【原創】On Current Affairs, more ramblings part 2(?)

Given the recent events in HK, there are potentially many issues that have risen to the surface. What I want to do here is to comment on a few things in relation to the apparent position statements of the student unions of universities in Hong Kong. 

Personally, I wholeheartedly believe that universities should be politically neutral, in exchange for their academic freedom. I believe this neutrality stand should be passed onto student unions as well. Regardless of whether the individual student agrees with the general political opinions, the student union tends to be regarded as representative of the student populace as a whole. As a result, society's perception is in part dictated by these student unions. Hence when an individual student graduates and applies for a job, they may suffer in terms of first impressions due to the general reputation of Hong Kong students. Since this is not a discussion about career prospects, let me move on to the main issue at stake.

Below is an excerpt from HKSU: 

And sure, because PC 5619 is apparently not human, who has no fear... As for detainees tortured, is this a mere fantasy of the writer or an actual fact? The empathy is there, but doesn't extend far enough.

Again very naive. What about those who have to deal with the mess afterwards? How does disrupting the livelihood of local residents in MK justify your 'peaceful cause'?
My 'problem', or my 'beef' with the students is the LACK/ABSENCE of critical thinking ability. It is this sheer laziness of the intellect that bugs me, especially when these students are meant to be future 'pillars of society'. It is not as if they lack intellectual capacity. They are at university, although the number is not as rare as before, they are still a selected minority. The emphasis is that they made a deliberate choice to not think as an individual. This fear of being ostracized from the crowd, to not pay attention to detail merely displays a lack of self-responsibility. (If being a self is an achievement, they have none, despite individualism.)

I know I've said it elsewhere, but do these students actually understand what 'communism' is? Have they, for example tried to read up on the topic? What about googling, or wikipedia? Of course not!! What about 'democracy'? Again probably not!!

I'm not against people being passionate about an issue, in fact I envy those who have that strong emotion. But at least be well-informed about what you're arguing for.

Rant over 

FAAAARK!! The worst kind of insult to a philosophy student like me...
 

本篇文章已被 willyho 於 Feb 18 2016, 07:34 編輯過

Case in point:

http://news.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=25548916

For reference, see page 3 [1.2.1 (3)] of the official document here: http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/tc/curric...f_CLE%20KLA.pdf

本篇文章已被 徐元直 於 Feb 18 2016, 14:13 編輯過

Case in point:

http://news.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=25548916

For reference, see page 3 [1.2.1 (3)] of the official document here: http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/tc/curric...f_CLE%20KLA.pdf

Just read the section you referred to in the document. I genuinely don't see the problem. After all it's just learning simplified characters after grounding in traditional characters. Kind of like learning the differences between US spelling and UK spelling.

I find it puzzling that individuals students made personal opinions on behalf of other students (since the name "Student Unions" imply the representatives of students), and even irritating that biased statements were made in the names of the universities. 

Many student unions have publications that allow individual contributors to submit editorials and Op-Eds. I would think that is a better place for them to share opinions, along with the disclaimers that those are personal opinions and do not represent the opinions of the institution and its affiliated groups. To put a different spin on the action, it is beneficial to have diverse opinions among students within the higher education institutions, and that the institutions can openly respect and value different opinions.  However,the inappropriate use of language (including defamation) and propaganda in publications that imply the view of others and the institutions should be condemned.  

Honestly, I don't expect them to write as prolifically as those on the Harvard Crimson editorial board, but at least it would be great if they could keep the opinions civil, strengthen the argument by considering all facts, evidence, and counter arguments, and refrain from libeling anyone.  

Let me repeat this once more, The Student Union do NOT represent me.

And not just me, they don't represent a sizable fraction of the students. Way back when I am in college, there are many people that I know has said that they don't believe in democracy, and know the drawbacks of it.

(Basically, in a democratic system, those who can manipulate the general public wins. Period.)

And this time, the Student Union do not even ask for democracy. They just support destruction.


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FYI, news said someone put a banner exactly saying that in HKU.

本篇文章已被 耒戈氏 於 Feb 19 2016, 01:31 編輯過

Oh pleeeeeeease don't make me call carousel 'merry-go-round'! 

Oh pleeeeeeease don't make me call carousel 'merry-go-round'! 

It's realise not realize...  :rage5: