Singapore¶
No one really denies that Singapore is the most functional society on earth, which is interesting in itself. Everything works here (even multiculturalism (of which they have the superior Confucian hegemony version, rather than the ethno-masochistic late-Christian fiasco)). Practical civilization reaches its zenith in the orchid zone of the Singapore botanic gardens, or somewhere close to it. This drives a lot of people — even those who profoundly admire the place — into a sulfurous rage.
No one likes an apple-polisher of Gnon (or scarcely anyone, I’m exempting myself, along with a few others). By demonstrating social functionality, Singapore makes everyone look bad, which doesn’t go down well. The Sings make us all look like useless scum. Yes, there is that.
Conversation snippets:
“How much crime is there in Singapore?”
“Not much. I saw a sign saying ‘Warning! Five bicycles have been
stolen from this area in the last three years.’ People were leaving
them there unlocked.”
“I’ve known a lot of Singaporeans, but I’ve never really had a Singaporean friend. … If you’re used to going out on a Friday night, getting hammered, and waking up in the morning feeling like crap, it’s hard. No one does that here. The Singaporeans are sensible all the freaking time …”
The stairwell door to the apartment where we’re staying has a biometric identification system (plus two redundant human security guards).
The demographic problem — I’m increasingly convinced — is hugely about education costs (in money and time). It’s k-selection catastrophe. That’s a can to be kicked down the road for the time being, though, because no one has a solid solution to offer right now. Mentioned here because it’s deep, highly general, and the only criticism of Singapore that deserves to be taken remotely seriously.
3.5 million citizens, and 1.5 million permanent residents. (‘PRs’ are obligated to do national military service.)
I’ll try to update this further (and if I was Singaporean I’d almost certainly deliver).