📖 Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited


Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited

by Cherian George

 Hey guys! Just wanted to share some excerpts and thoughts after reading this book by Cherian George.

Here's the content page of essays in this collection so you can see at a glance if there's any topic that interests you!






Here are some excerpts from my favourite chapters:

On our next PM and 4G leadership (and a little peek into inner politics?)



Things I never knew about:
  • Sintercom, an early online community. 

  • This dude Tang Liang Hong who was denied a NMP seat in 1992 and came back the next election as an opposition party. This chapter gives me some food for thought as I have never really spared a thought on how the Chinese language card was used in Singapore politics.


The media essays were especially interesting for me, as it highlighted the complexities behind our state press, its limitations, function and its potential. Previously my understanding was very shallow these chapters helped me reach some new realisations. 


As much as newspapers are dying out, they still retain their importance despite the growth of other online sources of information. I look forward to a day where we have fearless, but objective, thought provoking journalism in our papers. 

I really enjoyed this book and the discussions, insight and analyses that it provides. It's not every day we have such commentary in Singapore... or at least I have not come across many. I'll continue to keep my eyes peeled. 👀  

One function of books is as a memory deposit. Sometimes things can fade quickly from public memory, but a record like this, together with some context and intepretation, helps us to gain some valuable lessons and insight. I'm a strong believer of learning from history.

The book tackles some topics that most Singaporeans shun discussing in public due to fear, and it definitely helped me have a better understanding of how our country is run.

I have been trying to read more about Singapore politics and this book was recommended by Nicole Seah on her IG livestream, so I gave it a go! I'll probably read The First Wave, and also Tall Order (The Goh Chok Tong Story) next! Yes, I try to read different viewpoints - I find that this helps me paint a fuller picture of things, especially since perspectives can be so subjective.

(For more books on Singapore (non-fiction) - check out my Singapore bookshelf on Goodreads)

Where to read:
I borrowed my e-copy from NLB. Mark it as To Read on your Goodreads~
You can also purchase the book from Ethos Books.

Wrapping up this post with a testimonial of this book from Teo You Yenn:


Enjoy!

Skye

P.S. It was an exceptionally hot day today and it really brought to mind how LKY said air-con was really important in Singapore. In the stifling heat, I must agree that the temperature really affects productivity.  Haha!

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