1) Is Singapore a Renaissance city?
2) How is Singapore a Renaissance city ......OR not?
3) Can Singapore become a Renaissance city? How? or why not?
4) What would Singapore be like if it became a Renaissance city?
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There are buildings that i think looks like a renaissance building, building like the high supreme court. there is a dome and also it uses pillars.
ReplyDelete-Ken Yih
Taking the role of the blacksmith for an example, if Singapore were to convert "back" to the Renaissance era, Blacksmiths and the sorts would never survive well as we have such high tech machinery around. Also, Singapore being a democratic country, we cannot possibly allow the richest, most influential man in the country to run the country.
ReplyDeleteTo add on, with Singapore already involving much of modern architecture, with the exception of a few renaissance looking buildings, to create a Renaissance look within the city would call for the need to tear down some buildings (? not too sure).
Also to have renaissance within Singapore would mean to breed a new generation of polymaths, like in the past. That would take a large amount of time, and there would probably be a need for a change in the education curriculum of Singapore right from maybe kindergarten or primary school.
So in conclusion, i feel that its not entirely impossible for Singapore to turn into a renaissance city, but to actually execute the movement would take up large amounts of time and money.
On the contrary, i think Singapore's education system very much WANTS us to be polymaths, take for example, we learn on the average 7 subjects in secondary level education, and these are compulsory ones. So in a way, we are kind of like the renaissance in this aspect of having polymaths. After all, Singapore has NO natural resources, and we rely solely on manpower, so if im not mistaken, the govt would want to train its people to be the best in everything, if not, at least jack of all trades, master of none =)
ReplyDeleteWell, this depends on the path of education that parents want their children to follow on. After streaming at Sec 2, student are classified into different capabilties. After which is our O level and there onwards, parents may want their cihldren to go into JC or Poly. In Jc, students are still trained in the "polymath" way. However in polytechnic, like we are now, we are trained in different fields of expertise, focusing on
ReplyDeletethe skills and tecniques in it only.
However, Jc students after their jc education go to universities which is smiliar to polytecnic education. For those who stopped at Jc level, it is harder tp get a job because the Singapore society wants people with the specific skils for the allocated jobs, namely people who have graduated from tertiary institute.
-Kwan Zheng
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1) Is Singapore a Renaissance city?
ReplyDeleteSingapore has moved on and evolved just like most of the developed country has, therefore is definitely not a Ranissance city, be it in terms of people, culture, or architecture.
2) How is Singapore a Renaissance city ......OR not?
It is not, in terms of talents. Most people are focusing on a specific part in everything they do.
Maybe in our architecture, there are buildings that depicts Renaissance style, but other than that, most of it are very much modernize.
Although the govenrnment has create ways to encourage the ways of a polymath, people's needs are increasing, and most decide to focus on a specification, to earn enough to satisfy their requirements and luxuries.
Going into different trades requires large amount of time, thus even if those do start to dabble in different aspects of things, often simply turn it into only a hobby.
3) Can Singapore become a Renaissance city? How? or why not?
It is possible for Singapore to become a Renaissance city, however it would require a lot of time, money and effort to do so, as said, Singapore has done a good job in keeping up with times, thus changing would be quite troublesome.
With the busy lifestyles most people have right now, most of them are unlikely to want to stop halfway and try something new.
4) What would Singapore be like if it became a Renaissance city?
In terms of surroundings, I think it's be quite chaotic, seeing how it'd be a combination of Renaissance styles and postmodern activities.
Technically in terms of the govenrment, until today, we still have the very rich and influenticial people ruling the country, although as compared to Renaissance times, they are following a more democratic path.
So they aren't much of a difference.
I think, there are chances that people might get distracted more easily, seeing that they won't have a focus in their job aspects, and maybe not have the same amount of seriousness in everything they do.
-Shalyn
@leon: yes, it might be a rather polymath-like education system in the earlier days of our 10 year education route, but as we grow up the system divides us up into different specialties, like how kwan zheng has said.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, when we go on from Junior College to University, we once again divert our education from polymath-ish back to a non polymath-ish system again. Thus, from what i see, singapore has a large step to take to changing into a renaissance city.
On a lighter note, it would be interesting if we took on the mannerism style during that era....It'd be something to see twisted HDB flats wouldn't it lol.
ReplyDeleteBut bringing up flats, you can see that its a pretty organized structure, although i know some new residential areas have more abstract forms...it is still highly organized, and has minimal decorations...so yea, thats another difference which makes Singapore, not fully renaissance
Leon
This is just based on my own personal perspective. i think Singapore is somewhat a Renaissance City. cause when i saw the first question. i was thinking about the HDB flats and recalling about the platonic shapes. but HDB flats has always been the boring rectangular shape. and rectangle isnt one of the pure forms. then again. if you do think about it. its really just squares stacking onto each other. if the Renaissance period would do that. it would be really interesting to see how it would be done with the technology they had during that time.
ReplyDeletei cant say that Singapore is a Renaissance City neither can i say it isnt. cause we do have structures that reflects to the building built during that period. like what Ken Yih mention the high supreme court. but Renaissance buildings isnt really found in Singapore. i guess Singapore isnt considered as a Renaissance City but rather been influenced by in since we were orginally once under the British.
and! to add on to what leon said about the twisted HDB. what about living without any open windows? that would be really depressing...haha.
Bernita.
My point of view, for Singapore to become a polymath society is quite a bad thing. Lets take for example that every single person in the country is a polymath, this means the strongest only will survive and the weakest die.With the fact that Singaporeans income gap is already very huge, it will becoming bigger if this situation will to change. The more knowledgable from actually working on 1 trade, working on 3 or 4 which means the few extra trade he went into can cause many to be jobless.
ReplyDeleteSingapore is small, the ratio of the population to land space is very big, jobless people will have no where to return not like many other countries, able to go back to agriculture or whatsoever. What will happen to the weak will be unimaginable.
So in order to moderate the income gap in Singapore, specialized training is much more appropriate.
-Leo
If Singapore were to become a polymath society. life would be more 'calm'. in a way that we wont have that impression of outdoing each other. in other words 'kiasu'.
ReplyDeletewe want to be first in everything.
we love cheap offers and sales.
we want the best of everything and even results.
Singapore is a face pace, ever changng and competitive country. and if one were to slack and take a short break. if would be difficult to catch up with the rest.
thus if Singapore were to adpot a polymath society. where everyone covers the same amount of knowledge, i doubt we will still have that impression of out doing each other. no?
To those who mentioning about Singapore education. We may be learning many subjects during kindergarden right up to secondary school,or may even JC. What we learn in secondary school and lower is actually general knowledge or what you call it, common knowledge that we MUST know in life. We use this knowledge to make our life easier in some way or another, so I do not call this "teaching us to be a polymath". By learning Science in secondary school doesn't make you become a scientist.
ReplyDeleteTo me, why some people at that time are called a Polymath because they are not contrain within the their education. Education was not a MUST at that time which means they were able to explore into many different areas like art and science at the same time and so the people who were willing to explore more becomes genius and the lazy or specialize in small areas become layman, however for us in Singapore, not all are given a chance to go into the course or subject they want, not saying about exploring into different things yet.
And with the competition and expectation in society, this also limits our ideas and instinct to explore into different things which makes us no alternative but become specialised to meet that expectation.
So to answer the first question, comes to education and life style, I will say no, Singapore is not a Renaissance city.
-Leo
To reply on Bernita, I want to know how a polymath society makes our lifes more calm?
ReplyDeleteAll human is greedy, now even we are specialised in just 1 trade, we want to out do others in all ways and means. What makes you think we our life will be more calm if a person is able to specialise in more than 1 trade? Isn't it will more 2 or 3 times more competition compared to now?
Lets take for example, Jack does on Interior Design alone, he wants to out do all the other designers and be the best.
What If Jack is a polymath and a mass specialist? He does Interior Design, Engineering, Sculptist, Painter and maybe even a lawyer, don't you think he will want to be best in all the trade he is doing? Maybe not all will think this way but I will.
And not means a polymath society may cover the same amount of knowledge in every trade but not means everyone will be able to absorb that amount of knowledge taught. Some people will feel that money drops from the sky and some when taught, will further go into depth to any issue known to them. The feeling to outdo each other is even greater when knowing there is one genius who stands within your peers.
-Leo
leo's perspective would be solely indivisual. while i was focusing more on the whole society.
ReplyDeleteif you knew the same amt of knowledge as me. you wont really have the urge to out do each other right? knowing the fact that you know almost the equal amount things i know too.
but anyhow taking his comment into consideration.
what would happen if Renaissance people were have to have same thought as Leo?
that most of the people who are polymaths which knows bits of everything and still wants to out do each other?
in my point of view. Renaissance would flourish really very quickly. like how Singapore jump from a third world country to a first world country.
Bernita.
Woah-oh. Fierce gunfiring around here , hahaha.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, regarding the issue of Singaporean polymaths possibly wanting to out-do each other, we cant say that its not possible. Maybe people during the Renaissance era, they would learn how to create an economic balance between specialists but as far as how i perceive Singaporeans, I would take on Leo's side. Many years have passed, thousands of ideals and principles get refined, worsened, or even changed entirely. I would not think that Singaporeans would give way to each other when it comes to financial issues. Especially after being toughened by the spate of recession 'flames', it would, to me, be safe to say Singaporeans might as well view money as an object of higher importance than any principles they held on to for any number of years.
Moving onto the education issue... Regarding what leo said about primary school and secondary school education being more of common knowledge, i believe this subject to be rather controversial... On one hand, i wouldn't disagree on the fact that the 10 year education indeed is mainly general knowledge, but towards the end of the 10 years, when we were told to pick up subject combinations, disregarding the fraction of people who were unprivileged to choose their favourite subject, most people juz chose subjects of their interests. From there on, it sparks off their passion n determination to work off in that particular area of expertise. Doesn't that drive them against the path of a polymath?
Actually, Singapore had been trying to be a key renaissance city in Asian and a global arts city for a few years, they aimed to be one of the top cities to live, work, and play in. They also wish to strengthen Singaporeans' sense of national identity and belonging by appreciating our own heritage and arts.
ReplyDeleteSource:http://app.mica.gov.sg/Portals/0/2_FinalRen.pdf
In my opinion, I felt that its actually quite difficult to accomplish this goals. Singapore being one of the busiest country, we'd rather use our time on enhancing ourselves in this competitive society than using it to appreciate our culture and arts, after all, it is easier to lose job than getting job in this economic crisis period.
Singapore also tried to influence the younger generation to start adapting cultural and arts interest, however, I felt that these younger group of people would be more attracted to videos games. After all, its pretty hard to find people who are really dedicated to dancing, acting. Music, perhaps, but even so, not much people would actually be recognized despite all they had devoted to.
Therefore in conclusion, I felt that Singapore would not be able to become a Renaissance city. Or at least until the economic had stabilize and people had more time for their leisure activities.
-Zong Jie
In my opinion, Singapore is not a rennaisance city. Polymaths are common in rennaisance but not in Singapore, 'cause we have more of specialists. In fact, not only Singapore, many countries are trainning more of specialists.
ReplyDeleteBesides, in this era, specialists are more efficient. They concentrate on one field and master it. When we have polymaths, it is by chance that they are better in one field, be it art, music or any profession. However, Specialists have to only concentrate on a certain field. They would have more time dedication.
In terms of architecture, Singapore may not be rennaisance, too. There are certain factors contributing to my deduction.
In this society, we are not as religious as rennaisance. In rennaisance, the cross appears in plans of buildings frequently. However, in Singapore, we do not have such practice. We always go for simplicity and not of symmetry.
Also, due to overpopulation, Singapore cannot afford to have a huge building just for a few people or a few functions, therfore, higher buildings and smaller spaces are to be created.
Singapore cannot be compared to the era of the Rennaissance period. The living style, thinking and behaviour is very much different from us, Singaporeans. I agree that things, logic, theories that are formed or realised during the Rennaissance period have impact our daily lives.
ReplyDeleteA Rennaissance City to me is a city full of huge architectural buildings with their beliefs as an inspiration. However, Singapore is a modernize country and it is almost impossible to find any building that is designed using our beliefs.
I think it is almost impossible for Singapore to be a Rennaissance City. Polymath are the key figures that brought logic to a higher level, but it does not apply only to logic. It applies to almost our everyday life. Rennaissance have impact and change our thinking towards many thing; and those that made it possible are the Polymath.
Polymath- People who are multi-talented.
Singapore- Have people who are multi-talented but don't know how to use and people who think they are multi-talented but they are in fact, not.
I agree with Xinyi. In this era, people focus more on one field and they master it. Unlike Rennaissance, they focus in many field and master them all.
If Singapore wants to be a Rennaissance City, I think it relay on the people. I think that Singaporeans think in a box, things must be how they are suppose to be when it's made known to them. If they think broader, further, wider, more things will be explored and discovered. And that's how Polymath comes about. They take the risk to explore.
If Singapore is to be a Rennaissance city, I think it'll be great. With people having great thinking & ideas around you, the surrounding will be a nicer place.
to me i dun think singapore is consider the new Renaissance city, this is mainly because they are just known for their global business and their leading convention city in asia...our government is trying to make a new role for singapore as a 'Renaissance City' and 'Global City for the Arts'..to be simple is just a name to promote singapore..=D if singapore are really known as a renaissance city for now..i think we will have a big problem for both the singaporean and the economy..polymaths will be jobless..why is that so? because for now alot of university graduate have problem in finding job in singapore because of their expected salary and their lack of experience in job industry..so i think is better to specialize than to be a polymaths in singapore.. all they want is juz upgrade and upgrade their skills in course and stuff..=D
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely possible for Singapore to become a Renaissance city. Some examples like the basic shape of a dome at the Singpore musuem and the structure of the supreme court tells it all. However, the fact that Singaporeans can be polymaths is a little unrealistic, although it is possible. Because Singaporeans nowadays would only want to specialise in one area and wish only to excel in that aspect. Thus, it is hard for one to find a polymath person in singapore.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in my opinion, i think having a Renaissance city in Singapore is actually a good thing. Take for example, currently, people are becoming jobless. But if Singaporeans are polymaths, then they can jump from one job to another and not having to worry about being jobless. Although having said that, i do not think that Singapore is a Renaissance city.
ReplyDeleteAngie
(the above post is by me too )
In rennaisance, there are quite a number of inventions which are influencing. However, there are not many inventions that are very influencing in Singapore. This may be due to the technologies that we have. Rennaisance had been trying to improve their life and living styles. But in Singapore, there are many inventions that are brought to Singapore and hence, we are just living with them.
ReplyDeleteIf Singapore wasn't as high technology or advance as now, i believe that we may be like rennaisance, trying many ways to improve our lifestyle by inventing new technologies. However, inventions are still seen in Singapore. But most of them are just improvements made to previous products or ideas.