Week 12: "Heaven nor hell exists, but in your mind"
"People should not be afraid of their government, the government should be afraid of its people." - V for Vendetta
In a world where our "prints" are left, recorded, used and possibly even manipulated without our knowledge or consent, is it just as easy as "password-protecting" our identities and intellectual property? How safe can we feel when we are fully aware that "safety" and "truth" are as malleable as a dirty lump of clay waiting for a potter's oven? Thanks to Literature and Art History, I now have my cynicism and scrutinizing mentality down-pat.
When art, in any form manages to rouse our consciousness and challenge our perceptions, I believe that it has transcended its intended purpose. All artists aim to make some sort of impact but to move the masses, that's something completely amazing. To have such charisma and power can be a humbling experience for many, but for some; when power seeps into the shadows of their heart, a lot of things can go wrong...
Orwell inspired me to aim to write better... hmmm, did that even sound right?
In today's world where any information is at our cliche-laden fingertips, when reliable sources can be summed up in one word:'GOOGLE', and when the media not just spoon-feeds but intravenously drips "current events" into our subconscious, it's difficult to keep an open mind and a pure heart. Someone in class said "whoever owns the media, owns the news" and it is so true. As with everything else, everyone has an agenda and we need to question everything we hear, challenge our preconceived ideas and speak our minds against any injustice we experience, because if we don't do it, who will?
A large portion of the 2nd half of this semester involved analysing the power of language - Orwell's advocacy for simplicity, Stoppard's use of inter-textual nuances in his play and Dylan Thomas' love for language. I really felt this semester, more than any semester I've been present at uni; that my awareness of society, the extent of media's power, and our place in it has become clearer. One of the main purposes of enrolling into tertiary studies is to develop the ability to become an independent thinker with the purpose of discovering new truths and concept and apply in into our lives, I think this aim has resonated and thus, allowed me to get a lot out of the unit. Thanks Michael, for a wonderful semester!
I watched one of my top, favourite films again recently - V for Vendetta and saw the parallels it has with 1984 and Brazil. I realised that despite the threats of fundamentalism, terrorism, various global crisis - it can only take one act of propaganda by spreading fear to propagate tyranny, but at the same time, it only takes one act of heroism to unite the oppressed and change the world.
V: People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.
Evey: And you're going to make that happen by blowing up a building?
V: The building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. Alone, a symbol is meaningless, but with enough people, blowing up a building can change the world.
Evey: I wish I could believe that. But every time I've seen this world change, it's always been for the worse.
here's a snippet of this dystopian adventure or misadventure...V for Vendetta - AWESOME!
Click to viewWe have seen so many instances of right-wing fundamentalism and oppression throughout history. It puts us in a place where we, as citizens of the world have the right to ensure that the our freedom will always be in our possession and that we, the people appoint and steer our government's decisions and not the other way around - politicians are here to represent us, not to scare us into submission.
Does revolution sound impossible, violent and simply out of reach? Well, not every form of activism involves violence and bloodshed. In 1986, in the Philippines 10,000 people protested against the Martial Law imposed by Ferdinand Marcos - the country's dictator for 20years. I am proud to say that this was a non-violent protest and I was lucky enough to be a part of the revolution at 3years of age (I even have a picture wearing the yellow protest motif, marching with my Dad). It was a moving time when people united to overthrow a leader who took it upon himself to take control of the army and by forcing people into submission. Here's a picture of the EDSA Revolution. And even if my country of birth is to this day considered a "Developing Nation" (formerly referred to as Third World Country), the Filipino people rest in knowing that there is always power through unity and unity through strenght.
He who owns the media owns the news.
Quick Facts (source Zenith Optimedia - double check, just in case):
1.) The Top 30 media owners generate a total of $215billion in media profits
2.) Time Warner generates US$30 billion, 13% of the total
3.) The US has by far the most media owners in ranking followed in order by - Japan, France, the UK, Germany, Italy and Mexico.
Here is the list of the Top 30:
Let's always keep our eyes open and never lose our search for principles and convictions. We never know what kind of fool will put himself up to lead...
Happy Holidays everyone!!!