Pitch
Smart nations need smarter societies. Knowledge is power – are our pens mightier than swords, or are we simply keyboard warriors?
Description
Make life easier/more difficult for Singapore?
More difficult
Describe the change
True to our mantra of "Majulah Singapore", we continue to progress as a nation. We debate, discuss and defend a more inclusive society, applaud and celebrate any accolades of our small red dot, and with the rise of information made ready at our fingertips, we are quick to comment and air our views. We talk a big talk, yet can we walk the walk? Take a quick perusal on social media, and you'll notice a worrying trend on how we continue to speak our minds without thinking before we speak. Singapore is growing, but are her citizens able to keep up?
Amidst the naysayers, contempt, and empty talk of calls for greater inclusion with language that taunts and terrorizes, how can our identity as a smart society translate to more than words on a screen? Come 2030, will we have unintentionally stumbled our own progress towards becoming a smart society fit for our smart nation?
How will this change impact Smart Nation Singapore in 2030?
It is difficult to predict what this means for our nation come 15-20 years, because how can you institutionalize the human heart? We idolise freedom of speech, but don't realise the weight of our words. Perhaps it is idealistic to wish otherwise, but it may be more difficult for Singaporeans to keep up as first class global citizens who are open to healthy debate and change if this trend continues.
We are enchanted by the idea of superheroes growing up. We like that seemingly ordinary people have the power to change the world. Knowledge is power. With a 96.8% literacy rate and 70.9% of Singaporeans aged 25 and up with a secondary or higher qualification, our society has so much potential for greatness. For every other kid who grew up hearing that "with great power comes great responsibility", why can't we see that we are more than keyboard warriors, more than an alias on a screen. We can and should be responsible to wield our words wisely to build a stronger, smarter society.
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