Response to an interview
I received a request for an email interview about 2-3 weeks ago from Pearly and since she was so genuine and sincere, I happily obliged.
How do you feel about being a young political blogger in Singapore yourself?
I don’t really consider myself a ‘political blogger’. My blog is as much a personal blog as it is about politics. I have many interests in my life, and politics is just one of them, hence my posts about politics.
Do you think your views affect a lot of people?
I don’t think so.
Firstly, not everyone in Singapore has access to the internet. Secondly, of those who do have access to the internet, only some read blogs. And thirdly, those who do read blogs, they’ll probably end up reading their friends’ blogs, the blogs of those whom they know personally, and/or a smattering of the more famous blogs, such as “mr brown” and “Mr Miyagi“.
Basically, blogs are still not yet a widespread cultural phenomenon in Singapore. It is still commonly viewed as kid’s diaries or journals, and not as what it truly is, which is an easily accessible publishing platform. As such, I think the people who do read my blog are a relatively small group of people, most of whom are bloggers themselves.
Do you think it is a good thing more young people are voicing their political views?
Of course. When you voice out your opinions, online at least, you expose them to critique. The best part about the internet is that when others criticise you, you learn new ideas, and you start to evaluate the validity of your own views. And if you realise that the criticisms of your ideas hold no water, you also learn how to defend your ideas cogently and intelligently. Free speech can only be a good thing.
How do you think young political bloggers like yourself impact Singapore’s society?
At the moment, I don’t think there’s any impact at all. Singapore society is oblivious to blogs. People who read blogs are often bloggers themselves, and are still a relatively exclusive group of people. In the context of Singaporean society, bloggers are still lying on the fringe of any cultural, political and social discourse.
Do you foresee changes to the political scene in Singapore in the future?
Definitely. As you say, more and more people are speaking up. The future generations of Singaporeans are going to grow up exposed to ideas from all over the world. They will no longer be content to just put up with being told what to do. And those who are mobile, if they do not find that their input is taken into consideration by policy-makers, they can just leave for another country. In fact, you find this has been happening for quite a few years.
Furthermore, I think the state also realises that the key to a dynamic and resilient economy is a dynamic and resilient society. Sheep may make good workers, but they’ll never be creators, entrepreneurs, risk-takers and wealth creators. And these are the very kinds of people that Singapore needs. The side-effect is that such people are independent-minded and outspoken. If the government doesn’t withdraw from controlling the public space and allow more freedom of expression, these people will simply leave out of frustration.
Does the increasing number of young political blog change your opinion of young Singaporeans?
It depends on what you mean. What is my existing opinion of young Singaporeans? No opinion. They’re just like any other group of youngsters any where else in the world. Self-absorbed, insecure, preoccupied with the immediate concerns in their lives. Maybe less
knowledgable about the world and ideas that are not commonly encountered in Singapore.
And even if there are more political blogs from young people, would it change the reality of who they are? No. They’ll still be the same people, just with blogs.
