Since the beginning of time, mankind has sought to unravel the many mysteries of the universe. For example, rainbows, which were once considered to be magical beams of light that led to pots of gold, were, in fact, discovered to be optical illusions due to the reflection of light. However, other secrets uncovered by science have far deadlier implications. To this extent, some people feel that the quest of scientists to reveal life's mysteries has led to the development of many of the world's problems.

 To a certain extent, it can be agreed upon that science and technology are the root cause of some of society's problems. Ever since the Chinese first discovered gunpowder centuries ago, guns and explosives have become commonplace weapons of destruction in every military organisation around the world. If the main aim of technology is to aid mankind in doing a task more efficiently, guns have certainly proved their worth because they allow human beings to kill each other in greater numbers. The influx of armed robberies and terrorism in the 20th century was aided greatly by the availability of hand held weapons. Even children nowadays are able to settle their grudges with each other by opening fire on their fellow schoolmates, such as in the case of the Columbine High School massacre, which occurred in the United States of America.

 The science of biology which is, in essence, the study of life has also been abused by mankind so that he is now able to kill his fellow Homo-sapiens with greater ease. The problem of terrorism was already deadly enough if the terrorists were able to get their hands on hand-held weapons but, thanks to biological warfare, the terrorists can raise the stakes considerably in their own favour by not merely eradicating a group of hostages, but an entire city if the biological agent is not quickly contained. An example is the use of the nerve gas, Sarin, by the Aum Shinrikyo groups in a Tokyo subway so that the cult group could bring about its own doomsday.

The discovery of nuclear power, which was once hyped as being able to power entire cities with the use of only one power plant, has also led to the development of nuclear weapons. When political negotiations fail, countries are now able to intimidate their opponents with the threat of launching a nuclear attack. The Cuban Missile Crisis, which occurred in America in the 1960’s, sparked off mass hysteria in the American public because they were literally sitting next door to death. More recently India and Pakistan, who have not been on good terms for a number of years, have also entered the nuclear arms race by openly conducting nuclear tests in order to intimidate each other.

Many people also claim that the deterioration of our own environment is due to advancements of science and technology. As mankind creates more for himself, a great paradox occurs?he destroys the world around him. Indeed, large-scale deforestation occurs due to mankind’s need for timber in industries and for space so that new cities can be constructed for earth’s rapidly increasing population. Even industries that do not require raw materials from nature may inadvertently cause environmental damage due to their by-products, such as smog and nuclear waste.

However, to say that science and technology only bring about problems would be unfair because they have also aided mankind in more positive ways. For heinous crimes such as rape, police scientists are able to identify the assailant, even if he was wearing a mask, by taking DNA tests of his semen. In a recent case to prove the effectiveness of DNA testing, U.S. President Bill Clinton was proven to have had sex with intern Monica Lewinsky when a DNA test proved that it was his semen stain on a dress which belonged to her.

Although cloning has caused much controversy, the medicinal implications it has are simply astounding. After all, if scientists are able to clone an entire sheep, why not just clone organs that could be used on transplant patients? Healthy blood cells that were reduced in number due to viral infections could also be cloned so that the patients could recover more quickly.

The creation of the Internet has also solved the problem of sending and retrieving information from all around the world. Similarly, satellite technology has also improved the state of telecommunications vastly since the first wireless telegraph was conceived.

We can now clearly see that science and technology have caused some of the more serious problems in our society such as war and environmental pollution. However, they do have their uses as well, so it is my opinion that science and technology are not strictly good or bad. It is how mankind makes use of the knowledge that he has discovered which affects the outcome of his creations.

(Mohd. Reza Bin Emaddudin  98S10)     37/50
 
 

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 Our world is fraught with many problems. Everyday on the news there are reports of neighbouring countries getting ready for war, the emergence of killer diseases, an increasing number of delinquent youths, the degeneration of moral values, cults, disasters and so on. If one were to look carefully at these problems, one may attribute them to the fact that science and technology are related to them. However, are science and technology the direct cause of these problems? In what way does a tool of mankind, rid him of his problems, but in the end be responsible for more problems?

 Killer diseases have haunted mankind ever since he made his first few steps on the surface of the earth. With great advancements in the field of medical science, however, many of these killer epidemics have long ago been reduced to minor irritants, a simple reminder of our past. Thus, with science and technology, mankind can perhaps work towards being free of disease and, ultimately, immortality. However, this statement is far from the truth. With the introduction of newer medicines, such as stronger antibiotics and vaccines, many killer diseases, such as small pox, cholera and tuberculosis, have been neutralised. 

Yet, the very same advancements in medical science have led to the birth of deadlier diseases that would never have emerged, but do so now thanks to science and technology. The use of antibiotics has wiped out normal strains of disease-causing bacteria in our bodies, but has led to the multiplication of mutant strains of bacteria that are immune to the antibiotics and that probably causes more harm to the human body than their predecessors. From the recent examples, such as the emergence of the lethal "bird flu virus," as well as the rising incidence of tuberculosis cases due to a mutant breed of the tuberculosis bacteria, it is not difficult to see that science and technology are the main cause of it all.

Many of mankind's inconveniences have been eliminated by science and technology. Before the invention of the automobile, travelling from one end of a country to the other would either be an arduous task if done on foot or a less tiring, but just as time consuming one, if undertaken by boat. Nowadays people own cars that enable them to travel to different places within a country, or between countries, at a mere fraction of the time they would otherwise have to spend on the task. For those who do not own cars, transport is only a matter of convenience using public transport, such as buses, trains, aircraft or luxury liners. With a highly developed infrastructure, better networks of roads, waterways and flight paths, travelling has brought about a major problem that plagues nations world wide?pollution. The convenience of automobile travel has brought about great damage to the environment through the release of exhaust fumes, such as nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxides. The luxury liners and great passenger vessels have brought with them oceanic pollution through oil spills as well as the dumping of waste into the water. Above all, the pollution not only damages the environment, it also serves as a dangerous biological hazard as well. The gases that come out from exhaust pipes not only damage the environment, but may cause severe health problems, such as brain damage and lung cancer. In short, science and technology can be held responsible for pollution.

Technology has bestowed us with computers. With the help of computers, mankind has found it much easier to perform numerous tasks, be they assembly-line production in factories or office work. With the emergence of the computer has come the birth of the Internet. With the Internet people can access huge amounts of information on whatever topic they choose, be it information on countries, customs, religion, science, entertainment or history. The Internet, however, brings with it a host of problems as well. Material relating to pornography, hate propaganda, as well as satanic cults, is now being spread much more easily with the help of the Internet. With the Internet comes the availability of relay chat rooms, which are virtual rooms allowing people from all over the world to communicate instantaneously. Through the convenience of such rooms come the problem of dependence. People may no longer find face-to-face interaction necessary since the convenience of the Internet eliminates the trouble of having to meet face-to-face. With this convenience the problem of cyber-rape also arises. Many rape victims are led into meeting cyber rapists through Internet relay chats. Thus, technology does cause these problems as well.

However, some of mankind's problems are not the result of technological advancement, but are due to factors that are innate in mankind. The problem of crime, for instance, is not caused by technology.  It may be true that technology facilitates criminal operations and helps criminals evade the law easily, but the main factor in crime is greed, which is innate in mankind. Technology only serves as a tool in crime and is not the cause of it. Thus, technology cannot be blamed in this case.

(Lor Wanyou  98S02)        37/50
 
 

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Sight-seeing, scuba diving, going to different places, meeting different people, learning cultures of other races, shopping for goods that are cheaper or which cannot be bought in the tourist's own country have spurred the explosion of tourism. Tourism is the most common social trend around the world.

 Tourism has been said to generate lots of revenue brought in by the foreign exchange of the tourists. It has also been said that investments from all over the world pour in to set up companies and infrastructure in order to gain a share in the growing tourism business. This thus increases the revenue of the countries and improves the people's lives. Transportation industries and tourism-related businesses also gain as infrastructure improves and business increases. All of these have led to a massive employment of local workers and the setting up of more businesses.

 However, there are many developing countries that are still suffering from famine and unemployment. These countries have promoted tourism, but it does not bring in much revenue for the government. This is because foreign companies are mainly the ones that set up big tourism businesses in these countries. The money these foreign companies earn is not kept in these countries; it is drawn out, thus leaving little revenue for the use of the government. Furthermore, the salaries of the local workers are small as compared to what those foreign companies earn. The locals are mainly employed as lower ranking staff. Managers are usually foreigners. Therefore, local workers do not learn much by working for those companies. This is exploitation of the people and the country.

 The environment and nature of the host countries are of the greatest concern. The most favourite destinations of tourists are the beach areas. Companies build hotels, construct many different facilities surrounding beaches. Often, the natural environment around those construction sites is polluted. Local people too are affected as they have to shift their homes away as investors have bought up their land. Living creatures and plants are endangered as their habitats are destroyed and they are often disturbed by tourists. If those creatures are unable to adapt they may die. This shows that the investors are not at all concerned about the nature of these countries; all they want is to use these exotic destinations to lure the tourists. This is exploitation of nature and the environment.

 There is another exploitation by the investors, which is the exploitation of the countries' natural resources. Good local food and clean water are often served to the tourists rather than the locals as the latter are unable to afford them due to the expensive charges. Trees in the forest are chopped down to produce mass local artifacts and souvenirs in factories. Rather than promoting the local culture, the culture is actually exploited.

 To stop all this exploitation by the investors the government must step in. In some countries the government sets rules and regulations for the foreign companies to obey. Strict laws on preventing pollution are also implemented to reduce the pollution caused by these companies and tourists. To reduce the loss of revenue the government imposes heavy taxes on these foreign companies. It also sets up its own tourist businesses like eco-tourism, which helps create awareness of the environment. Loans and incentives are also given out to local enterprises to set up or expand their tourist businesses. In this way money is generated and it can be used to improve local education and the living conditions of the people.

 We can conclude that tourism is indeed a kind of exploitation if measures are not taken by the government. However, if measures are taken, it actually speeds up the development of the country. The view that tourism is a kind of exploitation is not justifiable. 

(Lim Kim Song  98S13)       32/50
 
 
 
 
 
 

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In the past, men and women generally had their own roles to fulfill. These traditional gender roles were the norm back then and, to a certain extent, are still observed today. Men were seen as the breadwinners of the family, from whom the family’s main source of income was obtained. Women were in charge of the households. This meant household expenses, a child’s upbringing and housekeeping were left to them. Now, however, these gender roles are increasingly being challenged. 

The basis of the argument against fixed gender roles is that it is a product of past ideas which cannot apply to modern life. Men and women are created equal, save some physical differences, and hence specific roles for men and women apply. To suggest that men and women having different roles to play in modern society would seem to be challenging this notion of sexual equality. This, I fear, is open to argument. 

True, the sexual equality revolution that has taken place has dramatically changed the workplace. Where once women were rarely seen in areas such as the offices of major firms and government departments they have now become accepted. Women can do tasks just as well as their male counterparts and have earnings equal or above their peers. This change did not take place overnight, nor without women facing great trials and tribulations. The fact that women today have the option of earning their own keep is an achievement.

To explain, women were previously largely kept out of the workplace because of a lack of education and skills. This does not apply today because, unlike yesteryear, young girls are now allowed to go to school and fulfill their educational potential. Private companies and firms have begun to realise that the female population is a valuable labour resource that is under-tapped. For instance, in Singapore educational qualifications for both men and women are generally equal. The country also faces a severe lack of capable people with the correct qualifications for high-post jobs. Imported foreign talent is only one part of the solution and more women with correct qualifications are being demanded. The female workforce is becoming more and more vital to the small island-state that has people as its only resource. This increased demand will coax women into the workforce through wages and fringe benefits.

At home the same gender role reversal can be seen. Live-in dads can take the place of the working mother and take the responsibility of caring for a child. Household chores are no longer seen as the sole responsibility of the wife, they are  more likely to be shared between both genders. In countries like the United States, this role reversal has been taking place for quite some time now. It has even found a way into mainstream entertainment. Adam, a cartoon strip, features a live-in dad as the title character. He is the “mother” of two kids and a baby. His wife is the main breadwinner of the family.

Yet, these role-reversals have not been as widespread as they should have been. Even today, men are still the primary breadwinners of most families and women generally take charge of the household. There seems to be a general reluctance for both males and females to switch places from their traditional gender roles.

In my opinion, the major factor stopping this role-reversal from taking place is the fact that both sexes tend to revert to their traditional gender roles when couples have children. There is no arguing with the fact that mothering is best left to the natural mother of the child. In fact, the first three months of a newly born baby's life is mostly spent with the mother. The mother naturally has a special bond she shares with the infant, and this bond between mother and child will last until the child reaches his teenage years, when the father and other role models will shape the child's life.

The father can assume the tasks and responsibilities of a mother, but he cannot recreate this bond. Most mothers, too, give their careers a lower priority compared to the child. Thus, with the mother accepting the child and household responsibilities, the father is left with the task of supporting the family. Thus the traditional gender roles remain intact.

If, in any case, the traditional roles of mother and father are not fulfilled, it will have negative repercussions on a child. Cases of wayward teens due to both parents being more occupied with work are all too commonly heard. In this case, neither mom nor dad fulfil the "mothering" role to the child, which may lead him to find bad peers as replacements. Having no proper upbringing suggests he has little moral values and a life of crime would more likely result than in the case of a child with a more proper family unit. The same goes for single parenthood where the single parent is burdened with fulfilling both gender roles. With survival and income being a priority, mothers often take a back seat.

Hence, men and women do have different roles to play in modern society-either as a working parent or a nurturer. However, the roles are not always specified by gender, i.e. the nurturer can be either male or female and vice versa. The point is that, in a family each parent has to take a different role or the family cannot function normally. Outside the family sphere, both men and women are equal and both genders can fulfill all the roles equally well.

(Abdul Al Hafizah  98S04)       33/50
 
 

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 To answer the question at hand, we need to define "accomplishment" and "passion." These are two very vague terms subject to varying definitions according to the viewpoints of different individuals. It is difficult and, probably impossible, to attach a fixed definition to these terms, neither would it be fair to narrow their meanings to a fixed definition, just like words such as "love" and "hate."

 To some, "accomplishment" is graduating with a first-class honours from the University. To some, it is learning how to cycle or how to swim. To some, it is being on the board of directors of a company. These are accomplishments on a personal level. However, taking a broader view, what is really true accomplishment? Numerous people graduate with first-class honours, there are many people on boards of directors too. Innumerable people have learnt how to swim, but how many make it to the Olympics? Many people can write, but how many can write well? True accomplishment, therefore, involves the rise above mediocrity. It is the mark of distinction between one who is able to scale Mount Kinabalu and one who is able to scale Mount Everest.

 To obtain this mark of distinction it is, of course, essential for one to have a unique quality above that of mediocrity. This leads us to the definition of "passion." Put simply, passion is the level of fervour over and above that of normal levels. To rise above mediocrity, one needs to have a spirit of fervour that is above mediocrity. Passion is an overwhelming inner drive, the state of having every cell in your body infiltrated with a strong sense of desire to achieve something. Such is passion-the only quality that will enable you to taste true accomplishment.

 There is a story about a wise sage illustrating the importance of passion for accomplishment. A young man had heard of the wisdom of the wise sage and wanted to seek knowledge from him. He went to find the wise sage saying: “Sir, I have long heard of your wisdom and would like to seek wisdom and would like to seek knowledge from you. Will you take me as your disciple and teach me?” They were beside a lake and the wise sage asked the young man to jump in. Puzzled, he did as he was told. Then the wise sage pushed the man’s head firmly into the pool. Needless to say the young man struggled vigorously for air. When the sage let go, the bewildered young man asked: ”Sir, I have come to seek knowledge from you. Why did you do this to me?” The wise sage replied: “Ah young man, if you truly want to acquire knowledge, you have to desire it and seek it with all your mind, body and soul, just like the way you struggled to find air just now. “ This story captures the whole essence of passion, and how it is the only thing that can lead you to achieving the higher standards.

 There are numerous examples of people with extraordinary achievements, and how they exude pure passion. One Nobel Prize winner for literature, when questioned about her mastery of literature said: “ I live for literature. I think of nothing but literature. I breathe literature, I eat literature, I drink literature.” While this form of behaviour may seem obsessive, it is pure passion that can lead one to the peak of accomplishment. Another writer wrote: “…only write as if there is fire at the tip of your pen.” Such is the passion that will bring a piece of writing over and above the quality of mediocre writings.

 Down the line of history the world has witnessed the passion and has been changed through the passion of many great leaders. Winston Churchill’s ever-famous speech exuded his unrelenting spirit of passion when he said: “We shall fight in the streets, we shall fight at the beaches, we shall fight…we shall fight and never give up.” This famous speech of his was said to inspire the British during the war. And it did. Indeed, passion is often compared to fire because, like fire, its flames can be spread and caught by others. Martin Luther King’s most famous speech, too, exuded passion as he spoke passionately to the masses of his dream of equality between the blacks and the whites: “ I have a dream…” People will be remembered for their passion and others inspired by it because it is so overwhelming. Only a person with true passion will be able to convince others because only true passion is proof of true conviction.

 Only passion can keep one focused on one's goals. Without the fire of passion one is lukewarm and loses heat easily. Such a person grows weary after some time. His willpower is weak and he is unable to persevere because he does not have a powerful driving force. Passion is the only driving force powerful enough to expel weariness and lack of perseverance. The Olympic sportsmen are driven by a strong sense of passion to win the gold medals for their country. Their long hours of vigorous training is difficult to endure but they are able to do so because of their passion. Famous musicians, too, practice for long hours but never grow weary of it because of their strong passion for music.

 When one has passion, the sense of desire to achieve something infiltrates one's blood and overwhelms one, such that one is fully convinced that nothing is impossible. It is only with such a spirit that one is able to accomplish anything in life.

(Pamela Peng Tzi Mien  98A06)      38/50
 

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“ All of us are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.“ This quote by Oscar Wilde is very true in life. Although some of us may have the advantage of being born richer or cleverer or more talented, in the end, we are all human and it is the dream that drives us to accomplish anything in life.

Accomplishments in life refer to the success and excellence achieved in something, be it in career, school, family or sports. Accomplishments can range from being the chief executive officer of Microsoft to winning a gold medal in the Centennial Olympic Games to just scoring an A grade in a test. It could also mean being a good parent or nursing a sick puppy back to health. There are many degrees of accomplishments and they all depend on the individual.

Passion is a very important factor in accomplishing anything. Passion is the driving force behind many accomplishments. It is the love and passion one has for something that enables one to give all one’s energy, heart and soul in accomplishing it. Without passion, the road to accomplishment would be mundane and tiresome, as there would be no love for the thing that one is doing. Yet, there are also those who have accomplished much and enjoyed success without feeling any passion for what they are doing. In this case, other foreign factors motivate them, such as ambition, greed, money and power. For example, I do not think that Adolf Hitler had any passion or love of killing millions of Jews and attacking surrounding weaker nations. What drove him to be the ruler of Germany and of surrounding nations was pure ambition; the need for power, wealth and fame. On the way, his hatred for the Jews and the obsession for a pure Aryan, Nazi race cost millions of Jews their lives. From the example of this infamous tyrant, we can see that passion is not a factor in some accomplishments.

Yes, passion is a vital factor in anything but, left on its own, it would not work very well as there is also need for other factors, such as commitment, perseverance, motivation, endurance and encouragement, (for example, in a marriage.). A few years into a marriage, and the passion and romanticism of love would have faded, but other factors such as commitment and loyalty would keep the marriage going. All the other factors with passion would make a very good recipe for any accomplishment. A swimmer who has much passion in swimming also needs the endurance to survive the tough and rigorous training. The motivation of bringing glory to his country would also serve as a driving force.

It is important to note that without passion accomplishing anything would seem futile and worthless. Passion is a basis of any accomplishment. For example, world tennis pro Steffi Graf announced that she would retire from the sport. She revealed that she was tired and needed a break. Although she could have gone on to win more tournaments and titles, she did not want to as she no longer had the passion for the sport. To her the prizes and accomplishments were of no use if she did not love and have the passion for the sport. Thus, passion is fundamental in accomplishing anything.

There is this story in the ‘Chicken Soup’ series, which I find motivating. Michael, a young boy of seventeen, was in a high jump competition. He had managed to jump above his personal best and, soon, he broke the national records and emerged champion. Beating his personal best record or being the champion was not Michael’s true accomplishment. His true accomplishment was that, despite being blind, he was able to break through so many barriers, many man-made. Michael had an immense amount of passion for the sport; he loved the way he flew through the air and the progress he made. Michael is an example that if we have the passion for something, nothing and no one can stop us in accomplishing our dream.

As I have mentioned earlier, there are those who have managed to accomplish great things without having passion for the thing they are doing. A successful and wealthy man who had been unscrupulous and devious to get to the top may find himself coming down with some disease and without family and friends. This is not at all a true accomplishment. With a true accomplishment, one would feel truly satisfied as it has been an achievement within oneself and one had the passion.

A baby taking his first step or a bedridden person finally moving his limbs are also accomplishments in their own way. These kinds of achievements rely more on the psychological than the passionate. Former Superman Christopher Reeves fell from a horse and was paralysed, but the motivation and encouragement of his family and his strong will to survive led to his progressive recovery.

Passion is an important factor in accomplishing anything but other factors too contribute to many great accomplishments. Passion will continue to motivate many others and be a source of their accomplishments.

(Michele Lynn Thompson  98A06)      39/50
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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             To a large extent, it is true to say that in order for us to save the environment we live in, we need a change in attitude and not a change in policy. While policies may be implemented to stop or limit environmentally damaging practices, we must realise we do not live in an ideal world, but one filled with imperfections. As long as an environmentally damaging practice can serve one’s self- interest, chances are that person will take the risk and break the law. Illegal activities are carried out around the world all the time and there is nothing much we can do to stop these people if they really want to do it, especially if they are discreet about it. Man can be selfish and thus a change in policy is powerless to save the environment.
            On the other hand, a change in attitude is a whole new matter and is exactly what humanity needs to save the environment. A change in attitude would imply that people would have to uphold their principles on environmental protection. They will be guided by conscience rather than legislature. With a change in policy only, people can choose to pursue their own self-interest whereas a change in attitude would mean that people themselves would have to answer to their own conscience. They themselves would desire to carry out environmentally friendly practices. As humans tend to respond more positively to their own desires than legislation imposed upon them, a change in attitude is more preferable than a change of policy in the drive to save the environment.
             In the 1970s, a group of men came together to protest against nuclear testing. They called themselves “Don’t make a wave”. Today Greenpeace (as the organization is now called) has representative offices around the world and to date, has participated in countless activities that attempt to save the environment. Their efforts and successes prove to us that a change in attitude is what is needed to save the environment. Someone once said to the Lend- a – Hand Foundation that we should “never doubt that a group of determined people can make a difference for indeed, it is all that ever did.”  The founding members of Greenpeace had the correct attitude and acted upon it, sparking off a worldwide movement  for  environmental protection. Indeed, a change in attitude is needed to save the environment.
            Of  course, there are those who say that the fact that Greenpeace, a non- governmental organisation, needs such extreme measures as tying their own Greenpeace members onto whaling boats suggest the powerlessness of such organisation.  In this light, it is true to say that people with a change in attitude are powerless to do anything about stopping people from carrying out environmentally damaging activities and thus a change in policy is needed.
             However, as stated earlier, legislature is meaningless if people desire to go against it. Thus, the solution to saving the environment would be a change in attitude towards environmental issues. From the man in the street to the multi- national companies to the governments of the world, we all need to recognise the need for saving the environment and to act on it. Only then would the man in the street start recycling, saving water and reducing consumption. The multi- national company would realise that environmentally damaging practices are unsustainable and cease such damaging activities, seeking instead, environmentally friendly methods of production. Companies  would use their profits to spread the green message and support the green movement and related activities. A current– day example would be the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and its Care- for- Nature programme. With a change in attitude, governments would realise the need to support and carry out environmentally friendly practices and to implement policy changes for the protection of the environment. The earth belongs to all of us and a change in attitude of every single one of us in the human race is what is needed to save the environment.
            A change in attitude is not only about changing environmentally harmful practices for less damaging methods. A change in attitude requires a whole new way of life. We need to break free from that meaningless and unending quest for material goods- the result of the Industrial Revolution, and the root of all our environmental problems. It has caused humans to become greedy and thus, must be eliminated, or at the very least, reduced. We need to realise that we are not the rulers of the Earth, but part of the Earth.
            In conclusion, it is to a large extent true to say that in order for us to save the environment we live in we need a change in attitude. And this can come about as a result of a change in attitude and thus, the most important factor to saving the environment would be a world-wide change in attitude.
 
 
 
 

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