Tuning In

The chances of New Zealand being declared a republic in the near future are slim if the viewing statistics from last evenings Royal Wedding are to be believed.

51 per cent of men and 67 per cent of women watching TV last night tuned in to the royal wedding on free-to-air television according to a report in today's NZ Herald.

The topic on most people's minds this past 24 hours - NZ ringed in red.
Click on the image to see the larger version then click again.

There has also been considerable interest in New Zealand's only professional basketball team, the Breakers, winning the Australian competition.  This is a first for any NZ professional team; beating the Aussies in their own competition.

The Canadians, unlike their compatriots across the border, were more interested in the results of their election than the royal nuptials.

Meanwhile we are tuning into autumn which is something the Canadians would also appreciate.

Autumn Botany Downs - Roger Smith 2011
Click on the image to see a larger version

Related articles

• Canadians more interested in election than royal wedding, polls suggest (thestar.com)

Who Is Challenging Whom?

Click on this image to see the larger chart and then click aagin.

Unfortunate Sign Juxtaposition

It never ceases to amaze me how people installing event signage rarely consider the placement of their banners.

The above are two classic examples, taken from photos taken by passing Singaporean motorists. I am sure that the ruling PAP party would not be impressed with the contractors responsible for this contextual cock up.

Meanwhile an enterprising citizen has decided to employ Google Maps to record election rallies (see below) although I can't see any for the ruling PAP and must presume that the publisher is in the Opposition's camp?



在較大的地圖上查看Singapore GE 2011 Rally Venues

Boring? Moi?

"Singapore is boring, we all know that, but what are the definitive 10 things that will deliver you to snoresville?" so starts an article by Elaine Ee, CNN GO.

Why do we have to put up with such 'Negative Nellies"?  Sure, some of the local's pastimes might seem somewhat passive to outsiders, but the energy-sapping climate has a lot to do with one's energy levels and a preference for indoor pursuits.

Ms Ee's list in count-down order includes the following:

10. Go to the cinema
9. Take a drive
8. Have dinner at the airport
7. Listening up at Speakers’ Corner
6. Day camping in East Coast Park
5. Read the newspaper
4. Watch local television
3. Go for a walk in a shopping center
2. Have a ride on the Singapore Flyer
1. Indulge in a spot of gambler watching

I concede that local Singapore television is a bit of yawn with its numerous Hawker food shows but is the television in other countries much better?

Replace Hawker food shows with Masterchef in Australia or New Zealand and the fare looks pretty much the same; just another helping of cheap reality show programming.

And I should add, traditional hawker food is delicious and I quite happily spent time debating the relative merits of chicken rice stalls with friends and colleagues.

The Singapore Flyer never attracted me except when I watched stranded passengers abseiling down its guy ropes.  The main problem for the Flyer is that  the recently constructed and nearby Marina Bay Sands Roof Garden is actually higher than their Big Wheel and offers better views (see Image below).

View from Marina Bay Sands looking down on the Singapore Flyer - image chensiyuan

As to Speaker's Corner, this small piece of real estate has largely become obsolete as most opinion is shared through social media and on blogs such as this one.

To be fair to CNNGo they did feature another article on Singapore in 2009 entitled, "50 Reasons Why Singapore Is #1". By my calculation that is 40 more positive reasons than negative if both articles are taken into account.

Related articles

• Shopping and Sightseeing in Singapore - Singapore, Singapore (travelpod.com)
• Following the Singapore Food Trail (shimworld.wordpress.com)

The Singapore Electorate Map

Click on the Map and then click again to see the larger version

2.35 million Singaporean voters but in the case of a no-contest in some electorates, not all will get to vote.

For example, a friend has told me that she is getting to vote for the first time in 10 years as her previous GRC has now become a SMC.

Related articles

• Singapore Opposition Contests Record Number of Seats (online.wsj.com)

Not Living In Disney World

Commenting on its selection processes and the need to keep rejuvenating the party MM Lee is quoted in the media as saying:

"'We combed the whole of Singapore society to select those with the highest integrity and ability to chart the way forward for Singapore. We will never reach a point where we can be on auto-pilot so that any team can just take over. We are not living in Disney World".

Pointing out the many notable achievements his party and the country has achieved over past decades the clear inference is that if Singaporeans choose to 'rock the foundation' they stand to put these gains at risk.

I am not so sure that such a scare tactic will work this time around?  In the past the calibre of opposition candidates has been 'patchy', to be charitable.  This time though a quick glance through the electorate party lists shows that the alternative parties have a good raft of well educated and worldly wise candidates.

Pronouncements from sitting government MP's that a strong opposition could result in blocked policies suggests that they may be more concerned about the Opposition strength than they care to admit.

There is no doubt that the PAP will win the election and by a substantial majority.  With a Westminster- styled government there is no danger of the government benches having their policies blocked.

Monitoring the social media 'buzz' (see research study below) shows a growing groundswell of support for the Opposition parties especially amongst the young, so there could well be more Opposition members voted in.

And, in relation to Disney World, it was of course Walt Disney who said: "If you can dream it, you can do it".

Related articles

• GE: Opposition fielding larger teams and better qualified candidates for GE 2011 - Channel News Asia (news.google.com)
• Youth vote crucial in next GE (sg.yfittopostblog.com)