The Paradox Between Censorship and Liberty
By Janise Eckman Wooten
People often get disgusted by the political debate and the division of opinion on social media, and I get that; however, there is much more going on than simply politics. Many feel that the pupeteers that control mainstream media are seeking to control the narrative completely. Thus, social media is a sort of final frontier where "we the people" can exchange ideas and promote the principles of liberty. Is it messy? You bet! Such debate was at the time at the founding of our nation; and yet, look at the fruits of it, in our Constitution, fruits that have propelled unprecedented prosperity! The repercussions of stopping debate are too high of a price to pay, the loss of our liberties. The division is not, as I see it, caused by the debate, itself, and sharing of opinion; but it is the age old conflict that has always been, the debate between tyranny and liberty. Ignorance, from censorship (or even out of personal choice) brings with it chains! I much prefer open forum to closed silence.
Some would want to relegate political debate to a cardoned off corner of social media, so they could enjoy the unfettered beauty of posts of succulents, sunsets, flowers and all things lovely, without the messiness of politics, like mud splashing on their facebook. I get that!
That would be like expecting diamonds to be created out of thin air without any pressure, or oysters to need no irritation to create a lovely pearl, or a butterfly to need no struggle to emerge into a new world. The equivalent of such is what we inadvertently expect if we shelter ourselves from healthy debate, which offers opportunity for exposure to all sides. Allow just one side to be seen, and society becomes mental weaklings, able to be easily controlled.
God created us all to be free and to be able to choose. He would have us think for ourselves and to help one another through clear communication. The tyranny of group think that arises out of censorship would put a damper on the very gift that can bless us with understanding and growth as we learn from one another. How can we do so if we are told what and how to believe and what not to even dare think?
The paradox is that liberty, which was born out of often annoying debate at the founding of our country, is still dependent on freedom of expression to this day! In times past, the average family was so consumed with personal safety, security and survival that there was little energy, time or focus left over for much of anything else! The right to share opinions, without undue censorship, is the very thing that--out of great sacrifice--helped our founders bring us freedom we now enjoy, and take for granted. We would do well to safe guard this liberty that allows us a growing amount of time and space to pause enough to not only be exposed to varying opinions, but also, to enjoy more fruits of our bounteous results born of that very freedom of creative individual expression. After all, mud is dirty but out of it is born the flower!
By Janise Eckman Wooten
People often get disgusted by the political debate and the division of opinion on social media, and I get that; however, there is much more going on than simply politics. Many feel that the pupeteers that control mainstream media are seeking to control the narrative completely. Thus, social media is a sort of final frontier where "we the people" can exchange ideas and promote the principles of liberty. Is it messy? You bet! Such debate was at the time at the founding of our nation; and yet, look at the fruits of it, in our Constitution, fruits that have propelled unprecedented prosperity! The repercussions of stopping debate are too high of a price to pay, the loss of our liberties. The division is not, as I see it, caused by the debate, itself, and sharing of opinion; but it is the age old conflict that has always been, the debate between tyranny and liberty. Ignorance, from censorship (or even out of personal choice) brings with it chains! I much prefer open forum to closed silence.
Some would want to relegate political debate to a cardoned off corner of social media, so they could enjoy the unfettered beauty of posts of succulents, sunsets, flowers and all things lovely, without the messiness of politics, like mud splashing on their facebook. I get that!
That would be like expecting diamonds to be created out of thin air without any pressure, or oysters to need no irritation to create a lovely pearl, or a butterfly to need no struggle to emerge into a new world. The equivalent of such is what we inadvertently expect if we shelter ourselves from healthy debate, which offers opportunity for exposure to all sides. Allow just one side to be seen, and society becomes mental weaklings, able to be easily controlled.
God created us all to be free and to be able to choose. He would have us think for ourselves and to help one another through clear communication. The tyranny of group think that arises out of censorship would put a damper on the very gift that can bless us with understanding and growth as we learn from one another. How can we do so if we are told what and how to believe and what not to even dare think?
The paradox is that liberty, which was born out of often annoying debate at the founding of our country, is still dependent on freedom of expression to this day! In times past, the average family was so consumed with personal safety, security and survival that there was little energy, time or focus left over for much of anything else! The right to share opinions, without undue censorship, is the very thing that--out of great sacrifice--helped our founders bring us freedom we now enjoy, and take for granted. We would do well to safe guard this liberty that allows us a growing amount of time and space to pause enough to not only be exposed to varying opinions, but also, to enjoy more fruits of our bounteous results born of that very freedom of creative individual expression. After all, mud is dirty but out of it is born the flower!
"Your heartfelt appreciation for the shines watering can through in this blog post. It is a beautiful reminder of the role it plays in nurturing our plants and fostering a sense of mindfulness in our gardening routines. Thank you for the lovely read and for inspiring us to find joy in the simplicity of using a watering can."
ReplyDeleteE Shikshakosh with real-time monitoring features, school inspections and teacher evaluations are more objective and effective now.
ReplyDelete