Monday, November 29, 2004
The case against Communism, from the perspective of an 18-year-old teenager from Singapore:
Let's start from the basic definition for the role of economics in today's society.
Economics is defined as a system which is designed to cope with the problem of scarcity. Scarcity, in this case, is defined as the "problem of limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants". In layman terms, it means that each individual would want a big house, more food than he can eat, as well as a luxury yacht and etc. etc. However, resources, however abundant they may be, are eventually limited, and cannot satisfy every individual's wants. Therefore, the problem of scarcity can never be solved, as there will always be a limit on resources. The role of economics is to attempt to deal with the problem of economics, by giving each individual a choice as to which wants to satisfy first. In such a scenario, the individual would typically choose to satisfy his most urgent needs as best as he may, given his possession of resources. Therefore, economics work purely on the fact that it works to limit the impact of the problem of scarcity.
Now let's turn our attention to Communism, and how it attempts to solve the problem of scarcity. Or rather, how it attempts to ignore the problem of scarcity. The ideals of Communism, from what I know about it from you and l3n1n so far, attempts to impose the system "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" on society. On paper, that sounds just fine, as it seems on the outside to distribute fairly to every individual, that everyone gets his needs and doesn't have to worry.
My problem with Communism can be summed up in a few main points:
1) The lack of a distributive system that can claim to effectively distribute resources efficiently. In short, Communism is a load of hot air about distributing resources to fit each individual's needs, without actually taking into account how that is to be done. In the real world, you have transport costs, immobility of resources, bureaucracy, and such factors which would get in the way of efficient distribution, to take into account. "Capitalist" economics is the tried, tested, and true system by which resources are produced and allocated today. Now, to be truthful, it's not totally, like 100%, efficient. However, Communism does not give any reliable details as to how this problem would be solved at all. Thus, in short, Economics is not totally efficient, but it's the best available. Of Communism, neither its track record nor its ideals even come close to solving the problem of distribution.
2) The misguided assumption of Communism that there is unlimited resources in the world for the usage of humanity. In other words, Communism fails to take into account the problem of scarcity, and assumes that there will be unlimited resources to give "to each according to his needs". That assumption is unfortunately not true, and especially so because certain types of resources are more suited to the creation of a particular good than another. Thus, the implementation of Communism in today's society would either lead to a) a world full of people whose needs have not been met, or b) a world of people who have had their basic needs met, but the consequence of which would be the devolution of technology to pre-Industrial Revolution levels, as there are insufficent resources left to continue the maintenance of current technology at its present rate. Until this point can be disproven totally, Communism is not the best thing to happen to the world.
3) The assumption that all people will one day hold the same opinions as that of Marx. Unless Communism also advocates brainwashing, that is not, and never will be, possible. This point applys to ideas such as marriage, religion, and moral ideals.
Let's start from the basic definition for the role of economics in today's society.
Economics is defined as a system which is designed to cope with the problem of scarcity. Scarcity, in this case, is defined as the "problem of limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants". In layman terms, it means that each individual would want a big house, more food than he can eat, as well as a luxury yacht and etc. etc. However, resources, however abundant they may be, are eventually limited, and cannot satisfy every individual's wants. Therefore, the problem of scarcity can never be solved, as there will always be a limit on resources. The role of economics is to attempt to deal with the problem of economics, by giving each individual a choice as to which wants to satisfy first. In such a scenario, the individual would typically choose to satisfy his most urgent needs as best as he may, given his possession of resources. Therefore, economics work purely on the fact that it works to limit the impact of the problem of scarcity.
Now let's turn our attention to Communism, and how it attempts to solve the problem of scarcity. Or rather, how it attempts to ignore the problem of scarcity. The ideals of Communism, from what I know about it from you and l3n1n so far, attempts to impose the system "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" on society. On paper, that sounds just fine, as it seems on the outside to distribute fairly to every individual, that everyone gets his needs and doesn't have to worry.
My problem with Communism can be summed up in a few main points:
1) The lack of a distributive system that can claim to effectively distribute resources efficiently. In short, Communism is a load of hot air about distributing resources to fit each individual's needs, without actually taking into account how that is to be done. In the real world, you have transport costs, immobility of resources, bureaucracy, and such factors which would get in the way of efficient distribution, to take into account. "Capitalist" economics is the tried, tested, and true system by which resources are produced and allocated today. Now, to be truthful, it's not totally, like 100%, efficient. However, Communism does not give any reliable details as to how this problem would be solved at all. Thus, in short, Economics is not totally efficient, but it's the best available. Of Communism, neither its track record nor its ideals even come close to solving the problem of distribution.
2) The misguided assumption of Communism that there is unlimited resources in the world for the usage of humanity. In other words, Communism fails to take into account the problem of scarcity, and assumes that there will be unlimited resources to give "to each according to his needs". That assumption is unfortunately not true, and especially so because certain types of resources are more suited to the creation of a particular good than another. Thus, the implementation of Communism in today's society would either lead to a) a world full of people whose needs have not been met, or b) a world of people who have had their basic needs met, but the consequence of which would be the devolution of technology to pre-Industrial Revolution levels, as there are insufficent resources left to continue the maintenance of current technology at its present rate. Until this point can be disproven totally, Communism is not the best thing to happen to the world.
3) The assumption that all people will one day hold the same opinions as that of Marx. Unless Communism also advocates brainwashing, that is not, and never will be, possible. This point applys to ideas such as marriage, religion, and moral ideals.
Friday, November 26, 2004
It wass the last day of this chapter in my life today. It was the day when I take my last paper, the last paper that signals the end of my life as a schoolboy, and the day when I have to get ready to learn to be a man.
It was just like any other day, and yet it was so surreal. The sky was just as blue as every Singaporean dawn. The trees were just as green. The cars were still as numerous on the roads. Nothing is stopping for anything, yet it was the most important day of my life so far.
And so I stepped into PJC for what is probably the last day I'm doing so as a student in this institution. This institution, which has been an integral part of my identity for two years. And after today, much of that identity would be lost. The same thing that has happened before. It was deserted, the place of my last lap of study, for many have been released from their bond of education, and people like me are amongst the last to go.
She was there. The object of my crush. Except that......no longer. Now, she has been relegated to a dark corner of my memory. Ultimately, she was just another vision of beauty: to be beheld, admired, and finally, forgotten.
The paper was just like any other, and yet, at the end of it, all the tension over the past month was lifted. It was a surreal moment, for it meant the last of many labours.
And so I forsake PJC, never to return as the person I once was.......
It was just like any other day, and yet it was so surreal. The sky was just as blue as every Singaporean dawn. The trees were just as green. The cars were still as numerous on the roads. Nothing is stopping for anything, yet it was the most important day of my life so far.
And so I stepped into PJC for what is probably the last day I'm doing so as a student in this institution. This institution, which has been an integral part of my identity for two years. And after today, much of that identity would be lost. The same thing that has happened before. It was deserted, the place of my last lap of study, for many have been released from their bond of education, and people like me are amongst the last to go.
She was there. The object of my crush. Except that......no longer. Now, she has been relegated to a dark corner of my memory. Ultimately, she was just another vision of beauty: to be beheld, admired, and finally, forgotten.
The paper was just like any other, and yet, at the end of it, all the tension over the past month was lifted. It was a surreal moment, for it meant the last of many labours.
And so I forsake PJC, never to return as the person I once was.......
Thursday, November 25, 2004
I have a very bad feeling for the 'A' Levels. That's all. Nothing more to be said. I don't feel like saying much of anything.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
You are a Ragdoll! You are known for your laid
back attitude. You are the ultimate in
low-maintenance. You'd rather hang out around
the house all day than seek adventure.
What breed of cat are you?
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Ok, tomorrow is the worst day of them all. Econs and History SEA, pushed together in one day. And I only had one weekend to fully prepare for it.
Man, this sucks. But I gotta do what I gotta do.
Well........to me, it's like the 'A's don't matter as much to me anymore as it used to. I don't know why, but it's like I've lost my appetite for study, and I don't honestly care how well I do, even though I should. And practically EVERYONE'S picked up on my attitude, and has been razzing me about it.
It really sucks to have people razzing you about what you barely care about.
Oh man. What has come over me?
Man, this sucks. But I gotta do what I gotta do.
Well........to me, it's like the 'A's don't matter as much to me anymore as it used to. I don't know why, but it's like I've lost my appetite for study, and I don't honestly care how well I do, even though I should. And practically EVERYONE'S picked up on my attitude, and has been razzing me about it.
It really sucks to have people razzing you about what you barely care about.
Oh man. What has come over me?
Friday, November 19, 2004
Well, it has been a rough week, I guess. History Europe is crap. Econs essay is a fip-a-coin. Today's Lit 8 is also dangerous. Add to that, my parents are not liking the fact that I've been talking a lot more to N.
Bah.
Bah.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Category X - The
Changeling
Witty, amusing and a bit weird, you're welcomed
into most social groups, even though you don't
'fit in' perfectly .
What Type of Social Entity are You?
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Friday, November 12, 2004
Well. Daphne is out. That's expected. Sylvester nearly got kicked out. That's NOT expected.
Ah well. Interestingly enough, now I'm wishing Sly would NOT win the Idol competition......why? Simple. If he wins the competition, he'll have to fulfil a contract that states he'll have to sing in English. But after yesterday's Asian Pop contest, I'm personally thinking he'll be better off following in the footsteps of A-do and JJ Lin. Well, all he has to do is to lose the Idol competition, and then attract a record company to help him cut a Mandarin album.
Hmm.
Ah well. Interestingly enough, now I'm wishing Sly would NOT win the Idol competition......why? Simple. If he wins the competition, he'll have to fulfil a contract that states he'll have to sing in English. But after yesterday's Asian Pop contest, I'm personally thinking he'll be better off following in the footsteps of A-do and JJ Lin. Well, all he has to do is to lose the Idol competition, and then attract a record company to help him cut a Mandarin album.
Hmm.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Hmm......my prediction for the Singapore Idol Finals: Sylvester and Taufik. Olinda just doesn't cut it as an Idol despite having the best talent of the lot, and Daphne just isn't in the same league as the rest of them.
So.......BTW i entered the Delta Goodrem contest thingy. Don't ask me why, cause I don't know :S
So.......BTW i entered the Delta Goodrem contest thingy. Don't ask me why, cause I don't know :S
Monday, November 08, 2004
Oh man.....History threw the whole lot of us off today. Nobody expected the questions that came out........fuck. One of them even went back to the 'O' Levels........seriously, there's only 3 letters that can describe today's exam.
That's a W.
And a T.
And an F.
Oh man........
That's a W.
And a T.
And an F.
Oh man........
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Well........Leandra is out. Only 4 more to go.
My projected top 3 for Idol: Oli, Taufik, and Sly.
After that, there's no telling who would win the competition. Oli has the best talent of the 3, but she does not have the Idol look.......Sly is admittedly not as good a singer as Oli or Taufik, but he does have the X-factor that mekes him an Idol. And as for Taufik......he has the vote of the Malays and the hip-hop community, I think.
So, 3-way fight. Sorry, Daphne :p
My projected top 3 for Idol: Oli, Taufik, and Sly.
After that, there's no telling who would win the competition. Oli has the best talent of the 3, but she does not have the Idol look.......Sly is admittedly not as good a singer as Oli or Taufik, but he does have the X-factor that mekes him an Idol. And as for Taufik......he has the vote of the Malays and the hip-hop community, I think.
So, 3-way fight. Sorry, Daphne :p
You are Envy!
Wow... what a dreamer. Always wanting what you
can't have, and always dreaming of having more
then you do. It's not the worst sin, and we're
all guilty of it - but you take it to the
extreme! You are prone to depression, often
from things you can't obtain. Be a bit more
positive, you have a lot that others want too
- so don't sit there being all green! On the
positive side, you tend to be a smart person -
and can often achieve the goals you set
yourself.
Congratulations on being the overall harmless, and
pretty normal one of the 7 deadly sins :)
?? Which Of The Seven Deadly Sins Are You ??
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LOL........that was damned true.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
What a helluva day.
Bush wins America. Okay, 2004 is shaping up to be the "WTF" year........this bodes ill. Get ready everyone, for World War III.
And today's GP paper......the less said the better. And to think it's the official 'A' Levels too......I really dunno.
What is the price for falling asleep and never waking up?
Bush wins America. Okay, 2004 is shaping up to be the "WTF" year........this bodes ill. Get ready everyone, for World War III.
And today's GP paper......the less said the better. And to think it's the official 'A' Levels too......I really dunno.
What is the price for falling asleep and never waking up?
Monday, November 01, 2004
Third bombshell of the day; the death of Huang Na, the missing girl in Singapore who was found murdered yesterday.
Aw man, that was just......sad. Who could have had the heart to do such a thing to a mere girl? That must be a pervert.......truly, fuck him, whoever he is. He deserves a castration.
On a brighter note, this shows the good side in Singaporeans, who have transformed from being soulless automatons to real people with empathy, who helped in the search for Huang Na. It's not often people are worthy of a salute, but this is one of these times. This is from [A.Z.]: I salute you, Singaporeans. Thanks for all your efforts.
Aw man, that was just......sad. Who could have had the heart to do such a thing to a mere girl? That must be a pervert.......truly, fuck him, whoever he is. He deserves a castration.
On a brighter note, this shows the good side in Singaporeans, who have transformed from being soulless automatons to real people with empathy, who helped in the search for Huang Na. It's not often people are worthy of a salute, but this is one of these times. This is from [A.Z.]: I salute you, Singaporeans. Thanks for all your efforts.
Second bombshell for the day. Apparently, someone who knew me when I was little, but whom I have forgotten, has died recently, and my parents went to attend her funeral today. From what they said, this old woman apparently asked how I was doing.......and I didn't even know she existed.
Damned.
Now this begs the question......just how many people think of you each night, when you don't even know of their existence? Just how many people think of you each night when they go to sleep, with you unaware that they cared, or used to care about you? When a death happens......does the goodwill of that person for you remain?
This is getting over my head by too far......
Damned.
Now this begs the question......just how many people think of you each night, when you don't even know of their existence? Just how many people think of you each night when they go to sleep, with you unaware that they cared, or used to care about you? When a death happens......does the goodwill of that person for you remain?
This is getting over my head by too far......
GL, that most prodigious source of gossip, has given me a most startling piece of information. Now, this really threw me off my feet here......it appears that JT, that innocent-looking "little girl" is not quite so innocent after all. In fact, outside of school, she supposedly transforms into someone havoc who goes clubbing three nights in a row, and actually is a vamp who actively seduces men.
Whoa.
Now THAT, is disturbing.
It just makes me wonder........how much of life is passing me by?
Argh. Right now i cannot describe how i am feeling. Is it frustration? Bemusement? Or is it both? Or even more?
Damned. Damned damned damned damned damned.
I need something......but what?
Whoa.
Now THAT, is disturbing.
It just makes me wonder........how much of life is passing me by?
Argh. Right now i cannot describe how i am feeling. Is it frustration? Bemusement? Or is it both? Or even more?
Damned. Damned damned damned damned damned.
I need something......but what?
