Dreamer's Apology

A lifetime in teaching and a touch of Taoism inform these wise words from a master of aphorisms. While most collections of sayings relate to 'simple' societies, and involve camels and eyes of needles and so on, Dr Tan Boon Tee lifts the lid on modern life - in all its glories and grimness. Here are pithy observations on computers, cars, warfare, wealth, private medicine, modern art, physics, families and urban living. If Dr Tan is occasionally a tad cynical, it is because he has led a full life, and tasted the bitter as well as the sweet. Take this comment on one of our finest institutions: The words 'gambol' and 'gamble' have the same pronunciation. One is joyful play and the other is a risky adventure. Somehow, marriage is sandwiched between them... Intrigued? Read on, as Dr Tan suggests, at your own pace, and enjoy these reflections on our changing times with a curious mind and a light heart. Dr Tan Boon Tee has been a science and mathematics teacher, curriculum developer, school principal and educator for the past thirty-six years in South East Asia. A former university senior lecturer, he served as a UNESCO regional consultant in science education during the 1980s. Dr Tan's main area of research interest is in students' conceptual framework and cognitive impediment in physics. Some two dozen of his papers have been presented in various international conferences, seminars and symposiums in eighteen countries across the continents since 1977. He is married and has seven children, one grandchild.