LKY-Themed Gold Sparks Online Debate: Reverence or Commercialization?
An online conversation has recently picked up steam after a user stumbled upon a livestream promoting gold and silver products featuring the image of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. The discovery quickly ignited a discussion, not just about the legality and appropriateness of such commercialization, but also about the quality and investment value of these unique items.
The original poster shared images from the livestream, expressing surprise and noting a particular issue with the product's design:
came across this tiktok live stream promoting gold/silver plate/coin with LKY print on it...... like that can meh...... the best is the print workmanship is so fugly.
This immediately sparked a flurry of reactions, with many users questioning the legitimacy and ethics of monetizing such a prominent national figure. A user pondered:
Can use his image like this meh? Another commenter expressed similar doubts:
Don't think this is legal. Like that you can put Trump face on the coin and then see what happens to you.
Beyond the legal and ethical questions, the discussion quickly turned to the practicalities and risks of purchasing gold through such a channel. Several users cautioned against buying precious metals online from unknown sellers, citing concerns about authenticity and value. One user advised:
Would advise against buying gold online. If want it as an investment, buy the bar form from proper retailers. At least there is a proper paper trail.
Another commenter pointed out potential financial drawbacks:
lol @ the mark up vs spot price. From an unknown seller no less.
The "fugly" workmanship mentioned by the original poster also provided some lighthearted moments amidst the more serious debate. A user humorously compared the image to another infamous statue:
Was this inspired by the Ronaldo bust? Another simply observed:
Nostrils damn big
While many expressed discomfort with the commercial use of LKY's image, some users took a more cynical view, suggesting it was an inevitable outcome of public reverence. One user remarked:
Nothing wrong. Rot starts from the top, idol worship of LKY, and now we are seeing everyone cashing in. Exactly the opposite of what LKY wanted. All thanks to the char siew
This online discussion highlights a fascinating tension between national pride and commercial enterprise. It raises questions about the boundaries of intellectual property when it comes to national icons and the public's perception of their appropriate use. As more figures become ingrained in collective memory, the debate over how their likeness and legacy can be used, particularly for profit, is likely to continue. It remains to be seen if products like these will gain traction or simply remain a curious talking point in the online sphere.