4E1 English Blog

After reading the article, we are still just as guilty and ugly are the citizens of Singapore that reside in a country that still adheres to something as archaic is the policy of minding your own business.And to bring oneself to reprimand the Australian who stood up in public for the 'damsel in distress' is just incomprehensibly immoral and unethical. He had the moral courage to help and defend someone who was in need of it.But before I start criticizing uncontrollably about the disgusting attitude that is of apathetic Singaporeans, my bone of contention today is with something else. Even though we honestly wish there was something we could say to disagree with your view of the general public in this country but we can't.I have experienced the same apathy and nonchalance, and unwillingness to step in when it was necessary, with little to counteract this perception. Even though I know that feeling intimidated was part of the reason others were afraid to move in, fear alone can never justify inaction. I feel the most salient difference between this country and certain others is that even though acts of violence do occur elsewhere and people may not step in, it quickly happens after that the incident becomes heavily spotlighted once the news spreads, and in turn vigorous debate and intense self-reflection follows.

But in Singapore, where one grows up sheltered and ignorant of the world, we are rarely exposed to violence save in theaters and other media, and hence we are poorly equipped to deal with it when it happens in real life.Youth are much more informed about the issues thanks to the Internet, but knowledge isn’t translating into action who can only spectate but not analyze, who can work out a sum but only think for themselves, who are quick to criticize but possess little empathy to cushion the harshness of their words. In addition, education here in general does not go beyond the the representation of real life situations - we are taught and learn only what is necessary to live our lives quietly and successfully.

Perhaps I sound contemptuous and pessimistic,perhaps I am being cocky. But this is my sincere opinion.It's no surprise then that I, and I believe many others, are justifiably disgusted at such behavior exhibited by thoughtless members of the public. Telling the Australian off at the Ang Mo Kio MRT station... Is that really necessary?