Small fries...
Was thinking of what to call this entry when I suddenly recall a favourite 'adjective' a certain Physics teacher of mine used. Almost everyone is at the mercy of something, the only difference being the extent to which the person is at a loss of power.
A devastating quake and round of tsunamis hit areas close to Singapore on boxing day. Those affected, as usual, were the ones who were already less well-off. Interestingly, some international organisation made a remark about the more well-off country being less generous with their aid, and immediately, the supposedly guilty ones poured in more money. Closer here, one hears so much about 'I feel so sad for those victims' comments. Yet, I couldn't help but recall something that a certain English teacher impressed upon me. It's always easy to say what is required of you. But do you truly feel that way?
When I first heard of the disaster, my first thought was whether my friends were safe, particularly those staying in Indonesia. (Pardon my awful Geography, I simply couldn't figure out how close or far their islands were from those affected areas)
It's so much easier to feel the fear, the sadness when you are involved. Whereas from a supposed outsider's point of view, what degree do you feel? or is it mere words of feelings? I don't know. Perhaps that's the reason why I'm not a social worker too.
Closer to home, it's 3 days before MediaWorks finally pulls down its shutters.. for good. Time does fly. 3 plus years has just flown by without me even grasping it. Once again, it's those smaller fries, aka commoners as in MediaWorks employees who are at the mercy of some Almighty power who can rule that competition is necessary and then decide otherwise at their own whims and fancy. AND those who suffer? The small fries who trusted their words, who believed that they could do their part in making a difference took the untaken path. And what do they get? Heartache? Lost opportunities? White slips?
Who do we blame when we hear that our people lack the dare to dream spirit?
There has been so much talk going on about a certain forum when the unfortunate participants were labelled arrogant, unable to feel for the less fortunate aka smaller fries. These people were bombarded with 'hate mails' lamenting on the state of the future of the country.
But is there a cause for worry? Afterall, does it sound any bit different from the certain group of adults that we supposedly have to rever anyway? Just take a not-so-apt but the-one-currently-on-my-mind example. The look on the faces of the people with the team-spirit that is so lacking in many corporations when their 'baby' is on the face of being taken away from them. One must be really stone to not feel a single thing.
We are told that mergers and acquisitions are part and parcel of a successful country. No doubt, I have no arguments about that. Yet, a successful economy is not necessary equated with a gracious feeling society. With those big fries being so focused on the big picture ie. profits, who bothers about small fries? They are, but stepping stones, to greater things for the corporation. They are, but dispensible, properties who can be used when necessary and dumped aside when not. When we are taught this right from young, isn't it a case of the pot calling the kettle black when we hear of certain big fries amolishing the future generations?
Disclaimer: This is just the humble opinion of the small insignificant fry here. My sincere-st apologies should this unimportant piece offend any out there though it was never meant to be so. Serious!
