Riding on The Titanic aka The Uncomfortable Status Quo in Singapore (Part I)

This is Part I of a series that has been inspired by my view of the socio-political space in Singapore in the setting of the epic Titanic. Let me state upfront that while the series is based loosely on real events and real people, it is to be read as a fictional story. Additionally, I would categorically state here that I am neither of the characters, nor do I personally know of any person who resembles any of the characters described in the series.

“All aboard!” booms the Captain. His voice carries a dignified authority that commands obedience and respect. The sea breeze hastens the spread of the message, so much so that not only his men, but also the fare-paying passengers pause in the midst of their bustle to heed his call. Ten thousand people make their way to the hulking metallic mass that probably should be more appropriately termed an aircraft carrier rather than a mere cruise ship. It is the largest of its kind, the Titanic. “Take your places everyone, there is more than enough room, so make yourselves comfortable,” exudes the usher with more than the average amount of charm.

“Sarah, do you know where we’re headed?” Sam, a strapping fine lad of twenty-five, asks his lady companion. “Oh, I don’t know exactly, but it’s somewhere near the North Pole. Not to worry darling, Daddy’s the Captain, he knows, and he’ll take us there for sure! Look at the beautiful view, quick, get your digital camera!” And so the Titanic launches from the port, negotiating her way successfully past the rather narrow straits. It gathers speed as it approaches open waters. Sam looks out into the great unknown, and feels an inexplicable sense of dread, even foreboding.

“Are you alright darling?” asks Sarah in a sing-song tone, as she places her arms round his waist. Sam nods, not wanting to upset his young fiancée. He can’t seem to put his finger on what is bothering him; after all, here he is in the prime of his life, enjoying the company of the beauty that he had fought off so many suitors for. Soon however, Sam shrugs the feeling off as nerves, forces a smile, and begins to relax, little by little.

Singapore, ‘The Island’ Nation

Special thanks to Dansong for inspiring this reflection on my beloved island-nation that is Singapore.

If you will indulge me, picture yourself in an enormous underground shelter, being bombarded by subliminal messages such as “You are specially chosen… The world out there is uninhabitable and lifeless… You are safe here… Your job is to wait for the chance to go to The Island, where you will be free from all the radiation outside these walls…” etc.

And so you go about your life, alongside others who look somewhat similar to you, but you can’t really place your finger on it, working on something that has been defined as “a job”, but its true significance is lost on you, because “it is pointless to ask questions”, “people are watching”, “it’s really hectic here”, “just wait, I’ll be the next one to win the (Island) lottery”…

Conflict Theory in Practice — Political Scene in Singapore

When one powerful force arises, another will emerge. We see that all over the world, whether it is US invading Iraq, or Pakistani authorities clamping down on ‘Islamic militants’. In light of these global events, our leaders have been, in various forms and guises, attempting to stave off the irrepressible forces that surround us, and provide us with a semblence of order that is nothing like the rest of the world can provide. Indeed it can be argued that their efforts have been relatively successful. Let’s give the Singapore ’system’ due credit: it has served us relatively well, so far. So whither this conflict on our local shores?