I’ve been thinking about this a lot and recently, the more I look around my room, the more I start seeing George Carlin’s point. My house is just a place to store things. Things I’ve accumulated, grown attached to, and really have no use for beyond being manifests of my ‘memories’.
Most days I just come home and use only 2 things – my laptop and my bed.
That’s it.
The attachment to property is a bane to the ordinary citizen, it subjects you to the mercies of those who have power.
It allows the government to use HDB as a means to control the populace.
One of the fears my gf and I share is that we may never be able to comfortably afford a place to make our home. A place to be alone together. A place that we can do up nicely and call our own.
Like I kind of said in an earlier post, I’m not willing to subject myself to the avariciousness and capriciousness of a self-serving government entity like the HDB just so that I can start a family with my gf.
A HDB flat is not a necessity to start a family and have a home. It has been ingrained in our collective social psyche that it is. But it is not. We will never have real freedom unless we see it otherwise.
Home for me is where you are.
George Carlin on ‘A Place For My Stuff’
The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Daily SG: 8 Apr 2010 | 08-Apr-10 at 11:22 am | Permalink
[...] “Unrealistic” expectations are a reason for some unhappiness about flats – Ian On The Red Dot: My Home Is Where You Are – Tan Kin Lian’s Blog: Affordable [...]
Nabs | 08-Apr-10 at 2:33 pm | Permalink
I couldn’t agree more Ian. Awesome post. Freedom is what’s important especially in a material world. Say NO to slavery of any long term debt or system, or we will never have a fulfilling life.
lee sg | 08-Apr-10 at 9:36 pm | Permalink
Is your girlfriend willing to marry u if u do not have a flat? Is she going to stay with your/her parents? Are u going to rent?
Do u need the fridge, the washing machine,individual bathroom?
Ask your girlfriend first!
trulyyours | 08-Apr-10 at 10:09 pm | Permalink
true, let’s all buy a tent and claim our bohemian rights on our beaches
iantimothy | 09-Apr-10 at 10:52 am | Permalink
@trulyyours – that is taking it to an extreme, an extreme that also ties you down to a physical spot.
@lee sg – true. In a relationship, it is important for both parties to have the same vision.
Frankly, I don’t need my own fridge, washing machine and bathroom – conveniences, not necessity.
The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Weekly Roundup: Week 15 | 11-Apr-10 at 9:56 am | Permalink
[...] “Unrealistic” expectations are a reason for some unhappiness about flats – Ian On The Red Dot: My Home Is Where You Are – Tan Kin Lian’s Blog: Affordable housing – Hazel Poa: Housing Prices Vs Household Income – [...]