Exploring the Advantages and Drawbacks of Autonomous Vehicles
Ren Siyu, Devin (5A)
Recently, the technology of autonomous cars has experienced rapid growth. It is not uncommon to hear news that driverless vehicles gain allowance in different cities such as New York and San Francisco. These developments have sparked a heated debate in society concerning autonomous cars. While some people claim that driverless cars are beneficial for humans, the opponents point out that the drawbacks should not be overlooked. In this essay, I am going to explore the pros and cons of having driverless cars.
The most obvious advantage is the increasing safety provided by self-driving systems compared to human drivers. According to research conducted by the Hong Kong Government, more than 91% traffic jams were caused by the errors of drivers. Clearly, the majority of traffic accidents can be avoided by AI driving systems. One of the reasons is that human drivers may lack attention, whereas AI systems do not. In addition, the reaction time of autonomous vehicles is significantly faster than that of humans, resulting in enhanced safety measures. As a result, driverless cars have the potential to prevent traffic accidents effectively.
Another benefit is that autonomous cars can be more efficient than traditional cars. By data sharing among different autonomous vehicles, computers can take more factors into consideration like traffic volume, in order to plan the quickest route. Besides, through the communication between driverless cars and traffic lights, the timing of red and green signals can be controlled so as to make the transportation system more efficient. Additionally, individuals can utilize their time productively, such as checking emails or making phone calls so that time can be saved. It is proved that driverless cars have the capability to enhance efficiency and convenience in daily life.
On the contrary, there are several concerns of autonomous vehicles. One of the major concerns is that self-driving cars maybe hacked. The notion of hackers gaining control of your vehicles poses a serious threat. What would happen if your car is controlled by criminals? There is uncertainty of whether it will reach your intended destination. Obviously, cyber security must be a primary concern in the development of autonomous vehicles.
In addition to cyber security, the really high cost of driverless cars will affect its development. Researching and implementing self-driving systems is definitely high cost. The researching and development phase would be at least 15 years. That means the companies have to invest continuously. As a result, the price of self-driving cars is likely be more expensive than conventional vehicles. Indeed, the autonomous systems have to be updated and repaired regularly due to the complicated systems, leading to a high cost of maintenance. Therefore, having driverless cars may increase financial pressure.
Overall, driverless cars are not perfect technical products. Both their benefits and drawbacks are obvious. However, in my opinion, the adoption of self-driving cars holds an immense potential for development in Hong Kong because of the shortage of labours. Driverless cars could very well be the future of transportation in Hong Kong, offering a solution to the challenges faced in the current transportation system.
A Letter of Complaint
Lam Yu Wing (5B)
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I recently visited Kowloon Country Park to enjoy its natural scenery and fresh air. Unfortunately, my experience was significantly affected by several issues that I believe require urgent attention. I am writing to share my concerns and offer suggestions for improvement.
Firstly, as I walked through the park, I noticed rubbish such as plastic bottles, tissues, and snack wrappers scattered everywhere. These items belong in rubbish bins, not on the ground. The sight was so unpleasant that it felt like walking through a landfill. To address this, I recommend placing more rubbish bins in high-traffic areas and installing clear signage to remind visitors to dispose of waste properly.
Secondly, I was disappointed to find lots of graffiti on the large rocks, which ruined the natural beauty of the park. Instead of feeling relaxed, I felt angry seeing such vandalism. I suggest not only posting more signs to discourage this behavior but also imposing fines on those caught defacing the park. Additionally, the graffiti should be cleaned quickly so that the park can look nice again.
Lastly, I found multiple unattended barbecue stations. It is common sense to extinguish fires after use, yet many visitors failed to do so. This poses a serious risk, as it could lead to forest fires, endangering wildlife such as monkeys, or even park visitors. To prevent this, I recommend hiring extra staff to monitor barbecue areas, reminding people to put out their fires before leaving. The staff could also assist in extinguishing any neglected fires. This may require additional resources, but it is far better than risking harm to people, animals, and the environment.
My experience at the country park was very disappointing. I hope the relevant department will take prompt action to address these issues, implementing my suggestions and raising public awareness about proper behavior in country parks. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I would appreciate any updates on planned improvements.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong
Amplify Your Sound in Music
Liu Lee Sho, Lisa (5C)
Have you ever invested your time and energy into crafting music, only to find that your talent goes unrecognized? Do you feel as though your music is submerged in an overwhelming sea of information, struggling to distinguish itself? Rest assured. You are not alone. I experienced this sense of obscurity. Allow me to show how I emerged from that challenging predicament.
Mastering the art of leveraging mainstream social media for promotion is essential for musicians in the digital age, as these platforms offer unparalleled opportunities to amplify their reach. To maximize your reach, choose a platform offer that goes well with your music, such as TikTok.
By sharing your recorded tracks and behind-the-scenes content through interactive posts, you can significantly boost fan engagement and foster a sense of loyalty. For those committed to a long-term career in music, maintaining regular interaction with your audience through responding to comments, building a tight-knit community, or incorporating fan feedback into your creative process can lead to the production of more resonant and impactful music. Furthermore, harnessing the power of platforms’ advertising tools and analytics enables precise audience targeting and the refinement of promotional strategies, ensuring your music reaches the right ears. Staying attuned to evolving trends and adapting to the dynamic landscape of social media are indispensable for achieving widespread recognition and success.
Musicians should endeavor to craft high-caliber music that aligns with contemporary events, thereby resonating with the public’s evolving aesthetic preferences. By astutely integrating social phenomena into your compositions, you can create works that not only captivate but also rapidly disseminate among audience. For instance, embedding pressing global concerns, such as environmental crises, societal upheavals or prevailing cultural trends into your lyrics can significantly amplify the relevance and impact of your music. Leveraging such topicality to garner media attention and public discourse, while consistently delivering superior creations, is paramount for you to distinguish yourself in an intensely competitive industry.
Collaboration stands as a multifaceted strategy in music promotion, enabling artists to achieve dual objectives with a single, well-executed endeavor. Once you have attained a modest level of recognition, further augmenting your prominence is through cross-disciplinary collaborations, which can significantly amplify the reach of your music on a national or even global scale. By partnering with other artists, producers, or creators from diverse fields, such as composing film scores or performing alongside dance groups, which you can extend the appeal of your music to a broader and more eclectic audience.
It is equally imperative that you engage in philanthropic music projects. These not only can elevate your public image but also can attract listeners from different walks of life. Such endeavors can bolster your reputation across various sectors, ultimately enabling a larger and more diverse audience to discover and appreciate your music.
Undoubtedly, assembling a proficient team can significantly elevate your music production. Engaging seasoned producers ensures the caliber of your compositions and facilitates the creative process. Concurrently adept marketers devise comprehensive promotional strategies to amplify your music’s reach, such as captivating new audience through live performances, concert tours, and music festivals. Moreover, securing media coverage, participating in interviews, and appearing on various programs can enhance your visibility.
Additionally, entering music competitions, vying for accolades, and garnering award nominations can substantially boost your reputation. These invaluable resources, often unattainable through solitary endeavors, are readily accessible with a dedicated team, thereby providing a more expansive platform for your musical creations to gain global recognition.
In essence, these are the insights in have garnered through years of relentless dedication. Musicians can effectively leverage social media platforms, incorporate contemporary events into their creative process, engage in interdisciplinary collaborations, and assemble a proficient team. With these auxiliary tools serving as invaluable assets alongside your high-caliber creations, the dissemination of music will undoubtedly achieve broader recognition. Alternatively, if you possess unique perspectives on advancing music, feel free to share them in the comment section for a constructive and harmonious discourse.
I hope that every music creator’s music can be widely spread!
A Letter to the Editor
Kwok Cheuk Yan (5D)
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the letter published by the Hong Kong Daily entitled “Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong,” posted on December 10, 2024. Ethnic minorities in Hong Kong face several significant challenges, and I feel compelled to illuminate this alarming issue.
To commence with, one major challenge ethnic minorities encounter in Hong Kong is cultural barriers. They often experience prejudice and social exclusion due to their skin color. In today's society, negative stereotypes associated with darker skin can lead to unfair treatment in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and social interactions. For instance, ethnic minorities frequently face discrimination in schools and workplaces, and some Hong Kong residents may view them with bias or even resort to using derogatory language. Unless the discrimination faced by ethnic minorities improves, it is clear that they will continue to struggle with integration into Hong Kong society.
In addition to social integration issues, language barriers significantly contribute to the difficulties faced by ethnic minorities. These barriers can lead to economic disparities, as many ethnic minorities struggle to find employment due to limited language skills. Often, they are confined to low-paying jobs, which is exacerbated by biases in recruitment processes. Recent studies indicate that nearly 80% of ethnic minorities are employed in low-wage positions, primarily due to their educational backgrounds. Many grassroots jobs, such as those in transportation and cleaning, are predominantly filled by ethnic minorities, highlighting the economic challenges they face. Clearly, language barriers can severely hinder their integration and economic opportunities.
Despite these pressing problems, there are effective measures that can help minority communities integrate into Hong Kong society.
First, the government can organize cultural exchange activities to address these cultural barriers. Such events would allow participants to share their traditions, customs, and perspectives, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. By engaging in dialogue and interaction, participants can reduce stereotypes and build better relationships within the community. Such cultural exchanges can significantly alleviate the feelings of isolation that newcomers and individuals from minority backgrounds often experience, helping them feel more connected to Hong Kong society.
To tackle language barriers, the government could implement interactive language lessons designed specifically for ethnic minorities. By teaching the local language in a fun and engaging manner—while incorporating cultural elements, participants can improve their conversational skills. Additionally, organizing small group discussions would provide a platform for ethnic minorities to practice daily conversations with one another, enhancing their confidence and fluency. These tailored language programs would not only improve their communication skills but also facilitate their integration into the broader community by allowing them to engage more fully in daily interactions.
In conclusion, while ethnic minorities constitute an important part of Hong Kong's labor force, they face significant challenges in integrating into society. I sincerely hope that the Hong Kong government will take steps to address these issues by promoting cultural exchange activities and providing effective language lessons.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong