I wished we (Singaporeans) could move away from the language of instrumentalism, utility, and economic pragmatism. People are seen largely as instruments for the economy, and social mobility is thus defined. Education is seen as socialization - where people are educated for the welfare of the modern, industrial, commercial state. Economic pragmatism drives our motivations and actions.

I wished we could value these "low-paying" jobs and structure our economy to take into account our fellow Singaporeans and human beings. We could reimagine progress in other ways than economic progress. Rather than living for the economy, we could see our actions as creative, imaginative, and fruitful enjoyment, even down to planting the littlest seed in our HDB gardens.

I also wished we would stop pandering to rapid technological advancement at the expense of relationality.