Learning for joy, not just for a job
With ongoing debate about work-life balance, we risk falling into the illusion that enjoyment can only come when we are not working or studying.
Singaporeans are well known for their appreciation of food. Whether it's waiting in long queues or travelling large distances just to get a bite, our hunger for good food never seems to diminish. But what about our hunger to learn? Do we have the same appetite for knowledge?
A few years ago, I chanced upon the book, Thank You For Being Late: An Optimist's Guide To Thriving In The Age Of Accelerations, by Thomas Friedman, a New York Times best-selling author. I also attended his talk, where he spoke about his greatest wish for his children growing up in a developed world: to survive in a competitive environment without feeling entitled and spoiled. His advice was to have a migrant mindset – a desire to learn, demonstrate resourcefulness, and overcome challenges. Essentially, he emphasised the hunger to learn. Do we possess that same hunger?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Independent Singapore
8 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Singapore woman fed up with shoppers who ‘chope supermarket queues with their baskets'
SINGAPORE: One Singaporean woman has had enough of a frustrating supermarket habit that some shoppers seem to think is perfectly acceptable: using a basket to 'chope' (reserve) a spot in the checkout line. In a post on the r/askSingapore forum, the woman shared that this behaviour has 'annoyed' her for a very long time. 'Every once in a while, you will see inconsiderate people putting their half-filled basket in the middle of the queue and going elsewhere. When it affects me, i.e., I have to queue with a chopped basket; I will always push the basket aside far away from the queue,' she wrote on Thursday (July 24). 'I use my feet too, as I'm too lazy to bend down and use my hands for these inconsiderate people.' She added that she has already got into an argument and a stare-down over her refusal to tolerate the practice. 'I can accept tables being chopped, but not queues when you are holding it up and nowhere to be seen,' she said. She also asked fellow Singaporeans what they would do if someone left a basket in the queue and walked away. 'Avoid touching the basket, just walk around it.' In the comments, one individual shared that their response would largely depend on the attitude of the shopper. They felt that if the person was polite and took the time to inform the person behind them that they were stepping away briefly, it would still be 'acceptable.' However, if the shopper walked off without a word and came across as 'entitled,' they would simply ignore the basket and move ahead in the queue. Others also chimed in to express their frustration, agreeing that the practice of 'choping' queue spots with baskets was indeed inconsiderate. One even described it as a 'selfish and backwards culture that needs to be removed.' Another commented, 'Yes, I know exactly what you mean—the world is full of little selfish gestures that chip away at whatever faith you have left in people. Avoid touching the basket, just walk around it.' Despite the support the woman received, some commenters took issue with how she handled the situation, particularly her choice to kick the baskets aside. 'I believe the basket-queue'rs are trying to maximise their use of time. While it may not be acceptable, I feel there is no personal ill feelings towards you, so kicking them may not necessarily do any good,' one commenter said. Another agreed, writing, 'Exactly! Why do you have to kick the basket? That's just uncalled for. Shift it with your hands, step over it, and step around it. So many ways and yet you chose to kick it…' In other news, an employer was slammed online for limiting her domestic helper's phone use to only two hours a day, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and asking whether she should keep the device after that time. Posting anonymously in the 'Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic helper' Facebook group on Tuesday (Jul 22), the employer wrote, 'As agreed with helper, she can only use the phone between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. at night. 'Should I keep her phone with me after 11 p.m., or should I request her to put the phone in the living room after 11 p.m.? Thanks! If I keep her phone, she will only be able to get it from me after 9 p.m. and use (it) for two hours.' Read more: Employer slammed for restricting helper's phone use to just 2 hours a day
New Paper
4 days ago
- New Paper
Resident complains as neighbour turns shoe rack into Shopee collection point
A Bedok resident has lodged a complaint after his neighbour converted a shared corridor space into a parcel collection point, allowing members of the public to pick up Shopee deliveries at all hours. These collections extend late into the night, causing repeated disturbances and raising safety concerns, said the resident. Kelvin Chen, 45, who has lived at Block 522 along Bedok North Avenue 1 for seven years, told Shin Min Daily News that he began having issues with his neighbour last year. "It used to be peaceful. But after one of their children moved out early last year, the situation began to change. They started placing more and more items outside their flat - even plants were placed on both sides of my doorway. I spoke to the lady of the house, and she eventually removed some of them," he said. Collections late into the night According to Mr Chen, the neighbour later repurposed a shoe cabinet outside their unit as a parcel collection station for Shopee deliveries, allowing members of the public to collect their packages. Photos provided by Mr Chen show a four-tier shoe rack that appears to be holding more than 20 parcels. "She mentioned it to me when she first started. As a neighbor, I agreed - as long as it didn't block access to my home or create any obstruction." However, the situation has escalated. Mr Chen said that people come by every day to pick up parcels, with collections extending late into the evening. He eventually reported the issue to the STOMP community platform. He said: "For Shopee parcels collections, it should be personally handed over, not by using a shoe rack as pigeonholes." Netizens weigh in On STOMP's website, some netizens agreed that the neighbour's actions were uncalled for: "My opinion is that this collection point owner is irresponsible to place the Shopee items outside the unit. Anyone can easily take these items and walk away." However, others suggested that the resident's reactions were exaggerated: "Is it really true that collection of parcels creates noise disturbance? Singaporeans complain too much about mundane matters that fall out of line." Others empathised with Mr Chen, acknowledging that the disturbance stems from the daily presence of strangers at his doorstep. Shopee: Temporarily paused operations at collection point In response to STOMP's queries, a Shopee spokesperson said on July 11: "We value the feedback and have temporarily paused operations at the collection point while we review the current set-up. "We are actively engaging the operator to explore improvements aligned with Shopee's guidelines, ensuring that parcel collections are managed safely and with due consideration for neighbouring residents. "Shopee remains committed to upholding responsible practices across all residential collection points." Town council: Items blocking corridor have been removed Addressing the issue of corridor obstructions, the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council confirmed that they have spoken to the resident involved. "The items blocking the corridor have been cleared," said a spokesman, adding that the town council continues to educate residents and conducts regular inspections to maintain cleanliness in common areas and prevent the buildup of clutter.
CNA
18-07-2025
- CNA
Are more elderly Singaporeans living alone a concern?
Scroll up for the next video X Are more elderly Singaporeans living alone a concern?
