Dogged Wanderings has moved!!
No need to change bookmarks or anything... I'll take care of the redirections.Just know that there's a new blog here (although, depending on who you are, you might be better off bookmarking this other blog instead). :P
Monday, April 24, 2006
Just know that there's a new blog here (although, depending on who you are, you might be better off bookmarking this other blog instead). :P
Saturday, April 22, 2006
More on Project NOAH
There's so much I'm thinking and would like to say but I lack the energy to gather my thoughts and pen them down. Besides, others far more well-grounded in the situation have already spoken. I can only echo their opinions.Full coverage on wildsingapore.com.
I remain highly skeptical and I do have my reservations. I support the notion that we should put our techonologies and knowledge to the test, but it should NOT be done at the expense of our fragile reefs, at least, not in the field and not at P. Hantu. Say, can't trials be held first, and elsewhere? Forget the commercial incentives for the time being. If they can't then this is, like what others say, businesses just seeing cha-ching-ing opportunities in taking advantage of our marine areas.
Not that the rest of us demand that the project be halted completely, but they shouldn't even think of starting work on it when they haven't fully done their research and laid out their plans proper. As things appear, they have not thought of what exactly will happen and what or how they are going to do it. And what surprises me even more is how a few prominent individuals - scientists and conservationists - are so strongly backing this project. The S'pore Environment Council and Nature Society are supporters as well, no less. If they really see the benefits of this, then I say to them: convince us. They are failing miserably in this aspect, for the reasoning against Project NOAH is overwhelming.
From the press release:
My first thought was... what a load of crap. For many of the points.
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While we're on the subject matter, have a look at some really cool scenes of coral spawning at the waters of the Raffles Lighthouse. :)
Less than two more days...
Why am I so relaxed??! Por que?I've read and revised but I don't think I can remember. I won't know if I've remembered until until I write them out. I won't be able to write everything out until I'm staring at the actual paper.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
2-month-old guppies
Compare them now with a month ago. If genetics are anything to come by, their father should be one which looks like Male#9. (Yes, the tank needs cleaning.)
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
On my way to the Sandwich Shop
This was from a while back. Just realised I haven't yet published it. More about this 'old English charm' here.
Bird numbers in London
Something I never knew before:"The number of bird species in London declines from 77 in the outer suburbs to 50 in the inner and 43 in the city centre." (Pullin, 2002)
Species richness in urban areas declines towrds the city centre, but I never knew what the figures were.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
It begins
It amazes me. It's almost like raising an underground army. 'Cept that the army is already there, it's always been there, and now they are revealing their faces and dusting the grit from their armour. They are rallying to the call of the horn."Cause who knows what the future holds?
(who knows what the future holds? )
Cause who knows what your future holds
(this is what your future holds)"
The President and the Council have written back. Not as One but as Individuals.
Things are getting exciting. Things are staring to happen.
One word: Hope.
Actually, add another: Faith.
And wait.
With that, I slip back into my world of the struggling undergrad.
Monday, April 17, 2006
On conservation - "people, politics and problems"
It was bold move. I wanted to make a statement, not start a revolution. (Although the maverick in me would have been pleased at the latter.) I had originally intended to send it only to the BESGroup mailing loop, but I ended up sending it to all the major mailing lists. To a good many hundred people. I have not yet sent it to the official NSS bird group loop, for I initially lacked the courage. Anyway, I'm sure they'd have heard about this by now.It started off with Prof Wee's posting on the BESGroup blog regarding the Avifauna. It caused a little uproar, with people speaking out in defence of the NSS, countered by others who believed in revealing the whole truths: "Sweeping it under the carpet does not help."
From there, I dug a deeper hole.
What I wrote:
Many years ago, I was chatting with a fellow nature guide. He asked if I was an NSS member. I said yes. He frowned, and then went on to tell me about why he refuses to (re)join NSS - "Politics, people, problems." At that time, he was the first person I have met to have felt this way. Not having been in the local nature circle long, then I did not understand. But through the years, I came to realise, and know why. Two years ago, I did not renew my membership.
All around us we see 'new-age' conservation and educational groups being formed by enlightened individuals, wisely opting to stay away from the crippling politics of major established bodies such as NSS or NParks. They are bonded to no-one but themselves and a common cause. They are full of youthly vigour - no matter their ages - and best of all, they achieve what they set out to do. To a great extent I'd say they are faring better than the NSS. Have we ever asked why these groups were not, as would have been expected, formed under the wing of the NSS or its specialised subgroups? Why are these groups at the forefront of conservation now, and not the NSS? What has been happening with the NSS?
Sure, the NSS may the 'official' nature conservation body in Singapore, but we must admit that it is getting past its prime. In the past, the way in which it operated might have worked - and its accomplishments are many - but in today's society, imho it should take a step back and face what's happening behind the curtains. Decades of dust and dirt have accumulated and now it's finding it too heavy to move about with? I know that I am in no position to say these things, and I do not claim that I am aware of what exaclty has been happening, but to put it in the simplest words - it does not feel good. Even speaking as I do though, I do not wish to undermine the current efforts of many notable NSS members. The problems do not lie just with the individuals; it's the Society as a whole that needs to address the issues. However that is to be done, I wouldn't know. But something needs to be done, and soon.
Just like in nature, there is the survival of the fittest. New groups have evolved and the NSS is failing to adapt. I do not wish to see it fall apart... it is inevitable that such a big organisation, down its years of existence, will come to be divided into camps, but the greatest sin is to pretend that there is nothing wrong with it.
I deeply admire Prof Wee for his courage to bring this out into the open. I believe it's time all of us talked... openly, frankly, and without fear of repercussions. The hoo-haa with the Singapore Avifauna and the 'betrayal' of hobbyist birders may not seem to be that big an issue with some people but its implications are great. Let's hope it brings about some good.
Responses:
Your letter is very timely and brings out the important issues that NSS has to think about. Bravo. I agree with all your points. They are very well put.
You highlight what many others feel but would not make their feelings public. This is why membership has been on the decline for the last five or more years. I totally agree with you that the society is heading towards irrelevancy, if not already there.
Locally in Singapore leadership rejuvenation is the mantra of the governing party and is good.
Looks like a case of sclerosed leadership in this particular account.
What says the parties ..in this internet era there is no reason to seal the lips.
I am sure others will also be moved to action by it. You may never know the full extent of your influence, but I am sure it has done a lot of good.
Now I know that people have started to write to the NSS President. The NSS Council is afrenzy with meetings. I think the Council must be cursing my name - Who's this young chap who thinks she knows so much? Who dares speak so openly against the NSS?
Nature conservation work has no place for big egos and stagnancy. The NSS should be a partner in our work, not a hindrance.
To quote from a letter I received from someone, a person I have great respect and admiration for:
In NSS, the second type predominates (probably to the exclusion of the first). The social element of NSS is overwhelming. Thus the cliquishness, the obsession with "are you my friend or my enemy?".
People who just want to get work done simply can't get it done at NSS. And if they do want to do at NSS... they have to battle upstream with constant politicking. Nature work is tiring and difficult enough as it is. Having to politick unnecessarily is just too much to deal with for most people.
Allowing a few self-serving, short-sighted elements in NSS to mislead the rest, to speak for the conservation community. This can actually cause serious and irreparable damage to habitats as well as the legitimacy and standing of the community.
If NSS intends to remain a player in conservation, the way ahead is for NSS to remake itself.
That is what we shall wish for. A remaking of the NSS... a new NSS.
