I seem to remember that William Gibson spent a few days in Singapore and like most Western visitors to non-Western countries was able to plumb its depths and grok it fully in that time.
Even in 1993 — which was my first visit to Singapore — you could easily find many of the things he bemoaned missing.
It sounds like he stayed in a hotel in Orchard and limited his exposure to what he could see there and in the CBD (Central Business District).
He made zero effort, it appears, to go into the heartlands or to visit Tiong Bahru or the various heritage areas.
To me it is just one more example of the White Westerner visiting the "exotic land", and becoming an instant expert.
Oh, and that running off and catching the next flight out of town. I highly doubt that in those days you would just jump on a plane without a little pre-planning.
Even in 1993 — which was my first visit to Singapore — you could easily find many of the things he bemoaned missing.
It sounds like he stayed in a hotel in Orchard and limited his exposure to what he could see there and in the CBD (Central Business District).
He made zero effort, it appears, to go into the heartlands or to visit Tiong Bahru or the various heritage areas.
To me it is just one more example of the White Westerner visiting the "exotic land", and becoming an instant expert.
Oh, and that running off and catching the next flight out of town. I highly doubt that in those days you would just jump on a plane without a little pre-planning.