and his loved ones. Finally, the ceremony begun and we stood up and put our hand near our heart and read out the script loudly similar to the historical swear of Hippocratic Oath performed willingness by medical doctor. Even though not everyone was willing to be forced to read out something that was not aligned with our heart still, everyone know the importance of protecting our country.

From there on, everyone had spent part of their 2 year adulthood contributing to the nation security. With the regimental and tough training underwent in our training curriculum I believe everyone has changed and became a better and more resilience person in physically and mentality.  

Places in Singapore

Singapore is one of the most expensive cities to live in. However, there are also places where you can find something that doesn’t cost much… to enjoy or making a big hole in your pockets. Here are some of the places I usually like to go to during weekend.

These common places I usually hang around are the libraries. The reason why I like visiting libraries is because there are many terrific activities going on in the library. We can acquire new information of knowledge or experience new technologies that were presented to us by industries or expert. We can also search plenty of interesting books that were donated by charitable donor. Their selfless act not only offered generous donation but also equipping public with many sponsor programme to enhance our mental and physical performance.

Another good place to get close to the nature over the weekend is by taking a walk in the park. Our parks were enveloped and filled with flora and fauna. Some of the parks are specially designed to keep kids engaging in physical activities. The outdoor activity helps them to develop their strength and keeps them fit and healthy.

Other inexpensive activities such as swimming, cycling, kite flying, having picnics can help family bonding and allow children to build up their social and interactive skills with friends. They can also visit the museums and zoos to learn more about history and animals respectively.  The museums have a few vestige collection that was left after World War II which is good for student or kids to understand history of what their forefather had went through during the Japanese occupation so they will savour what they have now in a peaceful time.

Besides, government occasionally will also organise activities to promote health awareness to the public in order to encourage citizens to implement good health habits in their daily life. Many benevolent organisations will provide sponsorship for the events as well. Hence, it is a good place where you can receive dozen of health advice and free gifts. There were many volunteers conducted free First-Aid and CPR training to the public thus you can pick up valuable life-saving skills along the way.

There are also many entertainments attraction during the nights for locals or tourists who are here for holiday. Some amazing places like casino at Sentosa Island where you can also see our iconic Merlion statues which spray water in certain fixed time of the nights. At Sentosa Island there are many exciting activities like underwater world, 3D museum, cable car, universal studio, dolphin islands, and etc.

This is just a short introduction of the typical Singaporean who likes spending quality time doing free things. In future, I will share with you other interesting things about Singapore and its custom. Btw, I will also attach some of the photo taken in Singapore and Asian like Taiwan and Hong Kong for you to view. Hope you will enjoys! 

Education and Technologies

In today fast-paced and competitive environment, employees who has the right knowledge and skills will stand out from their peers. The way to acquire new knowledge and skills can be obtained through education and experience. With the advancement of technologies education has becoming much easier as compare to the older generation. For instance, there are many various tools out there either online of offline where leaner can seek for.

In my country, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has invested millions of dollars in the education budget for more schools here to tap on new technologies to aid students in their learning, and prepare them well for their future workplace. Some disruptive technologies like 3D printing, interactive projectors, and online annotation tool have help bring learning to a step further.

To encourage working adults to continue a lifelong-learning, our governments has also offer few alternative route for them to upgrade. Example, like skills-based stackable modular course, which drawn from the existing degree module program. Leaner have the choice to take on a bite size of the module instead of the full degree program course to lesser their workload. Subsequently, if the leaner decide to further obtain a full degree course, the skills-based stackable modular course credit can be counted toward their degree credit and give exemption to the module that had taken.

The government has also work closely with the industries to provide an earn-and-learn route for fresh graduate from diploma, to work in a companies for someday and go back to school for higher leaning on their off day. This route give students the chance to gain working experience and at the same time continue to get an industry recognised certificate.

In line with Singapore’s drive to be a Smart Nation, the university will also introduce internet of Things (IoT) into its curriculum for first-year universities students, the teaching pedagogy will also harness the use of technology to develop program which are highly interactive and include problem-solving skills to help our students to become more critical thinker and innovators.

There is a quote “Education is the most powerful weapon which can use to change the world.” – said Nelson Mandela.

To sum it up, at the end of the day, the goal of using technology in our learning curriculum is to assist the teacher and not to replace them. Individual should never settle down and should cultivate good habit to continuous working forward in a life-long learning.   

Have books become old-fashioned way of reading?

It may perhaps surprise many to know that electronic books (ebooks) sale had overtaken physical book sale ever since Amazon introduced kindle for ebooks reading and other form of technology devices that allow digital reading. A study has found that the ebooks industry have double their revenue every year since 2011. Today, majority of people can easily access books without having to visit the bookstore or libraries to borrow ones. Hence, have books become an old-fashioned way of reading? Would there be a day where physical books will become obsolete? I doubt so, let have a closer look on why ebook can never replace physical books presence.

Traditionally, physical books have always been the toolkit for author, scholars, and historian to record down their thought in word through a piece of paper. In the past, manuscript was written for the purpose of passing down their knowledge, important events or historical record for future generations. In modern-day, school are using textbooks, and printed materials to teach student’s subject that are relevant to the curriculum. The advantages of using textbook for learning has always been great! It allows students to record stuffs and highlighted important words that are crucial for their learning. The sense of touching the books also bring closer connection to reader who read it for instance, the texture of the book cover allow the reader to experience the feeling and weight of the books. Besides that, some books had a splendid cover that reader can only truly experience it by holding it near to our visual path. After all, we human relies heavily with our five senses for survival.

However, due to the rapid improvement of technology reading can take place easily even without a physical books on hand. In recent year, there are tons of online platform available that allow user to read online or download printed materials books as a digital copy to read it on their iPad or mobile phone. This new way of reading provide fast and efficient way to access information available. In spite of that, one main disadvantage of having physical books that worth our concern is, since part of the book making process ingredient required come directly from the wood trucks its somehow causes to the rise of deforestation.

Even with the convenience of accessing reading easily through digital media. Still, many readers feel that nothing can replace with the enjoyment of browsing a physical books at a bookstore and having a heartfelt feeling when one receiving a tangible books as a present from a friend. Therefore, it is certain that reading from a book can never be old-fashioned and the beauty of having one on hand close will definitely bind the readers to the stories.      

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