Denial: Self-deception, False Beliefs, And The Origins Of The Human Mind

DENIAL: SELF DECEPTION, FALSE BELIEFS AND THE ORIGINS OF THE HUMAN MIND..

Quote " ..... All major religions play on this and have evolved to assuage our doubts. They tell us that even after we die we will continue on in some other form, that there will be an after-life or another life. Billions of humans accept this on faith, without a single shred of evidence, because we are in denial of the reality of our mortality, because our intuition insists and whispers reassuringly that we are immortal. ........ We blithely dismiss the fact that we have irreparably altered the environment, that there have been countless extinctions within our lifetimes and many more to follow, that we have created an economic model that thrives on inequity, exploitation and human misery...... "

Denial: Self-deception, False Beliefs, And The Origins Of The Human Mind

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This is a meaty book that merits being read slowly to digest its thought-provoking ideas.

Snippets from > Growing old before growing rich, by Andrew Sheng

Snippets from > Growing old before growing rich, by Andrew Sheng

As Tennessee Williams said, “you can be young without money, but you can’t be old without it.”

• There is a major difference between being old in Asia and being old in the advanced countries. In 2011, private pension funds in nine Asian economies had assets of US$663bil or only 5.3% of GDP in 2011, way below the OECD average of 70% of GDP.
• In the past, when families were large, the young were the “pensions” of the old, because it was taken for granted that the young will take care of the old. Today, when many urban families have only one or two children, this dream is no longer possible.
• the reverse is happening. In Japan, single children in their twenties who still live with their parents are called Parasite single (parasaito shinguru). A single Chinese child today is showered with gifts and love from six adults (four grandparents and two parents). But when he or she becomes an adult, one cannot take care of at least four to six old ones.
• The lack of pension coverage or under-funding of pensions is a serious problem in Asia. low interest means that many pensioners face a problem of lack of income from their financial assets for adequate retirement purposes.
• There are several good reasons why governments should reform pensions as a matter of priority. Firstly, there is a question of adequacy of retirement income. Secondly, to be fair, more people should have pension coverage. Third, pension funding should be sustainable, because as Greece found out, there was simply not enough money to cover the generous pensions for civil servants.
• More pensions for more people will make for a more equitable society, which means that long-term pension funds can take long-term equity positions that invest in future green growth.

Racial polarization in Malaysia, politicians are responsible

I read this letter Lack of unity among young Malaysians worrying by NUR AQILAH MIZA ZULKIFLI with some hope that there are still some rational and right thinking Malaysians showing concern with the growing polarization that is gripping the country. I am also very concerned with the many mindless and provocative remarks posted by the young people in the Social Media, and as can be seen from such postings, young Malaysians ape their parents and the older generations. The main culprits for such 'goading' of the young minds are the politicians themselves, who directly or through so called NGOs make exceedingly provocative and seditious remarks. The really sad part of all these is the 'unthinking' way these politicians and NGOs announce their views in the mainstream and internet news media. It is a bit surprising, but maybe good for the country, that some of the younger upcoming politicians seem to be much more rational and unbiased towards race and religion.

The Government, and the anointed NGOs should really stop playing with fire and start thinking about the future of the country as a whole. If we cannot unite the youth through a unified Education system, and a floundering National Service programme, the least the politicians could do is to 'count to ten' before opening their mouths.

Glad for right thinking Malaysians

The Internet, and the "world at our feet"

For two days, our phone cable broke, and I was not on the Net.. Today, TM guys came and reattached the cable, and I am back in touch.. It also made me realise that a 40year old length of copper wire, now taped and joined with a shorter length, can start revolutions, do big business, spread pornography, destroy reputations, and even market sheep placenta and Spring, a Herbal Viagra.etc etc  It's a really humbling thought! A few electrons flowing at the speed of light literally at a touch, and the world can be smashed to smithereens...

Aiming for High Income Nation with Third World Mindset

Reading your report, 'firebomb thrown at UKM's student's house', and looking at the picture shown therein, it immediately struck my mind that, while we are trying our level best to be a "high income nation" by 2020, most of us are still mired in mindsets of a third world nation.

First, the Molotov cocktail thrown at a rival's house show that young Malaysians have not learnt to compete fairly and honestly, and most do it better through intimidation and hostile acts. This should never be condoned, and the authorities must come down hard on the culprits.

Second, the photo attached to the report showed a house porch filled with garbage, showing that our University students are not bothered with basic cleanliness at all, and littering is a 'way of life'. That is really sad!

I am not sure whether we should be more ashamed and horrified with the violence shown by the students , or with their dirty habits!

God save our nation!

Students unable to compete fairly

'Unbalanced' price of cheap foreign beer

I refer to your report 'cheap foreign beer pouring into the country, even to established supermarkets', which stated that much duty has not been collected, implying that these are illegal imports? You also quoted the Customs as saying as these cheap beer may have been sold close to its expiry date? I beg to differ, as I have bought San Miguel and Foster's at established places for as little as RM10 for three 330ml cans with expiry dates of more than 8 months.

As these beer cans have official Customs stickers across the top, it is safe to presume that they have all been LEGALLY imported, and proper duty paid. What the Customs should focus on is the DECLARED value of those beer cans that are imported? If a can of imported beer is declared to be of RM1 in value, landed, how much tax will they have to pay? That's the reason why legally imported foreign beer is still so cheap, at retail.

All parties should look into this issue, and find ways to 'balance' the business.

 'Unbalanced' price of cheap foreign beer

Neglected house 48 Jalan 11/10 PJaya

Dear MBPJ/

On behalf of the neighbours, and the residents along Jalan 11/10 PJ, I wish to file a report with MBPJ on the terrible condition of house No. 48 Jalan 11/10. Please see the pictures attached. I also summarise below a list of problems and complaints for MBPJ to consider further action:

1. The tenants have finally left the house as they could not stand the roof leaking, the back drain have collapsed, and the pipe leading from the toilet is broken.
2. The immediate neighbour, Mr Chong has directly complained to the owner, who came to collect the rents, that the awful condition of the house has affected the condition of his house, No 46. The owner pretended he did not hear.
   
3. The roof might collapse anytime, as the former tenants have complained of serious leaks during rain.
4. The pictures show that no effort has been made at all to MAINTAIN the house in a 'livable' condition, prompting  tenants to leave the place! 
5. The porch of the house is now being used as a dumping ground for bedbug infested mattresses of another neighbour! 
6. Families of rats have been seen staying in the burrow holes behind the house, coming out at night to forage for food. Even cats are scared of these big rats!
   
7. Now, we are afraid the only people who will rent the place will be drug addicts, illegal foreign restaurant and car wash workers, and maybe even illegal Nepalese 'guards'

My question to MBPJ is, if the owner persists in allowing the house to fall into such a condition, and if the owner refuses to heed the neighbour's request to maintain the house, what can MBPJ do to help the residents? Do we have to stomach such selfish behaviour?

Dr Chitra, since the house in in Section 11, can't you drive by and have a look on your way home from office? We need help from the authorities to solve this longstanding problem, so please do something. There must be some law to address such stubborn house owners who have total disregard for others, and only care about the rental income!

MBPJ please help us! Do something

Run down house poses health hazards 

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