To really look back at the past 4 years, there is certain beliefs that are forming within in. Beliefs of how the hall can be run to make it a 'better' place. (how do u define better? different pespectives yield different answers and we shan't wallow into that for now.) For example, RBI is indeed efficient and instrumental in cultivating the kind of discipline and loyalty to the hall last time which is SO SO SO lacking now. But I have to admit. Things have changed. We cannot have that culture anymore. There is some other way for this to be done. People are different now. Mentality is different and we have to move on with the times. But that still cannot stop me from believing strongly that RBI was the bomb then.
One other thing that truly feel strongly about is the idea of the block identity. Back in the old Kent Ridge, each block had their own identity. A block was the culture block, B block the biggest block (most rooms), C block the family block (only block with all 3 wings facing the block bench), D block the smallest block (least rooms) and E block the sports block. To a certain extent, I personally feel that it helped in shaping KR and what it was back then.
However, things took an ugly turn in my second year. The JCRC then decided that in order to even out IBG, a DELIBRATE move was made so that no sportsmen end up in E block. This of course infuriated us so the blockhead then actually confronted the JCRC and they admitted to such a move. OK ugly things happened but it is not the point. And we don't blame the JCRC then. Who would have thought what would had come after? And it is my personal belief that this move was the core reason for all that happened which I am going to state. You can argue otherwise. This is just my personal opinion.
So, the demographic of Eblk was changed. Other blocks ended up with all the sportsmen. Which changed their demographic too. Slowly, the cultural talents were no longer from A block, they were again distributed all around. Matters were made worse when we move to the new hall. Block identity of B, C and D were all but lost. (B tried to take over the culture block as they had the most number of residents in all 6 culture groups. but it only lasted a year i think).
Then we had problems of talent retention. Sportsmen and culture people were leaving us. WHY? well... we can look at it from many different points of view. but to a certain extent i think the loss of block identities had more damage than it seemed.
A block and E block were the culture and sports blocks respectively back then. I would dare to say that the residents are able to relate to each other. Handling of these same kind of people were relatively automatic and easy and people of the same kind do tend to band together easier. Maybe that's why all these talents were more inclined to stay then? I am not sure how big this factor is, but to a certain extent i think it's true.
The quality of production is.. had gone downhill. So is all the cultural performances in general. Back then the standards were way way way way higher. Even KRX was interesting back then and nobody would miss any of the performances. Turnout were always superb. But now... hmm... you can tell from the attendance.
DnD... A block were always the leaders in costume making... but now even my table can win something.. amazing.
Sports... this is a little harder to justify i guess but at least back then imports were more easily integrated into our family. and there is hardly any phantom sportsmen. Sportsmen were all high profile people and highly active too. But now... this season i couldn't recognise alot of those athletes on the courts. More than which i think is comfortable.
how true is this? it is really up to you to decide. what is the good of being homogeneous and every block has the same kind of people and the only thing distinguishing the 5 blocks are alphabets? What is block spirit? Who are we?
We (first as blkheads then jcrc) tried to establish some kind of identity. But to no avail. Who would not want the title of culture block or sports block? And the other 3? how? oh well.. this is the challenge for future leaders i guess... that is IF they realise the effects of this loss of identities. ha. i am graduating. i dun care liao actually.
block spirti --> hall spirit... is that why applicants for holiday comms are at a all time low? i remember for fwoc there were always more applicants than positions available.. but now... sigh.
Who we are? Where we come from?
Ain't no chicken feet.
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