TakingITGlobal - Panorama - Interview with...

Published on: Feb 20, 2001

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=22

Actually, it’s attending college in the USA. In my honest opinion, many high school students thinking about a foreign college education plan too late in my country. I was certainly one of them – I was too occupied with my exams and other work. Anyone who has applied to a fairly competitive college in the United States (unlike, say, Australia) knows that the preparation for a college application can begin as far back as 2 years before college. I was struggling with many issues, and I was a uncertain of my decision to attend college in America. Leaving home for an extended amount of time, by itself, is a big deal for me because my family relationship is extremely close. There are many other issues that I won’t go into. Thanks to my parents, my teachers and my own persistence, I am now glad that I worked hard for it.

How long have you lived in Malaysia before you moved to Pennsylvania?

I’ve lived in Malaysia since I was born, for about 18 years.
I think these types of generalizations tend to fail. Still, I would say that there is a difference in the conceptualization of the ‘self’ and what the ‘good life’ is -- a difference in values and worldview. But of course, like many other things, no one is better than the other. They’re just different.

What is your overall view on the world, today?

I think it is a time of great tragedy, in a sense, but also a time of great opportunity. The world is getting more connected and the average person is now more aware of what is happening in other foreign lands. What I find so remarkable is that the fact that people now are beginning to take notice and care for others who might be far away from them -- almost, an awareness of one’s place in the world and members of one’s kind in other places. This gives me much to hope for.

What are your views on the digital divide?

My best opinion is that we must not expect technology to do the same things in underdeveloped countries as what they did in developed countries.
There is a lot of energy in youth today and they care tremendously about the world. This is especially evident in my college; my college is very socially conscious. Passion, creativity and original thinking are important. But I also feel that the kind of change is one that is driven by wisdom. And one of the places to look for them is in adults.

What was the question you submitted for Planet Project? What are your views on the question you submitted?

My question was the one concerning the death penalty. If there is one thing in common that humans share is that we, at some point in time, die. However, death is being perceived vastly different throughout many cultures and times in our history. In the early times, life was seen as nothing but pain, and death was eternal bliss. Today, humanity sees life as something valuable, to be cherished, to be lived and enjoyed. The issue of death penalty is complex because it poses very fundamental questions if we can, for whatever reason nonetheless, take the life of another human being? Can something good - can justice be served - from an act which is intrinsically evil - the killing of a human being? Violating a human being's very right to life and to consciousness itself is really a big deal when you think about it. Is our legal system, and are we - as judges or jurors -perfect enough ourselves. to decide who should live and who should die and know for absolute certainty that we have made no mistake in passing such a harsh, irreversible sentence? And if an executed man is later proven innocent, I would argue that the judges and jurors who through their own mistake sentenced that man to death, should themselves, be equally punished as severely for taking an innocent life.

What do you see when you look at the youth in your country?

Ability and courage.

« return.



by Nicole Corriero
Published on: Feb 20, 2001
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=22


Actually, it’s attending college in the USA. In my honest opinion, many high school students thinking about a foreign college education plan too late in my country. I was certainly one of them – I was too occupied with my exams and other work. Anyone who has applied to a fairly competitive college in the United States (unlike, say, Australia) knows that the preparation for a college application can begin as far back as 2 years before college. I was struggling with many issues, and I was a uncertain of my decision to attend college in America. Leaving home for an extended amount of time, by itself, is a big deal for me because my family relationship is extremely close. There are many other issues that I won’t go into. Thanks to my parents, my teachers and my own persistence, I am now glad that I worked hard for it. How long have you lived in Malaysia before you moved to Pennsylvania? I’ve lived in Malaysia since I was born, for about 18 years. I think these types of generalizations tend to fail. Still, I would say that there is a difference in the conceptualization of the ‘self’ and what the ‘good life’ is -- a difference in values and worldview. But of course, like many other things, no one is better than the other. They’re just different. What is your overall view on the world, today? I think it is a time of great tragedy, in a sense, but also a time of great opportunity. The world is getting more connected and the average person is now more aware of what is happening in other foreign lands. What I find so remarkable is that the fact that people now are beginning to take notice and care for others who might be far away from them -- almost, an awareness of one’s place in the world and members of one’s kind in other places. This gives me much to hope for. What are your views on the digital divide? My best opinion is that we must not expect technology to do the same things in underdeveloped countries as what they did in developed countries. There is a lot of energy in youth today and they care tremendously about the world. This is especially evident in my college; my college is very socially conscious. Passion, creativity and original thinking are important. But I also feel that the kind of change is one that is driven by wisdom. And one of the places to look for them is in adults. What was the question you submitted for Planet Project? What are your views on the question you submitted? My question was the one concerning the death penalty. If there is one thing in common that humans share is that we, at some point in time, die. However, death is being perceived vastly different throughout many cultures and times in our history. In the early times, life was seen as nothing but pain, and death was eternal bliss. Today, humanity sees life as something valuable, to be cherished, to be lived and enjoyed. The issue of death penalty is complex because it poses very fundamental questions if we can, for whatever reason nonetheless, take the life of another human being? Can something good - can justice be served - from an act which is intrinsically evil - the killing of a human being? Violating a human being's very right to life and to consciousness itself is really a big deal when you think about it. Is our legal system, and are we - as judges or jurors -perfect enough ourselves. to decide who should live and who should die and know for absolute certainty that we have made no mistake in passing such a harsh, irreversible sentence? And if an executed man is later proven innocent, I would argue that the judges and jurors who through their own mistake sentenced that man to death, should themselves, be equally punished as severely for taking an innocent life. What do you see when you look at the youth in your country? Ability and courage. « return.