RH: "The corrupt, nepotic, dishonest, lying, unscrupulous, usurper, election-rigging criminal LIE KY made yet another stupid, fatal mistake decades ago when he channeled the best and brightest into Math and Science, and made the best of these M&S scholars into Ministers. You see, M&S lack subtlety unlike Lit and Lang. M&S is always, inevitably, wholly right or wholly wrong, no two ways about it. Simplistic. 1 + 1 is always = 2. No in-betweens. No doubts. No infinite gradations of Truth and Meaning like in Lit and Lang. In L&L, right may sometimes be wrong. Sometimes neither. Sometimes both. Like humans, human nature and society. Language is also the basis of thought meaning that M&S types think poorly and simplistically, in blacks and whites while humanity is one huge spectrum of intermixed colours. His stupid bilingual policies also resulted in the vast majority of Singaporeans being semi-lingual in both, thus resulting in a total inability to think. Thus, by choosing only M&S scholars for Ministers and all top govt posts, LIE KY ensured stupidity all round, which is why Singapore is what it is today, a totally stupid govt and country. In no other country is this stupid choice of Ministers and top bureaucrats so pronounced. This explains why our Ministers and top civil servants cannot think, cannot reason, cannot empathise. Let alone communicate intelligently or blog. While our best bloggers, the serious sociopolitical ones who spellbind their readers day after day, week after week, prove so clearly they make far better Ministers, with their acuity of vision, empathy for Singaporeans and brilliant analyses of why and where the stupid LIE KY and his LIEgime have gone so fatally wrong. Yet, instead of being grateful for all this free advice, they are threatened because LIE KY is infallible and therefore, any criticism must be sedition. In Singapore, LIE KY is God, all-powerful and thus can mould this tiny city any way he wants. With his stupidity and belief in M&S types, he has set Singapore back decades and it will take the next govt decades more to reverse this greatest stupidification of a country in mankind's history, that only the great and infallible LIE KY can commit. This is one of his most enduring legacies and the stupid elites you see everywhere owe entirely to his stupidity."
[Added 26 Oct 2011]
RH:
1. Today being Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, perhaps I can shine a little candle into the thick fog of Ministerial mores.
2. LIE KY has long championed 'meritocracy' and, as usual with all his pretensions, this Big Lie is backed to the hilt by his ubiquitous medias that can reach into every mind, plus an entire govt machinery of 15 full Ministries each headed by full Ministers, Senior Ministers of State, etc, Second Ministers in many Ministries, topped with an entire Cabinet of PM, MM, SMs and several Ministers without Portfolios, all to manage a tiny islet of 700 sq km or 230 sq miles, population 5m, to 'manage' the hapless population any which way he wants, backed by laws allowing detention without charge, trial or reason. The word "Overgovernment" comes to mind.
3. It has to be remembered that to LIE KY, 'meritocracy' means his meritorious FamiLEE comes first, right on top of everybody else. After this FamiLEE, then a strict Mandarinate is chosen, less on merit and more on political calculations such as "Is this person loyal, obedient, dependable and most importantly, WILL NEVER OUTSHINE LET ALONE ASPIRE OR THREATEN THE POSTS HELD BY THE FamiLEE?"
4. Like our Indian festival of Deepavali, LIE KY also borrowed another Indian practice, that of Caste. His system is a Caste System. His FamiLEE are Brahmins, top of the tops in his Caste System. Then comes his handpicked Ministerial elites, who form the Next Caste. Then his PAP MPs. Then the professionals, among these the traditional elites like lawyers, doctors, engineers, accountants, etc. Then the rest, non-grads, who don't matter whether they live or die or struggle in despair. These don't matter. They are, as LIE KY is wont to say, "digits". Mere cogs in the wheels of his Great Machine, his Great System. His Caste System. Like any machine, it must be efficient, as efficient as possible. But its purposes, its reason for existence, are not to serve Singaporeans, or Mankind, or anything. His Machine exists to serve HIS interests, for his interests are the interests of the country. What is good for him MUST be good for the country. Since we are on India, during a state visit to India decades ago, he saw a bit of blood in his stools one morning and was so alarmed he cancelled his entire state visit to rush home, not trusting Indian doctors, only to be informed it was just "piles". LIE KY IS Singapore, make no mistake. What is good for LIE KY MUST be good for Singapore. Having said that, since this islet is so tiny, what is good for LIE KY, such as clean and sufficient water, clean air, a reasonably litter-free city and well-laid out streets and standardised buildings, are also 'enjoyed' by the "lesser mortals" as well. If LIE KY lived in a Washington DC, he would not have given a damn for all these 'clean city' stuff as long as his Washington DC is clean. Never mind the people. "I do what I think best, never mind what the people think." Famous words.
5. Having lied the Big Lie about Meritocracy, when he is really about building a rigid Caste System, because Caste Systems are the most stable societies humans ever devised, because nobody, not one, can jump from one caste to another, so Caste Systems are very stable. By instituting a Caste System, LIE KY Brahmin FamiLEE will always remain at the apex of the society, of the country. There can be no jumping into his caste. Very stable. It is good for LIE KY and his FamiLEE, so must be good for Singapore. Everyone knows his place and most importantly, the place of his FamiLEE at the apex of everything. The Upper Caste. Imperious. Regal. Royalty. Birthrights as in a Caste System. Too bad an albino and an autist happened. This totally ruined his Caste System pretensions and perhaps, forced him to be less rigid about castes.
6. Now that we are clear about this fundamental arrangement of Singapore society, we can examine the Mandarinate. The Mandarinate is important to Singapore because of an explanation LIE KY made in a public speech decades ago. He said that he admired ancient China's Mandarinate System because it diverted all the intelligent and intellectuals of China's vast millions into years and years of fruitless study into fine arts like essay writing, literature, poetry, calligraphy and art SO THAT THEY COULD NOT REVOLT OR EVEN AGITATE FOR RIGHTS OR CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM. By diverting the best and ablest into years of study into fine arts, China Emperors could not be threatened. Even though only a handful became the coveted Mandarins to serve the Imperial Court, thousands and thousands studied for years and years with nothing to show for it. But they were all 'occupied' so could not scheme or aspire to overthrow the Emperor.
7. This is important. Study, meaning Education, is not important for its own sakes. It is to keep the ablest 'occupied' so they will not criticise the Emperor or his minions, let alone aspire to overthrow him. This was why China was so stable. Like India when it practised its Caste System. EVERY MEASURE AND POLICY IS CRAFTED FOR STABILITY. STABILITY MEANS NEVER, NEVER, OVERTHROWING THE EMPEROR. Not even criticise him. LIE KY knows he has made numerous mistakes, huge mistakes, that will collapse Singapore BUT HE WILL NOT ALLOW HIMSELF TO BE CRITICISED. He is literally ABOVE CRITICISM. Even a dozen snailmail letters to the Amerikan Embassy very slightly critical of his policies begets 20 years of vendetta even though the writer is confirmed mad when he wrote those and never would have written had he been sane, since at that time, he was still, like everybody, worshipful of the Great LIE KY.
8. Since the Mandarinate in LIE KY Caste System is as important as ancient China Mandarinate, we have to discuss it. Its key feature is the years of study. In ancient China, these were fine arts. In a modern city, it had to be Math & Science [long identified by Dutchman Economic Advisor Albert WINSEMIUS, who advised LIE KY from 1961-1984] as important subjects for economic development. However, remember that no subject/s are important to LIE KY. They are just to keep the ablest studying years hoping for a Mandarin job. So, with typical, ruthless, EFFICIENCY, LIE KY set about making ALL his ablest students into Math & Science robots.
9. Here, let me rant about Math & Science. These are probably the MOST ARTIFICIAL subjects Mankind can ever study. In Math, the problems are very, very, carefully crafted such that THERE IS ONLY ONE CORRECT ANSWER AND ALL THE DATA YOU NEED TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IS RIGHT IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. Ha100. Can anything be more stupid? First, you devise a Math or Science question such that there can only be ONE correct answer. Then you supply all the data needed to answer that question. You do not even give 1 or 2 extra [wrong or irrelevant] data to confuse the student. Can anything be more artificial and stupid? It gets worse. The teachers always teach to the test, meaning that they teach the Most Efficient Method to get the correct answer, and this is usually by rote. So the teachers make you memorise a rigid series of steps to get the correct answer, fastest, which you MUST obediently follow, else you are marked wrong as 'not solving the problem in the correct or approved way'. All these are backed by diligently doing endless 10-year series of Model Answers to Model Questions. The entire teaching of Math & Science is artificial and fake. Any wonder why even Math grads like 2A1B cannot think [he got his Math degree by DOING EXACTLY, OBEDIENTLY, WHAT HIS PROFESSOR WANTED, TO EXAM QUESTIONS HIS PROFESSOR HAD ALREADY TAUGHT HIM TO ANSWER]. Thinking was never required or practised. You memorise a set of steps and ALWAYS get the correct answer to questions carefully devised to produce only one correct answer to which only the few datas needed to answer the question are given, not even 1 extra or irrelevant data. Ha100. In the Arts & Humanities, they are not so stupid. Because essay writing is required and there are fewer required data that MUST ALL BE USED to produce the one correct answer, Arts & Humanities students have to think, often critically, and there may be several correct answers depending on how you reason and argue. Thus, although the same teaching methodologies are used in Math & Science as in Arts & Humanities, the latter tend to produce better thinkers, which, after all, is the very purpose of Education.
10. LIE KY likes Math & Science types. Because they always got higher marks than Arts & Humanities types. Obviously. You can score 100/100 marks in Math but are lucky to get 90/100 in an Arts & Humanities subject. So LIE KY thought Math & Science types are smarter than Arts & Humanities types. Ha5. Worse, by surrounding himself with Math & Science types and staffing ALL his top jobs in his entire Mandarinate of Cabinet, Civil Service and even top GLC companies, he doomed Singapore. Worse, Math & Science types are obedient and 'technical' and never argued with him. Technocrats, he called them, ha50. So the entire govt became unthinking 'technocrats', not one of whom can think, ha50. This suited LIE KY because people who cannot think cannot out-argue him. These 'technocrats', to a man, became the most rigid followers of his LEEisms. If you cannot think, you cannot think up alternatives. If you have no alternatives, then you can only follow LEEisms to the hilt, to the letter, because you cannot see anything wrong with them, since you cannot see alternatives. Since LIE KY only wanted Implementors, not Originators, this suited him fine. Very, very, fine. This is why Singapore will collapse. Singapore is a rudderless ship heading into storms and icebergs because its captain and first officers can only continue to sail straight ahead, without the slightest inclination or thought that maybe, just maybe, heading straight may be disastrous. For the 'technocrats' Implementors, in Cabinet as well as entire civil service and GLCs, it is far easier to keep doing the same old things than to question them. If you question a policy, you must have a reason at least, and an alternative. These mean thinking and, as we have discussed, THE ENTIRE GOVT IS RUDDERLESS AND CANNOT THINK. Our many able bloggers have long proven this. Worse, LIE KY is a fearsome man to question, let alone criticise and cross. He and his ISD will commit every single crime they feel like, to hurt you and your families, just to punish YOU for your criticism. LIE KY is a god, "HE WHO CANNOT BE CRITICISED".
11. Thus, this tiny islet city of Singapore, whose every top job is staffed by a Math & Science type, must collapse. Its top people find that, after leaving school, Reality is totally different from Math & Science school questions. In Reality, there can be many [confusing] answers, not just one clean answer. Worse, there may be NO correct answer at all. Even worse, the datas needed to answer the question are not given in the question itself, ha5. There may be thousands of data, most of them irrelevant. Worse, some of the datas that may have a bearing on the answer are unobtainable or do not exist, ha5. So this Math & Science 'technocratic' elite FLOUNDER. They do not know what to do. So they don't do. Meaning they don't do anything. Entire careers in the Cabinet and Ministries are spent shuffling papers, chairing meetings, and looking busy. At the highest hourly pay rates in the world, in history. Ha1! This explains the rigid hold of LEEisms in this tiny islet. Nobody, repeat, nobody, can think or even argue against a wrong policy, even when everybody can see its flaws. Cannot think, so cannot do. So just keep upholding every single LEEism as infallible. This posturing of Infallibility is assiduously cultivated by LIE KY to burnish his image as Infallible and Prescient, who can see over the horizon like a modern radar and who can forecast trends if not even events [lampooned as 'fortune teller', ha5].
12. There are many, many, many, things wrong with Singapore and they are all LIE KY faults. He rigged so many elections from 1959 to now [voted out by landslide in his next GE in 1963 after 1959 but turned it into a landslide win by creating a 6-hour power blackout around the City Hall Vote Counting Centre during which he changed the votes; his election cheating in Cheng San GRC 1997 was witnessed by my acquaintance and his lawyer friend, who has his own law firm in Singapore] that he long had no fear of losing elections and so settled into a comfortable routine of raking in >$100m pa from his Ministerial salaries [with 4 bonuses a year] + several directorships + most of govt and GLC legal works diverted to his law firm of Lee&Lee, etc. These are only the known takings arising from his top job and its connections and influences. Nobody, repeat, nobody, knows how much monies he has been taking from unknown sources all these decades. His income tax returns are not forwarded in digital format. They are all done with pen and paper and locked in steel cabinets in IRAS to which only a few top officers of IRAS has access. Nobody, repeat, nobody, knows his total takings in the most profitable public job in the world, in history. He is probably the richest multi-billionaire in the world, in history. He does it all for money, then some glory. But countries do not collapse overnight. Amerika was looking good and extremely successful right up to the moment Lehman Bros fell. After that, Amerika is still falling but have not yet collapsed. Singapore has just started to fall and will take time to complete its collapse. In both Amerika and Singapore case, the single most important reason for collapse is moral vice. It is strange that an old-fashioned, biblical or Confucian concept can collapse modern economies and societies but once corruption begins at the top, its example spawns and distorts every act downwards until, in the end, the entire system is distorted by one man at the top, and then collapse happens.
13. This has been my Deepavali Message, also titled "A Critique From Pure Reason". Thank you for reading. I hope I have lit a candle in the overarching fog.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
About Me
- Robert HO nric S0197974D
- My archive of works is at http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
27 March 2009
12 March 2009
Idea: A preliminary sketch of the new world
RH:
1. My worldview has been totally shattered of late. I read 2 books by Gavin MENZIES entitled 1421 and 1434 [www.1421.tv] and came to the conclusion that most of history is totally wrong. Magellen did not discover the Magellen Straits, nor Columbus America nor Gama the Cape of Good Hope -- the Chinese did, although not a word about this Chinese feat is even mentioned in the English history books. The Chinese also sparked off the European Renaissance with the gift of a series of books and encyclopaedias to the Pope teaching astronomy, printing, machines and other civil and military Chinese inventions and again, not a word of this is mentioned in English history books. A History Channel programme I watched yesterday, Inside Islam, also transformed my worldview and made me realise how recent and short European domination of the world is and how the previous empire in the Europe region, the Arab empire, contributed so much to math, science and learning. Our numeral system of 1, 2, 3, etc, is Arabic. As is algebra, an Arabic word itself.
2. So I began researching. The various European countries' domination and colonisation of many parts of the world began only in the 15th Century, that is, about 600 years. Against this ~600 years are China's ~3,900 years of civilisation, most of which as the most advanced in the world, and India's ~4,200 years or so, if I remember MENZIES' book correctly. American domination began only after WW2, or about 64 years, although it seemed forever. Its rise coincided with, and is probably the direct result of, the Bretton Woods agreement which made the US$ the world reserve currency, originally backed by gold, now backed by nothing, so the Americans simply print as much as they want, to buy up the world's assets and resources and to enslave other countries.
3. We are captives of our senses. We can only live in the moment, and have memories of events no longer than the time we have lived. The rest of what we know of history is what we read or learned. And history is written by the victors. After reading 1421 and 1434, I concluded that history is mostly lies and inaccuracies and historians and history books cannot be trusted. I have also learned the hard way, that the media, even the supposed free media of the West and America, also cannot be trusted to print or describe the Truth. I now don't believe anything I read or hear in English. I have, like most Singaporeans, learned to read between the lines and distrust any Singapore media; now I apply this to all Western media as well. They are sama-sama. Thus, currently, since we must live in the moment, and our memories extend to no more than the date of our birth, we may believe that America is the most powerful empire in the world, just like the various Europeans' variously before it, but we only have to think a bit and realise that this may not be so or can continue for long. Indeed, the economic crises of the US and, to a lesser extent, the EU, may mean that the European domination of ~600 years and the American domination of ~64 years, may come to an end.
4. But isn't America the world's biggest economy and therefore military? Like everything else, what result you get depends on what you measure it with. Economics is measured in dollars, usually US$, and by this measure, the US economy is indeed the biggest. But if you measure economies in non-dollar terms, other economies are far bigger. Here, I introduce the concept of Unit Economics.
5. Currently, all economic production is measured in dollars, ultimately the US$. Like rice, dvd players, pc software and services like a haircut or a massage. What if you measure these in their Units? For example, the rice produced by the US could be measured in tonnes, the dvd player as a unit of dvd player, similarly, a piece of software, a haircut or a massage, etc. Then, you will discover that the true US economic production is far smaller than that of China or India. Because China produces far more tonnes of rice, dvd players, haircuts, etc.
6. Economics is a form of accounting and like all accounting, far from the reality it describes. For example, the balance sheet of a company is far from the reality of the company itself. You can no more understand a company's size, operations, and impact on the world from its balance sheet than you can understand an economy from the usual economics measurements, especially the US$ measure.
7. Proof of this is in the comparison of military might. When you compare the military might of Russia vs US, you don't say that Russia has $4 trillion of nuclear warheads while the US has $10 trillion, etc. You actually say how many warheads, that is, using each warhead as a Unit measure. You don't even measure by the megatonnage of the explosives although that works well like the US$ in economics. Thus, when clear thinking and accurate comparisons are needed, comparisons are made in Units, not US$. Apply this Unit Economics to compare the economies of countries and you will paint a totally and vastly different picture of the globe. Generally, the bigger the population, the bigger the Unit economic production, so China and India would be far ahead of the rest of the world. If a billion people in India and China are NOT starving or homeless, then their economic production must be enough to keep them roofed, clothed and fed, even with some of life's other necessities, thus totalling a far greater production than the 300 million in the US despite its much higher productivity due to higher mechanisation and computerisation, etc.
8. The European domination of the last ~600 years and the American domination of the last ~64 years worked to better their economies and people's lives by taking by force the raw materials and the colonised people's work and shipping these back to Europe. The subject colonies also served as captive markets for the Europeans' productions. But these methods are no longer possible, meaning that world domination is no longer profitable, so American domination means little. Indeed, quite the opposite, as vast sums are needed to subjugate a subject country, like in Iraq and Afghanistan since modern insurgencies are efficient and effective against even superpowers. Are American oil companies making much money from Iraq? Or is the cost of this robbery not quite worth it? Thus, world domination is unprofitable nowadays. Meaning that America cannot profit from it like the Europeans did, thus its continuing quest can only result in over-reach and over-extension leading possibly to swift decline.
9. Another horrific inaccuracy lies in the different EXCHANGE values of currencies. The currencies of most of the developed world is much higher than those of undeveloped countries. Thus, economic production of the developed countries, ultimately measured in US$, are far higher than those of undeveloped countries. But a US$10 haircut or dvd disc in a developed country is much the same as a US$1 haircut or dvd disc in an undeveloped country. Generally, WITHIN a country, that is, domestically, the exchange rate is unimportant but when buying and selling overseas, a low exchange rate means a great disadvantage because you have to pay so much more in products or services worth to get something that may be of much lesser intrinsic value. Just because of the low exchange rate. Thus, it is possible that for future international trade, across borders, undeveloped countries may want to barter instead of paying in US$. In the old days of cross-border trade, merchants bartered, sometimes using gold as a barter instrument. Today, with internet websites, email, fax and phone, barter is even easier. The first few times would be hard but quickly, norms and quantities would be quickly established, for example, 10 tonnes of rice for 1,000 dvd players. It would be easy to also devise a Barrel of Oil Equivalent. Thus, 10 tonnes of rice for 100 BOE, at which point, the BOE would become the international trading 'currency'. Russia, with its huge oil and gas reserves, could begin instituting this. The BOE could be backed by a real barrel of oil, like the US$ was previously backed by gold. This would make the BOE superior as a reserve currency. The BOE would be issued primarily by the oil producers, since they produce oil and can back each BOE with a real barrel of oil, but others who also can acquire oil would also be able to issue BOE probably. As long as each BOE paper is backed by a barrel of oil if redeemed. Since every country needs oil, it is a universal store of value, which is why currently, oil is traded in US$. Countries may also want to consider having 2 currencies, 1 for internal, domestic use and the other, for international exchange for trading use. For example, a domestic Renminbi and a foreign Renminbi. The China govt would probably set the exchange level between this D-renminbi and F-renminbi so as to control trade and monetary policy. Every country can do this.
10. High exchange rates usually go with high costs. Generally, costs of everything are high in developed countries and much lower in undeveloped countries. This means that it costs many times more to build a condo or mall in the West than in the East. Together with the higher densities and bigger pops of the East, thereby making everything more efficient [see my blog for my explanation of "high density = high efficiency = high quality of life"
Iconoclassing Pt 1: http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/ICONOCLASSING%20SINGAPORE%20GDP%20MYTHS
Iconoclassing Pt 2: http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Iconoclassing%20Pt%202
Iconoclassing Pt 3: http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/ICONOCLASSING%20Pt%203%20or%20RH%20Zero%20Sum%20Game%20Theory ], this means that buildings and infrastructure are much cheaper in the East meaning they get built, renovated and maintained, which is usually not the case in the West. Soon, the East will be far more modern and efficient than the West. Already, tourists are discovering that a holiday in the East is far more value because of better, newer hotels and tourist facilities at a lower cost than in the West, like 5-star hotels in Asia for the price of 3-stars in the West. For the local people, too, all this gives a more efficient and better quality of life. With the internet, satellite tv and mass travel, the West will become more widely known as being inferior. Soon, the West will be widely regarded as the backward regions and the East as far more modern. You only have to look at the inner city slums in the West and their old creaking metro train systems and compare these with the brand new ones in the East. High density and bigger pops create ever-increasing demand for new homes, which are then built. With these come the malls and metro systems. At major metro hubs soon rise office towers of steel and glass. This story is repeated all over Asia but not in the West where new developments and projects are agonisingly slow and expensive.
11. However, because of the higher exchange rates, the West can buy up real estate, companies, etc, in the East at what, to them, are small prices. This means that the East should have laws regulating what and how many 'cheap' assets can be sold to the West, otherwise the exchange inequalities will put the Eastern assets at a disadvantage, at risk of being bought for cheap.
12. But people are the hardest to change. Until the economic crises happened, nobody dared even broach the idea of a change in the US$ Hegemony fiat currency or trading practices and US financial dominance. Now, as the US and the world roils further into depression, things will begin to change. Gone forever is the US model. It is a model of moral decay and collapse. I very much doubt the Americans can dominate the world for longer. Its ~64 year reign is ending even though we, living by the moment, cannot see it so clearly. What were the last days of the Roman or British Empires like? We may be seeing its equivalent with the dawn of each day.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
1. My worldview has been totally shattered of late. I read 2 books by Gavin MENZIES entitled 1421 and 1434 [www.1421.tv] and came to the conclusion that most of history is totally wrong. Magellen did not discover the Magellen Straits, nor Columbus America nor Gama the Cape of Good Hope -- the Chinese did, although not a word about this Chinese feat is even mentioned in the English history books. The Chinese also sparked off the European Renaissance with the gift of a series of books and encyclopaedias to the Pope teaching astronomy, printing, machines and other civil and military Chinese inventions and again, not a word of this is mentioned in English history books. A History Channel programme I watched yesterday, Inside Islam, also transformed my worldview and made me realise how recent and short European domination of the world is and how the previous empire in the Europe region, the Arab empire, contributed so much to math, science and learning. Our numeral system of 1, 2, 3, etc, is Arabic. As is algebra, an Arabic word itself.
2. So I began researching. The various European countries' domination and colonisation of many parts of the world began only in the 15th Century, that is, about 600 years. Against this ~600 years are China's ~3,900 years of civilisation, most of which as the most advanced in the world, and India's ~4,200 years or so, if I remember MENZIES' book correctly. American domination began only after WW2, or about 64 years, although it seemed forever. Its rise coincided with, and is probably the direct result of, the Bretton Woods agreement which made the US$ the world reserve currency, originally backed by gold, now backed by nothing, so the Americans simply print as much as they want, to buy up the world's assets and resources and to enslave other countries.
3. We are captives of our senses. We can only live in the moment, and have memories of events no longer than the time we have lived. The rest of what we know of history is what we read or learned. And history is written by the victors. After reading 1421 and 1434, I concluded that history is mostly lies and inaccuracies and historians and history books cannot be trusted. I have also learned the hard way, that the media, even the supposed free media of the West and America, also cannot be trusted to print or describe the Truth. I now don't believe anything I read or hear in English. I have, like most Singaporeans, learned to read between the lines and distrust any Singapore media; now I apply this to all Western media as well. They are sama-sama. Thus, currently, since we must live in the moment, and our memories extend to no more than the date of our birth, we may believe that America is the most powerful empire in the world, just like the various Europeans' variously before it, but we only have to think a bit and realise that this may not be so or can continue for long. Indeed, the economic crises of the US and, to a lesser extent, the EU, may mean that the European domination of ~600 years and the American domination of ~64 years, may come to an end.
4. But isn't America the world's biggest economy and therefore military? Like everything else, what result you get depends on what you measure it with. Economics is measured in dollars, usually US$, and by this measure, the US economy is indeed the biggest. But if you measure economies in non-dollar terms, other economies are far bigger. Here, I introduce the concept of Unit Economics.
5. Currently, all economic production is measured in dollars, ultimately the US$. Like rice, dvd players, pc software and services like a haircut or a massage. What if you measure these in their Units? For example, the rice produced by the US could be measured in tonnes, the dvd player as a unit of dvd player, similarly, a piece of software, a haircut or a massage, etc. Then, you will discover that the true US economic production is far smaller than that of China or India. Because China produces far more tonnes of rice, dvd players, haircuts, etc.
6. Economics is a form of accounting and like all accounting, far from the reality it describes. For example, the balance sheet of a company is far from the reality of the company itself. You can no more understand a company's size, operations, and impact on the world from its balance sheet than you can understand an economy from the usual economics measurements, especially the US$ measure.
7. Proof of this is in the comparison of military might. When you compare the military might of Russia vs US, you don't say that Russia has $4 trillion of nuclear warheads while the US has $10 trillion, etc. You actually say how many warheads, that is, using each warhead as a Unit measure. You don't even measure by the megatonnage of the explosives although that works well like the US$ in economics. Thus, when clear thinking and accurate comparisons are needed, comparisons are made in Units, not US$. Apply this Unit Economics to compare the economies of countries and you will paint a totally and vastly different picture of the globe. Generally, the bigger the population, the bigger the Unit economic production, so China and India would be far ahead of the rest of the world. If a billion people in India and China are NOT starving or homeless, then their economic production must be enough to keep them roofed, clothed and fed, even with some of life's other necessities, thus totalling a far greater production than the 300 million in the US despite its much higher productivity due to higher mechanisation and computerisation, etc.
8. The European domination of the last ~600 years and the American domination of the last ~64 years worked to better their economies and people's lives by taking by force the raw materials and the colonised people's work and shipping these back to Europe. The subject colonies also served as captive markets for the Europeans' productions. But these methods are no longer possible, meaning that world domination is no longer profitable, so American domination means little. Indeed, quite the opposite, as vast sums are needed to subjugate a subject country, like in Iraq and Afghanistan since modern insurgencies are efficient and effective against even superpowers. Are American oil companies making much money from Iraq? Or is the cost of this robbery not quite worth it? Thus, world domination is unprofitable nowadays. Meaning that America cannot profit from it like the Europeans did, thus its continuing quest can only result in over-reach and over-extension leading possibly to swift decline.
9. Another horrific inaccuracy lies in the different EXCHANGE values of currencies. The currencies of most of the developed world is much higher than those of undeveloped countries. Thus, economic production of the developed countries, ultimately measured in US$, are far higher than those of undeveloped countries. But a US$10 haircut or dvd disc in a developed country is much the same as a US$1 haircut or dvd disc in an undeveloped country. Generally, WITHIN a country, that is, domestically, the exchange rate is unimportant but when buying and selling overseas, a low exchange rate means a great disadvantage because you have to pay so much more in products or services worth to get something that may be of much lesser intrinsic value. Just because of the low exchange rate. Thus, it is possible that for future international trade, across borders, undeveloped countries may want to barter instead of paying in US$. In the old days of cross-border trade, merchants bartered, sometimes using gold as a barter instrument. Today, with internet websites, email, fax and phone, barter is even easier. The first few times would be hard but quickly, norms and quantities would be quickly established, for example, 10 tonnes of rice for 1,000 dvd players. It would be easy to also devise a Barrel of Oil Equivalent. Thus, 10 tonnes of rice for 100 BOE, at which point, the BOE would become the international trading 'currency'. Russia, with its huge oil and gas reserves, could begin instituting this. The BOE could be backed by a real barrel of oil, like the US$ was previously backed by gold. This would make the BOE superior as a reserve currency. The BOE would be issued primarily by the oil producers, since they produce oil and can back each BOE with a real barrel of oil, but others who also can acquire oil would also be able to issue BOE probably. As long as each BOE paper is backed by a barrel of oil if redeemed. Since every country needs oil, it is a universal store of value, which is why currently, oil is traded in US$. Countries may also want to consider having 2 currencies, 1 for internal, domestic use and the other, for international exchange for trading use. For example, a domestic Renminbi and a foreign Renminbi. The China govt would probably set the exchange level between this D-renminbi and F-renminbi so as to control trade and monetary policy. Every country can do this.
10. High exchange rates usually go with high costs. Generally, costs of everything are high in developed countries and much lower in undeveloped countries. This means that it costs many times more to build a condo or mall in the West than in the East. Together with the higher densities and bigger pops of the East, thereby making everything more efficient [see my blog for my explanation of "high density = high efficiency = high quality of life"
Iconoclassing Pt 1: http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/ICONOCLASSING%20SINGAPORE%20GDP%20MYTHS
Iconoclassing Pt 2: http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Iconoclassing%20Pt%202
Iconoclassing Pt 3: http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/ICONOCLASSING%20Pt%203%20or%20RH%20Zero%20Sum%20Game%20Theory ], this means that buildings and infrastructure are much cheaper in the East meaning they get built, renovated and maintained, which is usually not the case in the West. Soon, the East will be far more modern and efficient than the West. Already, tourists are discovering that a holiday in the East is far more value because of better, newer hotels and tourist facilities at a lower cost than in the West, like 5-star hotels in Asia for the price of 3-stars in the West. For the local people, too, all this gives a more efficient and better quality of life. With the internet, satellite tv and mass travel, the West will become more widely known as being inferior. Soon, the West will be widely regarded as the backward regions and the East as far more modern. You only have to look at the inner city slums in the West and their old creaking metro train systems and compare these with the brand new ones in the East. High density and bigger pops create ever-increasing demand for new homes, which are then built. With these come the malls and metro systems. At major metro hubs soon rise office towers of steel and glass. This story is repeated all over Asia but not in the West where new developments and projects are agonisingly slow and expensive.
11. However, because of the higher exchange rates, the West can buy up real estate, companies, etc, in the East at what, to them, are small prices. This means that the East should have laws regulating what and how many 'cheap' assets can be sold to the West, otherwise the exchange inequalities will put the Eastern assets at a disadvantage, at risk of being bought for cheap.
12. But people are the hardest to change. Until the economic crises happened, nobody dared even broach the idea of a change in the US$ Hegemony fiat currency or trading practices and US financial dominance. Now, as the US and the world roils further into depression, things will begin to change. Gone forever is the US model. It is a model of moral decay and collapse. I very much doubt the Americans can dominate the world for longer. Its ~64 year reign is ending even though we, living by the moment, cannot see it so clearly. What were the last days of the Roman or British Empires like? We may be seeing its equivalent with the dawn of each day.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
03 March 2009
Idea: Russia can sell Electricity instead of Gas
Map illustrates Europe's major natural gas pipelines. Ukraine is the main route for Russia's gas exports to western Europe, with more limited amounts going via Belarus. SOURCE: Inogate (EU oil and gas transport co-operation programme)
//////////////////////////////////////////
RH:
1. From the article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7812860.stm from which the map above is taken, it seems that most of Russia's gas pipes go through Ukraine before they terminate in southern europe such as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria. My idea may not help these much, if indeed, my idea works at all.
2. From the map, it seems there is/are pipes through Belarus and Poland before reaching Germany. If the idea works, it would be here. However, if the idea works beyond my expectations, depending as it does on technicals of which I am clueless, then it may work for every country currently depending on Russian gas, including the south europe countries mentioned.
3. As I understand it, the problem is that Ukraine, through which most of Russia's gas pipes to europe runs, can thereby divert or take gas meant for europe.
4. Russia is currently increasing its piping of gas through its other pipes while reducing piping of gas through Ukraine to prevent Ukraine stealing it. If this works, there is no need for my idea, except for less emergency, longterm consideration as a permanent solution.
5. The idea is simple. I assume that most of the gas is eventually used in power plants to generate electricity. So why not pipe electricity instead of the gas?
6. For this to work, Russia or its neighbours would have to step up its gas-fuelled power plants to generate as much electricity as possible and pump these surplus electricity into its neighbouring countries' electrical grids systems. Russia could thereby pump electricity into Belarus, Poland and even to Germany. It may not be feasible to pump electricity all the way from Russia to Germany in one continuous relay but we could use a step by step method. Meaning that Russia pumps its surplus electricity into its neighbour Belarus' grid, which then frees up Belarus' power plants to produce surplus electricity for its next neighbour, Poland, which then... to Germany. This way, the entire europe continent could be supplied by electricity, starting from Russia.
7. The logistics are not so daunting because all the electrical grids are already in place and only some major main power lines need be created to connect to a neighbouring country's grid. Costings again, are not so daunting because all the electricity prices to end customers are all published and known and the costs of each power plant producing electricity are also easily known. There is only the govts who need to sit down to discuss all these details, best to do it all together in one big meeting.
8. Depending on the technicals, the idea could be implemented this year, in time for the next winter. It all depends on how the quarrel with Ukraine goes. If this idea even seems possible and would be implemented, Ukraine could capitulate and the idea need not even be implemented, although as a permanent, longterm solution, it will always be attractive.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
Idea: Treasure Hunt games on Google Earth
RH:
1. Google Earth 5.0 is now a stunning program. Its inclusion of Sky and Space; and Oceans depths, make for very exciting computer games that may be sellable and profitable.
2. There are opportunities for both professionally-created games that are as sophisticated as any now currently on sale; and User created games such as Treasure Hunts or Amazing Race type formats [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amazing_Race_(U.S._TV_series) ] in which a Games Master lays a trail with clues for Players to follow. Google Earth 5.0 already has enough User features as is, for an Amazing Race or Treasure Hunt type games to be created but if Google can tweak its Google Earth program a little, it will be a lot easier and more fun for both Games Master and Players.
3. For example, TH or AR type trails can be laid that require googling. The clues can span the entire internet and knowledge contained therein. For example, starting from any point in Google Earth 5.0, the first waypoint or WP1, can be clued as "the nearest star" and upon googling, the Player/s discover that this is Proxima Centuri. So the Player types in Proxima Centauri into Google Earth 5.0 and is taken to it. There, he finds a PlaceMark with the next clue, and so on. For more fun and creativity, clues at each PlaceMark can be in the form of Text, Audio or Video file. The PlaceMark icon of a Pin, for such games, can be transformed into something else and here, an opportunity for an advertiser to put his name, logo and even audio and/or video clip onto the Game PlaceMark Clue. The AR format seems to be very well established and more importantly, widely known, so Games Masters should copy it unless copyrighted. AR may want to officially do a Google Earth version of its race, either as a standalone programme or to advertise its tv version more widely. The clues are limited only by creavitiy and invention and knowledge of obscure facts and figures. Even very difficult clues are possible because googling is available. It may be more convenient to have a google search box right within the Google Earth program for such gameplay.
4. Thus, these TH or AR type of games can be implemented almost immediately. This should lead to greater use of Google Earth. Games can be in any language, so worldwide appeal. AR is strictly a tv programme and only for passive tv watching but this game on Google Earth will be played by huge numbers and by anybody. The Game PlaceMark holding such games clues can be set to expire or auto delete after a set time but those games that are very good can be kept forever and played by all new users for all time. Thus, the small kid can also create a game trail for his friends while professionals like AR can create very professional game trails that will remain forever, thus adding to the value of Google Earth over time. You may want to let AR types make permanent trails while amateurs with lower standards gmail their creations to their friends for private use only, without filling the official version of Google Earth with too many unprofessional placemarks and files.
5. As for computer or video type games, there is no limit to the kinds of gameplay possible. First Person Shooter games, Strategy games, group players games, aliens from outer space games, space warfare, spaceships, conquest of other star constellations as well as Earth, SIM games, etc, every known game format is possible. Games developers need only to have access to Google Earth's source codes, maybe. Or Google itself can create these games in partnership with games developers. Games music and sound effects, etc, are all possible. Wars can take place in space, on Mars and other planets, on Earth and even underwater on Earth. No limits except imagination.
6. You could also have educational games. For these, talk to educationists. Geography, Oceanography, Volcanology, Marine Biology, etc, all are fair game for educational games.
7. Also, every time Google Earth gets into the world news, like the Swiss officials who found a marijuana field hidden in the middle of crops, Google should quickly capitalise on this kind of publicity [can create some yourself] and quickly put a new Google Earth In The News section highlighting this Swiss field, for example, to let users see for themselves.
8. Games are limited only by imagination. There are quite a few good games companies who would love to create games based on Google Earth.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
1. Google Earth 5.0 is now a stunning program. Its inclusion of Sky and Space; and Oceans depths, make for very exciting computer games that may be sellable and profitable.
2. There are opportunities for both professionally-created games that are as sophisticated as any now currently on sale; and User created games such as Treasure Hunts or Amazing Race type formats [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amazing_Race_(U.S._TV_series) ] in which a Games Master lays a trail with clues for Players to follow. Google Earth 5.0 already has enough User features as is, for an Amazing Race or Treasure Hunt type games to be created but if Google can tweak its Google Earth program a little, it will be a lot easier and more fun for both Games Master and Players.
3. For example, TH or AR type trails can be laid that require googling. The clues can span the entire internet and knowledge contained therein. For example, starting from any point in Google Earth 5.0, the first waypoint or WP1, can be clued as "the nearest star" and upon googling, the Player/s discover that this is Proxima Centuri. So the Player types in Proxima Centauri into Google Earth 5.0 and is taken to it. There, he finds a PlaceMark with the next clue, and so on. For more fun and creativity, clues at each PlaceMark can be in the form of Text, Audio or Video file. The PlaceMark icon of a Pin, for such games, can be transformed into something else and here, an opportunity for an advertiser to put his name, logo and even audio and/or video clip onto the Game PlaceMark Clue. The AR format seems to be very well established and more importantly, widely known, so Games Masters should copy it unless copyrighted. AR may want to officially do a Google Earth version of its race, either as a standalone programme or to advertise its tv version more widely. The clues are limited only by creavitiy and invention and knowledge of obscure facts and figures. Even very difficult clues are possible because googling is available. It may be more convenient to have a google search box right within the Google Earth program for such gameplay.
4. Thus, these TH or AR type of games can be implemented almost immediately. This should lead to greater use of Google Earth. Games can be in any language, so worldwide appeal. AR is strictly a tv programme and only for passive tv watching but this game on Google Earth will be played by huge numbers and by anybody. The Game PlaceMark holding such games clues can be set to expire or auto delete after a set time but those games that are very good can be kept forever and played by all new users for all time. Thus, the small kid can also create a game trail for his friends while professionals like AR can create very professional game trails that will remain forever, thus adding to the value of Google Earth over time. You may want to let AR types make permanent trails while amateurs with lower standards gmail their creations to their friends for private use only, without filling the official version of Google Earth with too many unprofessional placemarks and files.
5. As for computer or video type games, there is no limit to the kinds of gameplay possible. First Person Shooter games, Strategy games, group players games, aliens from outer space games, space warfare, spaceships, conquest of other star constellations as well as Earth, SIM games, etc, every known game format is possible. Games developers need only to have access to Google Earth's source codes, maybe. Or Google itself can create these games in partnership with games developers. Games music and sound effects, etc, are all possible. Wars can take place in space, on Mars and other planets, on Earth and even underwater on Earth. No limits except imagination.
6. You could also have educational games. For these, talk to educationists. Geography, Oceanography, Volcanology, Marine Biology, etc, all are fair game for educational games.
7. Also, every time Google Earth gets into the world news, like the Swiss officials who found a marijuana field hidden in the middle of crops, Google should quickly capitalise on this kind of publicity [can create some yourself] and quickly put a new Google Earth In The News section highlighting this Swiss field, for example, to let users see for themselves.
8. Games are limited only by imagination. There are quite a few good games companies who would love to create games based on Google Earth.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
Idea: RFID Ring as personal identifier
RH:
1. This Wikipedia article on Radio Frequency Identity tags or chips, [ http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/RFID ] explains that there are active RFID tags that are powered and Passive tags or chips that require no battery or power to work. These passive RFID tags work when exposed to a radio frequency and send back signals and info just like any transmitter.
2. For photos of how small these RFID tags can be, click on these 2 photos :
http://images.google.com.sg/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2109/1558650428_d9e560ab97.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.techdo.com/your-worst-nightmare-rfid-powder/&usg=__GtplWE90mtgURV0MnhAzuthJhpE=&h=397&w=475&sz=24&hl=en&start=5&sig2=RRCac052m-dt8FVZCmQd1w&um=1&tbnid=zi2dpX7nJEsIJM:&tbnh=108&tbnw=129&ei=k3CFSYz3PNWNkQWwqOWfAw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drfid%2Btiny%2Btag%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26sa%3DG
http://www.wdr.de/themen/_images_/images/3/computer/schiebwoche/2004/rfid_cypak_400q.jpg
3. Since RFID tags can be so tiny, even powder-size, it is easy to incorporate one or more into a nice ring to be worn on a finger, say, the middle finger of the right hand, for example. For those who may object to wearing a ring, here are photos of how nice they can look :
http://images.google.com.sg/images?q=jewellery%20rings&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
4. But signet rings are what I have in mind as this design is probably more useful, allowing engraving or printing of name or numbers or logos on the flat surface :
http://images.google.com.sg/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&q=jewellery+rings+signet&btnG=Search+Images
5. So, what purpose would a signet ring RFID have?
6. Plenty. For one, it could unlock your office security door, like the big plastic card you are currently wearing round your neck [which also works by RFID]. But more.
7. Your Employee ring could also be programmed to communicate with your office telephone regularly, say, every second, and only allows this telephone to ring when you are within range and not ring when you walk away from it. So no more office phones ringing loudly and annoyingly and disturbingly when the intended person is not at his or her desk.
8. Go one step further and make any of your office telephone ring when it is your call and you are within range. In a meeting, all the participants would be able to be followed to the meeting room's telephone. It is possible to make the phone call out the name of the intended call recipient instead of ringing, a significant improvement over the present indeterminate ringing. RFID range can vary from inches to several metres. So your call follows you wherever in the office you happen to be. Nice isn't it? Maybe not so nice if you want a quiet, unharassed moment at the water cooler or pantry.
9. Why stop at the office phone? Why not make your wireless mouse, keyboard and computer stop and go into power saver mode the moment you walk away? Not only saves power but also more secure since no one else can see your screen or use your computer.
10. While we are at that, why not also programme your cellphone to similarly not ring or not work when you are away from it, that is, out of range? Good for privacy.
11. You could even let your RFID ring open your car park gantry to enter no matter which car you are driving, since the ring is on your finger and not stuck to the inside windscreen of your car.
12. You could enter printing instructions to your office printer but it only prints from the queue when you are within range. Again, great for privacy and secure documents you don't want that nosy secretary from the next dept to read.
13. The drawback to this grand scheme is that all such equipment will have to be redesigned to cater for RFID communication. Big problem since no office manager will change the entire systems just for such. So the best way is to design a tiny chip or circuit that you can retrofit into any telephone, printer, computer, etc. This retrofit chip will have almost universal application to most office phones, hopefully. But much, much, easier for computers since they already come pretty standardised with Windows or Mac OSes. Just plug the chip into a usb port and draw its power, too. Like some Bluetooth usb plug-ins today.
14. There are probably many more uses I cannot think of. This signet ring can become a Personal Identifier for many equipment and systems. Eventually, even pay for buses and trains or even restaurant meals, although security from hackers and fraudsters will have to be improved, which is currently being worked on at many orgs.
15. Meanwhile, ring designers can get creative designing plastic, metal or other material rings since wearers will want many designs to choose from.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
1. This Wikipedia article on Radio Frequency Identity tags or chips, [ http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/RFID ] explains that there are active RFID tags that are powered and Passive tags or chips that require no battery or power to work. These passive RFID tags work when exposed to a radio frequency and send back signals and info just like any transmitter.
2. For photos of how small these RFID tags can be, click on these 2 photos :
http://images.google.com.sg/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2109/1558650428_d9e560ab97.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.techdo.com/your-worst-nightmare-rfid-powder/&usg=__GtplWE90mtgURV0MnhAzuthJhpE=&h=397&w=475&sz=24&hl=en&start=5&sig2=RRCac052m-dt8FVZCmQd1w&um=1&tbnid=zi2dpX7nJEsIJM:&tbnh=108&tbnw=129&ei=k3CFSYz3PNWNkQWwqOWfAw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drfid%2Btiny%2Btag%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26sa%3DG
http://www.wdr.de/themen/_images_/images/3/computer/schiebwoche/2004/rfid_cypak_400q.jpg
3. Since RFID tags can be so tiny, even powder-size, it is easy to incorporate one or more into a nice ring to be worn on a finger, say, the middle finger of the right hand, for example. For those who may object to wearing a ring, here are photos of how nice they can look :
http://images.google.com.sg/images?q=jewellery%20rings&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
4. But signet rings are what I have in mind as this design is probably more useful, allowing engraving or printing of name or numbers or logos on the flat surface :
http://images.google.com.sg/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&q=jewellery+rings+signet&btnG=Search+Images
5. So, what purpose would a signet ring RFID have?
6. Plenty. For one, it could unlock your office security door, like the big plastic card you are currently wearing round your neck [which also works by RFID]. But more.
7. Your Employee ring could also be programmed to communicate with your office telephone regularly, say, every second, and only allows this telephone to ring when you are within range and not ring when you walk away from it. So no more office phones ringing loudly and annoyingly and disturbingly when the intended person is not at his or her desk.
8. Go one step further and make any of your office telephone ring when it is your call and you are within range. In a meeting, all the participants would be able to be followed to the meeting room's telephone. It is possible to make the phone call out the name of the intended call recipient instead of ringing, a significant improvement over the present indeterminate ringing. RFID range can vary from inches to several metres. So your call follows you wherever in the office you happen to be. Nice isn't it? Maybe not so nice if you want a quiet, unharassed moment at the water cooler or pantry.
9. Why stop at the office phone? Why not make your wireless mouse, keyboard and computer stop and go into power saver mode the moment you walk away? Not only saves power but also more secure since no one else can see your screen or use your computer.
10. While we are at that, why not also programme your cellphone to similarly not ring or not work when you are away from it, that is, out of range? Good for privacy.
11. You could even let your RFID ring open your car park gantry to enter no matter which car you are driving, since the ring is on your finger and not stuck to the inside windscreen of your car.
12. You could enter printing instructions to your office printer but it only prints from the queue when you are within range. Again, great for privacy and secure documents you don't want that nosy secretary from the next dept to read.
13. The drawback to this grand scheme is that all such equipment will have to be redesigned to cater for RFID communication. Big problem since no office manager will change the entire systems just for such. So the best way is to design a tiny chip or circuit that you can retrofit into any telephone, printer, computer, etc. This retrofit chip will have almost universal application to most office phones, hopefully. But much, much, easier for computers since they already come pretty standardised with Windows or Mac OSes. Just plug the chip into a usb port and draw its power, too. Like some Bluetooth usb plug-ins today.
14. There are probably many more uses I cannot think of. This signet ring can become a Personal Identifier for many equipment and systems. Eventually, even pay for buses and trains or even restaurant meals, although security from hackers and fraudsters will have to be improved, which is currently being worked on at many orgs.
15. Meanwhile, ring designers can get creative designing plastic, metal or other material rings since wearers will want many designs to choose from.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
Idea: Blind Users Interface
RH:
1. Many lifestyle devices nowadays seem to be digital and based on the computer, for example, mp3 players like the iPod, cellphones that are practically small computers, with Operating Systems like Symbian, Windows Mobile, etc. This idea is for devices like these, with the characteristics of being digital; small and therefore difficult for blind people to operate, since there are no big, easy-to-feel knobs to use; and producing an audio signal either from earbuds in the case of the iPod or built-in speakers like the cellphones.
2. Small sized devices cannot have big knobs that home hi-fi devices can have, so blind users find it much harder to use these small devices. Indeed, these small devices often have no knobs, just a small touch-dial or thin, shallow button/s that may be pressed, rotated, etc. They invariably have a small screen display for normal, sighted, users to see which menu is being active [open] and which menu option to select [by pressing] to operate the device.
3. It is impossible to request ALL these device manufacturers to build in easier features for the blind since blind users are a minority. Even legislation will not be able to compel device makers to make them blind-friendlier. So, taking the iconic iPod and the typical cellphone as primary devices, what are their common characteristics such that we can create a Blind Users Interface that will work for ALL of them, such that all these device makers need only add this free and open source code without cost to their devices to make them useable by the blind as well as sighted users? With minimum adaptation work.
4. Common characteristics : the usual interface for sighted people are a small display screen that displays the current 'page' of the menu that is being 'open', this menu of several options any of which can be 'selected' by pressing a button after rotating a dial. This visual interface would be in words on the screen while selection will be by pressing a button after rotating a dial through the various word options.
5. Suppose we write code for a BUI? This code should be easily incorporated into all the major OSes used by mp3 device makers and cellphone makers initially, then maybe ported to other, bigger, devices. Its basic structure will be similar although many versions would have to be adapted for various OSes.
6. This BUI can use text-to-speech tech to read out any word selected on the menu of the screen. Other than the bulk of the text-to-speech program, this should not be difficult since the program in the device will already recognise which word is being selected or which button pressed to action the chosen menu option -- since this is already the interface for sighted people. Thus, the BUI will sit on top of whatever program is used for the sighted interface. Except that while the sighted user will read the word on the menu, the blind user will hear the word spoken out loud, either through the earbuds or built-in loudspeaker/s.
7. When the blind user rotates the dial, the various menu options selected in turn will be read out until he comes to the option he wants. He will have to rotate slower than a sighted user because it takes more time to read out a word than to glance it with eyes. Once he hears the menu option he wants, he presses the centre button on the iPod to action that option, just like the sighted user.
8. If the text-to-speech program is too big and slows down the small device, then discard this. Instead, link every word option in the menu with its spoken audio-file equivalent, a one-for-one correspondence that should use less space and memory. Do this for all the languages used in the device. This should not demand too much capacity or slow down the device.
9. The above would apply for iPods and the like which have no user-created words but in cellphones, there are not only menu options to be read out loud but also user-created contacts names and numbers so a text-to-speech program is probably the only way. Alternatively, it may be smaller in size and memory requirements to have someone like the blind user or a friend to read and record these contacts names and numbers and have this input into the program, I dont know. Quite some work to link these audio files to their corresponding lines of code in the program. [It may be possible to first code in a list of numbered 'spaces' which the blind user can then read in HIS numbered order, for easier one to one correspondence of audio to corresponding lines of code].
10. Hopefully, by version 2.0 or 3.0, this open source, free BUI will be robust and powerful enough to make a difference to blind users.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
1. Many lifestyle devices nowadays seem to be digital and based on the computer, for example, mp3 players like the iPod, cellphones that are practically small computers, with Operating Systems like Symbian, Windows Mobile, etc. This idea is for devices like these, with the characteristics of being digital; small and therefore difficult for blind people to operate, since there are no big, easy-to-feel knobs to use; and producing an audio signal either from earbuds in the case of the iPod or built-in speakers like the cellphones.
2. Small sized devices cannot have big knobs that home hi-fi devices can have, so blind users find it much harder to use these small devices. Indeed, these small devices often have no knobs, just a small touch-dial or thin, shallow button/s that may be pressed, rotated, etc. They invariably have a small screen display for normal, sighted, users to see which menu is being active [open] and which menu option to select [by pressing] to operate the device.
3. It is impossible to request ALL these device manufacturers to build in easier features for the blind since blind users are a minority. Even legislation will not be able to compel device makers to make them blind-friendlier. So, taking the iconic iPod and the typical cellphone as primary devices, what are their common characteristics such that we can create a Blind Users Interface that will work for ALL of them, such that all these device makers need only add this free and open source code without cost to their devices to make them useable by the blind as well as sighted users? With minimum adaptation work.
4. Common characteristics : the usual interface for sighted people are a small display screen that displays the current 'page' of the menu that is being 'open', this menu of several options any of which can be 'selected' by pressing a button after rotating a dial. This visual interface would be in words on the screen while selection will be by pressing a button after rotating a dial through the various word options.
5. Suppose we write code for a BUI? This code should be easily incorporated into all the major OSes used by mp3 device makers and cellphone makers initially, then maybe ported to other, bigger, devices. Its basic structure will be similar although many versions would have to be adapted for various OSes.
6. This BUI can use text-to-speech tech to read out any word selected on the menu of the screen. Other than the bulk of the text-to-speech program, this should not be difficult since the program in the device will already recognise which word is being selected or which button pressed to action the chosen menu option -- since this is already the interface for sighted people. Thus, the BUI will sit on top of whatever program is used for the sighted interface. Except that while the sighted user will read the word on the menu, the blind user will hear the word spoken out loud, either through the earbuds or built-in loudspeaker/s.
7. When the blind user rotates the dial, the various menu options selected in turn will be read out until he comes to the option he wants. He will have to rotate slower than a sighted user because it takes more time to read out a word than to glance it with eyes. Once he hears the menu option he wants, he presses the centre button on the iPod to action that option, just like the sighted user.
8. If the text-to-speech program is too big and slows down the small device, then discard this. Instead, link every word option in the menu with its spoken audio-file equivalent, a one-for-one correspondence that should use less space and memory. Do this for all the languages used in the device. This should not demand too much capacity or slow down the device.
9. The above would apply for iPods and the like which have no user-created words but in cellphones, there are not only menu options to be read out loud but also user-created contacts names and numbers so a text-to-speech program is probably the only way. Alternatively, it may be smaller in size and memory requirements to have someone like the blind user or a friend to read and record these contacts names and numbers and have this input into the program, I dont know. Quite some work to link these audio files to their corresponding lines of code in the program. [It may be possible to first code in a list of numbered 'spaces' which the blind user can then read in HIS numbered order, for easier one to one correspondence of audio to corresponding lines of code].
10. Hopefully, by version 2.0 or 3.0, this open source, free BUI will be robust and powerful enough to make a difference to blind users.
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
Idea: Recorded readings to the blind
RH:
1. It must be very difficult for the blind to live among the sighted, in a world not designed for them. Ideally, all the blind should live in a blind community where all their needs are catered for in an environment designed for the blind but this is not possible. The question then is, how to make the sighted environment a little more friendly to the blind? Here is a small way.
2. Suppose a blind person walks into a diner to order a meal, a frequent enough occurrence to warrant a solution. Currently, he cannot read the menu and has to ask the busy waiters to read it to him. Not ideal. Far better that he does it himself.
3. So, he takes or is given the menu. He feels for the raised Dymo [ http://global.dymo.com/enUS/Categories/Embossing_Label_Makers.html ] embossed label stuck on it and finds it easily because the Dymo letters are raised. [A cheap Dymo embosser costs US$7.99]. He uses Braille to read the Braille instruction-words and numbers on it and enters this telephone number into his cellphone, which he knows how to use already without having to see the number keys.
4. His call is answered by an answering machine, US$11 at http://www.shopping.com/xPP-answering_machines , which gives a recording of the diner's menu beginning with an overview such as "[Welcome to Joe's Diner]. The menu has 4 sections, the first is Today's Specials and Set Lunches, the second is the Pastas, the third the Spaghettis and the fourth and last is the Drinks and Beverages. Beginning with the Today's Specials and Set Lunches, One: Condoleeza Fried Rice; Two: Barbecued Chicken Wings, etc, etc. All voice recorded by the diner's boss or one of his staff.
5. Once the blind person hears a menu item he wants, he remembers the number/s and orders. Thus, he accomplishes negotiating the menu and ordering his selection without any help that busy and harassed waiters will be too impatient to give. And gets the lift of doing something for himself without help.
6. Just ensure that the answering machine is not connected to such a busy line that it is unavailable when needed by a blind customer. This number should not be a public-known number so no incoming calls will be made to it although outgoing calls can be made on this to maximise use of the phone line, esp when no blind customer is accessing it.
7. Dymo will need to make new wheels for its Dymo embosser that gives the number and letters in English [or any other language] but the embossed label comes out in Braille numbers and texts, a very simple matter costing no more than a dollar or so per new wheel [which are interchangeable].
8. I have used the example of a diner [the blind need to eat as often as us] but there are other set ups in which this idea can be used, too. For example, giving instructions in a library or some other kind of shops where the blind may need some audio help to negotiate a transaction or listen to some instruction on how to proceed in a transaction.
9. Can some association for the blind take up this idea and try to publicise it and encourage its adoption?
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
1. It must be very difficult for the blind to live among the sighted, in a world not designed for them. Ideally, all the blind should live in a blind community where all their needs are catered for in an environment designed for the blind but this is not possible. The question then is, how to make the sighted environment a little more friendly to the blind? Here is a small way.
2. Suppose a blind person walks into a diner to order a meal, a frequent enough occurrence to warrant a solution. Currently, he cannot read the menu and has to ask the busy waiters to read it to him. Not ideal. Far better that he does it himself.
3. So, he takes or is given the menu. He feels for the raised Dymo [ http://global.dymo.com/enUS/Categories/Embossing_Label_Makers.html ] embossed label stuck on it and finds it easily because the Dymo letters are raised. [A cheap Dymo embosser costs US$7.99]. He uses Braille to read the Braille instruction-words and numbers on it and enters this telephone number into his cellphone, which he knows how to use already without having to see the number keys.
4. His call is answered by an answering machine, US$11 at http://www.shopping.com/xPP-answering_machines , which gives a recording of the diner's menu beginning with an overview such as "[Welcome to Joe's Diner]. The menu has 4 sections, the first is Today's Specials and Set Lunches, the second is the Pastas, the third the Spaghettis and the fourth and last is the Drinks and Beverages. Beginning with the Today's Specials and Set Lunches, One: Condoleeza Fried Rice; Two: Barbecued Chicken Wings, etc, etc. All voice recorded by the diner's boss or one of his staff.
5. Once the blind person hears a menu item he wants, he remembers the number/s and orders. Thus, he accomplishes negotiating the menu and ordering his selection without any help that busy and harassed waiters will be too impatient to give. And gets the lift of doing something for himself without help.
6. Just ensure that the answering machine is not connected to such a busy line that it is unavailable when needed by a blind customer. This number should not be a public-known number so no incoming calls will be made to it although outgoing calls can be made on this to maximise use of the phone line, esp when no blind customer is accessing it.
7. Dymo will need to make new wheels for its Dymo embosser that gives the number and letters in English [or any other language] but the embossed label comes out in Braille numbers and texts, a very simple matter costing no more than a dollar or so per new wheel [which are interchangeable].
8. I have used the example of a diner [the blind need to eat as often as us] but there are other set ups in which this idea can be used, too. For example, giving instructions in a library or some other kind of shops where the blind may need some audio help to negotiate a transaction or listen to some instruction on how to proceed in a transaction.
9. Can some association for the blind take up this idea and try to publicise it and encourage its adoption?
--
RH: MY ACQUAINTANCE, MR DAVID DUCLOS, A FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR, AND HIS LAWYER FRIEND, EYEWITNESSED LEE KUAN YEW RIGGING THE 1997 CHENG SAN GRC ELECTION. READ MORE AT MY BLOG ENTITLED "I CAME, I SAW, I SOLVED IT" :
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/
[ALSO AT THE ABOVE BLOG, LIE KUAN YEW's LIES, CORRUPTION, WRONGFUL JAILING, TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF INNOCENT POLITICAL PRISONERS LIKE MR CHAN HOCK HUA]
READ ALSO MARTYN SEE's INTERVIEW WITH ME AT:
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
ALSO AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/2007/03/filmmaker-martyn-see-interviews-robert.html
FOR QUICK, IRREVERENT REASONS WHY LIE KY DESERVES A NOBEL:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20nominated%20for%20a%20Nobel%20so%20LIE%20KY%20gives%20himself%20many%20others
MY ARCHIVE OF WORKS AT:
http://i-came-i-saw-i-wrote-it.blogspot.com/
.
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