Blood pressure: For a 75-year-old man the general target office blood pressure.....

Google search answer 

https://share.google/aimode/E3hx5oQpryQrF9rWV

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For a 75-year-old man, the general target office blood pressure is less than 140/90 mmHg (and ideally under 130/80 mmHg if he is active, independent, and tolerates the medication well). [1, 2, 3]

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Recommended Blood Pressure Targets for Age 75

Standard / General Target: Less than 140/90 mmHg is widely recommended for older adults aged 65 to 79 to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. [1, 2]
Aggressive / Fit Target: Less than 130/80 mmHg (or close to <120/80 mmHg) may be pursued if the individual is healthy, active, and has no history of severe dizziness, falls, or multi-organ fragility. [1, 2]
Frailer / High-Caution Target: Less than 140/90 mmHg or a systolic range of 140–150 mmHg is preferred if he experiences frequent lightheadedness, has multiple chronic illnesses, takes several medications, or is prone to falls. [1, 2]

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Key Considerations

Isolated Systolic Hypertension: Many individuals in their 70s have normal diastolic pressure (under 80–89 mmHg) paired with high systolic pressure (above 140 mmHg) due to natural stiffening of the arteries. [1]
Avoiding Low Pressure (Hypotension): Blood pressure that drops too low (systolic consistently under 100 mmHg or accompanied by dizziness and fatigue) can lead to dangerous falls or reduced blood flow to the brain and kidneys. [1, 2]
Personalized Assessment: Targets should always be confirmed with a primary care physician or cardiologist who can balance cardiovascular protection against side effects and overall physical frailty. [1, 2]

My Weight Statistics (2026-10-28) ---- Monthly Weight Measurement on the 28th of Each Month Since 28 May 2007

My Weight Statistics (2026-10-28) ---- Monthly Weight Measurement on the 28th of Each Month Since 28 May 2007

My 19-year Weight Management Records from 2007-05-28 to 2026-10-28 (by Calorie Restriction, i.e. Dietary Energy Restriction) (Ref. JN1):

My 19-year Weight Management Records from 2007-05-28 to 2026-10-28 (by Calorie Restriction, i.e. Dietary Energy Restriction) (Ref. JN1):

Note: According to the Singapore Health Promotion Board, a Healthy BMI is greater than18.5 and less than 23.0. A BMI less than 18.5 would mean that the individual is at risk of nutrition deficiency diseases and osteoporosis. 

A BMI equal or greater than 23.0 would mean that the individual is at risk of obesity-related diseases. (Ref: DD-Md2022J28)

As of 2026-10-28,

Note: ### indicates BMI = 23 or > 23

Total number of Monthly Weight monitored was 233 (100%)

The no. of times my healthy BMI between 18.5 and 22.9 was 228 (97.854%)

The no. of times my unhealthy BMI equal or more than 23.000 was 5 (2.146%)

=======================

2007

2007-05-28 morning, my weight = 65.0 kg, BMI = 23.588###

2007-06-28 morning, my weight = 61.0 kg, BMI = 22.136

2007-07-28 morning, my weight = 59.0 kg, BMI = 21.410

2007-08-28 morning, my weight = 58.7 kg, BMI = 21.302

2007-09-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866

2007-10-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866

2007-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394

2007-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140

2008

2008-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886

2008-02-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886

2008-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777

2008-04-28 morning, my weight = 54.4 kg, BMI = 19.741

2008-05-28 morning, my weight = 54.1 kg, BMI = 19.632

2008-06-28 morning, my weight = 54.6 kg, BMI = 19.814

2008-07-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777

2008-08-28 morning, my weight = 54.3 kg, BMI = 19.705

2008-09-28 morning, my weight = 54.9 kg, BMI = 19.923

2008-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068

2008-11-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777

2008-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177

2009

2009-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886

2009-02-28 morning, my weight = 55.9 kg, BMI = 20.285

2009-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886

2009-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068

2009-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104.

2009-06-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031

2009-07-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995

2009-08-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031

2009-09-28 morning, my weight = 56.3 kg, BMI = 20.431

2009-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249

2009-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394

2009-12-28 morning, my weight = 56.1 kg, BMI = 20.358

2010

2010-01-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177

2010-02-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503

2010-03-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467

2010-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.7 kg, BMI = 20.213

2010-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995

2010-06-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467

2010-07-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140

2010-08-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249

2010-09-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249

2010-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104

2010-11-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177

2010-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140

2011

2011-01-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104

2011-02-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503

2011-03-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177

2011-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.7 kg, BMI = 20.213

2011-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177

2011-06-28 morning, my weight = 56.3 kg, BMI = 20.431

2011-07-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503

2011-08-28 morning, my weight = 56.9 kg, BMI = 20.649

2011-09-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394

2011-10-28 morning, my weight = 56.8 kg, BMI = 20.613

2011-11-28 morning, my weight = 59.0 kg, BMI = 21.410

2011-12-28 morning, my weight = 60.3 kg, BMI = 21.882

2012

2012-01-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318

2012-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753

2012-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.5 kg, BMI = 22.681

2012-04-28 morning, my weight = 61.3 kg, BMI = 22.246

2012-05-28 morning, my weight = 60.7 kg, BMI = 22.028

2012-06-28 morning, my weight = 60.6 kg, BMI = 21.992

2012-07-28 morning, my weight = 61.2 kg, BMI = 22.209

2012-08-28 morning, my weight = 60.8 kg, BMI = 22.064

2012-09-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318**

2012-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608

2012-11-28 morning, my weight = 63.4 kg, BMI = 23.008###

2012-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826

2013

2013-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863

2013-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536

2013-03-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318

2013-04-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg, BMI = 22.899****

2013-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608

2013-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572

2013-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645

2013-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg BMI = 22.717

2013-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg BMI = 22.645**

2013-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609

2013-11-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg BMI = 22.899

2013-12-28 morning, my weight = 64.4 kg BMI = 23.371###

2014

2014-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.6 kg, BMI = 23.080###

2014-02-28 morning, my weight = 63.3 kg, BMI = 22.971

2014-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753

2014-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753

2014-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826

2014-06-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg BMI = 22.899

2014-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753

2014-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572

2014-09-28 morning, my weight = 61.2 kg, BMI = 22.209

2014-10-28 morning, my weight = 61.4 kg, BMI = 22.282

2014-11-28 morning, my weight = 60.2 kg, BMI = 21.846

2014-12-28 morning, my weight = 60.8 kg, BMI = 22.064

2015

2015-01-28 morning, my weight = 61.3 kg, BMI = 22.246

2015-02-28 morning, my weight = 61.8 kg, BMI = 22.427

2015-03-28 morning, my weight = 61.8 kg, BMI = 22.427

2015-04-28 morning, my weight = 62,5. kg, BMI = 22.681

2015-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645

2015-06-28 morning, my weight = 63.6 kg, BMI = 23.080###

2015-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609

2015-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572

2015-09-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863

2015-10-28 morning, my weight = 63.2 kg, BMI = 22.935

2015-11-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg, BMI = 22.717

2015-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609

2016

2016-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863

2016-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.8 kg, BMI = 22.790

2016-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499

2016-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499

2016-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645

2016-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536

2016-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572

2016-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg, BMI = 22.717

2016-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.8 kg, BMI = 22.790

2016-10-28 morning, my weight = 62,5. kg, BMI = 22.681

2016-11-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536

2016-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608

2017

2017-01-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826

2017-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.644

2017-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.8 kg, BMI = 22.789

2017-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.609

2017-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572

2017-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg, BMI = 22.717

2017-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645

2017-08-28 morning, my weight = 61.9 kg, BMI = 22.463

2017-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499

2017-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499

2017-11-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318

2017-12-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318

2018

My Weight 2018-01-28 0934 hr 61.0 kg BMI 22.136

My Weight 2018-02-28 0915 hr 60.7 kg BMI 22.027

My Weight 2018-03-28 0620 hr 61.0 kg BMI 22.136

My Weight 2018-04-28 1005 hr 61.7 kg BMI 22.390

My Weight 2018-05-28 0856 hr 60.5 kg BMI 21.955

My Weight 2018-06-28 0600 hr 61.4 kg BMI 22.281

My Weight 2018-07-28 0600 hr 62.2 kg BMI 22.572

My Weight 2018-08-28 0720 hr 61.4 kg BMI 22.281

My Weight 2018-09-28 0805 hr 62.1 kg BMI 22.535

My Weight 2018-10-28 0750 hr 61.3 kg BMI 22.24

My Weight 2018-11-28 1000 hr 61.5 kg BMI 22.318

My Weight 2018-12-28 0650 hr 62.5 kg BMI 22.681

2019

2019-01-28 at 1000 hr 60.9 kg BMI 22.100

2019-02-28 at 0946 hr 61.0 kg BMI 22.136

2019-03-28 at 0700 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.644

2019-04-28 at 0828 hr 62.9 kg BMI 22.826

2019-05-28 at 0745 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.826

2019-06-28 at 0650 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.644

2019-07-28 at 0736 hr 62.8 kg BMI 22.789

2019-08-28 at 0629 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.644

2019-09-28 at 0644 hr 61.9 kg BMI 22.463

2019-10-28 at 0740 hr 62.5 kg BMI 22.681

2019-11-28 at 0632 hr 62.8 kg BMI 22.789

2019-12-28 at 0726 hr 62.5 kg BMI 22.681

2020

My Weight 2020-01-28 0625 HR  62.6 kg BMI 22.717

My Weight 2020-02-28 0728 HR  62.3 kg BMI 22.608

My Weight 2020-03-28 0649 HR  61.4 kg BMI 22.281

My Weight 2020-04-28 0810 HR  62.0 kg BMI 22.499

My Weight 2020-05-28 0714 HR  62.3 kg BMI 22.608

My Weight 2020-06-28 0757 HR  60.2 kg BMI 21.846

My Weight 2020-07-28 0715 HR  61.6 kg BMI 22.354

My Weight 2020-08-28 0707 HR  61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2020-09-28 0609 HR  60.8 kg BMI 22.064

My Weight 2020-10-28 0818 HR  60.7 kg BMI 22.027

My Weight 2020-11-28 0706 HR  60.9 kg BMI 22.100

My Weight 2020-12-28 0631 HR  60.5 kg BMI 21.955

2021

My Weight 2021-01-28 0638 HR  61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2021-02-28 0741 HR  61.2 kg BMI 22.209

My Weight 2021-03-28 0659 HR  61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2021-04-28 0659 HR  61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2021-05-28 0618 HR  61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2021-06-28 0604 HR  61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2021-07-28 0642 HR  61.2 kg BMI 22.209

My Weight 2021-08-28 0653 HR  61.5 kg BMI 22.318

My Weight 2021-09-28 0618 HR  61.5 kg BMI 22.318

My Weight 2021-10-28 0549 HR  61.0 kg BMI 22.136

My Weight 2021-11-28 0630 HR  61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2021-12-28 0528 HR  61.6 kg BMI 22.354

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2022

My Weight 2022-01-28 0910 HR  61.1 kg  BMI 22.173

My Weight 2022-02-28 0642 HR  61.2 kg  BMI 22.209

My Weight 2022-03-28 0649 HR  61.4 kg  BMI 22.281

My Weight 2022-04-28 0649 HR  61.4 kg  BMI 22.281

My Weight 2022-05-28 0549 HR  61.0 kg  BMI 22.136

My Weight 2022-06-28 0549 HR  61.0 kg  BMI 22.136

My Weight 2022-07-28 0700 HR  60.6 kg  BMI 21.991

My Weight 2022-08-28 0640 HR  61.3 kg  BMI 22.245

My Weight 2022-09-28 0738 HR  61.7 kg  BMI 22.390

My Weight 2022-10-28 0708 HR  61.5 kg  BMI 22.318

My Weight 2022-11-28 0706 HR  60.9 kg BMI 22.100

My Weight 2022-12-28 0722 HR  61.1 kg  BMI 22.173

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2023

My Weight 2023-01-28 0537 HR 60.9 kg BMI 22.100

My Weight 2023-02-28 0515 HR 61.4 kg  BMI 22.281

My Weight 2023-03-28 0606 HR  61.3 kg  BMI 22.245

My Weight 2023-04-28 0738 HR  61.3 kg  BMI 22.245

My Weight 2023-05-28 0721 HR  61.0 kg  BMI 22.136

My Weight 2023-06-28 0641 HR  61.2 kg  BMI 22.209

My Weight 2023-07-28 0700 HR  60.9 kg BMI 22.100

My Weight 2023-08-28 0655 HR  61.3 kg  BMI 22.245

My Weight 2022-09-28 0738 HR  61.7 kg  BMI 22.390

My Weight 2022-10-28 0708 HR  61.5 kg  BMI 22.318

My Weight 2023-11-28 0612 HR 61.4 kg  BMI 22.281

My Weight 2023-12-28 0734HR  61.3 kg  BMI 22.245

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2024

My Weight 2024-01-28 0734 HR  61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2024-02-28 0510 HR  61.6 kg BMI 22.354

My Weight 2024-03-28 0642 HR  60.9 kg BMI 22.100

My Weight 2024-04-28 0721 HR  61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2024-05-28 0537 HR  61.3 kg BMI 22.245

My Weight 2024-06-28 0651 HR  61.5 kg BMI 22.318

My Weight 2024-07-28 0612 HR 61.4 kg  BMI 22.281

My Weight 2024-08-28 0747 HR  61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2024-09-28 0640 HR  61.1 kg BMI 22.173

My Weight 2024-10-28 0546 HR  61.5 kg BMI 22.318

My Weight 2024-11-28 0706 HR 61.4 kg  BMI 22.281

My Weight 2024-12-28 0649 HR 61.9 kg BMI 22.463

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2025

My Weight 2025-01-28 0625 HR  61.6 kg BMI 22.354

My Weight 2025-02-28 0742 HR  61.5 kg BMI 22.318

My Weight 2025-03-28 0640 HR  61.6 kg BMI 22.354

My Weight 2025-04-28 0734 HR  61.7 kg  BMI 22.390

My Weight 2025-05-28 0738 HR  61.8 kg  BMI 22.427

My Weight 2025-06-28 0606 HR  62.6 kg  BMI 22.717

My Weight 2025-07-28 0757 HR  62.7 kg  BMI 22.753

My Weight 2025-08-28 0546 HR  62.6 kg, BMI 22.717

My Weight 2025-09-28 0540 HR  62.2 kg BMI 22.572

My Weight 2025-10-28 0516 HR  62.4 kg BMI 22.644

My Weight 2025-11-28 0810 HR  62.1 kg BMI 22.535

My Weight 2025-12-28 0702 HR  62.2 kg BMI 22.572

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2026

My Weight 2026-01-28 0733 HR 61.9 kg BMI 22.463

My Weight 2026-02-28 0649 HR 62.4 kg BMI 22.644

My Weight 2026-03-28 0511 HR 62.1 kg BMI 22.535

My Weight 2026-04-28 0523 HR 62.4 kg BMI 22.644

My Weight 2026-05-28 0521 HR 61.8 kg BMI 22.427

My Weight 2026-06-28 0821 HR 61.8 kg BMI 22.427

My Weight 2026-07-28 0739 HR 61.4 kg BMI 22.281

My Weight 2026-08-28 0525 HR 61.8 kg BMI 22.427

My Weight 2026-09-28 0532 HR 62.2 kg BMI 22.572

My Weight 2026-10-28 0657 HR 61.9 kg BMI 22.463

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Note:

My current BMI is within the healthy range of 18.5 to 22.9.

For me, the range of healthy weight is 50.9786 kg (BMI = 18.5) to 63.10324 kg (BMI = 22.9).

People with BMI values of 23 kg/m2 (or 25 kg/m2 according to some sources) and above have been found to be at risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

To be healthy, I must have a healthy weight.

Be as lean as possible without being underweight, as recommended by World Cancer Prevention Foundation, United Kingdom.

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Note: On 2021-05-28, I removed the unimportant details of old records from My Weight Management Records.

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Ref. WeightManagement

My Weight 2026-10-28 at 0657 HR 61.9 kg - BMI 22.463

My Weight

2026-10-28

0657 HR 

61.9 kg

BMI 22.463

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

By Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.

Top 20 origins by PCT Patent applications 2025

Chart: Top 20 origins by PCT Patent applications 2025

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No. 1: China

(Including Hong Kong and excluding Taiwan)

(73,718 applications)

No. 15: Singapore 🇸🇬

(2189 applications)

No. 20 Austria

(1509 applications)

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The chart shows the first 20 confirmed entries. The steep drop after the top five illustrates why PCT filing activity is concentrated in a small number of large, technology-intensive origins.

=====

Note: A Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application is an international patent filing administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that lets you seek patent protection in 159 Contracting States through a single unified submission.

=====

Information source:

https://statranker.org/economy/top-100-countries-by-pct-international-patent-applications-in-2025/#top-table

=====

我们还有时间读书吗？

我们还有时间读书吗？

联合早报

2026-10-28

作者黄沛博士(Dr.  Huang Pei)是新科研人类发展与潜能研究院高级科学家

作者陈彦颖博士/医生(Dr. Rhea Tan)是新科研人类发展与潜能研究院科学家

=====

在回应一个试图将我们的时间商品化，并塑造行为的注意力经济时，应小心不要对自己套用同样的逻辑，不要用即时、可衡量的回报来评价每一项活动。如果一点小小的奖励能让人再次拿起书本，这就是值得的第一步。然而，更广泛的目标是形成一种文化，使阅读成为生活中富有意义的一部分。

=====

在资讯纷杂的时代，社交媒体、流媒体、购物应用，都在不断吸引我们的时间和注意力。在新加坡，孩子要兼顾学业、补习班和课外活动，成年人则面对漫长的工作时间。当时间与注意力被争夺，安静的阅读时光越来越难以守住。2024年的全国阅读习惯调查发现，62%的成年人称其他活动妨碍他们阅读。

　　在此背景下，国家图书馆管理局推出的全国阅读运动ReadSG，旨在鼓励新加坡人重新发现阅读，可谓正当其时。参与者若每天记录15分钟的阅读时间，即可获得可兑换现金的虚拟积分，当局旨在借此让阅读重新融入日常生活。

　　ReadSG是一次颇具创新意义的行为改变尝试。但它能否也陪养阅读习惯？

研究告诉我们：阅读影响深远

　　数十年来的纵向研究，包括我们在新科研人类发展与潜能研究院（A*STAR Institute for Human Development and Potential）开展的研究，都表明日常经历的影响，往往要多年后才会显现。阅读便是其中之一。它的益处不止于学业表现，也可能影响语言能力以及社会与情绪发展。

　　“新加坡健康成长追踪研究”（GUSTO）发现，3岁时较频繁的亲子共读，减低婴儿期屏幕使用时间，与7岁时情绪调节能力相关联。此外，儿童2岁时较强的语言能力，与9岁时较少的抑郁症状相关。这些经历与结果之间相隔数年，说明阅读的价值并不总能由即时效果来衡量。

　　除此之外，阅读还需要持续注意力、反思和耐心。在一个围绕信息快速消费的环境中，这些品质越来越难以培养。

　　这都让激励的问题变得更复杂。如果我们只是希望某种行为发生，外在激励可能非常有效。奖励孩子帮忙洗衣服，鼓励用餐后归还托盘，或回收饮料容器，重点都在于结果，并不须要激起兴趣或热爱。

　　但阅读的目标不只是增加人们读书的时长，而是培养与阅读的持久关系，滋养好奇心、想象力和批判性思维。阅读记录可以显示某人是否读满15分钟，却无法告诉我们，他们是否接触到新的观点、加深好奇心，或从阅读中找到能陪伴一生的乐趣。

　　我们选择衡量什么，往往也会影响我们重视什么。当奖励与可衡量的行为挂钩时，我们自然会关注最容易计算的指标。阅读可能逐渐变成一种交易：关注重点变成如何提高被衡量的数字，而不是从阅读中发现什么。我们也许会因此忽略阅读真正重要之处。

可能遗失什么？

　　母语阅读提供一个很好的例子。新加坡各族的母语是语言与文化传承的重要组成部分。母语阅读不仅仅是一种读写活动；它是将故事、传统和看待世界的方式代代相传的途径。然而，全国阅读习惯调查指出，2018年至2024年间，母语阅读呈下降趋势。

　　GUSTO研究也提供了重视母语阅读的理由。我们发现，与参照组相比，4岁半时较常进行母语共读的儿童，有关语言处理的脑通路发育存在差异，9岁时的英语口语流利度也较高。

　　如果我们主要关注阅读时长或数量，读者可能更倾向于选择自己较容易阅读的语言。母语书籍因此可能进一步被边缘化。我们应确保在鼓励阅读的同时，不会无意中牺牲多语文化中母语阅读的空间。

　　ReadSG的现金奖励，只是更广泛的阅读推广工作的一部分，作用是让书籍重新进入人们的日常生活，鼓励大家再次拿起书本。其他举措则有助于把最初的参与转化为持久习惯。图馆局已推出各官方语言的读书会和阅读计划；新加坡专业剧场（Singapore Repertory Theatre）的小剧团（The Little Company）则通过舞台演出，让故事走出书页。工作坊、讲故事活动和亲子共读，也能让阅读更具社交性、更容易参与。

　　重要的是，培育阅读文化不能只依靠机构。家长可以在家中以身作则，家人可以分享和交换书籍，社区可以组织非正式图书共享空间。阅读也可以在零散空闲时间中常态化，比如通勤时或排队时。培育阅读习惯的目标，并非把又一项可衡量的追求塞进本已拥挤的日程，而是让阅读自然成为生活的一部分。

　　归根结底，阅读文化不可能一蹴而就。它需要从家庭到机构、从社区到政府政策的多层次共同努力。ReadSG可以成为最初的推动力，而配套项目和支持性的社会环境，可以在此基础上培养对阅读的热爱。这需要持续的国家投入，但作为发展研究人员，我们知道，阅读带来的一些最有意义的影响，只会在多年后才显现。因此，培育阅读文化，可说是对新加坡未来的一项长期投资。

　　当我们寻求加强阅读文化的同时，也须问自己，希望培养什么样的读者，以及如何帮助培养他们。哪些干预措施能帮助儿童发展出对阅读的真正热爱？当时间稀缺时，我们如何帮助成年人重返阅读？什么样的书籍、社交体验和环境能让人想继续阅读？这些问题与阅读时长或虚拟积分的计算同样值得重视。

　　在回应一个试图将我们的时间商品化，并塑造行为的注意力经济时，应小心不要对自己套用同样的逻辑，不要用即时、可衡量的回报来评价每一项活动。相反，我们应致力于理解阅读习惯如何在各年龄段形成和维持，并测试哪些方法最能有效把最初的推动转化为持久习惯。

　　如果一点小小的奖励能让人再次拿起书本，这就是值得的第一步。然而，更广泛的目标是形成一种文化，使阅读成为生活中富有意义的一部分。

　　真正的考验在于，在奖励停止之后，我们是否依然会主动拿起一本书。

作者黄沛博士(Dr.  Huang Pei)是新科研人类发展与潜能研究院高级科学家

作者陈彦颖博士/医生(Dr. Rhea Tan)是新科研人类发展与潜能研究院科学家

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