<< Back to Introduction to AltSingapore

BEHIND ALTERNATIVE GUIDE TO SINGAPORE

1. (Reductive) Observations on human nature:

  1. Exploring takes time, energy and effort.
  2. Happiness comes from knowing that there exists a multitude of options and types of social groups.
  3. There is a general reticence to try or to view things differently ie. to appreciate even the ugliest thing and ask how or why it came to be.
  4. Many are separated from their surroundings and vice versa - sometimes due to gaps in understanding.

Insight:

  1. Offer a consolidated resource and easy-to-access platform.
  2. Encourage people to view their environment/people/situations differently
  3. Represent a pluralist understanding, appreciation and celebration of modern culture in a Singaporean context

 2. Observations on perspectives towards Singapore:

There is a prevailing notion that Singapore is a sterile and boring city without an identity. In so saying, we might be overlooking a local culture that exists and the many projects run by passionate self-starters in Singapore.

Insight:

  1. Highlight the old: showcase hard-to-find nooks and crannies of Singapore where local Singaporean culture* lives on
  2. Highlight the new/young: showcase projects by makers of Singapore

*Local culture in this context is used specifically to describe Singaporean activities such as hawker centers and heartland life or practices/paraphernalia from a bygone era

Observations of the Singapore guides landscape:

  1. The information available for things to do around Singapore is largely found in publications/blogs who are focused on long-form reviews. Editorial content might sometimes be planned weeks or months in advance and is less reactive to the world around them.

  2. Many of these publications tend to take advertising dollars – those who are unable to afford to publicize their events, mainly grass-root or underground establishments, would remain in the shadows.

  3. There is a huge number of organizations in Singapore that rely on social media and other free means of reaching out to people in order to get the word out of their cause but have yet to reach critical mass.

 Insight:

  1. Be a community hub for grass root individuals to get their work recognized

  2. Be reactive: Feature posts a day or two before events are scheduled to start

  3. Use a platform that reaches the target audience easily  (ie. short form social media platforms like Facebook & Instagram)

Now that you've read the reasons behind AltSingapore existence, read about our Vision and Mission Statement. Want to get involved in the alternative side to Singapore? Begin your journey to discover an AltSingapore here!

 

 

 I would love to hear from you! Please contact me via social media by clicking the icons on the top right. Or send a note here.