Kaleidoscope 2022

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2 Editor’s Foreword Kaleidoscope has always been a treasure trove of essays, an invaluable resource for students wishing to improve their essay writing skills. It is a collection of student-written essays, compiled and edited by our very own student-led editorial team for your perusal. As you browse through this selection of thoughtful essays, I hope they provide some inspiration on how to further hone your essay-writing skills. No essay in this collection is perfect, but every piece contains learning points which are valuable. This year’s issue of Kaleidoscope includes relevant events that occurred in 2021, helping you to keep up to date on the latest developments, in order to craft a well-rounded essay which comports with recent events. It is critical that, along with improving your essay- writing skills, you understand how these happenings help shape the ideas and arguments for your essay. However, perhaps most importantly, Kaleidoscope contains a vast spectrum of ideas and opinions. By looking through all the viewpoints, you will be able to gain new insights into the current landscape of the world, and thus develop a more nuanced understanding of all that is happening in the world right now. It is my hope that this will be greatly informative and helpful for you in developing a strong personal voice. Life is a continuous journey of learning and growth; may this compilation aid you in your quest of navigating the pathways ahead! Yours Sincerely, Joy Shammah Chua, 21S33 Chief Editor

3 Contents Culture & the Arts 2021 Events in Culture & the Arts ........................................................................................................... 8 ‘There is little value to the arts.’ How far do you agree? ..................................................................... 11 Poon Zheng Lei Ryan 21A11 ...................................................................................................................... ‘There is little value to the arts.’ How far do you agree? ..................................................................... 14 Lin Jing Yang 21S44 ................................................................................................................................... ‘There is little value to the arts.’ How far do you agree? ..................................................................... 16 Chu Xuan Xuan 21S46 ............................................................................................................................... ‘There is little value to the arts.’ How far do you agree? ..................................................................... 18 Chai Gien Kay 21S55 ................................................................................................................................. Examine the view that the arts must always be useful to society. ....................................................... 20 Melody Faith Ng Qi Ning 21A15................................................................................................................ Examine the view that the arts must always be useful to society. ....................................................... 22 Foo Yan Ning 21S43 .................................................................................................................................. Examine the view that the arts must always be useful to society. ....................................................... 25 Wong Wei Ting 21S44 ............................................................................................................................... Examine the view that the arts must always be useful to society. ....................................................... 28 Nathan Sivali Sudikarman 21S54 .............................................................................................................. Has technology been more of a boon than a bane for the arts? .......................................................... 31 Katherine Mia Delacruz Fontanilla 21S39 ................................................................................................. Has technology been more of a boon than a bane for the arts? .......................................................... 33 Kow Ming Yuan 21S47 .............................................................................................................................. Has technology been more of a boon than a bane for the arts? .......................................................... 36 Jerad Chong Shao Hong 21S52 ................................................................................................................. Politics, Economics & History 2021 Events in Politics, Economics & History ....................................................................................... 39 Examine the view that governing a country today is much more challenging than in the past. ......... 43 Maheshwaran Mridhula 21S39 ................................................................................................................. Examine the view that authoritarian styles of governance have no place in the world today. ........... 46 Loh Shau Jet 21S37 .................................................................................................................................... ‘Foreign intervention in a nation’s affairs has only ever been harmful.’ How far do you agree? ........ 49 Lau Yong De, Lucas 20A11 ........................................................................................................................ ‘Foreign intervention in a nation’s affairs has only ever been harmful.’ How far do you agree? ........ 52 Uppalapati Shreyas 20S37 ........................................................................................................................

4 ‘Foreign intervention in a nation’s affairs has only ever been harmful.’ How far do you agree? ........ 54 Ryan Aidan Baretto 20S38 ........................................................................................................................ ‘Small countries are always disadvantaged compared to large countries.’ Comment......................... 57 Lau Yong De, Lucas 20A11 ........................................................................................................................ Science & Technology 2021 Events in Science & Technology ................................................................................................... 61 ‘Technology has given us control over our lives.’ To what extent is this true? .................................... 65 Ng Hui Shi, Natasha 21S37 ....................................................................................................................... ‘Technology has given us control over our lives.’ To what extent is this true? .................................... 68 Chan Ken Wei, Kenneth 21S51 .................................................................................................................. ‘Technology has given us control over our lives.’ To what extent is this true? .................................... 71 Nikhitha Khasnavis 21S51 ......................................................................................................................... ‘Technology is advancing too fast.’ Do you agree? ............................................................................... 74 Chan Ken Wei, Kenneth 21S51 .................................................................................................................. ‘Technology is advancing too fast.’ Do you agree? ............................................................................... 77 Yang Xu 21S51........................................................................................................................................... ‘T