top ten blogs you won’t imagine being from singapore
By Pat Law™ • Dec 14th, 2009 • Category: Lead Story, The B ListIn the past year of being a digital strategist, I have encountered feedback from skeptics who have more faith in Tiger Woods staying monogamous than they do with Singapore-based blogs producing content comparable to international blogs.
Look, the US has Mashable*, Core77, and Laughing Squid. Even Hong Kong has Hypebeast. And Yanko Design was founded by a Japanese. What do you have from Singapore, seriously?
The only time I hear of any Singapore blogs making front-page news is when they’re suing the shit out of each other.
I see the same bunch of bloggers attending the same bunch of events and reviewing the same bunch of products. If any of your bloggers even had the reach and influence Mashable commands, you won’t need an event at all, would you?
Oh please. Singapore bloggers are like hookers. Pay them enough and they’d do whatever you want. I was just guaranteed good reviews at $500 per blog post.
Entrenched in the local blogosphere six feet under, I vehemently disagree to the generalization of Singapore blogs as herewith subjectively criticized by the skeptics. Yet, I recognize that in this world we live in, Perception is Truth. There is truth in what the skeptics are saying but I reckon that the fundamental problem we have here is awareness. I’d bet you a round of beer than you won’t imagine the blogs listed below being from Singapore. Or at very least, most of them.
Do note that the blogs are listed in an alphabetical order in no order of preference.
1. Bagaholicboy | view blog
I was once told by a certain journalist of a reputable newspaper that if I got Bagaholicboy to my event, I would be guaranteed coverage. Yup, that’s how popular this extremely private blogger is. And quite rightfully so. Just about half the population of women in Singapore is glued in to Singapore’s one and only dedicated blog about bags.
2. Common People | view blog
The baby of YC Teo and administered by my fellow crew member Michele from Culturepush, Common People is a gorgeous repository of video interviews and documentaries that represent a cross sectional investigation into the very psyche of Singaporeans expressing themselves in creative ways.
3. Culturepush | view blog
Culturepush sniffs out the art, culture and design in Singapore and showcase the country’s talents proudly for the world to see. I’m deeply honoured to be part of the Culturepush crew. There is one rule, which our crew abides by – we feature local and only local news, events and works only.
4. Design Sojourn | view blog
Design Sojourn catalogs the author’s journey in design as a strategic industrial design. Ranked #29129 out of 3,783,534 websites worldwide, the author is also the only Singaporean to serve as an industry consultant at the leading industrial design portal, Yanko Design. That reminds me, the author and I have a long overdue beer session!
5. Organisation of Illustrators Council | view blog
The blog claims to be a blog for illustrators by illustrators in Singapore. I say it’s a blog for the whole damn world to know how truly talented the illustrators in Singapore are.
6. plussixfive | view blog
Hong Kong has Hypebeast, Taiwan has Freshness. Singapore has plussixfive and damn right I’m proud. plussixfive serves as an one-stop news source for Singapore fashion, shopping, retail, design, arts and culture. The plussixfive crew is made out of a team of 6, namely Jeremy Goh, Paul Ong, Nick Chong, Alexander Lim, Jaslyn Bang and Juffrie Friday.
7. thangdynasty | view blog
I know the author personally so this much I can reveal – she is a top-notch equity trader in a leading foreign bank in Singapore with a penchant for contemporary art. thangdynasty waxes lyrical about art, art markets, the economy, politics, music and the culture aspect of the each tribe of interest in such a profound manner, you’d think you’re reading Monocle instead. Her recent post about the Dubai Debt Crisis is a must-read.
8. the artist and his model | view blog
Not a day escapes without me paying a visit to the artist and his model. You know that one blog that makes you smile regardless? This blog by Yanda does it for me.
9. things we forget | view blog
With a whopping 11,050 fans on Facebook and counting, I’m surprised no publisher has come forward to offer a book deal just yet. things we forget leaves post-it notes of goodness on a daily basis around the island, reminding us not to forget a little bit of human kindness. The blog is almost secondary to the incredible power of the intent behind this movement.
10. TOYSREVIL | view blog
With no shame but rather, just sheer pride, I’m going to take full credit for revealing TOYSREVIL to the local bloggers for the first time earlier in March, when we held a blogger-only Open Room session in the office. The author, Andy Heng, had never been to any blogger event before and I was extremely lucky he was kind enough to grace us with not only his presence, but also have him share his story on how his blog became one of the top 10,000 worldwide. Besides living and breathing designer toys today on his blog, Andy also has personal TOYSREVIL exclusive YOKA toy to call his own.
My list is but a subjective one and is by no means a guide you should be using to submit to your boss under Blogger Engagement in your year-end proposal.
Anyone has anymore to share?
*I know Mashable was founded by Pete Cashmore in Scotland. I’m just quoting as I hear them.
Pat Law™ is a Digital Strategist who, in her time in the Adland, has marketed a range of global brands including adidas, Cadbury Schweppes, Chrysler, Harley-Davidson, Hewlett-Packard, Johnnie Walker, L’Oréal, and Royal Salute. Pat also writes for iSh, LOTL International, and Singapore Architect.
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Half of these blogs don't act as blogs per se. They're online publishers. These writers aren't bloggers as much as they are online journalists.
Hey howabout , I'm sorry but I have to remove your recommended website. There's heaps of racist jokes in that website which I don't agree with.
If you know the owner of the website, I'd suggest you ask him or her to remove it, especially if he/ she is from Singapore. There is the Sedition Act which he/ she should be wary of. And honestly, the jokes are rather distasteful.
I think you should be on the list no?
Thanks writer and cyn. You fellas are too kind. But there really isn't a point talking about my blog on my blog. I'm vain, but not that vain. LOL.
Thanks Pat, really nice of you to include THINGS WE FORGET. And i agree with Cyn. You should be on the list.
Hello. We are so young not everyone know we exist!
Thanks for sharing mate! Lovely blog you have there. And damn. Facebook's new office looks really good.
I like the artistandhismodel for the nice photography on products. Also visit OIC regularly to check out artists in Singapore.
The other blog which I like is http://www.french-blast.com
It's a design blog and the French authors are living in Singapore.
I run a book review blog myself (parkablogs.com) but it doesn't cover Singapore topics.
french-blast.com is a design blog written by French authors but they are living in Singapore.
Thanks for sharing French Blast with us. Tres bien!
Hey I like your blog too! I've been there before I believe. Via OIC. Good stuph you have there.
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thanks for sharing the things we forget site: haven't seen it before this!
Hah, for someone who is criticizing another blogger for distasteful jokes, what about you? You just compared every single Singapore blogger to a prostitute. You're right; people who manage to make money off of their talent- writing is a talent, yes- are JUST like sex workers.
What a terrible thing to say.
I've always appreciate a rebuttal or two, but only when they challenges the mind, and not confuse it.
Question 1: What blogger of what distasteful jokes of what? Huh?
Question 2: In which bit of my blog post did I (repeat; I/ Pat Law/ Me/ Yours Truly) compare every single Singapore blogger to a prostitute?
Ah, don't you just love a critic who can't even master the basic skills of reading properly.
@KAT
Pat was quoting some skeptics (the italicised paragraph). THEY were the ones who called Singaporean bloggers hookers.
You have your foot stick so far down your throat, you have bitemarks round your knees.
Read properly next time lah.
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Hey you,
Sorry but your comment slipped into the SPAM folder (damn Akismet!). I agree with you – us +65 peeps should show the world what we're made of! Thanks for the links too.
Harlow!
Urgh, damn my Akismet SPAM filter, for your comment was left in my SPAM folder. I'm just glad I didn't auto-delete my SPAM folder. Thanks for the great links.
And oh yes, I know of Design Taxi but damn, why didn't I include it in?!
Is that all?. Can we have more, please?
Hi Pat,
Thanks very much for your interesting blog. It's always nice to see how people on the other side of the globe live, how they share the same joys and sorrows, what they do in their free time, etc.
I actually have a question about your blog. Would you mind helping us with a linguistic research project? We're compiling data from various Singaporean weblogs. All it requires is checking a few boxes. If you want to take part and/or have more questions, drop me a note ( hack2301@uni-trier.de RE: Question ) so that I can then send you the 'official' project eMail. We'd really appreciate your help.
Thanks very much in advance!
Best regards,
– Fran
PS: Great Top 10 List. Special love for the "things you forget" blog
This is the first I visited your blog and i love it. Bookmarked it already. Keep up the good work.
Hey Pat! That's a nice list & I especially love the author for Things We Forget. That just blows my mind every time! haha..
I think your blog is unique on its own, especially the yellow hover effect throughout your blog and must be showcased for the world to see too. =)
Thanks mate. Yes, I adore Things We Forget too. Not many blogs touch my heart, and TWF definitely does.