[FredFS456]

I agree with you that the migrant workers are effectively a serf class. However, I think it's fine that the SG government severely discourages owning a car. It's a small island with lots of people, there would be gridlock if everyone wanted their own car. The public transportation system is amazing and works well.

[SV_BubbleTime]

I promise you do not need to explain scarcity to me :) the issue is that the disparity between I can’t afford a car, and I will never be able to afford a car is vast.

The slave class exist to do nothing but serve (be on the street at 2300, it’s poor people running power washers everywhere you go).

The entire country runs on Chinese goods in shipping containers going to the US. It’s a tax state.

Don’t get me wrong, unique place, I loved it. But ya, not what it seems, lah.

[ii41]

> disparity between I can’t afford a car, and I will never be able to afford a car is vast

There's no disparity. Either way you're not going to own a car any time soon.

You're not freer when the legal system prevents you to do something because you don't have enough money than when the legal system prevents you from doing that thing for other reasons.

[eru]

> The entire country runs on Chinese goods in shipping containers going to the US. It’s a tax state.

If that's true: tell me, why do people in the US or China pay for an expensive transit in Singapore?

> (be on the street at 2300, it’s poor people running power washers everywhere you go).

What?

[quibono]

If you go out into the street at 11pm you'll see poor people running power washers everywhere you go

[eru]

I've lived here since 2017. I have yet to see the poor people running power washers at night.

Which neighbourhood do you suggest I visit for this spectacle?

[quibono]

By the way I'm not GP, I just wanted to clarify what they said (or attempted to). Apologies.

[eru]

No worries. I understood perfectly well what they said. I just couldn't believe they said something so stupid.

[eru]

> I agree with you that the migrant workers are effectively a serf class.

Sounds like the Copenhagen Interpretation of Ethics? Or 'out of sight, out of mind'?

[itemize123]

not everyone has the same ethics or even subscribes to that

[eru]

Exactly, some people think 'out of sight, out of mind' is great ethics! See https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/QXpxioWSQcNuNnNTy/...

[itemize123]

no, more precisely, they can actively think about it and still believe it's not an issue. For example they can justify that the migrant workers are given a choice etc or it's better than some of their alternative.

[eru]

If it's not clear: that's pretty close to what I believe, yes.

Calling the opposite position 'out of sight, out of mind' or 'The Copenhagen Interpretation of Ethics' kind of gives my disdain for it away, I thought?