Delusional Citizens

Shared a news report on income inequality with friends  in the country (Singapore) I used to call home. The report is a prelude to another report which is due to be published tomorrow. It highlights the poverty in Singapore.

How could this be possible? The country is considered as one of the richest in the world, one of the costliest to live in, and one that has the highest GDP per capita. To the world, it is an exemplary self-made nation that has created its wealth based on zero natural resources. The combined fiscal and economic policy has successfully transformed the red dot nation to become one of the world's most attractive power-house for global investors.

Precisely, how could it be possible? However, the Gini coefficeint which measures income inequality states otherwise, Over the last 10 years, the rate has increased at a greater speed than those of the developed nations. The rich have grown richer exponentially but the poor remain the same. The reporter put poverty into context by illustrating that the poor still can be found selling packets of tissue paper outside food centers.

My dear friend did not accept the "metaphor". She proclaimed that the author has been grossly misled and misinformed about selling tissue paper as a sign of poverty! I almost choked at the response when she said the article is not worth OUR time analyzing it!

Clearly, she missed the broader view of the report which is about income inequality in a "wealthy country". What is the government doing to eradicate this social issue? She is one example of a Singaporean living in delusion that poverty is not a noun to be used to describe Singapore. How many others think the same as her? I dare not imagine! If the majority opinion prevails, the government will continue to neglect the living poor. The vicious cycle continues and the delusional mindset becomes an embedded character in future generations.

She reminds me of a frog living in a well. The magnitude of arrogance is exacerbated by ignorance. The inculcated arrogance does not allow a closed minded person to see Singapore in a negative spotlight. Despite external published report that has validated the condition or situation, an ignorant person chooses to remain clueless. A deluded person disregards the fact and is blinded by the existing living conditions of the poor, which is the reality.

It is utter selfishness to live in oblivion and becoming immune to the conditions of others. To only accept societal norms imposed by culture or institutions is an injustice to our intellect. Our intellect is far more capable of drawing insights as to what is real based on what we see. If only we choose to use it optimally. Its function is pivotal and it influences our choices. We must not let self-deception permeate our being.