#straitstimes

[coochiequeens]

Ladies, choose a woman doctor.

[farfarahleeya]

As we simultaneously stroll around the physical world and scroll around the virtual world, our activities in either world are being woven into each other... like a multi-coloured (or multi-realm) basket. Going with this analogy that popped in my head, let's look at the weaving of activism and protest in this basket. Specifically, I'd like to explore the question, "how digital is digital activism and protest?"

Trigger Warning --- please proceed with utmost care and caution if the topics below are sensitive to you --- (mentions of harassment, racism, xenophobia, ableism)

Introduction

In 2023, Fuentes observed that digital activism and protest began as a response to the internet's borderless nature. The power of the internet provided a global stage for activists, overcoming the limitations of physical boundaries. Similar to how political figures seek international support, ordinary citizens harnessed the internet to amplify their voices and causes. One standout example was witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when people turned to digital platforms to initiate movements and lend a helping hand. As the pandemic confined us behind closed doors, digital activism emerged as a potent force. Citizens recognized that their physical efforts alone couldn't suffice, and the internet became their ally. They transitioned from storming the streets with signs to storming the digital timeline with impactful hashtags. This shift exemplified the transformative potential of digital activism and protest, demonstrating that individuals could break free from geographical constraints to effect change on a global scale.

Case Studies

Let's look at two examples, Ain Husniza and #StopAsianHate, to see how digital activism can turn into something even bigger.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── #MakeSchoolASaferPlace ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

Ain Husniza, a courageous student in Malaysia, harnessed the power of the internet to confront a significant issue plaguing her country's education system: the silent acceptance of sexual harassment within schools. Ain began her journey by sharing her personal story, a story that struck a chord with many others who had suffered in silence. Through the rallying cry of #MakeSchoolASaferPlace, she and her peers aimed to illuminate the extent of this pervasive issue on a global stage.

Initially, Ain and her friends turned to social media as their platform to discuss this problem. Their goal was to raise awareness about the distressingly common nature of sexual harassment in educational institutions. However, something far more profound emerged from this digital dialogue. As students began sharing their own stories, it became abundantly clear that the issue was not isolated but systemic, affecting a much larger population than initially presumed. What had begun as an online conversation soon evolved into a powerful protest, exemplifying the transformative potential of digital activism.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── #StopAsianHate ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

#StopAsianHate gained momentum as a grassroots movement in response to the alarming increase in hate crimes targeting Asian communities. It all began with people sharing their experiences and frustrations on social media. They utilised the hashtag to declare that the injustices inflicted upon Asian individuals were unacceptable. Many recounted their own encounters with discrimination, while others offered messages of support and solidarity.

However, this movement's impact extended far beyond the realm of online conversations. People were driven to transform their outrage into meaningful action. They initiated online petitions and fundraising efforts to address the issue head-on. Notably, individuals like Alex Qi embarked on projects to enrich libraries with books detailing Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) history and culture. This educational initiative was aimed at countering stereotypes and promoting a deeper understanding of AAPI communities. It exemplified how digital activism can seamlessly transition into a digital protest, symbolising a collective move from voicing concerns online to creating tangible, real-world change.

︾ ︾ ︾ ︾ ︾

These examples teach us that when people come together on the internet and start talking about important issues, it can lead to even bigger things. Digital activism can turn into a powerful force for change.

Challenges and Critiques

Digital activism and protests, while powerful, are not immune to challenges and criticisms, including the issues of slacktivism and performative activism. Slacktivism involves superficial engagement, like merely liking or sharing posts, creating an illusion of progress without tangible results. Performative activism, on the other hand, often entails more visible actions but may be perceived as insincere or self-serving, lacking true commitment to a cause.

These challenges can hinder the effectiveness of online movements. To address them, it is crucial for activists and their supporters to transition from superficial engagement to concrete actions, like signing petitions, attending physical protests, volunteering, or educating themselves about the causes they support. Online platforms should create safe spaces and regulate harmful content, while media literacy efforts can combat the spread of misinformation.

Recognising and mitigating the challenges of digital activism and protests can result in meaningful real-world change, ensuring that the online energy translates into a genuine impact.

~ TLDR ~

slacktivism -> an organisation posting #PrayForLocation, but not donating, volunteering, or helping in any way

performative activism -> vlogging yourself giving KFC to beggars so you could monetise the video

proper activism -> researching #ableism, deleting slurs and offensive terms from your vocabulary, calling out people who use them

Conclusion

In our exploration of digital activism and protest, we've seen how the digital world can help people connect and make a difference on a global scale. But remember, these movements are closely tied to real-world problems. So, when asked, "How digital is digital activism and protest?" we found that while the internet is a powerful tool, the heart of these movements lies in the actual challenges people face. True activism, whether online or in the real world, requires real action and a commitment to change. In the end, these movements connect the online and offline worlds and are all about making a real difference in people's lives.

︵‿︵‿ References ‿︵‿︵

Fuentes, MA 2023, digital activism, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 January, viewed 19 October 2023, <https://www.britannica.com/topic/digital-activism>.

[iwan1979]

In Canada, ghosting job candidates could cost a company as much as $94,000 | The Straits Times

Singapore should adopt this also

[zero2046-blog]

泰国动物园宣布将在 7 月 10 日为河马 Moo Deng 庆祝生日

深潮 TechFlow 消息，7 月 4 日，据 StraitsTimes 报道，泰国 Khao Kheow 动物园将在 7 月 10 日为侏儒河马 Moo Deng 庆祝一岁生日，为期四天的「Moo Deng 一周岁生日」节将于 7 月 10 日至 13 日在春武里府的河马展览馆举行。

[moko1590m]

いたるところで活躍中、シンガポールの日常を支えるロボット犬 D (著)･パルモ (編集) 公開： 2025-05-30 17:00 　未来都市シンガポールでは、ロボット犬が地下の保守作業場、建設現場、さらには社会福祉の現場で活躍し、市民生活を支えている。 　コロナのパンデミックの最中に、シンガポールでボストンダイナミクスの「スポット」がソーシャルディスタンス維持の守護者となって一躍話題になったことはみんなも覚えているだろう。 広告の下に記事が続いています 　以来ロボット犬は、障がい者支援やインフラ管理の場でも重要な役割を果たす存在となり、スマートシティに不可欠な「テック・パートナー」という愛称でも呼ばれている。 　シンガポール大学のプロジェクトで訓練中のAI搭載ガイド犬や、パトロール、地下トンネルや列車の点検に従事する「Mars」「SPock」「Avatar」など、さまざまなロボット犬がその道のスペシャリストとして活躍中だ。 コロナ禍でソーシャルディスタンスを維持したスポット 　新型コロナウイルスのパンデミックの最中だった2020年5月8日シンガポールで、アメリカのロボット研究開発企業ボストンダイナミクスのスポットが、人々のソーシャルディスタンス維持に協力した。 　試験的に運用されたスポットが、ロックダウン中の公園で、人間同士の適切な距離をうながすため、音声警告システムを駆使する姿は、コロナのデマや感染リスク回避で混乱する世界の注目を集めた。 Spot robot patrolling Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park | The Straits Times 　さらに当時のスポットは、シンガポールで、貿易センター内の隔離施設にいる軽症患者へ医薬品を送り届けた。 　この出来事は、高感染リスクの環境で医療従事者の負担を軽減すると同時に、病院と連携したデジタルヘルスケアを実現するロボット犬が、今後の社会的危機においても迅速かつ効果的な対策手段になりうることを示す代表例になった。 障がい者支援に挑むAI搭載ガイド犬 　シンガポールでは福祉分野でもロボット犬が協力中だ。国立シンガポール大学（NUS）スマートシステム研究所では、ロボット犬を利用した視覚障がい者支援プロジェクトが進展中だ。 この画像を大きなサイズで見る 視覚障害者を誘導するようプログラムされたロボット犬とロボット工学博士の蔡少軍氏 / image credit:ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN 　この取り組みは、2024年6月の時点で国内の現役のガイド犬（盲導犬）がたった9頭、という現状を機に始まった。現在約12名の視覚障がい者を対象に、四足歩行ロボットの訓練が行われている。 広告の下に記事が続いています 　それは本物のガイド犬の代わりに、AI搭載で高��な口頭指示が理解でき、画像認識もするロボット犬を使い、階段やでこぼこした場所でも安全に移動できるような訓練だ。 この画像を大きなサイズで見る NUSスマートシステム研究所のロボット工学博士課程学生、蔡少軍氏と視覚障がい者が物を避けられるように設計されたロボット犬 /image credit: ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG 　プロジェクト初期は、スマートグラスなど、別のサポート機器の利用も検討したが、機敏な四足歩行のロボットの優位性が実証されたため、最終的にロボット犬が選ばれたという。 　将来的には、交通ハブや公園を含む大規模展開が期待されている。 警備・点検の現場で役立つロボット犬 　シンガポールの都市基盤、インフラ管理現場では、以下のロボット犬たちが警備や点検のスペシャリストとして活躍している。 バス車庫の周辺をパトロールするMars 　シンガポールの公共交通事業者 SBS トランジットが運用中のMarsは、国内のテック企業Weston Robotが開発したロボット犬だ。2024年9月からバス車庫の周辺をパトロールしている。 　このロボットは、高精細カメラと熱画像センサーで、侵入者やフェンスのいたずらの兆候を即座に検知する。 この画像を大きなサイズで見る バス発着場のフェンス周辺をパトロールする警備員を手伝うMars / image credit: LIANHE ZAOBAO インフラの保守点検を行うSPock 　シンガポール国有企業のSPグループが採用したロボット犬。中国のロボット企業 Deep Robotics が開発した 「X30」は、「SPock」という愛称で呼ばれている。 広告の下に記事が続いています この画像を大きなサイズで見る SPグループの技術責任者デリック・タン氏は、ロボット犬SPockを訓練し、独立したトンネル点検を行わせることで、より安全で効率的な保守作業への道を開いた / image credit: SP GROUP 　SPockは、従来の車輪型ロボットでは難しかった階段や不整地での作業ができ、直感的な操作ができるナビシステムも搭載している。 　全長約6kmにも及ぶ地下トンネルの点検作業をSPockがサポート。人間が立ち入りにくい危険箇所の亀裂や湿気も自動検知する有用なロボット犬だ。 SP Group Technical Officer Deric Tang partners ‘colleague’ SPock to protect Singapore’s power tunnel 列車の点検を行うAvatar 　Avatarは、SBSトランジットが運用する列車の点検用ロボット。 　このロボットは、2023年5月24日からシンガポールのセンカン車両基地で列車の下の構造を精密に点検する仕事に就き、パネルのゆるみなどをチェック。技術者の負担軽減と安全確保に大きく貢献している。 この画像を大きなサイズで見る 2023年5月24日に公開されたSBSトランジットのロボット犬。部品の欠落など列車の下部の異常を検知する / image credit:ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY シンガポールで欠かせない存在となったロボット犬 　このようにシンガポールではロボット犬が幅広い任務に従事している。 　それは同時に、ロボット犬が単一の用途に留まらず、医療、建設、公共サービスといった多様なミッションに対応できる柔軟性と高度な移動性を備えることを意味する。 この画像を大きなサイズで見る SBSトランジットは2023年から複数のロボット犬を配備し、列車の客車の状態を検査している / image credit:PHOTO: SBS TRANSIT 　また、製造コストが大幅に下がったことも注目すべき点といえるだろう。 　シンガポール市場においての一例だが、たとえば以前7万5000ドル相当（約1,000万円）だったロボット犬が、2025年の時点で3,500シンガポールドル（約40万円）という大幅な価格低下も、各分野での普及の後押しになったとみられる。 急成長するロボット産業：ロボット犬は技術的なパートナー 　シンガポールにおいてロボット犬は、単なる機械ではなく、都市の安全と福祉、効率的なインフラ管理を叶えるパートナーになりつつある。 この画像を大きなサイズで見る 2020年5月8日、試験的にビシャン-アンモーキオ公園をパトロールするスポット / image credit:ST PHOTO: GIN TAY 　ソーシャルディスタンスの守護者や障がい者支援、警備や点検など、多彩な任務をこなすロボット犬は、今や都市に安心感と利便性をもたらす必要不可欠な存在なのだろう。 この画像を大きなサイズで見る シンガポールのロボット犬が仕事にあぶれることはない。彼らは地下のメンテナンスエリアや建設現場、さらには社会福祉施設でも活躍している / image credit:ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH 　実際、シンガポールのロボット産業は、2023年の約200社から、2025年の現時点で300社以上に増加するなど、目覚ましい成長を遂げている。 　人間にとって有益な相棒となったロボット犬は、今後もさらなる進化を遂げながら、シンガポールの人々や都市に貢献を重ね、この都市そのものを新たなステージへといざないそうだ。 References: Straitstimes / Interestingengineering / Straitstimes

(いたるところで活躍中、シンガポールの日常を支えるロボット犬 | カラパイアから)

[thefoundersofsingapore]

Found a recent article featuring Michael Stewart, a descendant of Raffles’ nephew

If you don’t know who he is, I posted about him before in a previous post regarding Raffles and Farquhar’s descendants meeting in Singapore for the first time.

His name is not shown in the video, but this ST article reveals his name as ‘Michael Stewart’.

It says he was a descendant of Raffles’ nephew, and I presume that would be William Charles Raffles Flint. Apparently Raffles and Sophia brought him back with him to England in 1823 when they left Singapore, when he was only four. As all of Raffles’ children had died, the closest thing to Raffles’ descendant today would have been through his nephew, as noted by John Bastin in ‘The Family of Sir Stamford Raffles’.

I also happened to find a separate Facebook post about his visit to the Raffles Institution Archives & Museum during his first visit to Singapore for the Bicentennial in 2019.

So, for the article in question. They got the descendants of Raffles and Wallich to go back to Singapore again for the unveiling of the new statues of Raffles and Wallich at Fort Canning Park last year. Stewart sure has aged well in the past 5 years. Apparently, according to the interviewer, Stewart mentioned that his luggage was delayed, so he had to buy new clothes from Raffles City, which he was wearing during the interview.

Unfortunately, my Chinese isn’t up to par to read newspaper articles, so I had to rely on ChatGPT to translate the article for me. The translation goes thus:

Third Raffles Statue Unveiled at Fort Canning Park to Honor the Predecessor of the Singapore Botanic Gardens

The fifth-generation descendants of Raffles, Mr. Michael Stewart (left), and Wallich, Mr. Eugene MacDonald, met for the first time at the unveiling ceremony of the sculpture at Fort Canning Park, with the "Dialogue" sculptures of Raffles (left) and Wallich behind them. (Photo by Lin Mingxun)

A new statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, has been erected locally, marking the third such statue in Singapore.

On Tuesday (May 21), the Singapore Parks Agency unveiled the latest bronze statue of Raffles at Fort Canning Park. Unlike the other two statues located at the Victoria Concert Hall and along the Singapore River, this new sculpture is accompanied by a statue of Danish botanist Dr. Nathaniel Wallich, positioned face-to-face with Raffles. This duo of statues, named Scholars in Dialogue, is located at Fort Canning Park, an important historical landmark in Singapore. The installation not only adds a fresh visual to the park but also carries special significance as a tribute to the predecessor of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

The installation of these two new sculptures was initiated by the Singapore chapter of the University of East Anglia Alumni Association and funded by the family estate of the late local entrepreneur Mr. and Mrs. Tan Chee Kow. The statues were donated to Fort Canning Park by a registered charity under the family estate through the Singapore Parks Agency.

The new sculptures were designed by British contemporary artist Andrew Lacey. He used an abstract style that integrates natural elements into the figures, with both figures holding lotus leaves in one hand and research papers in the other, symbolizing their dedication to botanical research.

The unveiling of the Scholars in Dialogue sculpture at Fort Canning Park attracted tourists who paused to admire it. (Photo by Lin Mingxun)

The National Parks Board, along with the Senior Director of the Presidential Palace, Mr. Huang Wenyi, commented that while many are familiar with Sir Stamford Raffles’ contributions to Singapore, not everyone knows that he was also a botanist.

“This sculpture is the first in Singapore to focus on botanists, telling the history of how Raffles and Wallich created the first botanic garden in Singapore,” he said.

He went on to explain that Raffles and Wallich were close friends, and in 1822, they established a botanical garden at the site that is now Fort Canning Park. The garden was used to grow plants like cloves and cardamom, and for experimental research. The garden was closed in 1829, and it wasn't until 1859, 30 years later, that the current Singapore Botanic Gardens was established.

The unveiling ceremony on Tuesday was attended by the fifth-generation descendants of Raffles, Mr. Michael Stewart, and Wallich, Mr. Eugene MacDonald. This was their first meeting.

Mr. Stewart, 76, a lawyer in the UK, commented that although he had visited Singapore many times, this trip was different. "I never expected Singapore would have a third Raffles statue. This is such a surprise! I’m very glad to see Raffles from a different perspective. Not only did he open up new lands, but he was also so dedicated to science," he said in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao.

Mr. MacDonald, 75, works with intellectual property law documents at a law firm in Japan. This is his second visit to Singapore, and he described it as an honor. “Dr. Wallich’s legacy has been passed down through generations in my family. What makes me happiest today is that his statue is placed alongside Raffles, reflecting the synergy and deep friendship between their work,” he said.

[athomewiththecicadas]

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Publications 5¢ and 10¢

-------

And.... I got this/......?

[iwan1979]

The Straits Times: What’s key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being

No more 5C

[shirotakaishida]

Global heritage body lends voice to protests against plan to redevelop Tokyo’s Jingu Gaien park | The Straits Times

[thesecrettimes]

Singapore Red Cross Says It Now Accepts Crypto Donations

Singapore Crypto Tax Deductions The Singapore Red Cross has said well-wishers can now donate via cryptocurrency but donors will not receive tax deductions, a report has said. According to the charitable organization, all donations are converted into fiat currency less than 24 hours after the donation has been received. As per a Straitstimes report, the Singapore Red Cross has partnered with the crypto payment gateway Triple A. Commenting on Singapore Red Cross’ decision to start accepting crypto donations, Benjamin William, the organization’s CEO, said: By accepting digital currencies, we open our doors to a new segment of donors who are tech-savvy and wish to make a difference through their digital assets. By accepting donations in the form of BTC, ETH, and the stablecoins USDT and USDC, the Singapore Red Cross joins other local charitable organizations such as The Food Bank Singapore, which already accepts cryptocurrencies. According to the report, other crypto-accepting Singaporean charitable organizations such as Daughters of Tomorrow and Cycling Without Age are using the platform Digital Philanthropy. What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. Read the full article

[thelovelyghostwriter]

Okok, I've seen those comments saying "only white girls like her music" and it's not logical at all.

They should see how many ppl actually registered for the ERAS tour in Singapore. The demand was so high. Over 22 million registered for it. It was initially 3 shows and increased to 6.

Given that it was the only country in Southeast Asia to have the ERAS tour, and one out of two countries in Asia. And Asia is the biggest continent. The whole Southeast Asia was fighting for it (and possibly other people in Asian countries). I really had to fight for those tickets as a local. There was also a UOB pre-sale before the actual general sale and people rushed to get the UOB cards. There was a surge in the UOB card applications. People queued up at Singpost for 2 days to see if they could get the tickets physically instead of relying on Ticketmaster. The queue numbers was insane during the sale, it goes over a million.

So are they really thinking those 1+ million people are all white girls? The hotel and flight bookings are reportedly from Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia etc. (They also said Australia but it's mostly Asian countries). The UOB card applications were in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

I know I said I'm not gonna entertain TS hate trend, but I just feel the need to say how insane the craze was.

Heck, even a Malaysian man spent over 2K flight accommodation just to see her in one of the news. Two people I know are going into the ERAS concert are straight guys. My boyfriend likes some of her songs too! So it's not just white girls. TS music is often about feelings, relationships and self-reflections, that's pretty much relateable to anyone. 🥳🥳

yeah and not only that but i’m seeing a lot of people saying taylor’s music doesn’t appeal to black people, other nonwhite people, and gay men. that her music doesn’t influence or inspire others. like i get not everyone is gonna like her or her music but spread those lies is really disheartening and messed up

this just isn’t fucking true and im so sick of these watery takes from people