Singaporeans have been Brainwashed

I was reading the Forum section of the Straits Times newspaper today, where readers comment on various issues, when I was struck by a realisation that Singaporeans are so brainwashed by government propaganda, and that the propaganda is so deep-rooted, that they do not even realise it.

Thinking back to my initial talks with some friends about my intention to emigrate to Thailand, a few of them had expressed surprise at my decision. Specifically, they were surprised at why I would want to emigrate to a backward Third World country, to a house in the middle of a swamp, when Singapore has all of the best (supposedly) the world has to offer?

I would understand if the question had come from someone who had never been to Thailand but many of the people asking these questions are young, educated individuals who had been to Bangkok, the City of Angels, for holidays and had gone crazy over the nightlife (for the men) and the shopping (for the ladies). They are also IT-savvy and have access to the Internet. So they know exactly what Thailand (or Bangkok) is like, i.e. a modern, bustling city that is not unlike Singapore.

But when something comes along that challenges their pre-conceived notions, i.e. that Singapore is one of the best (if not the best!) and modern countries in the world, their mental faculties and reasoning abilities shut down and suddenly they think of Thailand as a Third World country with villages and kampungs of attap huts located in the middle of in swamps (kinds of remind you of the double-think at work in Aldous Huxley's novel 1984). Questions that I have been asked include, what if you fall sick? Can you get hold of medicine there? Are there hospitals there? Are you sure the houses are safe to stay in? Will it collapse? Is it safe to go out? There are robbers everywhere on the streets, even in broad daylight. Do you have to bribe the policeman to report a crime? For someone to install a water heater?

Perfectly laughable questions, I know, especially coming from people who had travelled here, moved around here, and stayed in the hotels here before. But this is just one example why Singaporeans are so severely brainwashed that they do not even realise it. Many have received tertiary education but desperately lack  critical thinking skills. But then again, one shouldn't be surprised by this, as the Singapore education system has always been one that emphasises rote learning and not critical thinking; students are taught to follow and not question, it's focus has always been one that produces workers for the economy's needs and not education for pure education's sake.

As a result, many Singaporeans have the belief and will still believe, to their dying day that, when they have nothing left to their name in their twilight years (all their money and assets have long been sold off to pay for their living expenses), it has all been worth it, all for the privilege of being to stay and die in Singapore Inc.