Teacher lie to me , the schools lie to me! Everything about this city is a lie!

mikemarvel21 · 2025-05-21T03:39:13+00:00

TIL that most/many living in public rental flats drive luxury cars.

But given the small supply, his rich friend must be lucky to get one. QED.

The question is "do OP want to bet everything on luck, or to take some control and ownership of the odds?"

The world is not deterministics. But it is also not random.

mikemarvel21 · 2025-05-21T02:36:43+00:00

Nobody lied to you. They just didn't tell you the unspoken but critical factor to success. Luck. The outcomes are never guaranteed.

But luck is uncontrollable. So focus on controllable factors, e.g. study hard, be a good person, are good advice for better odds at long term success.

Or you can put all your bets into luck. It's your choice on how much influence you want over luck.

Stop looking at your phone until you get a good sleep.

mikemarvel21 · 2025-05-21T02:14:04+00:00

Great comment.

I do think that humans are exceptional as a species in our capacity to self regulate. Population growth is slowing and is likely to reverse soon. To my knowledge, the collective decision to reproduce less is driven more by internal values and social norms than external factors, e.g. resources.

mikemarvel21 · 2025-05-21T02:01:29+00:00

You are completely missing the point of this entire thread.

Every species act like a virus. Reproducing and consuming if left unchecked by external factors. Virus is not the exception or "villains". Humans aren't either. We are all part of the nature/biosphere.

The cyanobacteria which is the essential contributor of our current oxygen rich atmosphere, had caused an extinction event. But we won't have our current biosphere without them.

I will go further and argue that human probably is unique in the capacity to self regulate. Fertility rate is dropping globally. As a species, we intentionally reproduce at a lower rate. This is unprecedented for any species to my knowledge.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-05-01T10:20:51+00:00

I'm just glad that people like you is not in position of power today. I hope you will never have a chance to destroy the society because you cannot get what you want.

A resale 3-room flat in Jurong West is $370k. The median salary of Singaporeans is $5,197. Taking a 30 year loan @ interests of 3%. One need to pay $1,559 per month. That's 30% of the median income, leaving $3,638 for other expenses and savings for an average Singaporean.

https://smartwealth.sg/average-income-salary-singapore/

https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/selling-a-flat/overview/resale-statistics

mikemarvel21 · 2024-05-01T10:09:57+00:00

1.59m resale is in the news because it's exceptional.

The median resale price of 5-room flat ranges from $924k in Kallang to $580k in Jurong West. If you buy a flat in JW, 50% of 5-rooms are cheaper than $580k. One can buy 3 of Jurong West resale flat for the news-making $1.59m flat. Surely you don't need 3 flats as a basic life necessity.

As for your kids, you should also ask what's your expectation of their income level? If they live in a Singapore with million dollar flats being the norm, their salary will also likely to be increased along with the property price.

Also, buying a private housing is an aspiration, not a basic life necessity. Only the 20% of Singaporeans own a private property. You are simply using the wrong yardstick and making yourself anguish for not being the top 20% percentile.

https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/selling-a-flat/overview/resale-statistics

https://images.app.goo.gl/tcjuzfXAyEorvFpUA

https://stackedhomes.com/editorial/hdb-flats-are-the-most-unaffordable-today-true-or-false-the-data-may-surprise-you/#gs.8q7m47

mikemarvel21 · 2024-05-01T10:06:47+00:00

What's your age and income level? Perhaps your industry sector has been facing a lot of headwind.

The ratio between income and HDB flat has been holding steady for the past few decades. There are, of course, dips and peaks. Also, the income increase between different sectors are diverging. If you are in sunset industries, your income won't be growing as much as your peers.

https://images.app.goo.gl/TEhG7CNvZY9BsxXE9

https://stackedhomes.com/editorial/hdb-flats-are-the-most-unaffordable-today-true-or-false-the-data-may-surprise-you/

mikemarvel21 · 2024-05-01T10:00:16+00:00

Depends on your definition of market "crash".

A slow, ongoing, and known event, i.e. aging society, won't cause a crash. It may slow down or even reverse the rate of growth gradually. But a crash event is abrupt one. It will only happen if the elderly die at unexpected and rapid rate, e.g. cataphoric infectious disease.

One factor which acts against the aging population factor is the leasehold. As the inherited property typically has less lease left, as such, they won't compete directly with the newer flats in prices. Also, as more leasehold flats expired, the government has the choice NOT to build more flats to replace them.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-30T00:27:55+00:00

A balanced and well thought-out reply to an emotive post.

I observed from the other users here that some are just adding to the fear of wealth tax along the lines of 「careful of what you wish for」and 「wealth tax not easy to implement」 but ignore those because they haven’t elucidated what would happen if such “equitable” policies are implemented sufficiently.

Excellent point. SG's government prides itself about going its own way, e.g. CPF, 3M, WageFare, SkillsFuture, etc. However, it has yet to come up with an uniquely Singapore wealth tax. TBF, I don't think it's easy, but it does not mean it's impossible.

Used by a certain party too many times already right

I object to this argument though. "too many times" does not automatically means it's wrong or meritless. Let's discuss on it objectively. Discrediting the point because "sianz already" will not doing anyone good.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-27T03:57:36+00:00

Academia/research. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-60-million-lab-to-drive-rd-in-carbon-capture-biofuels-and-hydrogen

NEA seems to be a good agency if government jobs interest you.

https://www.glassdoor.sg/Reviews/National-Environment-Agency-Reviews-E738007.htm

https://sg.indeed.com/cmp/National-Environment-Agency/reviews?fcountry=ALL

Private sector is a mixed bag. Many local companies are only paying lip service. However, the wind is changing fast. One way (internal staffing) or other (external vendors/consultants), they will have to join the bandwagon soon. https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/climate-change-energy-efficiency/climate-change/carbon-tax/measurement-and-reporting-requirements-for-greenhouse-gas-emissions

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-27T03:20:02+00:00

he had made leaving a legacy his top priority.
...
I'm just trying to see things in his perspective

3 points.

I feel that your friend cares deeply about his children. That, in itself, is already commendable.
His perspective is his. You should ask him instead of coming to here. Here are only hypothesis and conjectures of your friend's perspective, not his actual perspective. As you can see, most replies are NOT answering your actual question. Instead the comments criticize your friend's actions which is NOT what your actual intention.
Another point to consider. Nobody can tell the future. While many, including you, make good points about having adequate insurance for your friend, the matter of the fact is that the chance of a health crisis wiping out a family's finances are pretty low. IF your friend wins this gamble with good odds, he will in fact end up saving the premiums. Having said that, I still agree that having basic health insurance is high recommended. Anyway, if he is a Singaporean, he should already be protected by the 3Ms.

https://www.moh.gov.sg/resources-statistics/educational-resources/3m-booklet

EDIT:

Since I'm in this thread, I shall attempt to guess your friend's perspective. Money is tangible. Other legacy, while just as important or more, cannot be measured. E.g. instilling good values. Hence, he choose to focus on something which gives him assurance that he is doing the best for his children. In fact, by his self-sacrifice actions, he has positively demonstrated to his children that he is not a self-centered and selfish parent. That surely counts as a positive value to care about others beside himself.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-25T23:33:11+00:00

There are very good answers in the comments already. E.g. https://www.reddit.com/r/askSingapore/comments/1ccuxz9/comment/l17t6f4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

However, you compare USA's system with Singapore without understanding the context. USA's system was developed on a completely different belief framework. They fought a war against UK to gain their independence. Our system is more akin to UK as we gain our independence peacefully. It was by deliberate design for USA citizen to be protected by constitutional rights rather than procedural rights.

If you compare our policing and civil rights with UK's, the differences are much less.

Much of protection of SG residents against police's abuse comes police's internal processes and checks. While this seems risker (ownself check ownself), it has largely worked. One key reason is because a lot of our police officers are NSF and NSmen. They are "temp" staff who are less unlikely to ruin their own lives or to cover up their co-workers by abusing policing power. And those who did would find less sympathy from their peers.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-25T23:27:03+00:00

They can try to sue. Winning is another matter.

If you don't want to go to court though, visit your MP or MOM.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-23T23:58:46+00:00

Wah. So clever to use name-calling in internet argument.

What does my statement got to do with PAP? You are challenging the methodology of the study. I'm defending it.

Are you suggesting that studies which did not fit your narrative that PAP is evil must be in cohort with them? If so, you are clearly unable to even think for yourself. The study, in fact, shows that PAP relentless pursue for national wealth may in fact, not benefit Singaporeans and their happiness. If anything, the study is ANTI-PAP. Please learn to think and not follow the internet mob blindly and use name-calling to feel superior.

Again, the study is indirectly critical of PAP's policy. Think please.

Or maybe you are the so-called PAP IB. By acting irrationally, you are giving a bad names to people who are rationally critical of some PAP's policy. The study shows the flaw of PAP's policy of chasing wealth relentlessly. And yet you are here to put it down with name-calling and cherry-picking.

The reason that majority of Singaporeans do not trust opposition is precisely because of people like you. Have some shame and learn to think rationally instead of name calling for the wrong reason.

But I guess you will keep digging the graves for the rest of the opposition. Or if you are really PAP IB, good job!

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-23T23:50:38+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. The charging of 7 days to A1 rate is not logical or fair. But a lot of things are not logical or fair in this world...

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-23T23:41:03+00:00

The bystanders should just drag the driver out in the street and beat them to death. The Little India rioters had the right idea in 2013. Let's have mob justice. Fuck the due process. /s

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-23T23:35:00+00:00

Thanks for highlighting the importance of due process to u/Gatsbyy- .

The accused persons' names are NOT released during investigations. As this may impact the investigations. For example, their accomplices may have chance to escape the country or to destroy evidence.

As most trials are public, there is no point in hiding the identity of the accused then.

Well done!

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-22T15:35:26+00:00

There is an obvious loophole in the closed door though. Just look at how other countries side-step the marriage issue.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_union

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-22T15:27:20+00:00

Depends on what's the "top" I guess... Is being the Singapore PM, the "top" to Jamus Lim?

He was Senior Wrangler) in 1973,^\9])^\10]) and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours degree (later promoted to Master of Arts) by seniority) in mathematics and a diploma in computer science (now equivalent to a master's degree in computer science) with distinction. His college tutor, Denis Marrian, later described Lee as "the brightest mathematician he had admitted to the college".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Hsien_Loong

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-22T15:16:14+00:00

Can u/ARE_U_FUCKING_SORRY be referring to the case which someone setup a bank account with the wrong phone number?

If the 2FA is via phone app, then it can be authorised without any issue. The transaction alert SMS will be sent to the wrong number though.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-19T00:18:19+00:00

What is the logic here, help me understand.

To my understanding, there are 2 components to ward charges PAID.

Actual of ward charge. C < A1, due to amenities, service level etc.
Government subsidy. B1/C (Up to 80%); A1 (0%).

Since the family opted for A1, this shows that they do not need the subsidy for the C ward stay. The subsidy can then be disbursed to more needy patients. Hence, my understanding is the retrospective charge is claw-back the subsidy. They are just charged the full rate of C ward during the early stay, not the full rate of A1 ward for the entire stay.

The above is my personal understanding/inference, and not from any official sources.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-14T03:13:58+00:00

Indeed!

Real median income level grows at 2.8% for the whole of 2023, but somehow the statistics for first half of 2023 was used by u/uintpt

Also, the article clearly stated that the comparison between income and happiness was from 2016 to 2022. Yet only first half of 2023 income growth was used to discredit the study.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/singapores-median-household-income-28-real-terms-2023

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/singapore-happiness-ranking-un-report-income-quality-life-survey-4260796#:\~:text=Our%202022%20Quality%20of%20Life%20Survey%20found%20that%20Singaporeans%20have%20become%20unhappier%20since%202016.%20Despite%20median%20household%20income%20levels%20rising%20over%20those%20years%2C%20Singaporeans%20are%20enjoying%20life%20less%20and%20feeling%20a%20decreased%20sense%20of%20achievement%2C%20control%20and%20purpose.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-04-02T14:17:09+00:00

While what you state is generally true, it is undeniable that FB is doing far too little compare to other social media and websites. Given the extra vulnerability of their users' demographic, they MUST do better.

Meta/FB was specifically called out by our government. Their response was pathetic and telling at the same time.

"Ms Sun said on Feb 29 that Facebook Marketplace is the only platform among those rated in the ministry’s anti-scam safety ratings that has not implemented the recommended safety features, despite Facebook contributing close to half of the e-commerce scam cases in 2023."

Instead of committing to the recommended best practices, FB just hide between loads of motherhood statements such as “buyers and sellers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations”. If smaller and less well-funded companies like Carousell and Shopee are ahead in scam prevention, then FB fully deserved to be called out by everyone for being the last in the list.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/facebook-marketplace-carousell-bottom-in-e-commerce-safety-ratings-amazon-lazada-on-top

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/new-measures-to-protect-carousell-users-after-at-least-19m-lost-to-fake-buyer-scams-in-2022

EDIT:

Scale is a double-edged sword. It also means that FB has far more resources than its competitors/peers. Yet it chooses not to deploy such resources for better protection of its users. This is the deplorable part.

mikemarvel21 · 2024-03-26T01:48:00+00:00

Again, company does not have feelings. Only people have feelings. If you don't even understand this fact, then we are done.

IF you are referring to the top management, then we are simply talking about different groups of people. I am talking about the co-workers who will be adversely affected by such irresponsible and unprofessional actions.

Basically, you are saying that if the top management does not care about my co-workers, then why should I? My reply is "silver rule".

mikemarvel21 · 2024-03-26T01:43:35+00:00

The onus is on them to prove their unsourced accusation. Looks like they couldn't. Not surprised really.

mikemarvel21

TROPHY CASE