Facts:
Japan has more than 32,000 centenarians (people who live older than 100 years old)
More than a quarter of the population in Japan is currently 60 years or older
Expected to reach 42% by 2050
By mid-century, the world will have more elderly people than children, says the U.N.
Nations raised retirement ages by as much as 5 years and expanding anti-age-discrimination laws
Opinions:
Aging population worldwide, especially in developed nations like Singapore are receiving more attention nowadays, as nations increase their budget to meet the special needs of the elderly, increasing retirement ages and coming up with plans to solve the problem, such as attracting foreign talents into the country. However, such methods to combat an aging population - being a worldwide phenomenon - have its own restrictions.
I ultimately have to agree that the elderly are becoming more prominent in our society, considering how we'll be in their position sooner or later. From what secondary school students learnt in Social Studies, the elderly contribute plenty to the society, even our economy. They are fully equipped with valuable skills, knowledge and plenty of experience, beneficial to the younger generation. Besides, with many retired, they provide extra hands to help take care of their precious grandchildren, while their parents are out at work, reducing the dependence on unreliable maids and providing comforts that the children are with safe hands. Moreover, we must never neglect the fact that the elderly have great purchasing powers, considering the large amounts of pensions they receive and the amount needed to "fund longer retirements and higher health payments". There are even thriving businesses which specially see to the elderly's needs, such as housing and even "trips for retiree globetrotters". The increasing presence of the elderly in our world have led to the growth of an industry which was rarely tapped into previously.
Not to neglect, an increasing proportion of elderly brings about detrimental effects. A larger percentage of revenue has to be tapped upon to meet the special and additional needs such as improved public facilities and amenities. There is also a greater demand for health care, medical specialists and social services. With an increase in the number of elderly, there will be a demand for nurses to be more learned and specialised in handling old age concerned diseases such as Alzheimier's Disease which occurs more frequently in people aged 65 years old and above. Besides, there will be a great strain on the working adults who find themselves having to pay higher taxes to afford the government's increased revenue usage on elderly-friendly facilities. "There would not be enough able-bodied, young workers to support an infirm, gray-haired population", as mentioned in Time.
Nevertheless, no matter how much difficulties and problems an aging population will bring to the world, we will not sulk at a corner and whine about them. A positive aspect about these old people nowadays are that many of them are even healthier and more productive than the younger generation. Many, even at 92 years old refuse to accept themselves being known as old people, and continue to live life to the fullest, never idling, enjoying every single moment and taking part in community activities, exercising to keep their body fit and healthy to continue functioning for the next decade. Indeed, I'm proud to say that this generation of elderly had changed the stereotypes given to the aged previously. Old people are no longer viewed as useless, unproductive and unhealthy, they are now precious and invaluable resources to any country who has the privilege to have them.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
10 ideas that are changing the world: #4 reverse radicalism
Findings have shown what stands out among radicals is that long before the blasts, all of them had mentally killed their targets and what radical ideology does is deny the humanity of groups.
The question is: What makes a radical?
Firstly, what makes a radical is history and human nature. Experts say it is human nature to want to see oneself in an “in” group that is different from an “out” group – to have an “us” versus “them” mindset. History also plays a part, in societies with a history of conflict between groups, history is passed down. People are taught from young to hate and often, instructors are needed to deepen and shape those prejudices.
In addition, group pressure also contributes to making a radical. Fighting with others in a transnational jihad, their “us versus them” mindsets intensified, as did their belief in the need to fight non-Muslims to establish an Islamic state when they returned. At times even individuals capable of thinking for themselves felt powerless when faced with these group pressures.
Thirdly, it is due to culture. Javanese culture places a strong emphasis on respect for seniors, which makes many of the JI members conform and respect those in authority in their group. Even when the destructive effects of their work become patently clear, and they are asked to carry out actions incompatible with fundamental standards of morality, relatively few people have the resources needed to resist authority.
Lastly, personality plays a part in making a radical. Those with strong internal locus, who believe they can change the world are more likely to control and manipulate the more passive ones.
In reverse radicalism, Amanda Ripley states “ none are truly deradicalized. Disengagement is more realistic. “ She gave an example of Nasir Abas who was strong enough to turn in some members of the Jemaah Islamiah who were plotting to kill innocent people. He seems to be deradicalized, to have turned away from being an extremist, however, Nasir said that he still supports the creation of an Islamic state ans says Muslims have a right to kill U.S. soldiers in Iraq. This could be because of the factors stated above. It changes the world to a certain extent, but the crux of the problem will not be solved as long as even a little of it remains.
source: The Straits Times
The question is: What makes a radical?
Firstly, what makes a radical is history and human nature. Experts say it is human nature to want to see oneself in an “in” group that is different from an “out” group – to have an “us” versus “them” mindset. History also plays a part, in societies with a history of conflict between groups, history is passed down. People are taught from young to hate and often, instructors are needed to deepen and shape those prejudices.
In addition, group pressure also contributes to making a radical. Fighting with others in a transnational jihad, their “us versus them” mindsets intensified, as did their belief in the need to fight non-Muslims to establish an Islamic state when they returned. At times even individuals capable of thinking for themselves felt powerless when faced with these group pressures.
Thirdly, it is due to culture. Javanese culture places a strong emphasis on respect for seniors, which makes many of the JI members conform and respect those in authority in their group. Even when the destructive effects of their work become patently clear, and they are asked to carry out actions incompatible with fundamental standards of morality, relatively few people have the resources needed to resist authority.
Lastly, personality plays a part in making a radical. Those with strong internal locus, who believe they can change the world are more likely to control and manipulate the more passive ones.
In reverse radicalism, Amanda Ripley states “ none are truly deradicalized. Disengagement is more realistic. “ She gave an example of Nasir Abas who was strong enough to turn in some members of the Jemaah Islamiah who were plotting to kill innocent people. He seems to be deradicalized, to have turned away from being an extremist, however, Nasir said that he still supports the creation of an Islamic state ans says Muslims have a right to kill U.S. soldiers in Iraq. This could be because of the factors stated above. It changes the world to a certain extent, but the crux of the problem will not be solved as long as even a little of it remains.
source: The Straits Times
10 ideas that are changing the world: #2 The End of Customer Service.
This particular article from the Time magazine is basically talking about replacing customer service with technology in airports, grocery stores and movie theatres. Due to this. the world is losing customer service.
Indeed, we have been making use of machines and technology in whatever we are doing in our life such as paying of bills or even sometimes when we are calling to the customer service, it is a machine that picks up the call. However, this does not signal the end of customer service. It is a change and improvement to how people are served in the world. By doing so, it saves a lot of our time as we can settle our things at a shorter time. Comparing the time taken to queue for bill payment and the time taken to pay it using a machine, it is half an hour or longer and five minutes respectively. This difference has convince people to depend on machines more than anything else. Machines make our life easier. In the perspective of companies, machines increase efficiency and save the cost for employing workers to serve.
Having said so, it is never good to depend on technology. Just like what the article has mentioned, the interaction between human beings is disappearing. If everything can be done, settled and solved using machines, there will be no interaction between people, the society will become hostile. We need human interaction to foster relationship between people and reduce conflicts. Depending too much on technology will also link to the controversial issue abt replacing human with machines as it is able to perform as well or even better than what humans can do.
Besides, it is unfair for people to pay service charge when they are actually served mainly by machine. In that case, companies are actually trying to earn more money from the consumers which is not a nice thing to do. Companies which only focus on their own benefits and advantages and not concern about the well-being of consumers will never succeed. By emphasising on self-servicing, it also means that consumers are working more than the workers when consumers are paying and workers are paid. It is ridiculous because customers are expected to be served since they are paying for the service.
Hence, I think that customer service should never come to an end. In fact, customer service should combine wif self-service. If customer service were to end, consumers should pay lesser for the goods and there should not be any service charge.
h. xinyi.
Indeed, we have been making use of machines and technology in whatever we are doing in our life such as paying of bills or even sometimes when we are calling to the customer service, it is a machine that picks up the call. However, this does not signal the end of customer service. It is a change and improvement to how people are served in the world. By doing so, it saves a lot of our time as we can settle our things at a shorter time. Comparing the time taken to queue for bill payment and the time taken to pay it using a machine, it is half an hour or longer and five minutes respectively. This difference has convince people to depend on machines more than anything else. Machines make our life easier. In the perspective of companies, machines increase efficiency and save the cost for employing workers to serve.
Having said so, it is never good to depend on technology. Just like what the article has mentioned, the interaction between human beings is disappearing. If everything can be done, settled and solved using machines, there will be no interaction between people, the society will become hostile. We need human interaction to foster relationship between people and reduce conflicts. Depending too much on technology will also link to the controversial issue abt replacing human with machines as it is able to perform as well or even better than what humans can do.
Besides, it is unfair for people to pay service charge when they are actually served mainly by machine. In that case, companies are actually trying to earn more money from the consumers which is not a nice thing to do. Companies which only focus on their own benefits and advantages and not concern about the well-being of consumers will never succeed. By emphasising on self-servicing, it also means that consumers are working more than the workers when consumers are paying and workers are paid. It is ridiculous because customers are expected to be served since they are paying for the service.
Hence, I think that customer service should never come to an end. In fact, customer service should combine wif self-service. If customer service were to end, consumers should pay lesser for the goods and there should not be any service charge.
h. xinyi.
10 ideas that are changing the world:
Women’s work
I agree to a large extent that women are very important in the society. An example of an outstanding woman who had contributed significantly to the society is Marie Curie. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first woman to earn a doctorate in Europe. Her investigations led to the discovery of radioactivity as well as the element radium.
Women’s work
I agree to a large extent that women are very important in the society. An example of an outstanding woman who had contributed significantly to the society is Marie Curie. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first woman to earn a doctorate in Europe. Her investigations led to the discovery of radioactivity as well as the element radium.
The discrimination of women dates back to many centuries ago. In western civilization, women in the past were denied further education and attend finishing schools where they learn to manage household matters efficiently. In the eastern civilization, women were mostly uneducated as they were treated as inferior and unworthy of literal education. For example in Confucius study, there were little mention of women and it was thought that subservience of women to men was normal. In the Middle East, women are seen as the fairer sex and such behavior had even continued until now. They are not allowed to be in public area without the company of their husband, brother or father.
In order to allow more women to drive the economy, the world need to raise the status of women. For example, Saudi women face severe discrimination in many aspects of their lives, including education Employment and the justice system and are clearly regarded as inferior to men. Although they make up 70% of those enrolled in universities, women make up just 5% of the workforce in Saudi Arabia. A recent study by the London School of Economic also show that states in India where woman are better educated are also those with higher economic growth rates. Thus, if more woman are able to participate in the economy, it will definitely be an advantage to the country.
In addition, more help can be given to woman in order for them to boost them ability in the management of their business. Fortunately,help are underway as investment bank Goldman Sachs announced it would spent 100 million dollar over the next 5 years for 10 000 woman entrepreneurs in asia, africa and the Middle East. Hence, this will provide more opportunities for woman to make their mark in the world stage.
In conclusion, woman plays a vital role in the society. It will be a lost to the society if all woman were to be housemaker.This is so as woman is defintely not the fairer sex and can perform as well as man regardless of in their efficiency in their work or their ability in carrying out household matters.
Source:wikipedia
fiona lee
10 ideas that are changing the world-TIME magazine, #5 kitchen chemistry
After thoughts (How science has become our everything)
One disadvantage of science becoming so deeply involved in our lives is that everything around us is becoming artificial. From the agar mentioned in the article to human embryonic stem cells , we will realise that science is inventing and modifying things into something so distant and cold. Not only in the context of replacing traditional items, humanity is also questioned. Human embryonic stem cell researches sparked many arguments on how many fertilized eggs were killed just to facilitate the research. Is it worth it to kill many to just clone one? Are we transforming the world into a better one or one so unnatural and deceiving?
Another disadvantage is that we, humans, are becoming too over reliant on science and technology. Youngsters nowadays cannot live without their hand phones. Many even said that they couldn't even survive a day. Companies cannot function without computers; mothers cannot cook without the help of gadgets; Anderson Junior College students cannot sit still in a non-air conditioned lecture theater. Once our power stations stop providing electricity for even a minute, we can imagine the disastrous consequence. We are in dire state but is anyone noticing this?
In a few more years, new inventions will evolve. Will the combination of new chemicals bring about more types of materials that are more sturdy yet at the same time environmentally friendly? It would be disappointing if it turns out to be like "bio"-fuels that are not actually as environmentally friendly as we think it is. Regardless of how these new inventions or modification can improve our lives, it is sure that we will be doubly dependent.
Have our lives, even the slightest of things, become so twined up with science? Are we becoming too dependent on technology that we have long forgotten how man used to do them originally? From cooking with the use of fire outdoors to kitchens equipped with gas stoves and vacuum hoods. From watching operas in an open field to watching cartoons on television. It is undeniable that technology has brought about higher efficiency and more amazing discoveries that widen our horizons. Yet at the same time, we are loosing touch of our very own culture and tradition. Generations after generations, the traditional way of baking, steaming, boiling etc have turned into something so outdated and to be forgotten. One day, science will turn the world cold.
One disadvantage of science becoming so deeply involved in our lives is that everything around us is becoming artificial. From the agar mentioned in the article to human embryonic stem cells , we will realise that science is inventing and modifying things into something so distant and cold. Not only in the context of replacing traditional items, humanity is also questioned. Human embryonic stem cell researches sparked many arguments on how many fertilized eggs were killed just to facilitate the research. Is it worth it to kill many to just clone one? Are we transforming the world into a better one or one so unnatural and deceiving?
Another disadvantage is that we, humans, are becoming too over reliant on science and technology. Youngsters nowadays cannot live without their hand phones. Many even said that they couldn't even survive a day. Companies cannot function without computers; mothers cannot cook without the help of gadgets; Anderson Junior College students cannot sit still in a non-air conditioned lecture theater. Once our power stations stop providing electricity for even a minute, we can imagine the disastrous consequence. We are in dire state but is anyone noticing this?
In a few more years, new inventions will evolve. Will the combination of new chemicals bring about more types of materials that are more sturdy yet at the same time environmentally friendly? It would be disappointing if it turns out to be like "bio"-fuels that are not actually as environmentally friendly as we think it is. Regardless of how these new inventions or modification can improve our lives, it is sure that we will be doubly dependent.
Have our lives, even the slightest of things, become so twined up with science? Are we becoming too dependent on technology that we have long forgotten how man used to do them originally? From cooking with the use of fire outdoors to kitchens equipped with gas stoves and vacuum hoods. From watching operas in an open field to watching cartoons on television. It is undeniable that technology has brought about higher efficiency and more amazing discoveries that widen our horizons. Yet at the same time, we are loosing touch of our very own culture and tradition. Generations after generations, the traditional way of baking, steaming, boiling etc have turned into something so outdated and to be forgotten. One day, science will turn the world cold.
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