#Donation Singapore

[carlimuja]

The Ideal Volunteering Opportunities In Singapore For Various Personalities

While many individuals favour donation in Singapore, other ways can lead you to be a good samaritan and help those in need. The country has many more to offer than skyscrapers and delectable street food. It's also a city that thrives on community spirit and volunteerism. Whether you're a compassionate soul, an adventure seeker, or a career-focused individual, the Lion City has volunteering opportunities tailored to your personality. 

Here, this list presents a curated listicle of the best types of people who should consider embracing the world of Singaporean volunteering:

1. The Compassionate Caretaker

If your heart beats for making a positive impact in the lives of others, Singapore's elderly care centres are calling out for your kindness! Spending time with the elderly residents, listening to their stories, and engaging in activities can bring immense joy to their lives. 

2. The Green Enthusiast

What about those who find solace in nature and are concerned about the environment? Volunteering opportunities within Singapore's lush parks and nature reserves are your playgrounds. Join hands with local conservation groups. Take part in tree planting, beach cleanups, and biodiversity surveys. By dedicating your time to preserving the country's natural beauty, you're contributing to the nation's green legacy.

3. The Education Advocate

Passionate about empowering the younger generation? Singapore's schools and community centres offer many opportunities to tutor, mentor, and inspire children. Whether helping with homework, conducting workshops, or sparking curiosity through storytelling, you can play a pivotal role in shaping young minds and fostering a love for learning.

4. The Animal Lover

If your heart melts at the sight of wagging tails and purring fluffballs, the animal shelters in the country welcome your boundless affection! Volunteering opportunities in Singapore for abandoned pets will let you assist in adoption drives. More so, it spreads awareness about responsible pet ownership. Your dedication might lead to a heartwarming tale of a furry friend finding their forever home.

5. The Artistic Soul

Creativity knows no bounds. Neither do volunteering opportunities in Singapore for artistic volunteers. Collaborate with local art galleries, cultural festivals, and theatre groups to infuse your creative flair into the city's vibrant arts scene. From assisting in event organisation to leading workshops, your artistic expression can enrich the lives of locals and tourists.

6. The Tech Guru

Tech-savvy individuals can make their mark in Singapore's non-profit sector. They can offer their expertise, say, help senior citizens navigate the digital realm, teach coding to underprivileged youth, or assist charities in leveraging technology for more efficient operations. Your skills can be a game-changer for those less familiar with the virtual world.

7. The Global Citizen

The multicultural fabric warmly embraces volunteers from all corners of the globe. Are you an expatriate? Or are you a traveller seeking a deeper connection with the local community? Participating in volunteering opportunities in Singapore can help you forge meaningful relationships and understand Singapore beyond its tourist attractions.

8. The Health and Wellness Aficionado

Singapore's wellness organisations offer platforms to promote a healthier lifestyle. Engage in fitness classes, lead mindfulness workshops, or contribute to campaigns advocating healthier habits. By doing so, you're nurturing a happier and more vibrant society.

9. The Lifelong Learner

Volunteering opportunities in Singapore can also be a gateway to personal growth. Are you the type who loves learning new things? Different organisations can expose you to diverse skills and experiences. From learning about urban farming to participating in cultural heritage projects, each volunteering stint can be an exciting chapter in your learning journey.

10. The Change Catalyst

Are you a visionary? Are you always on the lookout for ways to drive social change? Create awareness campaigns, initiate fundraisers, or collaborate with advocacy groups to address pressing social issues. Your passion could be the catalyst that ignites positive change within the city.

Ready to embark on volunteering opportunities in Singapore? Discover more with PPIS! Visit our website to spot the perfect organisation that resonates with your personality. Your next adventure in giving back awaits!

Read more: https://valbonneyoga.com/the-ideal-volunteering-opportunities-in-singapore-for-various-personalities/

[sianchaymedicalinstitution]

The Role of TCM in Singapore Healthcare System

Healthcare is known to be one of the most vital sectors in society. Its significance spans across various dimensions, impacting individuals, communities, and entire nations. Traditional Chinese Medicine or the TCM in Singapore has found its own place within the healthcare system. This ancient practice, which dates back thousands of years, offers a holistic approach to health that complements contemporary medical treatments. But what role does TCM really play in Singapore's healthcare system, and why has it gained such significant traction we will know in this blog post.

A Brief History of TCM

TCM has been part of Singapore's cultural fabric since the early Chinese settlers arrived. Over the years, it has evolved, blending traditional practices with modern healthcare needs. The government has recognized the potential of TCM, and this has led to its integration into the national healthcare system. In 2000, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Act was passed, ensuring that TCM practices meet high standards of safety and efficacy.

Integration with Western Medicine

One of the most remarkable aspects of TCM in Singapore is its integration with Western medicine. Many hospitals and clinics offer TCM services alongside conventional treatments, creating a comprehensive approach to patient care. This integrative model allows patients to benefit from the strengths of both systems. For example, while Western medicine excels in emergency care and advanced diagnostics, TCM provides effective solutions for chronic conditions, pain management, and overall wellness. One can visit Sian Chay Medical Institution today to learn more about the works on the upliftment of the entire society.

Education and Training

Education is another pillar supporting TCM's role in Singapore. Institutions like the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine offer comprehensive programs that train future practitioners in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. These programs are rigorous and often include internships at TCM clinics or hospitals, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to provide high-quality care.

Popular TCM Treatments

In Singapore, Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic is used widely for different health problems. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and cupping therapy are among the most popular treatments. Acupuncture, for instance, is renowned for its effectiveness in managing pain, stress, and insomnia. Herbal medicine, on the other hand, is tailored to individual needs, addressing conditions like digestive disorders etc.

Public Perception and Acceptance

The acceptance of TCM among Singaporeans is high, with many viewing it as a valuable complement to Western medicine. Public education campaigns and positive patient outcomes have contributed to this perception. Moreover, the holistic nature of TCM, which considers physical, emotional, and environmental factors, resonates with the growing interest in wellness and preventive healthcare. Donation in Singapore can help them to make further progress.

The Future of TCM

Looking ahead, the future of TCM appears bright. Continuous research and development are poised to substantiate its effectiveness and increase its applications. Innovations such as digital health technologies are also expected to enhance TCM practices, making them more accessible and efficient. As Singapore in philanthropist maintains its holistic health approach, TCM will surely continue to be an essential element of its healthcare system.

TCM in Singapore has their unique and specific role in the entire healthcare system. Its integration with Western medicine, supported by rigorous regulation, education, and public acceptance, highlights its value in providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. As the healthcare landscape evolves, TCM's holistic approach will continue to contribute to the well-being of Singaporeans, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern medical science. Visit Sian Chay Medical Institution today to know more.

[southrobin]

I've been struggling with college stress, my Grandma's hospital bills for Dementia and urine infection, and now Snowy's vet bills for her failing kidney. It feels overwhelming at times. I might make a donation post to ease some worry.

[chawsl]

[missgirlsthings]

donation protected!

Our home, which was once a source of safety for us and our children, has collapsed before our eyes. All that remains are fragments of memories told by the broken walls, and now we live in a tent that neither shields us from the cold of winter nor protects us from the heat of summer. My little daughter is injured in her head; we see her in pain every day, and we stand helpless before her unhealing wound, like the wound in our hearts that knows no comfort.

We live in constant fear and relentless terror, waking up each day to the sounds of war, uncertain if we will survive until the next. Our children have lost their smiles, and their eyes now carry the weight of all the world's pain. Where is the safety? Where is the childhood they deserve? We plead to anyone with a compassionate heart, to anyone who can lend us a helping hand.❤️‍🩹😭😭🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻

[samahsame]

🚨 please help me 🚨

Hello, I know that we are not related, but we have a spiritual connection of human companionship, we love each other, I am Samah Sami from the Gaza Strip and I have two children, Ayla and Zein. I used to work as a teacher but I was unable to continue my work because of the genocide. We had a warm home, but then October 7th came and the war destroyed my home and workplace and burned my memories. I lost my students, my dream and everything.

We have been displaced more than once, fighting death in Gaza, trying to survive in the face of all kinds of suffering from cold, bombing and crazy prices, and struggling to obtain safe shelter and adequate food.

I even thought I had found a safe shelter to protect myself and my children from the rain and shelling, but my heart broke when my tent was torn apart by the rain and shelling. Winter was my favorite season, but now winter has become the season I wish would never come, because we were drowning in the tents. I still remember my children’s limbs freezing and shivering under the rain.

Please help me buy a tent, the price of the tent has reached 2000 dollars due to the crazy increase in prices, and provide food and basic needs for the children, your support will help rebuild our shattered life, even the smallest amount can help provide us with safe shelter, food, protection from the cold winter and save my children.

Please look at us kindly, I look to you with hope and confidence to help me, do not hesitate to help and donate, and I thank everyone who helped me in creating this campaign.

You can follow me to make sure I'm not a scammer, and ask for any details. Thank you for your generosity and kindness.

Remember, you will be the reason my children are alive.😭

Thank you for standing by me and making a difference in my life, please donate or share the post ❤️ 🙏

https://gofund.me/3d4779a5

#lol #art #fyp #gaza strip raffle for palestine #palestine #gaza #donation match #fypage #my art #cute #meme #uk illustration #nature #germany #humor #us poltics #singapore #denmark #canada #europe #united states #america #australia #norway #photography #gravity falls #submission #kamala harris #comics

@nabundean-t @lailaelkateeb @nabulsi27 @wellwaterhysteria @90-ghost @appsa @fancysmudges @just-browsings-world @mothblogging @serica @katherineonlyoneperson-blog @khizuo @transmutationist @schoolhater98 @timogsilangan @sayruq @malcriada @palestinegenocide @akajustmerry @feluka-blog-blog @tortiefrancis @flower-tea-fairies @tsaricides @riding-with-the-wild-hunt @visenyasdragon @belleandsaintsebastian @ear-motif @brutaliakent @raelyn-dreams @troythecatfish @theropoda @tamarrrra @4ft10tvlandfangirl @queerstudiesnatural @northgazaupdates2 @skatezophrenic @awetistic-things @baby-girl-aaron-dessner @nabulsi27

[markgarry909]

*❤ This video clip is about a child whose mother died during childbirth. In the video, the woman's heart was donated to a man wearing the black shirt. Just watch the kid's reaction when the guy in the black shirt grabs the kid. Baby recognizes mother's heartbeat!!!* *This video was recorded in Singapore and immediately went viral.* *Precious clip..❤*

[letters-to-lgbt-kids]

My dear lgbt+ kids,

Here are some good things that happened in 2022!

January:

Canada bans conversion therapy

Greece allows gay men to donate blood (for the first time in 45 years!)

Israel legalizes surrogacy for gay couples

People in Switzerland are now able to legally change their gender without having to undergo surgery first

February:

New Zealand bans conversion therapy

Nonbinary people in Columbia are now entitled to a birth certificate with a "nonbinary" sex marker

Nayarit (Mexico) allows same-sex couples to adopt

Kuwait overrules a law that has been used to criminalize transgender people

Jowelle de Souza makes history as the first openly transgender parliamentarian in the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago)

March:

Chile legalizes same-sex marriage

 France removes the deferral period for gay men donating blood

The United States announces an overhaul of TSA protocols to implement gender-neutral screening at checkpoints

Wales (United Kingdom) bans conversion therapy

Kristin Crowley makes history as the first openly gay (and the first female) chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department (United States)

Diana Zurco makes history as Argentina’s first openly transgender newscaster

April:

Santa Catarina (Brazil) now allows nonbinary people to change their gender marker without having to file a lawsuit

Jalisco (Mexico) bans conversion therapy

The United States issues the first passport with a nonbinary gender 'X' option

May:

Greece bans conversion therapy

Lithuania allows gay men to donate blood

Croatia allows same-sex couples to adopt

Austria removes the deferral period for gay men donating blood

June:

Hidalgo (Mexico) now punishes people offering conversion therapy with up to 3 years in prison

Quebec (Canada) allows people to be classified as a parent (rather than a mother or father) on their child's birth certificate

North Carolina (United States) no longer demands proof of surgery from people who wish to change their gender marker

Spain prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status

Kamala Harris made history by hosting the first Pride Month reception by a sitting vice president at their residence (United States)

July:

Switzerland legalizes same-sex marriage

Antigua and Barbuda legalize "same-sex behavior"

Andorra decides to legalize same-sex marriage (the law will come into effect in 2023)

Slovenia legalizes both same-sex marriage and adoption

Ariana DeBose makes history as the first queer woman of color (and the first Afro-Latina) to win an Oscar for acting (United States)

August:

India expands the definition of family to include "queer relationships"

Chile equalizes the age of consent

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, same-sex activity is no longer illegal.

Vietnam declares that homosexuality is not a disease and bans conversion therapy

Ellia Green makes history as the first Olympian to come out as a trans man (Australia)

September:

In India, the State Medical Councils can now take disciplinary action against doctors who provide conversion therapy

Cuba legalizes both same-sex marriage and adoption

 Durango (Mexico) legalize same-sex marriage

Canada removes the deferral period for gay men donating blood

Kim Petras and Sam Smith make history as the first openly transgender woman and the first openly nonbinary person to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (United States)

October:

Latvia allows civil unions for same-sex couples 

Paraguay bans conversion therapy

Byron Perkins makes history as the first out football player at HBCU (United States)

Duda Salabert and Erika Hilton make history as the first two openly transgender people elected to the National Congress of Brazil

November:

Singapore decriminalizes gay sex

Singapore also lifts censorship of lgbt+ media

Hidalgo becomes the first state in Mexico to recognize nonbinary people

Ireland removes the deferral period for gay men donating blood

December:

 Barbados legalizes "same-sex acts"

Here is to more good news in 2023!

With all my love,

Your Tumblr Dad

[keiksy-cake]

Hetalia Poll Results Pt 1: Character Whose House You'd Like To Visit

Finished this one super quickly! Thanks again to the donator who requested! 🥰

As promised, here are the other results for now that I may or may not get to:

Character Who You'd Want To Be Your Boss: Germany (Hima's recc: Germany)

Character Who Would Make The Best Friend: Japan (Hima's recc: Italy)

Character Who You'd Like To Eat With: Italy (Hima's recc: France)

(These next few ones are just by Hima I think)

Whose House You Should Visit: Singapore

Who Would Be A Great Host: India

...Be A Popular Youtuber: America

...Be A Popular Comedian: Spain

...Be The Heaviest Drinker: Russia

...Have Light Feet: Wy

It's also my birthday today so I would appreciate any thanks in the form of happy bday messages ❤️

all collezione pages

[Please note, I’m actually an amateur in Japanese and have to use various resources and translation machines to help me. If you notice a possible mistake or want clarification, please bring it up to me *politely* and not aggressively or hostile.]

[sianchaymedicalinstitution]

How to Choose the Right Cause for Your Donation in Singapore

When it comes to making charitable donations, choosing the right cause can be a really tough decision. Singapore, a hub of philanthropy and social service, offers a plethora of organizations that cater to various needs and communities. Whether you are a seasoned donor or someone looking to make their first contribution, it’s important to align your values and interests with the causes you support. In this blog we will talk about the way to help you choose the right cause for your donation in Singapore.

Research Local Organizations

Once you know your areas of interest, research local organizations that match your passions. Singapore is home to numerous reputable charity organizations. For example, Sian Chay Medical Institution , a Social Service Agency registered with the Ministry of Health, provides free Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) consultation, low-cost medicine, and treatment for the community regardless of race or religion. This kind of organization can be the First Singapore Charity Centre that performs so well and has a crucial role to play. They can address specific needs within the community.

Evaluate the Organization’s Impact

Look into the impact and effectiveness of the organizations you are considering. Evaluate their track record, transparency, and how they measure success. Organizations that provide detailed reports and success stories which have a long history of serving the community, often demonstrate reliability and effectiveness in their mission.

Consider the Community Needs

Understand the pressing needs within your community. In Singapore, issues such as healthcare accessibility, elder care, and education for underprivileged children are prevalent. Supporting causes that address these needs can lead to tangible improvements in the community. The Chinese medical centre in Singapore, for instance, addresses the healthcare needs of the community by providing affordable and accessible TCM services.

Align with Personal Values

Your donation in Singapore should reflect your personal values and beliefs. If inclusivity and accessibility are important to you, supporting organizations that serve diverse communities regardless of race or religion, can be deeply fulfilling. This helps to understand that your contributions are making a difference in a way that reflects your core values.

Volunteer and Get Involved

Volunteering is amazing work. It helps the organizations to grow. In this case both the organizations and your dreams are valued. This hands-on experience can provide insight into their operations, culture, and the impact they are making. Volunteering at Sian Chay as a Singapore in philanthropist, for example, can give you a firsthand look at how they serve the community and the challenges they face.

Seek Recommendations and Reviews

Talk to friends, family, or colleagues who have experience with charitable donations. They can provide recommendations and share their experiences with various organizations. Additionally, look for reviews and testimonials from other donors and beneficiaries to get a broader perspective on the organization’s impact.

Supporting Sian Chay Medical

Sian Chay Medical Institution exemplifies a cause worth considering for your donations. With a commitment to providing free TCM consultations and affordable medicine and treatments, they address crucial healthcare needs in the community. Their inclusive approach, serving people regardless of race or religion, aligns with the values of many donors who seek to make a broad and meaningful impact. Choosing the right cause for your donation in Singapore involves careful consideration of your interests, the community’s needs, and the organization’s impact. By aligning your values with your contributions, you can ensure that your donations make a significant and positive difference.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Dow promised to turn sneakers into playground surfaces, then dumped them in Indonesia

Dow Chemicals plastered Singapore with ads for its sneaker recycling program, promising to turn old shoes into playground tracks. But the shoes it collected in its “recycling” bins were illegally dumped in Indonesia. This isn’t an aberration: it’s how nearly all plastic recycling has always worked.

If you’d like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here’s a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/26/career-criminals/#fool-me-twice-three-times-four-times-a-hundred-times

Plastic recycling’s origin story starts in 1973, when Exxon’s scientists concluded that plastic recycling would never, ever be cost-effective (#ExxonKnew about this, too). Exxon sprang into action: they popularized the recycling circular arrow logo and backed “anti-littering” campaigns that blamed the rising tide of immortal, toxic garbage on peoples’ laziness.

https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/14/they-knew/#doing-it-again

Remember the campaign where an Italian guy dressed like a Native American shed a single tear as he contemplated plastic litter? Funded by the plastic industry, as a way of shifting blame for plastic waste from the wealthy, powerful corporations who lied about plastics recycling to the individuals who believed their lies:

https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-indian-crying-environment-ads-pollution-1123-20171113-story.html

When I was a kid in Ontario, we had centralized, regulated, reusable bottle depots — beer and soda bottles came in standard sizes, differentiated by paper labels that could be pressure-washed off. When you were done with your bottle, you returned it for a deposit and it got washed and returned to bottlers to be refilled again and again and again.

After intense lobbying from soda companies, brewers and the plastic industry, that program was replaced with curbside “blue boxes” that promised to recycle our plastic waste. 90% of the plastics created has never been — and will never be — recycled. Today, the plastic industry plans on tripling the amount of single-use plastic in use worldwide:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/26/plastic-fatalistic/#recycled-lies

You know those ads from companies like Bluetriton (formerly “Nestle Waters”) that promise that your single-use plastic bottles are “100% recyclable…and can be used for new bottles and all sorts of new, reusable things?”

Bluetriton is a private equity-backed rollup that has absorbed most of the bottled water companies you’re familiar with, including Poland Spring, Pure Life, Splash, Ozarka, and Arrowhead. When they were sued in DC for making false claims about their “recyclable” water-bottles, their defense was that these were “non-actionable puffery.” According to Bluetriton, when it described itself as “a guardian of sustainable resources” and “a company who, at its core, cares about water,” it was being “vague and hyperbolic.”

https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/26/plastic-fatalistic/#recycled-lies

With this high standard for plastic recycling, Dow’s Singapore scam shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it seems to have surprised the government of Singapore. Writing for Reuters, Joe Brock, Yuddy Cahya Budiman and Joseph Campbell describe how they caught Dow red-handed:

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/global-plastic-dow-shoes/

The method is actually pretty straightforward: Reuters hid tracking devices in cavities in the soles of sneakers, dropped them in one of Dow’s collection bins, and then followed them. The shoes were passed onto Dow’s subcontractor, Yok Impex Pte Ltd, who sent them hopping from island to island throughout Indonesia, until they ended up in junk-markets.

Not all the shoes, though — one pair was simply moved from Dow’s collection bin to a donation bin at a Singaporean community center. Of the 11 pairs that Reuters tracked, not one ended up at a recycling facility. So much for Dow’s slogan: “Others see an old shoe. We see the future.”

Dow blamed all this on Yok Impex, but didn’t explain why its “recycling” program involved a company whose sole trade is exporting used clothing. Dow promised to cancel its deal with Yok Impex, but Yok Impex’s accountant told Reuters that the deal would be remain in place until the end of the contract. Yok Impex, meanwhile, shifted the blame to the low-waged women who sort through the clothing donations it takes in from across Singapore.

Indonesia bans bulk imports of used clothes, on the grounds that used clothes are unhygenic, displace the local textiles industry, and shipments contain high volumes of waste that ends up in Indonesian incinerators, landfills and rivers.

In other words, Singaporeans thought they were saving the planet by putting their shoes in Dow bins, but they were really sending those shoes on a long journey to an unlicensed dump. Dow enlisted schoolchildren in used-shoe collection drives, making upbeat videos that featured students like Zhang Youjia boasting that they “contributed 15 pairs of shoes.”

Dow does this all the time. In 2021, Dow’s “breakthrough technology to turn plastic waste into clean fuel” in Idaho was revealed to be a plain old incinerator:

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/environment-plastic-oil-recycling/

Also in 2021, in India, a Dow program to “use high-tech machinery to transform the [plastic from the Ganges] into clean fuel” was revealed to have ceased operations — but was still collecting plastic and promising that it was all being turned into fuel:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-environment-plastic-insight-idUSKBN29N024

Dow operates a nearly identical “shoe recycling” program in neighboring Malaysia, and did not return Reuters’ requests for comment as to whether the shoes collected for “recycling” in the far more populous nation were also being illegally dumped offshore.

The global business lobby loves the idea of “personal responsibility” and its evil twin, “caveat emptor.” Its pet economists worship the idea of “revealed preferences,” claiming that when we use plastic, we may claim that we don’t want to have our bodies poisoned with immortal, toxic microplastics, that we don’t want our land and waters despoiled — but we actually love it, because otherwise we’d “vote with our wallets” for something else.

The obvious advantage of telling people to vote with their wallets is that the less money you have in your wallet, the fewer votes you get. Companies like Dow have used their access to the capital markets (a fancy phrase for “rich people”) to gobble up their competitors, eliminating “wasteful competition” and piling up massive profits. Those profits are laundered into policy — like replacing Ontario’s zero-waste refillable bottle system with a “recycling” system that sent plastics to the ends of the Earth to be set on fire or buried or dumped in the sea.

The ruling class’s pet economists have a name for this policy laundering: they call it “regulatory capture.” Now, when you hear “regulatory capture,” you might think about companies that get so big that they are able to boss governments around, with the obvious answer that companies need to be regulated before they get too big to jail:

https://doctorow.medium.com/small-government-fd5870a9462e

But that’s not how elite economists talk about regulatory capture: for them, capture starts with the very existence of regulators. For them, any government agency that proposes to protect the public from corporate fraud and murder inevitably becomes an agent of the corporations it is supposed to rein in, so the only answer is to eliminate regulators altogether:

https://doctorow.medium.com/regulatory-capture-59b2013e2526

This nihilism lets rich people blame the rest of us for their sins: “if you didn’t want your children to roast or freeze to death in the climate emergency, you should have sold your car and used the subway (that we bribed your city not to build).”

Nihilism is contagious. Think of the music industry: before Napster, 80% of the music ever recorded was not for sale, banished to the scrapheap of history and the vaults of record companies who paid farcically low sums to their artists.

During the File Sharing Wars, listeners were excoriated for failing to pay for music — much of which wasn’t for sale in the first place. But today, fans overwhelmingly pay for Spotify, a streaming service that notoriously pays musicians infinitesimal sums for their work.

Spotify is a creature of the Big Three labels — Sony, Universal and Warner — who own 70% of all the world’s recorded music copyrights and 65% of all the world’s music publishing. The rock-bottom per-stream prices that Spotify pays were set by the Big Three. Why would the labels want less money from Spotify?

Simple: as co-owners of Spotify, they make more money when Spotify pays less for music. Musicians have a claim on the money they take out of Spotify as royalties — but dividends, buybacks and capital gains from Spotify are the labels’ to use as they see fit. They can share that bounty with some artists, all artists, or no artists.

Not only that, but the Big Three’s deal with Spotify includes a “most favored nation” clause, which means that the independent artists who aren’t under Sony/UMG/Warner’s thumb have to take the rock-bottom rate the Big Three insisted on — likewise the small labels who compete with the Big Three. The difference is that none of these artists and small labels have massive portfolios of Spotify stock, nor do they get free advertising on Spotify, or free inclusion on hot Spotify playlists, or monthly minimum payouts from Spotify.

The idea that we shop at the wrong kind of monopolist in the wrong way is a recipe for absolute despair. It doesn’t matter whether you listen to music with the Big Tech-owned monopoly service (Youtube) or the Big Content-owned monopoly service (Spotify). The money you hand over to these giant companies goes to artists the same way that the sneakers you put in a Dow collection bin goes to a recycling plant.

Think of the billions of human labor hours we all spent washing and sorting our plastics for a recycling program that didn’t exist and will never exist — imagine if we’d spent that time and energy demanding that our politicians hold petrochemical companies to account instead.

At the end of Break ’Em Up, Zephyr Teachout’s outstanding 2020 book on monopolies, Teachout has some choice words for “consumerism” as a theory of change. She writes that if you’re on your way to a protest against a new Amazon warehouse but you never make it because you waste too much time looking for a mom-and-pop stationers to sell you a marker to write your protest sign, Amazon wins:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/07/29/break-em-up/#break-em-up

The problem isn’t that you shop the wrong way. Yes, by all means, support the creators and producers you care about in the way that they prefer, but keep your eye on the prize. Structural problems don’t have individual solutions. The problem isn’t that you have chosen single-use plastics — it’s that in our world everything for sale is packaged in single-use plastics. The problem isn’t that you’ve bought a subscription to the wrong music streaming service — it’s that labels have been allowed to buy all their competitors, creators’ unions have been smashed and degraded, and giant accounting scams by big companies generate minuscule fines.

The good news is that after 40 years of despair inducing regulatory nihilism and “vote with your wallet” talk, we’re finally paying attention to systemic problems, with a new generation of trustbusting radicals working around the world to end corporate impunity.

Dow is a repeat offender. A repeat, repeat offender. Chrissakes, they’re the linear descendants of Union Carbide, the company that poisoned Bhopal:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_disaster

They shouldn’t be trusted to run a lemonade stand, let alone a “recycling” program. The same goes for Big Tech and Big Content company and the markets for creative labor. These companies have repeatedly demonstrated their unfitness, their habitual deception and immorality. These companies have captured their regulators, repeatedly, so we need better regulators — and weaker companies.

The thing I love about Teachout’s book is that it talks about what we should be demanding from our governments — it’s a manifesto for a movement against corporate power, not a movement for “responsible consumerism.” That was the template that Rebecca Giblin and I followed when we wrote Chokepoint Capitalism, our book about the brutal, corrupt creative labor market:

https://chokepointcapitalism.com/

We have a chapter on Spotify (multiple chapters, in fact!). For our audiobook, we made that chapter a “Spotify Exclusive” — it’s the only part of the book you can get on Spotify, and it’s free:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/09/12/streaming-doesnt-pay/#stunt-publishing

Next Thu (Mar 2) I’ll be in Brussels for Antitrust, Regulation and the Political Economy, along with a who’s-who of European and US trustbusters. It’s livestreamed, and both in-person and virtual attendance are free. On Fri (Mar 3), I’ll be in Graz for the Elevate Festival.

[Image ID: A woman kneeling to tie her running shoe. She stands on a background of plastic waste. In the top right corner is the logo for Dow chemicals. Below it is the Dow slogan, 'Others see an old shoe. We see the future.']

[esotericpluto]

where is your future spouse from

from left to right; intuitively choose the pile you feel more connected to. To make it easier, you can take a deep breathe, close your eyes and ask for guidance to your deities or guides. These are all general messages, so just take what resonates and leave what doesn't. This reading is timeless. If it resonates, feedback is always appreciated and motivates to keep doing pick a card readings. You can donate here.

dividers: @animatedglittergraphics-n-more

pile 1

I feel like for most of you who picked this pile this person is of Asian descent. Keep in mind that Asia is a big country with many countries and ethnic groups, so I will try to break it down more.

I do feel like for some of you who chose this pile, your future spouse might be of korean origin, but I feel like they will be half white and/or live in the west, like Europe or North America. This message seems to be more true for those of you who have strong scorpio, aquarius and possibly aries influences in your chart. If your name starts with C, E or P or has a more vintage vibe to it, it can still be for you.

For another group who chose this pile, I'm sensing someone of indian origin, I'm getting they could be kashmir and, for some of you, even telugu as well. This feels especially true for those of you that have a strong sagittarius or leo influence in your charts or if your name starts by A, L or U.

I am getting for a minority of people who chose this pile, your fs might be of levantine origin, mainly lebanese and/or palestinian, living most likely in Lebanon, for some of you, or in Southern Europe as of now. I feel like this message is especially true for those of you with strong scorpio, taurus or libra placements. Especially those who get M, S or V as first names.

pile 2

For this pile, I'm specifically getting southeast asian, most likely indonesian and/or malay. I feel like they might be living in Singapore right now. If you are a capricorn, a virgo or a cancer or have strong influences from these signs, this might be the ethnicity of your fs.

I'm getting potentially someone is of sub-saharian african descent mixed with european for some people who picked this pile. I'm getting this person might have ancestors from different parts of Africa and Europe and I'm getting difficulty pinpointing some exact places. I feel like for some of you, they might be west african and partially british. For others, this person could be afrolatino from the caribbean. Signs for this one I'm only getting scorpio and pisces, but I'm also gettingthe initials C, M and D.

There is a smaller group of you that could have a fs from a eastern african country too, potentially Ethiopia or Somalia. I'm getting this is likely true for you especially if you always enjoyed cultures and foods from different african countries, if you like the color red or if your name starts by J, F or E. Potentially if you like orange or are a capricorn rising/sun/moon.

pile 3

I'm getting a strong european influence here. I feel like this person might be italian and, for some of you, of a similar background like iberian, balkan or greek. You will meet them while on a trip to their country or city, if you are from the same country. This might resonate the most with those of you who like the color green, to wear t-shirts or whose name starts with B. If you are a cancer, leo, libra or taurus, this might also be true for you.

For others of you, I'm getting this person might be mexican, likely of a mestizo background. I feel like they might be in the US living right now, although for some it could even be Canada. This might resonate more with you if you like green vegetables like spinach or broccoli, if you like coke, if you like the colors red and pink, if you like mermaids or are of strong aquarius, aries or gemini.

For some of you, although a larger minority, your fs might also be argentinian or brazillian. This can be true especially if you like soccer (I think this one are my guides joking), cinema, romance movies/books, the color white and pink, lana del rey. Alternatively, if your name starts by N, A or Z and your signs are leo, virgo or cancer.

[lacunasbalustrade]

@melting-morning-blues my rambles and sending you strength in case your exams are still on!!!

on an adventure today! i finished my exams this morning and im going to pick up three items free - a guitar, a sweater, and a shirt! (discovered them on an online freecycle app. there was also a drum kit but no too much even for me. drums guitar and piano? yeah right that's a death wish im not a one-man-band. although I think yuga could probably pull it off)

as expected i got lost immediately fr since i set out from my school neighborhood (which is basically unknown to me + the fact that I rarely go anywhere) but after asking for directions from a bicycling primary schooler I've managed to make it to my first stop-

chua chu kang for the guitar! im waiting for the kind donor at the void deck now! will update with pics. i expect to be waiting 20 min or so because I reached a little early, and I don't think she's checking her phone...but it's a nice break all the same. from walking. I should have bought McDonald's to eat along the way I'm starving.

note to self: do that tomorrow (I've scheduled pickups for tomorrow and the day after also, just because 'omg they're giving away real leather shoes?!!! '

trying not to be greedy - the kind of greedy where you see treasure on a treasure map and decide mwahahaha I must have it, so I'm going to leave off on the collections for a while after the scheduled pickups and make sure to donate back an equal amount. i have too many outgrown clothes anyway (this is the consequences of being sentimental) ¯⁠\⁠_⁠༼⁠ ⁠ಥ⁠ ⁠‿⁠ ⁠ಥ⁠ ⁠༽⁠_⁠/⁠¯

i think like there's also this awesome 'fashion pulpit' shop in Singapore where you can swap old clothes for new, but there's a monthly membership fee so no go, Romeo.

@maou-the-tree & @thehistorynut19 I thought u guys might be interested in hearing about it!! & the app (olio) is available in America too I think if you want to bless-give or get anything free!

[dinozarr]

goin crazy over escort!toji & the shit he’d pull... ¹⁸⁺

𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐓!𝐓𝐎𝐉𝐈 . . . the man you met on a flight out to singapore for a company meeting. he was charming. mischievous. a bad down flirt, what the kids would call it. he caught your eye the minute he waltzed out of the bar across the plane, his hand placed gently along the lower back of an elderly woman who thanked his kindness of guiding her back to her seat by waving a few bands in his face.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀he, of course, graciously took the generous donation to his oh-so dreadful cause prior to scurrying his way back over to the bar where he shared a few shots with his next victim. you, however, could see right through his pathetically tedious act, whirring your wrist whilst the cup that rested between your sleek fingers ricocheted your alcoholic beverage within it.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀the moment he caught a sight of you, he was quick to be right by your side, hands dancing all along your body as a way to feel you into his little trap. yet, your grip on his index finger had a bone-trembling chill trickle down the man’s spine, his eyes bursting at the seams with his gaze locking on your own. all you could do was laugh in his face before telling him how obvious he was, and that if he wanted money he’d have to do way more than compliment your red bottom heels.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀and, that’s exactly what he did.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀for the next few weeks, the man found himself absentmindedly wandering the massively prestige private jet you owned until he’d end up in the bedroom at the rear of the plane. his back would be sinking into the comforter of your bed whilst you straddled his waist; balls deep in your dripping cunt that snuggly wrapped around his erection with ease.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀his mind would cloud with nothing but raindrops of pure ecstasy weaving into his veins, his dick throbbing from every hip snap and bounce you did on him. it was no help that you had his arms bound to the headrest, wrists quivering from the immense pressure that the ropes had on him. he swore he could see stars from how you milked him of every drop he had—his lower abdomen being completely drenched in a combination of both your juices, dampening the bed sheets.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀the way you rocked your hips along his thick, veiny erection, hands raking down his oh-so terribly toned abs, and legs squeezing his thighs so tightly it left him a whimpering mess beneath you. all of it had the man‘s mushy brain spiraling downhill, his chest heaving so heavily as if he’d just ran the Boston Marathon.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀you weren’t planning on using the man’s body for pleasure. however, how his greedy dick filled you up inch by inch had you going ballistic, needing to feel every bit of him whilst he stretched your pussy out so deliciously.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀it’s not like toji had any complaints either. he was being slutted out by a jaw dropping woman who knew her worth and knew what she wanted, plus he was getting paid bands. he’d let her use him all day if she needed, he could care less.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “c’mon baby, gimme one more, will ya?” your tone was husky, a raspy pitch laced into the words you spoke whilst your voice lowered with each word you uttered.

NOTEZ : yall lil tay gagged us i fear… she gave us five years and we still broke🙁😞anyways, hope you liked this i just threw it together so i had something to post since i’m trying to revive my acc, cus my lazy ass has been procrastinating like a BITCH!

© TAKST4Z 2023 — all rights reserved. mature discretion. please do not plagiarize or steal any of my works or graphics.

[phandomwatch]

Our charity stream to celebrate @amazingphil birthday starts in less than 24 hrs! 🌟 9AM UTC January 27!

And that means:

1AM -Pacific US

2AM -Mountain US

3AM -Central US

4AM -Eastern US

6AM -Brazil

9AM -UK

10AM -Germany

12PM -Moscow

1PM -UAE

2.30PM -India

4PM -Thailand

5PM -Singapore

6PM -Japan

8PM -Sydney

10PM -New Zealand

Link to the livestream will be shared just before it starts. In the meantime, check out @phandomgives and donate to akt charity here: justgiving.com/page/philis37

And don’t forget to fill out your raffle form if you have donated; it closes later tonight!

pls share & see u there!

[southeastasianists]

Singapore’s prosperity has long set it apart from many other former British colonies. There is another difference, too: Singapore has clung to honouring its former colonial ruler — and it wants to keep doing so.

Special accolade has gone to Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who is considered to have founded modern Singapore in the early 1800s. For decades, Singapore’s textbooks credited Raffles with transforming the island from a “sleepy fishing village” into a thriving seaport. He has been the central character in a larger official narrative that says imperial Britain had set up Singapore for success as an independent nation.

Dedications to Raffles dot the landscape of Singapore. A business district, schools and dozens of other buildings bear his name. Two 2.5-metre likenesses of the man loom large in downtown Singapore.

But a new statue of Raffles, installed in a park in May, has revived a debate about the legacy of colonialism in Singapore. On one side is the broader establishment, which has held up British colonial rule positively. On the other are those who want a closer inspection of the empire that Raffles represented and the racial inequity he left behind, even as Singapore became wealthy.

This divide has surfaced before, perhaps most prominently a few years ago when Singapore celebrated the bicentennial of Raffles’ arrival on the island. Now, the new statue has set off a fresh debate, with critics pointing out that other countries have for years been taking down monuments to historical figures associated with slavery or imperialism, or both.

“The thing about Raffles is that, unfortunately I think, it has been delivered as a hagiography rather than just history,” said Alfian Sa’at, a playwright who wants to see the Raffles statues destroyed. “It’s so strange — the idea that one would defend colonial practice. It goes against the grain on what’s happening in many parts of the world.”

The new statue of Raffles stands next to one of his friend Nathaniel Wallich, a Danish botanist, at Fort Canning Park. Tan Kee Wee, an economist who pooled $330,000 with his siblings to commission the statues, said he wanted to commemorate the pair’s role in founding Singapore’s first botanic gardens, which were his frequent childhood haunt. He donated the sculptures in his parents’ name to the National Parks Board.

Opponents have also criticised the government for allowing the statue to go up at the park because it was the site of the tomb of precolonial Malay kings. The parks board said it considered historical relevance in the installation of the sculptures.

Questions about the statue have even been raised in Singapore’s parliament. In June, Desmond Lee, the minister for national development, responded to one by saying that Singapore did not glorify its colonial history. At the same time, Lee added, “We need not be afraid of the past.”

The plaque for the Raffles statue explains how Singapore’s first botanic gardens “cultivated plants of economic importance, particularly spices”. That, critics said, was a euphemism for their actual purpose: cash crops for the British Empire.

Tan defended the legacy of British colonialists in Singapore, saying they “didn’t come and kill Singaporeans”.

He added: “Singapore was treated well by the British. So why all this bitterness?”

Far from benign

But colonial Britain was far from benign. For instance, it treated nonwhite residents of Singapore as second-class citizens. Raffles created a town plan for Singapore that segregated people into different racial enclaves. And he did not interact with the locals, said Kwa Chong Guan, a historian.

“He was very much a corporate company man, just concerned with what he assumed to be the English East India Co’s interests,” Kwa said.

Raffles landed in Singapore in 1819 as Britain was looking to compete with the Dutch in the Malacca Strait, a crucial waterway to China. At the time, Singapore was under the sway of the kingdom of Johor in present-day Malaysia. Raffles exploited a succession dispute in Johor to secure a treaty that allowed the East India Company to set up a trading post in Singapore.

Within a handful of years, Singapore was officially a British territory. Convict labour, largely from the Indian subcontinent, was crucial to its economic development. So, too, were Chinese immigrants, which included wealthy traders and poor labourers.

Singapore achieved self-governance in 1959, then briefly joined Malaysia before becoming an independent republic in 1965. It has since built one of the world’s most open economies and among its busiest ports, as well as a bustling regional financial hub.

In recent years, the government has acknowledged, in small ways, the need to expand the narrative of Singapore’s founding beyond Raffles. Its textbooks now reflect that the island was a thriving centre of regional trade for hundreds of years before Raffles arrived.

In 2019, officials cast the commemoration of Raffles’ arrival as also a celebration of others who built Singapore. A Raffles statue was painted over as if to disappear into the backdrop. Placed next to it, though only for the duration of the event, were four other sculptures of early settlers, including that of Sang Nila Utama, a Malay prince who founded what was called Singapura in 1299.

To some historians and intellectuals, such gestures are merely symbolic and ignore the reckoning Singapore needs to have with its colonial past. British rule introduced racist stereotypes about nonwhites, such as that of the “lazy” Malay, an Indigenous group in Singapore, that has had a lasting effect on public attitudes. Colonialism led to racial divisions that, in many ways, persist to this day in the city-state that is now dominated by ethnic Chinese.

“If you only focus on one man and the so-called benevolent aspect of colonialism, and you don’t try to associate or think about the negative part too much, isn’t that a kind of blindness, or deliberate amnesia?” said Sai Siew Min, an independent historian. (Story continues below)

Role of race

Race relations played a role in Raffles’ ascension in Singaporean lore. Soon after Singapore became independent, the governing People’s Action Party — which remains in power decades later — decided to officially declare Raffles the founder of Singapore. Years later, S Rajaratnam, who was then the foreign minister, said that anointing a Malay, Chinese or Indian as its founder would have been fraught.

“So we put up an Englishman — a neutral, so there will be no dissension,” Rajaratnam said.

The decision was also meant to indicate that Singapore remained open to the West and free markets.

In a 1983 speech, Rajaratnam acknowledged that Raffles’ attitude toward the “nonwhite races was that without British overlordship the natives would not amount to much”.

Critics of the Raffles statues also argue that his legacy should reflect his time on the island of Java. Although Raffles outlawed slavery in Singapore, he allowed trading of slaves in Java, including children as young as 13, according to Tim Hannigan, who wrote a book about Raffles.

The new statues of Raffles and Wallich were created by Andrew Lacey, a British artist. The sculptures evoke the two men as apparitions — symbolism that Lacey said represented the world’s evolution away from the West.

Lacey said he had “wrangled” with the public reaction toward his sculptures and he had no qualms if Singaporeans wanted to take them down, destroy them or replace their heads with the Malay gardeners who were instrumental in creating the botanic gardens.

“I was cognisant of the complexities of making any dead white male,” he said of Raffles. “I wasn’t cognisant of the degree of complexity around him.”