On Politically Correct Answers

I am writing this in spite of a need to sleep. Really. But I deduce that I should really write this now, or else I’ll never get the chance again, considering the barrage of tests approaching.

Let us consider this scenario – a very typical one. A young man dressed in a white shirt, tie and long black pants walks into a conference room, and a panel of executives look up to him. They nod at him, signaling him to sit down. After a brief introduction and protocol briefing, the job interview starts. The CEO says: “Please do not give us politically correct answers.”

Really? No politically correct answers?

Should you be the young man, dare you not say that you were definitely more inclined to give safe (i.e. politically correct) answers to every question posed?

Should you be the CEO, dare you not say you’d expect a proper reply, and the existence of a judging criteria in front of you simply means that unconventional answers will simply not be accepted?
While that may not have been the best example provided, my point is: that society encourages politically correct answers; that in this age of blind conformism, such answers are unavoidable. Come on, even questions have become politically correct. Ask the correct questions, don’t probe too much. Is that not a common instruction?

I have the privilege of having a parent who tutors a couple of primary school students; understanding that the PSLE is coming soon, the oral language examination training levels have intensified.

While listening to what she teaches them, and at the same time, recalling what my teachers taught me, I realized that political correctness, conformism and even stereotyped are being enforced into children at a very young age.

Let’s imagine, the picture given for the oral discussion is that of a typical Singaporean void deck. See an old lady? What would you do if you were in the picture? A typical answer would be to “help her” in whatever way possible, usually in aspects of mobility, carrying of things, et cetera.

But do the students really harbor these intentions, in spite of being taught all these?

Do they really understand what they are being taught to say?

Are we doing no more than teaching a new young generation of hypocrites and conformists?

See a group of seemingly rowdy students? Stereotype them! They are delinquents! They must study at home instead of hanging out! We must not learn from them! They are bad examples!

These are the things that we are teaching them.

So why blame them when eventually, some of them go to elite schools, and stereotype the neighborhood school students? Have these “values” not been taught to them early before?

While the starting point of this educational system is undoubtedly good-natured, the end result may instead of counter-productive. What this breeds is uncritical acceptance of stimuli; as in the case of the oral examination, it imposes onto them a set of words to be said. You do not have to think it through; you only need to regurgitate.

Conformism and apathy eventually follows. While people may become studying-machines, they no longer know what good life holds in store for them, because from young, it is grounded into them that education is the only path to success, and only if you achieve success in capitalist terms, can you live a happy life.

I oppose vehemently. I think change should come some time soon.

***

I think the night is surreal.

Whether viewed from a field, from a plane, from your window, or from inside a car, there is this certain mystery about the night sky, and this unfathomable aura about the night time atmosphere that makes it absolutely magical.

Maybe it’s the presence of the star and the moon; it inevitable invokes memories, hopes and wishes.

I’ve long desired to write something beautiful about the night; but somehow inspiration never really seems to strike; but not that my writing will be immensely beautiful and appreciated anyway.

But I will try one day; just you see.

On another note, I’ve TRIED to do some things:

1. Write pop music lyrics (yes shallow lyrics, I’m not that good yet)
2. Attempt to master Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata movement 3, which is crazily fast and… awesome, if you didn’t know
3. Attempt to master Crush on the piano (haven’t started though)

Considering it’s THIS time of the year again, maybe I’m being too ambitious.

***

The warmth in a cold winter night,
Memories of a desire-filled dream.

The chill in a burning summer afternoon,
Hauntings of a fearful past.

Numbness in a breezy Thursday evening,
Ambivalence of life; nuances of sorrow.


Ciao.