TBR (To Be Read): Elyse Graham's entertaining Book And Dagger highlights literary warriors
SINGAPORE – Librarians and academics are seldom feted nor do they often take centre stage. Popular sentiment has oftentimes dismissed, even denigrated, them as nerdy and characterised book-related pursuits as ivory tower preoccupations far removed from the gritty realities of the 'real' world.
But a recent read highlighted to me once again the underrated importance of book-related skills. It is an especially timely reminder in the wake of the Yale-NUS library debacle and the current craze for artificial intelligence, a gimmick which disguises a lack of real understanding beneath a veneer of legibility and coherence.
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Independent Singapore
5 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Man says ex who never offered to split the bill texted him out of nowhere, then disappeared again
SINGAPORE: A man was left feeling confused and emotionally unsettled after a woman he had parted ways with two months ago suddenly reached out to ask how he was doing, only to delete the entire conversation shortly after. On Reddit, the man, who had been seeing the woman despite their two-year age gap, explained that he initially ended things with her due to several red flags, one of which was the imbalance in financial contributions during their dates. 'I am an NUS uni student; she is working full-time, [but] she never even offered to split because 'that's what her partner usually does,' he wrote. 'Decided that maybe she isn't so suitable for me, and had the thought of parting ways. In the end, due to non-financial reasons, we decided to part ways, and I thought that was it.' However, the silence between them was unexpectedly broken two weeks ago when she sent him a message out of the blue, asking how he had been. 'I thought we cut each other off already? I felt so messed up, so I asked her what she wanted. She said she wanted to 'know how I am doing,' but then I said I am doing fine. She then proceeded to delete the Telegram chat from both sides.' Seeking clarity, he asked fellow Reddit users: 'To anyone who has faced this/did this, why did this happen? I am disturbed and disoriented. I am genuinely curious because, in my knowledge, cutting off means not seeing or talking to each other ever again, even through text.' 'I don't think it means she wants to get back with you, so don't be too disoriented.' The man's post sparked a flurry of responses from netizens, many of whom speculated that the woman might have been feeling nostalgic, lonely, or even regretful. One explained, 'I think it was just a moment of weakness on her side. She felt lonely, missed you probably, and couldn't help but text you. Knowing you would probably reply, and maybe start pining for her again, would assuage her lonely heart for a while. I don't think it means she wants to get back with you, so don't be too disoriented.' Another chimed in, 'I don't think you're wrong to be confused because the other person is definitely sending mixed signals. As to why she did this, who knows? Maybe she was curious. Maybe she was lonely. Maybe she was drunk. Maybe she just wanted to know if you're still a valid backup. Point being that no one (but her) knows, and it isn't YOUR job to find out, either. Your job is to take care of yourself, since you're still emotionally vulnerable (as seen from your post).' Some also advised the man to simply ignore her, with one commenting,'Life is not so black and white. Maybe there is something she misses about you. Something that makes her crave for you. Just ignore her; if you're incompatible, you're incompatible.' Why did your ex suddenly reach out and then disappear? According to professional relationship coach Chris Seiter, this confusing behaviour is often driven by something called the 'nostalgia principle.' This happens when your ex starts thinking about the good times you shared and feels a strong urge to relive those moments. That feeling pushes them to send a message or reach out to you. See also Are you suddenly interested in the Supreme Court? You're not alone After making contact, however, they may begin to feel unsure about their decision. They might start to worry about what reconnecting could mean. Questions like 'Am I doing the right thing?' or 'Will I lose my independence again?' can cause them to panic or pull away. This often leads to them disappearing just as quickly as they showed up. Read also: 'You own this place ah?' — Man says elderly uncle snapped after he asked him to lower loud phone video at West Coast Plaza
CNA
4 days ago
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Trump's Aug 1 tariff deadline: A look at those with a deal and those who don't
CNA938 Rewind - What's the 'best' way to reward good gestures in Singapore? The seven migrant workers, who rescued a woman whose car had fallen into a sinkhole along Tanjong Katong Road, were presented with 'MOM Appreciation Coins' for their heroic acts. The gesture was not well-received by netizens, most of whom called for more tangible and genuine forms of reward. Is there an 'ideal' reward for such good gestures? And must these gestures even be rewarded in the first place? Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng find out from Professor Ivan Kwek, Senior Lecturer, Sociology and Anthropology, NUS.
New Paper
28-07-2025
- New Paper
Why some Singaporeans chase the perfect bird shot
Shahrul Kamal, 50, once spent six hours waiting for a kingfisher to dive, in order to capture the perfect action shot. It was physically exhausting, Mr Shahrul told The New Paper, but it was all worth it. "But when you finally get that moment, when it touches the water, the feeling is great. You feel like you've achieved something." And when a rare Ernesti Peregrine Falcon was spotted on an HDB rooftop in Jalan Kukoh earlier this year, the senior technical executive, who has been birding for six years, took leave from work just to try and catch a glimpse of Singapore's rarest breeding bird. Shahrul Kamal spent six hours waiting for the perfect shot of a kingfisher PHOTO: SHAHRUL KAMAL Birding in Singapore took off in a big way during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a surge of new hobbyists armed with telephoto lenses, binoculars, and smartphones. Some go alone. Others camp out for hours in groups, chatting, eating, and comparing gear while they wait for that one decisive shot. They can often be seen waiting patiently beneath trees, cameras in hand and eyes scanning the canopy, waiting for the perfect moment when a flash of feathers appears. Birds of a feather Singapore's birding community continues to grow, bringing together a wide mix of personalities - from competitive photographers to quiet observers, retirees to teenagers, conservationists to casual hobbyists. Singapore's birding community congregates in several active groups, both online and on the ground. Nature Society Singapore, with around 1,000 members, organises regular guided walks and conservation activities through its dedicated Bird Group. On Facebook, the Singapore Wildlife Sightings group has become a hot spot for casual and serious birders alike, growing to over 134,000 members since the pandemic. Telegram group chats have also become an essential tool for local birders, offering real-time alerts on bird sightings and locations. When a rare species appears, word spreads quickly through these channels, allowing enthusiasts to rush down with their gear in hopes of catching a glimpse. When someone posts about a rare sighting in a forum or chat group, the response is often swift and enthusiastic. Comments range from excited exclamations like "Chiong ah!" to practical questions such as "Still there?" or "What time was the sighting?" Others express near-misses with comments like "Aiyah, so close yet so far. I was there earlier in the afternoon but didn't see it." Some users offer directions, while others post follow-up photos or updates from the scene. Relief teacher Sheryl Khor, 46, said that if a bird she has not seen before is spotted, she will rush down to try and catch it, even if she is somewhere else at the time. "Even if I'm in the middle of something, I'll try my very best to get there… it's worth it," she said. The Ernesti peregrine falcon spotted at Jalan Kukoh has drawn the attention of many birders. PHOTO: SHAHRUL KAMAL Respect for wildlife comes first But birders that The New Paper spoke to agree: respect for wildlife comes first. There are unspoken rules: don't get too close, don't disturb birds while they're nesting, and sometimes, don't share their location. "Some people may not want to broadcast where a rare bird is, especially if it's with chicks," said Mr Shahrul. "It's not selfishness. It's for the bird's own good." For Lim Kim Seng, 64, birding is a lifelong passion. The semi-retired nature guide has been watching birds since he was a child growing up on a kampung farm. "Why would anyone not do birding?" he said with a laugh. "It's a form of exercise. I like the fresh air and being in touch with nature. Whenever I return from a session, I feel much better than before." "Although I've been birding for more than 50 years, I still discover new things about nature, and about myself." Unlike some who chase the perfect shot, Mr Lim prefers to observe birds through binoculars. "For me, capturing an image is good enough. It doesn't have to be picture perfect." 'Like making a new friend' Ms Khor is a self-proclaimed "by-the-way birder". With kids, elderly parents and work, she squeezes birding into her schedule whenever she can. "I've never sat there for six hours. I don't have that kind of time," she said with a laugh. "Some people think birders are crazy, but most of us have lives." Ms Khor grew up following her father on nature walks and rediscovered birding during the pandemic, when high-quality camera gear became more accessible. "Every time I see a new bird, it's an unforgettable moment akin to making a new friend." The mother of two recalled several mornings spent trekking to a remote part of Pasir Ris in hopes of spotting a black-capped kingfisher, only for it to never appear. Not long after, the area was cleared for development. "That was one of the saddest attempts," she said. "But sometimes it's not about the shot. Just being in nature is enough." A new generation takes flight Contrary to the stereotype of birding as an older person's pastime, younger Singaporeans are increasingly taking wing. The Bird Society of Singapore is currently led by an 11-member council, with a majority of its members in their 20s and 30s. Young enthusiasts explore nature through their lenses, proving birding is no longer just for older generations. PHOTO: ST FILE Ms Khor has seen the shift firsthand: "A lot of the conservationists and people heading societies, like the Bird Society of Singapore, are quite young. "And I've seen teenagers, 13, 14 years old, who are really sharp, amazing photographers, and already winning competitions." What sets them apart, she added, is their mindset. "They're great photographers, but more importantly, they have a stronger sense of conservation and that's something I really support." Ms Khor hopes that as more people pick up the hobby, awareness about conservation will grow too. "It's not just about rare or beautiful birds," she said. "Even the common or 'ugly' ones deserve protection."
