12th July, 2008:
About
Hypocrisy.
Yesterday, I came across a Facebook group with the following title: "Support Freedom of Media in Egypt áÇ áÞÇäæä ÇáÝÞí áÊßãíã ÇáÅÚáÇã æÇáÅäÊÑäÊ". At first, I thought it was another group that attacks our government just for the sake of objecting and taking some stand. But then, I read and realized that people are attacking some new law which basically monitors, and therefore, as a result, will try to censor what people say over the internet, whether through Facebook or otherwise. All that is very well... But what really surprised me are the members.
The members of that group are the same people who strongly objected on the 'lesbian' scene in Ííä ãíÓÑÉ (Till Better Times...) and are the same members of this group "ÏÚæÉ ÚÇãÉ Çáì ÍÌÈ ÇáãæÇÞÚ ÇáÇÈÇÍíÉ ÈãÕÑ" (which my only response to is "æ ÇäÊæ ãÇá Çåáßã¿") and are the same people who like Dubai One more than MBC while they hate OTv (even if the MBC has been heavily censoring lately!! But strangely enough, it doesn't seem to censor on MBC Persia!!). So my unanswered questions are: If you are such a fan of what's called freedom of speech, simply, why did you attack Denmark, Netherlands, Piss Christ, and even The Passion Of The Christ? Are you the only one (and the people who agree with you!) who's free to speak his mind? Are you so arrogant that you think what you have to say on a free blog or a social website is of more significance than people who gets paid millions of dollars to make a Movie? Are you such a hypocrite that you refuse censorship only when it's directed at you? Why should I accept your Pussycat Dolls' 'sexy' moves over the strong philosophical value of an average Rock or Metal band that you wish to be not just censored but also deleted for their blasphemy? (Since we are back to the Rock and Metal arguments... If you don't wish to anger God, didn't your religious leaders tell you that songs that speak of love are words of the Devil and of course so are the video clips? So why do you listen to them? But I bet you didn't know that sins are basically a sort of blasphemy...)
But let's leave my opinions and views about censorship behind us for a moment, I need to understand something. Why do people complain of what they see when they choose to see it? If you don't want to see a nude lady or a sex scene or even to listen to the word "Fuck", check the rating on the fucking Movie for Christ's sake!! (Speaking of the word fuck, I've came across a t-shirt before that says "How dare I use those goddamn words in front of your fucking children?" Two words: Pure Genius.)
I've always taken Aldous Huxley's Brave New World as a utopia rather than the usual opposite definition. The same applies to many other examples like THX-1138 and Blade Runner. And I've also never saw the point of democracy... Why should we give the right of choosing who is considered to be the most powerful man in the world to people who can't even locate their country on a map? Why should the freedom of speech be given to anyone so that they can twist the facts the way that suits them better? Why should we give people the right to interpret Art in the way that fits with their beliefs? (Greatest example: E.T.) And the questions just keep on arising. Therefore, technically, my utopia is a dystopia where humans are suppressed.
But let's go back to the topic in question. Even though I
don't really like Ahmed Fouad Negm, I strongly believe in a quote of his
"ÇáÑÞÇÈÉ åì ÇÈÔÚ ÇäæÇÚ ÇáÞÊá" (Censorship is the
worst way of killing). But who am I to believe or refuse? My opinion on this
matter doesn't even count. But my following request, I strongly believe,
should be taken into consideration. There are over six
billion humans on Earth. There are over six billion religions on Earth.
There are over six billion Gods on Earth. There are over six billion
opinions on Earth. There are over six billion fact compilations on Earth.
There are over six billion sciences on Earth. The governments should decide
now: Are you this... or that? Are you going to encourage bohemian principles
or start putting the world into order? Are you going to trust in science,
Art, religion, just a God, or something else entirely? Whatever you
and me choose, is trivial and couldn't be less significant. I don't like
politics, let alone understand it... But I do know one thing.
We are not going to continue with six billion requests
placed on the table. I don't care what the rulers, emperors,
dictators, Gods, call them what you will, choose. But please,
just choose. Are you going to censor us (and
therefore put us into order!) or are you going to let go (and therefore
risk open the hells of chaos (and stupidity!) unto the
universe!)?
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