the ridge

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Primal Instincts
Are we two-dimensional?
Page 18

Breach that ... GAPS!

How the results are
leaked every semester.
Page 12

MICA (P) 218/01/2008

02 desk
 contents 01

APOLLO
18 Primal Instincts
20 Off Beat Sports
24 The Indie Scene
25 People Page

NEWS
06 NUS Welcomes its New Chief Artist
08 Level-4000 FASS Modules to Carry 5MC From Next AY
10 New Student Hub At YIH By 2010
12 Breach that... GAPS!
14 Enter Hangeul!

LIFESTYLE
30 Ring out the old and ring in the cool

OUTSPOKEN
32 Minefields of Political Incorrectness
34 Being grown up isn’t half as fun as growing up

WIRED
36 Netbooks – A Quick Shopping Guide
38 Techbuzz

SPORTS
42 NUS – Great Eastern Water Polo Challenge 2009

TRANSMEDIA
40 Best of 2008

REGULARS
04 Two Cent Saloon
05 Photo Story
16 Borders Book Review
22 Canvas
26 Music Album Review
28 Hayao Miyazaki Film Reel

design Samyuktha
 02 editorial

New Year. New Semester. New Issue of the the ridge.

But since 2009 has already been ushered in properly one too many
times by now, we will spare you the festive shtick.

Every new year for the individual usually comes a healthy negation
of the past. We have decided to eschew the usual welcoming the
future and moving forward routine and instead choose to nosedive
back into history - ancient history to be exact.

the ridge brings back the themed section and for this academic
term we will be highlighting deities and their qualities. For the
month of January the spotlight shines down on Apollo [17-27], the
Greek and Roman god of the sun, music, poetry and much more.

Highlighting Apollo’s traits, we talk about modern life and how it is

becoming more and more two-dimensional [18-19], shed light on
the local indie music scene [24] and suggest some off beat sports
for you to try out [20-21].

The News desk brings you all the stories that concern you. With
whole scale changes to curriculum and campus we report on the
5 MC change [08-09], the UHWC move [10-11] and new modules
being offered [14-15] along with much more.

Budding artists of all mediums will be glad to know that they

have a new canvas to display their work in the ridge. The
section aptly titled Canvas [22-23] is an opportunity for all
to display their art whether it is photography, poetry or
paintings. Any entries can be emailed to ridge.canvas@
gmail.com.

For any other enquiries, please contact us at

ridgechiefeditor@nus.edu.sg.

Hurrairah bin Sohail

Chief Editor
design Samyuktha
 apollo 03

Chief Editor
Hurrairah bin Sohail

Executive Editor (Online)

Hannah Yan

Webmaster
Ho Yi Jian

News
Jason Hau & Lynette Lim

Outspoken
Kokila Annamalai

Lifestyle
Arzish Baaquie

Transmedia
Hurrairah bin Sohail

Wired
Gurmesh Singh

Sports
Suhas Bhat

Creative Director
Claryce Lum

Head of Creative Team:

Design
Samyuktha

Head of Creative Team:

Photography
Adi Yoga

Copyeditor
Suhas Bhat

Head of Marketing & PR

Samyuktha

Secretary
Sowmya Gopi

Treasurer
Dennis Phua
 04 news

Two Cent Saloon

text Jason Hau | jasonhau@nus.edu.sg

The year 2008 came to an ominous close with the

XXXXXXXXXX At least some members of our sister university,
economy in doldrums, a shaky political situation in the National Technological University, bothered
Thailand and many NUS Arts students wondering if enough to use the Speakers’ Corner to hold a (small)
the result leak was accurate. demonstration.

Yes, when placed in context, it seems that results
(and an unconfirmed leaked result at that) are just as
important as worldwide events.
There is a result-oriented culture here in NUS, where
students are only concerned about the grade that
they will get for the module, while remaining totally
oblivious to the world around them.
This apathy has been known for awhile now, at least
by those who bother to.
And no, they do not get modular credits or extra
grades for doing so.
Students should be encouraged to take greater notice
of the world around them outside of their textbooks
and readings, for it is of greater relevance and
importance to everyday life.
This results-over-all culture in NUS, and Singapore to
an extent, has to change or else we will end up with a
nation of uncaring, uninformed citizens.

This is a worrying situation, not least because

university graduates are expected to have acquired a
certain amount of knowledge outside of their books by
the time they graduate.

The NUS administration’s policy of compulsory

breadths and unrestricted electives for
undergraduates is an attempt to address this issue.

Unfortunately, there is no module on current affairs,

because that is where we seem to be sorely lacking in.

How many can name their Member of Parliament? Or

heard of the news that MP Seng Han Thong was set on
fire during a grassroots event?

Amazingly, there are some that have absolutely no

clue, and more shockingly, no interest in caring.

This lack of political discourse outside of the Political

Science department is possibly detrimental to the rise
design Hurrairah bin Sohail

of a civil society here.

 news 05

A Thousand Words ...

text & photo Louie Laurel | u0704757@nus.edu.sg

Pyrotechnics of all kinds are sold openly in the streets of Manila. At the stroke of midnight, the
sky is littered with light from every imaginable direction.

As the night’s celebrations draw to an end, people return home, resigned to another year of
hardship. The alleys, filled with burnt-out wicks and spent fireworks, are left to be swept away the
next day.

Here in Singapore, these same lights in the night welcomed the New Year from every corner of our
island. Here’s to a new year with less resignation, more hope, and more light.

“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season.
It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year.
It is today that wefit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow.
design Hurrairah bin Sohail

Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the
playtime.”

W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963)

 06 news

NUS Welcomes its New

Chief Artist
text Lynette Lim | lynette_lim@nus.edu.sg
photo Office of Corporate Relations
design Hurrairah bin Sohail

As the world ushers in the New Year, the National
University of Singapore’s (NUS) has an added cause to
celebrate.
The Chairman and Members of the NUS Board
of Trustees welcomed the new President of NUS,
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, in a welcome lunch held
on Jan. 8, 2009.
Held at the NUS Kent Ridge Guild House, the event was
graced by His Excellency Mr. S R Nathan, President of
the Republic of Singapore and NUS Chancellor, as well
as Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education.
Representatives from the various sectors making up
NUS, students, academics, administrative staff as well
as alumni, also attended the lunch.
In the speeches by Mr. Wong Ngit Liong, Chairman
of the Board of Trustees, and Prof. Tan Chorh Chuan
himself, it was these people who were thrust into the
spotlight.
“There is no doubt that it is our people that make NUS
great,” said Mr. Wong.
“Each has a unique and special role to play in making
NUS what it is today.”
Prof. Tan agreed, highlighting four main groups,
namely, the students, faculty, administrative staff and
alumni.
In his speech, Prof. Tan focussed on the students of
NUS and what the school’s “quest to be a leading
global university means for them.”
“There will be some students who want to ascend
Mount Everest. We cheer them on,” said Prof. Tan.
According to him, NUS will be pushed to reach greater
heights than it has already reached by its people
challenging themselves.
“We need boldness, self-belief and conviction to
overcome obstacles and to grasp this opportunity,” he
said.
Prof. Tan also laid down the aspiration he has for NUS.
“Educating graduates who help advance the world we
live in, is one of the most important which universities
can make,” he said.
He added that leading universities in particular can
go further than that, to “transform our societies and
power our economies”.
Such an education will equip students “with the
mental and personal abilities that will serve them well
news 07
as they scale the various types of peaks at different
times in their lives”.
He illustrated this point with two examples of
NUS undergraduates who have gone on to reach
unconventional heights.
One of these was Mr. Navtej Singh, a history graduate
from NUS.
He went on to establish his career in advertising,
fast food restaurants a nd other food ventures, and
finally his own start-up Finance and mobile commerce
business.
To do so, there is still a long way to go for NUS.
NUS will have to be “where others are not going to be”,
said Prof. Tan.
The difference that can and will set NUS apart is “our
location and understanding of Asia, to distinguish NUS
as a leading global university centred in Asia”, said
Prof. Tan.
NUS has certainly come one full circle with Prof. Tan’s
appointment as President.
“The evolving picture of our University’s journey
began more than 100 years ago as a modest medical
school with just 23 students,” said Mr. Wong.
Today, 100 years later, Prof. Tan, whose journey with
NUS began as a medical student in 1978, takes the
helm.
He served as the youngest medical Dean at 38, and has
since then helped shaped the directions and initiatives
for NUS, as Mr. Wong said in his speech.
The NUS Vision, “Towards A Global Knowledge
Enterprise: A leading global university centred in Asia,
influencing the future,” was also launched at the lunch.
This was coupled with the NUS Mission, “To transform
the way people think and do things, through
education, research and service”.
The Vision and Mission were launched two-fold, first
by representatives of the various groups that make
up the body of NUS, and finally by Prof. Tan, His
Excellency Mr. Nathan, Mr. Wong and Dr. Ng.
As the yellow and blue confetti burst into the air upon
the launch of the Vision and Mission, Prof. Tan stepped
easily into his role as “ ‘chief artist’”, as put by Mr.
Wong in his speech, ready to paint the new strokes of
brilliance to NUS.
 08 news
Level-4000 FASS
Modules to Carry 5MC
From Next AY
text Chrissy Phoong | yoke.xi@nus.edu.sg
Lee Meixian | meixian@nus.edu.sg
There will be a change in the academic programme
of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)
starting from the next academic year (2009/2010).
Level-4000 modules will no longer carry four modular
credits (MC) but five MC instead.
Alongside this change, students now also have to
accumulate 40 MC of level-4000 modules to fulfil their
Honours requirement, upped from the original 32 MC.
This means that for most students, the total number of
level-4000 modules they need to take stays the same
at eight.
The exception is students from 2006 cohort onwards
who have taken less than four level-4000 modules
prior to the academic year 2009/2010. They would
only have to take seven level-4000 modules altogether.
The greatest implication in this policy change, then,
is that students will be taking fewer level-3000 and
below modules to fulfil their remaining MCs.
Associate Professor John Richardson, the Vice-Dean
of Undergraduate Matters in FASS, explained that this
would “allow Honours students to concentrate more
deeply on their Major in their final year. Doing fewer
modules would prevent them from dissipating their
energies and help them to focus.”
Although this change appears to be a new
development, the idea has already been around for
some time.
design Felicia Ong
Prof. Richardson said that the changes were discussed
over a period of two to three years where they we
received positive feedback from student groups.
Students’ Response
On Dec. 19, 2008, the FASS administration emailed
the affected cohorts to inform them of this impending
change.
However, when the ridge approached some FASS
students for opinions on this change, many were
surprised at the news and admitted that they did not
know such a change has been made.
Most students have concerns and unanswered
questions.
Shen Shifa, a second-year Communications and New
Media (CNM) major, brought up the difficulty in
planning modules according to the new policy, “Four 4
MC and one 5 MC modules add up to 21 MC. Will this
be overloading? Should I remove one 4 MC module and
only take 17 MC for the semester?”
Two online circulars were just about the only
documents available for more information on this
policy change and they failed to address concerns
like the reason for this implementation and rationale
behind its timing.

Fourth-year History student, Eisen Teo, sympathized
with third-year students and how they have to adapt
to this abrupt change. “Some people I know plan two
years or three semesters in advance. Suddenly they
have to face this, without even being given a good
reason why this change took place.”
Correct Timing?
Prof. Richardson said the change was delayed to the
new academic year instead of the Semester Two to
minimize disruption and maximize benefit.
“We discussed all the possible points of introduction
before deciding on the first semester of 09/10,” he
said. “Decisions of this nature are always hard to make
and reliant on judgment.”
Prof. Richardson defended the administration’s
decision by pointing out the inevitability that seniors
would always wonder why a certain new system was
not made applicable to them.
“If we are to improve, we have to change,” he said. “And
if we are to introduce changes, we have to introduce
them at a specific point. That some groups cannot
benefit from them is not a reason to stop all change.”
The Need For Transparency
There are many questions that students want
answered, but none as much as the lack of an
explanation accompanying the policy changes.
news 09
Said Eisen Teo, “This isn’t the first time sudden
announcements have been made by the FASS
administration without providing supporting
rationale. Questions like how the decision was
reached and who was responsible for it are not
answered.”
“It’s puzzling and frustrating. I don’t think
transparency in decision-making is too much to
demand from a concerned student. We do not just
want to know the What; we want to know the Why as
well.”
Prof. Richardson had tried to explain the situation by
weighing different priorities. “The information we
have provided about the change focused on ensuring
that students made the right choices of modules and
will not face difficulties with graduation because of it,”
he said.
“This is an important message. We will send a message
later to explain the reasons for the change.”
Should Other Faculties Follow Suit?
Beyond the walls of FASS, some students hope to see
the same policy implemented in their faculties.
Second-year mechanical engineering student,
Raymond said, “It’s a good move and should also be
implemented in the Engineering department. We are
often short-changed by the 3MC modules with a 4 MC
workload. By implementing 5 MC level 4000 modules
for us, I think our workload will be justified.”
 10 news
New Student Hub At YIH
By 2010
text & photo Chin Mei Kuan | mk.chin@nus.edu.sg
Come 2010, the Yusof Ishak House (YIH) will be
transformed into a bustling hive of activity and energy.
From a mere home of student facilities and amenities,
the metamorphosis will see YIH become the get-
together point for students seeking a platform to
interact, exchange ideas and feed off their creative and
youthful energy.
As a student hub, YIH will play host to a variety
of activities such as forums, movie screenings,
exhibitions and performances.
The makeover is expected to be completed by late
2009.
The three main parties involved are the Office of
Student Affairs (OSA), the University Health, Wellness
and Counselling Centre (UHWC) and the National
University of Singapore Students’ Union (NUSSU).
YIH undergoes facelift
The exterior of the YIH will be changed as part of the
plans to “give a complete facelift to the whole YIH,”
according to Mr. Koh Yong Chea, senior manager of the
OSA.
In addition to a change in its façade, there will also be
The Counselling Centre, along with the UHWC, is
design Felicia Ong
moving into the site previously occupied by the Office
of Alumni Relations.
v
some minor changes to the interior of YIH.
Facilities like the canteen, also known as Central
Square, the food outlet – Sukiya and Munchie Monkey,
the student rooms like the TV room, study room and
student lounge, as well as all facilities on the first floor
will not be renovated.
UHWC moves
The UHWC will move to the site occupied previously
by the Shaw Foundation Alumni House, opposite the
YIH.
This move is tentatively scheduled to be carried out
from 11 Mar to 13 Mar.
Dr. Catherine Chua, director of UHWC, stated that
UHWC would be unable to provide any form of service
during those three days.
According to her, the UHWC would be operational
from 16 Mar onwards at the new premises.
In view of this, it is offering full time undergraduates
under UHWC’s health scheme a one-off offer to claim
medical cost including investigations up to S$25 per
visit for consulting any doctors of their choice.
This will be a one off proposal only applicable to the
duration of the move.
The claim is capped at a maximum of two visits per
student, stated Dr. Chua.
OSA undergoes revamp
The current UHWC site will be converted into a
temporary office for the OSA before undergoing its
final transformation into a “Student Area” by 2010.
Mr Koh explained that this is because the main OSA
office, which has remained unchanged for at least 15
years, is due for some renovation.
v He added that there will be a re-configuration of the
office layout, an addition of rooms and some minor
construction that are expected to be completed in
about 10 to 12 weeks, starting from late March or
early April.

New student area for exhibitions, talks, forums

Following OSA’s move back into its renovated

premises, the current UHWC site will be converted
into a “Student Area.”

Aimed to serve as an interaction area for students,

the “Student Area” holds the possibility of holding
exhibitions, movie screenings and forums.

According to Mr Koh, specific uses for the space will

be proposed by NUSSU, and subject to the university’s
approval.
news 11
According to Mr Koh, this new forum is targeted at
easing the congestion at the Central Forum, due to “the
large number of student organizations holding their
activities there”.

He added that it will be designed as an Omnitheatre,

but was unable to confirm the scale of bazaars that can
be held there.

The forum’s capacity would depend on the architects’

recommendations, he explained.

Rearrangement and renovation of NUSSU

facilities

There will be some shifting done for NUSSU facilities

as well.

According to Mr. Koh, the NUSSU secretariat will

New outdoor student forum for bazaars and
road shows
In line with the student hub concept, the open space
outside the Student Career Centre will be converted
into an open forum apace for organizing talks and
bazaars.
background Kyle May from flickr.com
move to the other side of the sixth floor from where it
currently is.
As the renovations and construction works are
expected to continue well into the academic year, Mr
Koh stated that the administration will seek to reduce
the inconvenience caused to students, especially
during the examination periods.

The Shaw Foundation Alumni house will house the Counselling Centre and the UHWC.
 12 news
Breach that...
text Fabius Chen | fabiuschen@nus.edu.sg
Jason Hau | jasonhau@nus.edu.sg
YOU NOTICE A leak in the walls of a ship. You plug
the hole, only for another to pop up somewhere else.
Then another; and another.
This scenario sounds like it came straight out of a
Looney Tunes cartoon but it is a problem that the
National University of Singapore (NUS) faces almost
every semester.
The latest hole appeared on Dec. 16, 2008, a
full week before the scheduled release of the
examination results.
A member of a popular local online forum posted
instructions on how undergraduates from the Faculty
of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) could view their
updated Cumulative Average Point (CAP) scores by
logging into the Graduating & Academic Planning
System (GAPS).
The steps required the user to view the page’s
source code, hardly a common thing to do but
design Carol Lim
given the number of people waiting for a leak to
spring, it was only a matter of time before one was
discovered.
How many, you may ask.
In fact, this particular thread is over 80 pages long,
with more than 1,200 posts since May 2007.
According to Associate Professor John Richardson,
Vice Dean for Undergraduate Matters in the FASS
Dean’s Office, a routine check of the GAPS system
led to the discovery and subsequent rectification of
the leak.
“It was a glitch in the system and the IT team worked
very quickly to rectify the fault,” Prof Richardson
explained.
He also stressed that there were no suspicious
circumstances surrounding the incident and that “We
don’t blame the students for discovering the leak, as
it was an open system.”
photo flickr.com

GAPS!
Candidly, he described the leak as “akin to a student
discovering a piece of paper, containing their results,
that was dropped on the floor and then telling his or
her friends about it.”
Guidelines on how to deal with such events include
immediately blocking access to the faulty system
and implementing new measures to ensure no future
leaks from that source.
Despite the updated CAP scores being available
a week before the official release of results, the
Dean’s Office is adamant that grades are being
processed as promptly as possible.
Mrs. Karen Tong, Assistant Manager of the FASS
Dean’s Office, commented: “In the interest of all
students, the staff is already working as quickly as
they can to ensure that they get a fair and accurate
result out.”
This seems fair enough, considering NUS
released its results just two weeks after the end of
examinations.
In contrast, other major local universities can take
longer for their results to released, a point that Mrs.
Tong reiterated to the Ridge.
For example, the National Technological University
released their results on Dec. 29, even though their
examinations ended one week earlier than NUS.
In addition, it seemed that many students were
oblivious, or simply did not bother that there was a
leak.
news 13
“I did not know about the leak. In fact, I was not
exactly looking forward to seeing my grades too,”
said Chen Zhi Ying, a third-year economics major.
Prof. Richardson summed up the feelings of many
when he told the Ridge, “Perhaps students these
days are becoming too concerned about their
grades. The passion and love for learning should be
the primary factors.”
While this incident was due to a flaw in a system
maintained by FASS, students should take note that
they should refrain from actively seeking out leaks,
lest it escalates to a university-level case.
Unlike this case, hacking into a closed system is a
serious and possibly illegal action.
Prof. Richardson explained that students suspected
of that would be referred to the university Board of
Discipline.
Now that the problem with GAPS has been resolved
and the particular glitch removed, one wonders if
another leak from another source will appear in four
months’ time.
Perhaps third-year Social Work undergraduate
Patrick Song sums up the feelings of many when
he quipped, “I missed out on the leak this time,
but hopefully I can see the leak the next time it
happens.”
 14 news
Enter
Hangeul!
text Aminurashid Juma’at | u0500245@nus.edu.sg
For ‘Koreanophiles’ in the National University of
Singapore who wanted to learn Korean had no choice
but to take it at either the NUS Extension or at various
private language schools around Singapore.
Now, they have another option right at their doorstep.
The NUS Centre for Language Studies has introduced
the Korean Language Programme in August 2008.
Along with Hindi, it is one of the new additions to the
many languages conducted under its foreign language
programmes.
This is part of the university’s efforts to
internationalise and is in keeping with the goals of
the Korean Foundation, set up by the South Korean
government, which was designed to spread the Korean
language and culture around the world
This also provides opportunity for more students to
explore academic and career opportunities provided
for student exchange programmes currently running
between the various Korean varsities and NUS.
So far, there has been an encouraging response to
Korean 1 (LAK 1201) with 80 students in its first
batch. This healthy response reflects the demand
amongst students wanting to learn Korean.
Indeed, we have all heard about how the Korean pop
culture (or Hallyu) has swept across Asia winning
thousands of fans from Taiwan to Indonesia.
design Felicia Ong
Its pervasiveness here in Singapore can be seen in the
popularity of Korean drama DVDs lining side by side
with Japanese and Taiwanese soap operas, “Sol Marts”
selling Korean groceries and even a Little Seoul at
Novena Square!
However, just how strong has culture been a
compelling factor for this interest in the Korean
Language?
Ms. Dorcas Fong, 23, a recent graduate from the
Communications and New Media programme who
took Korean at the NUS Extension pointed to the
novelty of the language that piqued her interest, as
compared to Japanese and French.
She told the ridge, “There are far less numbers of
people learning Korean and this makes an excellent
picture http://flagpedia.net/south-korea
opportunity to speak a language that not many people
are fluent in.”
“It will be useful in situations where companies are
seeking Korean speakers,” she added.
A recent study by Masters graduate and current
lecturer for the Korean Language Programme, Mr.
Seo Won Chi, has listed pop culture, career, personal
achievement, academic exchange and interest in
foreign languages as the main motivations for students
taking up the language.
The study mentioned Dr Doobo Shim, a NUS assistant
professor, reporting that at one private language
school in Singapore, the number of new Korean
language students enrolled had increased by 60
percent between 2001 and 2003 because of the
interest in Korean Dramas.
picture www.thejberg.com/tag/korea/
picture http://commons.wikimedia.org
Granted that South Korea has confidently grown to
become the world’s seventh largest economy, the
study has shown that career prospects (requiring
Korean language skills) figured less heavily on the
variance percentage as opposed to pop culture (0.77
and 0.88 respectively).
Personal achievement (0.42) and interest in foreign
languages (0.64) on the other hand scored lower.
Interestingly, reasons pertaining to academic exchange
scored highest among these factors at 0.93.
Mr. Seo attributes this to the preparation of students
for the student exchange stint through the Korean
Language Preparation Programme.
However, when taking into the totality of constituent
items under each factor, interest in Korean pop culture
has been a much stronger reason for the uptake of the
language.
With all the hype surrounding the Hallyu, it remains
news 15
to be seen if the passing of this pop cultural phase will
sustain the continued appeal of the Korean language.
However, this does not necessarily warrant any ounce
of pessimism.
Looking at how the Japanese and French have long
established their linguistic currency, the Korean
language might just retain its clout.
The Center of Language studies offers LAK1201
Korean 1 at the beginner’s level. Students wishing
to pursue the language further can do so through
Korean 2 and 3.
The Student Exchange Programme (SEP) language
preparation programme will be offered only to
freshmen who have just been accepted into the
university. They may apply to the International
Relations Office in June/July for admission into
the programme. All other interested students may
wish to direct their enquiries to the International
Relations Office.
 16 transmedia

twilight
Don’t let the ominous cover fool you; Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight is not
so much a vampire tale as it is a teenage love story.
text Christel Gomes | gpddess.gomes@gmail.com

The first time I laid eyes on the paperback, my
immediate expectation was for a classy, sophisticated
and sensuously dark novel. I am a fan of vampire
novels. I love the intrigue, the fear, the tension
between attraction and repulsion. Meyer’s tale falls
disappointingly short in the sophistication rate-o-
meter.
The heroine, Bella starts off as an emo-slash-insecure
big-city girl who ends up in a small town and a new
school where she meets the unrealistically flawless
Edward Cullen.
Bella’s personality quirk is clumsiness which Meyer
exploits to an annoying degree. She is also cynical,
sarcastic, unfriendly and a certain kind of smug. For
some reason, despite her unapologetic disinterest in
all and sundry, everyone wants to be her friend.
Edward Cullen is described as almost God-like. If
ever there was a physique so breathtaking, a face so
beautiful, skin so immaculately fair and eyes capable
of setting your knickers aflame, it would be Edward’s.
couldn’t help but let out a loud snort on the MRT at
that point. Who talks like that?
Sexual tension in Twilight just builds and builds.
Every other page is a romanticised description of the
incredible strength of will it requires for Edward not to
touch Bella, or vice-versa. Reason being, noble Edward
doesn’t trust himself not to make dinner out of her.
So at the end of it all, I wonder what all the hype is
about. A few minutes on Google brought up a plethora
of smitten teenagers swooning over the unbelievably
romantic plot.
That didn’t satisfy my question as to why intelligent
adults found the novel so compelling. A few more
searches and I find a perfect description by Lev
Grossman who states; “What makes Meyer’s books
so distinctive is that they’re about the erotics of
abstinence… He barely touches her, but there’s more
sex in (it) than in all the snogging in Harry Potter.”

A couple of chapters into the book and I was

wondering how on earth Twilight made the bestseller
list, let alone got past the editor. The countless,
breathless, sexually charged descriptions of how

Cullen’s eyes change colour every time Bella looks at

him is snort-worthy. I’m not going to even start on the
fascination with his teeth.

The style of prose is simple at best and if I’m feeling

a little less generous, cringe-inducing. Meyers spouts
over the top adjectives like there’s no tomorrow. The
sheer volume of descriptive words – most of which
photo coverbrowser.com

seem to be synonyms from a thesaurus – scares me.

design Hurrairah bin Sohail

The dialogue is equally embarrassing.

At one point, Cullen leans in and sniffs the back of

Bella’s neck. He says, “Just because I’m resisting the
wine doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the bouquet.” I
Apollo
(‘Aπόλλων)

Apollo has been variously recognized

as a god of light and the sun;
truth and prophecy; medicine and
healing; music, poetry, and the arts;
and more. In Greek and Roman
mythology, Apollo is one of the most
important Olympian deities.

Representing the ideal of the

“kouros” or the beardless youth,
Apollo represented a multitude of
qualities and traits. He was also seen
as a god who could bring ill-health
and deadly plague as well as one who
had the ability to cure.

As the leader of the Muses and

director of their choir, Apollo
functioned as the patron god of
music and poetry. Hermes created
the lyre for him, and the instrument
became a common attribute of
Apollo.
design Samyuktha
 18 apollo

Primal
It is no wonder that gods such as Apollo have
no place in religion and society today, as he is
too real, too human, to be venerated.

Edith Hamilton said about Apollo that “Two ideas were fighting in him as in all the gods; a
primitive, crude idea and one that was beautiful and poetic”. Apollo was a patron of music and
the arts; he was the god of wisdom and healing. But he was also unforgiving, even brutal. In love
especially, his pursuits were seldom graceful and often beastly.

It is rather interesting that one of the most important of the Olympian deities was portrayed as
embodying such duality. Regardless of his reputation as a violent, promiscuous god, Apollo was
both revered and loved. His primal expressions were considered natural, not vulgar.

The concept of a less-than-ideal but accepted god is refreshing and foreign in a world that is
increasingly judgmental, increasingly mechanical. It is no wonder that gods such as Apollo have
no place in religion and society today, as he is too real, too human, to be venerated.

In a society where rationality is emphasized and letting your feelings, instead of your intellect,
guide your actions is frowned upon, we often take for granted the ideal that the capitalist society
tends to promote – working efficiently for maximum productivity.

Hardly anyone questions why emotions have to take a second place in our lives centred on
competition and making it big, at any cost. Passion and adventure have taken a backseat to our
efforts at living up to the notions of success as defined by the state and economy.

Apollo’s love affairs are notorious in mythology. Apollo had many lovers, both male and female.
The stories of his romantic quests speak of love and sacrifice, but also lust and revenge. Apollo
may not be an apt role model for lovers, but the traits that made him legendary as a lover are ones
that call for some reflection.

Even when the nymph Daphne rejected his love and turned herself into a tree so that Apollo could
not pursue her, he tended to her as his tree and used his powers of eternal youth to keep her
design Samyuktha

evergreen. He sought the objects of his affections tirelessly, however daunting their rejection was;
he was not ashamed to indulge in and express his desires; and he was spirited and passionate as a
lover. Within and outside of context, these are traits that are dying in society today.
 apollo 19

Instincts

photo sxc.hu
text Kokila Annamalai | kokila.annamalai@gmail.com

As a way of life, we are taught to be down-to-earth, to control our emotions and

desires. In most societal circles, the fantastical are not appreciated; the radical are not
supported. Lust is vulgar, because it is primal.

Letting your anger get the better of you is weak, because emotions are second-rate. It is unrefined to say
whatever comes to mind, it is primitive to express your natural impulses. We come from a tailor-made world,
where how to eat, how to sit, how to walk and how to talk are all learned. There are rules for everything, and
you have to live up. If you do not, then well, you will not make it – socially or economically. Because there are no
mythological gods to defend your case.

Apollo had his share of faults. Violence and sexual preoccupation were not his proudest moments, and are not
traits that any society, at any period, advocates. He was, in some ways, an example of what not to be like, as
people learned from the mistakes their gods made.

But Apollo represents something people at the time found important – balance. Balance between the refined
and the primal, between work and play, between duties and desires. And that is something
hat may very well be missing in our lives, to the extent that recreational and relaxing situations need to be
simulated to de-stress the over-worked employee of today. Psychologists and counsellors have better business
than ever; and stress management courses can afford to charge exorbitant rates for their services.

The Greek god of truth, archery and poetry has an important message to share. The importance of our desires,
instincts and emotions are often underplayed, as they are a hindrance to the economic prosperity that
capitalism endorses.

As a result, we run the risk of turning into two-dimensional people. Most of human nature is designed and
cultivated to the extent that formulated ideals have been internalized as natural. But yet, in each of us, there are
certain primal motivations. It is ignorance to indulge all of them; but to exercise that part of us at times, to give
it expression, may not be such a crime after all.
20 apollo

Off Beat Sports

lifestyle the ridge decides to focus on one of Apollo’s lesser known
aspectts: he was known to be the meanest archer in town. Here are a

text Arzish Baaquie | arzish@gmail.com

Archery
Ah yes, Apollo’s favourite sport. Robin Hood’s
as well. Not to mention a certain Legolas. The
ancient sport has definitely progressed with the
help of technology, but the basic skills of great

photo www.longines.com
co-ordination and discipline still apply. Take a
look at the Singapore Archery Club website or
our NUS Archery Club websites. Just remember,
there’s no need to go and grow a ponytail and
spout Elvish during trainings.

photo www.outdoorbound.com
Rock
Climbing
The art of rock climbing has served humankind well
since we were cavemen trying to find bird’s nests
in remote cliffs. Although that may be an extreme
example, rock-climbing is an elegant sport that needs
you to be ultra focused and disciplined. Pay a visit
to the ‘Rock Gym’ on campus and get in touch with
the NUS Climbing Club to further pursue the sport.
Scaling the wall outside your house to get into your
room when you forgot your keys doesn’t count as
experience.

Thai Kick
Boxing
With the recently concluded Contender: Asia giving
Thai kick-boxing a huge amount of publicity, you
may be inspired to pick up the sport. An intense
and physically demanding sport, Muay Thai requires
commitment and fitness, as well as discipline.
Check out BXG Fitness or AS Fitness for courses for
beginners. Better warn your parents before you pick
up the sport though; bruising is an inevitability.

photo www.muaythai-fighting.com
 apollo 21

photo www.residentevilchef.com
Paintball
Technically not a sport, paintball does provide good
fun and a decent workout with your friends. Two
teams basically try and shoot one another with guns
that shoot out pellets of paint which, by the way, are
cause considerable pain. Teamwork and accuracy with
the paint-gun are obviously important skills required.
Not forgetting the hugely important protective gear.
Remember that annoying project-group mate who we
told you not to use your fencing skills on? Invite him
to a friendly old game of paintball.

Wakeboarding
A sport that has become hugely popular over the last
few years, wakeboarding involves, in layman’s terms,
hanging onto a cable for dear life whilst standing on
photo www.sherwoodmarine.ca

a board as a speedboat drags you across the sea. If

that got your blood pumping, this is the sport for
you. Wakeboard enthusiasts can check out our NUS
Wakeboarding club or the Singapore Wakeboard
Association. Just remember, leave the stunts to the
professionals. You would not want to come to school
in a cast because you wanted to impress that girl with

photo sxc.hu
a 360 degree mid-air somersault. Two words:Epic fail.

Polo
The sport of polo may not be as popular as other
sports due to the minor detail that it involves riding
a horse whilst swinging a stick. However, having
been portrayed in the media as a sport only the posh
partake in, its no wonder many are flocking to the
Singapore Polo Club to learn more about it. Although a
design Hurrairah bin Sohail

tad expensive, it also gives you the perfect opportunity

to wear those t-shirts that were originally designed for
people who play the sport: the polo t-shirt.

photo www.jpatokal.iki.fi
 22 canvas

Ruchi Bajoria, SoC Year 2

send your contributions to ridge.canvas@gmail.com along with your Name, Faculty and Year
design Samyuktha
 canvas 23

Stock Photo by rolve - sxc.hu

 24 apollo
The Indie Scene
With Apollo being the patron god of music along with having mad
chops on the lyre, the ridge and the Original Music Society take a
look at the local music landscape.
text Johnson Soon | john.sonne@gmail.com
Our local indie scene has gone through a series of
changes throughout the years. The scene has never
been static. One only has to listen to the bands listed
above in order to hear the different musical influences
behind.
Gig venues like Fat Frog Café (now Timbre over
at Substation) have also either vanished or been
reconstructed. Surely too, the people who stood in
front the stage have since moved onto other areas of
society.
The local indie scene includes the indepedent industry
of musicians, bands, gig-organisers and of course, the
shows themselves. Because the music is produced
and performed by self-motivated people who are as
ordinary as the person sitting next to you, and the gigs
that pepper the land involve an intense interactive
experience.
Yet the local indie scene has often been branded
all-too-quickly as a hotbed for substandard music.
Granted, there are indeed some lousy bands out
there, but this implies unmotivated performers, not
design Hurrairah bin Sohail
unmotivated music.
Elihu Katz, a sociologist in the field of communication
and media, theorized that people, far from being
passive consumers, sieve through everyday culture
and take only what they can suitably use in their lives.
If we apply this to the assumption of indie music
being below par, we can start to see that maybe the
issue’s not with the music, or even the bands, but
photo Thomas Tan
that in Singapore there exists a sad state where most
Singaporeans are unable to identify with music that is
produced by people like them.
It would be too hasty to conclude that our local music
scene is “sluggish” or even “struggling”. Though not
representative of the masses, there are still many
Singaporeans who have found their identity with
local indie music. Surely, the huge turnout at events
like Baybeats, Rock for Wayne, and other gigs like the
Weekend Trip are testimony to the undying passion
that many hold for the local indie scene.
These local gigs and the variety of bands form an
identity-bedrock for local listeners that transcend
age, race, gender and even institutions like schools,
where it’s not uncommon to see people from different
backgrounds with the same passion for local music.
This is because in the local indie scene, these listeners
aren’t just consumers of yet another cultural product
– they are also equal producers of local culture. While
local bands do rely on CDs and Myspace, what really
defines them are their live shows, where unfiltered,
raw interactive exchanges flow between the band and
the audience, making them co-producers in creating
the experience.
We do not seek not to cajole or coerce you to support
the local music. Rather, we hope that with heightened
awareness of the local indie scene, you would be
interested to take a listen, and perhaps engage in the
local indie scene where many have found their passion
and self-identity.
 apollo 25

People Page
lifestyle the ridge asks
you: “What do you think of
when you think GREEK? “
text Samyuktha | pas.assez.jolie@gmail.com

I think architecture
-Raghuraman Uthaman, FASS, Year 2

Greek gods like Apollo or Ares or Zeus!

-Meghna Desai, Business, Year 3

The series that I’ve been watching...

it’s called Greek!
-Shareena Siraj, Business, Year 2

Philosophy!
-Kishan Kumar Singh, Science , Year 2

This show I love watching called GREEK :D :D

-Nabha Battul, Science, Year 2

I think of Helen of Troy!

-Arzish Baaquie, Business, Year 4

Togas. Then next comes Socrates stuff... stuff

I leant during my Philosophy module.
-Hanis Farhanah Yusof, Business, Year 2
design Samyuktha

photo sxc.hu
 26 apollo

photo www.musicalx1.com
We know Apollo was a connoisseur of music. But since we could not
get a hold of him for this article, the ridge instead reviews the latest
releases for you.

text Hurrairah bin Sohail | hurrairah@gmail.com

Guns ‘n Roses, stalwarts of the glam/hair metal and
stadium rock heydays are almost unrecognizable from
their “Sweet Child ‘O Mine” days.
With everyone minus the frontman forming Velvet
Revolver and releasing two studio albums, it is nice to
finally hear from Axl.
Over the years Rose has built up a reputation for
being erratic, egomaniacal and a control freak forged
amid cancelled tours and shows, crew members
and supporting acts being fired during events and a
design Hurrairah bin Sohail
virtuoso guitarist Buckethead and Queen guitarist
Brain May (whose material was totally scrapped)
appearing on the record in some capacity.
But with a stable lineup, and it seems, all the false
starts out of the way we can finally get back to
enjoying good old, straight up rock and roll.
If you put aside all the drama, the antics and the
hysteria, Axl Rose is still one of the most accomplished
musicians around with an undeniably excellent ear for
melodies and harmonies.

stubborn refusal to release new material.
The insanity is further reflected on the album credits
with 17 studios listed as being used for recording and
a plethora of contributors and collaborators, including
There is a fine line between genius and insanity. And
while insanity’s entertainment value is immense, you
sometimes want your celebrities to remind you why
they became famous in the first place.
 apollo 27

Chinese Democracy Grade:

B
However, none of the trade-mark Guns ‘n Roses
guitar licks and riffs have not be eschewed. Songs like
“Better” and “Riad ‘n the Bedouins” exhibit the same
menace of old. The only difference is that it takes five
guitarists now to do what two did before.

In fact, there are times when one is left expecting a

blues, fuzz-drenched Slash wah solo only to be let
down by a below par, overly technical guitar pieces
Finally, the wait is over and Axl Rose has decided,
which is definitely the biggest downer
for better or for worse, to let his magnum opus Chinese
Democracy see the light of day.
Axl’s voice is still between a high pitched growl and a
banshee shriek. But the vocal melodies, which range
With a 17 year delay and annual rumours and
from falsetto to lows through the album, are perhaps
speculations about the release of the album, it is safe
the best and strongest of Rose’s career.
to say that this record has been the most anticipated
and expected album. In fact, the joke on the street was
As usual, with Guns ‘n Roses, you do not expect deep
that China would embrace democracy before fans got a
and meaningful poetry. But that is not to say that
hold of Chinese Democracy.
Chinese Democracy is full of trite hackneyed lyrics.
The album does offer some high points. On “Better”
For an album with so much hype around it, it has not
Axl sings “No one ever told me when/ I was alone/
made the mark that had been predicted. Lacklustre
They just thought I’d know Better/ Better.” Now
marketing from best buy, a botched publicity gimmick
whether this is a sarcastic dig at all the doubters or
from Dr. Pepper (who promised a free Dr. Pepper
bleak retrospect at the years spent in the proverbial
beverage to fans if the album was released this year
wilderness is up for debate.
on time) and no touring in support of the album has
seen disappointing sales. The music though, remains
Overall, the album trumps most new albums out there.
faultless.
But on the absolute scale it sounds over produced and
over thought out. A classic example is “Better” which
The sound is un-mistakable Guns ‘n Roses circa
has three different bridge sections. While all of them
Use Your Illusion I & II. With the grand orchestral
sound excellent, mashing them together makes the
arrangements and choirs on songs like “There Was
song lose the raw feel it needed.
A Time”, “Street of Dreams” and “If The World”, you
can see that the songs are almost thematic sequels to
The album either needed less time being processed, or
cuts like “November Rain” and “Estranged”. The songs
more time being perfected. Maybe if Axl Rose released
are a progression of grandiose sounds and complex
Chinese Democracy 10 years earlier or 10 years …
arrangements.

However with news of another album

already being in the pipelines, maybe
photo www.rollingstone.com

“ ... the joke on the street was that China Guns n’ Roses can reclaim the glory
would embrace democracy before fans got a days of yesteryear.
hold of Chinese Democracy.”
 28 transmedia

Hayao
Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki Film
Film Reel
Reel
A humanist at heart, Miyazaki treats
each film as the sum product of a

photo www.ghibli.jp/ponyo/
unique blend of hopeful idealism
weighted by a sober recognition of
the very real issues modern society
faces.
text Leong Su Zhen |leongsz@hotmail.com

After the dramatics of 2008, it is time to sit back, wind

photo www.animatoonies.com

down and taste a little nostalgia before taking the plunge

into the new year. Opening 2009 is acclaimed Japanese
director Hayao Miyazaki’s latest animated flick, Ponyo on
a Cliff by the Sea—a charming little film about a goldfish
princess who befriends a human boy.

With the director’s signature fantastical backdrops and

a catchy theme song, it is no wonder that Ponyo has
captured the hearts of audiences the world over. While the
film seems to have been targeted at young children, older
audiences can still enjoy the film for its comical elements
and stunning portrayal of the ever shifting seascapes.

A humanist at heart, Miyazaki treats each film as the sum

photo www.oslokino.no

product of a unique blend of hopeful idealism weighted by

a sober recognition of the very real issues modern society
faces. Light, fluffy, buoyant and beautiful, each film is a
masterpiece of cinematic magic in its own right.

Nausicaä, Valley of the Wind

Set in an apocalyptic future, the film’s heroine is Nausicaa,

a princess of a small tribe living in the Valley of the Wind,
one of the remaining pockets of habitable land on a toxic-
ravaged earth.

A compelling story about ecological destruction and

the foibles of human behaviour, Nausicaä’s humane and
moving message should ring a bell with the current
emphasis on ethical and environmentally-friendly
photo www.moviewallpapers.net

practices in both production and consumption. One of

Miyazaki’s earliest feature-film hits, Nausicaä, Valley of the
Wind arguably launched his career as one of Japan’s most
well-loved animators, both commercially and critically.
design lee wanyu
 transmedia 29
Light, fluffy, buoyant and beautiful, each
film is a masterpiece of cinematic magic in
its own right.

My Neighbour Totoro

A perennial favourite with teachers and students everywhere,

My Neighbour Totoro follows up on Miyazaki’s anti-
modernization rhetoric with its intensely attractive portrait of
rural Japan, consisting of quaint vehicles and lush agricultural
greenery. The main characters, Mei and Satsuki, and their
iconic furry helper, Totoro lend the film a cheeky innocence
that makes nostalgia palatable for even the most jaded person.

photo http://animewallpapers.ru
While Mononoke-hime may be considered Miyazaki at his
most accomplished, Totoro easily wins the prize for being one
of his most accessible and upbeat films to date.

Porco Rosso

Although Porco Rosso remains one of Miyazaki’s lesser known

films, it is no less enjoyable than the rest. Emulating a post
WWI air set amidst the white cliffs and azure seas of the
Adriatic region, the film’s tone is the most mature so far. As
the title suggests, the main character is Marco, a disillusioned
bounty hunter who flies a brightred plane and is “a pig of
a man” literally. Appearances however, are only skin deep
and it is the film’s interesting use of surface representations
that make it one of the most nuanced and layered films in the
director’s oeuvre. Another bonus point is that unlike the other

photo starweaverwitch.wordpress.com
films, there is no resoundingly didactic message to mar a good
chill-out movie watching experience.

Spirited Away

The film that launched Miyazaki to international acclaim

stars a spoilt young girl who stumbles into an alternate world
populated by spirits. Forced to work in a bathhouse operated
by an obnoxious witch called Yubaba, Chihiro has to learn to
rise above her own lethargic personality to earn her freedom.
The film’s complex exploration of consumerism and material
comfort as both desirous and yet potentially morally emptying
photo www.animepaper.net/gallery/scans/

also marks it as being aptly representative of the times. Chock

full of breath-taking dream-like scenery, lovable characters
and an excellent score by Joe Hisaishi, Spirited Away’s Oscar
win is certainly deserved.

Based in Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki’s other works include

‘Laputa: Castle in the Sky’, ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’, a Chage
& Aska music video titled ‘On Your Mark’, the excellent
‘Mononoke-hime’ and the screen adaptation of Diana Wynne
Jones’s young adult novel, ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’.
 30 lifestyle

Ring out the old and ring in the cool

The New Year has rolled around and once again it’s time to make
some resolutions – regardless of how long they are kept.
text Samyuktha| pas.assez.jolie@gmail.com

For those of us who don’t quite want to make life-changing resolutions knowing that we will break them
five minutes into the new year (read: I will stop eating fried food), lifestyle the ridge brings you fashion
resolutions...

Girls

We know you love your tights, but we are trying very hard not to beg
you to stop wearing them as pants. There is a big difference between
jeans and tights: the former flatters your ass while the latter just makes
you look like you forgot to wear that miniskirt you were planning to
pair it with.

PS. We would advise you not to write this down in your list of
resolutions. Nobody needs to know.

For those of us who have been throwing on the same jeans and rotating
the same well-worn and threadbare five t-shirts for the past few
months, all I can say is variety is the spice of life. Try being radically
different... and wearing a skirt perhaps? Maybe that cute guy in lecture
will finally sit up
and take note of
your existence.

This one is for

those of us on the
other end of the
spectrum – those who simply cannot live without their Nine
Wests or Aldos. That is no reason to try and manoeuvre
campus stairs in your killer 4-inch heels. By the time that
4pm lecture in AS7 rolls around, you’ll be sorely regretting
your decision to show them off.

Although there is no need to go the other extreme and carry

the same bag for four semesters, it would be advisable
design Samyuktha

to consider not carrying a new bag everyday. Apart from

reducing your chances of leaving your wallet, phone or keys
in thewrong bag, we also think it would ease the economic
burden on you and your family in these difficult times. 
 lifestyle 31

Guys

We can’t repeat this one enough. Resolve to change out of your FBT shorts and singlet
the minute your workout ends. Contrary to what you believe, girls are not turned on
by the sight of your
muscular thighs.

Agreed that some girls

dig long hair. But do
consider shampooing it
regularly. Not many girls
I know dig long greasy
hair.

Factor five minutes into

your daily schedule for
accessorising. Anything
from a simple watch or
belt to cufflinks works
to spruce up your
outfit and distinguish
you from the hordes of
t-shirt and jeans-clad
student drones.

We know Lecture Theatres in NUS can get rather cold, which is why
you are unlikely to get weird looks if you walk around campus in a
hoodie. What however does promise to change that is wearing the
hood on your hoodie. Now that is guaranteed social suicide.

If you do not have time to preen (we can only assume you are
doing 6 modules and juggling 3 CCAs simultaneously), skip the
fancy five-minute ritual and head straight for a layered look. It
adds character to your t-shirt
and jeans look, while having
the additional benefit of
keeping the air-conditioning
at bay.

For both guys and girls, do throw out that pair of shoes/bag/jeans that is long past
expiry but you have just not had the heart to part with. In the same vein, resolve to
change something about your looks. Get a different haircut, start accessorising if
photo sxc.hu

you usually do not – just add a little pizzazz. Here’s to keeping your resolutions.
 32 outspoken

Minefields of Political Incorrectness

Sometimes you simply have to stop shuffling and step

on people’s toes – on purpose.
text Danbee Shin |danbee.shin@nus.edu.sg

Today, anyone promoting a self-image of a modern,
well-educated and informed person should never
be politically incorrect. Society is generally quick to
condemn those who dare to expose their ignorance by
saying the “wrong” things. Singapore, a multicultural
melting pot, is among the world’s many societies
permeated with Western ideologies that are placing
increasing emphasis on excruciating diplomacy.
Last month, I was invited to give a literary response
at a book launch. The book was a collection of
stories written by 14- and 15-year-olds, about their
experiences with ‘differently-abled’ people. I was
impressed at the extent to which the issues related
to the handicapped were explored. Many people are
reluctant to openly discuss these issues, to the despair
of the disabled.
When attempting to be sensitive and politically
correct, to avoid stepping on toes, we are faced with
the challenge of choosing the right words. Differently
able, disabled, handicapped, not-all-there, special…
How do we know which words to use without
offending anyone? Unfortunately, too often, the
solution is to not say anything at all. However, in this
book, I found that the authors overcame the challenge
of appropriate diction by offering honest descriptions
of their main characters instead of sticking on labels.
Isn’t this what we should be doing; judging people
by their individualities and personalities instead
of stripping each other of identity? When you say
African-American instead of Black, you are still judging
the person by his or her ancestry, not personal traits.
Admittedly, most of the time, the way around
minefields of political incorrectness is a lot more
complicated, sometimes inexistent. Should we then
just keep our mouths shut and stay put lest our
politically incorrect remarks explode in our faces?
Being politically correct is accepting that all systems
of thought are equal in value. It is demonstrating
sensitivity towards all cultures, an attempt at
courteousness and tact, respecting each other’s race,
gender, religion and everything else that, for most of
history, has divided people and driven them apart. It is
not inventing new terms to label or describe the same
thing in a somehow less crass manner.
What is the point of being politically correct, when, by
doing so, voices are smothered and freedom of speech
revoked? How can we be expected to be sensitive
towards another’s views and opinions if we cannot
express our own? How is this death of expression
supposed to help promote better understanding and
tolerance between different groups of people?

“ A tumour of misunderstandings, wariness and

suspicions arising from lack of communication – is
this really what we’re advocating by demanding
constant and indiscriminate political correctness?

”
design lee wanyu

Surely, the loss of freedom of speech is a step
backwards in the struggle to secure human rights for
all – the very human rights that political correctness
is supposed to protect. Sweeping the dust under
the carpet does not make it go away, it just leaves
a disturbing and irritating lump on the ground.
A tumour of misunderstandings, wariness and
suspicions arising from lack of communication – is
this really what we’re advocating by demanding
constant and indiscriminate political correctness?
Can we afford this in today’s ever smaller world?
As with all the world’s controversial questions, the
answer lies in balance. Balance between political
correctness and common sense judgement. No one
deserves to be the topic of an insensitive slur, but no
one deserves to have their views suppressed either.
outspoken 33
Not always being politically correct does not, by any
means, translate to saying anything and everything at
whim. We need to be responsible for our expressions,
aware of and sensitive about their implications.
We need to be practical in our interaction with the
heterogeneous world we live in, and the multitude of
people who co-exist regardless of various differences.
Perhaps we should look towards being less politically
correct and more morally correct. Morality is more
intuitive, whereas political correctness is an idea
engineered by modern society. True, we are then faced
with the subjectivity of morals, but surely all moral
judgements are of equal value – or is that politically
incorrect?
 34 outspoken
Being grown up isn’t half as fun as
growing up
These are the best days of our lives.
text Helen Victoria Scida | helenvs@nus.edu.sg
When I received the theme for this month’s issue
I admit I was nonplussed – it was ‘Apollo’. Apollo,
in Greek mythology, is God of the sun, medicine
and truth, among other things; all I could think
of was the Apollo wafer bar. Hands up, those
who remember it – I can still recall even the
advertisement jingle [“A-pollo!”], with a wave of
nostalgia. And so, the idea for this article was born.
After all, it is the New Year and a perfect time for
looking back, as well as looking forward.
We have all got older relatives who grow lyrical
about ‘the old days’ and how things have changed
so much since then; how things are more expensive
and how moral standards have dropped. The
difference between my reaction to these relatives
now and say, five years ago, is that now I actually
photo CocaColapeBat.deviantart.com
design fabian kong
find myself agreeing with them. It seems the curse
of maturity and adulthood has come upon me at
last. Things did seem simpler when I was younger,
things were definitely cheaper, and life was more
carefree. But after all, not many things intrude
upon the life of a sheltered sixteen-year old.
For many of us, entering university marked a sharp
departure from everything that had come before;
now we were ‘adults’, supposed to be ‘independent’
and ‘responsible’; and that did not just mean
having the freedom to live alone on campus and
stay out later than before. It meant having to plan
for the future, to start thinking about getting a job.
I am graduating this semester and I must admit,
I am quite terrified. There is a part of me that
longs for teenager-hood, with its perfect balance
of freedom, independence and the promise of
parental security. Despite the teenage angst and
relationship dramas, my teenage years were some
of the best of my life enhanced by the fact that I
had no other responsibility than to do well in my
studies and CCAs. Now that I’m about to graduate
from university, it is a whole different story.
So what are we almost-graduates to do? Added
responsibilities and the onset of adult working life
are part and parcel of growing up and resisting
that is only delaying the inevitable. For me,
accepting that fact of life – that I must grow up –
has not been the easiest pill to swallow, but my
“To those undergraduates
who still have some years
left to go, I say: make the
most of it.”
 outspoken 35

consolation is this: with only five months left to go,

I am determined to make the most of it. My new
year’s resolution this year is to thoroughly enjoy
university life to its fullest. Take dance classes;
meet new people; worry less about exams and
papers and more about learning. To put it simply, I
plan to live life.

So even though I am graduating this year and

plunging headlong into adulthood with all its
perceived problems and stresses, at least I will
have made some great memories from my last
few months at NUS to take with me. To those
undergraduates who still have some years left to
go, I say: make the most of it. Not that graduating
and entering the workforce is a confirmed step
down, of course; each new life stage carries its own
adventures and experiences. What is important is
that, ten or twenty years down the road when we
look back upon our time in university just as I am
doing now, prompted by the memory of a childhood
snack, the one thing we should not feel is regret.
I leave you with a quote from one of my favourite
authors:

It is said that your life flashes before your

eyes just before you die. That is true, it’s
called Life. – Terry Pratchett

Now, go out there and live it.

photo Freagu.deviantart.com
 36 wired

Netbooks – A Quick Shopping Guide

This month, we give you a few tips on selecting the right netbook for
you.
text Mazyiar Saleem | mazyiar@gmail.com

A netbook is a small laptop that runs a full Linux

or Windows operating system. With their low price
and ultra portability, this newest generation of
laptop has become extremely popular. Added to
that, the fact that they are also quite capable as PCs
makes them much more than the secondary devices
they were once thought to be.
photo windowsfordevices.com

Netbooks generally have 8-to-10-inch widescreens,

but no built-in optical drives. Not a single one has
a full-size keyboard, so you can expect a more
cramped typing experience than with a regular
laptop. Despite that, the keyboards can still be
surprisingly comfortable once you’re used to them,
but be sure to try out the keyboard before you
buy, as not all of them will have the same layout or
size, and you might not like the way some of the
keys are arranged on certain keyboards. Almost
all netbooks nowadays will come with a webcam, a
few USB ports, built in Wi-Fi, and a few extras like
card-readers.
Weight is an important consideration for a netbook.
Make sure you find out not only about the weight of
the laptop itself, but also how much it weighs with
The Acer One
everything (charger cables, bag) included – as you
will probably be carrying the whole bundle around
a lot of the time.
Netbooks nowadays offer both Linux and Windows
operating systems. Although Linux is cheap and
very user-friendly, the average user tends to be
more familiar and comfortable with Windows.
Windows XP is the usual offering, with some
Vista-capable models also available. Vista is quite
a resource hog though, and is thus not a very good
choice of operating system for a netbook (or a
regular laptop for that matter).

Netbooks offer buyers the option of getting a Solid

State Drive (SSD) or a regular spinning hard drive.
While SSDs have faster transfer speeds, are durable,
photo trustedreviews.com

and have longer life spans, storage capacity

currently maxes out at 16GB in a netbook. Most
netbooks are available with spinning hard drives
that can store up to 160GB worth of data, but I do
believe that anything less than 60GB is just too
little.
MSI Wind Netbook
design fabian kong
 wired 37

Almost all netbooks these days come with an Intel

Atom processor. The Atom processor is the fastest
and most energy-efficient netbook processor
you can get. You can find Intel Celeron M or VIA
processors in first-generation models like the
ASUS EeePC 4G and the HP 2133 Mini-Note, but
you’re much better off not buying those. All the
new netbooks almost exclusively use the Atom, and
many of them will run fine with 1GB of memory.

Speaking of memory, it is important that you check

whether the netbook you are getting gives you the
option to expand memory. At least 1 GB is a must,
in my opinion, and most can be upgraded to 2GB -
but you will have to check. The same goes for hard
drives also. Some vendors are using 1.8-inch hard
photo axedesign.com
drives instead of 2.5-inch ones, meaning you can’t
swap it out with a bigger hard drive that you buy
later.

Standard netbook batteries are typically three-cell

ASUS eee pc 1000 with a 10” screen
(less than 30-Wh) units, which means that they
will not really get you more than 3 hours of battery
life on a single charge. If you’re not planning on
carrying your charger around most of the time
(which makes things significantly lighter) look for
netbooks with higher capacity (6-cell) batteries.

If you are considering buying a netbook, hopefully

this guide will help you in your search for that
perfect (if not, close to perfect) netbook. Happy
shopping!

photo Wolffi94.deviantart.com
 38 wired

Techbuzz
We take a look at what has been creating a buzz in the tech world of
late.
text Gurmesh Singh | gurmesh@nus.edu.sg

RIAA Ends Lawsuits
The recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) has decided that it will not go after peer
to peer file-sharers and sue them on an individual
basis. Instead, it will work with the various Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) to warn and eventually
cut off Internet service to repeat offenders. This
would of course mean good news to individuals
and more importantly, colleges where peer to peer
file-sharing has been said to be rampant. It may
be that the RIAA finally developed a conscience
and decided against heavy-handed tactics against
infringers. It also helps that this strategy would
help decrease the costs involved in anti-piracy
efforts. However, ISPs now say that they want the
RIAA to help defray costs involved in policing peer
to peer file-sharers. This may ultimately put a huge
dent in the RIAA’s new copyright enforcement
strategy.
photo mayhem-chaos.net
that this service is currently only restricted to U.S.
phone numbers. Although operators like Singtel,
M1 and Starhub already have such an Internet SMS
feature available for use, having the convenience of
sending an SMS from your mailbox without needing
to log into a separate service would undoubtedly
make it much simpler.
photo gmaps-samples.googlecode.com
Songbird Takes Flight
Songbird, the open-source rival to iTunes has
finally come out of beta and been officially released
as Songbird 1.0. Due to its open-source nature,
it will undoubtedly be much more customizable
than Apple’s iTunes through various add-ons.
One particular add-on, mashTape, displays Flickr
photos, YouTube videos, artist biographies, news
items and other web content that is related to the
artist currently playing. Apple will definitely not
take this news lying down, as they seek to maintain
the iPod+iTunes exclusivity. One of the drawbacks

of Songbird, however, is the inability to rip songs off

CDs, just yet. However, there is no doubt that such a
limitation will not affect the majority of users.

SMS Using Gmail Chat

photo commons.wikimedia.org

Google has recently introduced a new feature in

its integrated Gmail Chat, allowing you to send
free messages to hand phones. The recipient will
be able to reply instantaneously, as Gmail will tie a
unique phone number to the SMS. The bad news is
design fabian kong
 wired 39

PS3s Not Only For Games

Rather than playing games or watching blu-ray

movies in all their high-definition glory, a group
of White Hats (ethical hackers) decided to use
about 200 PS3s to show that they could exploit a
weakness in the MD5 cryptography algorithm used
in digital signatures and certificates (often used in
Internet Banking websites, for example) allowing

photo win.tue.nl
them to create their own rouge Certification
Authority (CA) certificate which would be trusted
by all browsers. However, it has been claimed that
the use of to sign security certificates MD5 being
phased out, with a more secure SHA-1 algorithm Rows of PS3s located at the PlayStation Lab in
being used. Also, it would take months for an attack Switzerland
like this to be replicated. According to the group, considering voting for the Pirate Party. While
the reason that PS3s and not computers were used they may not have the most elegant of names, the
was that the hardware in the PS3s, specifically the Pirate Party does have some rather noble goals.
Cell processor, “is suited for basic arithmetic used For example, they want to protect consumer
in cryptographic algorithms and that it greatly rights especially in the area of unfair Digital Rights
outperforms general purpose computers on brute- Management (DRM) which are often found in MP3s
force computations”. downloaded from various online stores. They are
also interested in reforming the copyright laws
Pirate Party Gains Support and pharmaceutical patents to make them more
balanced and serve the needs of the people better.
In a time when anti-piracy measures are being It will be worth watching the European Parliament
ramped up, with pressure from copyright holders Elections in June to see how the Pirate Party fares.
with the help of their excessively paid legal
representatives, the Pirate Party in Sweden has
been able to increase its membership by 50% in
the last quarter of 2008. This makes them a larger
party than the established Green Party, which
currently holds 19 seats in the Swedish parliament.
In fact, more than half of men aged 18 to 29 are
photo nybergh.net
 40 transmedia

Best of 2008
2008 will be hard to live up to. But here’s to hoping that 2009 does
and exceeds our expectations. transmedia the ridge compiles a list of
the movers and shakers of the year 2008.
text Tay Huizhen| benediction.jay@gmail.com Suhas Bhat | suhasbhat1988@hotmail.com

As the new year dawns, we look back on the year

that went by noting the songs, events, images and
people that made a lasting impression. To this end, we
have compiled a “Best of 2008” piece which reflects on
2008 analytically, but also with a hint of nostalgia.

A series of occurrences grabbed the headlines in the

year. The not-so-squeaky-clean teen queen Britney
Spears shaved her head and checked into rehab. With
a sudden, but somewhat successful comeback later in
the year, controversy always boosted her métier.
photo deliciousthoughts.files.wordpress.com

In nearby Hong Kong, the Edison Chen scandal

erupted in full fury. The island nation’s paparazzi
was gripped into a single-minded frenzy for an entire
month, climaxing with an ineluctable cul de sac
that saw his formal exit from the Hong Kong media
industry.

Heath Ledger’s sudden death shocked not just

Hollywood, but all of the entertainment industry, and
talks of a posthumous Oscar for his role in The Dark
Knight kept his name in news throughout the year.
Moving on to games, Grand Theft Auto IV was
perhaps the most awaited game the entire year but
In music, Lil Wayne was by far the best ‘breakthrough’
avid pc gamers cried foul over a less-than-rocking
rap artist of the year with his album Tha Carter III.
gaming experience compared to PS3 and Xbox
Loaded with chart-topping hits from the insouciantly
versions, prompting creators, Rockstar Games to
prurient ‘Lollipop’ to the infectiously feral beat of
scramble to release a suitable patch. 2008 saw the
“A Milli”, and being voted as Artists’ Choice at the
continued spate of music video games, with Rock
MTV Europe Music Awards, Lil Wayne took Ludacris’
Band 2 being released and Guitar Hero World Tour
ribaldry to a whole new level.
hot on its heels. The release of WoW’s expansion pack,
Wrath of the Lich King, unleashed a media blizzard,
But what is music if not enjoyed live? Aaron Kwok’s
selling 2.8 million copies within the first 24 hours
design Hurrairah bin Sohail

De Show Reel Live In Concert 2008 deserves a

of availability, making it the fastest selling computer
mention with its groundbreaking 450 degree revolving
game of all time.
stage, setting a world record as the largest in an
indoor setting. As for local gigs, Kanye West and Kylie
The media industry had its influence on the US
Minogue performed on our sunny shores and we are
Presidential election as well. Sarah Palin was
sure you recall the controversy that was stirred along
lambasted by Tina Fey’s memorable SNL sketch much
with the down-sized versions.
to her party’s dismay. But there was a positive impact
 transmedia 41

on the election as well with many musicians actively

supporting Obama, helping him comprehensively
sweep the youth vote. Will.i.am’s “Yes, We Can” comes
to mind also as one perfect example illustrating the
political power of media.

Best songs of 2008

“Lollipop” by Lil Wayne hit the airwaves in March and

was a prelude to his success. While this was Dwayne
Jr’s 6th album, newcomer Flo Rida managed to get his
single “Low” to be a number-one hit for ten weeks in
a row.

The world of pop had a number of artists vying for

supremacy but the most impressive performer was
photo mattthomas.files.wordpress.com

debutante Katy Perry. With refreshingly spunky

singles like “Hot n Cold” and “I Kissed a Girl”, she is
the one to look out for in 2009. The industry; still
dominated by seasoned performers such as Beyonce,
Mariah Carey et al; welcomed back Britney Spears who
released her comeback song, “Womanizer”, to much
aplomb.

In Taiwan, musician Jay Chou released his 9th studio

album, Capricorn. Comprising a range of talents, the
musician has once again impressed fans and critics
alike. Rice Aroma epitomizes his ability as he sings,
raps and also delivers an optimistic, encouraging
message urging all to not give up in the face of
adversity.

Rock fans would probably be disappointed with the

year, though, with Radiohead, Coldplay, Guns n Roses,
Slipknot and many other bands and artistes failing
to impress. “Viva la Vida” will probably be the year’s
most recognizable track and a late show of force by
Pop/Rock singer Pink with “So What?” failed to undo
the damage.

That was the year that was. Action-packed and

photo i41.photobucket.com

constantly surprising, 2008 will be hard to live up to.

But here’s to hoping that 2009 does and exceeds our
expectations. Thus, from the Transmedia desk, we
hope you rock, dance, read, watch, be entertained and
thoroughly enjoy the transmedia that comes out in the
rest of the year. We promise to cover it to the best of
our abilities.
 42 sports
NUS –
Great Eastern Water Polo Challenge 2009
“Where the Great Emerge”
Come 23rd January 2009, more than 200 spectators
will pack the stands of the National University of
Singapore (NUS) Sports and Recreation Centre
Swimming Pool to witness the coronation of the
inaugural winners of the NUS – Great Eastern Water
Polo Challenge. Eight tertiary teams will slug it out
between 13th and 22nd January in a race to stake their
places in the finals.
With the removal of Water Polo from the Inter-Varsity
and Polytechnic (IVP) Sporting Calendar, there is no
longer an avenue for promising and talented tertiary
students to further develop their talent and passion in
the sport. Thus, the NUS – Great Eastern Water Polo
Challenge serves as a platform for budding young
water polo players in tertiary institutions to showcase
and develop their talents. It also aims to elevate the
profile of the sport and bring about a resurgence of
the sport at both the tertiary and national level. The
efforts of NUS have since been recognized by the IVP
Council with the inclusion of Water Polo back into the
IVP Sporting Calendar for the next academic year.
What is even more remarkable of this tournament is
that it was entirely conceived, planned and brought to
fruition by a group of enthusiastic students from NUS
within a span of less than 6 months.
“ ...the success of the event will inspire the
next generation of sports leaders to dare to
dream and to turn their dreams into reality.
design lee wanyu
text Bryon Teo |bryonteo@gmail.com
On the difficulties faced by his team in organizing this
event, Matthew Chew, NUS Team Captain, said, “We
had a hard time convincing the school that students
can actually organize such a large scale tournament in
such a short period of time. We nearly gave up as we
were unable to secure sponsorship as most companies
were tightening their belts in light of the current
economic climate. But we were glad that Great Eastern
Life and the other sponsors believed in and supported
us”.
Team Manager, Andre Teo, further added that the
team was inspired by Singapore’s successful bid for
the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 to dare dream,
“Through the organization of such a tournament,
members of the team have had the opportunity
to hone not only their playing skills but also their
leadership and organizational skills. This will serve
us well as future leaders not only in sports but also
elsewhere.” This view was mirrored by the team’s
Secretary, Bryon Teo, who believed that the success
of the event will inspire the next generation of sports
leaders to dare to dream and to turn their dreams into
reality.
Over the next two weeks, spectators will be able to
catch top athletes in action including players who
were part of the Singapore team which successfully
defended their SEA Games title two years ago. Lin
Diyan, who was part of that team, is eagerly looking
forward to the tournament, “The quality of the teams
involved makes it exciting not just for the players
involved but also the spectators watching the games”.
”
 sports 43
Nigel Tay, who was the youngest member of that team,
added: “We have been training really hard throughout
the holidays for this competition. I really cannot wait
for it to start!”

Besides the two pair of brothers (Lin Diyan, Lin Diyang

and Andre Teo, Bryon Teo) who are stalwarts for the
NUS Team, there will be a pair of brothers who will be
lining up against each other during the tournament.
Sean and Willy Peh will be wearing the colours of
NUS and Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)
respectively. Sean is unfazed by the prospect of facing
his elder brother in the pool, “We are brothers but in
the pool, we will fight tooth and nail to secure victory
for our teams. To pull off a win over my elder brother’s This tournament is presented by Great Eastern Life. It
team will make the victory even sweeter!” is also sponsored by NewUrbanMale and supported by
Singapore WaterPolo and Zouk. The tournament will
So come on down to NUS Sports and Recreational be held at the SRC Swimming Pool, NUS, from the 13th
Centre’s Swimming Pool to catch all 8 tertiary teams in to 23rd of January 2009. To find out more about the
action as they attempt to stake their claim to the best tournament and the fixtures, please visit their facebook
tertiary team in Singapore! group at www.tinyurl.com/nuswaterpolo

Fixtures
Group A Group B
NUS RP
NTU NP
SMU NYP
SIM SP
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