Kai
@kaixiang.info
Journalist writing about technology and culture in Singapore 🇸🇬🏳️🌈
I write about invisible trends and hidden subcultures.
www.kaixiang.info
I write about invisible trends and hidden subcultures.
www.kaixiang.info
Pinned
Kai
@kaixiang.info
· Sep 26
When a mall grows old: How Katong Shopping Centre went from ‘shopping paradise’ to maid agencies
Tenants at one of Singapore's oldest malls say it feels like a commercial purgatory. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
"What happens when a mall grows old?
According to tenants at one of Singapore’s longest-operating malls, it exists in a sort of commercial purgatory. Not quite dead or alive, but still necessary."
According to tenants at one of Singapore’s longest-operating malls, it exists in a sort of commercial purgatory. Not quite dead or alive, but still necessary."
This is the person who I've nominated for Singaporean of the Year, an award my newspaper gives out annually:
Singaporean of the Year finalist: Meet the internet’s janitor whose fingerprints are all over Wikipedia
Volunteers like Mr Robert Sim keep the online encyclopedia Wikipedia alive and accurate. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:48 PM
This is the person who I've nominated for Singaporean of the Year, an award my newspaper gives out annually:
Reposted by Kai
The end justifies the means. But what if there never is an end? All we have is means.
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 AM
The end justifies the means. But what if there never is an end? All we have is means.
As the unique financial risks of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) become apparent, we're seeing tightening regulations from governments across the globe.
And yet, BNPL is making a comeback in Singapore, increasingly embraced by the platforms that define commerce here. Here's why:
And yet, BNPL is making a comeback in Singapore, increasingly embraced by the platforms that define commerce here. Here's why:
‘Spend first, worry later’: Why Buy Now, Pay Later is making a comeback in 2025
Once a novelty, Buy Now Pay Later firms are now almost ubiquitous in Singapore's financial landscape. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:49 AM
As the unique financial risks of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) become apparent, we're seeing tightening regulations from governments across the globe.
And yet, BNPL is making a comeback in Singapore, increasingly embraced by the platforms that define commerce here. Here's why:
And yet, BNPL is making a comeback in Singapore, increasingly embraced by the platforms that define commerce here. Here's why:
If you've ever wondered how pig-butchering or love scams begin, here's how.
Made all the more timely by that recent Reuters report published yesterday on how Meta's internal research estimated that its platforms were involved in a third of all successful scams in the US.
Made all the more timely by that recent Reuters report published yesterday on how Meta's internal research estimated that its platforms were involved in a third of all successful scams in the US.
‘Are you single, old man?’: Scam artistry has never been easier
Going down the rabbit hole of online scams and exploitation, one finds an audience eager to believe the lies. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:23 AM
If you've ever wondered how pig-butchering or love scams begin, here's how.
Made all the more timely by that recent Reuters report published yesterday on how Meta's internal research estimated that its platforms were involved in a third of all successful scams in the US.
Made all the more timely by that recent Reuters report published yesterday on how Meta's internal research estimated that its platforms were involved in a third of all successful scams in the US.
In 2006, Mr Pillai paid just $3 for his late-night journey home to Yishun from the city centre. Back then, the NightRider buses operated from 11.30pm to 4.30am, covering that stretch of the early hours when the MRT lines cease to run (...)
Is Singapore a 24-hour city without the NightRider bus?
Singapore's revellers and nightlife workers are wistful for the bygone era of the NightRider bus. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:10 AM
In 2006, Mr Pillai paid just $3 for his late-night journey home to Yishun from the city centre. Back then, the NightRider buses operated from 11.30pm to 4.30am, covering that stretch of the early hours when the MRT lines cease to run (...)
Reposted by Kai
Shock therapy: why scary movies keep evolving – and making money
Shock therapy: why scary movies keep evolving – and making money
With Hollywood favouring franchise fare, horror films have become the last bastion of inventive film-making, producing a new generation of auteurs in the process
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Shock therapy: why scary movies keep evolving – and making money
Reposted by Kai
How Ruby went off the rails: A deep dive into the ownership and governance drama of some of the most important open source projects in the world
www.404media.co/how-ruby-wen...
www.404media.co/how-ruby-wen...
How Ruby Went Off the Rails
What happened to RubyGems, Bundler, and the Open Source drama that controls the internet infrastructure.
www.404media.co
September 29, 2025 at 1:23 PM
How Ruby went off the rails: A deep dive into the ownership and governance drama of some of the most important open source projects in the world
www.404media.co/how-ruby-wen...
www.404media.co/how-ruby-wen...
Reposted by Kai
The real generational divide is people who refuse to watch a video if it could be an article versus people who refuse to read an article if it could be a video
September 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The real generational divide is people who refuse to watch a video if it could be an article versus people who refuse to read an article if it could be a video
"What happens when a mall grows old?
According to tenants at one of Singapore’s longest-operating malls, it exists in a sort of commercial purgatory. Not quite dead or alive, but still necessary."
According to tenants at one of Singapore’s longest-operating malls, it exists in a sort of commercial purgatory. Not quite dead or alive, but still necessary."
When a mall grows old: How Katong Shopping Centre went from ‘shopping paradise’ to maid agencies
Tenants at one of Singapore's oldest malls say it feels like a commercial purgatory. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 9:11 AM
"What happens when a mall grows old?
According to tenants at one of Singapore’s longest-operating malls, it exists in a sort of commercial purgatory. Not quite dead or alive, but still necessary."
According to tenants at one of Singapore’s longest-operating malls, it exists in a sort of commercial purgatory. Not quite dead or alive, but still necessary."
Drama in the cake world!
As someone who's long followed the cake picnic trend over TikTok (and the many successful and not so successful iterations around the world), I was surprised by the furore sparked by Singapore's own cake picnic:
As someone who's long followed the cake picnic trend over TikTok (and the many successful and not so successful iterations around the world), I was surprised by the furore sparked by Singapore's own cake picnic:
Singapore’s take on viral ‘cake picnic’ trend draws criticism over $170 fee for bakers
Social media has popularised the trend of cake picnics, events where amateur bakers gather to share sweet treats. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Drama in the cake world!
As someone who's long followed the cake picnic trend over TikTok (and the many successful and not so successful iterations around the world), I was surprised by the furore sparked by Singapore's own cake picnic:
As someone who's long followed the cake picnic trend over TikTok (and the many successful and not so successful iterations around the world), I was surprised by the furore sparked by Singapore's own cake picnic:
Okay but this is high art @phaun.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Okay but this is high art @phaun.bsky.social
Do Singapore's Gen Zs still know how to party?
After speaking to dozens of Singapore's youngest generation of partygoers (and party sceptics), I came away with a strong impression that more needs to be done to ease the barriers faced by organisers and businesses for making a good time possible.
After speaking to dozens of Singapore's youngest generation of partygoers (and party sceptics), I came away with a strong impression that more needs to be done to ease the barriers faced by organisers and businesses for making a good time possible.
Do Singapore’s Gen Zs still know how to party?
No longer a universal rite of passage, Gen Z party culture is unlike that of previous generations. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Do Singapore's Gen Zs still know how to party?
After speaking to dozens of Singapore's youngest generation of partygoers (and party sceptics), I came away with a strong impression that more needs to be done to ease the barriers faced by organisers and businesses for making a good time possible.
After speaking to dozens of Singapore's youngest generation of partygoers (and party sceptics), I came away with a strong impression that more needs to be done to ease the barriers faced by organisers and businesses for making a good time possible.
Just got my hands on the latest issue of meantime magazine and I am in awe of the design
September 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Just got my hands on the latest issue of meantime magazine and I am in awe of the design
"Friendships require infrastructure, and that infrastructure costs money. Creating free and accessible third spaces such as this, where young people can simply be, was money well spent."
Viewpoint: At S’pore’s Gen Z friendship festival, the most effective cure for loneliness was money
Attendees could set their light-up bracelets to red for 'open to love' and blue for 'I’m shy, please approach me first'. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:38 AM
"Friendships require infrastructure, and that infrastructure costs money. Creating free and accessible third spaces such as this, where young people can simply be, was money well spent."
"Feels like the end of an era."
Yesterday, fans said goodbye to the Projector one last time during a farewell party held at the beloved independent cinema.
Reporting on this story, I saw many teary eyes, toasts to the end of independent cinema and hopeful pondering about what comes next.
Yesterday, fans said goodbye to the Projector one last time during a farewell party held at the beloved independent cinema.
Reporting on this story, I saw many teary eyes, toasts to the end of independent cinema and hopeful pondering about what comes next.
‘Feels like the end of an era’: Fans say goodbye to the Projector one last time
The party was organised by four music collectives. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
August 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
"Feels like the end of an era."
Yesterday, fans said goodbye to the Projector one last time during a farewell party held at the beloved independent cinema.
Reporting on this story, I saw many teary eyes, toasts to the end of independent cinema and hopeful pondering about what comes next.
Yesterday, fans said goodbye to the Projector one last time during a farewell party held at the beloved independent cinema.
Reporting on this story, I saw many teary eyes, toasts to the end of independent cinema and hopeful pondering about what comes next.
Find it fascinating how filmmakers see Asian cities as a visual shorthand for vaguely dystopian sci-fi futuristic modernity
August 17, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Find it fascinating how filmmakers see Asian cities as a visual shorthand for vaguely dystopian sci-fi futuristic modernity
Reposted by Kai
August 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Kai
love this new york times clip. they recently did a story about how sesame street's set has changed over the years, along with our urban politics.
IG nytimes
IG nytimes
August 6, 2025 at 2:25 AM
love this new york times clip. they recently did a story about how sesame street's set has changed over the years, along with our urban politics.
IG nytimes
IG nytimes
Reposted by Kai
Discovered today that not everyone considers this nine year old viral tweet a seminal text in the field of social media studies but I do
August 2, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Discovered today that not everyone considers this nine year old viral tweet a seminal text in the field of social media studies but I do
Who's winning the game of tones in Singapore?
Check out my latest story about the colour elections that happen almost every day here:
Check out my latest story about the colour elections that happen almost every day here:
It’s always election season somewhere in Singapore: Inside HDB’s colour democracy
Seemingly mundane democratic exercises over municipal issues are part of urban life in the Republic. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
June 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Who's winning the game of tones in Singapore?
Check out my latest story about the colour elections that happen almost every day here:
Check out my latest story about the colour elections that happen almost every day here:
Support local!
Singapore's indie game developers are serving up a really impressive selection of video games this year, and this is one in particular I'm happy to recommend:
Singapore's indie game developers are serving up a really impressive selection of video games this year, and this is one in particular I'm happy to recommend:
Sedap! They ate cai fan for a year to make this cooking video game
Players serve up delicacies and fight monsters across various levels of a fantasy world in Sedap!. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
May 19, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Support local!
Singapore's indie game developers are serving up a really impressive selection of video games this year, and this is one in particular I'm happy to recommend:
Singapore's indie game developers are serving up a really impressive selection of video games this year, and this is one in particular I'm happy to recommend:
The increasingly bleak and dystopian shape of the economy inspired me to write this article:
Ghost jobs and AI girlfriends: A dystopian dictionary of modern financial anxiety
Understand today's economy with dystopian terms such as quiet vacationing and productivity theatre. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
May 17, 2025 at 3:16 AM
The increasingly bleak and dystopian shape of the economy inspired me to write this article:
In today's edition of the straits times, I write about what it's like to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life - and why it made me so so angry at our schools and attitudes towards mental health: www.straitstimes.com/life/hear-me...
May 4, 2025 at 6:30 AM
In today's edition of the straits times, I write about what it's like to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life - and why it made me so so angry at our schools and attitudes towards mental health: www.straitstimes.com/life/hear-me...
If you're at all interested in buying or renovating a home in Singapore, chances are you've come across Stacked Homes.
How did it become one of the island's leading sources of property advice and home inspiration? I spoke to the founders behind it to find out: www.straitstimes.com/life/home-de...
How did it become one of the island's leading sources of property advice and home inspiration? I spoke to the founders behind it to find out: www.straitstimes.com/life/home-de...
Stacked Homes: They tried to cut out property agents, but created one of S’pore’s top blogs instead
Stacked Homes aims to de-mystify real estate for Singaporeans. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
May 2, 2025 at 4:33 AM
If you're at all interested in buying or renovating a home in Singapore, chances are you've come across Stacked Homes.
How did it become one of the island's leading sources of property advice and home inspiration? I spoke to the founders behind it to find out: www.straitstimes.com/life/home-de...
How did it become one of the island's leading sources of property advice and home inspiration? I spoke to the founders behind it to find out: www.straitstimes.com/life/home-de...