This page is a consolidation of the blog posts that I regard as noteworthy. As I have been blogging for a fairly long time, I hope it will serve as a useful tool to quickly look at some interesting older posts without having to trudge through pages and pages of this blog.
About This Blog
Welcome to Daryl’s Blog 3.0, July 5 2010
In this post, I introduce readers to the latest incarnation of my blog.
Favorites
These are my personal favorite pieces of writing that I’ve written. They are listed in reverse chronological order, so they’re not ranked in order of preference.
The Meaning of Freedom, November 8 2010
This post was written the day before my ORD. While I don’t think I was in a particularly inspired mood due to the rising elation I was feeling, I think it’s a pretty good summary of my thoughts during my two years as a conscript in the Singapore Armed Forces.
Sanction of the Victim, October 6 2010
Even though this post received very little attention when I published it, I think this might be my favorite posts of all. The writing style is less conversational, yet not too argumentative. I remember feeling particularly inspired that night, as I was determined to write clearly about a very vague phenomena which had plagued me for nearly two years.
The Gates Commission Report, September 15 2010
This is an essay which I submitted to the 2010 Chief of Army Essay Competition. Here, I examine the reasons for the USA”s abolition of conscription and the lessons for Singapore. Very surprisingly, I won a commendation award for this essay.
Just a Nominal Roll, July 2 2010
I was made to write some reflections after an NE trip. Surprisingly, I was quite inspired to write something good.
The Meaningless Rhetoric of Gender Equality, 28 June 2010
The result of an interesting Facebook thread. Here, I argue that feminists in Singapore are not actually interested in gender equality; They are only interested in women’s interests. The hypocrisy of them using the term is akin to a rich man trying to get more money and saying that he is doing so to increase income equality.
A short, tongue-in-cheek love poem filled with nerdy DotA references. I still find it quite hilarious. FYI, I don’t actually play much DotA.
A little write up on knowing the reasons for your actions.
On Religion and Freedom of Expression, August 23 2008
Now, this is the money one. The blog post which attracted the most number of comments, by far. I wrote this post to express concern over certain posters in school which bordered on evangelism, and expressed the point that if religious messages were allowed air time, then criticisms of religions must be allowed air time as well. If not, then our government funded school would have to disallow both.
While I definitely like this post I wrote, I also like many replies to comments that I wrote as well. I feel that many of my replies were also writings that I can be proud of. Unfortunately, the comments got weird after a while (goes to show the number of creeps on the internet, or the number of people who act creepy due to the anonymity of the internet).
Why Religion is as True as Toothfairies, June 9 2008
Well, what the title says. I wrote this quite some time ago, so the writing’s not as clean as I’d prefer it to be, but my points still stand.
Why I Reject God II, March 16 2008
I respond to Wilbur Chan’s rebuttals to my previous post.
Why I Reject God, February 20 2008
An article detailing why I reject God. This article focuses on why I think religion is harmful, and it has been rightly pointed out to me that one rejects God not primarily because of its harm, but because of its falsity. Hence, the later post on June 9 2008, as above.
Letters to the Press
A collection of the letters that I have sent to the press. Some were published, some were censored, and some remain in unknown virtual trash bins.
Letter to TODAY: Speak for Yourself, February 24 2011
In this letter, I write about the tendency for conservationists to frame their arguments in terms of being “for the sake for future generations”. Interesting comments from my friends and my own replies included.
Letter to TODAY: Xenophobia in Disguise, January 4 2011
In this letter, I put forth the idea that low fertility rates are only a problem for the xenophobic. This is an implication which is far too often swept under the rug, as most people do not want to confront their own xenophobia.
Letter to TODAY: It’s Anybody’s Choice, November 12 2010
In this letter, I argue against the suggestion to penalize people for being fat.
Letter to TODAY: We are All Cruel Then, July 14 2010
In this letter, I point out the hypocrisy of animal lovers and the underlying agreement we all share that Man>Animals.
An Almost Letter to TODAY: Let Consumers Decide, May 15 2010
I wanted to send this letter but got distracted and forgot about it until several months later. Nevertheless, I argue against the levy on foreign workers in the service industry who cannot speak English proficiently.
Letter to TODAY: Conceited, Delusional and Unjust, March 4 2010
In this letter, I argue against opposition leader Low Thia Kiang’s suggestion for a quota system for foreign workers for each industry. In doing so, I debunk the idea that, armed with a powerful bureaucracy and self proclaimed experts, a government can allocate resources efficiently in an economy.
Letter to TODAY: Can People Refuse a Job Offer?, November 10 2010
In this letter, I respond to some Singaporean’s rant about how a taxi driver refused to accept him as a passenger on the basis of his destination.
A Most Crucial Omission, October 25 2008
A follow up post on the letter I sent in, linked below. Essentially, I reveal that the letter I sent in was published but the important part where I speak up for gay rights was censored.
Letter to TODAY, October 20 2008
In this letter, I argue that society accepts that citizens have the right to organize their private lives, and that this right extends to gay Singaporeans as well.
The letter that started this hobby of mine. In this letter, I argue against the suggestion to make public buses non-air-conditioned. Downright silly idea.
Blast from the Past
These are posts which I regard as interesting for various reasons. Some are unrefined forms of my present day thought, some are inspired emo posts (this is still a fairly persoanl blog), many are hilarious vestiges of my childish adolescent mind. Posts in this section may not represent my current beliefs. Many do not. But I think they’re quite fun to read anyways. (If only to laugh at myself once in a while.)
This is one of the few emo posts which I am still quite fond of. I think it does capture what I felt at the time quite well.
Well, what can I say. I find some of my silly adolescent emo poems interesting. Sue me.
What Happened, What Happens, November 29 2007
I recount and explain an incident that happened during Paka River Camp, a bullshit camp held for IP3 to build I-have-no-idea-what skills.
Reflections on First Principles, September 18 2007
Angry writing at one of my personal best, this is the first time I actually used the word “fuck”. Includes memorable quotes such as “No one gives a fuck. They’re too busy fucking.” and “Shantih fuck shantih fuck shantih … The all powerful, all encompassing peace of the universe has been turned into a threeway fuck.”.
Well, what can I say. I find some of my silly adolescent emo poems interesting. Sue me.
Daryl,
Are you really 21 yrs old ??
I’m impressed with your piece, Why I reject God.
Keep up the good work ( thinking ).
Pat Gan
Thanks, and yeah, I’m 21 years old this year.
Where are you studying?
I will be studying Law at NUS starting this coming August.