Behind the facade

Behind the facade

I shall simply begin my introduction to a literary masterpiece with a letter sent to me by a client. His name has been changed to protect his privacy.
Dear Dr. Algernon,
I am Balan. I am a factory worker of Singapore Inc. We produce all types of electronic stuff including radios and hand phones. Recently, I got into big trouble at the factory and I am worried I may lose my job. I was accused of defamation and of disloyalty and everyone hates me now.
.....Dr. Algernon, I am confused. Am I a disloyal worker or just someone who's afraid of rocketing costs?
Reply
Well, my dear Balan, I do not think you are being disloyal at all. You were simply a product of Skinnerian conditioning. B.F. Skinner, a behaviourist, believed in operant conditioning which is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behaviour.

This is a non-reportable item.
This is a poem in an edited book of poems and short stories about contemporary Singaporean culture and politics. The publisher is an academic press in Malaysia.
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