Cognitive Dissonance

Letter to myself

2011-02-01T22:08:00.003+08:00

Once upon a time, at a social work camp not too long ago, we went through a group exercise where we wrote short letters to ourselves, to be posted by the camp organizers back to us 6 months hence.This is the letter I wrote.Dear CD,Hope you are well.You are changing your job soon, and tendering your resignation. You will have finished your internship attachment at an as yet unknown place. The

MCYS video on filial piety

2010-06-25T17:14:00.004+08:00

There has been much furore in the Straits Times Forum, both online and print edition, about Ms Hannah Chee's letter in response to the latest MCYS social-message video on filial piety (both the video and the full text of Ms Chee's letter are archived here.) In both her letter and the flurry of Forum letters that ensued, we see different takes (pun unintended) on the descriptive events in the

(a commencement speech)

2008-09-19T20:49:00.001+08:00

I am easily overwhelmed by the magic of commencement speeches but this one by David Foster Wallace at Kenyon College in 2005 has a bit of a social work slant to it, don't you think? He talks about perceptions, self-awareness towards a need for the spiritual, and generosity. Take a look if you have the time.

Little-known Facts 1 (that should be more widely known)

2008-09-14T08:48:00.001+08:00

Some foreign workers live in bin centres when they don't want to. You know, bin centres, those little buildings in HDB carparks where all the rubbish collected from surrounding apartment blocks is brought to. They are, without fail, very stinky, and have lots of cockroaches. You can barely put a human being inside there for five minutes. Our foreign workers do this because their employers

Role of a Social Worker, Part sqrt(2) of infinite

2008-08-22T22:21:00.004+08:00

I'll say this upfront to get it out of the way first. The social work profession in Singapore is less mature than in other countries, for now. At present we have both a low average standard of social work education and few niches of advanced specialization. The Singapore Association of Social Workers is making some plans to change this in the near future. But at the present time this is how

Theories of Stages of Grief

2008-07-13T21:22:00.005+08:00

I have found a way to come to terms with the issue of clients lying to me, as per the previous post. I discussed it briefly with colleagues and all this can be reconceptualized as the client's "readiness to change", instead of truth detection per se. I now can do my work with an easier heart.*Today we talk about grief. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's model of grief is probably the most well-known,

Homicidal thoughts

2008-06-30T23:48:00.003+08:00

me: i have finally acknowledged having homicidal thoughts about my clients, to myselffriend: so late?me: yeahbecause the social worker professional ethics code forbids thinking that the client is bad.i don't think the ethics code is a good guide anymoreseriously, there are people who will lie to a social worker just to get the financial support they want(they slip up when i ask them random qns

Being Helpful

2008-06-29T01:05:00.004+08:00

I have previously written about how different people present themselves differently when coming to look for social workers, and how regardless of circumstances we try to assist the client. But this recent article in TOC bothers me enough that I need to write about it.Several allegations have been made in the main article as well as in the comments. I have no wish to polarize the comments as

The Third Door

2008-06-16T22:15:00.002+08:00

There are no poor in this country.-------------"Pity those who are somehow unable to open a third door in their hearts or their minds. No one believes them when they talk about ghosts.The fuss about the two NS deaths this week is already on its way to the third door, which will disappear the moment it has served its purpose.Goodbye.There's nothing wrong with Singapore.Despite being a small island

A Pencil and Unconditional Positive Regard

2008-06-15T18:55:00.001+08:00

We always go out to the reception area to call the client in. I make use of all the customer service skills I've ever learnt in my short life, to welcome him (or her) once he has acknowledged his identity, and then walk a little in front to lead the client to my desk. He follows hesitantly, clutching his documents and hope. The corridor is narrow, so that I cannot walk beside him. This is the

Ways to spend the Budget Surplus....

2008-03-06T21:21:00.001+08:00

It could have been worse.More S'poreans eligible for public assistance with relaxed criteria.

Poverty is Poison

2008-02-18T23:09:00.003+08:00

... from the New York Times today.“Poverty in early childhood poisons the brain.” That was the opening of an article in Saturday’s Financial Times, summarizing research presented last week at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.As the article explained, neuroscientists have found that “many children growing up in very poor families with low social status experience unhealthy

()

2007-12-08T18:15:00.000+08:00

busy with work, not been reading blogs for the past month. Probably will continue that trend till mid-January. Not that it matters =) just thought to let you know.

Philosophical Developments in Social Work (quoted)

2007-11-09T10:44:00.000+08:00

Entire section quoted from Early TJ and GlenMaye LF (2000), Social Work 45(2):118-127, 'Valuing Families: Social Work Practice with Families from a Strengths Perspective'. Supporting references have been deleted to improve readability.Philosophical Developments in Social WorkAlthough the focus of social work throughout its history was primarily client problems and deficits, prominent examples of

Alternative Perspectives

2007-10-25T21:05:00.000+08:00

I write in response to the post by Loveless Summer, entitled "Singaporeans are scared sh*tless by gay people".I agree with his general theme. This post of mine is not to critique his argument point by point, because I am swamped with 335912838 things to do right now, but to add some comments in line with his general theme of the fear experienced by The Majority.Perhaps one of the reasons the

Some Quotes from others on the Fallacy of the Majority, for my own reference

2007-10-25T20:50:00.000+08:00

1. The Daily Backtrack: Applause and Thumping of Chairs"No, no, that's not the worst line, this is: "(A) heterosexual, stable family... it's what we teach in schools, what parents want to see, want their children to see... to set their expectations and encourage them to develop in this direction". From our own Prime Minister's mouth- and here's a coinage, we live in a country with a "Straight

My Key Takeaways from the Repeal 377A Petition

2007-10-19T18:13:00.000+08:00

Over the course of these two weeks, I have publicized the existence of the Repeal 377A petition to many people. Over email, over MSN, and in real life. At all times, I have tempered my words and actions during these interactions because I value and respect their decision to sign or not sign. Whichever it may be.This may seem unusual - to fight for a cause is to be fully committed to it, which in

More on the 377A petition

2007-10-14T02:10:00.000+08:00

I have grown a large nice mushroom. Now we shall see.

Open Letter to Repeal Section 377A

2007-10-07T21:32:00.000+08:00

http://www.repeal377a.com/letter/ Deadline is October 19th, after which it will be forwarded to the PM. Yes this is for real. Please sign if you support it.

2007-10-04T13:18:00.001+08:00

Mushrooms in a Fairy Ring

2007-09-08T01:05:00.000+08:00

A quick one:I was reading The World is Flat again while in Borders for the 20% discount sale they held this week; Thomas Friedman has come up with yet another revised edition (the Red Edition) with two additional chapters, the ones I was reading. They didn't add much to the overall story, merely expanded some anecdotes in the Green Edition of last year, except one thing: he said, and i paraphrase

Disclosure

2007-09-02T22:54:00.000+08:00

I think enough people know my real identity that I could not care less about being anonymous now. Anonymity hasn't furthered my cause in any way that I know of, in any case. Who likes talking to anonymous people who drone on and on about issues when they don't reveal enough about themselves to let others know why they talk about such issues? Nobody cares who I am and given how I write, I won't

Education and the Theory of Comparative Advantage

2007-08-20T00:14:00.001+08:00

Sooner or later, every blogger worth his salt writes about the education system in Singapore. It makes sense; the topic is familiar to all in this country, giving an instant bloodthirsty audience, and (less cynically) it is worth reviewing how opinions are formed in youth, in the hope of affecting those opinions in the mature reader towards the goal of enhancing critical thinking in social and

Selfishness and Altruism

2007-08-13T18:41:00.000+08:00

From The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand:"Yet the test should be so simple: just listen to any prophet and if you hear him speak of sacrifice - run. Run faster than from a plague. It stands to reason that where there's sacrifice there's someone collecting sacrificial offerings. Where there's service there's someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice speaks of slaves and masters. And

(for my own reference)

2007-07-22T11:33:00.000+08:00

Recognise gay rights, Ian McKellen urges Singaporehttp://tomorrow.sg/archives/2007/07/18/recognise_gay_rights_ian_mckelle.htmlHundreds attend forum on decriminalisation of homosexual actsBy Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 15 July 2007 2147 hrshttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/288311/1/.html

A short note: Be Happy Doing Nothing

2007-06-24T03:04:00.000+08:00

Last week I wrote about a young one asking me for advice on how to develop his interests. Today he wrote again to me, "I have no interests. What do I do now?"....I told him to be happy doing nothing.Social work* is, after all, respecting the choices of the client. Apart from special situations of imminent harm or criminality, which are governed by our Codes of Ethics. I think this is something

How Do You Capture An Idea Or An Action Into Achievement

2007-06-17T01:28:00.000+08:00

I.From time to time, I start writing a post, and don't know what to say. So I was sitting here blankly after a two-month hiatus from blogging, and wondering that same thing. Everyone has ideas all the time, after all; walking is an idea, computer programming is an idea, and vegging out at home watching DVDs with your wife over the weekend is also an idea. My mother has a thousand and one ideas

On the Notion of Free Will

2007-04-24T12:14:00.001+08:00

Work is falling on me like a ton of bricks. In lieu of a proper post, I offer you this, and note it for my own reference as well. =)Edward O. Wilson writes this in his book On Human Nature, p. 72:Consider the flip of a coin and the extent of the coin's freedom. On first thought nothing could seem less subject to determinism; coin flipping is the classic textbook example of a random process. But

Pearls Before Breakfast, from the Washington Post

2007-04-15T13:31:00.000+08:00

What if beauty is right before your eyes, and you walk past it unseeing?What would you be, then?

Love

2007-04-01T12:48:00.001+08:00

Love. Sometimes known as Charity in other versions of the Christian Bible.I intend to talk about ministerial pay and social work pay, about just recompense for the fruits of one's labour and the effect of talent in achieving those, and the nature of public service for both ministers and social workers.Of course whether this intention has been realized in this article is not for me to judge, at

Faith (Part 2)

2007-03-13T00:40:00.000+08:00

This is a continuation of the previous post but it was written in January - some things had changed from Nov to Jan.It should be noted that "The finished Penal Code Amendments Bill, with adjustments for opinions from the public feedback consultation exercise, will be tabled for Second and confirmatory Third Reading in Parliament in the first quarter of 2007." Which is soon. :) The January 2007

Faith (Part 1)

2007-03-05T09:18:00.000+08:00

Ohaiyo :) I got no pithy quotes on Faith, unfortunately. Especially Faith in the context of this mini-anthology of Hope, Faith and Love. (1 Corinthians 13:13, Bible.)Religious faith however can be discussed in a tangential manner - today we write about homosexuality instead. Aaron had a hot discussion over at his blog a few days back, and Ben and Kitana had weighed in earlier as well, with Ben

Hope

2007-02-24T10:24:00.000+08:00

Every year, at around this time, I have thoughts about my own mortality.Every year, without fail, someone somewhere out there will try his very best to kill me. I do not know who he is, nor who he will be, the next year and the year after that.Each year, I hope beyond all hope that it will not happen again, but I know better.And it's not only me, it's my entire family who's involved as well.I'm

CD's Priorities, and Reflections on Writing

2007-02-13T00:38:00.001+08:00

My present priorities in CD: (1) Pseudonymity(2) Expression of my thoughts and opinions on various matters(3) Tailoring my writing to an audience (what audience? Invisible, unknown, silent <- this is why this point is ranked lowest)The ordering of (1) over (2) is why this blog is primarily reactive for now - in my posts the reader will find many references to other blogs discussing current issues

Some thoughts on Singapore Angle

2007-02-11T00:11:00.000+08:00

In my previous stub written while I was still on break, FO asked me why I was aghast at the thought that my blog appeared to be a Singapore Angle clone. I didn't reply then because I didn't want to have anything to do with the blogosphere at that point in time ;-)But it's a fair comment, and needs a reply.So. Singapore Angle is great, and et cetera et cetera et cetera. With every article it makes

Know Your Darknesses

2007-02-09T23:12:00.000+08:00

"If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences."- William I. Thomas,sociologist"Ask yourselves, all of you... what power would Hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to Dream of Heaven?"- Morpheus (Dream),Neil Gaiman in Sandman #1"Every endless night has a dawning dayEvery darkest sky has a shining ray...It's a private emotion that fills you tonightAnd a silence

Feedback

2007-01-24T10:52:00.000+08:00

While scouting for feedback on who reads this blog, as per my previous post and takchek's point 1 in his latest post, I was emphatically informed that this blog sounds like a Singapore Angle clone.*aghast* No way....

Break.

2007-01-21T17:02:00.000+08:00

My home printer has died on me after 12 years of service (may it rest in peace), and I'm also struggling to balance some things in my personal life. Writing here will be put on hold while I scout for a new printer.That said, I really don't know who reads this blog, actually. =)

Life Transitions

2007-01-14T12:55:00.000+08:00

Disclaimer: This short note is to enhance general knowledge and should not in any way be taken as professional advice specific to any individual’s unique situation. Contact points for social services are available at your nearest Family Service Centre on an islandwide basis. Please feel free to call or walk in for assistance, you are always welcome to come by and talk with us.The life course

Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You

2007-01-05T23:42:00.000+08:00

Will it change the world? Of course not. Will it change anything? Not directly. But is it worth three hours of your time? Yes, definitely. Bloggers often feel themselves to be at liberty to pass comment on political issues and politicians. They do have, and must have, that liberty. But I cannot help but feel that their commentary and criticisms would be taken so much further, and would be

Circularity and Balance

2006-12-29T23:09:00.000+08:00

Allow me to reframe F.O.'s belief in civil and rational discourse in this post. It converges with my own aims; call it confirmation bias.In any discussion,"... the development of a critical approach to our own understanding of, as well as to existing knowledge about, the world is fundamental for students and educators alike."- AnonymousLet's ignore the part about "students and educators" for the

Not.

2006-12-27T23:08:00.000+08:00

It's the middle of the workweek, but I thought I'd drop in to say ...... something very unoriginal, that makes me smile nonetheless.The seven stages of life:Not old enough to know betterOld enough to know betterNot old enough to knowOld enough to knowNot old enoughOld enoughNot*chuckles* Not. Indeed...Happy holidays, especially to you who "read the blog and kinda got this gut feeling.." and to

Statement of purpose

2006-12-24T19:24:00.000+08:00

The goals of this blog are as follows: to assist in the ongoing social constructionist creation of the Singaporean blogosphere as a shared platform for civil and rational discourse, to advocate for specific causes the author of this blog believes in, over the long term, for the author of this blog to commit herself to engaging in heuristic learning with other people on matters of substance, so

The Values of (Social) Work

2006-12-17T16:13:00.000+08:00

Often I am asked about my profession: "Like that need training ah? So many volunteers around, all can do the same thing as you, only give out food and chitchat what". (The other question I am frequently asked is "Like that can earn money ah?" Of course the short answer is No, absolutely not, but the payoffs come in other forms.)I illustrate the first question with an analogy between physics and

Comfy Chairs

2006-12-16T10:59:00.000+08:00

From the ST, Dec 16 2006:... thousands of middle-aged managers who lost their jobs during the late 1990s downturn and have yet to make their comeback.Many have tertiary education, speak good English, own private property and used to hold middle and senior managerial positions paying $5,000 to $20,000 a month.But these days they shuffle around office buildings and shopping centres, a tatty plastic

"Facing the Challenge of a New Age"

2006-12-15T19:28:00.000+08:00

Both Fearfully Opinionated and Kitana have commented recently, with deeply felt sorrow and some bitterness, on how people who graciously leave comments do not always, well, graciously do so. Fearfully Opinionated goes so far as to call his post a "rant" :) , which I would not agree. Perhaps a few words from Martin Luther King may shed some light:A third challenge that stands before us is that of

The Blogosphere is an Emergent System

2006-12-11T00:39:00.000+08:00

A note by Elia Diodati on Dharmendra Yadav's proposal to form a self-regulating Blogger Association briefly discussed emergent phenomena, as below."... the term "Singapore blogosphere" at best describes the transient, nebulous association of cross-referenced, internetworked blogs that nominally claim some affiliation with Singapore; like all emergent phenomena [#3 in original article], there is

Quotes, Humour, and Beginnings

2006-12-10T20:19:00.000+08:00

"A woman’s wisdom is her gift to women. Her beauty is her gift to men. Her love is her gift to God. So why do you intend to inflict your wisdom on this poor unfortunate man you say you love?"- Orson Scott Card, Tales of Alvin Maker: Prentice Alvin from WikiquoteBecause I choose to.- Neo, The Matrix