1. Mass Media
1.1. Context: globalisation, interconnected world, current affairs
1.1.1. Information dissemination: mass media informs the public about current events..
1.1.1.1. Selective dissemination of information (gatekeeping)
1.1.1.1.1. Gives rise to a biased perspective
1.1.1.1.2. Representation in media
1.1.2. Public opinion shaping - cultural norms, societal values, expectations
1.1.3. Surveillance & watchdog
1.1.3.1. VS state control
1.1.3.1.1. Limiting freedom of speech
1.1.3.2. Monitors actions of those in power, ensuring that they are held accountable
1.2. Television, radio, newspapers, social media, films & documentaries, advertising
1.2.1. Entertainment: through large streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+
1.2.1.1. Has the ability to shape one’s worldview
1.2.1.1.1. the Dahmer series on Netflix has been caught under fire due to its lack of consent from victims’ families - shows media exploitation of true crime which is ethically wrong (profit vs sensitivity), it has also led to unintended romanticisation of serial killers as viewers become increasingly desensitised to violence
1.2.2. False advertising: in 2016, Volkswagen was charged for falsely advertising its vehicles as ‘clean diesel vehicles’ when it was found to have used illegal emissions devices to pass clean emissions tests in the US
1.3. Rise of fake news
1.3.1. SG’s POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act) - aims to stop spreading of online falsehoods using penalties
1.4. Privacy issues: collection of users’ data and personal information
1.5. Digital divide between younger and older generations
2. Science & Technology
2.1. Context: highly globalised; high-tech; interconnected; huge rich-poor divide; digital gap; digital revolution; fourth industrial revolution
2.1.1. Has technological advancement worsened the problem of poverty?
2.1.1.1. YES
2.1.1.1.1. Tech advancement has caused job displacement and technological automation — widened income inequality and marginalised low-skilled workers
2.1.1.1.2. The poor often have vulnerable occupations which are susceptible to automation as these jobs require lower skill levels and involve routine tasks
2.1.1.1.3. Worsened environmental degradation and depletion of resources, which has more severely affected poor countries and communities which are more reliant on natural resources for their livelihoods
2.1.1.2. NO
2.1.1.2.1. Tech advancement has improved the problem of poverty, where the rise of digital health services enable remote access to healthcare through TELEMEDICINE
2.1.1.2.2. Has increased productivity, leading to economic growth and job creation
3. Manufacturing booms in china, rise of the Fast Fashion industry, where unwanted goods are flooding wastelands. Due to the low quality and synthetic materials used, these items can take up to decades or centuries to decompose, releasing harmful greenhouse gases
3.1. Large portions of goods are donated more than what could be sold, flooding local markets and disrupting local textile industries
4. Globalisation
4.1. Context: increasingly connected world, rise of technology - increased efficiency in digital communications
4.1.1. Globalisation fosters international cooperation through economic, cultural and technological exchanges
4.1.2. Globalisation used as a tool for further marginalisation and exploitation of the less affluent
4.1.2.1. Greedy MNCs seek to find labourers from 3rd world countries (Child labour)
4.1.2.1.1. Victims often suffer from poor working conditions - little to no pay, lack of sanitisation, tendency to overwork
4.1.2.2. Approximately 10% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty, where they are living below the poverty line of $1.90 per day
5. Health
5.1. Access to healthcare: limited vs adequate
5.1.1. Less affluent often lack basic access to healthcare, they live in remote areas and do not have any means of transportation to receive healthcare services
5.1.1.1. What has been done to counter this?
5.1.1.1.1. Telemedicine (through the rise of technology) - eSanjeevani Initiative in India - aims to provide free non-contact medical consultations, super efficient during Covid-19
5.1.2. Govt’s role: in SG, different healthcare schemes like CHAS, Medisave that help residents to cope with the growing costs of healthcare. CHAS is available to all residents and consists of different tiers depending on one’s household income per capita
5.1.2.1. Additionally, Healthy365 app launched by HPB encourages Singaporeans to stay active by providing incentives like the accumulation of health points for redemption of vouchers
5.1.2.1.1. ActiveSG facilities - gyms and badminton courts that have a low charge cost
6. Environment
6.1. Context: rise of renewable energy, technological advancements, climate change, irreversible global warming
6.2. Examples
6.2.1. Using of technology to predict natural disasters. Japan and USA have installed warning systems for tropical cyclones which were able to provide information to people before their occurrence, therefore reducing the number of casualities and damage.
6.2.1.1. However, due to unpredictable and quick changing weather conditions, these predications may not be accurate
6.2.2. Failure of Kyoto Protocol. Not all countries met their targets of reducing carbon emissions. Big countries like USA, India and China are not held accountable for their carbon emissions as they opposed joining the protocol for their economy’s sake
6.2.3. Use of sustainable resources
6.2.3.1. IKEA has invested in sustainability throughout its entire business operations. Starting with their supply chain, they have sourced close to 50% of its wood from sustainable foresters
6.2.4. Eco-tourism
6.2.4.1. Responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, where funds can go to conservation of environment
6.2.4.1.1. HOWEVER, limited effectiveness. Threatens indigenous communities, natives are seen as a backdrop or prop during tours, objectifying culture groups, encouraging stereotyping
6.2.5. Programmes like “One Tree Planted” engage individuals in tree-planting efforts. Over the years, millions of trees have been planted through collective participation, contributing to carbon sequestration, habitat restoration, and biodiversity enhancement
6.2.6. Initiatives like Earth Hour encourage individuals to turn off lights and unplug appliances for one hour to raise awareness about energy consumption, this symbolic act has inspired millions globally.
6.2.7. Adoption of clean energy. China spends more on clean energy technology than USA and EU combined as world leader for electrical production from renewable energy resources
6.2.8. SG GREEN PLAN - set side 50% more land for nature parks, quadrupling our solar energy deployment, shift towards more environmentally friendly fuel sources; 95% energy from natural resources
6.2.9. Movements like “Fridays for Future”, which started with one individual (Greta Thunberg), have galvanised global attention on climate action, showing the power of individual leadership
6.2.10. Rise of eco-conscious consumers has pressured fashion brands to adopt sustainable practices. Companies like Patagonia and Everlane promote transparency in their supply chains and use recycled materials. Fast fashion brands like H&M have also introduced sustainable lines, such as their Conscious Collection, in response to consumer demand for eco-friendly options
6.2.11. The fossil fuel industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. For instance, a 2017 report from the Carbon Disclosure Project indicated that just 100 companies were responsible for over 70% of global carbon emissions since 1988. Companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and BP are significant players,
6.2.12. For instance, while some states in the U.S. offer incentives for EV purchases, the upfront price of electric cars is often higher than that of traditional vehicles.
6.3. Individuals
6.3.1. EFFECTIVE
6.3.1.1. Individuals directly influence market demand through their purchasing decisions
6.3.1.1.1. By choosing eco-friendly products, consumers can drive companies toward more sustainable practices
6.3.1.2. have control over their daily habits, including consumption patterns, energy use, and waste generation. Many environmental movements emphasise the “power of one”, believing that widespread individual change can drive societal shifts
6.3.1.3. Individuals who exercise responsibility often extend to effective community-level efforts. Grassroots movements —initiated and sustained by individuals—can bring about meaningful environmental change
6.3.1.3.1. Local clean-up efforts, tree planting and promoting recycling in communities are examples of how individuals can scale their action beyond personal habits
6.3.2. INEFFECTIVE
6.3.2.1. while individuals contribute to environmental harm, primary drivers of environmental destruction are systemic - rooted in industrial practices, deforestation, and large-scale pollution caused by corporations and governments
6.3.2.1.1. Most pollution comes from large corporations and industries through the burning of fossil fuels, mining and agriculture which account for much of the environmental degradation
6.3.2.2. Not all individuals have equal access to environmentally friendly choices. For many, sustainable alternatives may be expensive or inaccessible due to economic or geographic limitations.
6.3.2.2.1. Blaming individuals without considering these barriers may oversimplify the issue and shift responsibility away from the systemic changes required to make sustainable options more affordable and widespread
6.4. Lack of effectiveness in efforts to combat climate change
6.4.1. Lack of international cooperation; impossible for one govt to tackle the issue of global warming alone
6.4.2. Environmental friendly choices have a limited extent of combatting climate change - use of metal straws cannot combat effects of 20,000 tons of diesel spilled in the arctic
6.5. Consumerism: excessive demand for goods
6.5.1. Requires more resources to be devoted to producing consumer goods to the point where finite resources aren’t given time to regenerate
6.6. Corruption
6.6.1. Gives rise to illegal logging, mining and fishing. These activities are often unregulated, exacerbating existing climate issues
6.6.2. Misuse of environmental funds - resources are diverted
7. Government & politics
7.1. Social welfare - building an inclusive society, improving quality of life of its people, providing security and stability
7.2. Are governments responsible for individuals?
7.2.1. NO
7.2.1.1. Individuals should rely on themselves because they are responsible for their personal growth, education, and life choices. While support is sometimes necessary, self-discipline, initiative, and effort are crucial for success.
7.2.1.1.1. Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani education activist, grew up in a region where the Taliban restricted girls from attending school. Despite these barriers and the threat to her life, Malala took responsibility for her own education, making the conscious choice to pursue learning and advocate for the right to education for all girls.
7.2.2. YES
7.2.2.1. Governments have the monopoly of force — can help enforce law and order, in the event that the individual does not have the power to make choices
7.2.2.1.1. During wars and crises, individuals lack the capability to protect themselves and they have to look to the govt for assistance and protection
7.2.2.2. Govt can act as a voice for the marginalised by offering representation, in a world where majority rules