An act of observation...

...inevitably and irretrievably disturbs the state of the observed system.

Anyone who has had an elementary introduction to modern physics knows this. What takes me by surprise, though, is that this little idea has managed to pop itself out of the realm of books and thought experiments to land squarely in front of me now, upon this awkward crossroad on which I have somehow unwittingly found myself standing. A principle in the world of the microscopic suddenly musters the audacity to strike at some very very macroscopic issues. And all I find myself capable of doing at this moment is to sit around in futile waiting for answers, or some hint thereof, that I know are quite simply not forthcoming.

Hurrah for the head-in-the-sand solution.

Ah wells, I'll get over it somehow. I always do. The big question ends up being whether I'd be able to get over this without having to regret in the future.

But then again, from a philosophical point of view, one has to wonder if that is even possible.

Kindly ignore my ramblings.

Eyes on NUS

In a bid for precious CCA points I was giving out flyers this morning at the business and arts faculties, and to my surprise it turned out to be a pretty pleasant experience. How often in the hectic life of an NUS student does one find an opportunity to simply stand somewhere early in the morning, strolling about greeting and smiling at strangers? It may perhaps be because it was early on a morning of excellent weather, but a gratifying proportion of the students already going about their daily businesses were willing to pause their stride and smile back.

It is the start of semester again and while I do not have any specific plans or resolutions for the new beginning, one of the first lectures I attended (for the new course CS3216) has perked my attention. Apart from CS1101S, NUS has been, for as long as I have been here (and probably centuries before), about as inspiring as a teaspoon. There has been nothing here except the regular sorts of co-curricular activities and plain old studying. The transition from Junior College to this place has been nothing more than a rise in the competency level of the teachers, and a jump in the levels of sophistication of the subjects of study. There has been nothing to mark, to imply or suggest, to give even the mildest sense that we have transcended into something beyond the realm of spoonfed knowledge and test-oriented thinking. NUS to me has been a university of straw.

But now it seems, there are forces at work to change this. Only small ones perhaps, little jabs and pokes to nudge things into better shape, but welcome and immeasurably needed nonetheless. The question of interest now is how will the NUS population respond to these carefully administered stimuli. Change requires both brilliant initiatives and favourable responses. I am glad that some have stepped forward with the former. We shall see if we are capable of the latter.

In anger, despair, and more than a little cynical pleasure I cried "NUS is not a university!" While I still find no reason to eat those words, I find myself interested, right now, in the question of whether NUS CAN BECOME a university.

We shall see.

If you were ever in AJ

And, like me and a mountain of other people out there, hate the damned place, then you MUST go here! I insist ^^