Northern Hemisphere Still Holds the Key

 "There will be great trouble in the North", so goes the quote attributed to Nostradamus, who occasionally is brought up in the media as one from the past who made predictions about a future world.

Even as populations have increased and economic activities have been enhanced in the past 200 years across the Southern Hemisphere of Earth, societies here are relatively behind and still seemingly trapped in seemingly colonial platitudes, industries of the past with surprisingly low value add and with immature political structures.

South America and southern Africa have not shaken off the quagmire of governance and social revulsions, pulsating along a political spectrum of rule by socialist, dictatorial and right wing governments.

Australian governments are still content with exploitation of their raw resources, providing a key supplier of energy and mineral needs of nations pumping away in growth but located north of the Equator.

Australia, with one of the largest land masses for territory, has still not emerged to assert her own strategic interests and continue to perpetuate a mentality of being dependent on another Western nation.   She has not seized the oppprtunity to realise the huge advantages of her geographical location near the world's fastest growng area. 

New Zealand likewise has to break away from plucking the easier and low hanging fruit of tourism and agriculture.

No matter, both Antipodean countries do still attract migration from Asia, in waves from different countries due to a variety of economic, political and social factors.

The Northern Hemisphere however remains where the most relevant action occurs.

Innovation and research hubs remain in both Bay areas on both sides of the Pacific -  San Jose- San Francisco California and the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macau-Shenzen region.   London, Washington-Baltimore, New York, Boston-Cambridge, Seattle, Chicago and Los Angeles shine for Anglo nations.

In north east Asia, Tokyo-Yokohama, Seoul, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nan Jing, Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto and Beijing propel like the bright city lights they exude in vibrancy of relentless growth.

Most growth centres encompass a profile of being financial, advanced technology, higher education and business investment hot spots.

It is no surprise that China and the USA lead in this respect.

Contemporary world events have also cast these two very same large nations in the speculation, dynamics and tensions for conflict.   Is it a clash of civillisations and ideology? Is it a time of the dominant old having to give way to a rising new?  Whatever it is, whatever the constant noise emitted, underlying reality and whatever the public is not told, in the end outcomes speak for themselves.

The "great trouble in the North" in so many ways can refer to a future drawn out conflict by the USA with Russia and China.  The world wars of the 20th century saw great divides between two groups of countries - for example, the Allies against the Axis powers and nations joining one side or the other accelerated the geographical spread of battles and destruction.

After the traumatic experience of massive, intense and widespread loss of lives and damage, there arose a non- aligned movement in the 1950s in which mostly African, Asian and South American nations chose not to be involved with the Western club of war winners from the European and Asia Pacific theatres of war.

As the 21st century approached, the momentum of this Non-Aligned Movement seemed to fizzle out.

Roll forward to 2025, eighty years after the Nazis and Japanese Imperial Army surrendered - and the world is once again regrouping into two sides - those who follow the lead of the USA and another who do not.

Significant changes since 1945 highlight great technology advances in societies once downtrodden and vulnerable; falling standards and quality of life in others once deemed superior; the greater mobility of migrants to enter nations once closed off;  the dearth of manufacturing in places that started the Industrial Revolution due to comparative labour costs; and rising educational levels which increased social and economic expectations and reality in so called previous "third world" countries.

Europe in the Northern Hemisphere has always been on the move from the Renaissance to its current nurturing of the European Union.

Geographically, continental Europe is relatively a smaller place than the expanse of land one travels through in the USA, China or Russia.  Unity and social cohesion remains a challenge for the various cultures and states of Europe.  Europe led in world affairs, colonised the rest of the world and had a confident heritage until the Second World War.

The lands lying between Europe, India, Africa and Central Asia have witnessed tumultous change of empires, birth of important religions and throbbed through aggressive cultures.  Several political entities here have been blessed with the world's dependency on petroleum - but this can come along with interference by foreign powers, violent disorders and instability for the unprotected. 

South east Asia and India have geopolitically entered a new era that is way past colonialism but are still riding the waves of political and ethnic nationalism.   Their populations for a variety of reasons contribute a large share of migrants to other parts of the world.  Politics here can be a mixed bag, attracting various versions of democracy, dictatorship, communism, royalty and socialism.

Standards of living, business dynamism and future growth do face risks from geopolitical turmoil.   Wartime means the further bloom in arnament sales but destruction and holding back of peace time share markets, inter cultural understanding, quality of life, supplies, public infrastructure networks, freer trade and economic returns.

Are conflicts fought over access to natural resources and food supplies?   Do troubles break out due to excess hormonic tribal pulses, in the name and push to uphold history, religion or culture?   Are battles fought with sacrifice of lives just because we are on the opposing sides of some imagined political spectrum or deeply rooted religious passion?

Are internal matters of a society interfered by outside parties instead of being allowed to be resolved without the manipulation by others?

Social upheaval can arise from ethnic tensions, divisions in multi-racial economies and changing governance arrangements.  Orders of the old world like royalty are diminishing.  On the other hand, when there is too much personal freedom, human instincts can long for being under personal political control.  History can repeat or rhyme for human societies.  New generations can forget, yearn for the past or experiment with drastic radical politics.

The British exported their language, government institutions, philosophy, religions and technology when they colonised the world.  Having superior technology in trade, science, arnaments, leadership and historical opportunity can embolden nationalism, cultural imperatives and the course of human civilisation.

The Northern Hemisphere has been saddled with the course of human progress, discord, capacity and impact.  The so called South may have been on the receiving end of initiatives and impact of incursions from the Northern Hemisphere, emphatically for Indigenous groups, but is not without her uniqueness and advantages.

The Southern Hemisphere seems to be an abode of relative remoteness, less pollution and a chance to restart and do things differently.  

Where negatively utilised, like in conducting nuclear testing, sourcing of slave labour and greedy exploitation of resources, these echo the dark sides of human behaviour.

Where positively shown, the Southern Hemisphere has been a refuge for the economically, religious and politically weary populations of Earth, where the atmosphere is relatively unpolluted and where one can still clearly see the stars of the Universe at night.

#yongkevthoughts

Delusions of Society Revealed?

As Earth populates as never before,

Expectations continue to rise and roar,

But not for those in the wrong place and time,

When even basic needs are withdrawn to the nines.

The false hype is that things will forever expand and grow,

When in reality the Universe and Nature of Earth is to be transformed in a gradual glow.

As human made channels congest and stress,

There is value and calm in wanting less.

Do we need to greed for more and chase after things that we do not truly need,

Just for our ego, pride and selfishness to feed.

Is there more inner joy to share and give,

Compared to accumulating more than we can ever need.

The contemporary world nourishes from more kindness, encouragement, smiles and consideration, 

Than obsession with competition, selfishness and aggeessive obsession.

Societies collapse from blatant corruption, ideology and discrimination,

Instead of being nourished by merit, ethics, humanity, proactivity and positive determination.

To shine a true light into the path of individual and collective destiny,

One can see beyond the limitations of supression, confusion, devastation and emnity.

#yongkevthoughts

Days and Nights of Early Hope and Optimism

 I could recite the newly introduced Federal Government National Principles of the Nation ( written by bureaucrats),  thoroughly enjoying the efforts  to unite a society of various origins, beliefs and backgrounds, ostensibly through common values of love for a young country formed from the end of colonialism.

I even won a primary schools award for some competition in the declared national language, even if I cherished the so many other languages to speak and write in, at home, with extended family of relatives, socially and when communicating with people and passer-bys on the road.

In my childhood, I was less conscious of racial differences and already enjoyed the variety of food and culture from residing in a land blessed with the contributions of migrants originating from different places. I was not told much at school or outside school hours of the Peninsular's Indigenous inhabitants, with low numbers living in remote rural corners, not even having an opportunity to see or meet them in real life.

I was born after the British colonists left.   Their influence and heritage were still embedded in everyday matters of life, in the building architecture, place names, significance of rule of law and in the discourse of education.

English language was inherently taken granted by me as an international language of technology, geopolitics, art, science and economic growth.  I  still could not realise the role that Mandarin language escalated to in these contemporary times.  My social networks were on a emphasis of Western civilisation not anticipating the rejuvenation of things Eastern.

American entertainment, news, philosophy and propanganda dominated my growing up years.   The glory of the British Empire, even if she had already dismantled, refused to leave the pyschology and adoration of the adults I encountered.  Overseas, there were strong stirrings of the impact of the Cold War on a stage pitting democracy against communism, of left wing versus right wing, of human rights freedoms versus extremism, of domino collapse theories and surging nationalism.

One evening, the perceived sense of orderliness and improvement in my society was shattered by riots, violence, gas lighting and abhorrent display of divisiveness in a few urban hubs of the country I was born in.

My eldest brother had been on a train to the capital city to attend university.  Police had to escort him and his fellow passengers at the destination rail station for safety from the rampaging mobs.  Rumours, fear, uncertainty and disbelief rose in the hearts and pulse of those who stayed home to keep away from the violence reported happening on the streets.  My sense of innocence about the world and my society was shattered.

How would my society react to this landmark episode?

Would this be grabbed by the horns to resolve the underlying issues, fractures and problems?

Some say the colonists, before granting independence, had already embedded the divisiveness and nurtured the flames of dissatisfaction amongst the different races they ruled over for so long.

If the fissures and cracks were already there, could they have not been repaired?  Or those in power in the newly formed Federation very likely had different ambitions and plans.

And as they say, the rest is history.

My aspirations, love and sentiment for the country of my birth took an inevitable beating in due course.

Cikgu Othman at Francis Light School nurtured my handling of the national language - and I still have find memories of him as my teacher at an important stage of life.

I still recall how happily I rode the bicycle to the Penang Free School each day, with a classmate whose father worked at the nearby naval base.   Green Lane did not have the congested traffic one experiences today.

And my nation of birth is not the same one as in my childhood, changed beyond what I can fathom.

Note - Independence was granted by Britain to Malaya on 31.8.57.  Malaya, with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, created the Federation of Malaysia on 16 9.63.   Singapore left this Federation on 9.8.65 and became an island republic.

#yongkevthoughts

Alternate Routines in the Daily Life

 At times, I do wonder whether my daily regime would be the same if I did reside in another city, another country.

Melbourne

The streets of more suburbs here seem to be oozing with more character, better architecture and more historical nuances.  The bay area would be facing the winds from the Southern Ocean - and wind chill would be more pronounced in as many months.

Wardrobe layering is de rigour. Dressed up, I would visit more venues of culture, collection and culinary.  The skies can often be more gray and cloudy.  I would take more hot beverages, examine more murals, appreciate more of the design of the trams and take in more of the temperate climate.

Singapore

I feel the geographical smallness of the island nation - and at the same time, the boundless determination to overcome any perception of limitation.

I would not give up the Kaya toast, half boiled egg and coffee at each MRT station.  I now see and realise the commercialisation of Orchard Road, but still do not get fatigued by exhibits at various institutions.

I would still minimise the sweat from outdoor afternoons and quietly seek air conditioned places.   I would observe the locals from the ubiqutious food courts.   I am still fascinated at places where foreigners and locals do retail.

I still relish in visiting suburbs around the Republic, each with its unique character and sameness.   I would seek out the pockets of greenery and Nature which the Government has planned and developed.

Some places may seem artificial and contrived.  Others are what this city state tries to maintain and grow, even if it has been given up or taken for granted in other societies.

I would not take for granted the appreciated high level of personal and public safety here.  I am grateful for the orderliness, signage and organisation.  

I look at the high rises of residence.  I notice the discipline of putting away trays of food after people finish their meals at food courts.  I am aware of the natural need to queue and the apparent fear of missing out in public behaviour.

I do realise the pressure to both communalise and yet differentiate on a personal level. There are not many private vehicles on Singapore roads relative to the population.  There is intense level of competition in keeping up with the Joneses - and the Government is ever conscious of developing and enhancing the sense and reality of a united society.

Penang

I miss the compactness of my childhood island, but the increased number of vehicles running on road networks that have not sufficiently increased is a significant matter still not resolved.

Public transport remains outdated for a population easily over a million on the island itself.

The island is ideal for a metropolitan hop on hop off train line, but faces challenges in building underground lines.  Flat land mostly is available on to her eastern and southern coasts, with a hilly centre and a narrow strip with cliffs and beaches on her northern shore.

I miss pleasure road drives on to the other side of Penang Island, with a more contrasting rural scenery than urban set ups in her more populated parts.  The high altitude highway transversing the middle part of the island gives you a view of the Malacca Straits and the southern Andaman Sea.

Three categories in Penang exist for the foodie.   World famous hawker food beckon both visitors and locals alike in taste, variety and pricing - and this is sorely missed across Greater Sydney, especially with demanding prices for essentially street food.

The diversity of migrants in Australian capital cities also mean the diversity of cuisines made available.  Fresh produce in Australia can be of better quality, but cooking ingredients can be more expensive to source, together with higher venue rentals, labour payments and limited hours of operation.

Hong Kong

I would climb up and down more sloping streets.  I would wriggle in and out of more crowds. I would not take the harbour for granted.  I would take in my stride the humidity in summer and moderate coolness at the start of a new year.

I would enjoy the hikes along hills and bays in parts of the territory seemingly far away from the maddening crowd.   I would enjoy the soybean, fresh seafood, noodles and other delicacies of a mature Cantonese cooking style.

I would take the opportunities growing from economy, trade and finance in a strengthening Bay area.   The China of today is at her door step, exciting, growing, promising and yet reality already.  The call of the future and the vibrancy of the present has over written and over ridden her past.

Klang Valley, Selangor

Distance in driving around is what I have still not got used to here.   The number of multi laned highways and how they interconnect with endless traffic can be both fascinating and mind boggling.  

I would enjoy dawn walks in the several large parks scattered around this valley.  Their shopping centres are less attractive as I grow older, for most of them tend to have similar retail and look the same.

I would enjoy the "kopi tiam" regime of so many people seemingly not home cooking and eating out at any time of the day or night.  I would not enjoy as much the challenges of vehicle parking in suburbs.   I would immerse in the vibrancy of so many small businesses expressing themselves in the various communities.

There are things not spoken off on the streets of jarring politics - and yet I feel the vibes of ordinary people over coming things in this quiet way.

#yongkevthoughts

Breakfast In The Morning

 The alluring aroma of onions on toast with poached egg is what drives me to make them at home first thing in the early morning.

But I still miss the variety of options of breaking fast in my childhood days - there were light fluffy south Indian pancakes (Roti Canai), stir fried Chinese radish cubes with garlic and bean sprouts ( Cai Tau Kueh), or modest packets of coconut milk flavoured steamed long grain rice with appetising  condiments ( Nasi Lemak).

Piping hot long black coffee with various blends did the necessary awakening for sleepy heads. There was no touch of Italian varieties, no Matcha or soy milk additives - in fact, fresh diary was and still is expensive in an equatorial land.

Personally I do not miss bacon, but ham slices are a pleasure to have, especially in a well prepared sandwich or focaccia, especially with beetroot and an avocado smash spread, together with some fresh rocket leaves.

 Nicely sauteed mushrooms added to the presentation transmits me to the border with brunch time.   A bagel is a welcome  change from the usual sourdough or Turkish.

Fresh juices made from tomato seem to be offered less these days than the ubiqutious orange juice.   Eggs in whatever way you fancy are popular - but fresh fruit cuts can be so refreshing.  I love local fruits offered when overseas - examples are passion fruits, papayas, grapes of different varieties, kiwifruits or Chinese gooseberries, rambutans, mangoes or cherries.

And nothing spoothes the body or appetite on a cold morning like pumpkin soup with a slight dash of cream.

In East Asia, there is the reassuring  delight of steamed fluffy buns or Bao, with fillings of well marinated and finely cut meat, or just simply with red bean or custard fillings.  For many days in southern China provinces, light rice congee assured the welcome of another day of adventure on tour.

Baguettes are essential in European sojourns.  They form the basis of crunch, texture and body to energise and inspire, together with top ups and relishes, sweet or savoury.  Coffee in its various forms are de rigour in the Mediterranean cultures, usually taken with strong blends and in small cups.

The differences between Continental and English breakfast varieties have been promoted in countless international hotel settings for so many years.   Across Asia, cooked breakfasts are often accessible as opposed to just cereal, breads and milk.

Most of the former colonised nations as a matter of course provide both local and European items in impressive spreads from 7am, echoing history, variety and internationalism.  Breakfasts in hotels across Australia and New Zealand tend to still limit themselves to British and American familiarities, despite the nature of their societies getting more diversified.

Fast food chains across the globe have embedded breakfast options long ago - although they do not sell them after 1030am.  

At Singapore MRT stations, one offering, the combo of Kaya toast, half boiled egg and coffee stands out as a cultural imprint.  Japan has the miso soup and noodles as a common thread to expect in the mornings.  Thais start with spice even in breakfasts.

Lentils, ground into a healthy mush, plus grain based fibre strong grains like oats, can be more healthy to be taken on a daily basis, improving gut health and bowel maintenance.

Sweet based dishes like waffles, pancakes and cakes now have moved from teatimes to early mornings in many cafes. Preserves and fruit based jams have always been spread on buttered scones, breads and wheat based bakes.

Breakfast dishes are packed in takeaways for an increasingly busy market.

And tea, milkshakes, juices and more compete with coffee in the beverage scene first thing in the morning.

And finally there is the increasing concept of "all day breakfasts".

#yongkevthoughts