Algorithmic cruelty': Facebook's Year in Review feature criticised for being insensitive

Posted to The Age (26/12/2014) on 26/12/2014 at 5:06 PM
Commenting on "'Algorithmic cruelty': Facebook's Year in Review feature criticised for being insensitive"
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/algorithmic-cruelty-facebooks-year-in-review-feature-criticised-for-being-insensitive-20141226-12dvt2.html

Hang on a minute. Why were those sad moments posted in FB in the first place, and not deleted subsequently, if users don't want to be reminded? Users publicise the events themselves, and FB is doing a great service to provide a free platform for those ungrateful people to broadcast them.

If those whiners blame FB to be insensitive, they can just delete their account and all the posts including such promotion will not appear anymore.

Housing market coming off the boil with growth set to slow in 2015

Posted to my FB page Sin Fong Chan Real Estate on 19/12/2015 at 12:49 PM (The Age does not accept comment)
Commenting on "Housing market coming off the boil with growth set to slow in 2015"
http://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/housing-market-coming-off-the-boil-with-growth-set-to-slow-in-2015-20141218-129wll.html

I thought I had talked about this before, but then crazy people in Melbourne, especially the "loaded" Chinese are still paying mega bucks for properties that worth less than of half the money.

Besides Chinese, loaded Indians and Sri Lankans are just as gullible. Join the crowd if you are a Gia Su buyer?

Burqa ban a political excuse for persecution

Posted to The Age (3/10/2014) on 3/10/2014 at 9:53 AM
Commenting on "Burqa ban a political excuse for persecution"
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/burqa-ban-a-political-excuse-for-persecution-20141002-10p0mc.html

Our politicians are weak like piss. By allowing the wearing the de facto Batman outfit in the Parliament House is going to set precedence for people to wear the same going to the bank, casino or any establishment. By the way, Batman does not cover his mouth and jaw.

I shall be scared out of my wit if the supposedly meter reader or postman come near my house clothed in such daunting "uniform".

Helmet is not allowed to be worn in many places. Why should wearing such outfit an exception? How can the bank or casino be so discriminatory to ask the bikies to take off their helmet so that the CCTV can have a clear view of their faces?

Organisation installing biometric system will be throwing good money down the drain. It must be the most unthinkable and laughable situation having someone with the whole body except the eyes covered, standing in front of the self-checking machine at the immigration control at the airport.

There must be some basic dress code when one is at public places. That dress code must be enforced. If fully clothed is permitted, the opposite should be given the same treatment.

Let's go nude in the Parliament House! Like Winston Churchill once said, "we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender".

Jacqui Lambie issues warning to Clive Palmer, PUP senators

Posted to The Age (13/11/2014) on 13/11/2014 at 10:34 AM
Commenting on "Jacqui Lambie issues warning to Clive Palmer, PUP senators"
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/jacqui-lambie-issues-warning-to-clive-palmer-pup-senators-20141112-11leq1.html

Lambie has a big hole (gap) as big as the Australia's projected economic Black Hole. I would like to know what she is going to do with rising unemployment, not only in Tasmania but also whole of Australia.

Melbourne Cup becomes story of Red Cadeaux and Admire Rakti

Posted to The Age (4/11/2014) on 5/11/2014 at 1:48 AM (Not published by newspaper)
Commenting on "Melbourne Cup becomes story of Red Cadeaux and Admire Rakti"
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/horseracing/melbourne-cup-becomes-story-of-red-cadeaux-and-admire-rakti-20141104-11gtb3.html

Humans can't speak horse language, even if the horse has one. It is illogical to say that horses enjoy racing or otherwise, because they can't tell us so.
Animals used in circus performance are a thing of the past, but horse racing is getting bigger as a money making event. Is it double standard? In my opinion, it is. There is no difference between animals performing in a big tent and horses racing on race tracks.

In racing, the jockeys whip the horses to "make" them go faster. It is cruel, and only in epic theatre movies of Egyptian pharaoh dynasties that I see slaves being whipped. It is the avoidance of further pain that makes the horses run faster, and the riders' intense whipping is a testimony of the latent greedy, sadist and aggressive nature of the jockeys.

To put horses under intense pressure in races definitely will cause distress to them. Races are not day-to-day event, and many successful ones are trained for hours each day, transported to different places, live in strange and foreign environment, run on different track, etc when they participate in big race carnivals. If a human is subject to that kind of unreasonable treatment, he/ she will be applying for stress leave and claim Work Cover compensation.

It is time to rethink about horse racing. Let's something to correct it.

What I learned from Katie Hopkins' 'To Fat and Back'

Posted to The Age (4/11/2014) on 4/11/2014 at 10:30 AM
Commenting on "What I learned from Katie Hopkins' 'To Fat and Back'"
http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-opinion/what-i-learned-from-katie-hopkins-to-fat-and-back-20141103-11fzo9.html

Sad case for this arrogant and ignorant woman. I know I have become fat because my belt appears to be shorter, or when I look into the mirror. I gain weight because I eat a bit more than usual on a cruise, and I don't do my normal chores on a ship, for that I enjoy immensely. I allow myself to do so, because the events leading to gaining those extra kg were pleasurable and fantastic.

Some are born with fat genes, and that cannot be denied. Many of these people accept their being fat and live happy ever after, and nothing else. Are those fat people that laugh often really pretending, or are they hiding their sorrow? There are many comedians who are bigger in size than the society norm, and they actually make fatness as a laughing matter and a good living at the same time.

To force oneself to gain 20kg for some stupid social experiment of course will make anyone miserable. This is not dissimilar asking one to go hiking if one prefers going up the top of a mountain by helicopter, or asking one to eat curry if spicy food is too hot for the liking.

Publicity stunt, yes. End result, thumbs down!

It's a noisy world, so scream and let scream

Posted to The Age (3/11/2014) on 3/11/2014 at 10:35 AM (Not published by newspaper)
Commenting on "It's a noisy world, so scream and let scream"
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/its-a-noisy-world-so-scream-and-let-scream-20141102-11epr4.html

Decades ago, houses were smaller and closer. People were just as tolerant or intolerant depending on how one's take it, but they were different from today's "rights fighters", who are more inconsiderate and selfish. They think it is their God damned right to set free their babies in public places, including on public transport and plane.

Parents claiming innocence for their children's behaviour is not an excuse for deprivation of other's quiet enjoyment, wherever they may be.

Would anyone accept a mentally deranged person running amok or screaming at will at public places, even if a carer or medical personnel is accompanying the person? Who should take responsibility, or should the nuisance be barred from these places where the rights of a lot people should be respected without any prejudice!

Protester wears Ku Klux Klan outfit to oppose burqas at Parliament House

Posted to The Age (27/10/2014) on 27/10/2014 at 12:54 PM
Commenting on "Protester wears Ku Klux Klan outfit to oppose burqas at Parliament House”
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/protester-wears-ku-klux-klan-outfit-to-oppose-burqas-at-parliament-house-20141027-11ca5b.html

There should be one and only one set of laws, and that is the Law of the Land. Religious and cultural practices are to be respected, but ultimately the Law of the Land must come before anything.

Everyone in Australia has the chance to participate and stand as a MP to represent the people of Australia, not a small segment of the people. It is bad enough to have so many states in Australia with three levels of governments, and I can't imagine what Australia will turn out to be if another level of divide is created.

In the Parliament, Court Houses and even some public places, no one race, culture or religion can reign supreme or differentiated. These people are just simply known as Australians. Racial issue must not come into the equation. We must start talking about one nation, one nationality and one future!

Long live Australia, long live the people of Australia.

Tony Abbott to kill off Parliament House burqa ban

Posted to The Age (2/10/2014) on 2/10/2014 at 9:46 PM
Commenting on "Tony Abbott to kill off Parliament House burqa ban"
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-to-kill-off-parliament-house-burqa-ban-20141002-10pjoh.html

Our politicians are weak like puss. By allowing the wearing the de facto Batman outfit in the Parliament House is going to set precedence for people to wear the same going to the bank, casino or any establishment. By the way, Batman does not cover his mouth and jaw.

I shall be scared out of my wit if the supposedly meter reader or postman come near my house clothed in such daunting "uniform".

Helmet is not allowed to be worn in many places. Why should wearing such outfit an exception? How can the bank or casino be so discriminatory to ask the bikies to take off their helmet so that the CCTV can have a clear view of their faces?

Organisation installing biometric system will be throwing good money down the drain. It must be the most unthinkable and laughable situation having someone with the whole body except the eyes covered, standing in front of the self-checking machine at the immigration control at the airport.

There must be some basic dress code when one is at public places. That dress code must be enforced. If fully clothed is permitted, the opposite should be given the same treatment.

Let's go nude in the Parliament House! Like Winston Churchill once said, "we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender".

What crisis? Government's only crisis is Labor's debt

Posted to The Age (4/5/2014) on 5/5/2014 at 10:05 AM
Commenting on "What crisis? Government's only crisis is Labor's debt"
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/what-crisis-governments-only-crisis-is-labors-debt-20140504-zr4c3.html

Denis Napthine has taken a page from the Kevin Rudd's economic bible and is doing the same trying to win this forthcoming state election.

I have no idea how he can come up with the money to fulfil all the promises, and how he can pay for the constructions on the book at present.

Denis, there is a tomorrow, and if you win, you'll be taking Victorians into the debit blackhole.

Grading system for schools gets a fail from Australian Council for Education Research

Posted to The Age (27/4/2014) on 27/4/2014 at 12:44 PM
Commenting on "Grading system for schools gets a fail from Australian Council for Education Research"
http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/grading-system-for-schools-gets-a-fail-from-australian-council-for-education-research-20140426-37axb.html

Grading MUST stay. Why has Professor Masters a prefix in his name - Professor? It is because of his excellence in certain field, not because he is just a Mr Average.

If a student scores an E, he/she needs to know. More than that, the teachers and parents need to know as well, otherwise only HE can help this student to improve.

It is not only education has grading; almost everything in life has it, including things we eat; performance of athletes; racing cars and drivers; airline, train and cruise tickets; professions etc. What is the reason for Five/Six-star rating in hospitality, or energy savings? Why do national security rate people as high risk or low risk? Why are there different salary levels at workplace?

I still take keen interest in this subject, even though I am a victim of the education system (that's a different story). I consider myself an educator for about 2 decades, who dislike and protested on many occasions the Competency Based Training (CBT) "grading" in TAFE. Students (trainees) are awarded Competent (C) or Not Yet Competent (NYC). This is not sufficient for some universities to assess whether the student satisfies the entry requirement.

There is a disincentive for top students to excel, and in the meantime encourages the less than average just work slightly harder to cross the finishing line.

It is totally unfair and discriminatory to slow down the smart students in order to wait for the slow one to catch up. Every individual's intellect is different, and it is unwise to hide it or brush over it. Each class assessment is a diagnostic tool, and why wait until it is too late to repair the damage, or hold back those who can proceed to something more challenging?

Good students need encouragement!

Health dangers being ignored by blue-collar workers

Posted to Herald Sun (23/4/2014) on 23/4/2014 at 3:38 AM
Commenting on "Health dangers being ignored by blue-collar workers"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/health-dangers-being-ignored-by-blue-collar-workerrs/story-fni0fiyv-1226892686534

Too much credit has been given to education, hoping that spending more time studying will reduce many physical and social ills. Unfortunately, education does not solve bad habitual problems.

Although smoke, drink and diet are contributory factors, one must not overlook that many blue collar workers' workplace environment is far less inviting and healthy. Furthermore, many blue collar workers do not earn as much as their counterpart which can lead to greater financial stress.

It is important to tackle the problem holistically rather than just target at their life-style and habit.

Melbourne plastic surgery clinic abandons competition asking women to rate their breasts to win tickets to the ANZC AFL match

Posted to Herald Sun (22/4/2014) at 22/4/2014 at 11:27 PM
Commenting on "Melbourne plastic surgery clinic abandons competition asking women to rate their breasts to win ticket to the ANZAC AFL match"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/melbourne-plastic-surgery-clinic-abandons-competition-asking-women-to-rate-their-breasts-to-win-tickets-to-the-anzac-afl-match/story-fni0fit3-1226892728048

200,000 people on Facebook responded positively? Is the company sure that all the respondents are women? There could be Suomi wrestlers answering the post for all they know.

Very likely many are not Australians and have no idea what ANZAC means to Australia. If Australian women responded to the post, I am sorry to say "respect others if you expect others to respect you!"

Qantas not worried about fleet after second turnback incident

Posted to Herald Sun (22/4/2014) on 22/4/2014 at 10:17 PM
Commented on "Qantas not worried about fleet after second turnback incident"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/qantas-not-worried-about-fleet-after-second-turnback-incident/story-fni0fiyv-1226892658801

Another day, another Airbus. Qantas may not be worried, but this does not give me any confidence to fly with an airline which does not come clean with what "operation issues" mean. Do they mean people "operating" the plane have "issues" (or problems in plain English) or are they not admitting that these are design faults need immediate recall of the planes like what happens to the car industry?

Is it too much to ask Qantas or Airbus to release the findings of their investigation? The next incident may not be as lucky or less dramatic as these.

Don't trade a living for a pile of junk

Posted to Herald Sun (13/4/2014) on 14/4/2014 at 3:30 AM
Commenting on "Don't trade a living for a pile of junk"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/dont-trade-a-living-for-a-pile-of-junk/story-fni0fhh1-1226882726084

Having a degree from a university or college that offers higher qualification does not guarantee that graduate actually earns his/her mark.

Many universities of today are no better than a college with a facelift. TAFE and private colleges that offer Advanced Diploma as the highest qualification can no longer survive. Some have transformed into high-ed institutions offering degree courses, even though they are NOT universities.

The numbers game does not necessarily produce academics or achievers, but on the contrary it makes top students average, and unjustifiably lifts the non-deserving ones at par with the top graduates.

It is disgraceful that university standards have been lowered to improve pass rate. Plagiarism is so prevalent and close to epidemic proportion. Students pay professionals or past year’s students to complete their assignments. Hardworking and top performing students are frustrated by lazy and good for nothing team members in team project work; and unfortunately the genuine students’ outcome is affected negatively.

Australia needs more tradies, NOT university graduates who cannot fix plumbing, electrical works, or build houses. There are not enough upcoming tradies to replace the retiring ones. Whether it is about fixing a leaking toilet cistern, building a house, laying out NBN cable, etc, tradies’ charges will continue to soar unless more qualified tradies enter the workforce.

We MUST lift the educational standards from primary level onwards. A smart nation needs smart people. Unfortunately with our country run by not so smart politicians, things will never work out!

Am I cynical? Yes I am.

More surgery for Angelina Jolie

The Age (13/3/2014) - no comments allowed for the article. The following is not published by Newspaper
Commenting on "More surgery for Angelina Jolie"
http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/more-surgery-for-angelina-jolie-20140313-34o26.html

We face risks at the time, whether we are sitting at home doing nothing fearing that a car may run over us if we cross the road, or getting out of the house to avoid the roof may fall onto us and crush us to death.

In Angela Jolie's case, she takes the pessimistic view that 50% chance she will get ovarian cancer or other form of cancers, instead of 50% chance that she will be alright and live a happy life without serious health issues.

Scientists and medical professionals believe that certain defective genes are likely to cause cancers to parts of the body. Is it that simple? Even after the target body parts are removed, the defective genes are still hanging around in the body. Are these nasties going to behave themselves properly or will they find others bad things to do?

Monistic approach in solving complex problems seems naive to me. The cause has not been eradicated and such time bomb will explode in due course. Every evasive and major operations cause damage to certain parts of the body, and resources within the body will have to be channelled to heal or replace those parts, thus compromising the wellbeing of other parts of the body.

If DNA has the genetic blue print of how the body should be built, how does the DNA handle such early termination of certain normal parts? Will the DNA try or send out signals to instruct the body to rebuild the missing parts. How sure are the scientists that the defective genes do not take note of these signals and cause trouble again?

Ticket inspectors won’t get guns

Posted to Herald Sun (8/4/2014) on 8/4/2014 at 3:40 AM
Commenting on "Transport Minister says ticket inspectors won’t get guns if plan for them to carry cash goes ahead"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/transport-minister-says-ticket-inspectors-wont-get-guns-if-plan-for-them-to-carry-cash-goes-ahead/story-fni0fit3-1226877148082

I can remember the bus conductors and tram conductors collected cash from passengers for fares, but I can't remember they carried guns.

London-Bound MAS Flight Delayed Due To Technical Trouble

Posted to Malaysian Digest (3/4/2014) on 3/4/2014 at 11:02 PM
Commenting on "London-Bound MAS Flight Delayed Due To Technical Trouble"
http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/495640-london-bound-mas-flight-delayed-due-to-technical-trouble.html

Encountered similar problem on United Air few years ago when returning from LA, transit at Sydney to Melbourne. All the passengers, including my party of six on the leg of our holiday, had already boarded the plane at Sydney.

After five minutes, the passengers were told that the backup power supply malfunctioned, expected to be restored in a few minutes. It was rather warm and stuffy inside the plane.

More than half an hour later, the passengers had to get off the plane back to transit lounge. Another hour passed, but the problem could not be fixed. Finally, the passengers were informed to take a replacement plane to Melbourne.

Sydney Airport rated Australia's worst large airport

Posted to The Age (3/4/2014) on 3/4/2014 at 12:08 PM
Commenting on "Sydney Airport rated Australia's worst large airport"
http://www.theage.com.au/business/aviation/sydney-airport-rated-australias-worst-large-airport-20140403-35zue.html

This must be either the land of whiners or a country run by inapt authorities. Reports after reports, surveys after surveys, nothing has been really done to improve the facilities despite increased air traffic and therefore inbound and outbound passengers.

ACCC is a toothless tiger, the government is a sham and the operators are laughing to the bank. The day will come when the whiners whine no more, because they become too demented to remember what their grievance is or they can no longer afford to travel anymore because travel insurance costs more than the travel itself.

PM never said MH370 had crashed (Post 2 of 2)

Posted to Free Malaysia Today (31/3/2014) on 1/4/2019 at 8:49 PM
Commenting on "PM never said MH370 had crashed"
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/03/31/hisham-pm-never-said-mh370-had-crashed/

MH370 is not the first and will not be the last airplane to be missing mysteriously. Most people are really good armchair generals, and many more speculate without evidence or foundation.

Closure is one of those words with a modern twist that I can't really understand. No premature death can have closure. There are too many why's to be answered.

It took many years for Titanic, warplanes and warships to be located despite fairly well documented evidence and eye witnesses' account.

Commonsense tells us that even all the floating debris are scooped up from the ocean surface and proven beyond any shadow of doubt that they belong to the plane, the location of these finds bear no relevance to the point where the plane went down, if it did go down in the Indian Ocean.

After spending many hours watching many episodes of "Air Crash Investigation", I am no wiser than those poor frontline people that have to face the music.

To be fair to them, they are as much in the dark as everyone else including the so called experts. Finger pointing neither brings MH370 back, nor improve air safety. The crux of the matter is "no one knows what had happened to MH370. Did it take a different flight path? Did it end in the south of Indian Ocean?"

PM never said MH370 had crashed (Post 1 of 2)

Posted to Free Malaysia Today (31/3/2014) on 1/4/2019 at 8:38 PM
Commenting on "PM never said MH370 had crashed"
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/03/31/hisham-pm-never-said-mh370-had-crashed/

Ended does not necessarily mean crashed. A plane may have exploded in mid-air and fragments fell into the ocean, or like the US Airways Flight 1549 landed in Hudson River, Canada are technically speaking not "crashes".

Inmarsat blow for Malaysia, time running out for SAR

Posted to The Ant Daily (31/3/2014) on 1/4/2014 at 2:18 PM
Commenting on "Inmarsat blow for Malaysia, time running out for SAR"
http://www.theantdaily.com/news/2014/03/31/inmarsat-blow-malaysia-time-running-out-sar

MH370 is not the first and will not be the last airplane to be missing mysteriously. Most people are really good armchair generals, and many more speculate without evidence or foundation.

Closure is one of those words with a modern twist that I can't really understand. No premature death can have closure. There are too many why's to be answered.

It took many years for Titanic, warplanes and warships to be located despite fairly well documented evidence and eye witnesses' account.

Commonsense tells us that even all the floating debris are scooped up from the ocean surface and proven beyond any shadow of doubt that they belong to the plane, the location of these finds bear no relevance to the point where the plane went down, if it did go down in the Indian Ocean.

After spending many hours watching many episodes of "Air Crash Investigation", I am no wiser than those poor frontline people that have to face the music.

To be fair to them, they are as much in the dark as everyone else including the so called experts. Finger pointing neither brings MH370 back, nor improve air safety. The crux of the matter is "no one knows what had happened to MH370. Did it take a different flight path? Did it end in the south of Indian Ocean?".

Buyers beware: RBA says housing market will cool off

Posted to The Age (26/3/2014) on 26/3/2014 at 5:18 PM
Commenting on "Buyers beware: RBA says housing market will cool off
http://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/buyers-beware-rba-says-housing-market-will-cool-off-20140326-35hsl.html

For months I have been alerting my clients and friends about the current real estate boom cycle that it is going to be a very short-live one. The cycle will cool as early as April / May 2014, unless another miraculous recovery in EU and US economies.

China cannot do it alone. Internal circulation of money or spending cannot and will not last for long. Debts need to be repaid and speculative investments will halt when reality checks set in. Goods produced must be sold to overseas buyers, which in turn generate income to buy raw materials such as coal and iron ore from Australia.

Current Chinese government policies targeting at corrupt officials or business operators really scare the pants off many who have lined their pockets with monies that cannot see daylight. Money has been channelled out quick and fast before their fortune turns into a puff of smoke. Obviously, there are many genuinely honest wealthy Chinese who choose to settle in Australia.

Not long ago Melbourne property buyers pay above the market value near "school zones" where the schools are recognised to "produce" top-mark students. They could have considered home schooling and hire a full time, most qualified or the best tutor to couch their children to score the top marks in all subjects.

It is frightening to witness how the Chinese bid at auctions. Once a Chinese enter bidding ring, who probably thinks as though there is no tomorrow, the game is almost certain to be over for non-Chinese bidders.

Owning a house is no longer a necessity for some; it is a status symbol, and it is represented by how much more one can offer for a property.

I do believe that the forthcoming bust cycle will hit the real estate market hard and swift.

State government plans overhaul to Melbourne public transport zones

Posted to The Age (26/3/2014) on 26/3/2014 at 3:22 PM
Commenting on "State government plans overhaul to Melbourne public transport zones, ticketing"
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-government-plans-overhaul-to-melbourne-public-transport-zones-ticketing-20140326-35h2o.html

The scheme will cost more than $100 million, because there will be more unemployment or underemployment.

1. How much will it cost to modify Myki software to handle the change?

2. How many more trams or buses will be needed to carry the extra loads of people who choose to have free rides instead of short walk?

3. After the extra passengers alighted from the additional trams or buses, what is the expected spare capacity on these vehicles?

4. Will there be extensions or modifications made to the tram / bus stops in order to accommodate the extra waiting passengers?

5. If less people walk within the CBD, some shops will be bypassed, especially the new ones, and so will their business. Will impact study be done to ensure businesses are not adversely affected?

Dont wait: why you have to travel now before its too late

Posted to The Age (26/3/2014) on 26/3/2014 at 1:47 PM
Commenting on "Don't wait: Why you have to travel now, before it's too late"
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/blogs/the-backpacker/dont-wait-why-you-have-to-travel-now-before-its-too-late-20140325-35fpl.html

Not everything changes, and even so many changed for the better. Most of the culturally meaningful and significant places of interests and tourist attractions have been changed to improve safety and comfort for the visitors.
Many large cities in Asia may have changed beyond recognition, but tourists need not go far from those cities probably three or four streets away, to experience the past and meet poverty stricken dwellers.

I have travelled to many countries and visited many archaeological or historical significant sites or monuments. The latter are irreplaceable, and weather not mankind is the greatest culprit to cause damage to them through time.

My greatest concern in travelling is to be caught in political unrest and upheaval. Demonstrations can turn very nasty and I can do without any scarring to my supposedly memorable travel.

Eco-tourism is not my cup of tea, and therefore I have no idea or pay any attention to whether a jungle or rain forest has disappeared. However, I was disappointed that snow on some mountains melted too early before winter was over.

Missing MH370: Touching letter from a MAS pilot's daughter

Posted to New Straits Time (17/3/2014) on 19/3/2014 at 10:00 AM
Commenting on "MISSING MH370: Touching letter from a MAS pilot's daughter
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/font-color-red-missing-mh370-font-touching-letter-from-a-mas-pilot-s-daughter-1.518063

I posted the following to the newspaper under the name SphericalThinker:

We all have mum and dad, or/and spouse/partner, siblings, etc. but yet many people do not treasure the time when they are around; they are far too busy to be themselves, for their friends and even unknown people, and yet neglect the people closest to them until they are gone forever.

Parents bring us to this world, love us, nourish us, educate us, concern that we are too cold, too hot, get mixed up with wrong company, and they do sacrifice a lot for us. Unfortunately, many people greet others when they meet each day, and yet they think their parents are transparent when they live under the roof provided by them.

Most inexcusable is that many people spend so much time chatting on Facebook or on mobile phone, blogging, playing computer games, hanging out in bars or movie theatres with their mates or buddies, and yet they can't spare that miserable minutes or dollars to call the parents or loved ones to say, "I love you, and appreciate all the things you have done for me".

Many people entertain friends or business associates frequently to meals or parties, but do not do likewise to pamper their loved ones.

Friends, turn your sorrow to strength, and start loving your parents, spouse/partner and siblings who are still alive, whether they are close by or somewhere on this planet. You may not see eye-to-eye with each other, just try to talk heart-to-heart.

History cannot be changed, and time never waits. Say you love them now, not when they are gone. Only living people can hear you!

Is Uni. worth it?

Posted to The Age (6/3/2014) on 6/3/2014 at 2:25PM
Commenting on "Is uni worth it?"
http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/managing/blogs/the-venture/is-uni-worth-it-20140305-3464f.html

Trebia's is spot on.

I was a lecturer, tutor and TAFE teacher / trainer for two decades until recently. In the last ten years the tertiary education system has become a total disaster, and in many cases, the degree / certificate is not worth the paper it's printed on.

Most people commented are either holders of degrees or have been gainfully employed for several years. Decades ago it was not easy to pass my first degree in Information Science, or now known as IT today. I undertook several additional qualification since then. I witnessed experienced first hand as a student, as well as educator standing in front of my class, that the decline in the system.

It is important to note that TAFE and college Diploma and Advanced Diploma were cheap and sneaky ways to gain entrance to university for those who did not the achieve the minimum score in VCE. Before government policy changed before 1 July 2010, many colleges and TAFEs which previously catered mainly for overseas students turned to offer degree courses so that they could still survive.

Colleges and universities cannot afford be too strict to fail many students, and guidelines tend to be overlooked. High failure rate generates bad reputation for being too strict to pass, and therefore it is disastrous for business.

Growth in industries is far lower than the growth in higher education graduate numbers, even discounting those who leave employment due to retirement or other reasons. It does not take Einstein to work out why there are so many unemployed graduates.

Spread of urban legends spurs information sessions on cancer myths

Posted to Leader (27/2/2014) on 27/2/2014 at 12:31 PM
Commenting on "Spread of urban legends spurs information sessions on cancer myths"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/spread-of-urban-legends-spurs-information-sessions-on-cancer-myths

Many people buying a car, domestic white goods, etc. seek opinions from friends, internet search and sometimes if accessible a "consumer experts", and yet when come to health, they don't seek second or even third opinion.

When my family doctor prescribes medication for my illness or health wellbeing, I always ask him the reason for his action and the side effects which may be caused by the medication. I went for my cataract operations for my eyes after three optometrists advised me that I would need them. Obviously, my eye specialist confirmed so.

We must not take our health for granted, especially strong medication and operations are involved. We must check with real people who have received the treatment or operation, those professionals who provide the services, and from printed books instead of eBook or internet blogs.

While this may seemed like a myth in itself, I do hold strong views about cancer being part of evolution process and genetic "mutation" or bodily malfunction that has gone really wrong. Many external agents, including food, toxic fumes, bacteria and virus etc, trigger cancers and exacerbate their growth.

Whether it is chemotherapy or radiation, the risk of failing to kill the cancer cells is there. It is a risk that a cancer sufferer should weigh out the pros and cons. The success of treatment also relies on sufferer's desire to cooperate, their firm and positive outlook to get better, and reason to live life to the full.

Do exit interviews work?

Posted to The Age (5/2/2014) on 5/2/2014 at 12:20PM
Commenting on "Do exit interviews work?"
http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/franchising/do-exit-interviews-work-20131127-2ya8e.html

Many interviews including exit interviews are lip service. Unfortunately, the interviewers may not have good knowledge of what's going on within the organisation, either they are an external agent or someone who is so "remote" from the real situation within the organisation.

An exit interview is only useful if the interviewee's certain useful feedback, views or opinions are taken seriously, investigated and hopefully implemented, and not treated as insults or destructive criticisms.

It also matters how the interview is conducted. The presence of a particular interviewer may not permit the interviewee to express fair and frank opinions.

In view of an unbiased comment, I feel that employees should never bottle things up until the last minute of departure. To achieve working in a harmonious and happy workplace is to have things trashed out before the environment becomes unbearable. Good employees should pass on any good idea or suggestion for improvement to their superior or even someone higher in rank, at staff meeting or one-on-one discussion.

It may not be the organisation's fault or problem. The departing employees may not be suitable or compatible to work in such environment having different culture.

Texting and walking a health hazard?

Posted to SMH (28/1/2014) on 28/1/2014 on 2:00 PM
Commenting on "Texting and walking a health hazard?"
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/walking-and-texting-a-health-hazard-20140125-31fm2.html

Manner seems like belonging to the by-gone era. The modern four-letter word is "rude".

Many people still believe that they can multitask and achieve best outcome. The fact is they can't, and many researches have proved that it is a myth. People talk while their mouth is full, text while they walk, talk on mobile phone while they drive, and "sleep" while they work!

Concentrate, your life and health could be at stake. If you ever have an accident because of your foolish act, don't affect other people and ruin their lives!

Hogan hero: why this is our best tourism ad ever 2

Posted to The Age (21/1/2014) on 21/1/2014 at 11:43AM
Commenting on "Hogan hero: why this is our best tourism ad ever"
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/hogan-hero-why-this-is-our-best-tourism-ad-ever-20140118-311eg.html

What proportion of the tourists come for a swim or dive? How many will spend many days of their hard earned money enjoying in the beach sun bathing?

Most of the ads feature sexy females, but many that can afford spending are couples not just single men. Many ads drag on for too long on single subject, and does not show case what the other attractions are. Tourists are very discriminatory when they make their decisions.

Travelling is a social event for most tourists, and therefore Hogan's ad has that secret ingredient which portrays the friendly and carefree nature of Australians, rightly or wrongly. When tourists go overseas, they like to learn a few local words and slangs. Something they can bring home without costing a cent and make them centre of attention at a party. Hogan ad achieves that, too.

Fluffy animals, kangaroos, colourful flowers including acres of wild flowers, illuminated caves, unique rocks, unusual architecture, atmosphere of busy restaurants, gold mining past, fireworks at or bridge climb on Sydney Harbour Bridge, interesting and usual big sculptures such as big guitar, big crayfish, big koala, big banana, bid watermelon, etc not found in other countries are great for photo sessions.

I enjoy "reading" travel brochures, books, travel blogs and web sites of places of interest. I am a indeed a keen traveller, and an ad junkie.

Hogan hero: why this is our best tourism ad ever

Posted to The Age (21/1/2014) on 21/1/2014 at 02:48AM
Commenting on "Hogan hero: why this is our best tourism ad ever"
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/hogan-hero-why-this-is-our-best-tourism-ad-ever-20140118-311eg.html

The correct poster with Chinese writing should be the mirror image of the one published. It is not unexpected if no Chinese ever enquires coming to Australia after looking at the poster. Whoever did that should be sacked for his/her ignorance, incompetence, waste of Australian taxpayers' money, and insult the intelligence of all Australians. How can this happen?

A downgrade for Qantas, a lesson for Australia's economy

Posted to The Age (14/1/2014) on 14/1/2014 at 1:29 PM
Commenting on "A downgrade for Qantas, a lesson for Australia's economy"
http://www.smh.com.au/business/a-downgrade-for-qantas-a-lesson-for-australias-economy-20140112-30opq.html

Money is money and smells the same whether it is private equity or normal shareholders, because money is dead. However, management is alive, or may be some in the management are living zombies.

Time and again, people at top management have been overpaid. They achieve a better bottom line the wrong way. They lack vision and foresight, and live in a cocoon. They wears blinkers and congratulate themselves, not because of their strengths that win the day, but their competitors' weaknesses that lead to the competitors' demise.

I believe the Qantas management, from the top to the lower ends are very blind and deaf. They do not look at and listen to the public's voices how other top airline's are providing services. Air stewards and hostesses work in a service industry, and yet basic manners and body language are just lacking.

It does not cost much to improve quality of food, because another two or three extra passengers on the plane will cover the additional cost for each meal. It is not unlike patients in hospital, passengers don't move about and have nothing much to do in a plane. Food is something that they will talk about to their friends, unless there is something more disastrous happens on the plane.

Calls to Quitline soar after plain packaging laws

Posted to The Age (14/1/2014) on 14/1/2014 at 2:38 PM
Commenting on "Calls to Quitline soar after plain packaging laws"
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/calls-to-quitline-soar-after-plain-packaging-laws-20140113-30qvf.html

Why stop at the cigarette packaging? When will graphic images be stuck on alcoholic drink bottles? Should graphic images of the effect of gambling be displayed at RSL, clubs and Casino, too?

Baby boomers continue to squeeze out first-timers

Posted to The Age (14/1/2014) on 14/1/2014 at 2:25 PM
Commenting on "Baby boomers continue to squeeze out first-timers"
http://theage.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/baby-boomers-continue-to-squeeze-out-firsttimers-20140113-30qx1.html?rand=6343785

Investors in property or stock market have one and one thing in mind - how to get maximum return for their investments.

With a bundle of cash, and very low bank interest for deposit and no capital growth, even a primary student will understand that it is better to invest in something which might achieve either one or both growth criteria.

There are property investment gurus around giving advice on wealth creation. Some gurus have very doggy past, and a number will ask the audience to sign up at the end of their seminars to invest in development somewhere close to the universe boundary.

Many dreams turn to nightmare where their investment properties become vacant. Investing when the property market is hot spells doom for many, because when the market cools, the net capital gain is no better than having money dashed under the pillow.

Do first time home buyers just want a shelter? Unfortunately, many have high expectations of staying close to workplace, train station, bus stop, school, church, supermarket, etc. They can't sacrifice their sleep, the cafés or their previous fun life-style.

Life is a compromise, and we cannot have the cake and eat it too. Although one has to live for today, because no one knows what tomorrow will bring, one has to realise that the average life span is around 75. Few years of waking up early to get to work, toiling in the garden to landscape it or grow vegetable supplies, learn to cook and stay home for dinner, watch DVD instead of sitting in a cinema, etc will definitely make the difference to the mortgage repayment.

The day will come - it is indescribable joy when the bank manager rings to inform that the title is fully discharged.