"Big Boys Blogging" at Brewerkz

Well, my fifteen minutes of fame with Gayle Goh, Flying Dutchman, Xue Ling and Mr George Yeo (Minister for Foreign Affairs,  Singapore). One of the first few interesting moments for me in the beginning of the year. I have written a short piece on  Singapore Angle: Perspectives. Trust me, I will tell you how I feel after the whole thing when the show is out.

The whole Singapore Angle team has already obtained my long story on what issues are discussed during this event. To be honest, I think that the discussion before and after the actual event was actually more interesting than during the discussion because of the camera and lights. At least one thing I did do, is to bring Intelligent Singaporean to the attention of the minister but that was done not during the interview. I am pretty sure that IS will buying me beer the next time round for the advertisement. I can also tell you is that on both occasions I met George Yeo in person, his position on certain issues are consistent, including his views on other politicians' blog. Well, I did fumble in one question, I think, but then again, it's actually my first time on BlogTV. One last thing, I am the person (mentioned in George Yeo's blog) who commented whether Gayle is allowed to drink in her age.

 

Note: Picture is taken from Ephraim's blog.

Comments

[Bernard Leong]

Ivan, Bjorn, InSpir3d and Dr Lim Teck Heng:

Thank you all for your notes and comments.

My opinion is that we must respect the individual's choice and the reasons why he or she went for the event. Both Mr Wang and Gayle have their own valid reasons to why they choose to go and not to go.

I chose to move on after the event because I think that there is more to write than the incident itself. I was under no illusion in thinking that engaging in such a conversation with George Yeo will make a big difference in our lives. It just provided me (a private citizen) an opportunity to have a decent and frank conversation with the minister, while at the same time, see and judge for ourselves after the show whether the feedback and criticisms from the other bloggers on BlogTV.SG are valid.

At the end of the day, the important thing is to speak truth to power. Suppose if they have distorted my views or misrepresented, I have the right of reply to defend them. It is a good value because we don't end up in the situation of "you vs me" but a proper discussion between two worlds.

LeighHT:
Perhaps, there will be a blogger in the future which will fulfil your criteria to go for such kind of events.

I am definitely the type who would not make it to be a celebrity blogger. :)

[Dr Lim Teck Heng]

Hello,

I just wish to say this whole idea of connecting with G.Yeo is certainly a step in the right direction.

As for Mr Wang, when push comes to shove, he has in the past demonstrated a lack of will to follow through difficult issues and situations. This in my view had led me to question whether perhaps he is just all talk and no action.

I do remember one incident vividly when he fought with this character called darkness who challenged him openly on a few points he wrote abt in a post, but instead of stepping up to the plate, he just made light of the situation and ran away.

I think since that incident Mr Wang has lost alot of credibility in the internet.

I believe the net is a place where if you write something you should be prepared to stand up and defend it. In this case his pointed refusal to attend the interview simply sends all the wrong messages.

[leingHT]

When I heard it was the FD conducting the interview. I said habis lah, there goes the entertainment value, bc he is well known for being a lousy MC.

As for Wang's position, I dont know him well enough to comment, but judging from his short post, he did present valid concerns.

As for Gayle judging from her extraordinary long post on Mr Wangs decision. I think she just feels the need to justify to all her 12 year old readers why she had to do the things she did.

To be frank with you, there are really so many florid characters in blogosphere. I just felt the composition that best reflects the personalities online this time were sorely lacking.

The producers could have done a better job of roping in the many characters in blogosphere to give it a better and fairer representation.

As it is, this program only serves to preforce the stereotypical image only nerds and 12 yr old kids blog.

How very sad. I for one would have liked to see a real confident, successful and handsome man representing blogosphere. Alas if only dreams can come true.

[inspir3d]

yes, a beer for u indeed.
thank u for the advertising... lol :)

[Bjorn]

good that you chose to represent the blogosphere in light of mr wang's mystifying decision. he needs to understand what blogging really is -- a conversation in lieu of real world interaction. Spurning the chance to connect with a subject (george Yeo) of many of his topics is really a betrayal to his readers, many of which had done so subsconsciously out of a desire to make themselves heard and join in a conversation which did not exist before the blogosphere.

There's always as time for conspiracy theories and scepticism of this move by mainstream media. But i think bloggers should not follow in Mr Wang's precedent and use stupid reasons for not understanding and following the real reasons of (conversational) blogging

[Ivan Chew]

Hi Bernard, thanks for leaving a comment in my blog. As I mentioned in my post, I was prompted to blog about why I declined this interview after reading the perspectives from you, Gayle and George Yeo. Quick observation -- from an academic angle, I thought it's yet another example of how blogs (written from personal perspectives) gives that added dimension to an event. Such a "value" is something we know intuitively when we converse, but if we try to explain the value of blogging, this "value" isn't readily apparent.