Just a short summary of this whole article, it talks about goodness, the reason for goodness, and well telling us about Charles Darwin being stumped by this whole issue of why do worker bees sacrifice themselves to protect their hives and him finding a solution that came to him soon enough. As the article progresses, more scientists are brought into the picture and eventually Hamilton found that altruism and blood kin ships are not linked by an all-or-nothing relationship.
So, the following is my personal response on the question of: Drawing from this article and your personal experience, say why you believe human beings are willing to do good to others.
I do believe that we as human beings are willing to do good to others and this is because of certain factors.
We as human beings would want to be treated good and so we should all do the same. We can see that this so from the fact that there is this thing called the golden rule. Do not do unto others things that you do not wish to be unto you. I mean you would want to be treated good, so you will be willing to be good to others. This is the case unless you a masochist. Therefore, we can say that human beings are willing to do good to others as they want to be treated the same way.
Also, we human beings are rational beings with emotions. Your family members are that important to you. Think about your life, your family memebers are good to you and so are your relatives. (I hope so...) You know that they have treated you well, and it is right for you to do the same to them, to be good towards them. The article wrote about bees sacrificing themselves for their kins, moreover we as rational beings with emotions, shouldn't we be doing at the very least to be good to our family memebers. Therefore, we can say that kin ships is a very important for huamn beings to be willing to do good to others.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Secondary 3 - Commentaries Assessment
Article chosen: Trial to let cyclists use footpaths in Tampines
This article talks about the year-long trial project that was started in the 2007 to allow cyclists to ride on footpaths in Tampines. This idea was first proposed by Member of Parliament, Ms Irene Ng, and now the purpose of this trial is to see that if it is possible for the cyclists and the pedestrians to share the footpaths. If there are no safety concerns throughout the trial, the government could be reviewing this law and the Tampines GRC might make it a permanent change. Therefore, allowing the cyclists to ride on the footpaths around the area that was once considered illegal and fines could have been meted out.
Cyclists on the footpaths? NO way?
I could still that particular day… I was standing at the footpath, trying to hail for a taxi. Just then, I felt something hit my arm and then a gush of wind. An acute pain shot through my arm just as I turned to see a cyclist speeding away.
Have you ever been caught in this situation, the time when a cyclist was going at the top of his speed riding on the footpath? Before you manage to dodge it, he rammed into you, and then not even apologizing for his actions and just leaving you in the lurch there? Well, I have, and I do not like a single bit of that. It is dangerous to the pedestrians on the footpaths and also to the cyclist himself. Hence, I do not agree with the government for starting the project in Tampines to allow cyclists to ride on the footpaths.
Firstly, this act poses a danger to the pedestrians on the pedestrians’ footpaths. In whatever things, there are always a group of people who are just irresponsible and do things that should not be done. In this case, there are cyclists who actually love the feel of the breeze on their faces and love the thrill of speeding on their bikes. If they are unable to stop just in the nick of time, then injuries may result. There is an article that was reported on newspaper back in 2008 regarding a casualty arising from being knocked down by a cyclist. The woman was carrying her baby and wanted to cross the road when she was knocked down by a cyclist. Though she fainted only for a moment and just suffered from bruises and scratches, her baby had hit her head and face on the kerb. Fortunately, her baby did not suffer from any internal injury or concussion, if not the consequences would have been worse. The cyclist did not even help them up and express concern and remorse for his actions. From this example, we can see that there are irresponsible cyclists who pose potential danger to the pedestrians. If we were to allow cyclists to ride on the pavements then more people might be injured from these incidents. Secondly, though in this incident, the cyclist was unscathed, there were also incidents that cyclists were injured after hitting the pedestrians or when trying to avoid the pedestrians. When they try to avoid the pedestrians and swerve to the side, they might crash into the trees or fall on the ground and thus suffering from scratches, bruises, head injury and many others. Therefore, this act not only endangers the pedestrians’ lives, the cyclists themselves are also endangering their own lives. Hence, we should not allow cyclists to ride on the footpaths and I do not agree with the government for starting the project.
Even though some people may remark that since the program piloted, there was not a single report of someone being injured, I feel that it is not an actual gauge of how well this will fair if it was legalized throughout Singapore. Have you ever take a look at how wide the footpaths that you walk on are, be it on the way to school or the way to your workplace? I do not mean that you go out and take the actual measurements, but just a rough gauge. Most footpaths can only have two to three people walking side by side each other. When a bicycle is added into the picture, it will take up a lot of space and will then pose a danger to the pedestrians as they would have to avoid being rammed down by the cyclists. The pilot program is not a good gauge of whether it is safe or not is because of the fact that most footpaths along Tampines are around twice the normal footpaths elsewhere. Therefore, I do not agree with the government for piloting this program to see if there are any safety concerns and maybe even going to review the laws.
Finally, I would just want you all out there to imagine if you were a pedestrian and you get knocked down by a cyclist, how would actually feel? Would you be in support with this act? Well, I can tell all of you that I would never want that to happen.
This article talks about the year-long trial project that was started in the 2007 to allow cyclists to ride on footpaths in Tampines. This idea was first proposed by Member of Parliament, Ms Irene Ng, and now the purpose of this trial is to see that if it is possible for the cyclists and the pedestrians to share the footpaths. If there are no safety concerns throughout the trial, the government could be reviewing this law and the Tampines GRC might make it a permanent change. Therefore, allowing the cyclists to ride on the footpaths around the area that was once considered illegal and fines could have been meted out.
Cyclists on the footpaths? NO way?
I could still that particular day… I was standing at the footpath, trying to hail for a taxi. Just then, I felt something hit my arm and then a gush of wind. An acute pain shot through my arm just as I turned to see a cyclist speeding away.
Have you ever been caught in this situation, the time when a cyclist was going at the top of his speed riding on the footpath? Before you manage to dodge it, he rammed into you, and then not even apologizing for his actions and just leaving you in the lurch there? Well, I have, and I do not like a single bit of that. It is dangerous to the pedestrians on the footpaths and also to the cyclist himself. Hence, I do not agree with the government for starting the project in Tampines to allow cyclists to ride on the footpaths.
Firstly, this act poses a danger to the pedestrians on the pedestrians’ footpaths. In whatever things, there are always a group of people who are just irresponsible and do things that should not be done. In this case, there are cyclists who actually love the feel of the breeze on their faces and love the thrill of speeding on their bikes. If they are unable to stop just in the nick of time, then injuries may result. There is an article that was reported on newspaper back in 2008 regarding a casualty arising from being knocked down by a cyclist. The woman was carrying her baby and wanted to cross the road when she was knocked down by a cyclist. Though she fainted only for a moment and just suffered from bruises and scratches, her baby had hit her head and face on the kerb. Fortunately, her baby did not suffer from any internal injury or concussion, if not the consequences would have been worse. The cyclist did not even help them up and express concern and remorse for his actions. From this example, we can see that there are irresponsible cyclists who pose potential danger to the pedestrians. If we were to allow cyclists to ride on the pavements then more people might be injured from these incidents. Secondly, though in this incident, the cyclist was unscathed, there were also incidents that cyclists were injured after hitting the pedestrians or when trying to avoid the pedestrians. When they try to avoid the pedestrians and swerve to the side, they might crash into the trees or fall on the ground and thus suffering from scratches, bruises, head injury and many others. Therefore, this act not only endangers the pedestrians’ lives, the cyclists themselves are also endangering their own lives. Hence, we should not allow cyclists to ride on the footpaths and I do not agree with the government for starting the project.
Even though some people may remark that since the program piloted, there was not a single report of someone being injured, I feel that it is not an actual gauge of how well this will fair if it was legalized throughout Singapore. Have you ever take a look at how wide the footpaths that you walk on are, be it on the way to school or the way to your workplace? I do not mean that you go out and take the actual measurements, but just a rough gauge. Most footpaths can only have two to three people walking side by side each other. When a bicycle is added into the picture, it will take up a lot of space and will then pose a danger to the pedestrians as they would have to avoid being rammed down by the cyclists. The pilot program is not a good gauge of whether it is safe or not is because of the fact that most footpaths along Tampines are around twice the normal footpaths elsewhere. Therefore, I do not agree with the government for piloting this program to see if there are any safety concerns and maybe even going to review the laws.
Finally, I would just want you all out there to imagine if you were a pedestrian and you get knocked down by a cyclist, how would actually feel? Would you be in support with this act? Well, I can tell all of you that I would never want that to happen.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Edited Introduction for the Orchard Road Facelift
Do you have any idea how much is 40 million dollars? Have you ever wondered how much it can do? It could be used for you to buy so many houses around the world, across the continents, that you could stay in on every travel there. It could be used to buy so many cars that, well, you can change 1 every 2 days. It also could have been used to do more meaningful stuff such as building homes for people who are homeless. It could have been used to build schools so that others can be educated. It could have been pumped into research that would help us.
Well, this was the amount used for the makeover of Orchard Road. The Singapore Tourism Board used this 40 million dollars to install new items such as new street lamps, co-ordinated street furniture, decorative glass panels and potted flower totems. Nothing bad about it, but well, does the makeover worth so much as to a whooping 40 million dollars? I do not think so. In fact, I think that this money is not put to good use as in the first place there are instances where this additional stuff and ongoing construction caused a lot of hindrance and that the changes were not significant enough and much more practical stuff could have been installed.
Well, this was the amount used for the makeover of Orchard Road. The Singapore Tourism Board used this 40 million dollars to install new items such as new street lamps, co-ordinated street furniture, decorative glass panels and potted flower totems. Nothing bad about it, but well, does the makeover worth so much as to a whooping 40 million dollars? I do not think so. In fact, I think that this money is not put to good use as in the first place there are instances where this additional stuff and ongoing construction caused a lot of hindrance and that the changes were not significant enough and much more practical stuff could have been installed.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Orchard Road Facelift
Any idea how much is 40 million dollars? Wondered how much it can do? Well, this was the amount used for the makeover of Orchard Road. The Singapore Tourism Board used this 40 million dollars to install new items such as new street lamps, co-ordinated street furniture, decorative glass panels and potted flower totems. Well, does the makeover worth so much as to a whooping 40 million dollars? I do not think so. In fact, I think that this money is not put to good use as there are instances where this additional stuff and ongoing construction caused a lot of hindrance and that the changes were not significant enough and much more practical stuff could have been installed.
Firstly, these changes or newly installed stuff were not significant to the people who go around Orchard daily. In a Lifestyle report, interviewees had noted hardly any difference, even when they do, they could only name one. This just shows that all these newly installed items are not significant to them and the reason for them not noticing all these at all. Hence, what can we say about this 40 million dollars that was inputted into this? It was not put to good use.
Secondly, ongoing construction in the vicinity had caused major hindrances, not taking into account other stuff for now. Roads have been blocked and the shops too have been affected. Tourists who were looking out for places to go to in Singapore, when they arrived at Orchard, some of them were disappointed with the place after learning that there were so many road obstructions and wasn't a great place for shopping. Moving on, the flower totems that were newly installed were not great as they were blocking the view of others and also some walkways. This just shows how not so great the new improvements were. Therefore, this also shows that the 40 million dollars were not put to good use.
Lastly, just how practical are these stuff? I acknowledge that the newly installed street lamps might have some help to the people when it is night time, but even an interviewee remarked that she would only notice them when they malfunctioned. What could have been built could have been a bridge for pedestrians as remarked by another interviewee. The bridge would have been more practical as we all know that Orchard Road is supposedly to be very crowded, so this would divert the pedestrians to taking the bridge rather than just gathering at the junctions. Well, another interviewee has also brought the point that Singapore should maintain green. This 40 million dollars could also have been used for cleaning up the paths and keeping the walkways clean. Therefore, practicality was also not a strong point of the 40 million dollars package and hence the 40 million dollars was not put into good use.
All in all, we can see that the 40 million dollars was not put into good use and that many other improvements could have been made to help make Orchard Road an even better spot for tourism and retail therapy.
Firstly, these changes or newly installed stuff were not significant to the people who go around Orchard daily. In a Lifestyle report, interviewees had noted hardly any difference, even when they do, they could only name one. This just shows that all these newly installed items are not significant to them and the reason for them not noticing all these at all. Hence, what can we say about this 40 million dollars that was inputted into this? It was not put to good use.
Secondly, ongoing construction in the vicinity had caused major hindrances, not taking into account other stuff for now. Roads have been blocked and the shops too have been affected. Tourists who were looking out for places to go to in Singapore, when they arrived at Orchard, some of them were disappointed with the place after learning that there were so many road obstructions and wasn't a great place for shopping. Moving on, the flower totems that were newly installed were not great as they were blocking the view of others and also some walkways. This just shows how not so great the new improvements were. Therefore, this also shows that the 40 million dollars were not put to good use.
Lastly, just how practical are these stuff? I acknowledge that the newly installed street lamps might have some help to the people when it is night time, but even an interviewee remarked that she would only notice them when they malfunctioned. What could have been built could have been a bridge for pedestrians as remarked by another interviewee. The bridge would have been more practical as we all know that Orchard Road is supposedly to be very crowded, so this would divert the pedestrians to taking the bridge rather than just gathering at the junctions. Well, another interviewee has also brought the point that Singapore should maintain green. This 40 million dollars could also have been used for cleaning up the paths and keeping the walkways clean. Therefore, practicality was also not a strong point of the 40 million dollars package and hence the 40 million dollars was not put into good use.
All in all, we can see that the 40 million dollars was not put into good use and that many other improvements could have been made to help make Orchard Road an even better spot for tourism and retail therapy.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Making an argument
Choice of topic: Scrap the CCTs
CCTs have been a part of the school curriculum and I do not agree with scraping the CCTs. Being a student, I know that CCTs can be very stressful and have a lot revising to do before the test. However, we must also take into account that these tests are there for us to gauge our standard and whether we have learnt well. If these tests are no longer available, then there will be no means to know whether we have learnt what were supposed to learn and also what else we need to learn. Therefore, we should not scrap the CCTs.
CCTs have been a part of the school curriculum and I do not agree with scraping the CCTs. Being a student, I know that CCTs can be very stressful and have a lot revising to do before the test. However, we must also take into account that these tests are there for us to gauge our standard and whether we have learnt well. If these tests are no longer available, then there will be no means to know whether we have learnt what were supposed to learn and also what else we need to learn. Therefore, we should not scrap the CCTs.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
What is an exposition?
An exposition is a type of text whereby views of a certain issue are stated and weighed. What this means is that, based on a certain issue or given topic, we will have to think about the views of it and then we will discuss it. Finally, we will weigh and do a conclusion on that issue.
In the introduction, we would have to come up with a topic sentence / thesis statement that states our stands on that particular issue.
Then in the following paragraphs, we should have a sentence which states the point to what the whole paragraph is going to talk about. After which, we must support the point with evidences and elaborate on them. And at the end of the paragraph, have a link back to the topic sentence in the introduction. It will be good to have at least three different views.
Finally, we come to the part of conclusion. In the conclusion, we weigh the given points and decide on which is the best and link back to the introduction. With that, you are done with your exposition essay.
Expositions are generally used in debates where both parties argue about their point and their stand. What we must keep in mind that our exposition have to be convincing to be able to succeed.
*Please note that the above given form are my style of writing and my opinions, it might be accurate though. Please check with your teachers for further information.
In the introduction, we would have to come up with a topic sentence / thesis statement that states our stands on that particular issue.
Then in the following paragraphs, we should have a sentence which states the point to what the whole paragraph is going to talk about. After which, we must support the point with evidences and elaborate on them. And at the end of the paragraph, have a link back to the topic sentence in the introduction. It will be good to have at least three different views.
Finally, we come to the part of conclusion. In the conclusion, we weigh the given points and decide on which is the best and link back to the introduction. With that, you are done with your exposition essay.
Expositions are generally used in debates where both parties argue about their point and their stand. What we must keep in mind that our exposition have to be convincing to be able to succeed.
*Please note that the above given form are my style of writing and my opinions, it might be accurate though. Please check with your teachers for further information.
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