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Democracy is the perfect form of government. Discuss.

  As our society progresses throughout the years, our political, economic and social landscapes have changed tremendously, shaping the way people see politics and the world. Many individuals push for democracy as it is able to provide them with a voice and a stake when it comes to decision-making in our country. However, democracy can result in marginalised groups being given the short end of the stick, causing greater inequality and tensions in society. Similarly, Democracy can also cause more harm than good if citizens vote based on the imperfect information they receive. Hence, this essay will discuss why democracy is not perfect, but is the most favourable form of governance that societies aim to achieve. Democracy is an optimal form of governance as it gives citizens a voice in national decision-making, allowing their interests and perspectives to be represented in the policies that shape society. People have a stake in electing a representative body to help govern the country...
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Discuss the trade-offs between individual liberties, state discipline, and societal order as detailed in From Third World to First by Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

  Discuss the trade-offs between individual liberties, state discipline, and societal order as detailed in From Third World to First by Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore’s rapid modernisation and industrialisation are closely associated with the political leadership of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and the People’s Action Party. In the realm of economics, every choice we make has a trade-off. However, as Lee's From Third World to First demonstrates, this transformation involved significant trade-offs between individual autonomy, state discipline and societal order. Measures such as compulsory National Service, economic restructuring and restrictions on the media illustrate how the Singapore state prioritised collective security, economic development and social stability, sometimes at the expense of individual freedoms. Even Singapore political leaders had to make significant trade-offs in the process of building Singapore. Mr Lee Kuan Yew acknowledged these sacrifices when he once said, “At the end o...
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ACROSS CIVILIZATIONS: The Evolutionary Path of Cattle Rearing

  ACROSS CIVILIZATIONS: The Evolutionary Path of Cattle Rearing Humans began consuming meat products over 2.6 million years ago. Over time, the reliance on animal resources developed into more structured practices, such as cattle farming, which involves raising cattle for meat, labour, and dairy products. Wild aurochs Around 10,500 years ago, people began to domesticate the wild progenitors of the aurochs in Central Anatolia and Western Iran, particularly in the Levant region. Photograph taken by STEFANO BIANCHETTI illustrating early civilization from National Geographic Cattle rearing began with the domestication of wild aurochs in a crescent-shaped region located in Mesopotamia, in the Middle East. This region, known as the Fertile Crescent, was popularized by archaeologist James Henry Breasted in Outlines of European History (1914) and Ancient Times: A History of the Early World . The Fertile Crescent is a fertile area shaped like a crescent moon, with soil enriched by rivers s...
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what I would do today if the world ends tomorow?

Mother Earth has existed for around 4.5 billion years, nurturing generations and generations of people. But what if the world is speculated that it would end tomorow? Climate change and global warming have plagued our environment, making Mother Earth sicker and sicker each day. A reflective question comes to my mind: If this were to be my last day on earth, how would I choose to spend those final golden hours? If the world were ending, one thing I would do is to adopt a dog-- specifically a Chow Chow. Since childhood, my deepest desire has been to own this particular breed. However, my mother's irrational dislike for dogs prevented this dream from materializing. This may seem trivial when compared to a grand bucket list which others may choose to pursue, but personally, getting a dog means that I have fulfilled my deepest childhood desire, and fulfilled something that I used to pray over every night. The distinctive lion- like mane and sturdy yet fluffy body of the Chow Chow has al...
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The Silent Crisis series part 2: A fractured harmony

"We admire elephants in part because they demonstrate what we consider the finest human traits: empathy, self-awareness, and social intelligence. But the way we treat them puts on display the very worst of human behavior.”   ~  Graydon Carter   Having established the ecological importance of elephants in our 2 part series of The Silent Crisis, we now confront the anthropogenic paradox that threatens their very existence. In part 1, we explored how  closely intertwined the relationship between elephants and the surrounding environment are, where elephants help shape the habitats and ecosystems. The second part not only explores the detrimental impacts that human activities have on these majestic megafauna, but will also explore the burgeoning efforts taken for ecological redemption.  Long before animal conservation documentaries and wildlife campaigns, Walt Disney's Dumbo offered a profound lesson about a young elephant ostracized for being different, yet ultimat...
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The Silent Crisis series part 1: Saving Earth's gentle giants from extinction

                               "The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?" ~Sir David Attenborough "Elephants are known as gentle giants that roam the Earth. Today, they are facing a major crisis—the crisis of extinction. A simple Google search reveals the devastating reality: savanna elephant populations have fallen by around 70 percent on average at surveyed sites, while forest elephant populations have plummeted by about 90 percent. These statistics are especially alarming given that, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the entire African elephant population could disappear by 2040 if current trends continue. The complex and unethical choices we humans made resulted in this sudden decline of elephants. This decline can become devastating especially for the ecosystem as elephants play a crucial part in maintaining ...
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Unboxed: The sudden rise of the blind box Phenomenon

                        In recent years, the blindbox industry has flourished greatly, hitting a market of over 14.2 billion dollars in 2024. This figure is expected to grow exponentially, hitting around 18.7 billion dollars by the end of this year, according to Cognitive Market Research.   Popmart, founded by a veteran toymaker, Wang Ning in 2010 gained rapid fame in 2016. With unique characters like Labubu, Pucky and Molly creating waves around the world. As of the end of 2023, Pop Mart has opened 450 stores globally as well as 2000 roboshops globally. But why are these small acrylic figures creating so much hype? And why do people actually like these figures? Read further to find out!  The reason for the sudden rise in the blind box industry is due to three important factors namely, its appeal, the thrill of unboxing a mystery as well as the rise in today's consumerist culture.  Its Appeal Bli...
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