The 4th Wall

Without my knowing it, I have totally shifted my computing habits to one that's very much tethered to the cloud computing system.

it started with mobileme a while back. The ease of having my browser bookmarks, emails and contacts synced seamlessly and more importantly, invisibly across 3 platforms was heavensent. And without realising it, I kinda took it for granted until one day I was rushing out of the office and wanted to read more on a link I had bookmarked, during the commute to a meeting only to realise that I hadn't allowed enough time for the "sync" to go through. Boy was I peeved. And then I began to laugh at how much I had taken it for granted.

I also began using Dropbox to sync work and reference files between my work laptop and home desktop. Thumb-drive to transport files? That's so archaic! And then yesterday my brother let me know that there was the iPhone version. OMG how could I not know this?!

These days with mobile devices stepping up and performing more functions beyond the intended "making phone calls", cloud computing has really come into its own. It's really easy to get into and the convenience it supplies to a busy individual's life is unrivalled. Thing is, how much of a crutch would this slowly become without us becoming aware of it? And what's worse, what would happen when one day something goes wrong and things fail as it inevitably would and should? Can you imagine the collective global scream of horror??

There comes a time when a person hits his limit in anything. For me, today is the desperate astro-turfing being conducted in a last ditch attempt to convince Singaporeans that the YOG is indeed, worthy of our fawning attention and not our scorn and disgust.

The following article was posted on a blog, of whom the blogger himself had reposted a blog entry that was re-posted (stay with me) by his nameless and unlinked friend. Yes, if it was indeed a genuine blog entry in the first place, why not just link it?

You may read it at the following link.

http://blog.dk.sg/2010/08/14/yog-the-story-from-the-other-side/comment-page-1/#comment-60626

Here's my take on the entire affair. Yes, I do call shenanigans.

"You know what strikes me as I read this so called blog post by this convenient “Ridz’s friend”.

It’s very SPH-worthy.

Oh not in the “wow it’s such a brilliantly written piece of journalism that it should be published” kind. Rather, it reeks of the usual ham-handed writing that the state-controlled press has been churning out for the past 4 decades or so.

The piece is such an archetype of our Uniquely-Singapore brand of journalism that the formula is so familiar. If it is indeed sincere and heartfelt, then I see it as yet another example of the mind-numbing degradation that ST has been subjecting our people to over the years.

Starting off with the signature statement of conversion, “Frankly, … I was a cynic… ” quickly followed up with a punctuated single sentence of “Over the past month, I was proven wrong slowly”, the national fist-pumping begins.

Every word that follows is selected with care to shore up the flagging administration and the growing roll call list of screw-ups, puffed up with vague references to people and societal groups who have experienced and gone through the same but possess of a different nay, IDEAL mindset that such inconveniences are to be expected and in fact, enjoyed in the name of doing their best for country and society, but without the benefit of actual names and specific instances because… we don’t want to “name and shame” or because they’re not real?

Note too the personal statements of appeal that smacks of the official agenda policy, with mild rebukes exhorting you to remember that your personal gripes and complains are just not welcome; to recall that this event is for the youths, it’s a platform, it’s a history-in-the-making moment, hell it even ends off with a fervent expression of how the writer has also sacrificed his/her own time and effort but finds it all worthwhile in the name of nation and government brand building.

You could almost hear the strains of the National Anthem welling up in the background.

My cynicism stems from the fact that such a “well written” piece could definitely have included and benefited from the naming of the school, even if the writer wished to remain anonymous. It’s such a glowing recommendation and reflection of the rah-rah the Singapore government officials is so desperately trying to achieve. One just needs to take a look at the spreads of fawning media pages dedicated to Low Wei Jie to know that ground support is indeed few and far between that one little boy who shows his interest finds himself a proclaimed national hero the next day.

All in all, another timely and trite piece of ghost writing."

He first caught my attention from the corner of my eye. Blinking in disbelief, I slowly let down the weights I was carrying and subtly shifted my body to get a better look. Yup, I wasn't mistaken.

You don't get to see such a specimen even if you spend 24/7 in the gym. I shook my head in wonder at what I saw. He casually strolled across my field of sight and I got a full view from the back. He was there, almost bare and he was proud of it. I was amazed and to be honest, a little envious.

I glanced around surreptitiously and caught the knowing smile of another guy who was working out near me. He looked at The Guy, then at me and gave a quick wink. I flushed with embarrassment because I was caught looking, BUT I COULDN'T HELP IT.

Should I go up and say something? I was unsure, for all I know he could just give me the rude brush-off. But I hate going through life with "What Ifs..." running through my head and I know this would be one such example. Nervously, I licked my lips and took a swig of water for courage. I glanced over at my neighbour with what I hoped was a pleading gaze for backup but he just mischievously continued grinning at me. I was alone in this whether I liked it or not.

As I crossed the 4 or 5 steps between us, I took in a closer look at his entire physique. Having weighed close to a baby whale mere months ago, I empathised with what The Guy was working to achieve. The thought then struck me as I reached out to tap his shoulder, "Would I wanna know if that was me??"

Too late, I watched as my hand landed somewhat clumsily on his shoulder. He turned in astonishment and for a moment, I was conscious of my sweaty disheveled self. Oh gawd what the hell was I getting myself into??

"Hi..." I heard myself squeak. He growled and/or grunted in reply and stood waiting for my answer. I forced an awkward smile on my face and figured an apologetic shrug would go best with what I had to say next. Around me, I noticed detachedly that people had stopped working out to witness our exchange. Even the music in the gym seemed to pause, to lend emphasis to my next few words...

"Your G-string is showing... think you could pull up your pants?"