#thepowerofcontext

Firstly, I would like to begin that this is NOT a shrine for the below mentioned person. In fact, both of us had never even had a private conversation with each other before. 

I could have been considered one of the more “apathetic” students; I couldn’t care less about the things that do not really matter to me. Issues such as policies, problems of the society, how the world operates, etc never came naturally to me.

These problems are too big for me to even make a difference at all. Although I know that problems such as war, inequality, poverty, etc exist and is harmful, who am I to even make a difference at all?

I am just a young Singaporean.

His name is Mr Tong Yee, director of The Thought Collective (The one on the extreme left in the picture). Though he is a director of his company, he is one of the most passionate, down-to-earth person I have ever known. His ability to see big ideas and how the world works is indeed remarkable and, simply, mind-blowing. Lecturing at School of Thought, he often draws his students to see his unique perspectives on certain topics. He had even boasted about how sometimes ministers had attended his lectures! According to him, he had even been invited to talk to a panel of ministers (including the prime minister), and TED as well!

Mr Tong knows what he is talking about, and has a special way of conveying his message across. His lectures are like a rollercoaster ride: there are times where his analogies and examples make you feel good and have some faith in the humankind, but there are also times where he talks about where the world is heading towards, which literally is able to break you down emotionally and terrify you. He illustrated to me the workings of the world, and how we, as youth of the country, are able to actually make a difference.

After each emotionally draining lecture, I feel inspired, hopeful and energised.

 He increased my level of ownership towards a seemingly-large problem by making it more personal and relatable. I feel that I should not underestimate my youth; I am actually able to make a difference.

It was through these lectures that inspired me to spearhead many of my student-led initiatives and projects during my JC days. My aspiration to be able to think and see the world the way he does encouraged me to continue to attend his lectures even during my army days.