Embracing Government 2.0 ?
You have to agree that Singapore is one of the few countries that is actually evolving in its own progressive strategies, slow to adopt the technologies but you see the transition here and there. One noticeable change is how the government has been leveraging web and mobile tools to engage and interact on personal level social media platforms with its citizens.
I was reading the Chinese newspaper (yes, CHINESE) and came across an article which was talking about Aljunied GRC’s iPhone app called “iLink@Aljunied GRC” and I thought it was quite interesting to see this additional channel apart from the usual “Meet the People” sessions that happen every month (I think) at the GRC of your neighbourhoods.
So basically residents of Aljunied can use their iPhones to send pictures and feedback via this app to the Town Council. Simple as that ! For example, broken chair at your void deck or bulky garbage that are blocking the walkway. The article mentioned that it was almost an instant reply and action taken from the Town Council, sounds better than having the need to call and forced to listen to weird music tones while waiting for the almost-nonexistence operator. Great for allowing residents to have a say in their own environment and encourages community involvement. But will it end up becoming the next ‘Stomp’ (ie uploading of making-out pictures and all sorts of nonsense etc) ?
So my question is (or rather, questions are) – How do you filter out the ‘noise’ or the ‘off-topics’ from the meaningful things that the government should hear from the public ? How do you engage the public without addressing to their issues inappropriately or simply being accountable ? How do you know when the government or even the public is ready for such ‘grassroots democracy’ ?
I think in a way, Gov 2.0 certainly make things alil more transparent or even turn it into a crowd-sourced scrutiny. However, I believe that this is just a starting point. Citizens need to be mature enough to understand the various constraints of a governing body while the government must be ready to handle both +/- impact of being on such platforms. Having the public participating only signifies a driving force for the organizing engine to take action. However, we as citizens are not just voices but ‘lending hands’ to provide information and constructive comments. Who knows, maybe election voting in the future will be just a tap on your iPhones too. At the end of the day, there’s no way we can measure the success of leveraging on these platforms …can we ? Will be interesting to hear from the social media ‘experts’ or ‘social scientists’ =)
So what does Gov 2.0 means to you ? And how far do you think it’ll go ?
AOTW [16] : FAME
A reinvention of the original Oscar-winning hit film, Fame ! This a remake of the original musical & soundtrack made popular in the 80’s. The album features stunning tracks by the cast and other popular songs from the incredible film. After taking a listen to it (courtesy of the nice people at Universal Music), here’s what I think of it!
Tracklist :
- 1.Welcome To P.A. – Raney Shockne
- 2.Fame – Naturi Naughton
- 3.Big Things – Anjulie
- 4.Ordinary People – Asher Book
- 5.This Is My Life – Hopsin, Ak’Sent, Tynisha Keli & Donte “Burger” Winston
- 6.Out Here On My Own – Naturi Naughton
- 7.Street Hustlin’ – Raney Shockne featuring Stella Moon
- 8.You’ll Find A Way (Switch & Sinden Remix) – Santigold
- 9.Can’t Hide From Love – Naturi Naughton & Collins Pennie
- 10.Black & Gold – Sam Sparro
- 11.Back To Back – Collins Pennie featuring Ashleigh Haney
- 12.I Put A Spell On You – Raney Shockne featuring Eddie Wakes
- 13.Get On The Floor – Naturi Naughton & Collins Pennie
- 14.Try – Asher Book
- 15.You Took Advantage Of Me – Megan Mullally
- 16.Too Many Women (Damon Elliott Remix) – Rachael Sage
- 17.Someone To Watch Over Me – Asher Book
- 18.You Made Me Love You – Raney Shockne featuring Oren Waters
- 19.Hold Your Dream – Naturi Naughton, Asher Book, Kay Panabaker
Quite a well-balanced list of up-tempo numbers and a few ballards, though it was almost like Naturi Naughton EP because you can see the name in almost every other song ! Voice isn’t too bad and I thought “Out here on my own” was quite a nice track. Then again, I’m biased since I like Asher Book (featured here as my last AOTW with his song “Try”) alot more ! Love his cover of John Legend’s “Ordinary People” as well !
In my opinion, kids from the Drama/Dance Club will love this OST because of the upbeat songs and if you’ve caught the movie, you’ll know what it is all about. The strong dance-pop influenced album is more of a crowd-pleaser rather than focusing on the original soulful music. Still worth listening if you enjoyed the movie or just need something easy to listen to while working !
The movie is already screening in cinemas since 25th Sept (I know I’m pretty SLOW at this, catch it NOW if you have not) ! The soundtrack is also available out in stores, check out getmusic.com.sg for more information.
[GIVEAWAY]
I have FAME OST CD and goodie to give away as well !
Just drop me an ONE email (exit18 [at] gmail [dot] com) before 15th Oct 2009 2359 hrs with your contact details (name/email/blog if any! *Singapore residents ONLY*)
To win, answer 2 simple questions :
- why do you want win this ?
- Which is your favourite track and why ?
(Winner will be notified via email)
AOTW [13] : The Sunstreak
This NY-based band, The Sunstreak is not exactly a new band – they have been around since 2005 and technically this is not their debut album BUT the first album under a major label. Their new album “Once Upon A Lie” features the single “Until I Met You” will be available on 16th October.
Their music style is quite similar to Lifehouse and Jimmy Eat World which is more inclined to rock/pop. I think their songs are pretty catchy too !
One thing I liked about the band is their passion in music, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re wasting your time. Take it from us, if you are struggling, you’re probably doing something right. And never give up and always be thankful. Just to be given the chance to play music is a great thrill and honor.” This was from one of their interviews when asked to give advice to bands who are hoping to be signed and make a living out of music career.
Enjoy their song ! I really like the lyrics =)
I once believed that there was no one for me, until I met you, But I couldn't see how happy I could be, until I met you, Until I met you, Met you Standing alone, no one to call my own, until I met you, All on my own, and I was colder than stone, until I met you, Yeah, yeah Until I met you my world was empty, Until I met you the sky was grey, And everything I thought that I believe in I can feel it all slip away That was up until the day, Until the day I met you I'm fighting this battle with you by my side I know that I need you And I've got nothing to hide I'll stand by you always I'll want more to ride I'm here in this moment I'm shedding my pride Until I met you my world was empty, Until I met you the sky was grey, And everything I thought that I believe in, I can feel it all slip away Until I met you my world was empty, Until I met you the sky was grey, And everything I thought that I believe in, I can feel it all slip away Until the day I met you Met you Until I met you my world was empty, Until I met you the sky was grey, And everything I thought that I believe in, I can feel it all slip away Until I met you my world was empty, Until I met you the sky was grey, And everything I thought that I believe in, I can feel it all slip away That was up until the day, Until the day I met you
Idealism and Illusion
There’s always the ideal relationship which is based on our own expectations, experiences and perceptions. The relationship that we’re currently in has its own set of conditions which then provides a context for these expectations and makes each relationship unique. These relationships have always been “ideal” until they bump into the reality of it that we get into troubles. Troubles in a subtle sense of insecurity or uncertainty or inexplicably feeling awkward at random occasions. And when you let the ideal of your relationship overshadow the reality – you are lost in your own illusion.
Sometimes you are afraid of losing – losing the familiarity, losing the “love of your life”, losing to yourself for believing in something you thought was “right”. As devastating as it seems, you may have failed to notice something that’s amiss in your relationship and running away from reality instead of confronting it. Romantic illusions are deceptive/seductive but molding yourself or your partner to someone they are not in order to create an ideal relationship is not the foundation of what a true lasting committed relationship is based upon.
Most of the time, you just have to work out the differences together and compromise while accepting he/she for someone you fell in love with in the first place. If allowances are given to adjust, most of the time I think couples do become stronger under duress and the relationship would most usually endure. However, if problems are failed to be addressed, it’ll just lead to even bigger issues in the future and it gets even more destructive. Regardless how perfect a relationship may first appear to be, it’s usually just a flawed illusion that can be easily destroyed. Those “Happily Ever After” are woven illusions with defects that are never mentioned, sometimes such idealism may just sabotage your life.
Optimists should continue to hope otherwise. Hur.
–
What do I love about my relationship is - as much as it appeared to be perfect from the start, we do have our hiccups along the way and I dare say it was not exactly smooth transitions during the past 8 months either since we are almost opposite individuals with rather different thinking/value systems. One thing I’ve learnt is that a relationship is not just 2 people being in love but helping each other to grow and discover the good in themselves while not ignoring and letting the worse gets by. You don’t mold yourself to become someone you’re not but to someone better in general – there is a difference.
Just want to say “Thank You” to the boyfriend for sticking together through the good and bad, happy and sad times.
AOTW [12] : Quebec Antique
I have just started school this week and woah, it has been a crazy start to my 3rd year in university ! (Ok, just an excuse for the lack of entries..I’m honest!)
To start things off on the right track again, here is this week’s Artist of the Week featuring Quebec Antique ! They are a pretty newly formed ambient electronic band who pretty much reminds me of The Postal Service alot.“The Abbey Tapes” is the debut effort of British born musician Andy Dollerson and Canadian singer/instrumentalist/songwriter Michael Blake. Fantastic dualism !
Some of you might have heard of them from thesixtyone.com (which is a really cool website that features alot of indie music by the way – will blog about it next time!) So far my favourite track is “Almost had you” – what about yours ?
