Analytical skills needed in light of information overload

Each time, we were handed a piece of writing, ranging from poems to an opinion piece, and we were ordered to analyse the hidden messages of each word, line and sentences. Analysing a poem is the hardest. Who would know the mind of a dead poet, given that he lived some 500 years ago when the whole world was in a totally different condition from now?

I never imagined that the influence of instructors’ guidance would still rule my thinking today. As a journalist, I have to read and watch massive stuff and as we all know, we have to digest information wisely as all pieces contain opinions in some way. 

Questions thus always dominate my reading and watching mission. And when those questions are not answered, I doubt. And this routine repeats more frequently than usual, when we are flooded with information. 

Personally, I love biographical stuff. In an hour, we learn key developments of a famous man, enough to look for detail from other sources. The latest stuff coming into my world was the life of Sanguan Nityarumphong, first secretary-general of the National Health Commission who succumbed to cancer a few years ago. 

Once dubbed as a communist, the health official fought hard to win free health services to the poor. He succeeded when Thai Rak Thai Party came to power and included his plan as one of its populist policies. Needless to say, he was criticised by the opponents as a political tool.

He deserved accolades for the efforts. But nothing in this world is flawless. Without proper financing plans – with budget allocated accordingly to number of patients not actual operating cost, the free services are a big burden to physicians, particularly those in provincial hospitals. Physicians’ complaints grow louder particularly when there is a plan to merge the three-pronged health schemes provided under the universal scheme, Social Security Fund and the government (to civil servants). 

In this circumstance, some may condemn Sanguan for starting all this. But from a different point of view, it is a good initiative to ensure basic services to the poor, long neglected. Rather than criticising his plan, it is better to pinpoint the flaws and solve them. Matter-of-factly, we all are accustomed to the practice that these services permanently command some of annual budget expenditure.

Being analytical is also required when it comes to protests. Protests of any kind usually demonstrate opposite opinions to what is going on. Participants of the Occupy Wall Street movement are against greed among white-collar executives, who maintain luxury lifestyle though sometimes their business practices cause widespread troubles to people on street. Unfairness is obvious in all societies, leading to perception that democracy does not guarantee equality as promised. In human history, we have lived through many political regimes and democracy is considered the best. If so, what weakens the value of democracy? Should we address the problems, or adopt a past or create a new regime?

The hottest one now must be a protest of a female writer popular among the left wing, known by her pen name as “Kam Phaka”. Last week, she protested against the punishment of a 61-year-old man, commonly known as “Ar Kong” (Grandpa), under the lese-majesty law. He was convicted for 20 years for sending SMS, which are not revealed to the public. Kam Phaka made a move after warnings from some human rights groups which surprisingly include the EU Delegation. But her message seduced more attention, as it was written on her bare chest. The writer hoped that her daring action would challenge others to fight. I am hopeful that, aside from comments about the condition of her breasts, people who never learnt or cared about “Ar Kong” case would start searching for such information. 

Being analytical is a unique character of all human being and it is more important in the world where a person’s words and actions can be distributed with some distortions by so many channels. Being analytical would tell those in power that they must be just or the unjustified would rise one day. Being analytical would also tell all laymen what to believe, before falling as others’ tools. 

Putting all those aside, I undoubtedly believe that all of us have the best wishes for our beloved king who celebrates his 84th birthday today. Long Live the King!