Entry #2: 'I Will'-Take time to listen to what is being said without words.

The Singapore Air show is one of the World's top three air Shows and Asia's largest aerospace and defence exhibition. I'm sure many of you are aware that the exhibition kick started on 2nd Feb and will run till this Sunday, 7th Feb.

This international biennial (once every two years) event serves as a global market place and networking powerhouse for the world's aviation community. The air show features a series of high level conferences dedicated to leading players such as the 'Singapore Aviation leadership Summit'.

You don't have to be an aviation enthusiast to spend the day amid one of the world's best aircraft display at the sprawling purpose built centre located at Changi.

But why are such events organized for us?

Surely the Aviation Authority of Singapore (AAS), a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport, did not plan and spend millions for such an event, solely for our viewing pleasure?

Do we appreciate, or even understand the purpose it plans to serve?

For a start, let me organize your perception based on the concept of Proximity. In understanding that we commemorate 'Total Defence Day' on the 15th of Feb; the very day that we fell to the Japanese 48 years ago, we can obviously draw the link that both events (Total Defense and The Airshow) were meant to complement each other.

One of the aspects of Total defense is 'Military Defense', but the airshow encompasses another undercurrent aspect: Psychological defence; to develop loyalty, pride and trust among Singaporeans for their country. Why is this important?

In the context of the world today, vulnerability does not equate to size, however, our sizable 'disadvantage' does motivate the aggressors of world peace to consider shaking our grounds. We have seen such attempts of attack in the past. However psychologically, our Military forces have assured us, through their vigilant strategies that they'd always remain ahead of the game.

The Air show exhibition serves as a networking hub, where various power nations across the board secure partnerships in the Asia Pacific region and exchange thought-innovations with aviation's finest minds.
In doing so, Singapore portrays its keen interest in military empowerment and remaining tech-savvy, ultimately for security purposes. The exhibition is also the best time for strengthening confidence among Singaporeans. We are awe-struck by the fine display of our pilots, are we not?

There is reason for every doing.

Therefore, in organizing such events, the 'Singapore Airshow & Events Pte Ltd' (SAe), have made their rationale 'heard'. Through the use of non-verbal communication, the extremely impressive display of technological architecture contains intentional symbolic agenda, disseminating highly influential sources of meaning.

This is deliberately sent in the way mentioned above so that people within a certain group (Singaporeans) and out of it (other nations and potential aggressors) will be able to perceive and recognize this consensual meaning made:

"Don't underestimate our ability to make you shit yourself".

Ok I'm just kidding.
"Think before you mess with us. Seriously."

"I Will" is the theme for this year's Total Defence Day. So the next time you're lucky enough to visit the airshow exhibition, just like me, appreciate the subtle message transmitted through the noise in the skies.

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