Friday, February 11, 2005
Random economic ramble
I was just taking a look back at my economics notes when two words just came up to my mind -- scarcity and externality. Nothing that so big or so fantastic about these two words, but just realised how we just go on and on with our lives without knowing that these two words keep on haunting us whatever we do.
First of all, the issue of scarcity. Humans and animals alike seem to possess the 'desire' for something, as what economists describe as the 'unlimited wants' versus the scarce 'resources'. 'Desire' can also be interpreted by some as 'greed'. In Buddhism, greed is regarded as one of the 'three mental poisons'. As for Christianity, I'm not so sure where greed should fit in. Can a Christian please tell me which word in the 'Seven Deadly Sins' is similar to the word 'greed' or 'desire'? And then, we just become 'niao' over something, that's why economists have to relate it all the way to 'elasticity' of demand and supply, as well 'Giffen' and 'Veblen' Good. Economics students will know that things from food all the way to a Mercedes Benz having elasticities of demand. Sometimes I wonder whether Economics (NOT economic interests) can explain wars. Maybe George W Bush needed cheap and scarce Iraqi oil, as speculated by his opposers.
Even today, I was accompanying two of my female friends where they were disappointed that they couldn't find a suitable purse (or should I call it wallet, since they used that word?). I feel a bit embarassed for a guy since we guys by right have to be able to recommend and advice the fairer sex on things. (Yep. My mum told me long ago that it's important for me to familiarise myself about the different sizes of a bra, but I just simply wouldn't bother to do so.) Well, we guys find it relatively easier to shop for our stuff compared to the opposite sex; and now I ever wonder what teenage girls demand when it comes to wallets/purses. What an interesting question to ask myself. Some homework for me to do, I think. A simple example indeed of an 'unlimited want'.
Secondly, the issue of externality with regards to life just seem damned obvious but we just don't really use that word. Back in Mohawk Coy, I used to joke with my toilet i/c that he was providing positive externalities of consumption since the use of toilets is a public good. After all, we humans have to answer to nature's call. There is a time to urine and empty our bowels. That's why the use of toilets should be non-excludable and non-rivalry (based on the definition of a public good), cos' that's a fundamental right that a human deserves cos' it contributes to proper sanitation and hygiene.
However, there're always exceptions where at some places, you've to pay 10 cents, hence creating barriers to entry. Nevertheless, 'Barriers to entry' may be needed for the supplier to provide the good, just as economists describe one of the characteristics of "laissez-faire" as people paying through their money votes. I now remember the characteristics of a Monopoly and the case for its presence, and usually monopolies tend to provide public and merit goods, which of course includes the government. So, to provide a toilet for someone, sometimes we need a barrier to maintain it so that the larger society can benefit. This also explains a fundamental rule of an army recruit is that the only toilet he can use is that of his own platoon. As usual, some people also use the word externality even to demean or devalue something. A JC mate described me as a "negative externality of production" with my voice as the sole reason.
So people. Even if you hate economics, you can make it lame and destressing out of the way economics is related to life. I myself didn't really like the subject as well, despite its high level of applicability to society, but once you remove the burden of examinations, do you see what happens?
That's all folks.
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P/S: I think Orchard Road is the last place to hang around with your girlfriend/boyfriend. There're people everywhere spying on your actions. You can run but you cannot hide. My male friend bumped into two of his platoon mates, while I myself had the honour to bump not just at my company mate, but also my Company 2IC, whose rank is that of a 2-bar lieutanant. So if you bump into the wrong person you know what's happening the next day. I guess that's how the British media survives. I wonder how many hundred pages they can churn out of Princes Charles' engagement to Camilla Parker Bowles. Pity the late Princess Diana's soul.
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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
23:00
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Reflections for the Year of the Rooster
The past few days has been the period where I got to look back at the past, appreciate the present and embrace the future. Alot of things occured over this short week as the Lunar New Year approaches. And of course, a new year is accompanied by a new life and environment for me as I bid Tekong goodbye indefintely. Well, the Year of the Monkey, seen as the year of radical changes has really been true. Not just elections and disasters in the international arena, but on the personal aspect, I guess we've gone through a transition from stage to stage where new challenges are ready for us to tackle once we get through the previous challenge! Geomancers do not expect so much from the Year of the Rooster even though they seem optimistic about economic growth. However, for Tiger babies like myself and many of my readers, this is the year where we've to be extra cautious about our health! Perhaps this explains why the Report Sick rate in Tekong is astonishingly high, and some jokers even get Attend C this week so that they can have one week off from camp! (lame rambling anyway, but I wonder if my female readers will agree with me as well)
Just last Saturday, I attended a mini gathering with the friends who've made a difference to my life for the past two years. Yep. It's TJC 33/03. Even though most of the guys were unable to make it (most of them were in their shellscrapes), at least it was really refreshing for myself to know that my female friends are living their lives in their workplaces and at home to their fullest. Having our dinner in downtown Orchard, it was like 2 guys having a 'Talk Cock Session' with 10 gals! I was exchanging experiences with Kelvin, who's now in Pasir Ris Camp. We ended up comparing our experiences which differs between the Infantry BMT and the Commando BMT. Of course, the thing in common is that we're sick of chicken (thanks to Foodfare Catering), we know our footdrills, and we all dread the phrase 'half left down'. If my platoon mates in Mohawk Coy wonder what makes Zenon so boisterous to the point that they find it irritating, it's because Zenon is simply trying to stay as positive as possible in camp. The only thing that makes Zenon tick is the inspiration and the encouragement from his TJC mates, especially Kelvin who keeps on telling him to stay positive. Of course, M3 does tick as well, but Zenon needs the spark before he can even use the catalyst. Dear readers, you can now figure which one is the 'spark' and which one is the 'catalyst'. Hearing the loud, excited and assuring voices of my female friends has been comforting to me, helping me to gain back the emotional strength that I lacked in camp.
Perhaps that is the reason why reunions possess a magnetic strength that simple friendship cannot hold a candle with. Reunion, in my own opinion, strengthens memories and calms the mind, giving about a optimistic outlook of the future. It allows oneself to be retrospective, and then reminds oneself of the importance of family and friendship. It is not like the ordinary workplace or home where you just come and go, say hi, talk cock and so on. This is because you're just complacent that your peers will always be here, hence the bonds will not be that strong enough since one may not cherish it so well due to complacency. Perhaps, when this bond is broken temporarily, then one would realise the importance of having such a bond. Now I know why people who've gone through NS say that NS helps oneself to appreciate one's family better, since you're so detached from your family most of the time, treating your own house as a hotel. Reunion indeed is the best prescription for friendship, just as we Chinese make it a point to have our Reunion Dinner every Chinese New Year Eve.
Today is my last day in Mohawk Coy, for I'd be going to my new unit next week. I've been posted to Hendon Camp, where my appointment is of "Admin Support Assistant". To put it simple, it's a long-winded name for a clerk. For some reason that I do not know, my instructors and platoon mates have seem very excited about my posting compared to the two previous OOTs who've already left Tekong. Some random and interesting quotes here...
"Zenon will be the first clerk to go airborne, cos' everyone in Hendon is airborne! He'll be the toughest clerk you'll ever see!"
"Zenon, I think your posting is good because you're not tough enough. I'm very sure you'll be toughened up there."
"Zenon, you better help me get into the Commando Camp! I've applied to be a Commando four times and I've been unsuccessful!"
"Zenon, the very first thing they'll make you do is to Leopard Crawl to your unit."
"Zenon, did you know that the blue beret is so coveted by everyone here?"
"Zenon, you better go buy a red beret for me!"
"Zenon, dealing with commandoes and dealing with people in the infantry is completely different."
"Zenon, you're the first one from Mohawk to make it to Hendon."
I think that's all with regards to the response from Mohawk Coy. At least I get to take home some mandarin oranges and a box of pineapple tarts from them, something that the other recruits do not get.
Whatever it is, I know that it's always important to stay positive. Looking back at TJC's motto (For College For Nation), and looking forward at the Commandoes' motto (For Honour and Glory), it seem that doing something to make a difference to the people around me and hence having a significant effect will always be the challenge that'll linger around me to test my abilities and my mind. After all, the Commandoes believe that the mind decides one's standing, just as Mrs Lim Lai Cheng, my former principal in TJC believes that one's mind must be nurtured to drive oneself to excellance. Likewise, my former CSM's phrase of "I'll do whatever it it takes if not then I must." also emphasises on the mind. This shall be my Lunar New Year Resolution for the Year of the Rooster.
It has been a pity that I'm unable to complete BMT, as well as to build up my physical and mental abilities. Nevertheless, I still manage to make new friends, learn new things and broadening my perspectives, something that the civilian world may not necessarily provide. It doesn't matter to me whether I shall recourse or not. It's simple. It's time to embrace the future with a focussed and positive mind. And with this, I'd like to wish all my readers an enriching and prosperous New Year.
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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
22:00
