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I moved to Singapore

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Re: I moved to Singapore

#81

Post by yaix »

keyle wrote: post #44
phlux wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to manage a team in Singapore when with Lockheed and would go there regularly. It is one of my favorite cities on the planet. I took a sabbatical in 2000/2001 for six months and backpacked through asia - I spent 2 months in singapore then as well. The laws and strictness of the place is greatly exaggerated from my perspective -- if your not doing crazy stuff, you have nothing to worry about. The city is AMAZIN…

I've visited Singapore twice. I've settled in Australia, originally from Europe. I was really worried when I visited Singapore and took their 'tourist' tour. They put you in a bus, drive you around all jetlagged and give you orange juice on the beach. Completely surreal. What really put me off was their unconditional love for their government. The woman 'tour guide' in the bus just couldn't stop thanking the governme…

When you take a look around Singapore's neigbor countries and their living conditions, you must admit that the Sing' government did a pretty good job so far. And then there is the asian culture of not being to critical to the "superior". You even have that in democratic Japan and SKorea. Talking crap about the gov is more a Western life style (mine too, 'cause I m from Europe too, but have lived in Asia long enough to know that there are different ways of seing things).

And talking about free speech: Have a look at the Internet censorship laws in Australia!

Re: I moved to Singapore

#82

Post by mikemaccana »

gcb wrote: post #66
kylec wrote: post #11

I'm surprised at his choice of location - Singapore is quite a nanny state, and the punishments are sometimes quite severe. "Singapore society is highly regulated through the criminalization of many activities which are considered as fairly harmless in other countries. These include failing to flush toilets after use, littering, jaywalking, the possession of pornography, and the sale of chewing gum." "Singapore has o…

laws are only for the undesired. here in california I'm a criminal for having a gps on my wind shield. but as long as I'm not a minority/pissing an officer/disturbing the status quo/etc, I'm fine. "to my friends everything.to my enemies, the law."

Wouldn't most people have a GPS on their dashboard?

Re: I moved to Singapore

#83

Post by david927 »

Whenever I go to a new place, it takes about a year to really understand the true "costs" of living there. (The benefits are usually obvious on the first day or two.)

I have a friend who lived in Singapore for many years. The biggest "cost" for her in living there was that it is not fully subscribed to the principals of the Enlightenment.

I know this is like saying, "Yes your new girlfriend is cute and smart, but you should know she's also occasionally batshit crazy." You won't believe me and you'll be more inclined to shoot the messenger, but I thought you should know.

Re: I moved to Singapore

#84

Post by chad_oliver »

astrec wrote: post #58
keyle wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've visited Singapore twice. I've settled in Australia, originally from Europe. I was really worried when I visited Singapore and took their 'tourist' tour. They put you in a bus, drive you around all jetlagged and give you orange juice on the beach. Completely surreal. What really put me off was their unconditional love for their government. The woman 'tour guide' in the bus just couldn't stop thanking the governme…

Australians have no constitutional right to free speech, and some forms of speech are expressly criminalised via the sedition and various vilification acts. The only form of speech that enjoys some protection is political speech. So whilst Australian's can freely talk crap about the government, Australia is far from a beacon of free speech.

Remember that in Australia, the constitution isn't as foundational as it is in the USA. Just because it's not in the constitution doesn't mean that it's not enshrined in the consciousness of the people.

I come from New Zealand, and although there's a lot of rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, I nevertheless consider Australia to be a second home -- even though I've only been there twice.

Re: I moved to Singapore

#86

Post by hessenwolf »

cglee wrote: post #31
frossie wrote: post #17

The whole stay-abroad until you see "their" point of view is admirable. The flip side is that after that, you can never really go home. I mean obviously you can physically, but you give up your ability to fit in with your own people. This may or may not be a downside for you, but something to be aware of. Anyway, congratulations on your move. [edit in response to questions below: there is a big difference between liv…

The whole point I believe is to remove the notion of "your own people". Therefore, you "fit in" anywhere.

I would argue you thus fit in nowhere, and that that can be okay too.

Re: I moved to Singapore

#87

Post by zizee »

fiblye wrote: post #37
sahillavingia wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are pros and cons of living anywhere. Visit Singapore and you'll encounter some of the cleanest streets on the planet. I don't mind the "severe" punishments that come down on those that do things like litter, because I don't litter — all in all it doesn't change my behavior for the worse, and only improves the quality of life. And jaywalking is illegal in the US too. I'd love to answer any questions about Singa…

>And jaywalking is illegal in the US too. Depends on where you are. Most cities and college towns in the US don't care where you cross the road so long as you're not doing it recklessly, and places where laws are enforced generally have nothing more than extremely small fines. I'd rather not live in a society that restricts human liberties to the point of making citizens robotic. Yeah, the US has its share of problem…

My friends Dad, travelling in the US, had the police order him off the street at gun point because he was jaywalking.

I'm sure that is not the typical experience of most people, but I thought it an interesting anecdote after seeing the parents post...

Re: I moved to Singapore

#88

Post by middus »

true_religion wrote: post #48
vegai wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is anyone's freedom of speech violated if they're not allowed to litter?

You can't possess or view pornography---that's a violation of free speech. There's more. But the only positive that's trumpeted about singapore is that their streets are clean and their city beautiful. This is good for the tourist, but not necessarily a place you want to move to.

How is pornography related to free speech?

Re: I moved to Singapore

#89

Post by jacques_chester »

I've played footsie with moving to Singapore if I get a startup bubbling. Here's why:

* Low regulation

* Low company tax

* No income tax paid on dividends

* No capital gains

It's also a market capital for Asia. Singapore and Hong Kong are the New York and London of the Asia-Pacific region. Very deep pools of capital.

Plus it's 3.5 hours from my home town and about 5 hours from where my parents live.

Re: I moved to Singapore

#90

Post by astrec »

chad_oliver wrote: post #84
astrec wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Australians have no constitutional right to free speech, and some forms of speech are expressly criminalised via the sedition and various vilification acts. The only form of speech that enjoys some protection is political speech. So whilst Australian's can freely talk crap about the government, Australia is far from a beacon of free speech.

Remember that in Australia, the constitution isn't as foundational as it is in the USA. Just because it's not in the constitution doesn't mean that it's not enshrined in the consciousness of the people. I come from New Zealand, and although there's a lot of rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, I nevertheless consider Australia to be a second home -- even though I've only been there twice.

Consciousness or not, it's not enshrined in law.

What is enshrined in law, however, is that certain types of speech are a criminal offence. Further, there is no constitutional impediment to Parliament passing legislation which criminalises other forms of speech.

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