Lesson 2!

Hi everyone!

On Tuesday, I had my first individual oral presentation ever in SMU! I was the first speaker and to be honest, I was really nervous as the last time I actually stood in front of the class to deliver a speech was back in JC 1 for Project Work! I received constructive feedbacks regarding my oral presentation (about me having to refer to my cue cards most of the time and it was rather scripted), I must say it was a good experience and I guess I am one step closer to stepping out of my comfort shell and learn how to speak with confidence! This way, I will definitely be able to engage my classmates better :) Points noted and I will definitely improve myself and do a better job during my group presentation during week 12/13!

I presented on the topic of China's dominance in Africa today and the insights that I have gathered from the article. I shall not bore all of you with the same topic again on my blog! So, moving on...

During the lesson, professor Shahi addressed a great array of issues that are under the two topics of 'Technology, Society and Global Dominance' as well as 'Technology and Human Development'.

Thought-provoking Question!

When professor Shahi asked why do we continue to allow people in today’s modern society to experience EXTREME poverty and die from starvation; it really set me thinking—why with today’s advanced technology and policies being put into the place, do we still allow people from the African nations to suffer and experience chronic hunger? Why do we have such a huge supply of food in America and so little in certain parts of the World? I think the reasons for this calamitous situation ultimately boils down to poor governance, corruption in countries’ leaders as well as ineffective aid provided for them. I feel that if proper aid was provided for these poorer nations, the situation in these countries would definitely improve and that include making sure the farmers in these nations actually sell to their own people instead of exporting the crops harvested across the borders.

I came across a website and I found this:

"I know poverty because poverty was there before I was born and it has become part of life like the blood through my veins. Poverty is not going empty for a single day and getting something to eat the next day. Poverty is going empty with no hope for the future. Poverty is getting nobody to feel your pain and poverty is when your dreams go in vain because nobody is there to help you. Poverty is watching your mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters die in pain and in sorrow just because they couldn't get something to eat. Poverty is hearing your grandmothers and grandfathers cry out to death to come take them because they are tired of this world. Poverty is watching your own children and grandchildren die in your arms but there is nothing you can do. Poverty is watching your children and grandchildren share tears in their deepest sleep. Poverty is suffering from HIV/AIDS and dying a shameful death but nobody seems to care".

This rich-poor disparity is also illustrated in the video “Hans Rosling: The Joy of Statistics” we watched during the lesson. I found this video particularly interesting! I never knew that initially, the world was under the “poor and unhealthy” group with countries such as Netherlands slightly better than the rest. And now, countries such as America, Europe, China and Singapore are in the “rich and healthy” category. He also pointed out that in China, Shanghai was the richest state while Gui Zhou is one of the poorest states. How and why do such a significant rich-poor divide exist within the same country?

Likewise for the Mumbai State in India, why is there a distinct rich-poor divide? Since I am quite familiar with this case study (from JC), I know several reasons and I would like to share it with all of you.

1. Ceasing influence of the ‘Slum Vote Bank’. The poor in India used to be able to rely on the poor for their votes count. However, many politicians do not live up to their promises after securing their policies and the poor are left with no choice. There is a lack of pro-poor policies and as a result, the rich become more influential with their large numbers.

2. Shifts in government. The new forms of government emerged and they are mostly the middle classes. Rich control over city administration at neighbourhood level and basically relocate the slums. These worsen urban duality and socio-economic polarization.

3. “ Vision Mumbai” which has the aim of emulating Shanghai and Singapore. It had the support of the growing middle class and global firms. As such, there was an increase in demand for better infrastructure and space was needed. Hence, they denuded the poor and displaced them from the city centre to the fringe areas.

Perhaps, authorities could implement rehousing policies that emphasize on affordable public housing, instead of getting rid of all the slums. They could also consider setting aside more land for rehousing efforts as well as allow the slums to stay there until housing alternatives have been found for these homeless families.

Another issue that I would like to raise briefly here is the implications of continued research into cloning (the topic which the last speaker of the lesson was presenting). Professor Shahi said that he would not be surprised if human cloning becomes as normal as IVF is now in the future. However, I feel that if one day human cloning is deemed ‘normal’ and no one finds it a big deal, it will be quite frightening. What makes one human? What is the right to be free? Society’s belief that human life is sacred, and that no one really has the right to toy with another’s life. Before we can even contemplate the question fairly, we need to see what actual human cloning can result in. Would a cloned human being obtain human rights? If the clone goes against the laws, would the responsibility be pushed to its creator/parent?

Some scientists argue that human cloning can save peoples’ lives- especially those who have failed organs and that these clones can be created to donate their healthy organs to the sick. On the other hand, I feel that when a clone is created, it is like a human being. Hence it will have the right to choose if it wants to risk its life to save the ‘sick’ it was created for.

All in all, I would rate the lesson 8/10 today. It was quite intense and a great deal of information overload! However, it was once again a very enjoyable lesson and I am sure looking forward to the next one! I hope the issue of what negative implications technology can bring to mankind and how it can be minimized can be discussed in the next few lessons!

Thank you!