Have a curious mind, be willing to give it a try

I have shown my wooden puzzles to many people. I will share with you the most common reaction.

At least 9 out of 10 will reply - it is too difficult for me. I am not good at this kind of things.

They reflect a total lack of curiosity, an unwillingness to even give it a try. It showed a totally closed mind.

This is a characteristics quite common among Singaporeans. I think most Asians have this trait. I am not sure about westerners. Maybe, they are more open minded and curious?

I am quite different from most people. I have a curious mind. I want to try any new puzzle, even at my age!

I also learned that any new puzzle, any new challenge, can be learned. Especially, if there is someone around to teach us.

During the Genting Dream Cruise, I decided to join the Cha Cha Dance lesson. I knew Cha Cha before, but I lost it due to lack of practice. After 1 hour, I got back the basics. I will be watching a few Youtube videos to brush up.

Back to the wooden puzzles. If you want to open up your mind and curiosity, watch this video on the Magic Cube Wooden Puzzle. You can but the wooden puzzle in Jogjakarta or Bali.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tJFyBm0Ujs

Magic cube wooden puzzle

This is an interesting wooden puzzle. I call it the magic cube. I bought it in Jogjakarta, Central Java.
It is a challenging puzzle. I had to try it more than 100 times to get the solution. I created this video to show how to solve this puzzle.

Magic cube wooden puzzle. 
https://youtu.be/7tJFyBm0Ujs

Will North Korea give up its nuclear development?

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd - Will North Korea give up its nuclear development?

35% said that North Korea is likely to give up its nuclear ambition in exchange for trade and aid.

35% said that the North Korea leaders cannot be trusted. They are just playing a game.

15% said that the leaders wanted North Korea to prosper.

15% said that there will be peace in the Korean peninsular.

A total of 65% are positive towards the development in North Korea.

You can view the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=572

Select committee hearing on online fake news

I asked this question in The Wisdom of the Crowd - What is your view about the select committee hearing on online fake news?

56% of those who voted said that some panel members acted like bullies.

40% said that the panel members are adopting an adversorial approach towards feedback from the public.

A total of 96% provided a negative comment.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=570

What is your view about the small online news websites?

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd - What is your view about the small online news websites?

57% of those who voted said that they provide a useful alternative source of news.

38% said that the readers can distinguish between fair and distored news reporting.

A total of 95% felt that they are useful and are not harmful.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=571

Should teachers be required to pay a fee to park their cars in schools?

I asked this question in The Wisdom of the Crowd - Should teachers be required to pay a fee to park their cars in schools?

48% of those who voted said that they should continue to enjoy the privilege of free parking in the school.

22% said that they should pay a parking fee to be fair to the teachers who do not drive cars.

19% said that it should be left to the principla to decide.

11% said that this should be decided by the government.

A total of 67% disagree with the government decision to charge a parking fee. 33% agreed with this decision.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=568

Should the government pass a law to deal with deliberate fake news?

I asked this question in The Wisdom of the Crowd - Should the government pass a law to deal with deliberate fake news?

56% said that it is an attempt to obstruct freedom of speech and expression.

24% said that this matter can be handled by existing laws.

12% said that the new law is likely to lead to confusion, uncertainty and possibility of abuse by the government.

A total of 92% are not in favor of this new law.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=569

Why does the attorney General charge Li Shengwu for criticising the judiciary

I asked this question in The Wisdom of the Crowd - Why does the attorney General charge Li Shengwu for criticising the judiciary.

67% said that he acted on the wish of the prime minister.
17% said that he was advised by his legal assistants
13% said that he consulted the prime minister.

A total of 80% believed that the prime minister was personally involved in this decision.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=567

Should the government approve the merger of Uber and Grab in Singapore?

I asked this question in The Wisom of the Crowd - Should the government approve the merger of Uber and Grab in Singapore?

42% said that the merger will create a monopoly and be bad for drivers and riders.

19% said that this decision should be left to the market.

19% said that the government should not interfere with a commercial decision.

19% said that the government should ban this merger.

A small majority (61%) is in favor of government action to stop the merger.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=564

Indiscriminate parking of shared bikes

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Croswd - Should there be a law to impose penalty on riders for indiscriminate parking of shared bikes?

43% said that it is proper for all aspects of the shared bike operation to be regulated.

36% said that this will lead to an orderly parking of the bicycles.

11% said that indiscriminate parking is similar to vandalism.

11% said that the government should not interfere with the operation.

A total of 89% are in favor of government action.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=565

Should the restriction on Thaipusam procession be removed?

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd - Should the restriction on Thaipusam procession be removed?

52% said that the procession is an important part of the festival and should be allowed without restriction.

24% said there is no harm in removing the current restriction on the use of music during the procession.

14% said that it is all right for music to be used as it is only for a short while.

A total of 90% are in favor of removing the restriction on the use of music.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=566

How can the government reduce the cost of living for ordinary people?

I asked this question in The Wisdom of the Crowd - How can the government reduce the cost of living for ordinary people?

61% said that the government should abolish GST totally.

36% said they should remove GST on essential items.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=563

GST as applied in Singapore and other countries

Someone sent this article to me by e-mail. She did not quote the source. Most of the information are quite reliable.

Quote:

Spore cost of living is impacted by factors of COE/ ERP/ GST/ FW Levy plus the high rental of shopping Centres owned by our Govt. Buzz operating cost is high.....

The Singapore media only reported half of the truth when they compare GST with the VAT in the advanced countries.

The PAP’s propaganda – “Singapore’s 7% GST is the LOWEST in the world, look at Europe and the U.K., their VAT is 20%……Singapore’s 13% lower !!!”

Really? Do you even know the truth?

Yes, in the Western countries like U.K. the headline VAT (value-added-tax aka GST in Singapore) is 20%. But this is only for your luxury items – your LVs, APs and Rolexes.

VAT is exempt for basic essential foodstuff like your milk, eggs, sugar, flour, bread, rice, baby milk powder etc.

So suffice to say when you go grocery shopping in the UK, you don’t need to pay any VAT on your foodstuff!

Just check your last NTUC Fairprice grocery receipt; how much GST have you paid for your daily essential foodstuff?

Of course, if I decided to go for a nice brunch at one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant, I would need to pay the VAT for my poached eggs.

So whilst many have the perception that UK and Europe are high-taxation and expensive places to live in; people there do have a choice – to buy GST-free groceries or eat at a restaurant.

Do Singaporeans have the option of not paying GST for their foodstuff???

Singapore today have REGRESSED after 13 years under LHL’s vision and leadership or the lack thereof, if you have be observing carefully and doing meaningful global cross-borders comparison!

A lot of Singaporeans who have not lived overseas for a meaningful period as a local can never understand the real issues that Singapore is facing today.

Especially those with lesser critical thinking and constantly fed by half-truths unknowingly, of which the VAT is a very good example.

In Singapore the 7% GST is applied across everything.

In the western countries like Australia, UK etc. a LOT of things are GST/VAT-exempt.

These include, if you do not already know – all education, insurance, medical and social services.

So you do not need to pay any GST on the story books you buy from Popular or Kinokuniya.

No GST on all your educational courses, tuition classes or university fees.

No GST on medicines and when you are sick and have to visit the doctors or have an ops procedure.

When you buy insurance for yourself, your family or even your car, there’s no need to pay any GST too.

This goes for all medical and social welfare services from birth to burial – NO GST/VAT.

In Singapore, you have to pay a goods and services tax on even your own coffin and funeral service!

How did Donald Trump win the US Presidential Election?

I asked this question in The Wisdom of the Crowd - How did Donald Trump win the US Presidential Election?

35% of the people who voted said that the voters liked what he said at the rallies.

35% said that his opponent was hated by the voters.

19% said the data analytic company helped by campaign by hacking into Facebook.

12% said that the Russians helped him.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=560

How was China's response to the US trade tariff?

I asked this question in The Wisdom of the Crowd - How was China's response to the US trade tariff?

This was in the context of a retaliatory tariff of $3 billion on US exports.

63% of those who voted said this is the first part of the retaliation. More will come.

21% said it is in China's interest to reduce the scale of the dispute.

8% said it was swift and impactful.

8% said it was mild.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=561

Will Facebook suffer a major backlash for the hacking of its data?

I asked this question in the wisdom of the crowd - Will Facebook suffer a major backlash for the hacking of its data?

40% of those who voted said the long term impact will be minor. The users will return to Facebook.

40% said that users will accept that other websites face the same risk.


16% said that the users will realize that the breach does not affect them personally.

See the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=562