The fictional 'mad scientist' Frankenstein may not be too far-fetched bearing in mind the great advances in scientific discoveries and development at this time.
Perhaps you have come across this reported plan by some scientists to open hell in order to speed up the end of the world. They had decided to send a nuclear device in a loop to the centre of the earth where they believed hell is located. If it is true that they are doing this, then they are truly mad scientists.
Then, there is the Japanese with a robot that makes coffee and hands over the mug to him. One person may call it innovation, another laziness. But then if inventions can make life more comfortable, why not make use of them. But think of the consequences.
United States had sent men to the moon. The Russians have their space station. Deep space is being explored using space probes. U.S. has the plan to send man to Mars.
Back on earth, there are experiments, including secret ones, being carried out. Animals are cloned, plants are genetically-modified, and experiments are carried out to create a super race. Then, there is recent report that scientists have the intention to grow human organs in animals.
How far can madness go? Isn't having nuclear bombs that can destroy the world many times over enough?
Let's talk about things that are small but no less spectacular. Smart phones!
These are causing havoc in human relationships. People don't talk much to each other anymore. They get bogged down with petty things that do not help them become a better person. Foolish arguments lead to broken friendship.
In short, smart phones are both a blessing and a curse.
I remember the times when the Rubik cube became a craze. People were so obsessed with solving the puzzle that it led to disasters. Food got burnt. Iron burnt holes in clothes. There were divorces. But the Rubik cube remains to this day.
If the human race is not careful, something like the terminator movies may happen. Well, may be not really like that. But people may become slaves to technical inventions. Plans are afoot to create a computer that can think and that can replicate itself. Scary indeed!
The lists go on. In all of these so called progress, the way human behave has not really change. On the contrary, the human race seems to be regressing. Don't let what Albert Einstein said ever happen. He said, "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
May this be a somber reminder to everyone.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Monday, November 6, 2017
Problems Seem to Cling To Every Leader
Why do problems like leaders so much?
Almost every leader in countries around world are reported facing some crisis of one kind or another. Some are encountering leadership problems. Some are involved in scandals. There are allegation of corruption against many, if not the majority. Arrogance has become the way of life of some leaders.
But why are these people in power? Who put them there? Why elect this kind of people in the first place?
Top political leaders are not the only ones having problems. Leaders in organizations around the world from those at the top of the hierarchy right down to the most junior seem to be bogged down by problems. And it seems the majority cannot do much about it. Newspapers and online news are full of it. Leaders in almost every organization whether political, religious, business or charitable are reported wallowing in scandals of one form or another. And there seems to be no end to it!
What is the reason for this? Why is it that problems seem to follow every leader of whatever description? Is the situation worse than before? Is it because more of such things get reported? Is it due to social media whereby real-time information can become public knowledge almost immediately, making appear worse than before?
Modern day communication is great. Countless lives are and can be saved because of the speed vital information can be sent and received. (This can be pervasive at times, however, and may even encroach on personal privacy.)
Leaders shoot themselves in the leg
Some leaders as well as many aspiring leaders are prone to shooting themselves in the leg. And they do this by what they say or do or fail to say or do. They make promises but do not deliver!
For example, some aspiring politicians will often promise the electorate many things, even promising to give them the stars, if they vote for them. Almost as soon as they win, they forget what they had promised.
It is time things get better! It is high time leaders learn to be better role models, to be more responsible, to be more trustworthy and ethical leaders.
Almost every leader in countries around world are reported facing some crisis of one kind or another. Some are encountering leadership problems. Some are involved in scandals. There are allegation of corruption against many, if not the majority. Arrogance has become the way of life of some leaders.
But why are these people in power? Who put them there? Why elect this kind of people in the first place?
Top political leaders are not the only ones having problems. Leaders in organizations around the world from those at the top of the hierarchy right down to the most junior seem to be bogged down by problems. And it seems the majority cannot do much about it. Newspapers and online news are full of it. Leaders in almost every organization whether political, religious, business or charitable are reported wallowing in scandals of one form or another. And there seems to be no end to it!
What is the reason for this? Why is it that problems seem to follow every leader of whatever description? Is the situation worse than before? Is it because more of such things get reported? Is it due to social media whereby real-time information can become public knowledge almost immediately, making appear worse than before?
Modern day communication is great. Countless lives are and can be saved because of the speed vital information can be sent and received. (This can be pervasive at times, however, and may even encroach on personal privacy.)
Leaders shoot themselves in the leg
Some leaders as well as many aspiring leaders are prone to shooting themselves in the leg. And they do this by what they say or do or fail to say or do. They make promises but do not deliver!
For example, some aspiring politicians will often promise the electorate many things, even promising to give them the stars, if they vote for them. Almost as soon as they win, they forget what they had promised.
It is time things get better! It is high time leaders learn to be better role models, to be more responsible, to be more trustworthy and ethical leaders.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Riches Made By Way of Exploitation
A few days ago, I watched a video on "Native America before European Colonization" and was amazed that while it condemned the Spanish on what they did to the Incas and Aztecs, it avoided mentioning that the English almost wiped out the Indian tribes of North America. From a few millions, their number was reduced to a few thousands. Now they are forced to live in reservations. The descendants of these people who were the original inhabitants of the Americas are trying to fight for their rights.
The video also mentioned:
a) That the disease syphilis came from the Americas. It did not state that it could have come from Europe but was unnoticed. Scientists are still debating as to the actual origin of this disease which is suspected to have existed in Europe along with leprosy.
b) That the introduction of cattle and sheep destroyed the livelihood of the American Indians.
c) That the whites claimed the land as their own. They became rich with the help of slave labour from Africa.
However, it was not only the Europeans who made use of slave labour.
The Bible tells of the Israelites reduced to slaves in Egypt.
Britain had a prominent role in Atlantic slave trade whereby people from Africa were transported to America. Wikipedia states:
"David P. Forsythe wrote: "The fact remained that at the beginning of the nineteenth century an estimated three-quarters of all people alive were trapped in bondage against their will either in some form of slavery or selfdom."
There had been slavery since ancient times. Slavery has now been made illegal. However, slavery continues in another form, human trafficking. It is estimated that human trafficking involves about 29.8 million who end up as slaves somewhere in the world.
The video also mentioned:
a) That the disease syphilis came from the Americas. It did not state that it could have come from Europe but was unnoticed. Scientists are still debating as to the actual origin of this disease which is suspected to have existed in Europe along with leprosy.
b) That the introduction of cattle and sheep destroyed the livelihood of the American Indians.
c) That the whites claimed the land as their own. They became rich with the help of slave labour from Africa.
However, it was not only the Europeans who made use of slave labour.
The Bible tells of the Israelites reduced to slaves in Egypt.
Britain had a prominent role in Atlantic slave trade whereby people from Africa were transported to America. Wikipedia states:
"David P. Forsythe wrote: "The fact remained that at the beginning of the nineteenth century an estimated three-quarters of all people alive were trapped in bondage against their will either in some form of slavery or selfdom."
There had been slavery since ancient times. Slavery has now been made illegal. However, slavery continues in another form, human trafficking. It is estimated that human trafficking involves about 29.8 million who end up as slaves somewhere in the world.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Tragedies that Should not Have Happened
The world has shrunk. News is almost instantaneous. The good, the bad and the ugly come right into your room or home the moment events occur.
This is an example. I was watching the news via Astro when two planes were slammed into the World Trade Centre. A lot of people were distressed upon seeing this. But there were also people who rejoiced. I couldn't believe that there were people like that. But there are people like that. I was distressed not only by the tragedy but by what people said. If I had no access to Astro channels at that time, I may not have been so disturbed.
Later on, I bought a CD about that tragedy. It was a documentary by two brothers who were assigned to document the progress of a number of firefighter trainees. It turned out to be a documentary about that sad event. Thousands of people perished including more than three hundred firefighters. The firefighters were more concerned about saving lives other than their own. A priest, Fr. George, died while seeking shelter with a number of other people at the basement of one of the towers.
One of the things that touched me was how the elder of the two brothers worried a lot about the safety of his brother. How happy he was when he finally met his younger brother at the fire station.
This tragedy should not have happened but it did.
Much, much earlier than this, I was watching a space shuttle as it lifted up from the ground. Seconds later, it exploded. One of those on board was a mother and school teacher. This was the only space shuttle tragedy in which people perished. It should not have happened but it did.
Closer to home, the Triple Six Tragedy in Sabah should not have happened but it did. Some refer to this as the Double Six Plane tragedy. In this 'accident', the Chief Minister of Sabah, Tun Fuad Stephens together with a number of Sabah Cabinet Ministers and other people died when the plane in which they were travelling crashed at Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu. This tragedy should not have happened.
Now tragedies seem to multiply. One cannot help feeling so. Newspapers, TV and radio broadcast or the internet seem so happy to let the whole world know. After all, sad news, tragedies or scandals sell.
There are very few good news nowadays.
This is an example. I was watching the news via Astro when two planes were slammed into the World Trade Centre. A lot of people were distressed upon seeing this. But there were also people who rejoiced. I couldn't believe that there were people like that. But there are people like that. I was distressed not only by the tragedy but by what people said. If I had no access to Astro channels at that time, I may not have been so disturbed.
Later on, I bought a CD about that tragedy. It was a documentary by two brothers who were assigned to document the progress of a number of firefighter trainees. It turned out to be a documentary about that sad event. Thousands of people perished including more than three hundred firefighters. The firefighters were more concerned about saving lives other than their own. A priest, Fr. George, died while seeking shelter with a number of other people at the basement of one of the towers.
One of the things that touched me was how the elder of the two brothers worried a lot about the safety of his brother. How happy he was when he finally met his younger brother at the fire station.
This tragedy should not have happened but it did.
Much, much earlier than this, I was watching a space shuttle as it lifted up from the ground. Seconds later, it exploded. One of those on board was a mother and school teacher. This was the only space shuttle tragedy in which people perished. It should not have happened but it did.
Closer to home, the Triple Six Tragedy in Sabah should not have happened but it did. Some refer to this as the Double Six Plane tragedy. In this 'accident', the Chief Minister of Sabah, Tun Fuad Stephens together with a number of Sabah Cabinet Ministers and other people died when the plane in which they were travelling crashed at Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu. This tragedy should not have happened.
Now tragedies seem to multiply. One cannot help feeling so. Newspapers, TV and radio broadcast or the internet seem so happy to let the whole world know. After all, sad news, tragedies or scandals sell.
There are very few good news nowadays.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
The Riches of Borneo
The total population of Borneo is about 20 million. This is a very small number bearing in mind that Borneo is the third largest island in the world. Kalimantan has the largest population, followed by Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.
Borneo is very rich in terms of its flora and fauna. It is estimated that the plant species found in Borneo rival those found in Africa and are more than those in Europe. It is here in Borneo that are found carnivorous plants, rafflesia which is the largest flower in the world and trees that grow up to 200 feet in height (60 meters). There are some 5,000 species of flowering plants that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The same goes for the number of orchids.
It was alleged at one time in the past that some tourists from a developed country in the north smuggled some species of wild orchids from Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, propagated them and sold them in the world market. Whether this was true or not, no one came forward to make any clarification or denial.
It has been said that a Sabah Park ranger once fined a tourist RM1,000 for stealing an orchid. This could have been a 'Rothchild's Slipper Orchid. (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum)' called 'Sumazau Orchid' by the locals. This was before laws were enacted. A stem of this orchid is estimated to be worth US$5,000 in the black market.
It has also been said that "10 square kilometre's of Sabah's rain forest has more flora and fauna than North America and Europe combined." Sabah's Kinabatangan can rival the great Amazon.
Surely, Kalimantan offers a lot more to visitors once the whole area had been explored. The vast area must be holding secrets waiting to be discovered by the adventurous.
Visitors will discover that Borneo's riches also lies in its varied culture. With the completion of the Borneo Pan-Highway people will be able to travel easily between places anywhere in Borneo.
Borneo is very rich in terms of its flora and fauna. It is estimated that the plant species found in Borneo rival those found in Africa and are more than those in Europe. It is here in Borneo that are found carnivorous plants, rafflesia which is the largest flower in the world and trees that grow up to 200 feet in height (60 meters). There are some 5,000 species of flowering plants that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The same goes for the number of orchids.
It was alleged at one time in the past that some tourists from a developed country in the north smuggled some species of wild orchids from Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, propagated them and sold them in the world market. Whether this was true or not, no one came forward to make any clarification or denial.
It has been said that a Sabah Park ranger once fined a tourist RM1,000 for stealing an orchid. This could have been a 'Rothchild's Slipper Orchid. (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum)' called 'Sumazau Orchid' by the locals. This was before laws were enacted. A stem of this orchid is estimated to be worth US$5,000 in the black market.
It has also been said that "10 square kilometre's of Sabah's rain forest has more flora and fauna than North America and Europe combined." Sabah's Kinabatangan can rival the great Amazon.
Surely, Kalimantan offers a lot more to visitors once the whole area had been explored. The vast area must be holding secrets waiting to be discovered by the adventurous.
Visitors will discover that Borneo's riches also lies in its varied culture. With the completion of the Borneo Pan-Highway people will be able to travel easily between places anywhere in Borneo.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Changing of the Guards
Changing of the guards may either be smooth or leads to a power struggle. This happens in political parties in many countries around the world. But other organizations are not exempted including big companies. And it happens even in charitable organizations.
For example, there was a power struggle at Viacom (USA) when Redstone retired from the media business. The fight for money, power and love from Redstone was between Redstone's estranged daughter Shari and Philippe Dauman, the chief executive of Viacom.
Also in 2016, leaders at Baldwin & Lyons resigned after power struggle with the Chairman over the direction and business practices of the company..
Closer to home, Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan had handed over the running of the affairs of PBS, a multi-racial political party in Sabah, to Datuk Maximus Ongkili, his deputy. It was said that this was to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Not very long before this, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok had handed over the Presidency of UPKO to Datuk Madius Tangau. UPKO draws its membership from the Kadazan-Dusun and Murut communities. Dompok is now the Malaysian ambassador to the Vatican.
It is said that leaders come and go. Good leaders are hard to come by. When a strong leader leaves, very often it is not easy to find one that can fill his shoes. They may be too big for the successors. Continuity and performance may suffer as a result. On the other hand, when a bad leader is forced to leave, there are worries whether the successor can do a good job and fast.
Can it be said that finding a capable successor is due more to good luck than good decision?
It may be easier to find a successor in the case of a business entity than that of a political party. However, a business organization may decide to find a replacement from outside the company whereas there may be suitable people from inside the organization. Some refer to this as 'overdoing' the succession planning.
In the case of finding a new political leader, the party constitution may provide that it is the deputy that will be successor. There may be a power struggle if the leader will automatically become the leader of the nation. In the United States, there is a struggle between contenders for the position of party's nominee for President. It can be brutal and divisive.
Leaders have to go sooner or later. Poor choice of a successor will have repercussions that can reverberate through the years. During these turbulent times, it is not easy to find a leader having all the necessary qualities.
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