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SCMP Reporter

It's hard to find new music these days
I am writing in response to the letter 'Local music scene lacks variety' by Pang Kwan (Young Post, December 31).
I do not fully agree. The writer said 'some people in Hong Kong are reluctant to listen to new kinds of music' because they 'prefer to stick to their old favourites'.
The quality of a piece of music is just as important as its originality.
Many people are unwilling to listen to new music not only because it is not creative, but also because it is of poor quality.
If we look at the lyrics of the older pop songs like, for example, those of Anita Mui Yim-fong, we will find the  music goes harmoniously with the lyrics .
The note of a word in the piece of music matches the word's natural pronunciation. In addition, the lyrics have special meanings.
However, when we look at the pop songs of today, the lyrics often have no meaning at all. They also might not go with the music. This is one of the reasons why some people are reluctant to listen to new kinds of music.
Another reason is music has been so developed in the past that composers are running out of new ideas.
Frequently, we will find familiar tunes in 'new'  music.
I think it is not just the  local music scene but the  general music scene that lacks variety.
Angus Lee, Wah Yan College  Hong Kong
Be smart and  say no to drugs
Most of us are aware of the effects of drug abuse. So why  do some of us still fall into that fatal trap?
For some people, drugs provide the happiness that life has denied them.
But this escape from reality is only temporary.
All of us will experience hard times at some point in our lives, but these teach us how to be strong and pull through.
These lessons enable us to face future difficulties more easily.
Drugs will never provide a solution to our problems.
Don't be ignorant, say no to drugs.
Fabiola Wong, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School
Please recycle
It's important to recycle if we want to reduce pollution. But many Hong Kong people feel they don't have the time to bother with it.
The government should do more to promote recycling and educate the public about it.
It could also provide financial support to recycling companies, which struggle to make a profit.
Kammy Lo Yuen-shan, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College
Don't let emotions consume you
There was a man who built a beautiful house. One night, a thief broke in and stole his money.
Feeling very angry, the man built high walls to surround his house.
Nonetheless, the thief returned, stealing even more than before.
In his rage, the man  decided to burn his house to the ground rather than be burgled again.
The thief was defeated, but the man and his family were left homeless.
Anger is a natural emotion, but it can drive us to do senseless and destructive things.
Calm down and think before acting. If we cannot control our anger, it will control us.
Yip Wing-yee, Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College
The hawker problem
I have a solution to the problem of hawkers in Hong Kong.
The government should encourage them to operate in a designated area.
Maybe the government can allocate a street to them,  and it could be called 'Hawker Street'.
It could eventually become one of our tourist attractions, like the Temple Street Night Market.
Winnie Fong, Heung To Secondary School



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