| sometimes, i wonder whether our government is any better than those lousy do-gooders out there in third world countries. sometimes i wonder if Singapore qualifies as a first world country, or even a second world country. (is there such a thing...) but on the other hand, i also wonder whether America, with such a leader, qualifies as a first-world country. Whatever. what got me really mad today during geog was when my teacher mentioned this seminar she had gone to discussing the Integrated Resorts (IR) and inevitably, they found themselves discussing the Marina Barrage. when some of the people questioning the benefits of the Marina Barrage (a barrage is basically a fancy way of saying a mini-dam. sheesh.) asked a government official what was going to happen to the fish displaced by the barrage, as they would not be able to survive with the barrage in place. the guy replied that they would be moved to deeper waters. the next question: However there are some fish which cannot survive in deeper waters. they are made to be freshwater fish, and cannot survive in the deep saltwater ocean/sea. therefore what will happen to them? and i present my quote of the day: he replied: uhm... i guess nature has its way of adapting... WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE WORLD. i may merely sound like some queer environmentalist ranting on, but this is a serious issue!! before this, they had stated that they saw the environmental problems this barrage was going to bring up, but they had anticipated them. then why arent they able to come up with applicable solutions in order to make the barrage more appealing? to make more people approve of it? if they arent even able to consider the welfare of the FISH and the consequences of the barrage on them(even if they had anticipated the problems beforehand), what in god's sake will happen if there were to be a similar problem cropping up with Singaporeans? would they be able to handle the situation differently, because we're humans? if so, what makes the fish any different from Man's selfish needs? yes, i'm saying that by building this barrage the government is selfish. i know it. but government-slamming aside, i'm wondering whether building this barrage is of any use. sure, it'll bring more water, but aside from humanity, (and the selfishness of it all - yes, even myself) shouldnt we give some consideration to the poor neglected species who dont have the abilities to do algebra? simply because they dont have intelligent brains like ours to invent computers and take over the world, doesnt mean that they arent as important. like the analogy everyone quotes, of the body - the head cant tell the foot - i dont need you! it would cause immense pain to be cut off. similarly, if such a creature is useless, then God wouldnt have created it. Let's show some respect for others aside from ourselves. perhaps we'd be a little less destructive. |
