Going down the drain

From ChannelNewsAsia - NUS gets tough on smokers

A warning letter will be put in the student's personal file as well," said Ms Ng Suan Eng, deputy director of student services. Repeat offenders can be fined between S$50 and S$300 each.

This is ridiculous. NUS is marking a student's dossier if the student is caught smoking. For all the modern facilites in NUS/NTU, the mindset of the school administration is still stuck in the 1960s. So is Ms Ng implying that the student is going to be marked for life just because he flouted some asinine smoking rules in school?

I can imagine a dilligent civil servant updating shelves of student dossiers, paid by our tax money no less. I am sure some job positions is created just for this initiative. (security officers, pen pushers).

I don't expect a University (self declared world class) can spread such FUD about dossiers and fines. Then again, I don't think NUS has the necessary resources to enforce this rule.

One question though, what is NUS going to do with the fines they collect?

In other news: MediaCorp to ensure creativity thrives in single-player TV market

I don't know, but if MediaCorp can achieve this, it will be a first in Economics. A monopoly that creativity and innovation can thrive.

The huge success of the Singapore Idol show has taught MediaCorp some lessons.
Firstly, give consumers more power by involving them in shows and giving them choice.
Secondly, there's a huge reservoir of talent in Singapore waiting to be unleashed.
So, MediaCorp will continue to develop the creative community and also promote the arts.

If the best the creative community in MediaCorp can give is Phua Chu Kang and Singapore Idol, give me cable instead.

Promoting the Arts is the last thing on their minds. Making money is. What happened to the Arts radio channel? Off the Air. What happened to "Arts Central"? Now showing rubbish comedies (like Striperella) and sharing airtime with Indian and Malay content.

Tell me, how is "Striperella" (Arts Central,Monday 10pm, starring Pamela Anderson) considered "Art"?

And Indian and Malay content should have their own channels. Do they not pay TV licences?

For all the rhethoric, MediaCorp chairman Ho Kwon Ping said it best at the end of his speech:

Mr Ho said: "After this nice talk of creativity, we will have to go back to the office and think about how to make money. That's what everyone has to do."