The first time I saw this phrase “opportunity cost” was on the economic books. However, I did not pay too much attention to it. Last week we talked about the global economy and unicorn brought back my memory about this phrase. “Opportunity cost” means the cost and risk that between what you invest and what you harvest. This actually happens to everyone everyday and everywhere. What we do to measure the cost and the benefit. Then we can make some decisions.
I faced plenty of opportunity cost decisions. The first one is whether I should come to Singapore or not. I will spend one of my best ten years in a foreign country apart from my relatives and friends. I also can acquire a different and high quality education. Maybe I cannot adapt to the life and lose my direction whereas this also can be a valuable opportunity which I will regret if I miss. For me, choosing this needs big courage. I believe the margin benefit will be larger than benefit cost.
Currently, I lost into another opportunity cost case. Of course that is what kind of people I want to be in the future. I have to think carefully about my choice. I am not only choosing my major and my Hall. I am choosing my life, my future. A distinctive feature of opportunity is that you have to face both attracting of benefits and adventures of loss. Most of the time the foregrounds are vague. No one can foretell what lies ahead, but you have to make predictions and make your choice wisely. There is no such thing as free lunch in the world. No matter what decision you make, you can never come back. So think carefully before you make a deal.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Is Heaven Real?
I’m reading a book recently. No matter how tired and sleepy after a whole day’s study, I still insist reading it, even just a little bit. The book’s name is HEAVEN IS SO REAL, written by Choo Thomas, a housewife in a traditional family. It introduces some shocking and amazing stories that how she saw the real God and followed it to visit hell and heaven. The language is so simple and plain that I believe everybody could understand; meanwhile, the esteem and the obedience are fairly strong between the lines. I guess that’s why God selected her to put down what it said to alarm and save more souls.
According to my Chistian friends, what happened on Choo Thomas is called “manifesting”. Last Sunday, what I heard in the church seemed to seal this truth. Pastor Kong invited those who once considered committing suicide to come to the front. When all the people were praying, one of ex-suicides reacted strongly—she cried at the top of her voice. As pastor Kong prayed harder and harder, her cry became scary scream and it seemed that she could not stop. I felt frightened. But my Christian friend Qiaoyi told me later that it was quite normal and she herself had experienced once before. Yesterday Qiaoyi sms me excitedly that in SOT she entered a strong supernatural world under Pastor’s guide, and she described that holy feeling thoroughly.
Many of my friends avoid interacting with Christians, because they’re not sure whether those people are cheating them. In my opinion, however, there’s no need for them to cheat; it’s just like that they know a nice cup of wine and they want to share it with more people. Most people who believe God are not irrational; many of them are even high intelligent persons, like enterprisers, teachers, even scientists. What’s more, the globe is so big, but why Christians in different areas encounter the same manifesting? Maybe this proves a common sense again that what you cannot see doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
I admit that I’m swinging and prone to God. What I have seen and heard about “manifesting” are reducing my doubt on God; nevertheless, I haven’t encountered those on my own, so it is hard to eliminate all doubt. Say, if it is true then what about the theory of evolution? The knowledge about the origin of species I first accepted took root too early and deeply in my mind, even though the probability of the fantastic coincidence is almost zero. Thinking about da Vinci’s final surrender to Jesus, I’m hesitant. Is that because he could not explain some defect in his theory, or because he finally perceived that Holy Spirit is actually the designer who conducts all the evolution?
I’m confused now.
According to my Chistian friends, what happened on Choo Thomas is called “manifesting”. Last Sunday, what I heard in the church seemed to seal this truth. Pastor Kong invited those who once considered committing suicide to come to the front. When all the people were praying, one of ex-suicides reacted strongly—she cried at the top of her voice. As pastor Kong prayed harder and harder, her cry became scary scream and it seemed that she could not stop. I felt frightened. But my Christian friend Qiaoyi told me later that it was quite normal and she herself had experienced once before. Yesterday Qiaoyi sms me excitedly that in SOT she entered a strong supernatural world under Pastor’s guide, and she described that holy feeling thoroughly.
Many of my friends avoid interacting with Christians, because they’re not sure whether those people are cheating them. In my opinion, however, there’s no need for them to cheat; it’s just like that they know a nice cup of wine and they want to share it with more people. Most people who believe God are not irrational; many of them are even high intelligent persons, like enterprisers, teachers, even scientists. What’s more, the globe is so big, but why Christians in different areas encounter the same manifesting? Maybe this proves a common sense again that what you cannot see doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
I admit that I’m swinging and prone to God. What I have seen and heard about “manifesting” are reducing my doubt on God; nevertheless, I haven’t encountered those on my own, so it is hard to eliminate all doubt. Say, if it is true then what about the theory of evolution? The knowledge about the origin of species I first accepted took root too early and deeply in my mind, even though the probability of the fantastic coincidence is almost zero. Thinking about da Vinci’s final surrender to Jesus, I’m hesitant. Is that because he could not explain some defect in his theory, or because he finally perceived that Holy Spirit is actually the designer who conducts all the evolution?
I’m confused now.
Which hall to choose?
The bridging course has passed half and every year at this time we have to decide the major we want at university and which hall we prefer. Most of us have already decided the course we are going to choose because we have known the fundamental knowledge about them. However, when it comes to the hall, we are confused as we know little about it. As a result, “which hall do you want to choose” has become a hot topic these days.
There are six halls in NUS and each of them has its special character. To help us get further knowledge of them, this Thursday night, my seniors took us to some halls to have a visit.
The first station was Eusoff Hall whose transport condition was good because it was aside to a bus station. There were many blocks in this hall which were about 4-floor high and had the style of the traditional tropical villa. If you want to live in a double room, Eusoff Hall is a good choice as well as Temasek Hall which is near it. But I don’t want to live in a double room and don’t like the style here, so skip it.
Kent Ridge Hall is the one I prefer which is more modern than others because it is not long since it has been built. Many of my seniors live here so we could have a deep knowledge of it. Most of the blocks are 7 floors and there are only single rooms. The room is not big which has a bed, a table and many wardrobes. The thing I like most is the big window in the room which covers the whole wall, so there can be plenty of sunshine in room. It is so harmonious which gives me the feeling of home. Later at dinner time, seniors invited us to KR’s dining room to have dinner which was much more delicious than that in Eton Hall.
I think I’ve already have my choice. What about you?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
To Be Silly
When I was a child, I wanted to be the most intelligent person in the world. In this way, I could not only learn knowledge more easily than others and solve lots of difficult problems but also could achieve the respect and praise from others. But with time goes on, I find that it’s better to be silly and I have been benefitted a lot from it.
First, being silly is good for my study. Most of you may think that intelligence should be an important part of the study. Yes, so it is, however, it is not intelligence but hardworking which is the most important thing. And sometimes, you would be lazy and complacent when you think that you are intelligent. But if you try to be silly and forget to find the “shortcut” in your study, you can learn more. I used to think that I’m so clever that I could make fewer efforts but gain more than others. It was true in a period of time. However, it didn’t last for a long time. I was soon to discover that the person, who I thought was not as intelligent as me, be more successful. I had to throw the old thought away and began to think that I was silly; it means that I had to work harder to make it up. To my surprise, I felt easier to learn. So being silly benefits my study.
It also benefits me a lot when I communicate with others. I couldn’t get along very well with others when I was young. I was so confused that I asked my classmate to tell me the reason. He told me that I was too pompous to approach. But after I decided to treat myself as a silly person, more people would like to make friends with me. It was not because I was more adulatory than used to be. The reason was that I lay my view in a low position so that I could find others’ advantages. What’s more, a “silly” person would laugh at others fewer. It’s good in the communication.
Now, you may know the advantages of being silly. However, being a silly person is not always necessary; it is just a way to make you think about yourself in a different aspect. Most people can’t find the right way to know themselves, which causes a lot of problems; maybe, they can try to be silly people.
First, being silly is good for my study. Most of you may think that intelligence should be an important part of the study. Yes, so it is, however, it is not intelligence but hardworking which is the most important thing. And sometimes, you would be lazy and complacent when you think that you are intelligent. But if you try to be silly and forget to find the “shortcut” in your study, you can learn more. I used to think that I’m so clever that I could make fewer efforts but gain more than others. It was true in a period of time. However, it didn’t last for a long time. I was soon to discover that the person, who I thought was not as intelligent as me, be more successful. I had to throw the old thought away and began to think that I was silly; it means that I had to work harder to make it up. To my surprise, I felt easier to learn. So being silly benefits my study.
It also benefits me a lot when I communicate with others. I couldn’t get along very well with others when I was young. I was so confused that I asked my classmate to tell me the reason. He told me that I was too pompous to approach. But after I decided to treat myself as a silly person, more people would like to make friends with me. It was not because I was more adulatory than used to be. The reason was that I lay my view in a low position so that I could find others’ advantages. What’s more, a “silly” person would laugh at others fewer. It’s good in the communication.
Now, you may know the advantages of being silly. However, being a silly person is not always necessary; it is just a way to make you think about yourself in a different aspect. Most people can’t find the right way to know themselves, which causes a lot of problems; maybe, they can try to be silly people.
Monday, May 3, 2010
After watching Ip man 2
Still not to verify why the Chinese name Ye Wen was translated into Ip man, I experienced the patriotic spirit which stimulated to the mind severely.
In Ip man 2, the actions were refined providing audience a deep impression.
The scene in which Donnie Yen versus Sammo Hung was splendid enough to attract wushu fans. From Fo-Mountain district to Hong Kong, what changed was the house, the life, and apprentices, but not his patriotism and perfect skill of Yong Chun Chinese boxing. After master Hong (Sammo Hung) was killed by Twister (Pierre NgoDarren Shahlavi), a foreign aggressive boxer, Ip man felt a rush of anger flowing quite strong reminding his responsibility to hold for dignity of Chinese. Moved by the words escaped from master Hong “For life, I tolerate them, but when they insult Chinese Kungfu, I never allow it !”, Ip man resolved to stand out and challenge to battle with the foreign boxer. That was absolutely the most shocking climax of that movie.
What I want to ponder is not limited the resolution, of course we merit our fame back. The unforgettable feeling while losing in the movie is when I seated with a white man who probably came from the same country with the foreign boxer in the movie. What was in his mind when the foreign boxer bullied Chinese in the film? I just know I finally released the anger and felt excited for beating the foreign boxer up by Donnie Yen. It’s hard to visualize whether the very man beside me was moved by Ip man or enraged by the resolution, or maybe, just kept neutral. You know, In that case, it was so embarrass two viewers of different ethnologies watching the fighting plot of two boxers corresponding to our nationalities. Well, at least we are the modern persons who are educated; we can both keep a rational hold view in that unique coincidence.
In a nutshell, that’s exactly the reason I wrote this without good organization. Probably, I thought too much about the one next to me, and I didn’t have to do so. But, anyway, Ip man 2 lit a huge flame of a patriotic heart again, absolutely.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Happy Wang Jun’s Birthday
When it comes to someone’s birthday, one’s friends will send gifts to him, sing the happy birthday song, and eat the birthday cake together. These things are done every birthday to make this day unforgettable to somebody. And this time, May 1, 2010 became an unforgettable day to me, and also to the other 16 people because it was Wang Jun’s birthday.
I felt really sleepy that morning because I slept very late at morning. But as this was my first time to go to East Coast, I tried to keep excited. We were planning to eat hot pot there so I didn’t eat breakfast. But it really took us a long time to find the restaurant and I was hungry. The food was fine, but we need to pay for the drink. During the lunch we played several games. I had to say that yesterday was Han Le’s lucky day, because he always got the right number in the game.
Then we went to East Coast. When I saw the sea, I really felt excited and didn’t want to move. At that moment, I make one decision that if I could afford a house in the future, I would buy one which near the East Coast so that I could be here frequently. Before yesterday, a bench on the riverside of Singapore River was my favourite place to relax when I had nothing to do but now it changed. I can just sit in the shadow of the tall tropic trees on the beach and watch the sea for a whole afternoon if I wish.
After eating the cake (the chocolate cake was really delicious indeed), we walked to the bicycle renting point to get the bicycles. It was not so expensive and every time one can borrow the bicycle for two hours. At first I thought two hours’ time was too long for me. But I was wrong. Riding the bicycle, I easily got to one terminal of the beach road with Wang Jun and Laura. Then we decided to reach another terminal. It was proved to be a really long journey. We rode for about an hour but still on the long sinuous beach road which seemed to be everlasting. The farer we rode, the longer distance we have to take when riding back. And the seat of the bicycle really made me suffer a lot because it was so hard. But Laura didn’t feel uncomfortable at all which made me curious a lot. At that moment, I made another important decision that if I could afford a bicycle in the future, I must buy a really excellent one and make the seat more comfortable for me to sit.
I want to thank Wang Jun, not only because the delicious chocolate cake, but also the truth that he organized this trip and make every one of us felt happy at his birthday. And also thank him for propelling me to make those two important decisions.
I felt really sleepy that morning because I slept very late at morning. But as this was my first time to go to East Coast, I tried to keep excited. We were planning to eat hot pot there so I didn’t eat breakfast. But it really took us a long time to find the restaurant and I was hungry. The food was fine, but we need to pay for the drink. During the lunch we played several games. I had to say that yesterday was Han Le’s lucky day, because he always got the right number in the game.
Then we went to East Coast. When I saw the sea, I really felt excited and didn’t want to move. At that moment, I make one decision that if I could afford a house in the future, I would buy one which near the East Coast so that I could be here frequently. Before yesterday, a bench on the riverside of Singapore River was my favourite place to relax when I had nothing to do but now it changed. I can just sit in the shadow of the tall tropic trees on the beach and watch the sea for a whole afternoon if I wish.
After eating the cake (the chocolate cake was really delicious indeed), we walked to the bicycle renting point to get the bicycles. It was not so expensive and every time one can borrow the bicycle for two hours. At first I thought two hours’ time was too long for me. But I was wrong. Riding the bicycle, I easily got to one terminal of the beach road with Wang Jun and Laura. Then we decided to reach another terminal. It was proved to be a really long journey. We rode for about an hour but still on the long sinuous beach road which seemed to be everlasting. The farer we rode, the longer distance we have to take when riding back. And the seat of the bicycle really made me suffer a lot because it was so hard. But Laura didn’t feel uncomfortable at all which made me curious a lot. At that moment, I made another important decision that if I could afford a bicycle in the future, I must buy a really excellent one and make the seat more comfortable for me to sit.
I want to thank Wang Jun, not only because the delicious chocolate cake, but also the truth that he organized this trip and make every one of us felt happy at his birthday. And also thank him for propelling me to make those two important decisions.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Robots replace human beings
The former premier of china, dengxiaoping, has ever said that “Science and technology constitute the primary productive force”. The development of science and technology has greatly promoted our society forward. You can’t image our life will be like without science and technology. However, when science and technology bring us convenience, they are also bringing us disaster.
Last night Hugo, the father of artificial brain, went to Tsinghua University and gave a lecture about “artificial intelligence”. He claimed that it costs only about 2000$ to create an artificial brain. Besides, he went on to say the artificial brain will surpass our brain in about 50 years. What’s more, robots will have the emotions and feelings our human beings have. At that time, robots will become a more advanced species than human beings. When I first heard about the news, I was shocked. Because we, the ruler of the world, can be easily killed by robots.
Without a doubt, we can get many benefits from robots in the next 20 or 30 years. With the help of robots, our life will become more comfortable and convenient. But the beautiful scenery will not last long. As long as the robots become stronger than us, they will try to conquest us. Maybe you will doubt that it is our human beings who create the robots. How can the robots surpass us? Just like the fact that we create the computer but computers have surpassed us in some way. To some degree robots can be the product of the evolution of computers.
No one can block off the development of the technology. Maybe the year 2012 is not real, but the disasters the robots bring are very hard to avoid. What we can do now is to worship the robots will not attack us and will go to other planets to live in.
Last night Hugo, the father of artificial brain, went to Tsinghua University and gave a lecture about “artificial intelligence”. He claimed that it costs only about 2000$ to create an artificial brain. Besides, he went on to say the artificial brain will surpass our brain in about 50 years. What’s more, robots will have the emotions and feelings our human beings have. At that time, robots will become a more advanced species than human beings. When I first heard about the news, I was shocked. Because we, the ruler of the world, can be easily killed by robots.
Without a doubt, we can get many benefits from robots in the next 20 or 30 years. With the help of robots, our life will become more comfortable and convenient. But the beautiful scenery will not last long. As long as the robots become stronger than us, they will try to conquest us. Maybe you will doubt that it is our human beings who create the robots. How can the robots surpass us? Just like the fact that we create the computer but computers have surpassed us in some way. To some degree robots can be the product of the evolution of computers.
No one can block off the development of the technology. Maybe the year 2012 is not real, but the disasters the robots bring are very hard to avoid. What we can do now is to worship the robots will not attack us and will go to other planets to live in.
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