Wednesday, August 19, 2009 14:38

PhD taxi driver

In Quotes • 1,861 views • 14 Comments

Probably the only taxi driver in this world with a PhD from Stanford and a proven track record of scientific accomplishments, I have been forced out of my research job at the height of my scientific career, and unable to find another one, for reasons I can only describe as something “uniquely Singapore”. As a result, I am driving taxi to make a living…

Taxidiary

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14 Comments

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blackfeline
Aug 19, 2009 16:24

is this a mockery of our system? A foreign talent (courted by A*star)…given citizenship…and in the end..driving a cab?

theonlinecitizen
Aug 19, 2009 17:35

Lim Swee Say will say that he is at least “gainfully employed” – like what he said about elderly people sweeping floors, tending toilets, picking cardboards and tin cans, or selling tissue paper.

cheer
Aug 19, 2009 17:36

Dr Cai has a choice from now on, there are many job offer. Look at his blog.

Gummy Bear
Aug 19, 2009 18:13

On paper, Technically, Dr Cai is an EMPLOYED citizen.

Some say, he should not complain as others have no job are worse off.

Some say, he could have found work overseas. Did he tried?

Some say, no one owes you a living.

Some say, no free lunch.

Some say, if economy is well, jobs will be plenty to choose from and high paying.

Some say this recession is a U-shape and others say it will be worse, an L shape.

Dr Cai’s situation teaches us somethings:

1. being employed does not mean getting back the same kind of job u used to occupy nor same kind of pay or lifestyle.

2. a Dr after losing job can work as $900 a month temporary job and still considered EMPLOYED as in no longer part of unemployment statistic.

3. Being employed does not mean can afford a living.

I wonder how many realise this?
People we must think deeper!

Poor Undergrad
Aug 19, 2009 19:37

Its bizzare how he got into this predicament…..

DrizztNeo
Aug 19, 2009 21:07

Its not bizzare at all the poltics at Astar is the same as everywhere. Not many people can or want to play the politics game as well as some of the big shot FT or scholars.

He stupid lah, maybe no EQ
Aug 19, 2009 21:31

This FT turned citizen must have done something really stupid in his A-Star career or whatever to end up like this.

But I think he is a minority lah, most will achieve their dreams, if not in A-Star, then maybe even better in some Western universities, using A-star or whatever as stepping stone. It has happened and will continue to happen.

Citizenship to Nowhere
Aug 19, 2009 21:46

Dear Dr Chai

I do sympathize with your present predicament from being an academician to an “Ah Beng” taxi driver all because someone high up there played you out..

What you have experienced should be a learned warning to other foreign talents who are dying to become the Citizens of Singapore without knowing the dire consequences for themselves and their future generations.

Then you were a foreign talent rigorously courted by our government to fill our defunct local talents. Now after becoming a Citizen of Singapore you have realized you are just like one of us.

While there is no point looking back at past mistakes, you will always be haunted by the fact that you would have been much better off being a foreign talent.

Yours sincerely

Singaporean Foreign Talent
Working in Singapore But staying Overseas

ex-elites vs non-elites
Aug 19, 2009 23:36

Wow…..we invite stanford phd FT to become citizen and let them end up as taxi driver…..next time will we have road sweepers and cleaners from cambridge or harvard?

man life is getting tougher for us non-elite citizens……

creducator
Aug 20, 2009 1:10

Who is Dr Cai? Why is he displaced? Read http://sgblogs.com/entry/mingjie/357853 for the answers

macam macam
Aug 20, 2009 13:34

meritocracy!

cool bananas
Aug 22, 2009 20:14

Shame shame shame… on you, not the taxi driver but Singapore. How on earth can this happened to a “A” STAR ? maybe, he can swop job with LIM SWEE SAY for a month for a change.

OriginalResonance
Aug 27, 2009 8:34

Another Bill Gates-like inspiration to all school children in the world. :D

PhotoVigor
Nov 30, 2009 8:40

This is life, be prepared.

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