http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sg_Review/message/1259
Commentary: Mellanie Hewlitt
Singapore review
10 August 20034
Is "The Matrix" - A Singapore Reality???
It seems strange that inspite of all the glowing pre-national day reports in
the local papers concerning the rosy upbeat economy, Singaporeans are still
faced with the harsh realities of rising unemployment.
Coupled with high unemployment, Singapore's total employment was also
marginally lower. Unable to hide (or further delay) the glaring and unflatering
numbers, state owned media networks chose to discreetly "publish" the
obligatory figures the day after the National Day celebrations.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/100029/1/.html
Singapore's labour market registered a decline, as total employment rose by
10,400 in the second quarter, compared with a 13,700 gain in the previous
quarter.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said the decline reflected the lower
increase of 6,700 jobs in the services producing industries, as against 11,400
in Q1.
The figures were contained in the second quarter economic report and released
by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Tuesday.
The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate remained at a high of 4.5 percent
from December last year. All this does not seem to gel with the upbeat, feel
good reports dished out on the week before the National Day celebrations,
which also herald in the Lee Hsien Loong as the new Prime Minister.
The scene brought back deja vu feelings and visions of the movie: "The Matrix"
(first sequel in 1999). Part of its huge success was because it was one of
those rare movies which provoked a paradigm shift in audiences.
Is the average Singaporean reduced to a duracell battery, living in a virtual
world crafted by the Matrix? (No two guesses who or what the matrix is here.)
Is The Matrix a Singapore Reality?
Read on and decide for yourselves.....
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By: kelvintan_@h...
Date: 1 Jan 2002
http://www.geocities.com/kelvintan73/articles/matrix.htm
http://www.geocities.com/kelvintan73/articles/apathy.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.
