The liberalisation of the SG energy market that began in 2018 was supposed to herald a bright new future for consumers. However, 3 electricity retailers have suddenly thrown in the towel in the past week, leaving their customers back at square one. Was there anything that could have been done differently? And NOC is back in the news again, with a fresh set of allegations by staff and ex-staff, this time with screenshots and evidence neatly categorized in a dedicated blogpost. We discuss what surprised us in this round of allegations.

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• Our YLB Subreddit for detailed show notes and mindblowing discussions!

SG electricity retailers suddenly shut down

• Lights out for some electricity retailers in Singapore: Why and what it means for consumers

Another NOC exposé reveals even worse allegation

• Calls to cancel NOC's Sylvia Chan grow after fresh allegations of workplace abuse surface 
  

• Reddit thread for YLB Ep221 on Dave Chappelle

One Shiok Thing

• When M.I.T. Asked Dorian Abbot to Speak, It Invited Criticism

Recently, streaming platform Netflix came under a firestorm of criticism from the LGBTQ+ community both outside the company and internally, with transgender Netflix staff planning a walkout on 20th October. All this was caused by the launch of Dave Chapelle’s final standup comedy special on their platform, which contained “transphobic” content, and the CEO’s defense of the material in spite of the backlash. Why is everyone closely watching this controversy, and why would it matter to someone in Singapore? Elsewhere, the Hooters franchise unveiled a new uniform for their servers that ruffled feathers, so much so that they had to backtrack on the implementation of these uniforms.

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• Our YLB Subreddit for detailed show notes and mindblowing discussions!

Comedian Dave Chapelle’s Netflix special ignites “transphobia” controversy

• Netflix Trans Employees Plan Walkout Over Dave Chappelle Special | Variety

Hooters staff complain that their new uniforms are inappropriate

• Hooters amends uniform policy after employees condemn ‘disturbing’ new shorts
  

• Comment from GoldGene3631

One Shiok Thing

• How do lava lamps help with Internet encryption? | Cloudflare

Recently, with the announcement of VTLs with 11 different countries, SGeans have been flocking to travel agents and airline offices to plan their year-end trips. But as Haresh personally discovers, the VTL isn’t as attractive a prospect as it looks on paper. In the NBA, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving has been banned from playing or training with his team as long as he remains unvaccinated. Is he being a “voice for the voiceless”, or just a selfish diva?  

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SGeans itching to travel on VTL crash SIA website

• No lack of interest in S'pore for leisure travel under VTL despite higher costs, risk of longer stay if infected

Unvaxxed NBA star Kyrie Irving banned from playing

• Kyrie Irving on not getting vaxxed: Just doing what's best for me

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• Intersections of Singapore (Art)

Content creator Jaze Phua recently exploded on TikTok, gaining 1.5 million followers in a month, largely based on his Squid Game videos. We discuss how TikTok differs from other platforms he’s been on, and where he sees the future of entertainment and social media. And of course, we talk about the current issue of the toxic culture among Singapore YouTubers - why and how did we come to this?

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• Our #YLB Subreddit for show notes

Find Jaze Phua here:

• Instagram

Here are our one SHIOK things!

• The Guilty | Official Trailer | Jake Gyllenhaal | Netflix

A study by a social enterprise, Happiness Initiative, uncovered that several socio-demographic factors such as household income and sexual orientation had a disproportionately large impact on Singapore residents’ happiness. Also, YouTube channel Night Owl Cinematics, after facing a tsunami of online criticism for the way its co-founder, Sylvia Chan, verbally abused her employees, is now doubling down in its latest PR statement and denying the allegations. Is that a good or bad PR move?

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Study discovers what makes Singaporeans happy

• ‘Purpose, perseverance, support, money and sexual orientation’: Study maps out what makes a person in Singapore happy

NOC claps back at allegations of toxic work environment

• Sgcickenrice IG account that detailed the screenshots and allegations

• AMA post by mmmmky

• FB page for Hor Fun Premium

This week, we come face to face with the outspoken and controversial Singapore athlete and SEA Games gold medalist, Soh Rui Yong. Never one to mince words, he reveals what he thinks about comments that he’s arrogant, the origins of his competitive drive, and also explains why he’s offering 700 packets of chicken rice as a prize for his 2.4km Challenge.

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• Our #YLB Subreddit for show notes

Find Soh Rui Yong here:

• Facebook account

Here are our one SHIOK things!

• The Master: The Long and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer

Recently, an ex-employee of Facebook, Frances Haugen, testified at a US Senate hearing about how there is no accountability within Facebook’s leadership with regards to the harm caused to users of the social media platform. Is Facebook really as evil as it sounds? Also, users found that “Ask Jamie”, the AI chatbot service that answers FAQs on most SG government services websites, will dole out safe sex advice whenever asked about positive COVID-19 tests. The Ministry of Health has since taken down the chatbot on their website, but what caused the glitch in the first place? 

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Whistleblower claims Facebook puts profits before people

• Facebook Whistleblower: What You Need to Know | Time

Government chatbot  “Jamie” doles out safe sex advice

• MOH temporarily disables Ask Jamie chatbot after 'misaligned replies' - CNA
  

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• Sengkang residents in awe as hundreds of migratory starlings flock & swirl in a beautiful dance

Recently in Parliament, Minister Shanmugam pressed opposition MP Raeesah Khan to divulge more details about a claim she had made about the police’s poor management of a case of sexual assault. Khan refused, reasoning that she needed to maintain confidentiality. Who’s right or wrong? Also, a community of wild chickens has appeared in Dover Close, dividing residents’ opinions about wildlife in their estate. What will be the fate of these free-range chickens? 

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Police to interview Raeesah Khan over claims in Parliament

• Shanmugam: Police to interview Raeesah Khan over mishandling of rape report claim after she refuses to divulge info - Mothership

Wild chickens divide the community at Dover Close

• Dover Close residents' split views on wild fowls that moved into the estate during pandemic - Mothership.SG

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• Red Light, Green Light Instagram filter created by dude.sg

The Active Mobility Advisory Panel, tasked by the SG government with reviewing rules for on-road cycling, has concluded that bicycle registration and licensing of cyclists are not recommended. Why was this done in spite of the increasing number of incidents between motorists and cyclists? Also, a social worker has singled out the Mediacorp talk show ‘Hear U Out’ as “immoral” for exposing their guests’ private family disputes. We discuss whether it’s really “immoral” as he claims.

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SG panel rejects the idea of bicycle registration

• No bicycle registration needed; motorists should keep 1.5m distance when passing cyclists: Panel

Social worker lambasts Mediacorp talk show as “immoral”

• S’pore social worker says shows like ‘Hear U Out’ are ‘immoral’ for exposing people’s private matters

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• Coldplay X BTS - My Universe 

Singapore’s annual Population in Brief report revealed that total population fell 4.1% to 5.45 million as a result of COVID-19. We discuss the numbers and why it’s alarming for SG’s future. Also, runner Soh Rui Yong is in the news again, but this time for launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise $180,000 to pay for damages and legal fees in his defamation suit vs. fellow runner Ashley Liew. Why are people so incensed by this?

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Singapore population registers record drop

• S'pore total population falls 4.1% due to Covid-19, largest year-on-year drop since data collected in 1970 - Mothership.SG

Runner Soh Rui Yong crowdfunding $180,000 for legal fees

• Marathoner Soh Rui Yong crowdfunding at least S$180,000 to pay Ashley Liew over defamation suit - Mothership.SG

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• This Video Has 36,950,101 Views - YouTube