Sui Generis People in the world today, especially in Singapore, are too willing to settle for fitting in with the status quo and just doing what they are told to do. Here's my thoughts on society, education and life in general; and my views on being significant. Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Outgoing: Total Outgoing: 0 0 72 1863

Articles from Sui Generis

Looking back on 2007 2008-01-08 07:09:00 It's now a week into the New Year, and I've been blogging for about 7-8 months. I look back on those months in my entry to Middle Zone Musing's Blogapalooza: "What I Learned From 2007". A collection of the best few posts (in my opinion) from my blogging journey.Like my blog? Make a donation. For more information, click here. ...

Looking back on 2007 2008-01-08 07:09:00 It’s now a week into the New Year, and I’ve been blogging for about 7-8 months. I look back on those months in my entry to Middle Zone Musing’s Blogapalooza: “What I Learned From 2007″. A collection of the best few posts (in my opinion) from my blogging journey. Like my blog? Make a donation. For more information, click here. ...

Sunday Shortlist #3 2008-01-06 09:38:00 Here's the first Sunday Shortlist of 2008.Web-based Ways To Make A Difference - TEDBlogA good collection of links from the folks at TED. Web tools to help you make a difference in 2008, and make the new year count.The World Question Center 2008 - EdgeEven the greatest thinkers change their minds at times. Edge asks some of the brightest minds of today what they've changed their minds about in 2007. A good collection of thoughts, that will no doubt get you thinking as well.Creation Based Thinking - Steli Efti: The Supercool PrincipalA short post, just two quotes and a joke, but something that we should all think about. As 2008 starts, it's a great encouragement to create our own future.Is School Wasting Your Money - Scott H YoungScott H Young asks the question of whether school is wasting your money. A good comparison of formal education and self-learning.The Rise of Comic Book Education - Kevin Carroll Katalyst BlogI love seeing new developments and innovations in education, and thi ...

Sunday Shortlist #3 2008-01-06 09:38:00 Here’s the first Sunday Shortlist of 2008. Web-based Ways To Make A Difference - TEDBlog A good collection of links from the folks at TED. Web tools to help you make a difference in 2008, and make the new year count. The World Question Center 2008 - Edge Even the greatest thinkers change their minds at times. Edge asks some of the brightest minds of today what they’ve changed their minds about in 2007. A good collection of thoughts, that will no doubt get you thinking as well. Creation Based Thinking - Steli Efti: The Supercool Principal A short post, just two quotes and a joke, but something that we should all think about. As 2008 starts, it’s a great encouragement to create our own future. Is School Wasting Your Money - Scott H Young Scott H Young asks the question of whether school is wasting your money. A good comparison of formal education and self-learning. The Rise of Comic Book Education - Kevin Carroll Katalyst Blog I love seeing new developments and innovati ...

Yes/No Friendships 2008-01-05 09:40:00 Doc Searls posted an interesting comment on his blog:A few years ago, when Google’s Orkut presented the first of the truly useful and enjoyable “social networks,” Rael Dornfest one night at a bar jokingly walked up to a series of people, pushed his face into theirs and yelled “YOU ARE MY FRIEND! YES OR NO!”, to mimic the extremely clunky way that Orkut failed to replicate the nuanced methods by which humans have always formed and maintained friendships.It got me thinking about social networks in general. That friend-ing mechanism hasn't really changed since then. Even now, on Facebook, Myspace, Bebo, whatever network you go to, it's more or less still the same way of friend-ing people.Yes, features have changed, we can do more things to our friends. But the basic idea of it hasn't changed. And personally, I think it needs to. I think the "Yes/No" nature of social network "friendships" is far too shallow. And especially as we move more and more of our lives and relationship ...

Yes/No Friendships 2008-01-05 09:40:00 Doc Searls posted an interesting comment on his blog: A few years ago, when Google’s Orkut presented the first of the truly useful and enjoyable “social networks,” Rael Dornfest one night at a bar jokingly walked up to a series of people, pushed his face into theirs and yelled “YOU ARE MY FRIEND! YES OR NO!”, to mimic the extremely clunky way that Orkut failed to replicate the nuanced methods by which humans have always formed and maintained friendships. It got me thinking about social networks in general. That friend-ing mechanism hasn’t really changed since then. Even now, on Facebook, Myspace, Bebo, whatever network you go to, it’s more or less still the same way of friend-ing people. Yes, features have changed, we can do more things to our friends. But the basic idea of it hasn’t changed. And personally, I think it needs to. I think the “Yes/No” nature of social network “friendships” is far too shallow. And especially as we move m ...

Saturday Sharing: 2008 2008-01-05 07:35:00 Continuing on from the theme of last week, with the start of 2008, what tips/suggestions do you have for the rest of us? Any thoughts on how to make 2008 great? If you've blogged about this (as I know quite a few people have), feel free to leave the link in the comments.Like my blog? Make a donation. For more information, click here. ...

Saturday Sharing: 2008 2008-01-05 07:35:00 Continuing on from the theme of last week, with the start of 2008, what tips/suggestions do you have for the rest of us? Any thoughts on how to make 2008 great? If you’ve blogged about this (as I know quite a few people have), feel free to leave the link in the comments. Like my blog? Make a donation. For more information, click here. ...

Passion: Suffering 2008-01-04 10:06:00 Here's the origin of the word "passion", as taken from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language - Fourth Edition:Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin passi, passin-, sufferings of Jesus or a martyr, from Late Latin, physical suffering, martyrdom, sinful desire, from Latin, an undergoing, from passus, past participle of pat, to suffer. See p(i)- in Appendix I.The root origin of the word "passion" is "to suffer".Our passions are something we are willing to suffer for. Even to the point of death (as Jesus and other martyrs did). Just something for you to think about.Like my blog? Make a donation. For more information, click here. ...

My First Guest Post 2008-01-04 10:05:00 I've written my first ever guest post, for the Personal Branding Blog. You can check it out here.Like my blog? Make a donation. For more information, click here. ...

Moving to Wordpress 2008-01-04 10:02:00 I'm intending to move my blog to Wordpress. I know I mentioned it before, but I'm finally getting around to it. That said, was wondering if any of you would be interested/willing to help me create a theme (or customize one). I've got a basic idea for what I want, but can't really pay too much. I would prefer something custom/unique (partly for the look, partly to fit in with the whole message of "Sui Generis"), which would normally cost quite a bit.So if any of you are up for it, drop me a line. Or if you can't design, but you're willing to help me get a theme, you can make a donation here.Like my blog? Make a donation. For more information, click here. ...

Diamonds 2008-01-01 10:58:00 Diamonds are made of carbon. It's the same thing that pencil lead is made of. The difference between diamond and pencil lead? The molecular bonds in diamond are stronger. These bonds are formed in high temperatures and high pressure. That's why diamond is so durable, why it lasts so long, and largely, what makes it so valuable. The bonds within it.It's the same with people. The strongest relationships are the ones formed under difficult conditions. When there's pressure. It's not about always having the same interests and thinking the same things.Cracked.com wrote about this a couple of months ago:"It turns out, apparently, that after you get over that first irritation, after you shed your shell of "they listen to different music because they wouldn't understand mine" superiority, there's a sort of comfort in needing other people and being needed on a level beyond common interests"That's what builds the best and strongest friendships. I know it's not something we look forward ...

Happy New Year 2008-01-01 01:04:00 Happy New Year!Hope you guys have a great 2008. Don't be like the chicken in the cartoon. Make 2008 different. Make it count.Cartoon courtesy of Savage ChickensLike my blog? Make a donation. For more information, click here. ...

Seth Godin - Marketing Action Figure 2007-12-29 10:09:00 Mcphee has released a Seth Godin action figure! Complete with mismatched socks and purple tie.From Mcphee's site:Imagine having your own personal marketing guru you can go to for advice and guidance. You could pay millions of dollars for consultants, but why not just get the Marketing Guru Action Figure? Marketing genius and famous blogger Seth Godin serves as the model for this 5.375" plastic action figure with his trademark mismatched socks and business casual clothes. Each figure comes with a free gift and the Little Book of Marketing Secrets. It's rumored that if you want an insight into what your customers want and how they'd like to be communicated with, you can rub Seth's bald head and all will be made clear.Really well written copy, in my opinion.One thing about this, I think it really speaks to Seth's personal brand, and how strong a personal brand can be. He's not a rock star or anything. He's a marketer. But his personal brand is so strong that there's an action figu ... Marketing

Saturday Sharing: 2007 2007-12-29 09:17:00 With 2007 drawing to a close, that's what today's Saturday Sharing is about. Anything about 2007. Lessons you've learned, the best/worst moments, anything. Whatever sticks in your mind from 2007 that you think is worth mentioning, share it with us.Like my blog? Make a donation. For more information, click here. ...