Unbeknowst to the MOHE, students of local public universities are being taught politics! I am now an anti-establishment-politically-motivated-student-looking-to-bring-down-the-morally-bankrupt-thong-wearing-government-!-!-!. Then again, I've always been anti-establishment. Oh, and everyone knows the government is morally bankrupt. Big news, then.
In light of the recent increase in my own awareness that town planning is not-that-so-insignificant-after-all in a world faced with environmental and social problems, I shall blog a bit about my so-called "profession".
What is town planning?
"the art and science of blah, blah, blah."
Forget that.
Town planning = Politics.
Full stop. See. Full. Stop.
Seriously.
In contrast to what many town planners may claim, political interference in the profession CANNOT be denied. If so, where do our moral obligations come from? To whom do we answer to? We need our political masters, be they government or opposition. The profession works best in a democracy. However, we must remember: the rakyat are the ones whom we're planning for, not any individual. Then again, aren't politicians supposed to represent the rakyat? Oh, sorry. Not in this country, apparently.
Why so cynical? Let's put a smile on that face! *stab!* *slash!* *cut!* *bleed!* hahAhAHAhAhaHAHahahAHahaHaHaHAha!!!
(to be continued)
p/s. The title of this entry has no relation whatsoever to the contents. Really.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
For the corrupted!
It is generally perceived that the construction industry in this country is largely corrupt. Bribes are given in order to expedite (speed up) the process of land use conversions and building approvals. Inspectors are given "coffee money" in exchange for a positive report in favour of the applicants, land use zoning plans are "improved" to accommodate a big-time developer's own plans, etc, etc, etc. I know, I heard about it from the corrupt myself.
Due to my taking the "Planning Ethics" course this semester, I am required to study about corruption. One of my assignments is to review a paper on corruption and prepare a presentation on it.
One thing I learned: if you do not "go with the flow", you're an outsider. If you're an outsider, well, you can start considering another job. Regardless of whether you're an official or a professional. Try: begging. Also: unemployment.
Now, what is the "flow"? If the industry and related authorities practice corruption like drinking teh tarik at midnight, then that is the "flow". If said industry and authorities avoid corruption like a certain "flip-flop" avoids the "new dawn", then that is the "flow".
I'm not saying that corruption is right. Far from it. I believe it's wrong. So wrong that those who willingly participate in it should burn (on a stake, on high heat, while tempting them with a fire extinguisher). However, when it comes down to "doing the right thing" and "feeding my family", which would you choose?
Due to my taking the "Planning Ethics" course this semester, I am required to study about corruption. One of my assignments is to review a paper on corruption and prepare a presentation on it.
One thing I learned: if you do not "go with the flow", you're an outsider. If you're an outsider, well, you can start considering another job. Regardless of whether you're an official or a professional. Try: begging. Also: unemployment.
Now, what is the "flow"? If the industry and related authorities practice corruption like drinking teh tarik at midnight, then that is the "flow". If said industry and authorities avoid corruption like a certain "flip-flop" avoids the "new dawn", then that is the "flow".
I'm not saying that corruption is right. Far from it. I believe it's wrong. So wrong that those who willingly participate in it should burn (on a stake, on high heat, while tempting them with a fire extinguisher). However, when it comes down to "doing the right thing" and "feeding my family", which would you choose?
Monday, August 4, 2008
Been reading...
Comic books!
or (to be more "mature sounding")
Graphic novels!
Essentially the same. Colourful pictures with words. Heh.
Anyway, a list of what I've been reading (and some comments)
1. Watchmen. to put it simply, it is a must read for anyone even slightly interested in comics. A (very) complex tale.
2. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Dark. Moody. Gritty. Batman, as he's supposed to be. Loved The Dark Knight? Go read this.
3. Batman: Year One. Tells two parallel stories of the man in bat's clothing and James Gordon, and how they're connected. Very realistic.
4. DMZ 1: On The Ground & DMZ 2: Body Of A Journalist. America. 2nd Civil war. Rookie reporter. Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Great art. Great story.
5. 100 Bullets 1: First Shot, Last Call & 100 Bullets 2: Split Second Chance. A man gives you a case with an untraceable gun, 100 untraceable bullets and proof that your brother caused the death of your child. What would you do?
Most (almost all) of the comics listed above weren't written for kids.
p/s. been thinking a lot about ethics and morality recently. No thanks to a certain lecturer and his ethics class. Still, it's interesting. I mean, how could a question with 77 contradicting answers not be interesting?
or (to be more "mature sounding")
Graphic novels!
Essentially the same. Colourful pictures with words. Heh.
Anyway, a list of what I've been reading (and some comments)
1. Watchmen. to put it simply, it is a must read for anyone even slightly interested in comics. A (very) complex tale.
2. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Dark. Moody. Gritty. Batman, as he's supposed to be. Loved The Dark Knight? Go read this.
3. Batman: Year One. Tells two parallel stories of the man in bat's clothing and James Gordon, and how they're connected. Very realistic.
4. DMZ 1: On The Ground & DMZ 2: Body Of A Journalist. America. 2nd Civil war. Rookie reporter. Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Great art. Great story.
5. 100 Bullets 1: First Shot, Last Call & 100 Bullets 2: Split Second Chance. A man gives you a case with an untraceable gun, 100 untraceable bullets and proof that your brother caused the death of your child. What would you do?
Most (almost all) of the comics listed above weren't written for kids.
p/s. been thinking a lot about ethics and morality recently. No thanks to a certain lecturer and his ethics class. Still, it's interesting. I mean, how could a question with 77 contradicting answers not be interesting?
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