The PAP’s foray into the blogosphere

The blogosphere have all along been the domain of anti-establishment voices. But with the PAP increasing its presence in the blogosphere, it seems like in the long-run, there will be a showdown between pro-government forces, and anti-establishment forces on the blogosphere. It is also worth noting the presence of a qualifying force online.

What then is my view on this?

Let me share with a quote by John Stuart Mill,

“The only way in which a human being can make some approach to knowing the whole of a subject is by bearing what can be said about it by persons of every variety of opinion and studying all modes in which it can be looked at by every character of mind. No wise man ever acquired his wisdom in any mode but this”

I welcome the PAP to come online but they have much to learn!

In our media-intensive culture it is not difficult to find differing opinions. Thousands of newspapers and magazines and dozens of radio and television talk shows resound with differing points of view. The difficulty lies in deciding which opinion to argue with and which “experts” seems the most credible. The more inundatd we become with differing opinions and claims, the more essential it is to hone critical reading and thinking skills to evaluate these ideas.

Thus, the presence of the PAP and the increasingly number of bloggers online serve these purpose and serve to benefit the individual.

In addition to providing a tool for critical thinking (something which the 82 technocrats sometimes lacked), the presence of the PAP online challenges bloggers and readers to question their own strongly held opinions and assumptions. Most people form thier own opinions on the basis of upbringing, peer pressure, and personal, cultural, or professional bias.

By reading carefully balanced opposing views, readers must directly confront new ideas as well as the opinions of those with whom they disagree. This is not to simplistically argue that everyone who reads opposing views will-or should-change his/her opinion. This is something the PAP must realise. They are not on a crusade to indoctrinate bloggers and Singaporeans alike with their own brand of “sound ideas”. Stop the nonsense of “You must listen to me, I have the best ideas. You know nothing about policies and the problems Singapore is facing!!!!!”

Careful examination of other views can lead to a better understanding of the logical inconsistencies in thier own opinions, perspective on why they hold an opinion, and the consideration of the possibility that their opinion requires further evaluation.

While the PAP would always champion the soundness and effectiveness of their ideas and policies, this is what I have to say to them all:

“Those who do not know their opponents’ arguments do not completely understand their own.”

In the blogosphere, the onus is on the PAP to fall in line not for us to follow closely behind.