This country is sterile. Not vibrant though we pretend to be. 

Maybe there is a hint of vibrancy, somewhere in recent stirring times, rousing itself from the ashes. 

Ashes you ask? What ashes? Surely all is dead here, in the fast paced ever changing utilitarian culture that this island life brings. 

But did you not know? This egalitarian cosmopolitan global first world nation had sprang forth from a sleepy fishing village but a hundred years ago? That this sprawling growing ever changing landscape did not exist before 1965? Surely our forefathers from their diverse cultures found time for entertainment beyond smoking weed and whores when they found rest from their endless harsh labour in the pearl of the east. 

For there was a time perhaps, long long ago where the washerwoman was more than a washerwoman, where the labourer only laboured for a while, then rested for another while. 

When the businessman was only a businessman until the sun went down and the streets were closed to the movings and buyings and tradings. When there was, a different sort of nightlife. 

Where theatre filled the walkways as the lanterns lit the dark, and there was singing and noisy music. 

But no more. For we cannot be artisans, not even in part.  For the liberating arts are the liberal arts, and the liberal has no place in this conservative chinese dominated society. Where modernity, religion, sexuality and God forbid politics cannot be freely discussed. And what else is art for, than to ask questions. 

Of society, people, and yes even the Ruling Party. 

To question the Ruling Party is to challenge the ruling party, is to threaten to overthrow. And to overthrow would be a decision we would regret in many years to come, as the carefully well tended and well oiled machinery of this city state would jam as the citizenry fall into complacency and the vultures (all without a lightning scar) make off with all its cogs and pieces. 

We do not question. After all do you not know? This is a first world nation, and they got you here without questioning, so don't. Because we don't want to do things any different, or you might end up having potholes in your roads despite being extremely wealthy and don't you take that for granted. Not questioning is what brought us a rail system that never broke down, until of course it did, then it was just a once-off, until it broke down again; but never mind, because it's still a World-Class system and it will be until a systemic failure kills instead of delaying a few thousand commuters. 

Questioning is dangerous. The arts are dangerous. But they are dangerous to you, you will never amount to anything as an artist. You are useless to society, and how will you feed yourself, let alone a family? What did your parents send you to your elite primary school and elite secondary school and Australian university for? For you to run around pretending to be somebody else? Children also can pretend. Which is why the mats are the ones playing guitars in the void deck, wasting their lives as they go on to father several children with several children before they reach the age of 18; probably marrying all of them in horrific sequence. 

You should study hard, grow up become a doctor if you can, or a lawyer. But it doesn't matter anyhow, because A is average, B is bad, C is crap and D is die liao. F is fucking useless and S is stupid lah. So off you go to art school, or piano school or violin school and here's 7 years of your life to whatever discipline you've got to distinguish you from your peers who are also learning musical instruments to show that they're "smart" and "clever" enough to go to a University, because polytechnic is only for stupid people who will amount to nothing. And while you're at it and trying to make sense of whatever you're doing, remember- it's for your bright bright future in a high rise office building somewhere, and stop thinking about how much you love your craft because you need to grow up and get a real job someday, or you'll be like that weirdo tapping away on his bongo drum next to the the mrt station, or the old man selling tissues; they're all beggars anyway. Don't you remember? This is the country that arrests firsts and gives cultural medallions later- 14 years so don't try, but it supports the arts.

So yes, go ahead. Express yourself in anyway you want to, and you will have the unending support of the people. And remember, that's what art is all about, and what we want as a nation, just don't ask don't tell, no criticism of political figures, unless they belong to our neighbours and portray our leaders in a wonderful light, and no naked gangsters- whatever your international filmmaker buddies might tell you, because our youngsters might forsake who they are for decadent Western moral values. Remember remember remember, we tried our best to give you support, but there is just no talent in Singapore, not enough daring brave individuals, who dare to express themselves and yet not challenge. And if you fail, we told you already. Go get your As, go be average.