Great article. I think context matters, Singapore became this way because of LKY, as he felt strict measures were necessary to go from "third world to first" as he writes in his autobiography. I got the same boring/manufactured vibe visiting Singapore (minus the food), but knowing the context I think made a difference in my experience.

Discipline and focus got Sinagpore to where it is, but the question then is how does it create an organic culture and national identity that encourages diversity of lifestyles and thought, without running into the issues of the "West" (crime, homelessness, guns, etc..)? Japan largely works so well because there is a shared ethnicity with a long history and great values/culture in place, unlike Singapore.