Comments on: Alas for us http://www.minishorts.net/2007/01/24/alas-for-us/ this time, we're keeping it simple. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:28:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Jeff from LA http://www.minishorts.net/2007/01/24/alas-for-us/#comment-58982 Jeff from LA Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:44:14 +0000 http://www.minishorts.net/2007/01/24/alas-for-us/#comment-58982 Minishorts, You always impress me with your thoughtfulness. While most people worry only about themselves, about their jobs, their education, their families, you worry about all of those and yet are still concerned about the growth of your society, of your community. I find your entry today particularly profound because it is the exact counter-point to the debate we are having in the US today. The debate in the US is that there is too much leniency in the media today, too much sex, too much violence, too much anger. It almost appears that there is a nostalgia in the US for the days of old, in the 1940s and 50s when almost all sex or violence was completely censored by the government. Some assume that by eliminating violence and sex from the media we can eliminate it from our society. But perhaps, we can learn from Malaysia's example here. To eliminate discussion of the evils that go on in society is not to eliminate their existence. If Americans choose not to talk about the "controversial subjects" as they occur, it does not mean that no one will do them, it just means that we will be less able to adapt to them. Speech and freedom have always been and will always be dangerous two-sided swords. But growth can only come through trust and experience. I heartily agree with you that Malaysia can only grow from trusting its people more. I only hope Americans can learn to blame the media less. Nevertheless, it is fascinating indeed to see the counterpoints between democracies both struggling to find the balance between too little and too much freedom. Oh and Minishorts, thanks again for your brave stances on these tough issues. Jeff Minishorts,
You always impress me with your thoughtfulness. While most people worry only about themselves, about their jobs, their education, their families, you worry about all of those and yet are still concerned about the growth of your society, of your community.

I find your entry today particularly profound because it is the exact counter-point to the debate we are having in the US today. The debate in the US is that there is too much leniency in the media today, too much sex, too much violence, too much anger. It almost appears that there is a nostalgia in the US for the days of old, in the 1940s and 50s when almost all sex or violence was completely censored by the government. Some assume that by eliminating violence and sex from the media we can eliminate it from our society.

But perhaps, we can learn from Malaysia’s example here. To eliminate discussion of the evils that go on in society is not to eliminate their existence. If Americans choose not to talk about the “controversial subjects” as they occur, it does not mean that no one will do them, it just means that we will be less able to adapt to them.

Speech and freedom have always been and will always be dangerous two-sided swords. But growth can only come through trust and experience. I heartily agree with you that Malaysia can only grow from trusting its people more. I only hope Americans can learn to blame the media less. Nevertheless, it is fascinating indeed to see the counterpoints between democracies both struggling to find the balance between too little and too much freedom.

Oh and Minishorts, thanks again for your brave stances on these tough issues.

Jeff

]]> By: Darren http://www.minishorts.net/2007/01/24/alas-for-us/#comment-58966 Darren Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:57:41 +0000 http://www.minishorts.net/2007/01/24/alas-for-us/#comment-58966 So what happens now that all the smallies starting to act biggies? So what happens now that all the smallies starting to act biggies?

]]> By: Silencers http://www.minishorts.net/2007/01/24/alas-for-us/#comment-58963 Silencers Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:27:12 +0000 http://www.minishorts.net/2007/01/24/alas-for-us/#comment-58963 Sebelum 2008? - wow, that's a VERY helpful answer she gave you. I wonder why she didn't say "oh, adalah bila-bila dlm tahun ni". Sebelum 2008? - wow, that’s a VERY helpful answer she gave you. I wonder why she didn’t say “oh, adalah bila-bila dlm tahun ni”.

]]> By: Edrei http://www.minishorts.net/2007/01/24/alas-for-us/#comment-58962 Edrei Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:18:46 +0000 http://www.minishorts.net/2007/01/24/alas-for-us/#comment-58962 It's always what I've been talking about. Because of ignorance, you're going to have things like this happening. The government isn't stupid. On the contrary, they are geniuses. If people don't know. If people willingly choose not to know. How would they make any other choice than they already have...or would probably make? It’s always what I’ve been talking about. Because of ignorance, you’re going to have things like this happening. The government isn’t stupid. On the contrary, they are geniuses. If people don’t know. If people willingly choose not to know. How would they make any other choice than they already have…or would probably make?

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