Also Consider This

Singapore’s birth rate has been falling for years. Policies have been introduced, incentives have been increased, and yet the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) continues to decline to worryingly low levels.But behind the numbers, there are still individuals and couples who choose to have children.In this episode, we speak with millennial dads at different stages of fatherhood. From those preparing for it to those already raising one or more children. Through their experiences, we explore a more human side of the issue: how people think about having kids, what readiness really means, and why some still decide to move forward even when they do not feel 100% ready.This is an attempt to explore and understand the challenges behind one of the most important life decisions, and what that might reveal about Singapore’s broader fertility challenge.Whether you are considering having children, already a parent, or simply trying to make sense of Singapore’s low TFR, this conversation offers a grounded perspective from those living through it.Topics covered:- Feeling “ready” to have kids, or deciding to go for it anyway - How fatherhood changes priorities and identity - Why some stop at one or two children - The gap between ideal family size and reality - Personal decisions within a low TFR environmentFeaturing Guests:Mark — father of one Ronald — father of two 🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This, a podcast for analytical, clearer thinking about life in Singapore, and how we can improve it.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcast

Singapore’s total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen to historic lows, raising urgent questions about the country’s future. Despite decades of policies, incentives, and support schemes, birth rates remain stubbornly low — so what’s really going on?In this episode of Also Consider This, we break down the deeper drivers behind Singapore’s declining birth rate. Is it the cost of raising children, workplace pressures, and childcare constraints — or is there a larger cultural shift where marriage and parenthood are no longer seen as essential?We examine whether government incentives like baby bonuses and parental support are enough, or if the real issue lies in changing mindsets, priorities, and social norms. Drawing from historical policy signals, recent data, and international comparisons, this episode explores why TFR isn’t recovering — and what it might take to change that.Topics covered:Why Singapore’s TFR remains below replacement levelsPolicy vs culture: what’s actually driving low birth ratesWorkplace pressures, childcare gaps, and cost concernsThe shift from “starting a family” to delaying parenthoodWhy incentives alone may not be enoughWhat other countries have done differently🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This, a podcast for analytical, clearer thinking bout life in Singapore, and how we can improve it.

“What does ‘we-first’ actually mean in Singapore?”The phrase sounds right, but people hear very different things. Some think it’s civic responsibility. Others think it’s exclusionary. And in the absence of a shared definition, competitive instincts fill the gap.In this episode, we unpack the confusion around “we-first”, why debates about inclusion may be premature, and how sinkie-pwn-sinkie behaviour persists when norms are unclear.🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This, a podcast for analytical, clearer thinking about life in Singapore, and how we can improve it.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcastChapters00:00 – Introduction: What is a "We-First" Society?15:39 – How far are we from a we-first society? Are we really a sinkie-pwn-sinkie society?28:44 – How can we build a society we want, we-first or otherwise?42:36 – TIL: Why do your new shoes bite your heels?46:57 – TIL: Sony has stopped making blank blu-ray discs

Why has school food in Singapore become so controversial? The backlash over school canteens points to deeper questions than taste or price.In this episode, we look at recent reactions to centrally prepared meals and hybrid canteen models, and why school food has become such an emotionally charged issue. We move beyond complaints about quality to ask a more fundamental question: what are school canteens actually for?🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This, a podcast for analytical, clearer thinking about life in Singapore, and how we can improve it.Picture Credit for Minna Sundberg. Purchase a copy of the image on a poster here: https://hivemill.com/products/stand-still-stay-silent-language-family-tree-posterChapters00:00 – Introduction01:50 – Part 1: The problems with Singapore school canteens today12:38 – Part 2: What is the purpose of Singapore school canteens?52:51 – Part 3: What is our recommendation for school canteens?56:48 – TIL: Why do doors have sub-panels on them?01:00:04 – TIL: The roots of the Hungarian language

There is more football than ever before, yet many fans are watching less of it.In this episode, Alastair and Guo Feng reflect on how packed calendars, expanding tournaments, and modern life have reshaped the way fans engage with football. Rather than blaming fatigue or apathy, they explore why being selective has become a reasonable, even necessary, response.This conversation is about attention, meaning, trade-offs, and why loving football does not always mean watching every match.ChaptersChapters00:00 – Intro: More football in 202601:10 – Expanded World Cup explained03:00 – Is there too much football?05:30 – Club vs international overload12:45 – Time zones and watching from Asia14:00 – Being selective as a fan22:30 – More matches, same stakes23:48 – Money talks in football27:14 – TIL: Why it’s called “Kapchai”30:03 – TIL: How to pronounce “Budapest”

Food articles are supposed to add clarity. Instead, many now prioritise outrage, punchy headlines, and simplified narratives that spark anger but explain very little.In this episode of Also Consider This, we examine recent food and hawker-related coverage and ask what we lose when articles are written to provoke reaction rather than provide depth. We discuss how shallow framing fuels public anger, why hawkers and F&B operators often bear the cost of these narratives, and how conversations about food prices and closures become distorted along the way.This is not a defence of bad food, nor an attack on criticism. It is a critique of how food stories are framed, and why anger-driven coverage ultimately prevents more honest discussions about sustainability, costs, quality, and choice in the food ecosystem.If you care about food culture, media responsibility, and having better conversations beyond headlines, this episode is for you.🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This — the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge… so we can all be Also Clever Thinkers.⏱ Chapters00:02:13 — ST Life Article on “Disappearing Singaporean Diner”00:04:11 — STOMP Yong Tau Foo Article Summary00:07:55 — Consider This: What Drives Media Profitability?00:10:28 — Our Beef With the STOMP YTF Article (Too Headline-Heavy)00:12:46 — Doxxing the STOMP Writer Is Not Right00:13:56 — We Understand the Anger00:14:53 — The “Secret War” in Hawker Culture: Cheap vs Quality00:21:04 — There Is Space for Different Hawker Price Points00:23:26 — If It’s Too Expensive for You, Just Move On00:24:26 — The Market Is the Market: Consumers Vote With Their Wallets00:29:18 — Parting Shot 1: Journalists Need to Dive Deeper00:30:35 — Parting Shot 2: SPH Has Not Done Proper Investigative Journalism for Years00:32:02 — Are Newspapers Crap Because of Short Attention Spans?00:33:18 — Today I Learnt: Was Nike Fined by the NBA for Air Jordans?00:35:47 — Today I Learnt: Creatine Is Also a Brain Supplement

What in 2025 really changed about how we think?In the final episode of Also Consider This for 2025, we step away from external topics and spend time reflecting inward. Using six structured reflection questions adapted from a Mel Robbins podcast, we look back on the year and use it as a grounding point to think about how we want to approach 2026.We talk candidly about burnout, mental health, career uncertainty, creativity, experimentation, and what it meant to finally start this podcast after years of talking about it. We also unpack what we learnt about process, failure, iteration, and why reflection matters more than setting surface-level resolutions.This episode is designed to be experienced alongside us. As you listen, you’re invited to pause, reflect, and answer the same six questions for yourself, using our conversation as a reference point rather than a template.We got these questions from this episode of the Mel Robbins podcast:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeD8tpOCyIY🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This — the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge… so we can all be Also Clever Thinkers.

Was Singapore really built by one man, or have we simplified a much bigger story about the people who shaped the nation?Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy looms large in Singapore’s national story, and rightly so. But over time, the way we remember history can become simplified, turning a collective effort into a single name.In this episode, we ask whether Singapore has lionised LKY too much, and why that lionisation exists in the first place. We explore how focusing on one figure can provide clarity, identity, and continuity, but also how it can unintentionally obscure the wider team that made Singapore what it is today.We then turn our attention to the first-generation leaders who worked alongside LKY, many of whom younger Singaporeans may not know or remember. From economic development and defence, to housing, foreign policy, education, and social institutions, we revisit their contributions and why they mattered.This conversation is not about diminishing one man’s legacy. It is about recognising that Singapore was built by a team, and by its people, and that remembering the full story matters if we want a more grounded understanding of our past.

In a system where complaints often lead to results, the incentive to complain becomes hard to resist.Why complaining works in Singapore, and why that’s a problem.From MRT breakdowns to scheduled maintenance shutdowns, complaints about public services in Singapore often lead to quick responses and visible action. That effectiveness raises an uncomfortable question: if complaining works so well, have we become too reliant on it?

Why do sports in public spaces keep sparking complaints, and what does it say about how we coexist in a dense city?Pickleball complaints have sparked heated reactions in Singapore, but they are part of a much bigger pattern.In this episode, we use pickleball as a starting point to explore why sports like football, basketball, and cycling keep running into conflict in public spaces. We unpack the frustrations around noise, safety, space, and inconvenience, and ask whether these tensions reflect intolerance, poor design, or the realities of dense urban living.Rather than choosing sides, we look for nuance and possible ways forward, and ask what coexistence in shared spaces should really look like.

Is hiring local talent really the best way forward for Singapore football?In this episode, we dive into the debate around local versus foreign coaches, and what those choices say about trust, development, and expectations within Singapore football. We discuss why criticism emerges so quickly, whether scepticism is justified, and how much patience is actually required when building a long-term system.This is less about one coach, and more about how belief, identity, and credibility are built over time in sport, and in institutions more broadly.🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This — the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge… so we can all be Also Clever Thinkers.Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcast⁠Watch us on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rInsZVHA5qs⏱ Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:05:10 Was Gavin Lee an emotional appointment with no thought?00:25:52 The Wider Social Argument Exposed: Local vs Foreign Talent00:49:33 Why Nationality Does Not Matter00:51:32 Lions Should Play in Jalan Besar ONLY01:03:29 How Shameless/Shameful Are We?01:04:55 TIL Why Some Cameras Are More Expensive01:09:48 TIL Pencils Don't Kill With Lead01:12:39 Guo Feng Explains Chemistry O Level Practical Exams

4 things worth watching this week, from emotional deep dives to clever creators, plus two Today I Learnt moments.This week’s edition of "Also Consume This" features four pieces of content that genuinely caught our attention. From strange internet rabbit holes to historical storytelling, and from surprisingly emotional videos to small creators doing clever, meaningful work, we break down why these stood out and how they fed our curiosity.Each of us brings two things worth your time, and we unpack what they made us think about, and why they lingered long after watching. If you are looking for something fresh to watch or listen to, this episode is our weekly watchlist, curated with zero doomscrolling guilt.We wrap with our Today I Learnt segments, where each of us shares one idea or insight that changed how we see things this week.Links to the Things We Consumed:Extra History: Ned Kellyhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb-B6kBKlQjNskAfZNbBkR-2ZqmSYzf9zhongisboredhttps://www.youtube.com/@UCR1PCKbQBI-xrSNlY194zpgtehsiewdaihttps://www.youtube.com/@UC4Fu_PxKyYXszbDDhxrbxoAWhy Single-Origin Coffee Is So Expensivehttps://youtu.be/Dmpnrtey3YU?si=Pi5uLL21lUJEPE_L🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This — the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge… so we can all be Also Clever Thinkers.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcastWatch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rInsZVHA5qs⏱ Chapters00:00 — Intro01:33 — The Infamous Ned Kelly (Alastair)15:28 — tehsiewdai (Guo Feng)21:28 — Why Single-Origin Coffee is So Expensive (Alastair)31:13 — hongisbored (Guo Feng)39:00 — TIL: Why AirPods Keep Dropping Out (Alastair)44:35 — TIL: Why "Love" Means Zero in Tennis (Guo Feng)49:40 — Outro

Are Singaporeans really indifferent to our national football team or have we just forgotten how to believe?Singapore football has history, heartbreak, and moments of glory, but why does it feel like no one really cares anymore?In this episode, Alastair and Guo Feng question whether Singaporeans are truly unexcitable people, or if our relationship with the national football team has just been slowly eroded by disappointment, poor systems, and lack of belief. From the glory days of the Lions to empty stadiums and muted reactions, we dive into what went wrong, and whether there’s still hope to revive national pride in Singapore football.Is the problem the players? The system? The fans? Or are we simply doomed to be emotionally flat as a nation?🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This — the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge… so we can all be Also Clever Thinkers.

Are rents truly the reason why so many F&B businesses are closing in Singapore?This week, we welcome our friend Tim, who works in the food and beverage industry, to break down the various challenges F&B businesses face, including rent, labour, material costs, and increased competition.Rent is a visible factor, but Tim shares a different perspective that goes beyond rent, and that there are many more difficulties that can cause an F&B business to stumble.🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This — the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge… so we can all be Also Clever Thinkers.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcast

This week we’re taking a breather and talking about what we consumed.In this episode Alastair and Guo Feng walk through four pieces of media that stuck with them:Item 1 — 99% Invisible - Life and Death in Singapore (How cemeteries are making way for living in Singapore) https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/singapore/Item 2 — Twenty Thousand Hertz - SM7: The mic that shaped sound and culturehttps://www.20k.org/episodes/sm7Item 3 — The Greatest Raid of All Timehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07Zd0Oy8JyQItem 4 — JetLag by Wendover Productionshttps://www.youtube.com/c/jetlagthegameNew episodes of Also Consider This every week: the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge

Everyone’s angry. Trains break down — angry. Hawkers get reviewed — angry. A tragedy hits the news — furious.In this episode of Also Consider This, Alastair and Guo Feng ask:Why are we all so quick to outrage these days?They trace the emotional fatigue behind Singapore’s growing anger — from burnout and empathy overload to the way social media turns frustration into fuel. Featuring reflections on the Megan Kong case, online discourse, and how we can stay human in an age of endless noise.🎙️ Also Consider This — the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge… so we can all be Also Clever Thinkers.

When a TikTok food vlogger started “Exposing Michelin Hawkers” it triggered angry responses.Lucas the Boss says he’s just being honest about his food experiences. But many felt he crossed a line by being negative. So where’s the balance between honesty and empathy?In this episode of Also Consider This, we dive into:The Lucas the Boss saga and why it struck such a nerveWhat makes a food review helpful versus harmfulHow old-school reviewers like ieatishootipost and KF Seetoh/Makansutra built a culture of respectWhether sponsored reviews can ever truly be “honest”And how influencers can stay authentic without tearing others downNew episodes of Also Consider This every week: the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge

In this explosive episode of Also Consider This (ACT #5), hosts Alastair and Guo Feng dive into the massive controversy surrounding illegal cross-border private hire vehicles (PHVs) and the chaotic Singapore-Malaysia Causeway crossing.The problem runs deeper than simple supply and demand. We break down the multiple layers of conflict, from the outdated regulations that frustrate commuters to the economic reality faced by drivers on both sides.In this episode, you will learn:- Why the World's Busiest Land Border still lacks "elegant" transport solutions, including the difficulty of getting KTM train tickets and the danger of walking across the causeway.- The shocking cost disparity of operating a PHV: why a Singaporean car paying $2.88 per liter of petrol and high COE simply cannot compete with Malaysian counterparts.-The strict 400-car taxi quota (200 from each side) and the bizarre rule that mandates pickup/dropoff only at Queen Street/JB Sentral, ignoring the decentralised modern commute.- Why Singaporean PHV drivers are frustrated, leading to confrontations and why the current rules are a regulatory failure that hasn't kept up with the times.Find out more about what Guo Feng learnt recently about the NATO phonetic alphabet here on YouTube:https://youtu.be/UAT-eOzeY4M?si=4tT8ddxDY2aWWAKeFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcastListen to us on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@alsoconsiderthisChapters:00:00:00 Introduction: Welcome to ACT500:00:13 The World's Busiest Border00:04:10 Main Topic: The Cross-Border Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Crisis00:05:45 How to Cross to JB from Singapore: All the Legal Options00:07:05 The Strict 400-Car Taxi Quota and Designated Terminals (Queen St/JB Sentral)00:09:05 The Friction Problem: Why Non-Car Owners Rarely Cross the Border00:10:25 Why Travellers Use a PHV Instead of a Licensed Taxi00:16:14 Why Singaporean PHV Drivers Are Unhappy with Malaysian PHV Cars00:22:54 Malaysian PHV Drivers are Unhappy with Regulations Too00:26:00 RTS Trains Will Solve the Problem?00:27:45 Why We Need New Rules to Support the Special Economic Zone (SEZ)00:30:53 Old Taxi Rules Won't Work in the SEZ Era00:43:07 We Want A Win-Win Resolution00:45:58 Today I Learnt (TIL) Segment00:57:30 Wrap Up & Call to Action

Welcome to Also Consider This, the podcast where we value nuance, perspective, and knowledge so that we can all be clever thinkers.In this episode, we tackle the debate surrounding the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. While the race puts Singapore on the map for the world’s wealthy, we ask: Who is F1 really for?We break down the controversies of the F1 weekend, from the MRT post-concert chaos that left fans stranded, to the "ignorant" social media comments about who should pay for late train hours. We also reveal the surprising cost model of the race, including the government's 60-70% subsidy of the direct running cost.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcastListen and watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alsoconsiderthis00:00 Introduction: Welcome To Our New Monday Schedule00:01:02 Our Own F1 Fan Talk00:04:17 The Social Media Problem: Why F1 Comment Sections Get Toxic00:06:36 F1 for All? Or All for F1?00:07:34 The MRT Closure and Concert Chaos00:10:05 The Cost of Hosting and the Government Subsidy00:12:10 The F1 Financial Model: The Host Fee and Economic Trade-offs00:36:36 The Global Image: Why F1 Puts Singapore on the Map for 'Rich People' 00:41:25 Are Locals Priced Out During F1 Weekend?00:48:07 Missed Tourism? Why the F1 Calendar Shift Hurt Golden Week Traffic00:54:34 Today I Learnt (Guo Feng) Why Vinegar?00:59:00 Today I Learnt (Alastair) The Origins of Southeast Asian Chinese School Uniforms01:02:22 Reflections on a Missed Episode

In this episode, we ask if nostalgic merchandise is truly meaningful, or just a cash grab by companies and scalpers taking advantage of our soft spot for the past?We dive into the world of nostalgia and collectibles, discussing everything from iconic brands like Adidas and their history to cherished childhood franchises like Pokemon and Power Rangers. We explore how these items, though now sometimes virtual, hold sentimental value and how platforms like eBay have made buying and selling these collectibles more accessible. The conversation touches on the intersection of physical and virtual collections, the economic aspects, and the role of nostalgia in today's culture.Also Consider This is hosted by Alastair and Guo Feng.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcastListen and watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alsoconsiderthis

Do you realise you pay money to access everything, from music to games, movies, and TV shows, but pretty much own nothing for that payment?Perhaps holding on to old-school physical media like records, CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray isn't that silly after all. We discuss why choosing between streaming and discs is not as straightforward think, why we still own and even acquire new physical media, and why we can't just get rid of streaming even though we may dislike it. Is there space for all of them to co-exist?Also Consider This is hosted by Alastair and Guo Feng.

In our very first episode, we discuss launching our new podcast focused on sharing knowledge and exploring topics in-depth.We talk about our approach to discussions, ranging from politics to technology, emphasising values like respect, curiosity, and good faith arguments while avoiding oversimplified "10-word answers" to complex issues.Also Consider This is hosted by Alastair and Guo Feng.