http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sg_Review/message/1701?unwrap=1
Comments: Mellanie Hewlitt
Singapore Review
11 Jan 2005
The head lines blarred:
"Singapore is best country in Asia to do business"
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/126...
Singaporeans just love their PAP government to death and they
also
adore reading the local government owned daily "The Straits Times"
even more!!!
You can view it in the context of the entire discussion by going
to:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sammyboymod/messages/?msg=63896.1
"Cypher: (Talking to Agent Smith) I know this steak doesn't exist.
I
know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my
brain
that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, do you know what
I
realized? Ignorance is bliss."
Has everyone taken the BLUE pill? Every one is happy in
little
Pleasantville Singapore. We circulate an old article below which
gives many food for thought.
By: [email protected]
Date: 1 Jan 2002
http://www.geocities.com/kelvintan73/articles/matrix.htm
The Matrix is certainly a great movie, with a lot of
philosophical
and religious themes. "The One" seems to refer to the Messiah
Jesus
in Christianity while I like what the boy in the Oracle's
house
teaching Keanu how to bend a spoon: realize that there is no spoon
in
your hand, only electrical impulses in your brain, and then it
will
be yourself that bend and not the spoon.
James Gomez has released his book, Self Censorship:
Singapore's
Shame. In that book, he explained very concisely how the
notorious
climate of fear works in Singapore. This made me recall The
Matrix
once again. As I recalled, The Matrix mainly examines the
question:
What if what we believe is reality is actually a dream, and
reality
is actually a nightmare we'd rather not have to deal with?
As I was recalling the movie, I saw for myself its relation
to
Singapore. It is amazing how the themes spoke to me about
the 'climate of fear' that is present here. I could now
understand
better how it is possible for some people to feel this
cognitive
dissonance about Singapore when the majority of the Singaporeans
do
not seem to feel it. I remember watching the National Day
parade
each year, observing so many Singaporeans in the National
Stadium
displaying such a deep sense of pride in Singapore and I was
wondering to myself, "You mean they don't realize the truth?"
The objective of this article is to give my personal and
hopefully
unique review of the Matrix and how Singapore, to me at least, is
so
much similar to the movie. I will be using what I learn in
the
movie to come up with a model that explains Singaporean's
political
behavior, hopefully enhancing what James Gomez has said in
his
brilliant book.
Basically, the 'Matrix model' divides Singaporeans into three
different categories. Through the interactions of
Singaporeans
belonging to the different categories, I hope to be able to
offer
insights to the political behavior of Singaporeans. I shall
be
using quite a few quotes from the movie as I explain. Of course,
I
do not expect others to see it the same way as I do. I think
the
directors of The Matrix wanted each of us to interpret for
ourselves
whether we truly live in a Matrix. This article is my
interpretation.
Three categories of Singaporeans
"Repression, Sir is a habit that grows. I am told it is like
making
love-it is always easier the second time! The first time there
may
be pangs of conscience, a sense of guilt. But once embarked on
this
course with constant repetition you get more and more brazen in
the
attack. All you have to do is to dissolve organizations and
societies and banish and detain the key political workers in
these
societies. Then miraculously everything is tranquil on the
surface.
Then an intimidated press and the government-controlled radio
together can regularly sing your praises, and slowly and steadily
the
people are made to forget the evil things that have already
been
done, or if these things are referred to again they're
conveniently
distorted and distorted with impunity, because there will be
no
opposition to contradict." (Lee Kuan Yew as an opposition PAP
member
during 1956 speaking to David Marshall)
For those of you who did not manage to get his book, James Gomez
has
explained very well how is it that many Singaporeans are
immediately
disturbed whenever one of them try to discuss politics in a
critical
manner. I have experienced that for myself when I discuss
such
issues with my own friends so I can vouch for that. After
watching
the Matrix, I begin to classify Singaporeans into three
categories.
Category One: The people living in the Matrix
The first category, which I think form the largest majority,
is
similar to the many people living in the Matrix. The majority of
the
Singaporeans, in my opinion, do not realize or have never found
out
the truth behind the PAP's control over their lives, the media
and
the law society. The actual events of the 1987 Marxist
conspiracy
and what happened to Francis Seow were also hidden from them.
I
think this probably categorize those people who cheered with
such
pride during National Day. In my opinion, I cannot imagine
anyone
feeling such pride for Singapore if they bother to research
into
these events.
For these category of Singaporeans, whenever they hear someone
like
Chee Soon Juan, whom I put as belonging to the third category
of
Singaporeans, telling them about the truth behind Singapore's
Micropolis disaster or the Suzhou Industrial Park Fiasco, they may
be
thinking, "What is this ingrate saying? I am proud of Singapore
and
to me, the PAP is the only party capable of leading Singapore."
At
this point, Morpheus made an insightful remark about the
Matrix:
Morpheus: (Talking to Keanu) Unfortunately, no one can be told
what
the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.
Thus, for this majority group of Singaporeans, nobody can make
them
realize what is really going on in Singapore. Until they
witness
first-hand for themselves, they will reject any thesis that
tells
them they have been misled. Furthermore, they may not
appreciate
realizing the truth because once they do, they are very likely
to
move into the next category of Singaporeans, which I would
describe
below as a very disturbing phase. Keanu Reeves himself initially
did
not appreciate Morpheus trying to free his mind, Morpheus
later
remark to Keanu:
Morpheus: I feel that I owe you an apology. There is a rule
that
we do not free a mind once it reaches a certain age. It is
dangerous. They have trouble letting go. Their mind turns
against
them.
How true that is for this category of Singaporeans! I will
describe
later in the end how I came to "free my mind".
Category Two: The blue pill (Ignorance is bliss)
Morpheus: (Talking to Keanu) You take the blue pill and the
story
ends. You wake in your bed and you believe whatever you want
to
believe. You take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland and I
show
you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
In the above scene, the blue pill was offered to Keanu such
that,
when he takes it, he will return to the Matrix world and
remembers
nothing. Keanu, and apparently, all the other people of
Morpheus's
gang, chose the red pill to begin their battle against the
Matrix.
The second category of Singaporeans, to me, are those who may
have 'taken the red pill' and found out about all these events.
They
might have realize that, you cannot possibly be happy living
in
Singapore knowing all these information. Thus, they begin a
process
of trying to expel the knowledge from their mind. When I saw
the
character, Cypher, in the Matrix, it suddenly dawned upon me that
he
represents this particular category of Singaporeans. Let's take
a
closer look at his words:
Cypher: (Talking to Keanu) I know what you're thinking, because
I've
been thinking the same thing. Actually, I've been thinking it
ever
since I got here. Why oh why didn't I take the blue pill?
Later in the movie, Cypher was talking to those sentinel
agents,
planning to betray the rest. These are his words:
Cypher: (Talking to Agent Smith) I know this steak doesn't exist.
I
know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my
brain
that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, do you know what
I
realized? Ignorance is bliss.
Ignorance is bliss! "How true that is in context to the climate
of
fear in Singapore," I realized. Therefore, these Singaporeans
are
perhaps thinking to themselves, "Why must I know all these? Is
it
not easier to accept the PAP's rule and focus on making money and
in
raising up a happy family? Who cares about freedom of speech
and
transparency when we have safe streets in Singapore?"
Agent Smith: Then we have a deal?
Cypher: I don't want to remember nothing. Nothing! You
understand?
And I want to be rich. Someone
important. Like an actor. You can do that, right?
From my own experience, I am aware that there are Singaporeans whom
I speak to in typical 'coffee shop talk' who might have the
same
perspective as Cypher. It always amazes me that, whenever I bring
up
any social issue that attempts to question the way the PAP is
running
Singapore, I can clearly see that they are very uncomfortable. It
is
written all over their faces!
I used to wonder why are they always so quick to change the topic
or
so quick to contradict whatever I say with a display of blind
faith
in the authorities. After watching and hearing Cypher, I begin
to
realize that they are only rational in doing so. I believe that
they
are well aware of the real danger if they ever were to pause
to
seriously consider such issues, which I will describe below
To these Singaporeans, whenever anyone, Chee Soon Juan for
example,
tries to tell these Singaporeans the truth, it is immediately
rejected, not because these Singaporeans do not believe it,
but
because they chose not to. These Singaporeans may have attended
the
many political meetings in NUS, where opposition members like J
B
Jeyaratnam and Chiam See Tong constantly urge them to take the
lead
to change the climate in Singapore. Although they realized what
is
going on, the vast majority would not bother entertaining
such
thoughts. They have learned from their own cognitive dissonance
that
such thoughts would only cause them perpetual discomfort.
Thus, if they continue to feed on such thoughts, they may
eventually
have to act on it. Examples were made out of Chee Soon Juan and
Tang
Liang Hong to illustrate to these people that acting on such
thoughts
are likely to result in huge losses for themselves and their
families. Since they have made the choice to stay and make a home
in
Singapore, they do not want to remember anything else other than
the
apparent prosperity that they see around themselves.
These Singaporeans will not be seen in the National Day
Parade
cheering for Singapore, unlike those in the first category,
because
they still, in some sense, know what is going on. In my opinion,
it
is impossible to expel such knowledge completely; I have tried to
do
so myself without much success. There is a philosophical
saying,
Better Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. Better a
man
dissatisfied than a pig satisfied, that might be applied
here.
These Singaporeans are what Catherine Lim described as those
who
possess a "Great Affective Divide" for Singapore. The term that
was
recently initiated by the PAP, 'cosmopolitans' could also apply
to
these people.
Category Three: The red pill
Now, this last category represents people like J B Jeyaratnam,
Chee
Soon Juan, Francis Seow and all the other exiles from Singapore.
I
could include Dr Toh Chin Chye in it as well. All of us are aware
of
the history of the first two and we clearly do not envy them.
The
supposed 'climate of fear' that exists in Singapore politics is
a
very scary force to change. Those who really want to change
this
climate, must be prepared to free himself from this fear and
live
with whatever consequences that might happen. Keanu Reeves
himself
have to overcome many of his own doubts about him being 'The
One',
even dying before being resurrected, before he can unleash his
full
potential. Too bad real life is not like a movie, or is it?
:-)
My own testimony on how I taken the red pill
I ask myself, "Which category do I belong to?" I would say I
am
somewhere in between the second and the third one. I am clearly
not
someone willing to pay the price like Chee Soon Juan and yet I
am
clearly not contented to take the blue pill and forget
everything.
I remember the period when I first took the red pill and found
out
for myself about this climate of fear. It was my first year in
NUS.
I attended this closed door Philosophy seminar where the topic was
on
the role of Philosophy in Singapore. I think Cherian George was
also
present in that seminar, somewhere in July 1994. The
discussion
turned into an issue about whether the government is open to the
idea
of Singaporeans thinking for themselves. As a "newbie
undergraduate", I tried to make a point then that Singaporeans
have
no freedom of speech and the government does not want us to
contribute to policy making. I think it was Cherian George
that
later asked me, "If you think freedom of speech is so important,
why
didn't you parade with banners in Singapore urging for a change?"
I
remember replying, "Look what happen to Chee Soon Juan."
At that point of time, there was a combination of chuckling and
some
silence, but I did not know why. After the seminar, I met up
with
some of my friends who gave me a rather stern look and said
something
like, "Why did you say things like that? Didn't you know that
S
Vasoo was among the audience?" To be frank, at that time, I did
not
know who S Vasoo was. Later I found out that he was the PAP MP
who
sued Dr Chee Soon Juan in court in 1992-93.
And guessed what? I felt scared! I really did feel fearful. I
went
back home and started wondering, "Oh no! What have I done?" I
begin
to wonder whether my grades would be condemned from now on,
whether
my future will be ruined and so on.
Looking back, I guess I was too fearful, for my situation now
would
not have been so if they really kept tabs on me. But the point
is
still that, for the first time in my life, I experienced for
myself
the climate of fear in Singapore. Ironically, I originally wanted
to
be a journalist in the Straits Times. After swallowing that
'red
pill', I begin to research more into the history of the press
in
Singapore. It was then that I found out what happen to the
Singapore
Herald and the Far Eastern Economic Review. I guess I kissed
that
dream goodbye after that.
I also began researching into Singapore's history in 1987, not
the
official government version, but one told by Francis Seow in
his
book, To catch a Tartar. After finding out what really happened
in
the 1987 ISA arrests, I was shocked. I cannot believe that,
during
that time, I actually ran in front of the TV then whenever
they
started playing the patriotic songs, Count on Me Singapore and We
are
Singapore, to sing those songs with a great sense of pride. I
guess
if any of my friends tried to tell me then what really happened
in
that year, I would have rejected everything they say
completely.
Thus at this present moment, I can understand the reaction I get
from
my friends whenever I try to discuss about politics, after all, I
was
in their shoes before.
Conclusion
I love The Matrix so much for giving me the inspiration to come
up
with this article. If you were to ask me whether I regretted
having
taken the red pill, I would say, "No!" I always believe it is
better
to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. But I
understand
that my fellow Singaporeans are only rational in remaining
apathetic,
because if you want to settle down and make Singapore your
home,
having these thoughts will be very harmful to your mind.
That is an important reason why I need to get out of
Singapore,
temporarily at least, for now J. I am not willing to pretend it
does
not affect me. And I know that, the longer I remain here in
Singapore, the more I will have to expel all these thoughts out of
my
mind. I would hate it if I one day have to put the cross on
the
lightning symbol of the PAP, during the elections if I get to
vote,
for 'fear' that my career would be affected if I did not do so;
that
is a real possibility if I were to settle down here. I do not
want
my kid to come up one day and ask me, "Daddy, why didn't you stop
the
PAP earlier from making Singapore to be a city of fear," because
I
will not know how to answer him.
I thank God that he has given me an opportunity to experience life
in
another culture. I want to find out for myself whether I am
better
off being a second class person in a racially discriminating
society
like in the US, or being a second class person in a
politically
discriminating society like Singapore (Of course, Singapore, in
my
opinion, also practice racism. It is just that I belong to
the
majority race so I have to look closely to feel it, you can read
my
viewpoints towards racism in Singapore here) I may not be able
to
fly like Keanu Reeves did in the last scene of the movie, but I
am
certainly looking forward to a different environment here.
Any one with comments on this article can add it here.