It seems to me that if you are talking about artistic achievements that have stood the test of centuries, then you are talking almost exclusively about the west, which I agree is utterly dominant in cultural exports. What I have in mind when I say “Singapore culture is thriving” is that it’s a city filled with lovely people going about their business. You could appreciate Singapore culture because you find muslim businessmen or guest worker IT types agreeable—maybe you like their jokes. You could hate Singapore culture if you instead found muslim businessmen to be vacant and awful. But couldn’t we allow that the intelligent african that kicked the discussion off might have either taste? Then we should find out what his tastes are before recommending that he choose London over Singapore.
I read “Disneyland with the death penalty.” Gibson’s not a very good travel-writer, there’s hardly any indication in the article that he spoke to anyone while he was there.
broadly similar societies in e.g. Japan or even China, doesn’t seem to produce those things I value
You’re not being fair. Singaporeans would have surely produced something to your tastes, if there were a billion of them and their country were two thousand years old.
It seems to me that if you are talking about artistic achievements that have stood the test of centuries, then you are talking almost exclusively about the west, which I agree is utterly dominant in cultural exports. What I have in mind when I say “Singapore culture is thriving” is that it’s a city filled with lovely people going about their business. You could appreciate Singapore culture because you find muslim businessmen or guest worker IT types agreeable—maybe you like their jokes. You could hate Singapore culture if you instead found muslim businessmen to be vacant and awful. But couldn’t we allow that the intelligent african that kicked the discussion off might have either taste? Then we should find out what his tastes are before recommending that he choose London over Singapore.
I read “Disneyland with the death penalty.” Gibson’s not a very good travel-writer, there’s hardly any indication in the article that he spoke to anyone while he was there.
You’re not being fair. Singaporeans would have surely produced something to your tastes, if there were a billion of them and their country were two thousand years old.
I would like seeing comments on Gibson’s article from Singaporeans, including ex-pat Singaporeans.