:: Tossed Salad and Scramble Eggs ::

:: Saturday, January 25, 2003 ::

What is the Free Market? Is it a formula for human success and happiness?

Attend any economics lecture for the first time and your lecturer will preach to you all about the virtues of the Free Market. The Free Market echoes democracy, freedom of enterprise and freedom of choice, consumer sovereignty. The promise of a Rockerfeller’s lifestyle of gold pavements, the latest fashion wear, feasts and banquets – the paradise for hedonism.

The coming of the Industrial Age has made the capitalist’s Utopia a reality. The free trade had become the keystone in jump-starting the European economy, thus makings it’s nations prosperous in the mid 18th century. Everywhere communications were being improved to facilitate the transport of people, goods and services from one region to another. In time, with efficient transport systems built, this brought the bustling life of urban living to even the most remote regions of a country. Heavy industry grew rapidly, providing jobs for the growing population. As standard of living began to develop for the better, consumer production also took off, thus prompting economic growth in ever-widening circles. This Industrial Age was the answer to unemployment, poverty and rural living. For a period of time, Adam Smith became the Saviour of Mankind. In 1844, the ‘free-trade hat’ made by the National Anti-corn-law League gave a powerful message of the Capitalist Dream. On it was the caption, ‘Give us this day our Daily Bread. Answered in 1844. We thank thee O Lord! For what thou hast so bountifully provided.” Certainly, the ideals of the Free Market seemed, in theory at least, the formula for a successful and materialistically comfortable lifestyle. Not only was this for the bourgeoisie, but also for the poor farm boy, there was equal opportunity for all to join in the capitalist’s competition regardless of race or status. Of course, the only necessary tool one would need is a shrewd mind and, not forgetting, a bit of luck.

But while the Gross Domestic Product of a country would ‘take off’ by leaps and bounds, improving the general standard of living, does this really mean that human success and happiness has been attained? Nathan Rothschild, a Jewish businessman once remarked, ‘after dinner, I usually have nothing to do. I do not read books, I do not play cards, I do not go to the theatre, my only pleasure is my business.’ I am sure that if Mr Rothschild were asked to comment on this topic, his answer would be an positive nod of the head. Venturing into the market economy is, by no doubt, a worthwhile risk to take in the hope of succeeding in the corporate world. This is especially so in our era of Globalisation, where the importance of trade and foreign investments have become ever so vital for a country’s international standing. In many capitalists’ nations, media broadcasts sensationalising the glories of capitalism depict businessmen who relate inspirational stories of how they rose from rags to riches. This piece of propaganda sent out by the government is an attempt to urge youths to follow the tidal wave of the entrepreneurial spirit with the hope that another new and successful Multi National Company would spur the economic growth in the country. As the old saying goes, it is like killing two birds with one stone, since the age old creed of capitalism, ‘self interest breeds public interest’ is fulfilled.

As a student in the lecture theatre, one would inevitably ask; if the Free Market was as good as it sounds, why did Karl Marx and many others opposed to it so vehemently? Of course, this question would set your economics lecturer on the pathway to blaspheming the capitalist doctrine. In ‘Capital’, Karl Marx famously defines capitalism as “ dead labour, that, vampire-like, only lives by sucking living labour, and lives the more, the more labour it sucks.” This may have seemed a little more than coarse talk, but Karl Marx did have an important point to make. He believed that the market economy was indifferent to the needs of the poor; hence, the inequality of income and wealth cause the claims about ‘consumer freedom’ and ‘choice’ to become an empty vessel. Still, many Americans who have been through the Cold War will tell you that Capitalism was bound to triumph over Communism. They were right.

However, Marx’s opposition to the market economy has made us wonder whether the free market really is the Newton’s apple to a contented lifestyle. In the late twentieth century, China’s open door policy has won international recognition and appraisal from around the world. The economy of the ‘eight hundred pound trading gorilla’ has flourished immeasurably after her phenomenal transition from the command economy to the market economy. But the free market has only proven to be the formula for a country’s economic growth and rise to credibility. Materialism is only transient, just as any economists will tell you that scarcity is prevalent whatever the circumstances. Therefore, it can never be a formula for an individual’s happiness or success.

Indeed, the coin has been flipped and the consequences of the capitalist system have become all the more obvious. The merits and material gain offered by the free market comes with a heavy price. In the capitalist world, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Competition is always evident, and animals and man alike, we have a limit as to how much pressure we can take from corporate managers demanding that project deadlines should be met and the fluctuating stock market, which keeps us on the edge of our seats on this everlasting roller coaster ride in the market economy. But because we have been sucked so deeply into this whirlpool which centres around the Darwinian Theory of survival of the fittest, it becomes hard for us to surface and take a little breather.

Social repercussions from the capitalist system are still taking place in the world today. The fears of being overtaken by rival competitors have caused many individuals to push their limits to the edge and the end product is terrifying. Eating disorders, mental anxiety, higher stresses frequencies, suicides, soaring divorce cases and a whole array of other problems. If this is the formula for human success and happiness, then the price to pay for it is extremely high. After all, no one can guarantee that the Midas touch would gain access to eternal happiness.

It would be unfair to condemn the capitalist system since the past two centuries have allowed us to experience the vast prosperity that the free market has to offer us. But while some would have certainly found success and happiness within the realms of the market economy, there are many others who are unable to do so. For centuries, philosophers have lamented about the materialistic drive of the capitalist market, which has in some uncanny way, eroded our values and morals of spiritual living and appreciation for life’s simplicity. One cannot quantify human emotions, and certainly not deduce a mathematical calculation for human success and happiness. It is also true to say that the right to define what is human success and happiness varies in each individual. As species of the human race, we have been designed with the gift of reason, and most importantly, emotion, emotions that hold out a yearning for something more than just the need for material gain. This gives us insight to the fact that in recent years, many people of capitalists’ nations have increasingly turned to religion for spiritual relief from the capitalists’ rat race. Yoga, for example, has become a popular exercise used to satisfy the spiritual self. Even pop artists such as Madonna, Analis Morisette and Gwen Steffani have been inspired by Indian spiritual yoga and have eagerly incorporated it into their music videos and to the lyrics of their songs

As expressed in Steven Spielberg’s film Artificial Intelligence, he portrays a world in the near future where humans become reliant on robotic mechanisms to satisfy their emotional psyche. The moral of the story plays upon the idea that despite how advance technology will be in the near future, despite the high standards of living we desire, ultimately, none of these things will ever be able to fully satisfy the human soul. In the end, the fundamental things still apply, as time goes by. Human contentment will always lie beyond monetary value. The need for love, friendship, care, all of which are elements that are essential to feed the yearning and to comfort the burdened soul. Elements that are far greater and more valuable than what money can buy. As the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson elegantly puts it, ‘To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.’

Comments please.

:: Stuffy 1/25/2003 04:01:00 AM [+] ::
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MusIc:

Hahah, heheeh, hee hee hee......Having such a fun time in school with my Gulab Jamun sister clan. Have been terrorizing Mr Thompson for the past week, so much so that he asked us during tutorials as to what we were up to and why we were laughing at him in the hallway. Of course we declined to comment. It was quite disappointing however, that he did not take it too surprisingly when we greeted him with a British accent and asked him whether an average British citizen ate chocolate biscuits and scones for tea at 4, shopped at Marks and Spencers and visited the queen on Sundays.(Mind you it suppose to be a rhetoric). Anyway, He went into a long intellectual reply on how Marks and Spencers sold the most expensive things, especially the undergarments sold there. 'the poorest quality!!'....Argh... I speculated to Sarita that he probably intended to play along with our game til we got bored of it and found it of no pleasing amusement. Maybe, we shall start terrorizing Mrs Lofthouse or something.

Went for an Econs Seminar at SMU with Huiling. Got lost on Wenesday but thankfully we found our way there on Friday. Boring.

:: Stuffy 1/24/2003 11:08:00 PM [+] ::
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'There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven...A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance...' Ecclesiastes 3

Went to a church friend's father's wake. Don't quite really know him very well and it was only recently that we joined Uncle Adrain's class. I'm quite ashamed to admit that when I received the news, I wasn't really overly shock at it...well I've really never been shock over anything tragic until it hits me later on. Even when I attended previous wakes, I guess I've come to accept death as part and parcel of life. (I could go anytime)
Today was exceptionally different, probably because of the circumstances. He took it quite badly, and I felt really terrible. I guess I do empathize with people who have lost their parent, especially suddenly.

Felt really stupid and helpless. I didn't really know what to say, no one did. I mean, even if I had said something, even if I had as much sympathy for him, its just not the same kind of empathy because I've never experienced it. How were I to know what its like? It was just like, sitting there and listening to him talk about his father. I guess he was really close to his dad, if I were him, I would have been in that state too. Well, the unsettling thing was that his dad was a free thinker. I guess when he said that, he just started to burst out crying since he didn't know where his dad was going. I cried too, its one of those things where you really can't say anything which would be of any comfort, simply because you don't know either. Something so hard to accept as a son.

I only remembered him when he gave his testimony last year about how he came to know God and how tough it was for him 2 years ago. It stuck with me because unlike other testimonies, it was, to me, very genuine...I suppose, I didn't quite prepare myself for such an emotional overflow because I had forgotten about it. I was reminded of it soon after, while sitting there.

The sad thing was about 'looking forward'. Chinese New Year reunion dinner, his 18th birthday, and his O level results. I was about to bury my face in soil and cry when I heard that the very first person who wanted to know about his O level results was his dad, and that his dad had gave him so much encouragement during his exam period...So much looking forward to what will come next.
I just hope he'll be fine and that he would walk closer with God during this time of grief. And I do hope that I'll be of some help in whatever way I can. Guess sunday school classes are going to be a little harder in the few weeks to come.

(But Isn't that what we all do?)

:: Stuffy 1/23/2003 06:52:00 AM [+] ::
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Music:Somewhere over the rainbow, What a wondeful world Medley - From Meet Joe Black Sountrack

Today wasn't a bad day. We had our GP presentation. Ms Kwan liked the 'Gulab Jamun' Sister's presentation the best. Yeah! Considering the fact that me and Vai were up last night finding pictures of the 20th century. I think we did a great job.

Anyway, there really isn't much to say about today except that i'm currently downloading instrumentals from the Soundtrack of Meet Joe Black. (well thats highly obvious) And oh yes! Mrs Ang finally shaved! No one in class seemed to take note of it till Sarah pointed it out. I guess everyone just got use to the fact that she never shaved the whole of last year.

:: Stuffy 1/20/2003 07:43:00 AM [+] ::
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Music:

Oh yes, I forgot to write about my sunday school class. Well things have changed. I don't hear Cheryl's voice that oft now that we've combined with the guyz class. Haven't really made social contact with them as yet, not very enthusiastic about doing so, until I find something in common to talk about.

Uncle Adrian for some reason or another looks like Kermit the Frog...I don't know why. I think its the buck teeth. Well, I could imagine him singing 'Why are there so many songs about rainbow...', with the banjo of course. All in all, I think he is a really good sunday school teacher, and I enjoy his classes. But at the same time, I miss Aunty Eng Keng so much!!! I seriously cannot help morphing anyone and everyone's face into something of a caricature. Its probably from reading too many comics and seeing all those lines...lines and lines of drawing. I shall talk about it someday, but for now, I have no inspiration to do so.
Theres a whole list of people, whom, when I look at them too long, they just turn into something. I should see a psychiatrist about it one day, if the clinic has a 'walk-in-for-free-session'. But for now, the high costs deters me from doing so. Why should we see psychiatrists anyway? There seriously isn't much point in doing so when you could just chat up with the person next to you on the MRT or the bus. Or people like taxi drivers. Believe me, sometimes they give pretty good advice, if not better. An economical way of getting the day's anecdote.

Maybe I shall publish my list of caricatures one day on this blog...like Mrs Lofthouse looking like that chicken from chicken run(the one doing the knitting). Mr Hunter looks like Nero if he wore a toga, he sounds like Nero anyway...he needs a violin to compliment that attitude. Or what about Nigger Na's protruding nose which makes him look like a hamster, but thats too obvious (at least 8 people have told me he looked so...er...this is no encouragement, Nigel, to go for a nose make-over. You might end up like Cher or Jackson)
. Theres a whole lot more. Too tired to write down...

Argh...I just realised how much i've been rambling. On second thought, it'll be a waste to erase whatevers in the above. I haven't written anything un-factual in days. But everytime I do start thinking, I get judgemental.

Okay, next resolution...not to be so judgemental in the future. I should stick to AWAD cut and pastes.

:: Stuffy 1/17/2003 07:32:00 AM [+] ::
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Music:Big Yellow Taxi - Counting Crows 'A big paradise, put up a parking lot...'

Currently having alot of fun with the La-du sisters gang which comprises of Me, Sarah, Sarita, Vai and Divya. Other than indian racists jokes coming from Sarah to antagonize Sarita, this week has been really fun. I found out this week that there is intra-racism between the singaporean indians and the scholar indians in our school. Its probably quite the same thing with Chinese singaporeans and Chinese scholars from China. For some reason or another, globalisation hasn't really done much of its job to intergrate its global citizens of the world.

Heheh, Sarita just introduced me to a really cool website that I would recommend you guyz to try. www.nationstates.com
This is seriouly one of the best websites that I've ever come across. I've recently passed a legislation in the Dominion of Vapourize for 'Raindeer' (yes, RAINDEER, the spelling is with purpose) jerkys and snacks. Well, for the purpose of trying to raise a nation, I shall intend to keep it as wholesome as possible with a fairly excellent economy. Check out Sarita and Sarah's websites...The Holy Empire of Dee Dee the Great and The Republic of Chan Hoe. (go search it yourself if you have the time)

School has been as usual. Not very stressing (hehe eversince I've found this website), but neither am I very relaxed. Been doing alot of work, but its become second nature to me.

Ladu sisters rule!!!!

:: Stuffy 1/17/2003 05:48:00 AM [+] ::
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This song is proudly dedicated to all history 3 students and Mr Bala.

Political Science by
Randy Newman


No one likes us-I don't know why
We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try
But all around, even our old friends put us down
Let's drop the big one and see what happens

We give them money-but are they grateful?
No, they're spiteful and they're hateful
They don't respect us-so let's surprise them
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them

Asia's crowded and Europe's too old
Africa is far too hot
And Canada's too cold
And South America stole our name
Let's drop the big one
There'll be no one left to blame us

We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too

Boom goes London and boom Paree
More room for you and more room for me
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town
Oh, how peaceful it will be
We'll set everybody free
You'll wear a Japanese kimono
And there'll be Italian shoes for me

They all hate us anyhow
So let's drop the big one now
Let's drop the big one now

:: Stuffy 1/11/2003 04:01:00 AM [+] ::
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Music: As time goes by - Classic version by Louis Armstrong, Theme from the movie Casablanca 1942.
School term is starting. Ho Ha! ....Orientation is over, so I guess its back to studies. Sure going to miss my OG12 Lonosians alot. Sigh

Anyway, the thought of having to sit for my A levels is scaring 20% of my mental-psyche. I still don't know where am I going after this. Plus I haven't really figured out how to study exam-smart for my papers. I need to brush up on my GP ditto. Speaking to a certain Indian scholar really made the final examination, as well as the competition more daunting.

All this thinking about examinations and deciding my future path in life is spoiling my intellect. I can't think about what to write about in this blog anymore. Argh...frustrating. I think i shall centre it around my AWAD stuff. At least some of the words from the daily mail is pretty amusing. (My Humour has gone very dry)

:: Stuffy 1/06/2003 04:42:00 AM [+] ::
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Music:Just a pill - Pink
Thinking: Waiting for 'I Spy' to finish d/l so that I could watch it

Dysphemism and its antonym, euphemism, are often two sides of the same coin.
A guerrilla in neutral language might be called freedom-fighter by some
while a terrorist by others. Novelist and story-writer Nathaniel Hawthorne
summed it well when he wrote, "Words - so innocent and powerless as they are,
as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the
hands of one who knows how to combine them."

:: Stuffy 1/06/2003 04:34:00 AM [+] ::
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Music:

Throat hurts. Hope I don't lose it tomorrow. Today was great! Kinda tired to elaborate more on yadda yadda. Maybe someother day.

Still wondering where am I going to go after JC...
I probably need to scout around for information on Universities and their courses. Geez, everyonelse seems to know alot more about the courses then I do. I wouldn't mind majoring in economics. But i'll probably end up like my dad. Actually, that isn't a bad idea. Office job, get to travel, meet deadlines and audit. It'll probably suit me alot better then being a National Geographics historian or geographian (is there such a word?) ...well archeology, I suppose. I wouldn't have very much energy to sustain 35years of archeological surveying anyway. I'll probably stick to NGC TV programmes for the time being.
Heck, this is frustrating. I'll think about it later in the year. Then do like I always do. Flip the coin in a desperate final decision.

:: Stuffy 1/03/2003 06:25:00 AM [+] ::
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Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the spaces between the notes and
curl my back to loneliness. -Maya Angelou, poet (1928- )

I beg to differ. True, Music feeds the empty soul, but its too much noise. Solitude in silence should be one's refuge, away from the turmoils of the world, the bustling city sounds and roaring tidal waves of voices. Don't you feel claustraphobic 'between the notes'? I know I would.
Will continue this later.....tired.

:: Stuffy 1/02/2003 05:12:00 AM [+] ::
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Music:Silence.

Had orientation today. Same thing same thing. We scream in agony as usual to ensure group bonding. I wonder if there is a different way of doing orientation? Someone should come up with a more exciting way of doing it...Something different and unique...After all, they demanded 'creativity, originality...' for our OM's performance.

Anyway, I think the junior batch is pretty cool for a start. Didn't irritate me at all. Very energetic lot. Well done =)
ok i'm tired. Gd nite'

:: Stuffy 1/02/2003 05:01:00 AM [+] ::
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Music: Parking Lot - Forgot who sang it...but its on the movie Two weeks notice. Saw the show with Tat and Zhi, we heard it as some vulgarity, was shocking...well, accidents do happen.

"`(Prof Richard) Holmes and his chums spent six months recreating the
battle of Waterloo on an enormous sand table,' I am told. `Thousands of
soldiers, cannons, and horses were painstakingly painted and placed ready
for battle.' Alas, one day school rebels broke into the Kriegspiel room
and bounced footballs on his battleground. When he discovered the carnage
Holmes collapsed, sobbing: "I want the culprits found, court martialed
and shot!"
The Scurra, The Mirror (London), Mar 4, 2002.

"`So my father, my two brothers and I used to go for long walks and one
brother would be way out in front, my father would be in the middle and
the other brother would be way at the back and they'd be playing the game
Kriegspiel in their head and my father would keep both positions in his
mind. And my role was to carry the moves backwards and forwards, so I was
the runner.'"
John Schwartz, At the Heart of the Mind, Roger Penrose Thinks Computers
Have a Lot to Learn, The Washington Post, Dec 1, 1994.

:: Stuffy 1/02/2003 04:55:00 AM [+] ::
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Music: I'm still Here - John Rzezik (alternative, cool song from treasure planet)

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the
most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.
-Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (1927-1989)
er...no relevance whatsoever to the later paragraphs. Just found it off AWAD.
School starts tomorrow. Drag.

Okay 2003...Was writing to Rudian, my cousin, we both agreed on one thing. There really isn't much big a deal whenever a new year comes. So next year will be 2004 and the year after next 2005 and so on.*shrugg

It theres one thing I've made progress in, was the fact that i finally started to stop wishing and start talking. And of course it makes quite a big difference. Thank You God. When someone starts something, be it good or bad, the multiplier effect (adopted from Keynes) actually works. I tell dad that the choir needs help. He helps, they are happy. They come and sing and make others happy. When others are amazed at the power of God working in these children, they are happy. They want to bring their friends along to the next performance. I hope the last sentence would become a reality. Please pray for me.

:: Stuffy 1/01/2003 05:40:00 AM [+] ::
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