Someone apparently just killed himself. Someone in love. Someone who didn’t know how to deal with failure in the form of rejection.
A friend.
A brother.
A son.
And all most of us can focus on is that he is a scholar. And we use his death as some cheap evidence for an argument that we are all so desperate to make -
that good grades do not translate into common sense.
Gosh. A lot of things do not translate into common sense. Being poor does not translate into common sense. Having poor grades does not translate into common sense. Being rich does not translate into common sense. A lot of things do not translate into common sense.
People from all walks of life, all different kinds of backgrounds have done foolish things.
Even those who walk the streets don’t exactly all have street smarts.
Compare and contrast the reaction of the people online to the death of Lin Zhi Qiang, who blinded by love, did something foolish with that of Dave Teo.
Must we try to use everything that is tragic as an argument against the PAP and our government.
Must we use everything that is tragic as a form of vindication against our society flaws ( i.e. that we place a relatively irrationally high value on good grades ).
People. Fucking get a perspective.
Someone just lost a friend.
Someone just lost a brother.
Someone just lost a son.
Rest in peace Lin Zhi Qiang. And wherever you are, may you find the love and acceptance you sought here on Earth.
Nomad | 19-Jan-09 at 3:53 pm | Permalink
When I read that news, the first instinct was “what a pathetic loser”. Some people may find that notion offensive, but I rather find the cowardly escape in death over such a TRIVAL matter offensive and insult to the people living in greater hardship than he has. So what if he lost a girl to his best friend? Like what the fuck? Human race is only down to one woman and we all depend on her? Perhaps his cowardly nature is one good reason for her NOT to chose him in the first place. So now he has chosen his own “peace”, but left behind a family in wreaking grief, and a couple who may or may not be destined to a period of guilt. It’s unfair that he chosen a way that throws away a gift, a life, and the years of dedication his parents has slog to raise him. Loser.
Life is tough. We dont often get the things we want. We face rejections. That’s part of growing up. Face it. If he can deal with such a simple thing, unless he is mentally unsound which I highly doubt it being a scholar, it may be better for our society to be rid of such whinies.
I only wonder if his organs has and can be put to better use to SAVE other lives, who are fighting hard just to gain another day on this earth.
nocturne | 19-Jan-09 at 7:22 pm | Permalink
Sorry for indulging in the casual cruety you’ve so elegantly spoken out against – but if I’m 25 and have never had a girlfriend… well… yeah, I’ll kill myself too.
iantimothy | 19-Jan-09 at 10:02 pm | Permalink
@nocturne…damn…guess I should have tried to kill myself too..hmmm…
Pat Law | 19-Jan-09 at 10:35 pm | Permalink
Hear hear.
The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Daily SG: 20 Jan 2009 | 20-Jan-09 at 11:50 am | Permalink
[...] Daily Discourse – Feed Me To The Fish: Why So many Santa Clauses during Chinese New Year? – A Singaporean: Contractual age down to 18? Breaking open the reserves? – Ian On The Red Dot: Gosh People – Fucking Get A Perspective (Or Rather A Better One) [...]
chewyx | 20-Jan-09 at 2:21 pm | Permalink
iantimothy, thank you for this post. it is one of the few things written in the past week with some consideration for Zhi Qiang and the people whose lives had been touched by him.
@nocturne and Nomad, please grow up. your comments have blatant disregard for everyone who knew and loved Zhi Qiang.
The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Weekly Roundup: Week 04 | 24-Jan-09 at 10:47 am | Permalink
[...] – A Singaporean: Contractual age down to 18? Breaking open the reserves? – Ian On The Red Dot: Gosh People – Fucking Get A Perspective (Or Rather A Better One) – Sam’s thoughts: Not an EZ link to the grassroots – TOC: Religious harmony in Singapore – [...]
LEGITIMATEHOMEJOB | 29-Jan-09 at 3:36 am | Permalink
Grow up people!!
skk | 02-Feb-09 at 2:40 am | Permalink
They did get a perspective. Though theirs was different from yours. So respect that.