Vox populi vox dei

Vox Populi Vox Dei. Do you believe in this proverb? In the past, people who believe and follow the masses are mostly just ignorant beings who need to rely on the power of a majority. In modern times, it is no different with people relying on the mass media and government for information, albeit armed with a seemingly more discerning eye and perceived inherent knowledge. Indeed, the parent quote "Nec audiendi qui solent dicere, Vox populi, vox Dei, quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit" probably holds the truth. It translates to "Do not listen to those who are accustomed to claim, 'The voice of the people is the voice of God', because the tumult of the masses is always close to insanity." But then again, that's almost exactly how democracy today works right?

Overcrowding in the heartland

I was in Junction 8 last evening fighting the crowds for a dinner table. In town today, I had to fight equally hard not only for a lunch table, but also for space to walk. The faces in Jurong, Woodlands and Orchard are becoming more and more foreign. Newspapers report that our very own Chinatown and Geylang are being taken over by Chinese immigrants. I am hearing more frequent complaints from friends and family about overcrowding. With only 4.8 million inhabitants with one in four being a non-Singaporean, how will things be when we reach our goal of 6 million? I never really understood why Japan was so conservative in her immigration policy, perhaps I'm starting to understand why.

Taxi

In the short journey to Mid-Valley Shopping Centre in a taxi, my family had an interesting conversation with the driver. In his sixties probably, he spoke with a slight English accent. He had explained he lived in Singapore for seven years during which he was a Military Transport Officer when the British were still around. Somehow, conversations in cabs always end up on the political spectrum, and the topic of Dr. Mahathir disliking my country came into the picture. To my surprise, the driver thought that Dr Mahathir's constant condemnation of a seemingly superior Singapore was necessary as a leader igniting hope and confidence to his people. I didn't quite know what to say to that, but I felt if that was true, it is sad.

Does the future change?

I experienced an epiphany last night. It left me with a strange feeling, as if I was standing at the edge of space, looking down upon earth, our world. I thought of the future. What will become of us? We, or at least myself, have great aspirations and expectations for the future. My visualisation includes not only great advancement in technology, but changes in behaviour in society, right down to every individual. But will we look back 50 years from now and say, "Seems like nothing much had changed"? It is an unfulfillingly sad but highly probable outcome. For now, just indulging in the thrill of what to come will suffice for me, all which its unpredictable nature might render purposeless.