Some stock-taking is in order.
1. My last posts indirectly challenged some economic gurus about their having likened this crisis to the Great Depression of the 1930's. Their recent writings have clarified that they meant to compare the PRESENT pace of job creation, deflationary effects on the economies and stock markets, rather than the ABSOLUTE material (and economic) comforts available to the average human being during the 2 periods. I will only say the tone of their writings AT THAT TIME sounded more dire. Which led me to keep this online "diary". If all that's being bandied about is the economic calculations, size of budgets, percentage growth or declines etc, I will certainly defer to the people in charge of the econometrics and statistics. In fact, Singaporeans will recall that some of these numbers are part of "Official Secrets". Ask the Finance Minister.
2. Once the clarification is published, it would seem I am quarelling with no one. I am all alone. THAT is depressing.
3. Thankfully - it's going to sound terrible soon- the latest polls reported by newspapers regarding happiness, and loneliness/isolation, my sense of feeling alone and uncared for is fairly commonplace.
I'm not rejoicing that other people suffer like me. Really I'm not.
It's a good chance to stress again that appearances can be deceiving. Even the numbers. Let's take someting obvious. You can be in a crowded room, yet feel so isolated and disconnected that loneliness is the strongest emotion that comes to mind immediately. Conversely, the SAGE can be all alone with no one around for miles, yet feel SO connected AS ONE to the universe and the cosmos beyond, that there is no "I", but "US". That dude is certainly FAR from feeling isolated or sad.
For the majority of us, "icons of mediocrity" (my pet name for Singaporeans), what then?
I guess (maybe only) the techie would approve of my answer: stay connected to others. Keep connecting with others. Don't lose touch with one another.
It is well to note that one of the most (frequently) permitted criticisms made against our political leaders is that they are "out of touch" with the common man.
