Another Heartwarming OT, an aspiration & inspiration – Somewhere Out There August 27, 2009
Posted by Karen in faith, human quality.Tags: human quality, Somewhere Out There
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What I really like about this music Video is the purity of these voices. To me, this angelic music video is not just about keeping old friendships and the like alive regardless how far apart they are; but also reminding us that we are all citizens of this same common world that we all live in. As the world is getting flatter, anything that is done in one point will inevitably effect the other directly or indirectly. If everyone were to think we are all only residing in different rooms of the same huge house as a large family; we could just probably free ourselves in many areas of thought that will liberate us of our negative thoughts. Unless we free our minds and reduce them to the purest point, we probably will never really make any real change and advance ourselves as truly cultured people.
Maybe these little mice and the earlier little Chipmunks could really teach us some neat though simple lessons about life and hopefully change for the better… It may sound really too simple, but in reality its a large feat to be accomplished in human history.
OT special – Somewhere Over The Rainbow Song Review of Thoughts August 26, 2009
Posted by Karen in change, ethics, faith, human quality.Tags: hope, peace, Somewhere Over The Rainbow
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Working around and after time is a fact of city life and I admit being tired about it all. But I always love this song ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ for many of the most mellow reasons – the lyrics, the tune and especially the simple melody that radiates so much positive energy. Almost childlike as it sounds, it makes you want to sing and bring forth a lot of smiles and cheers with everyone in the world.
A dream is what moves us and the colorful rainbow is the bridge that links peoples, cultures and lands together in hope, peace and happiness. We can only live in goodness and happiness if and only we could join hands together regardless of race, creed and nationality. The colors of the rainbow are so pretty and to see friends shaking hands and asking, ‘how do you do?’ and they reply, ‘I/We love you’, would be such a wonderful feeling. Simple care and concern is what alleviates the pain, sorrow and struggles of many people; melts the hatred and discrimination and many unwanted jealousy and fights of any kind, in any form. Troubles would simply melt like lemon drops…
Dreams that you dream once in a lullaby, dreams do really come true. Someday you wish upon the sky and hopes over the rainbow, as the blue birds fly.. while the trees are green and red roses too… are singing along with you under the sparkling stars. Take 2 steps back, breathe some fresh air, see around you; feel the surroundings more; think how many years you’ve passed; and count how many years you may have. Then everything in the negative will not last and stay in you anymore.
Sing along with the Chipmunks & make even the simplest space a very joyful and blissful way !
Hope this makes a lot of sense from someone over the rainbow in Singapore !
Teresa XuZhe-Woman of real substance August 10, 2009
Posted by Karen in change, faith, human quality.Tags: ethics, humanity, Woman of Substance
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Woman of real substance
Teresa XuZhe didn’t know when she was born expect that she knew she was born in the year 1897. So she assumed the date of 7th July as her birthday since that was easy to remember. Somebody of her background could beat all odds, despite with only basic education, to become a learned scholar in her own right. She is a respected humanitarian and real scholar for us to learn from her passive but genuine keenness to do good for all.
I think she is one fine example of a woman of real substance. I feel that life has not treated her well enough. But she has never disgruntled about her life being lackluster than most others materially and immaterially. Neither did she complain of her loneliness in her silent pursuement in doing good for mankind– ranging from helping the homeless, the hopeless and to the dying who are much younger than she is. Compared with most urbanites especially women, she doesn’t ask for life’s material comforts. Many women would yearn for material needs and usually do it at the expense of family. Her life overseas away from home was not a sweet one, which was without racism and bullying. Yet she held no grudge and love all the same. A rare humanitarian of exemplar character, she performed her duties because she genuinely thinks its her calling. It wasn’t the type where being kind was ‘just a calling’ and looking for ‘world peace’ had to be in a loud shouting manner for all to know; but it was in a passive but powerful determination to do it all.And gladly so for most of her years in silence before we discovered her and her deeds in the last 10 years.
I am really glad she lived that long for us to discover her. For many, charity has hidden agendas– either in the disguised name of fame ; or sometimesin the form of money/ tax exemptions. This BBM (public Service Award) is too little for her years of service for mankind at her own motivated will, which she gave to those who needed the love and care.
She is also a live example of what life would eventually reward a genuinely kind soul. She lives a life of no complex worry; neither does she harbor jealousy, hatred or greed in a changing world where deceit, hypocrisy and greed remains a strong force to be challenged with. I often wonder why she is unmarried? She should have. It reminds me of the many other kinds of women and men we have who have families which they cannot managed and a life in a mess of breakups with stranded and ill-behaved children. These people do not deserve a family where they actually taught their offsprings to continue their ills in their lifetime. In that sense, I often wonder why life has not rewarded her a blessing that she deserves. I really feel she deserves far more and I genuinely wish I could give her something really good in return. I’ve not thought of anything as yet.
For now, all I can do is to post about her on the blog. I hope her humanitarian spirit could live on by simply passing a message around by her deeds. Life may not reward the very kind, but certainly it will punish the ill hearted and the greedy. Let this be a lesson learnt.
[picture taken from LianHeZaoBao 9 August 2009]
reference link
- http://daringtochange.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/our-national-treasure-teresa-xuzhe/
Why this blog ? November 15, 2008
Posted by Karen in Economy, change, life challenges.Tags: change, creativity, daily living, environment, governance, hope, humanity, ideas, life, obama, singapore, US election
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Daring To Change was actually my academic work back in the 90s. I had been thinking about how design could change lives for the better and thought that instead of writing the usual design literature, I should attempt writing on how creative thinking could value add living. I have questioned the issues on design education and various thinking methodologies, as well as citing my own country as an example, how the appropriate thinking could turn a small tiny country into what it is today. Though my country (Singapore) is tiny and cannot compete with other much larger and older countries where history and natural resources are rich and powerful; it is a living example of how creativity in a pragmatic sense could make a transformation from a 3rd world to a near first. It change itself can be viewed as controvesial. Some consider it to be an autocratic and stifling state; while some see it as a modern example of exceptional accomplishment given its tiny size and population of a mere 4.6 million
(estimate) people.
Regardless, my hope is that my skills and ideas could help people positively. I am no supergirl nor marverick. I am just a modest little elfin who lives 1 degree north of the equator, having interesting ideas and lots of enthusiasm in her work. I hope to find like minded people to join my little network and bring small little pieces of dreams come true. It may just be a small paper theory at first. But I believe that it will come forth and become something real and substantial as time passes.
The habitat that we are all living in is undergoing not only environmental disaster alone. This change we need is a holistical, multi-disciplinary one that needs courage to face them and make it happen. Not a lot of people are daring to make the shift because there are too many obstacles that needs to tear down.
Hence the title : Daring To Change.
Daring to change has been extended to include changes in the environment, in governance, in humanity, and in general our daily living. Its a large sphere of change that we need to embrace. The latest US election shows ‘Change is coming’ as President Elect Barack Obama has put it.
His line of Change reminded my own undergraduate paper and also what was to be a conference paper that I did not get the time to present. Perhaps on this blog at WordPress, I could present some of my modest ideas and hopefully gain some constructive ideas of how to improve them. Cheers !
quick typing 15 November 2008
January 3, 2009
Posted by Karen in Uncategorized.comments closed
© 2008-2009 Karen Fu (MCN:W059E-25E97-AD799) Registered copyright for elfinbee @ wordpress.
human resource as a fundamental capital to prosperity, peace and sustainability January 6, 2009
Posted by Karen in research, talent.Tags: creativity, east india company, human resource, LinkedIn, methods, other areas of intelligence, PhD design list, research, scholars, sustainable living, talent
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Some time back I was wondering about human talent and was reading an article in the Straits Times about how scholars are chosen. So I posted on a topic asking LinkedIners what talent is .
Singapore has virtually nothing given but human beings who emmigrated to this used to be a Malay fishing village – an island that was first founded by the British East India Company back in 1819. Since its inception as a British port to today’s diversified economy that includes oil refinery, biotechnology, enbironment technology, finance and others; the country’s sole reliance has been on human talent.
Talent is a fundamental capital not only to prosperity but to survival. But how does one define talent ? Are scholars the only talent ? Who should govern and improve the nation’s / world’s condition ?
They are hard questions to ask and probably require daring souls to answer and implement them.
Talent isn’t confined to just scholars from Ivy leagues who would go on to take on political roles as they are only part of the solution. A creative sociey would have to include people who are talented in other areas. But most societies often overemphasized on academic performance, which mainly focuses on language prowess to deliever knowledge and ideas. Should we focus on this to research and discovery ? One list I am on had discussed on this area (PhD-design at jiscmail) and has discussed on the prime areas of research in other media. However, we must take care that such forms will result in an objective response and not a full egoistical circle where the pure and earnest sharing and passing on of knowledge is eluded.
We have to nose into issues like ROI from these scholars we put our tax money in. Issues like whether they will serve the board of commoners earnestly.
Our National Treasure — 108 year old Humanist Teresa XuZhe January 8, 2009
Posted by Karen in ethics, faith.Tags: Centarian, ethics, humanitarian, Lee Kuan yew, Longevity, Mother Teresa, national treasures, Teresa Hsu Chih, Xu Zhe
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If there are national treasures in Singapore, that would have to be 2 persons:
Teresa Xu Zhe and Lee Kuan Yew .
Centarian Humanitarian magnaminously save lives of all, both the sinful and kind.
Teresa Xu or Hsu Chih is a centarian who has dedicated her life to helping the needy — one of the few rare people in the world, whom like the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, has dedicated her entire life to serve the welfare of the underpriviledged purely for sake of helping and caring. I have found few people in my life so far to see such a fine character, who has forsaked her own happiness to do what is needed to save lives of others. In a world where status, fame and money are the main motivational goals of most people; the acts of her moral deeds is an excellent example of hope and faith of the most enduring kind. I would even put her above Lee Kuan Yew anytime.
Her living energy along with the world’s few genuine leaders give hope to the world of humanity in which our society badly needs to keep it truly sustainable.
Xuzhe devoted her whole life to serve the people, and it is her deeds keep her healthy perfectly in a rather ripe old age. Yet, she is free from all disturbance and confusion, her innocent and sincere mind expressed on her innocent smiling face. Her smart response to the question from the students won applause. But, more important is Xuzhe illuminated students, make them thinking deeply. Students felt Xuzhe is indeed an evergreen volunteer and Bodhisattva lived in the world. [Translator: Wang Xinyu]
Is Innovation Dead? Is “Transformation” the Key Concept for 2009 ? January 11, 2009
Posted by Karen in Product Design, change, ethics, life challenges.Tags: Bruce Nussbaum, Businessweek, change, ethics, save the world, transformation, useless products
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“Innovation” is Dead. Herald The Birth of “Transformation” as The Key Concept for 2009.
Bruce Nussbaum claims a new word over innovation: ‘transformation’.
In context, I agree with change as we clearly need it to make lives better in a world where design is not positively used to benefit and value add living. But how daring are we to this transformation or change ? And also how are we supposed to implement such transformation? If we fail to create this transformation with a solid methodology and a earnest desire to do well in practice; then ‘transformation’ is as bad as the earlier concept in ‘innovation’.
If we look at the things around us, there are plenty of useless things around us. Products that we could have chucked it away but are there because for a solely commercial reason. If we need to save this world from environmental damage, I often feel we need to change our thinking. Things are there because of us, so to handle a problem on the product itself isn’t exactly pinpointing to the problem, but merely recycling them into another different form. Not everything needs a product to solve a problem. So I respect the fact that certain issues require intelligent policies to the world’s problems in poverty and hunger.
Everyone has a role to play in improving everyone’s lives. It’s only a matter of identifying what one’s strength is and use it positively and selflessly.
Then Change has genuinely come to save our skins..
Image extracted from Vinfolio.com
China – an afterthought (Chinese New Year 2009) February 3, 2009
Posted by Karen in Chinese New Year, change.Tags: CCTV, change, Chinese dialects, Chinese New Year, Different Chinese greetings, Lunar New Year
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As I watched the Chinese New Year Celebrations televised over at CCTV (China Central TV) , I cannot help but to be fascinated by their own change – from 30 years ago of monotony to today’s impressive display of variety.To the western world, China is a stifling place where rights are retricted with a serious level of pollution and slew of intellectual rights violation. Though I agree that China does have these serious problems that will hinder their image to the world, I think in due course they will change, as their people are hungry for progress and sophistication in their various areas of culture and technology. Beijing Olympics was one fine example of how they managed to beat the nay sayers and came out in triumph. When I was watching the Lunar New Year show, I cannot help but to be impressed despite the accent that I find hard to adapt. For a country to change and prosper, a nation must be in unity to stay on and industriously fight for progress against the odds. Additionally different foundations in society must be laid soundly by their leaders to accelerate economic and cultural growth. For a vibrant country to exist, cultural evolution is necessary. One has to adapt and be able to morph according to changing times in a positive way where both man-made and natural environment are sustainable in an harmonious way. I see China being aware of all that. And when I saw how they show in their culture with the inclusion of other cultures, I get the feeling they have their cards laid on their tables all set to play – and this play can have an enormous impact not only to themselves but to the world as well.
Short review of Chinese New Year Variety by CCTV.
The Beijing CCTV had also showcasted a formidable programme welcoming the year of the Ox. The ratings were above average and I suspect the lower than 7 out of 10 comes from cultural difference that may be a little difficult to take in, especially the accent and the singing. If we were to make allowance of this, the programme would have easily hit above 8 for the content and variety. There were special guest starts from Hong Kong and Taiwan who add in to the variety of the Chinese program.
56 different ethnicities (a few sources quoted as more than 60.) and their respective cultures transformed the Chinese culture with a uniform taste that doesn’t spell old fashioned. With the inclusion of western influence, they seem to develop an unique identity that marked their style.
In Mandarin Chinese:
http://spring.cctv.com/spring/special/09pingxuan/toupiao/index.shtml
In English:
http://www.cctv.com/english/special/2009yearofox/01/index.shtml
The world sends Chinese New Year Greetings:
http://www.cctv.com/english/20090124/104572.shtml
Countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year (the number of public holidays are stated in the brackets) :
1. China (3)
2. Taiwan (3)
3. Hong Kong (3)
4. Singapore (2)
5. Malaysia (2)
6. Vietnam (3)
7. Korea (3)
It is called lunar new year in vietnam (tet) and korea (sollal). Japan used to celebrate in the far past but they have stopped celebrating in recent decades…There are quite a number of ways of greeting one another during the festive occasion, but the most common ones are the ones below:
1. Universal Mandarin version of ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ [新年快乐]:
- Mandain Chinese (Peking Dialect or Guoyu) : [新年快乐 Xinnian Kuaile or Chunjie kuaile]
2. The different dialect groups that greet Gongxi Facai [恭喜发财]
- Cantonese (Guangdong or yueyu) : Gung Hei Fatt Choy
- Hokkien (Fujian or minnan): Keong Hee Huat Chye
- Hainanese (Hylam or Hainan hua): Gung Hee Watt Tsai
- Teochew (Chaozhou hua) : Sing Knee Peng Ang
- Hakka (Kejia hua): Kung hei fat choi
3. Some of the most common greetings and items used during the festive season:
Thought I add this in from LinkedIn: US competitor in the next 10 years February 4, 2009
Posted by Karen in Uncategorized.Tags: China, economic strength, future, India, LinkedIn, United States
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Who is more likely to challenge the economic strength of the U.S. in the next 10 years? China or India? Why?
My public answer:
“I can’t even see the link… anyway I will answer from what your question asks: it is an interesting question if you put the time frame as a span of 10 years. If its 30-50 years, it could have been a different answer. So lets focus on what may be happening in the next 10 years. I think the US will still remain in dominance and lead in various areas of science and technology because it has a very superior foundation that cannot be taken away that easily. Unless there are few things happening: -natural disasters that befall the country that could bleed the nations resources. -further turmoil economically that cannot be salvaged effectively within the next few years; which will send the foreign talent in the US to move out or back to their native land. – social unrest and spike in crime. – unexpected challenges arising from warring states in the middle east or even from the north. – increase in unemployment rate – increase in social breakdown mainly due to economic hardship in a very bad way. Notwithstanding, China and India, if they share the above same problems will face similar predicaments. Despite so, even if they could control the current crisis well and maintain in positive growth, I don’t think they can beat the US within 10 years. Maybe in 20 or 30 years, with constant postive growth, improvement in their infrastructure and education; health and security. I do not know that much about india other than seeing the indians here on business. They are impressive people who can match with the Americans anytime. But the problem with their country is that the benefit from their rapid growth doesn’t spread uniformly throughtout the country. If they stand alone in groups like Mumbai, New Delhi, with other prospering cities, it could have put them up in a better situation. Comparatively, China has a better spread. I recently attend an arts event held by the mainland Chinese. Together with what I have seen so far, they are learning very quick. I don’t even think that English is their stumbling block given their hunger for knowledge. Last years Bejing Oylmpics somewhat showed their determination to come up as a strong nation despite the environmental odds and the negative press review. Considering that, I think China is very determine to make it. India is very well known for finance talent and software talent. A lot of able people at top international financial establishments. Their ability in technology especially in developing inexpensive products is also a force to reckon with. Both cultures are historically very vibrant. If they want to prosper and surpass the states, they must learn to create a sense of order. Especially political and social sense of order so that economically and politiaclly they can set up for greater ambitions. They also lack creativity and imagination when compared the States due to the lack of expressive freedom in thinking. If that grip is lessen, it will be a totally different story.
Interesting & thoughtful quote about Change February 12, 2009
Posted by Karen in Economy, change.Tags: Buckminster Fuller, change, eradicate poverty, green design thought, simplicity
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‘You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.’
- R. Buckminster Fuller
Buckminster Fuller
Change is basically to make something different from its original state. I think it should define the dimension and the nature of the change. If we were to look for realistic change that value-adds life, we have to look at practicality and move along the lines with adaptations. Many people are equiped with the same fundamental know-how, but do not have the real idea of using them in different ways effectively. Hence the proposals they offer are often lacking in dimension and scope. In the meantime, many more people appear to lack wisdom in their approach to problems; lacking the insight needed to jump out of convention. If we need to really transform ourselves, the niche should be to restructure one’s thinking. People often focus on the products we need to modify to suit the environment, but isn’t the character and minds of the users that make the most effective outcome ? Personal relationships is another. If one fails to handle one’s life, how good and effective can one solve other people’s lives ? The notion of spending needs to be addressed. Fashion is nice, but how many are original in style that promotes a real change so we can come down with the material waste that we have through capitalism and consumerism ?
If we need to produce products/service, can we improvise/trim/save/and just use what is necessary ? If we are able to do this, could we be saving the extra money and spare that to others who need them ? If we are able to feed and cloth the poor, would that mean less crime, less misery and less misfortune that comes out from poverty ?
Quick thoughts for now, and more later.
‘Design is Change; Change is Power’ February 14, 2009
Posted by Karen in Uncategorized.Tags: Branding, change, design, Methodology, The Designful Company
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Just read this new book called, ‘The designful company’ by Marty Neumeier, who was also the author of ZAG. I highly recommend this book for anyone. I have always been a keen advocate in believing that there is always a way in dealing with anything in life.In his book there was this particularcatch phrase that I really like:
‘Design is Change; Change is Power’.
A short and small little book that is thought provoking and leave areas for self designing one’s own brand or business or even with life if you like. I like it as it resonates with what I believe in that ‘Design is thoughtful living’; and that design is a way of thinking that solves problems in any permutation or ways that one can think of under one’s given situation/factors etc. I also believe that there is no hard and fast rules; nor are there that many problems that we cannot solve if we are able to identify the factors and problems and form a way to solve it. It is merely a matter of choice if you would want to strategise and navigate towards your goal to change for the better and turn this change into power that helps one to better control trying circumstances like the one we are all facing.
10 Commandments from Dieter Rams March 2, 2009
Posted by Karen in Economy, Product Design, change, design, ethics, industrial design.Tags: Design Sojourn, Dieter Rams, ethics, sustainability
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I’ve just made a short comment about the thread on Design Sojourn on the topic : Dieter Rams and his 10 Design Commandments and thought that there were other qualities needed to good design, or indeed to a good life since good design value-adds life.
– guts : the courage to change – change on what is really needed in life that doesn’t encourage waste in either unnecessary spending or over buying of certain products.
– discerning critic: the wisdom and intelligence that will enable one to differentiate what is right or wrong by observation and not by what you hear. I think its important for design decisions. Or in any way, making good answers on how life should be live by design.
In reality a lot of issues are thwarted for the sheer desire to make either fame or/and money. If we could all genuinely be honest about keeping this earth sustainable, which really means that we need to look at not only products but also our own quality of thinking as well as the ethical part of our characters; to ensure that this habitat of ours isn’t going to be finished beacuse of our stupidity. Hence being honest to both ourselves and to our living environment is extremely important. It would really not be worth it in the long term to cheat and to deceive what is the natures laws of good living. But there is also another crucial fact that the human civilisation, since the begining of time, has never really fully chosen the path to be just simple and kind… so what should we make of it ? Would this current economic and environment disaster wake all of us up in time ? If it does, its probably a ‘good disaster’ for all to learn…
image from: blog.igloo.com.au/?p=86
Dieter Rams’ 10 Design Commandments
1. Good Design is innovative
It does not copy existing product forms, nor does it produce any kind of novelty for the sake of it. The essence of innovation must be clearly seen in all functions of a product. The possibilities in this respect are by no means exhausted. Technological development keeps offering new chances for innovative solutions.
2. Good Design makes a product useful
A product is bought in order to be used. It must serve a defined purpose – in both primary and additional functions. The most important task of design is to optimise the utility of a product.
3. Good Design is aesthetic
The aesthetic quality of a product – and the fascination it inspires – is an integral part of the its utility. Without doubt, it is uncomfortable and tiring to have to put up with products that are confusing, that get on your nerves, that you are unable to relate to. However, it has always been a hard task to argue about aesthetic quality, for two reasons.
Firstly, it is difficult to talk about anything visual, since words have a different meaning for different people.
Secondly, aesthetic quality deals with details, subtle shades, harmony and the equilibrium of a whole variety of visual elements. A good eye is required, schooled by years and years of experience, in order to be able to draw the right conclusion.
4. Good Design helps a product be understood
It clarifies the structure of the product. Better still, it can make the product talk. At best, it is self-explanatory and saves you the long, tedious perusal of the operating manual.
5. Good Design is unobtrusive
Products that satisfy this criterion are tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained leaving room for the user’s self-expression.
6. Good Design is honest
An honestly-designed product must not claim features it does not have – being more innovative, more efficient, of higher value. It must not influence or manipulate buyers and users.
7. Good Design is durable
It is nothing trendy that might be out-of-date tomorrow. This is one of the major differences between well-designed products and trivial objects for a waste-producing society. Waste must no longer be tolerated.
8. Good Design is thorough to the last detail
Thoroughness and accuracy of design are synonymous with the product and its functions, as seen through the eyes of the user
9. Good Design is concerned with environment
Design must contribute towards a stable environment and a sensible use of raw materials. This means considering not only actual pollution, but also the visual pollution and destruction of our environment.
10. Good Design is as little design as possible
Back to purity, back to simplicity.
requoted off Design Sojourn.com
The greatest power March 3, 2009
Posted by Karen in change, real power.add a comment
The greatest power is the power of nature, the common public & the power of the people
- author of this site, daringtochange.wordpress.com, Karen Fu
Quickie: Climate Change or attitude change March 14, 2009
Posted by Karen in climate change, environment.add a comment
Am reading an article on the Straits Times a moment ago and I really believe that we need to change our consumption habits. Just a few days ago, I was having a forum discussion about ’safe materials’ and I mentioned that our conventional thinking needs to be altered.An over consumption of even the so-called good and harmless products can do harm as well. I call that the ‘environmental friendly bag paradox’, where plastic bags are replaced with a new green product that ironically doesn’t exactly solve the root problem. You could see a rising number of businesses doing these bags. And often it makes me wonder if these bags consume another new problem of waste ?
Ideally, I feel that we need to totally eradicate redundant use and exercise improvision in the way we consume, either in the way we use products and services or in the way we have our food. Really if we could save on waste, we could save a lot of prospective green house problems under the stratosphere. Currently, I do not think we are exactly solving environmental problems from the way we have our cars, fashion and food. There is also plenty of wastage in several areas in manufacturing,technologies, daily lifestyles et cetra. If we could just sit down and do a simple brainstorming, its not hard to list a whole bunch of them. And if we really do some soul searching, we need to really make hard nose changes.
Here’s a quick excerpt of news I read on Straits Times:
Climate Change near irreversible.
One victim could be the polar bear, which could be extinct in 50 years, given the rate at which Arctic sea ice is melting.
Saying there is no excuse for inaction, nearly 2,000 climate researchers meeting in Copenhagen urged policymakers to implement the economic and technological tools available to cut emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.
COPENHAGEN: Global warming is accelerating beyond the worst predictions and is threatening to trigger irreversible climate shifts on the planet, hundreds of leading scientists warned.
Scientists sound dire warning, calling on govts to act quickly to cut greenhouse gases
Mid Night thoughts: ‘Not just Any Change’. March 21, 2009
Posted by Karen in change, ethics, life challenges.Tags: change, human flaws, materialism, peace, Pope Benedict XVI, Sun Yat Sen, terrorism, Universal compassion
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extracted from commons.wikimedia.org
Every time I see someone just taking off something (doesn’t matter whatever that is) without the thought of giving back or at least say a simple thank you to a simple act of kindness, I would wonder if we are ever going to make genuine real changes to keep our living habitat under the common stratosphere well. It is not exactly a simple matter because whatever we do on a nominal basis actually reflects our true personality: if you cannot give, cannot treat people sincerely, cannot keep your eyes off materialism all the time; how could people believe that the world would be a better place for tomorrow ? So we do not need just any change, we ought to add in a strong adjective to the noun ‘Change’ and these are the words ‘real and positive’. We need positive changes that will sink into people’s minds to make a 180 degree turn from our usual human flaw-hypocrisy, greed and selfishness. I am learning that bit by bit, step by step and I hope I am getting there. I also believe this is crucial for any society if it were to remain relevant and to survive. It is especially true in such challenging times where almost every peace is close to being threatened. Why do I say that ? If I have observed correctly, I suspect there may be a growth on a cold war between peoples. The poor global economy is going to be true test to a lot of people about their values. It is probably going to make plenty more people question about materialism and the age old consumerism at best, as in the recent news on Pope Benedict tbe XVI who had recently condemned on the ills of materialism.
But I do hope that this worry of peoples breaking apart is unfounded or at least be minimized. However if we based on history, such cold wars are not uncommon. And jealousy, selfishness and greed have always been the ones that spur deceit, betrayal and onwards to unwanted negative impact. Though we cannot totally eradicate such natural human flaws for good, I believe we could avoid them and turn them to positive energies where we could even influenced the hatred into generosity and magnanimity. That has to come from us ourselves first. If we cannot save some bits, trust some more bits, give extra bits to people, then the notion of being good et cetra would all go down to the drain. This is exactly the kind of energy that is the true force which could put terrorism, poverty and unhappiness et cetra to an ultimate end. We need to first obey the laws ourselves before we could teach the same thing off too. It has to be *real*.
At this moment, the two critical Chinese characters 博爱 ‘bó àì’ (Universal compassion and love) comes to mind. These were the two characters which Dr Sun Yat Sen had written famously to his followers and to his people. He changed the way Chinese think. He changed the lives of the entire race and he transformed the entire Chinese history.
Changes for the US Auto industry March 31, 2009
Posted by Karen in Economy, change.Tags: Auto Industry, change, obama, Obama's speech on Auto Industry, US Auto Industry
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Making a very quick post on the topic. I was listening to the news and this piece of news was just the one piece of news that send my head nodding. With this specific regard on the Auto Industry, I agree with President Obama hands on. But I do not think that a larger stimulus plan may be helpful. Well that is from a non-US citizen so it may be different. Here is his excerpt of his speech that has been just released. And I will append my thoughts about the Auto Industry that I replied some 4 months ago at LinkedIn.
President Obama’s speech excerpt [CNET]
“I am absolutely committed to working with Congress and the auto companies to meet one goal: the United States of America will lead the world in building the next generation of clean cars,” Obama said. He noted that many American-made car companies, including GM, have made significant advances in producing fuel-efficient cars.
“Let me be clear: the United States government has no interest or intention of running GM. What we are interested in is giving GM an opportunity to finally make those much-needed changes that will let them emerge from this crisis a stronger and more competitive company,”
My reply to Edward Caulfield 4 months ago on LinkedIn posted 4 months ago in Change Management, Government Policy:
The concept allows for an interesting scenario. Instead of paying money to save GM, spend the same money on the GM employees (and probably those in the supply chain as well) who earn under $x00k (pick your favorite value for x) per year to retrain them in fields where the demand *currently* remains high – renewables. Key would be that the lowest paid workers would get the highest priority on retraining. I am curious to read your thoughts.
I have some questions here as an onlooker.
Under normal circumtances, I would have agreed to let these auto companies fail.But in this situation where it involves thousands of jobs at stake, would it be advisable to have a kind of contract in place like setting new guidelines for the failing companies and change the top level management people instead of allowing all of them to go bankrupt ?I seem to see that a lot of people seem to favour either government bailout or let them fail. But why can’t it be a mix of both ?
I would have thought that keeping the auto companies are the National Pride of the Americans. To let them fail, seems to be too much especially so when it will make so many workers out of jobs. Though some of them may be taken back into the auto industry when the new Japanese firm sets a new manufacturing plant in the States, I feel that if I were an American and a policy maker, I would have gone in to revamp the management in the company to save a national brand and to save jobs.
I think its the people that needs changing.
2 cents from a foreigner.
Clarification added 4 months ago:
correction on this line where I said ’see that a lot of people seem to favour either government bailout or let them fail. But why can’t it be a mix of both ? ‘ It should be why can’t there be a mix of government intervention and private sector management ?’I posted the above reply 4 months ago
The design of a national suit – a change for an ideal society April 8, 2009
Posted by Karen in change, design.Tags: change, design, Dr Sun Yat Sen, ideals for an ideal society, Sun Wen, Sun yixian, The Three Principles of the People, Zhong San Suit
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Zhong San Suit (picture extracted from wikimedia.org)
When I was writing about Sun Yat Sen, it came to me that he had also designed the Zhong San Suit (中山装 zhōng shān zhuāng ). The garment was based principally on his ideals for a prosperous and harmonious society, documented in his ‘Three Principles of the People” (三民主义sān mīn zhǔ yì)
The early form of the suit had a closed stand collar and centre-front buttons. The design has since changed significantly over the years to symbolise the new age of revolution for the People’s Republic of China.( 中华人民共和国 zhōng huā rén mīn gòng hé guō)
The patriotic significance of the Sun Yat-sen suit was actually a Western and Japanese influenced style, most likely to be influenced by his early years of study/living in the US and Japan. While there are sources that specifies that the design has some German influence. The overall garment is tight-fitting with the four pockets representing the main ideals of government working ansd serving the people’s 3 basic needs of race,power and livlihood. (民族 mínzú ，民权 mín quán，民生 mínshēng ) the Four Cardinal Principles cited in the classic Book of Changes and understood by the Chinese as fundamental principles of conduct:
Propriety (礼 lǐ); Justice (义yì ); Honesty (廉lián ); Shame (耻chǐ)
The five centre-front buttons were said to represent the five powers of the constitution of the Republic (民国mín guó) and the three cuff-buttons to symbolise the Three Principles of the People - Nationalism-Democracy – People’s Livelihood
He ascribed the idealism of a harmonious society through his design of the suit where the people has the greatest power to keep the government in check. In this sense, he was a great revolutionist and the father of not only modern China but the father and saviour of all Chinese -someone who rose to the politics not because he wanted the power, but to save the people from a failing dynasty that demoralise the entire race for at least more than 2 centuries of humilation and defeat.
The figure below on the right illustrates Dr Sun Yat Sen’s own handwriting of his ideals for the people through an upright and serving government :
Chinese calligraphic work of San Min Zhu Yi to the students and colleagues of Huangpu military school, that was led by Generalissimo Jiang Kai Shek.
San Min Zhu Yi, wu guo suo zong,
Yi jian minguo, yi jin Datong.
Zi er duo shi, wei min qianfeng,
Su ye fei xie zhuyi shi cong.
Shi qin shi yong, bi xin bi zhong,
Yi xin yi de, guan che shi zhong
brief history and personal thought on Dr Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan, Sun Yixian or Sun Wen; lived during the period of 1866-1925, Cantonese) His 1st wife, Lu Mu Zhen; his 2nd spouse Song Qingling (Hainanese, former surname is Han.) is a creative person whose patriotism and courage led him to go ahead to raise needed funds, people et cetra to overthrow the Qing dynasty(1644-1911) Something that was seemed as an impossible task from a poor and inherently passive peasant boy. In that sense of a character, he was rare. He had the bare guts to fight for what he belived was the right; and not because he had wanted anything of fame and fortune ,which he had none even at the time of his death. He had been risking his life as a fugitive ; and if you would consider his persistent bombings and assassinations of the Qing political figures, you could even count him in as a ‘terrorist’. But I must clarify that I am no supporter of terrorism, for it only fuels more terror in the end. I suppose that during his time and urgency he had to resort to these ways to overthrow a feudal and failing government.
OT post: Blogs In multiple languages April 16, 2009
Posted by Karen in Uncategorized.Tags: my blogs, translation of this site
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OT post here: updated Daring To Change with the function to be translated into different languages. I’ve done this to my other 2 blogs (‘minphf design blog’ and ‘Design is thoughtful living’ as well.
The Translation Widget is found on the right hand column of this blog right under ‘recent post’. Enjoy !
Banks, us and money… April 27, 2009
Posted by Karen in bank, change.2 comments
Instead of changing the banks, maybe we need to change the way we manage money. The ripple effect coming from banks is affecting everyone. Recent news have reaffirmed my thoughts on personal financial management as well as how businesses should run. And I do believe the whole banking industry will get a lot worse before it gets better. Many times over, I believe that most of the troubled banks in contrast of the auto industry would need to just go bust or downsize for the main reason that it is not sustainable for them to continue hanging on on a distressed note. From a consumer level, the problem arises mainly from greed and spiraling credit debt. From a business point, it is all about triming down greed and triming down failing business sectors and derive new ways in borrowing and lending. We need to change the way service is delivered to customers. That includes handling materialism in an optimal way (since eliminating materialism is impossible and also impractical). Credible lending to useful investments that are ethical and healthy. Basically we need to wind back to basics of saving and buying responsibly. Borrowing to live well on one hand improves the living quality in the short term. But it fails in the long run. Debt on good paying investments, which will pay itself after the selling is more than fine. But sadly this is not the case. I have personally witnessed many people who are spending way beyond their means. Just recently, one local man in his late 60s was paying his credit cards’ debt at a foreign bank’s self banking loby. I was there to deposit and he was there trying to figure out how to pay through the automated machine, which was entirely in English. My eyes popped as I saw the few statements he had in his wrinkled hands — all mounting to a scary sum of US$16000 that month ! And he was not a well-off person to start off with. Maybe he was paying for his family, but I thought that kind of bills is really unncessary. Perhaps the current financial turmoil is a good time to clean the entire market and start anew. I have posted some thoughts on ‘credit’ and ‘products’ over on my other blog about it. I think consumption does need changing. It is a matter of how brave we are to change. It doesn’t mean a cut in living quality. But a cut on things that we really do not need and spare some time and effort on those areas that we need to keep us soulfully and physcially healthy. It makes a lot more sense if we could sit down quietly and recount what is supposed to go out of our lives and what is supposed to be included. If we care to face the deal and make the necessary adjustments, we actually do not need to fear if the banks do fail. Then life would be more in control with a way more wholesome and debt free !
reference:
My other blog that mentions about credit and product.
3 big events for the last 3 weeks – terrorism, green design + Obama May 11, 2009
Posted by Karen in design, life challenges, terrorism.Tags: green design, life thoughts, Mas Selamat, terrorism
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I am back with some interesting design posts and thoughts for these 3 weeks.. During which 3 big events have happened :
1. One of the JI leaders in Singapore Mas Selamat has just been caught after a year in running away from authorities.
2. New technology to cut down greenhouse gases by designing a ‘green plane’.
3. US President Obama’s recent handling of the tax evasion problems in the quest to keep jobs at home (US).
I have been wondering since if any of these events are really going to value add life ? I will first focus on Mas Selamat, followed by my other points 2 and 3 for now.— 1: Mas Selamat is finally captured with the help of the Malaysian authorities recently. I thought the hard copy of the Straits Times headline on Sunday (11 May 2009) was somewhat complacent. It wrote in its sub-headline that Mas Selamat’s attempt was only a School boys feat:’20 laps of the swimming pool’ with waters that are ‘4 stories deep’ was easy and any school boy could do it. If that were a simple feat, then why was Mas Selamat able to escape from the local prison ? Bearing in mind that he is crippled, swimming across the Johor Straits under the coast guards’ eye would deem a very real fact that he was an extremely determined man of wits and guts. How could that be a simple school boy’s feat is really beyond me. Unfortunately his courage and intelligence went into a destructive force. Should he been still in the loose, I bet Singapore would have been in an unimaginable catastrophe.
Terrorism is a dangerous act that destructs both the terrorist and others. Its a loser’s situation whichever angle you view it. In 2001 September 11, the US witnessed their first unexpected attack on their land. It was an event that 2 planes piercing through not only their buildings in New York, but their hearts as well. It was a lesson not just for the Americans but for the world to remember – we simply cannot overlook and take peace and formidability for granted. For since then, a series of other attacks has sprung up in India, Spain, Indonesia, and attempted attacks here in Singapore. This came in with the freshest memory of the Mumbai attacks. They are all linked and you’ve got to think why all this has been ongoing. It is frightening to see that a peaceful landscape be always overshadowed by this constant darkness of terror.
We should never be complacent and arrogant about any cause of terrorism because it could actually stem out from our daily carelessness and thoughtlessness that we may not be conscious about what we say, do or act. I believe no one wants to fight and kill people out from a complete nothing. I suspect it stems out from a misunderstanding of cultures. Maybe you and I are guilty about it without knowing it. When such problem is left untreated, it usually blows out of proportion. I often believe that most of the hatred could be tamed down or completely eliminated, if we could be more sensitive and careful in the way we treat others. It is sad that Mas Selamat went into this route of anger and destruction. It doesn’t do him good and definitely not in any good for his immediate family and relatives. I don’t know what his story is about but I am sure something must have provoked his anger. Whatever the anger is, we must learn from this lesson that anger only leads to more anger. And when that anger goes beyond the boiling point, it will explode. If we look back in history, all these daily fights between countries, people and within business competition stem out on the pure greed, inconsiderateness, and a sheer lack of wisdom – the type of intelligence that we need to save ourselves and others the sanity that we need in this crazy world. We need to ask hard questions why people choose to do such self-destruction and killing of others; and onwards to look for win-win situations to never repeat the same mistakes again like our forebearers have done. I hope we could cool ourselves down amidst our hectic pursuement of wealth and self-interest to ponder about what life really is. I think this definition is crucial in setting the foundation of a healthy living that benefits all. There are many ways to a good life. It doesn’t need to be done in a heartless way to get even and ‘win’.
Other references:
Some small interesting sites about terrorism: http://www.politicalbase.com/forums/topic/is-terrorism-ever-politically-correct/1118/
causes of terrorism: http://uk.oneworld.net/guides/terrorism?gclid=CKep-MGlspoCFVEwpAodchPlcA
2. Obama: taps on tax evasion to bring jobs back to the US – quick thoughts May 20, 2009
Posted by Karen in Economy.Tags: keeping jobs at home, obama, protectionism, tax evasion, world economy
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Returning to quickly add the 3rd part of the post as promised last week. I decided to post the 3rd instead of the 2nd as this should be really mentioned earlier. I’ll post about green design next week.
3. US President Obama’s recent handling of the tax evasion problems in the quest to keep jobs at home (US).
Sometimes when I think about the current situation, I cannot help but to feel a sense of sadness. We make things so complex that we need to resort to even more complicated means to get the system working again. Tax evasion in a time like this would probably drive the economy in to a spiral of protectionism. It is just normal to protect self interests first, but what I am fearing is that it may well bit back full circle because we are all interdependent on the global stage. I see this as actually a double taxation and a line of free trade agreement cuts and all. As a resourceful establishment, a cut in FTA should prompt one to shift gears and move on to new enterprise before the actual curtail of FTAs. The problem I see this attempt of moving the MNCs back probably would not add much help to revitalise the US economy which is currently the largest in the world. A poor US economy does no one good. Feel free to discuss…
I will post this over from my Karenfusblogs.wordpress.com.
Over at Facebook, C.Sven posted an interesting link about Obama Proposes $190 Billion Tax Increase on Companies (Update4)
I thought it was an interesting topic for discussion. What would you think this rise in tax would bring about ?
I am also wondering about the manufacturing industries. I would have thought a lot of US MNCs may have to cut down their global scale since the tax comes in. True that you can evade tax, but I doubt they could totally evade it, so higher operational costs to these US firms.
What I am worrying is that banks will suffer. It really looks like it. If double taxation really kicks in, companies and individuals have less to put in the banks. Isn’t that directly effecting the whole economy worldwide ?
Maybe I am wrong to say this, but I thought they should keep corporate tax low and make the companies do more hiring. What I see is that tax of this kind is going to reduce employment which will add to the viscous cycle of less spending etc.Came across a couple of blogs and website and I really like Robert Reich’s blog posts on his thoughts on the current economy crisis, and how the US should be tackling it though I do not exactly agree to all. His post on Obama’s first 100 days attracted my attention. Personally we need some more time to see how the stimulus would work. Though Obama’s plan to bring the funds back to the States, there is also a possibility that this may cut down companies competitiveness as costs would increase. If the 2% in the States for corporate establishments were that attractive, then why would these companies station off the US shores ? As an outsider, I am curious how the US system works. To me, the culture is different. During the Asian economic crisis about 10 years ago, many Asian countries were in a financial wreck, notably South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. Singapore exacped the crisis relatively unscathed because it is small and much easier to regulate and control. In the US, I feel the system is very much more complicated and political in nature. Passing a law off needs a lot of consensus, and that takes off time to pass crucial law to implement fast. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, the state of the US economy affects the world too. I do hope the steps implemented in the States are going to lead us all out of this chaos. Quick thoughts for now.
OT- break: Creative life 创意人生 chuàng yì rén shēng-inspiration from Twitter 推德tuī dé. May 25, 2009
Posted by Karen in creativity, ethics.Tags: Chinese poem for Twitter as Creative and humanistic, creativity, humanity, Twitter
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测试中文推德,
cè shì zhōng wén tuī dé;
发扬百字散文，
fā yáng bǎi zì sǎn wén;
推广人文善德，
tuī guǎng rén wén shàn dé;
创造美好生活！
chuàng zào měi hǎo shēng huó
Karen M. Fu , 22 May 2009 via twitter.
Handwritten: http://twitpic.com/5og1o
English translation of the mandarin draft:
Testing the Chinese version of ‘Twitter’; promoting the use of 100-character novel; spreading humanity, kindness and virtue/ethics; creative life; creation of a beautiful and better living.
Karen Fu 22 May 2009
3. New technology to cut down greenhouse gases by designing a ‘green plane’. July 5, 2009
Posted by Karen in Uncategorized.Tags: airbus, green, green design, green plane competition 2009
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I’ve promised to post about Green planes and it is later than what I would have liked to post. Anyway the topic is interesting enough to be placed on 2 of my blogs; one of which is this one here at WordPress and the other at Blogger.
Here are the links to the 2 posts about the competition organized by Airbus.They will highlight the various thoughts and issues on green design as well as the videos of the finalists. Click on underlined text to view.
1.Winners of the Green Plane Competition
2. Thoughts about the Competition and issues on Green Design – Wants vs Needs:
There were 5 final contestants and the winner came from Australia with the runner up team from Singapore. What was commendable of the Singapore team was that the 3 contestants were not PhD students and 2 of them were actually undergraduates who worked on The Solaire Voyagers: Second year Engineering students Vignesh Subramaniam, Muhammad Adil and team leader Louis Lee Wee Boon, a first year Masters student in Materials Science and Engineering.
I’ll leave you to read more about the contest !
Moral character is the only way for progressive change July 22, 2009
Posted by Karen in change, ethics, faith, human quality.Tags: change, human progression, humanity, life, Moral Character, Shi Mingyi
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Venerable Monk Shi Ming YI
Recently, there has been a new slew of dishonesty cases, not just stemming out from commercial areas, but ironically from religious establishments. That often makes me often wonder how all these could happen and why they have happened. It is actually no new news about people being hypocritical about deals and ideals. But what I am really dismayed is that my observations have proven true of a monk here who is now currently undergoing trial for embezzlement of funds. Basically he abused his power by actually appearing to serve the disadvantaged community at large, while committing a number of hideous crimes that a highly professional criminal would do. It was a stab in the heart for many who had a lot of respect for him as an humanist. Before Mingyi monk, T.T Durai had committed similar crimes at NKF (National Kidney Foundation) before. If you start to ponder about the cases in depth, you would wonder what actually happen behind the scenes.
These are high profile crimes which involved highly educated people who appear to be ‘good’. We may expect terrorists and former criminals to do such acts but crimes from these people appear to be even more hideous & upsetting. My first suspicion came a few years ago when I saw his unusually posh office in the papers, which no one appeared to question then. My next suspicion came when I attended some of the NKF activities and I asked why they had a string of repeated donations that often, when they have already gathered millions of dollars. Since then, I’ve stopped donations despite people kept telling me that I was too suspicious about the entire scenario. Years later, my observations proved I was right. (And I am not proud of it.) Singaporeans have always been known to donate generously when asked to. After these incidents, it will somewhat dent donations in the future. And if I’m right again, we need to clean up the way we continue our culture of materialism and capitalism before we get ourselves to a point where nothing/nobody can be really trusted; and that the entire society would risk rolling into huge abominable moral decay.
Mingyi Monk committed more than stealing money from the patients who needed them more. Kidney dialysis is by no means a simple and painless procedure. Most of these patients usually wait in vain for a kidney transplant. The agony of waiting and living on the dialysis is not a small matter. While he had done good deeds in accepting some of the most unaccepted patients (dying and very difficult to care for) in the past, I would question if these kind acts were to cover the planned crimes he had done. Should he be whipped for all that ? He has a list of luxuries that he has been enjoying –from keeping a thoroughbred in Australia, owning posh cars, to suspected womanizing.And the list goes on as the trial continues to reveal his greed and crimes. To add to the list, even his Doctorate degree was a fake.
Thinking about his case, I cannot help but to appreciate people like Mother Teresa and Teresa XuZhe for their pure desire to help the disadvantaged and the needy. These great people fortunately live long enough to have us acknowledging their deeds, which they have dutifully done at the expense of their lifetime without any kind of material compensation they deserve. XuZhe has fortunately live well over 100 to be finally noticed. Whenever I see or read her in the papers, I cannot help but to pity that she did not marry and have children, whom she could pass her genes along. We need people like her and we need her teachings to pass along too. We have way too many parents who instill the wrong teachings/ideas to children to get ahead in their studies for the wrong reasons. We have children these days who think that material success as the most important. It is dangerous to think in that way to get ahead in life, when being a good world citizen is way more important to ensure a peaceful world.
Moral character is by far, IMHO, the most critical aspect in human progression. Without it, we cannot aspect positive change to the surroundings that we are living in. Can you imagine a world with people who have all the skills and knowledge, bearing a mask to hide all their sinister deeds, doing all the important tasks of the world ? Personally I can’t and it would be a perfect nightmare if I could. Some people have forseen doomsday within the next 50 years, but is it all that we could do ?
Ironically and scarily true is that many people have multi-faceted personalities. They could do one thing, and act differently in the other. Unless we rectify this very hideous human flaw, we cannot expect to save the world and the human race from extinction. Call this a natural retribution. We surely do not need to be this stupid to drool on materialism to the point to permanent self destruction.
Reference:
Ming Yi Monk’s crime:
- http://blog.simplyjean.com/2007/11/19/ren-ci-probe-venerable-ming-yis-doctorate/
- http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_366848.html
