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Conversations : Part II

Recently, I took part in a Technopreneurship programme organised within NUS. One of the guest lecturers, a man with quite a lot of credentials in this area, kept emphasising to the audience to go visit Silicon Valley and immerse ourselves in that culture. He said

"Go to any cafe, any Starbucks and you will keep overhearing people who are sharing new ideas, discussing new developments. The atmosphere there is perfect for every entrepreneur. The conversations between people there, unlike in Singapore, do not dwell on where to get the cheapest plate of chicken rice".

I am a local boy. Maybe not born here, but I have lived here long enough to be witness, victim and perpetrator of the most lengthy and pointless conversations. In short, if I am with people, most of the time is spent with me talking cock or with me spending time listening to people talk cock. In one of my earlier posts, I pointed out how this ability to perpetuate nonsense was quite important in making friends and building fond memories of the times in school.

No denying that. Just that if all conversations were predominantly filled with gossip, jokes and whatnot, one is not really adding any kind of value to one's life. Even if it is rare, I do have the serious conversation now and then, critiquing events, debating issues and sharing ideas. And the part I really love about these conversations is that they often open up new perspectives that I never considered before, the moments I ask myself "Now why did I not think of that?".

To me, these conversations are not just about the consequent enlightenment, but they are a redemption from the guilt of discussing where to get the cheapest plate of chicken rice the previous day.

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