Breaking News

 I have an amused laugh when the term "breaking news" is used daily, whether online or on retro television.

Often when the details are finally revealed, it is not breaking or that important.

The misuse of exagerrated labeling or reference does cheapen words, descriptions and their meanings or implications.   No wonder many people I know do not bother to keep up with the news, or the overloading transmission of news.

Concurrent with the use of such terms as breaking news,  the news industry is observed to lure and bait readers, watchers or listeners with falling standards of integrity, rising sensationalism and agenda backed selection of what to report.

Trust by consumers of news holds it all together.  News that are increasingly seen or understood to be politically massaged lose their attractiveness.  On the other hand, some have argued that groups of believers take comfort in being reinforced and embedded in what they honestly reckon is their way.

News delivery that try to balance opinions and explain the diversity of views are getting hard to find.  The choice of words in headlines can also reveal the sell of the news provider.  Less we see are non prejudiced descriptions and more we see the obvious bent towards what they want us to be convinced about.

If you only know about news on channels of social media, you also do not escape what I mention above.  

Communication media seem to be categorised according to political colour.   We are less encouraged to maintain an open mind.  I do not want to take sides and can only see the ridiculousness of a circus of news transmission.

The world of newspapers, screen media and video clips have such a significant volume of material that any individual cannot handle.  Even if I want to be cocooned away from this calvacade of over kill, I get news in my personal or group messages online.

This information overload does test our intelligence, sanity and mental vibrancy.   The worst scenario to me is to subscribe for a fee or not.  Reaction to this can be to shut down, get sucked in or to be more cautious in what we hear or read.

"Breaking news"?  If this is followed by interviews or opinions that want the masses to toe the line, there is a canary in the coalmine.

Promotions for a product, service or opinion are also blatantly parceled as news.  The commercial communication industry needs funding and there is no such thing as a free lunch.

The upside is that the most discerning amongst us can see and understand better, sift the corn from the cob and spare our minds from poor quality stuff.

#yongkevthoughts

Peranakans Today

 The Peranakans or "Local Born" originated in south east Asia a few hundred years ago.  The hybrid of culture resulted when immigrants from India and China settled in the Malayan Peninsular, Borneo, southern Thailand, the Indonesian archipelago and Burma.  These first arrivals intermarried with the women in their new lands of adoption.

The Straits Chinese Peranakan had formulated a developed lifestyle of Chinese cultural rites, Malay wardrobes, fusion culinary and patois, loyalty to the British colonists,  a matriarchal family arrangement and acumen for business.  

Many of the men or Babas had maintained their essentially Fujian or Hokkien values and practices in combination with an adoration and passion for British education and trappings.

The women or Nyonyas were traditionally trained in the nuances and arts of house rule, often spending much time and effort in the fine arts and details of elegant cookery.  This was pretty much the reality before universal education liberated females around the world.

Roll up to 2025 and the contemporary world of the Baba and Nyonya descendants has moved to a transitionary uncertainty.

Malaysia and Singapore are lands that compartmentalise their populations by race and religion.  The Peranakans are not recognised for their niche identity, often having to choose in their identity cards as belonging to one of the three main demographics.  ( Thailand and Indonesia remarkably do not follow the same system).

The significant waves of emigration in the past forty years to Western nations from south east Asia have placed many families of Peranakan heritage in cities far from their origins in Malacca, Penang, Ipoh, Medan, Phuket, Rangoon, Surabaya and Singapore.  Subsequent generations from these families are now intermarrying more with Caucasians, Vietnamese and Filipinos in the Westen societies.

Historically the Peranakans are a minority and it continues to be even so.  The practice of three generations living under one roof has dwindled, especially under the individualistic mindset in Western culture.   The emphasis, knowledge and mindset of Peranakan values have dissipated and diluted in the 21st century, especially amongst its younger descendants.

Those who hold on to the Peranakan heritage and sentiment are essentially baby boomers.   The exquisite porcelain, the practical coconut scraper and the food baskets remain as powerful symbols when used in the house, but can soon become historical icons when the meaning, mantra and measure of Baba and Nyonya life is lost with the passing of the elders.

Peranakans thrive in song and dance, having social afternoons and dressing up.  The refinement and care with which traditional foods are prepared can be most significant - think of Babi Pongteh, Ayam Buah Keluak, Kueh Pie Tee, Ayam Tempra, Pulut Tai Tai, Kueh Talam, Ang Koo, Ondeh Ondeh, Kueh Lapis and Seri Muka.  

The Kebaya, which in 2024 was finally recognized by UNESCO, is a unique creation of design that flatters and brings out the best when adorning the female figure.  The  high skill, design and art of making the Kebaya underlies both the symbolic and real  problematic future of Peranakan prospects.

Will Peranakan icons like the Kebaya increasingly move into a commercial colllection sphere rather than being actually be used in daily life?

Peranakan culture cannot positively evolve when it is overwhelmed by stronger and other social overlays and is viewed as not contributing to modern life.  The language is no longer spoken by the grandchildren.

The foods are not served om a regular basis at home but have been hijacked by commercial outlets.  Weddings are now of a Westernised practicality.  

Ths Singapore government seems consistent in showcasing the Peranakan heritage in encouraging ways, compared to her neighbours. This is done even if her Baba and Nyonya constituents are not many in number.  The Peranakans in other nations carry on in rather limited and informal ways.

#yongkevthoughts

Backpacker Quiz Section 5

 The Backpacker

Section 5

1. Which Euro capital city is the most bike friendly in the world?

a. Amsterdam

b. Berlin

c. Copenhagen

d. Stockholm

2. What popular dessert pastry was created in a monastery in Lisbon?

3. What is the currency of India called?

a. Rupiah

b. Dollar

c. Rupee

d. Taka

4. Which of the following is not associated with the USA?

a. Hominy Grits

b. Clam Chowder

c. Drop Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

d. Split Pea Soup

5. Near where does the Tropic of Capricorn cross Australia?

a. Tennants Creek NT

b. Byron Bay NSW

c. Rockhampton QLD

d. Carnavon WA

6. What is the most popular cooked food in Aussie pubs?

7. What is the national animal of Papua New Guinea?

8. The Panda is unique to China, the Orang Utan to South east Asia and the Wombat to Australia.

Which animal below is unique to Africa?

a. Buffalo

b. Ostrich

c. Leopard

d. Deer

9. What fun event can you attend on full moon nights in Koh Samui, Thailand?

a. Cook outs

b. Meditation camps.

c. Wild dance parties.

d. Boot camp hikes.

10. Which animal graces the official emblem of the NZ Government? (2 points)

End of the Backpacker, Section 5.

Backpacker Quiz Section 4

 The Backpacker Section 4.

1. Which language, after English, is the most widely spoken in Australia?

2. What is the most expensive coffee in Bali called?

a. Campos

b. Kopi Luwak

c. Nespresso

d. Ais Batu Kacang or ABC

3. Can you be fined as a vehicle driver in NSW, if you splash mud on an alighting bus passenger, after going through a road puddle?

Yes or No.

4. What does the word "Mediterranean" mean?

a. Middle of the Land

b. Middle of the Sea

c. Middle of the World

d. Middle of the Empire

5. Name a country which still imposes the death penalty for carrying a small amount of illegal drugs.

6. Ninety-five per cent of bananas sold in Australia are only of one variety. What is the name of this variety?

7. What is the most common first name in the world? 

a. James

b. Ping

c. Mohammad

d. Miguel

8. Which one country in the world does not have a MacDonalds?

a. Mongolia

b. Yemen

c. Iceland

d. Belize

9. The HBO series, Game of Thrones, was filmed in an European country - which one was it?

a. Serbia

b. Italy

c. Greece

d. Croatia

10. The capital city with highest altitude in the world is La Paz in Bolivia.

Which African city is highest located above sea level for that continent?

a. Johannesburg, South Africa

b. Windhoek, Naimbia

c. Addis Ababa, Ethopia

d. Nairobi, Kenya

(2 points) 

End of The Backpacker, Section 4.

Backpacker Quiz Section 3

 The Backpacker, Section 3.

1. What is the national dish of Singapore?

a. Curry laksa.

b. Chicken rice.

c. Kaya spread on toast with poached egg.

d. Grilled meat satay skewers.

2. Which country from the list below was never colonised? 

a. Ethopia

b. Korea

c. Hawaii

d. Ireland

3. In which part of Australia can you find pink coloured lakes?

a. NSW

b. Tasmania

c. Northern Territory

d. Western Australia

4. What is the official animal of Scotland?

a. Deer

b. Squirrel

c. Unicorn

d. Horse

5. Briefly explain what the "Heathrow Injection" is.

6. Fortune cookies, beef and brocolli, General Tso's Chicken and Chop Suey were all created for Americans by Chinese immgrants. Select another similar dish from the list below.

a. Dim Sims

b. Chicken Orange

c. Fried rice.

d. Deep fried Ice Cream

7. Which one tourist landmark is not in Australia?

a. The Big Barrel

b. The Big Wickets

c. The World's Tallest

Bin

d. The Big Church Block Bottle

e. The Big Cigar

f. The Giant Owl

g. The Big Giant Gumboot

h. The Big Mushroom

i. The Big Paw Paw

8. Before Covid, the largest number of tourists to Australia came from China. Which country was ranked second?

a. Britain

b. USA.

c. New Zealand

d. Germany

9. What is the name of the currency of Vietnam?

a. Gong

b. Dong

c. Long

d Pong

10. An airline passenger cannot carry on board liquids above a certain amount. Name two other items prohibited. (2 points)

End of the Backpacker, Section 3.