Awfully GP Notes 2024 Summary

Essay Skills

• Discuss essays from Singapore's POV; use Singaporean traits.
• Focus on explicit conditions given in questions.
• Compare factors in comparison questions; acknowledge equal importance only in conclusions.

Trends in Current World

• Growing liberal mindset and conservatism.
• Pragmatism vs. Freedom (Singapore vs. USA).
• Globalized, tech-driven economy.
• Knowledge-based, fast-paced, competitive society.

Types of Questions

Value Questions

• Discuss desirability or importance of entities.
• Examples: traditional family roles, quitting social media, interest in math.

Impact Questions

• Analyze interactions between changing factors.
• Examples: Modern technology's challenges, AI replacing humans, social media's effect on language.

Possibility Questions

• Feasibility of future goals; evaluate aiding/hindering factors.
• Examples: Equality in society, climate change control.

Effectiveness Questions

• Assess solution/strategy against objectives.
• Criterias: reliability, timeliness, durability, profundity, fairness, cost-efficiency.
• Example: Education's role in gender inequality.

Key Topics

Race

• Issues in China (Uyghur repression), USA (systemic racism), Rohingya crisis.
• Impact of racism on housing, education, law enforcement.

Income Inequality

• Billionaire wealth vs. global poverty.
• Philanthropic efforts (e.g., Bill Gates) vs. exploitation.

Social Media

• High usage statistics in the USA and Singapore.
• Issues: authenticity, false news, surveillance.
• Effects: quality of interactions, fake news, scams.

Singapore Society

• Politicians/Governance: trust in political institutions, corruption incidents.
• Smart Nation initiatives for seniors and students.
• Income, inclusivity, equality, happiness trends.

Education

• Pressure and stress from examination focus.
• New initiatives: applied learning, digital skills.
• Criticism of meritocratic system and segregation.

Mental Health/Stress

• High levels of stress and burnout in Singapore.
• Initiatives to improve mental health services.

Low Birth Rates and Ageing Population

• Declining birth rates and increasing pressure on workforce.
• Gender norms impacting caregiving roles.

Values-In-Action/Kindness/Charity

• VIA programs in schools; debates on genuine vs. pragmatic volunteering.
• Charitable giving trends, motivations, and limitations.

Environment/Sustainability

• Global efforts (e.g., UNEP) and challenges like climate change and resource management.
• Singapore's policies: recycling rates, green infrastructure.

Culture

• Importance of arts and music; government support and limitations on expression.
• Impact of popular culture and media on society.

Governance and Global Relations

• Singapore's diplomatic strategies amid geopolitical tensions.
• Examples of small vs. large country dynamics in international politics.

General Observations

• Increasing education and literacy worldwide.
• Growing challenges of misinformation and media influence.

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This summary captures the key points from the detailed lecture on General Paper notes for 2024, covering a wide array of topics from essay writing skills to societal trends and global issues.