Reading David's post about the inanity of the KFC staff, I am tickled, although that is probably the wrong response and an affront to David. But the fact is, it is true.
For judging from the impression I have over humanity in general, what he is seeing is probably universal. That is, if Singaporeans are indeed indicative of the world at large.
If Terrorism is not directly on our doorstep, and when I mean 'doorstep', I mean right before their very eyes, people will not be more careful or alert thereafter, if there is a thereafter right after that.
You see, humans are such that the tangible matters more than the intangible. They must see it to believe it and act on it. The baby understands 'papa' and 'mama' before abstract ideas like 'judgment' and 'power'. The conventional (and pragmatic) adult Singaporean wants 'business' and 'money' before 'culture' and for that matter, 'literature' or 'philosophy', which explains why I, foremost, am not particularly in demand by the employers.
In fact, as I appraise the children in my workplace, I have grown to feel that the earmarks of maturity is the capability to apprehend the intangible, that is, planning for the unforseeable future. Children who play all day without regards to their study do not appreciate the merits of education, although, there are occasions when I observe it in adults as well.
But I digress. To return to David's situation, it is a phenomenon of what the Chinese say 'If you don't see the coffin, you won't weep', that is, you will have to experience it up close and personal before you will believe it. People like to cry when it is too late. To do so before, is like being paranoiac or delusional.
Such is the characteristic of humanity. And I am tickled, nevertheless, at his observation.
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