Monday 4 February 2008

The 3 seeks

After church today (No – this is not a religion related entry); KT, Richard and myself went to Piccadilly for lunch where we found this English restaurant which offers the regular Sunday roast. The food wasn’t that great but what I enjoyed most was the conversation which lasted for almost 2 hours.
We talked about almost everything ranging from economy to politics to religion to holiday to the simply courtesy of asking others if they want a drink if you are buy one for yourself. In the midst of the conversation, Richard made a statement which eventually inspired this entry. He said something to the effect that there are many first generation Christians in Malaysia nowadays after knowing that both mine and KT do not come from Christians family… and we wonder why…

I think I know why…

I think Malaysians have evolved over the last few decades in terms of the things they seek, generally speaking. The generation before me, those who are 40s and above; I believed they were born in a generation who predominantly seeks money. I used the word ‘money’, not ‘wealth’; simply because their intention was for mainly survival.

My father wanted me to find a job and start working as soon as I finished my SPM. He was in shock when I told him I wanted to study further. Get a job and start making money as soon as possible was ‘the motto’ in life for that generation. Survival is the one most important thing in life… one must be able to provide for the family.

How many of our parents are Masters degree holder?... if at all they have a undergraduate degree. No time for education… they seek money.

What about my generation? What do we seek? For those of us born in the 70s and early 80s; I believe we were born into a generation who predominantly seeks knowledge. Not that it is ‘knowledge’, and not ‘wisdom’; I think most of us are rather unwise, myself included.

Anyway, I think my generation is one who pretty much seeks knowledge. No doubt, we want money too, but we also know that we will be able to achieve more if we know more. We are aware that we need to equip ourselves before plunging ourselves into ‘hard labour’. This is why there are less rags-to-riches stories amongst us. Of course, whether knowledge can bring success is another notion altogether.

And just to digress and answer Richard, I think this is why there are quite a number of first generation Christians in my generation. Our knowledge seeking adventure most of us to… Christianity… I think.

What about the new generation now?

I think the new generation, those born in the late 80s and 90s… they are now in a generation who predominantly seeks pleasure; and probably glamour too. They truly know the meaning of ‘enjoying life’, something which the money-seeking-generation failed to appreciate.

They don’t really need to seek money, as most of them come from families where their parents have done enough money seeking thus, have enough supply. They too know knowledge is important, but they carry a heavy load of ‘life-is-short-live-it-to-the-fullest’ mentality.
Gadgets… fashionable clothing… games… looking cool… glamour… the pleasure of life they seek. Money is not a problem, just extend your hands and ask. Knowledge is everywhere, just need to click on the button and everything is readily available. With all these available, it is pleasure they seek. Perhaps this is why there is a clear emergence of ‘
the new breed’ in the modern slavery market.

I think that is how Malaysians have evolved through the last few decades. One would wonder what the next generation will seek. I think I can guess by looking at the trend in other developed countries.

Can you guess it too?

26 comments:

narrowband said...

I can see where this is coming from and it is actually quite agreeable.

I am not sure how the next generation will evolve. What's your guess?

KopiSoh said...

Just drop by to wish you Keong Hee Fatt Chye.

Anonymous said...

I'm totally go for Knowledge...absolutely...

J u n e said...

Hmm cant guess..what is it? lol..

Btw, I envy u sir. I wanna go London too. =O haha...

Kimberley said...

While there is still an ebb and flow as to what people in various countries want, I think I can guess it. There are two things, though I think one will be more predominant than the other.

I really think that things are so messed up everywhere that in the future, people may just lower their gold bar standards for attaining glitter, glamour, and perhaps even pleasure -- simply settling for peace.

Then again all the turmoil would bring about something even more. The future generation will most probably be a very jaded one too. Hence my guess is one that searches for meaning.

kyh said...

Hmm I still remember you're going to Paris right? what will it be? Can't wait to hear your Parisian stories! (and lotsa pikchers of cos!)

U're quite there. I always believe in 'living life to the fullest'. I mean, life is really short! Hehehe... While I don't deny the importance of seeking knowledge, but heck, I think those who spend 10s of hours a day doing revisions are really wasting their times! C'mon... Life is more than studying.

Anonymous said...

Hey...I thought today's geneneration has gone past that materialistic phase...and proceeded to a higher level - seeking meaning in life. "Who am I? What am I doing here? Where am I going?" Truth be told, you've all gone one full cycle...cos that was the catch phrase when I was young (and don;t u dare ask when that was!!! Humph!!! LOL!).

sharlydia said...

I cant guess the future generation...

And i cant really agree with u totally too regarding your point about how generation evolved in Malaysia which goes back to say how we became Christians from non-Christians family...dont agree on the relation on those 2 things i mean...

Whatever u mentioned on the post maybe true for u, for me & for few more other pple, but that's definitely not the majority coz i've came across many who are in the 70's - 80's generation, yet not really seaking knowledge & thus got to know God though...

just my 2 cents worth...

Sharon said...

generation who seeks "materiality"?

Sharon said...

perhaps i should add "what goes around comes around?"

warrior2 said...

Cold wet London this time of the year. I dont really envy you unless you are a fan of such condition.

I have a different view and I am saying this in the context of immigration of Chinese and Indians to Malaya.

The first Malayan generation (immigrants)had one thing in mind ie money/better life for their familly. Generally were not educated. Thier affliation with thier religion was very strong.

The second generation (in general) i.e first born Malayan had more or less the same ideals, ideas and mind of thier parents except that they were more exposed to the world around them and probably had more education.WW2 and confrontation and communist war were hindrance in so many ways to adoption of new ways of life and new religions.How could they when life was hell back then.

The third G (your generation) had no obstacles (wars etc). More educated. More exposure to worldly things,spiritual and materially and that was the time when missionary works were becoming more active and wide spread. Some travlled to overseas a lot and thus were exposed. TV and movies factors.

The 4th G had everything postive in their favour in adopting a new religion.

This is just a view, my prespective. I hope I had the timeline (in term of generations) correct.

Huei said...

wahahahhaha
blog!

jkjkjkjk

i don't seek knowledge (early 80s..so old T_T)..but was forced to

then again no regrets..now can seek money! with money..then only can seek pleasure..so i'm abit of all! hohoho

=P

whoalse said...

Agree to the statement, zewt, but not entirely.

I was brought up to seek knowledge, regardless whether it's from formal channels (wink....from TV programs too)!! I guess some of us in my generation (70s but age is just a number to me) were made to earn the carrots through incentives from parents and some groups.

it seems that the younger generations have a much "easier" life with things provided for them without going through the extent some of us went through.

Anonymous said...

The generation will seek spirituality (not necessarily religion) after finding out that money, knowledge and 24x7 fun are bringing them nowhere.

Bee Ean said...

Different from our parents generation where converting to Christian can be seen as betraying one's tradition (due to the fact that can't pray the ancestors), our generation get a lot of exposure to western culture, in parallel to the society evolving to a level of accepting and tolerating family members to have different religions. Take me for example, my impression of Christianity has changed from "an aggressive" religion to focus on the friendly Christian community. I got known to different Christians whom wouldn't hard sell me their religion by inviting me to their birthday and start showing me miracle video of Christian or brought me to church and listen to the priest scolding them for not bringing me earlier to the God. Now you get to find a lot of Christian who do not talk about their religion but rather treat you as a friend.

As for the next generation, after having both materials and knowledge, I think they will look for something different: either lost in looking for different meaning in life or be very happy and appreciate what they own in life.

zewt said...

narrowband - i was thinking... domination! hahah...

kopi soh - thanks thanks :o)

elvindo - hey, welcome! so are you in the knowledge seeking generation?

AngryYoungChild - hehe... but i am going to miss the election... sigh.

Kimberly Ho - very deep there, does ring some bells. but i was actually thinking about domination... where we go back to the old days... ppl wanna have empire once again. it's subtly happening, without us knowing it.

kyh - yup... next weekend... cant wait. well, i never study... i am just born lazy... hehe... but at the same time, i didnt really live life to the fullest till lately.

suituapui - well, pleasure covers that dont u think? seeking meaning in the future? hmmm... perhaps that will be the 5th seek.

zewt said...

sharlydia - which is why i said... i was generalising.

Sharon - that falls under pleasure... the current generation :)

warrior2 - good point. but i think it is very difficult to separate between the second and the third in your case.

Huei - hahaha... of all? you dont seek knowledge... not really all right? registered to vote already?

whoalse - so you're agreeing on the current generation seek pattern. well, i was just sharing my thoughts, everyone is free to object. didnt know how i come up with those anyway... hehe.

Jong Jong - i think spirituality is the 5th seek... ok ok.. i am going too far...

bee ean - well, i think both types of christians you mentioned still exist, trust me on that. looks like most are going for meaning in the next seek.

Maverick SM said...

Zewt,

You may be right to some extent. But it isn't true that earlier generations seeks money. Back to history; the early Chinese came to Malaysia to seek money so as to be able to sent them back to their family in China. At that time, the British made them entreprenuers, gave them the opportunities as the Malays were largely agriculturalists and fishermen. As the Chinese are employed in tin mines and have industrial skills, they naturally were more enterprising and ventures into business with the help of the British.

Those in their 30s today were brought up after the May13 incident and this is the period of NEP and the restrictive opportunities for the Chinese and Indians. Therefore, parents, knowing the difficulties of getting their children to public universities would have to save some money and sent their children overseas. For those who can't afford, their children have to work exceptionally hard to get extremely good results in SPM and STPM so as to get into the public universities. So, you called this generation the knowledge-seeking generation but the truth is the fact that parents of these group of children were concern about their children's career and their survival in the face of economic discrimination.

Those born in the 80s and 90s are far luckier as their parents have save some monies in preparation for their adolescent life's need. There are insurance policies, PTPTN loan, investment trust, etc which basically are savings for the children. At such, these group spent more of their time watching TVB celebrities and Hollywood celebrities, learning about personality branding, managing beauty, and of course seeking fun and pleasure as they have less to worry.

This is evolution of mankind.

kyh said...

i nvr study until the night b4 exam. and i nvr finish revising my subjects ever since form 4. hehehe...

so ur trip is a self-planned trip and not a guided tour? if it's like that, u might wanna make a trip down southern france. the beautiful mediterranean coasts of cote d'azur (aka French Riviera) and sunny lavender-filled Provence would be a great place for honeymoon!

Anonymous said...

Quite true. But I guess, at any point of the era, I believe that people are searching for something to fill the emptiness in their heart. We all have this hole in us that only God can fill. Some try to fill it with material things, others look for love (or lust). Anyway, it's a good thing to be a first-generation Christian because it's your choice. Many Christians doesn't appreciate all these.. they sometimes take things for granted only.

anthraxxxx said...

When my aunt first became Christian in the late 70s, it was met with fiery resistance from my grandparents, up to the point where they almost disown her. To them, it was sorta like committing 'apostasy' against our forefathers. She was in her early 20s back then. Today, my grandparents had become more open minded about conversion to Christianity. Most of the maternal side of my family accepted Christ already.

zewt said...

Maverick SM - well, taking the may 13 and the coming from china aside... that's wat i think... generally speaking of cos. but you're right... the whole thing is indeed an evolution of mankind.

kyh - it's a self planned trip. just the weekend, dont have time to do so many things ler... though i would love to.

lynnx01 - well said my friend. a lot of christians become christians for branding purposes too.

anthraxxxx - yeah, somehow... the older generation see christianity as one religion which will cause the children to disown them... well, they should be more specific as to which religion that does that.

baggie said...

Zewt, sorry but i wont read your post now cos im in the CNY mood, i come back later only layan your bren-spinning posts.. wukakakka anyway dropping in to wish you happy chinese new year my dear friend~!! may the year of rat brings all of us good luck and great health~!!

zewt said...

calvin's wife - kakakakaka... understand ... understand...

Shopaholicfern said...

Happy Chinese New Year Zewt...it's the 5th day of lunar new year and i've started work.

Well, I'm born in mid 70s.
i seek money,
i seek pleasure
i seek knowledge.
I'm a christian convert..i became a Christian because He saved me and He gave me a new life :-)

zewt said...

shopaholicfern - good to know... in your seek for knowledge... you've certainly found wisdom :)