Adam Khoo vs. Chris Terry: Are Wealth Academy and IM Academy Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Adam Khoo and Chris Terry are two of the most recognised names in online trading education. Adam Khoo through his Singapore-based Wealth Academy, and Chris Terry via the now-rebranded IM Mastery Academy (now IYOVIA). On the surface, they could not be more different. Adam Khoo, from a privileged background tied to the Khoo Teck Puat banking family, markets himself as a disciplined investor and educator. Chris Terry, from the Bronx, built his fortune as a forex trader and created a global following with high-energy motivation and MLM tactics. But dig deeper, and the parallels become hard to ignore.

Both men promote the dream of financial freedom through self-development and online trading. They sell systems and mindsets as the keys to success which is often framed with luxury visuals and personal transformation stories. And both platforms monetise that dream aggressively: IM Academy (IYOVIA) via multi-level marketing and subscription commissions; Wealth Academy through expensive courses and upsells.

Critics argue that both use hype and selective success stories to build trust. Adam Khoo’s Wealth Academy promotes fast-track trading mastery, but many retail investors will find such strategies hard to replicate. Chris Terry’s IM Academy faced a more serious backlash. The U.S. FTC sued Chris Terry and IM Academy in 2025, alleging it was a deceptive pyramid scheme. While Adam Khoo has not faced such legal actions, his marketing style mirrors the same aspirational blueprint albeit with a more polished tone.

In both ecosystems, the founder becomes the brand. Adam Khoo’s seminars and YouTube presence are central to his authority while Chris Terry’s charisma and team-building drive IYOVIA’s culture. Followers don’t just buy education, they buy into a movement.

So, is Adam Khoo just a cleaner, more compliant version of Chris Terry? The styles differ. The platforms look distinct. But the foundation, i.e. mindset, marketing, and monetizing aspiration, is strikingly familiar.

For anyone researching Adam Khoo, Wealth Academy, Chris Terry, or IM Mastery Academy, it is worth looking past the branding and asking: what am I really buying into?

Remembering Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛)

The news of Barbie Hsu's passing has left a gaping hole in the hearts of her fans worldwide.  It feels surreal, like a bad dream we cannot wake up from.  To think that such a vibrant, talented woman, so full of life, has been taken from us so suddenly by influenza... it is simply heartbreaking.  We, her fans, are reeling.

For those who don't know, Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛), or "Big S" as we affectionately called her, was more than just a beautiful face. She was a force of nature.  Her performances, whether in front of the camera or on stage, were captivating.  She poured her heart and soul into everything she did, and it showed.  We were drawn to her charisma, her strength, and her undeniable talent.  She was an inspiration to so many of us.

Barbie Hsu is best known for her leading role as Shan Cai (杉菜) in the hit 2001 Taiwanese drama series Meteor Garden (流星花園) where she played opposite Jerry Yan (言承旭) as Daoming Si (道明寺).

To lose her like this, to a seemingly "common" illness like the flu, makes the tragedy even more poignant.  It's a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, and how even someone as seemingly vibrant and healthy as Barbie could be taken from us so quickly.  It makes the grief feel even sharper.

In the wake of this devastating news, many of us are sharing our favourite memories of Barbie. We’re re-watching her dramas, listening to her music, and remembering the joy she brought into our lives.  Her smile, her laughter, her undeniable presence – these are the things we hold onto now.  We celebrate her life and mourn her loss.

While some discussions are happening about the potential impact of COVID-19 on influenza and similar illnesses, right now, for many of us fans, the focus is on Barbie. We remember her, we cherish her work, and we grieve the future we won't get to share with her.  Her light may have been extinguished too soon, but the memories she created, the joy she shared, will live on in the hearts of her fans forever.  Rest in peace, Big S. You will be deeply missed.

Bluesky Soars in Popularity

Bluesky's popularity is on the rise due to several distinctive features and shifts in the social media landscape. Firstly, its decentralized protocol grants users greater control over their data and interactions, which is a stark contrast to the centralized model of X.com that has faced criticism over privacy concerns.

The platform's user-centric approach emphasizes privacy and community-driven content moderation, appealing to users who are dissatisfied with traditional, algorithm-based moderation practices. Bluesky also offers innovative features such as the ability to create customised feeds and follow specific topics or interests, enhancing user engagement and personalization.

As many users seek alternatives to mainstream platforms like Musk's X.com, which has undergone significant changes under his new management, Bluesky presents itself as a fresh option that aligns with values of privacy and community. The backing of Jack Dorsey, a reputable figure in the tech community, further attracts early adopters eager to explore new social networking paradigms.

Moreover, Bluesky has been reported to provide a more enjoyable user experience, particularly in terms of interface design and community interactions, compared to X.com. By capitalizing on these strengths, Bluesky is successfully carving out a niche in the competitive social media landscape, appealing to users looking for platforms that prioritize privacy and user empowerment.

With the BlueSky experience being comparable to the widely Twitter. It is only a matter of time being advertisers who have distanced themselves from Musk's X.com start signing on with BlueSky. Expect to see BlueSky continue its pickup in popularity and more of the people around you joining the network. Growth will be exponential! 

Mediacorp's Star Search

The return of Mediacorp's Star Search in 2024 is a significant development within Singapore's media landscape, particularly as local audiences are increasingly consuming less free-to-air programming. This trend poses challenges for traditional television formats, but Star Search aims to adapt and thrive in this changing environment.

Star Search, which first aired in 1988, has been a cornerstone of Singapore's entertainment industry, successfully launching the careers of numerous local celebrities. After a five-year hiatus, its 12th edition kicked off with open auditions and a structured competition format, to culminate in a live finale on November 24, 2024. The show not only seeks to discover new talent but also features a robust mentorship program designed to prepare contestants for the competitive entertainment industry.

Recent statistics indicate a decline in viewership for local free-to-air programs, as audiences gravitate towards streaming services and international content platforms. This shift has prompted traditional broadcasters like Mediacorp to innovate their content offerings and distribution methods4

To remain relevant, Mediacorp is leveraging Star Search as part of a broader strategy to engage viewers through multi-platform content delivery. This includes:

Digital Integration: The show will be available on various platforms, including streaming services like mewatch and social media channels, allowing for greater accessibility and engagement with younger audiences who prefer on-demand content4

Interactive Elements: By incorporating audience participation through voting mechanisms and social media interactions, Star Search aims to create a more immersive viewing experience that resonates with contemporary viewers4

Quality Content Production: Mediacorp emphasizes the production of high-quality content tailored to audience preferences, which is critical in an era where attention spans are shorter and competition is fierce4

Despite the challenges posed by declining viewership for traditional formats, Star Search retains its relevance by:

Nurturing Local Talent: The program continues to play a vital role in discovering and nurturing local talent, which is essential for sustaining Singapore's entertainment ecosystem. It provides aspiring artists with exposure and opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible

Cultural Significance: As a long-standing institution in Singapore’s media landscape, Star Search not only entertains but also contributes to the cultural fabric of the nation by showcasing diverse talents and stories that reflect Singaporean society

Engaging New Audiences: By adapting its format and reach, Star Search can attract new viewers who may not typically engage with traditional television formats. This adaptability is crucial for maintaining its legacy while appealing to modern sensibilities

While the decline in local free-to-air programming poses challenges, the return of Star Search represents an opportunity for Mediacorp to innovate and engage audiences effectively. By focusing on talent development and leveraging digital platforms, Star Search aims to remain a relevant and influential force in Singapore's entertainment industry.

Paris 2024 vs. Earlier Olympics

 The Paris 2024 Olympics has been lauded for its innovative approach to planning and execution. Let's compare it to previous Games and identify both its strengths and areas for improvement.   

Positive Aspects of Paris 2024 Planning

Sustainability Focus: A hallmark of Paris 2024 is its strong emphasis on sustainability. The organizers have committed to halving the Games' carbon footprint compared to previous editions. This includes using renewable energy, minimizing waste, and prioritizing public transportation.   

Legacy Planning: Paris 2024 has placed significant emphasis on the long-term benefits of the Games. The plan includes repurposing existing venues, investing in public infrastructure, and developing programs for local communities.

Urban Olympics Concept: In contrast to previous Games that often involved constructing new stadiums in remote locations, Paris 2024 is embracing an urban Olympics. This approach maximizes the use of existing infrastructure and integrates the Games into the city's fabric.

Innovation and Technology: The organizers are leveraging technology to enhance the spectator experience, improve logistics, and promote accessibility. This includes using digital platforms for ticketing, transportation, and information sharing.   

Areas for Improvement

While Paris 2024 represents a significant step forward, there are still areas where improvements can be made:

Cost Control: Despite efforts to utilize existing infrastructure, the overall cost of hosting the Olympics remains a concern. While Paris 2024 has made strides in this area, there's always potential for further cost-cutting measures without compromising the quality of the Games.

Accessibility and Inclusivity: While Paris 2024 has made efforts to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, there's still room for enhancement. Ensuring that the Games are truly inclusive for all requires ongoing attention to detail and innovation.

Local Community Engagement: While the organizers have emphasized the importance of engaging the local community, there's always the risk of displacement and gentrification associated with large-scale events. Continued efforts are needed to ensure that the benefits of the Games are shared equitably among residents.

In conclusion, the planning for Paris 2024 represents a significant advancement in Olympic hosting. By prioritizing sustainability, legacy, and urban integration, the organizers have set a new standard for future Games. However, addressing challenges related to cost control, accessibility, and community engagement will be crucial for the long-term success of the event.   

COE and the Electric Vehicles

Singapore's Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system has seen some fluctuations in recent months. After reaching historic highs in 2023, COE premiums did experience a welcome decline in early 2024. However, current trends suggest a stabilization or even a slight increase in COE prices. This makes the decision of buying a new car, especially an Electric Vehicle (EV), more complex.

EVs: Still a Viable Option, But Do Your Research

Despite the recent rise in COE prices, EVs remain a compelling alternative for many drivers in Singapore. The government's continued commitment to cleaner transportation, along with attractive incentives and lower running costs, makes EVs a serious contender.

Considering the Total Cost of Ownership

The decision to buy an EV hinges on your individual needs and finances. While the initial COE price may not be the lowest, consider these factors:

• Upfront Cost: EVs generally have a higher initial price tag compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, the recent COE price volatility makes budgeting for an EV purchase more challenging.
• Running Costs: EVs boast significantly lower running costs due to cheaper electricity compared to petrol. Additionally, they require less maintenance.
• Government Incentives: The Singaporean government offers various incentives for EV ownership, including tax rebates and grants which can significantly offset the initial cost.

Making an Informed Decision

Carefully research different EV models and compare them to their ICE counterparts. Factor in the potential rise in COE prices and weigh the upfront cost of an EV against the long-term savings on running costs and government incentives. This will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and driving needs.

TOTO Changes from 6/45 to 6/49

Singapore Pools is changing the TOTO lottery game from 6/45 to 6/49 from 7th Oct 2014. With that change, the betting costs are going to go up though a larger top prize of $1 million is being dangled.

Under the 6/45 TOTO game, the odds of hitting the jackpot is 1 in 8,145,060 and winning the top prize is close to impossible.

With the revamp, the calculations by Singapore Pools put the odds of winning the jackpot at 1 in 13.98 million with the odds of winning any prize at 1 in 54. Statistically, it is an extremely long shot to win the top prize.

The calculations are abstract for the reality that faces punter is more simplistically put as being based on the odds of 1 in 2... You either win or not win.

The best way to anchor winning expectations is perhaps juxtaposing it with concrete examples. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health from Canada put it very nicely for the 6/49 game.

• A person has a 1 in 3 million chance of sighting an UFO. That's almost 5 times more likely than winning the jackpot.
• You are more likely to die of a flesh eating disease (1 in 1 million) than winning the lottery. That's 14 times more likely than winning the jackpot.
• You are more likely to be killed by lightening (1 in 56,439) than win the lottery. That's almost 250 times more likely than winning the jackpot.
• You are more likely to be killed in a traffic accident driving 16 km to purchase a ticket than winning the jackpot
• Imagine you are standing blindfolded on a football field holding a pin. A friend has released an ant on the field. Your chance of piercing that ant with your pin is about one in 14 million, the same odds of winning the Lotto 6/49 jackpot.
• The odds of winning the top prize at maximum coin play on the slot machines ranges from 1 in 4,096 to 1 in 33,554,000.

source: http://www.problemgambling.ca/en/aboutgamblingandproblemgambling/pages/whatareodds.aspx

A totally rational person should then try his luck on lottery games with better odds. For sanctioned games of chances in Singapore, 4D odds of winning the top prize is 1 in 10,000 while Singapore Big Sweep odds of winning the top prize is 1 in 3,500,000. Paying the $100 entry level into the Resort World Sentosa or Marina Bay Sands casinos, tables games will offer significantly better odds than the revamp TOTO game.

Of course, gamblers are never rational. Bets will still be made on TOTO to buy into the hope of lives being transformed by winning the top prize, however slim chances may be. Look to the cascading mechanism of the Singapore TOTO game, odds will improve significantly when the cascading conditions are activated.

Nixoderm for Dry Skin on Fingertips

I cannot remember when exactly it started but the skin on my thumb started getting dry and flaky till I could no longer use thumbprint scanners. Then the problem spread to my ring finger on the same hand and it got me worried.

I visited the doctor's and got prescribed with anti-fungal creams that failed to treat the issue. Another doctor prescribed steroid based cream and some moisturiser that only provided temporary relief after the creams were applied.

The condition was getting so serious that it was starting to really irritate me at times with an itch that I could not really get rid of. To make things worse, I recently realised that my middle finger was also starting to have some signs of the problem!

Really worried and having no faith in my GPs to fix the issue and still not willing to escalate the problem as needing to see a dermatologist, I went to my trusty approach of self medication.

Trawling the pharmacies, I read label after label and finally found my saviour in the most unlikely product. In a non-descript green packaging and costing a miniscule fraction of the costs of my doctor visits was Nixoderm.

A week plus of twice daily applications later, my skin condition has already improved greatly and I do look forward to when my irritating dry skin condition can be permanently eradicated.

申東靖 (Arroy Shen) Dies of Brain Hemorrhage

Shocking news! Just saw a report that 申東靖 (Arroy Shen) is dead! source

Only aged 29, the ex-Comic Boyz member reportedly underwent a high-risk surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain recently and end up in a coma after the operation due to a lack of oxygen in his brain. This subsequently turned into a right brain hemorrhage that led to acute renal failure.

As Arroy's parents divorced shortly after he was born, he was placed under his grandma’s care whom he form a close relationship to. The death of her grandchild must be a great blow to the 86-year-old grandmother.

While he might not have been an artiste that I personally follow, to know that the cheerful bubbly character whom I see on Taiwanese variety shows at times has passed away at such a young age is still extremely disturbing.

Must remember to treasure life for life can be really short if fate dictates so.

Cecilia Sue! Oh! Cecilia Sue!

The CNB corruption case has gotten more and more interesting to follow the past couple of days. While Ng Boon Gay and his wife have been appearing on the news when the trial started, it was the appearance of Cecilia Sue Siew Nang that really heated things up.

Since Cecilia Sue suddenly appeared in court on Wednesday, the focus of the trial has been on her testimony and statements and in all regards, her testimony is rather tatalising.

From her trial, many people learnt the common knowledge that asking people "when you wanna take me?" is an euphemism for the female to take in sperm. Guess we better be careful in future when we want someone to bring us to a place of interest for visit or we may just end up in a hotel.

It has also been interesting to note she can be in a car's passenger seat and suddenly be forced to perform fellatio when Ng Boon Gay pushed her head down to his private part and he shoved his private part into her mouth! Best of all, it happened not only once!!

The flip flopping of her testimonial appears to point to only one logical conclusion. She was involved in an extramarital affair with Ng Boon Gay and ever had sex in an Great World City apartment. She was a willing party to the whole episode and that was why she had been willing to meet NBG outside of work on many subsequent occasions. Anyone will be hard pressed to find a female whom had been violated sexually being willing to meet up with the attacker multiple times subsequently and even have meals together.

Cecilia Sue! Oh! Cecilia Sue! I pity you for having to be dragged into the spotlight. Having an extramarital affair is increasingly common these days and it is unfortunate that yours got entwined with a corruption case in corruption intolerant Singapore. While you are now considered a witness, with the amount of flip flopping that we are hearing right now, have you wondered if you may be eventually prosecuted for perjury instead?

Let's hope all these blow over for you soon and you can go back to some semblance of the life you have had with your daughter and husband.

LTA's Common Cab Booking Number

After the spate of fare increases and additional surcharges, one might expect that the service of cabs in Singapore to improve dramatically but nothing has changed much except for the fact that taking cabs in Singapore is increasingly a luxury that many are now avoiding.

With taxi fares being so high, there has been calls for cab companies to scrap their phone booking surcharges but it seems now that that is yet to materialise.

Instead, the Land Transport Authority has, with taxi companies, launched a new service that promises commuters greater convenice when booking a taxi. A single number, 6-DIAL CAB or 6342 5222, can now be used to call for taxis. The existing phone booking lines by the respective cab companies will continue but this 6342 5222 hotline number will instead route phone booking calls up to 3 cab companies. When connected to this number, the system hunts for an available phone booking line and connects the commuter accordingly.

According to news reports, the selection of which taxi company the calls are routed to will be based upon the market share of the individual companies. If that is true, it will imply that the largest taxi company, ComfortDelgro, will be benefitting most significantly from this service. Is this fair and provides the push for taxi companies to improve their service offerings?

ComfortDelgro, as the market leader, largely dictates the fare and quantum of surcharges for the entire taxi industry. When the smaller companies are interviewed, it is common to find their responses of waiting for ComfortDelgro to take the lead in raising or lowering fare charges. Perhaps LTA should consider having taxi companies waive the booking surcharges for commuters whom make taxi bookings via the LTA taxi booking hotline and change the algorithm of call routing to give preference to the companies whom were most efficient in picking up booking calls and successfully assigning cabs to the caller.

Odex Hacked

Odex is a Singapore-based company that licenses and releases anime for local and regional (Southeast Asian) consumption and gain notoriety when it started prosecuting anime downloaders whom download anime sub-licensed to the company.

Odex's actions did not go down well with the anime community whom believed that the company was shifting its business model from sales of anime to profiting from legal blackmail of downloaders and many anime fans have criticised the sub-standard quality of the anime, citing issues like low resolution and inaccurate translations. The standoff was compounded by the actions of Odex director Stephen Sing whom under his alias of xysing, bragged about suing anime downloaders.

To address the ill blood between Odex and the anime community, a forum was set up on Odex's website to "foster and improve" relations but it backfired after some forummers revealed that IP Unmasker could be used to trace forummers. The forum was eventually replaced with a FAQ.

The standoffs appear to be worsening with the Odex's website getting hacked. While the site is no longer accessible, the information has been replicated at Server Takeover.

The hacker's command of English is a little weak with some spelling errors but the message put up reflects the animosity anime community has against Odex. "This server was fully hacked because the things ODEX are doing are just completly wrong!So I hacked them due to my deep abominate against this company.The stupidity of the organisation can not only be seen in the quality of their products or in the disingenuousness of their actions, but also in their skills of web design, compatibility and programming.You can see that by the fact that the server is now hacked. ".

The hacker even provides "helpful" information to help downloaders protect themselves "Just don't let ODEX get any money from you! Also don't get catched by the Dogs they hired to detect illegal downloaders - because accusing people is their main income.At this time they only track BitTorrent users - but there are plenty of alternatives for you. Many fansubbers offer direct HTTP-Downloads or via IRC, but anyway I'd highly recommend to place the downloaded files on an encrypted device. On Open Software for example on a LUKS encrypted device - under windows you can use Truecrypt.If you download your files via SSH, for example from a friend living outside of Singapure, there's even no way anyone could see what your downloading. "

The hacker also repeats the calls of the anime community in boycotting of Odex "ODEX sure won't last long (I hope so). As far as I can see from the amount of users buying their stuff, I can predict that they'll end up bankrupt soon.This would be nice since bad companies shouldn't exist. However it's always up to you. There are plenty of companies which still exist, even if their behaviour is more than wrong (Microsoft to name the worst of them).Onegai, help boycotting ODEX for the sake of Anime!". As usual, hackers put in the Microsoft bashing which has absolutely no relation to Odex's actions.

The Odex hacking is a prime example of a failed public relations exercise that other companies should examine for insights. From the commencement of Odex's "enforcement" actions to the alienation from the anime community and hacking of Odex's website, Odex has appeared to be managing its PR with all the wrong approaches with respect to its target group of customers.

NLB Recovery of Unpaid Fines

Just received a mail from the National Library (NLB) telling me that I have unpaid fines of 60 cents dating back almost 5 years ago. I must confess that the title listed looks familiar and I may have really incurred that fine then and slipped my mind to pay up the fine to NLB when I returned the book via book drop.

While I have no bone with NLB trying to recover unpaid fines, it appears that there is some logic problem with this latest exercise. The number of people with outstanding fines is huge standing at around 800,000 and NLB is incurring postage fines sending reminders to pay up fines as old as 10 years old. For my case, a fine of 60 cents being sought while using postage fees that are more than 1/3 the actual amount to be paid up.

I wonder if NLB will have fared better writing off amounts that are smaller and instead focusing efforts on recovering sums that are much larger. Why had the organisation not turned the situation around and used it to generate goodwill and positive publicity? Instead, it has blindly gone with recovering the fines after the release of the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) in June. While NLB should follow the AGO's recommendations to "step up its recovery of outstanding charges", perhaps it has implemented the recommendations too strictly and brought about a case of being penny wise, pound foolish.

Maybe a better long term solution is to freeze the loaning privileges of Library members instead of incurring the costs of mailing these reminders. When members patronise the Library and tries to borrow a book while he has outstanding fines, he can be redirected to the Library counters to pay up the fines before he can make loan. This way, the fines recovery process can be better targetted and the Library avoids unnecessarily extending loaning privileges to hardcore members who refuse to make good their fines.

Eyesight Test

If you cannot decipher anything, then try pulling the corner of your eyes or squint your eyes. The truth will shock you...

Selemat Hari Raya Haji!

Selamat Hari Raya Haji to all Muslim friends! =)

P*****Click Media

Just came across this P*****Click Media that purports to assist in getting businesses getting top listed in Yahoo. Curious about it, I ventured to its website to find out more about how it does it and what it calls Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is nothing more than paying Yahoo to display the listings as Sponsored Results.

It does not make sense to pay good money to be listed and companies that offer to help you do that is not truly value adding to your business. You can pay Yahoo but do you want to pay Google and MSN too to list your business? Paying to get listed is nowhere as good as being displayed in organic search results.

Getting your business listed in organic search results costs you close to nothing and gives the best returns. All that is necessary is that you have to engage in some Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for your website. Properly done, you gain that advantage of being listed when the relevant keywords are entered at absolutely no cost! Furthermore, it is highly likely that Google, Yahoo, MSN or other search engines will also list you high up in relevancy. Talk about achieving lots for minimal effort :-)

Are you convinced? Let me show off a little and provide you 2 little examples of what I had done. Go to Google or Yahoo and try out the following 2 keywords, Squaredeals and Shareinvestors. You should find squaredeals.blogspot.com and shareinvestors.blogspot.com listed on the first page of the returned results. I have spent not a single cent on this SEO exercise. The blogs are on free hosting and no money had been paid to the search companies.

If you will like to do SEO for your website, I will be more than happy to assist. It will not be free though since nobody appreciates free help. Renumeration is definitely negotiable as long as I am helping you in my free time.