What does it mean to be elite?
It merely means to be the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons.
What then does elitism mean?
It merely means practice of or belief in rule by an elite or consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favored group.
Then why all this debate about elitist behaviour in students in top -schools?
This article surveys the feelings of the pupils in our country and it turns out, students in top-schools, not students in non-elite schools, are the ones most concerned with elitist behaviours.
This article also shows how people of our society who have gotten the meaning of elitism or elitist behaviour totally wrong.
I disagree with those that habour such kinds of elitist behaviour or elitism. In students, this mostly means that one comes from a good school and does well in their academic studies. It is true that they can be considered the creme de la creme of our society.
However, this elitist behaviour serves to prove only one thing, that they are proud and lack the modesty that a good individual should have. They also forget what others have done to help them get to the positions that they are in now.
What difference does it make if one is elite now? Does it ensure that he or she will definitely make it big in the future?
I beg to differ. Although I feel that being in top-schools gives one an advantage, if one has such pride in himself or herself, then this advantage will not give them any headstart in life. I feel that if pride is within a person, he or she will not think that they need to perform to their best in order to succeed. This might not be so, but if so, these so-called elite now will only become mediocre in the future. What elitism is this then?
I believe in one achieving only when one does his or her best. The elitist behaviour will only seek to make one believe that one does not have to do their best in order to succeed. I feel that elitism at its best will only cause one to fail, never to succeed.
I guess that what I am trying to say is that elitism is not caused by wealth, education, success, schools, academic results and so on. Elitism is only a status that one gives to oneself. As with self-bestowed titles, it can only lead to no good.
I might be a bit biased in my opinion. However, I think that elitism is not prevalent in the top-schools of Singapore. It is only through the perception of the people of the society that we appear to be elitist. This might be due to our attitude towards others. In order for this not to occur, I feel that we have to change ourselves and in the process change what others think of us.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Elite?
Pub Date: 18/05/2007 Pub: ST Page: H1
Day: Friday
Headline: Students of top schools worry more about elitism
By: KEN KWEK
ST survey sheds different light on debate about elitist behaviour
MENTION the word “elite” and most people here have something to say.
For students, notions of the elite are confined mostly to which school one goes to and how well one does in school, rather than wealth, power or family background.
They also tend to think of “elitist behaviour” as that shown by those who look down on academic weaklings.
But those from neighbourhood schools are less likely to feel they are on the receiving end of such behaviour, compared to their peers in top institutions.
These were among the findings of a Straits Times survey conducted in January and February to assess students’ perceptions of the elite. Some 499 students aged 15 to 24 were interviewed.
The survey found that 41 per cent of students in 11 elite schools say they encounter elitist behaviour always or often, as compared to only 21 per cent of their peers in non-elite schools.
When asked what they consider elitist behaviour, the No. 1 choice in both groups was: to look down on those who are academically weaker.
The issue of whether one can become an elite member of society also seems to weigh more heavily on the minds of those from top schools.
The elite were defined as those who excel academically by most of those polled.
While 52 per cent of young people from top schools said it is very important or somewhat important for them to be a member of the elite group, only 43 per cent of those from neighbourhood schools felt that way.
These findings are based on a small sample but nonetheless they shed a different light on an ongoing debate over whether Singapore is turning into an elitist society, where those from more humble backgrounds feel disadvantaged and left out.
Such fears came to the fore late last year after a blog posting by Raffles Junior College student Wee Shu Min, in which she told a fellow Singaporean to “get out of my elite uncaring face”.
Speaking at the People’s Action Party (PAP) conference last December, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged successful Singaporeans not to assume they had made it on their own strengths and forget the debt they owe to family, friends and society.
In the Straits Times survey, most of those polled actually had a positive view of elites here.
When asked what they thought would be most important in helping them rise to the top of the Singapore system, hard work ranked No. 1 in both groups, followed by talent, whether in business, sports or the arts.
Very few thought family wealth was a deciding factor.
But the two groups seem to define success differently.
For students from elite schools, their No. 1 definition of success was winning a place in a top school or university. For their peers from neighbourhood schools, it was being good in sports, music or the arts.
The survey also found that wealthier students from English-speaking homes tend to cluster in the elite schools.
Some 71 per cent of those from elite schools speak English at home, and 62 per cent live in private housing, compared to 34 and 19 per cent respectively of those from non-elite schools.
The first group hailed from families with a median household income of $7,501, while the corresponding figure in the second group was $3,560.
Nanyang Technological University sociologist Eddie Kuo said this was a cause for concern as it indicates a tendency of socio-economic classes being perpetuated. But he added: “You need to look more closely at whether elitist attitudes are due to school environment or family background, or both.”
Day: Friday
Headline: Students of top schools worry more about elitism
By: KEN KWEK
ST survey sheds different light on debate about elitist behaviour
MENTION the word “elite” and most people here have something to say.
For students, notions of the elite are confined mostly to which school one goes to and how well one does in school, rather than wealth, power or family background.
They also tend to think of “elitist behaviour” as that shown by those who look down on academic weaklings.
But those from neighbourhood schools are less likely to feel they are on the receiving end of such behaviour, compared to their peers in top institutions.
These were among the findings of a Straits Times survey conducted in January and February to assess students’ perceptions of the elite. Some 499 students aged 15 to 24 were interviewed.
The survey found that 41 per cent of students in 11 elite schools say they encounter elitist behaviour always or often, as compared to only 21 per cent of their peers in non-elite schools.
When asked what they consider elitist behaviour, the No. 1 choice in both groups was: to look down on those who are academically weaker.
The issue of whether one can become an elite member of society also seems to weigh more heavily on the minds of those from top schools.
The elite were defined as those who excel academically by most of those polled.
While 52 per cent of young people from top schools said it is very important or somewhat important for them to be a member of the elite group, only 43 per cent of those from neighbourhood schools felt that way.
These findings are based on a small sample but nonetheless they shed a different light on an ongoing debate over whether Singapore is turning into an elitist society, where those from more humble backgrounds feel disadvantaged and left out.
Such fears came to the fore late last year after a blog posting by Raffles Junior College student Wee Shu Min, in which she told a fellow Singaporean to “get out of my elite uncaring face”.
Speaking at the People’s Action Party (PAP) conference last December, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged successful Singaporeans not to assume they had made it on their own strengths and forget the debt they owe to family, friends and society.
In the Straits Times survey, most of those polled actually had a positive view of elites here.
When asked what they thought would be most important in helping them rise to the top of the Singapore system, hard work ranked No. 1 in both groups, followed by talent, whether in business, sports or the arts.
Very few thought family wealth was a deciding factor.
But the two groups seem to define success differently.
For students from elite schools, their No. 1 definition of success was winning a place in a top school or university. For their peers from neighbourhood schools, it was being good in sports, music or the arts.
The survey also found that wealthier students from English-speaking homes tend to cluster in the elite schools.
Some 71 per cent of those from elite schools speak English at home, and 62 per cent live in private housing, compared to 34 and 19 per cent respectively of those from non-elite schools.
The first group hailed from families with a median household income of $7,501, while the corresponding figure in the second group was $3,560.
Nanyang Technological University sociologist Eddie Kuo said this was a cause for concern as it indicates a tendency of socio-economic classes being perpetuated. But he added: “You need to look more closely at whether elitist attitudes are due to school environment or family background, or both.”
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Mirror on Armed, Online and Dangerous
What you are reading right now is an example of teenagers being armed, online and maybe a little dangerous. I could be flaming people on this blog, showing disdain for certain issues on this blog or I could even be insulting, maligning, slandering, vilifying and abusing you on this blog.
But guess what, I am not.
Basically, this article shows that teenagers have a whole arsenal of publishing software at their fingertips. True enough, these publishing softwares are so easy to obtain and use.
First on this list would be "YouTube". YouTube is free and easy to use, just needing you to film your videos and upload them. These videos can and will be seen by everyone with an internet connection. Broadcast yourself, they say as their slogan, and there are all these people that do so.
Next would be the example of online diaries. For example, http://www.blogger.com is free to use and it is so simple to use. Just write whatever you want to say in your post and post it. All formatting will be done in seconds. Other blogging websites such as wordpress also offer these kinds of services.
With youths being so tech savvy nowadays, there is nothing stopping them from going online and posting or uploading anything that they like. They are able to write their thoughts on their blogs with no problem at all. They know what people want to read and this results in perhaps viciousness on others on their blogs. They want people to acknowledge their thoughts and feelings. They have a need to feel wanted. It is both a privilege and a curse.
I would say only one thing to this problems - self-discipline. Yes, I agree with the article whole-heartedly. I agree that youths should be given their privilege to express themselves and be themselves once in a while. However, if these privileges are given to people who are unable to control themselves and they continue ranting and raving on their blogs, then I guess these privileges will have to stop.
For me, myself and I, I prefer a bit of privacy. I feel uneasy posting my thoughts online for others to read. I am not perfect and some people do get on my nerves once in a while. I do not want to lose control of my feelings and go ranting and raving on my blog about these people. This blog would not exist if it were not graded as an English assignment.
As cliche as it is, Uncle Ben from Spiderman once said, "With great power comes great responsibilty." This power of the information age, the internet, has been granted to us and it is only right that we learn to be responsible for what we do.
The pen, after all, is mightier than the sword.
But guess what, I am not.
Basically, this article shows that teenagers have a whole arsenal of publishing software at their fingertips. True enough, these publishing softwares are so easy to obtain and use.
First on this list would be "YouTube". YouTube is free and easy to use, just needing you to film your videos and upload them. These videos can and will be seen by everyone with an internet connection. Broadcast yourself, they say as their slogan, and there are all these people that do so.
Next would be the example of online diaries. For example, http://www.blogger.com is free to use and it is so simple to use. Just write whatever you want to say in your post and post it. All formatting will be done in seconds. Other blogging websites such as wordpress also offer these kinds of services.
With youths being so tech savvy nowadays, there is nothing stopping them from going online and posting or uploading anything that they like. They are able to write their thoughts on their blogs with no problem at all. They know what people want to read and this results in perhaps viciousness on others on their blogs. They want people to acknowledge their thoughts and feelings. They have a need to feel wanted. It is both a privilege and a curse.
I would say only one thing to this problems - self-discipline. Yes, I agree with the article whole-heartedly. I agree that youths should be given their privilege to express themselves and be themselves once in a while. However, if these privileges are given to people who are unable to control themselves and they continue ranting and raving on their blogs, then I guess these privileges will have to stop.
For me, myself and I, I prefer a bit of privacy. I feel uneasy posting my thoughts online for others to read. I am not perfect and some people do get on my nerves once in a while. I do not want to lose control of my feelings and go ranting and raving on my blog about these people. This blog would not exist if it were not graded as an English assignment.
As cliche as it is, Uncle Ben from Spiderman once said, "With great power comes great responsibilty." This power of the information age, the internet, has been granted to us and it is only right that we learn to be responsible for what we do.
The pen, after all, is mightier than the sword.
Armed, Online and Dangerous?
Pub Date: 14/05/2007 Pub: ST Page: 11
Day: Monday
Headline: ARMED, ONLINE AND DANGEROUS
By: ANDREW DUFFY
Source: SPH
THINKING
RACK YOUR BRAINS
BY SERENE GOH, THE SUNDAY TIMES, MAY 6
TEXT: ANDREW DUFFY
The new teen popularity contest is a frightening arms race. In cyberspace,
status is measured in numbers. The more hits, friends and cross-links you get,
the higher your social standing.
Teens aspiring towards greatness – or infamy – regard these markers in the same
way that broadcasters see viewership: the higher the ratings, the better.
In their arsenal for climbing the ranks are powerful weapons of mass
communication.
The average teenager today has more mobile and publishing software than a
newsroom of adult journalists had 10 years ago.
Yet they have no editors, no consensus, no contrary viewpoints – and, as a
result, perhaps a dysmorphic sense of right and wrong.
This past week, a teenager from Hillgrove Secondary School ranted on her blog
that her classmate “deserved to die”. She said that of Debra Wong, 14, a Secondary
3 student, who drowned two weeks ago in Sungei Pandan canal, because she was upset
with her.
Earlier in March, an eight-minute video clip of a teen bashing up another boy
at an HDB flat made it to video-hosting site YouTube. Then on April 17, a
42-second clip of eight youths beating up a victim did the same.
When it comes to harvesting online responses, that kind of cruelty works. The
more malignant the post, the bigger the crop of hits, the more popular you
become.
Any child of the digital age can tell you that, to catch his eye, a posting
must – maybe a little too literally – kick butt.
What rankles is the response of the few who do get found out: There is no
shame. They may make the sounds of regret because they have been caught, but that is
not remorse.
The Hillgrove teen, called “Tian Tian” in The New Paper, said: “When I wrote in
the blog, I did not consider Debra’s family’s feelings. Now I know I was
wrong.”
And what of the majority who are never punished? The YouTube beating from March
reportedly captured laughter in the background. The other received 3,000 views
in just a month.
Can such a hardened group be expected to understand their capacity for
destruction?
Why should they even think about the fallout of what they can do before they do
it, when they can do it all so fast?
Fifteen years ago, things were straightforward. Angry? Write in your diary.
Wronged? Make copies of a poison-pen letter for your classmates. Horny? Try for
a dodgy tryst in Geylang.
Any undertaking had clearly defined consequences: Your diary could get read,
you might spend a fortune on photocopies, you could get arrested or fined. With
few degrees of separation between deed and doer, any malice called for careful
orchestration and thought.
That precious process has since been obliterated. Today, it takes no time at
all for a teen to act on his feelings. Emboldened by online anonymity, he also
does not need to own up to his actions.
Canadian counselling hotline Kids Help Phone released a study called
“Cyber-bullying: Our Kids’ New Reality” which stated: “The cyber-bullying
victim can feel even more overwhelmed and powerless than in a traditional
bullying situation.”
Cyber-bullies use fake identities; they strike any time, anywhere; they also
execute “instant and limitless dissemination of words and images”, their
digital tools and cyber platform an easy means of exacting revenge.
That kind of access spells power – an absolute kind. And we all know what they
say about absolute power.
Teens in the Canadian study said that after bullying someone, they experienced
regret or ambivalence. But quite eerily, they also said it made them feel
“positive and powerful”. Perhaps, popular too.
The new teen popularity contest is a frightening arms race An arms race is
where two countries or groups build up more and more weapons, because they are
afraid that the other will attack them if they don’t have as many.
In the same way that broadcasters see viewership: the higher the ratings, the
better TV stations can charge advertisers more if their programmes have more
viewers, because then more people will see their advertisements.
Yet they have no editors, no consensus, no contrary viewpoints – and, as a
result, perhaps a dysmorphic sense of right and wrong Of course journalists
would say this, but editors do have a place. Last year, a book of blogs came
out, in which millions of blog pages were condensed (by editors) into a
268-page book. That suggests there is a lot of rubbish out there…Dysmorphic, by
the way, means shaped wrongly.
Three internal filters should stop this kind of stuff.
1) Realising that just because someone upsets you does not mean he deserves to
die.
2) Realising that even if you think he does, then you should keep quiet about
it. It makes you look bad.
3) Realising that even if you think he deserves to die and you want to shout
about it, don’t yell where his parents and friends will hear you.
There is another side to this. Teens have reportedly said that they behave
themselves better at parties because they know whatever they do will appear on
YouTube.
The more malignant the post, the bigger the crop of hits, the more popular you
become In that case, teens confuse popularity with infamy. To take an extreme
example, Cho Seung Hui, who shot 32 students at Virginia Tech in the United
States last month, has millions of hits on his name, but he could not be
described as “popular”.
Why should they even think about the fallout of what they can do before they do
it, when they can do it all so fast? This is one argument against guns in the
US – the gun-control lobby says so many are murdered because killing is so
easy, as guns are available. Same for any technology, from Google to ATMs to
copying CDs: if you make it easy, more people will use it.
Today, it takes no time at all for a teen to act on his feelings. Emboldened by
online anonymity, he also does not need to own up to his actions.
So fear of being caught stops people doing wrong, rather than knowing it is wrong
in the first place. It’s a tricky question: what stops anyone from theft, violence
or cheating? Is it fear of being caught or concern for others?
And we all know what they say about absolute power “Power tends to corrupt, and
absolute power corrupts absolutely.” English Lord Acton wrote that to a bishop
– in 1887! I prefer Spiderman, myself…
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