Random Quote time!
When I read the above, I am thinking of my own country of Malaysia. This country closes its doors on an open market of ideas in which its citizens could think for themselves and judge whether to implement these ideas or not.
The oft-cited reason for this censorship is because the average Malaysian is not mature enough to be able to debate and act upon ideas. People are seen as easily incited to violence and chaos when confronted with uneasy facts.
"Shhh!" says the government...."these are sensitive issues and should only be discussed behind closed doors! It is not our culture to debate these things openly!"
People need to Think.
Thus my thinking leads me to the conclusion that keeping things under wrap encourages a culture of secrecy, conspiracy, corruption and just plain dumbs the masses down! By doing so, Malaysians get stupider and more narrow minded by the day.
Must people force their own views on others especially when holding such views do not really affect them?
Are we ready for first-world status? Are we qualified? What must we strive to correct in our country in order to qualify?
Go re-read the quote above...
One thing's for sure: A fearful nation is not an advanced or civilized nation.
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.
- John F. Kennedy
When I read the above, I am thinking of my own country of Malaysia. This country closes its doors on an open market of ideas in which its citizens could think for themselves and judge whether to implement these ideas or not.
The oft-cited reason for this censorship is because the average Malaysian is not mature enough to be able to debate and act upon ideas. People are seen as easily incited to violence and chaos when confronted with uneasy facts.
"Shhh!" says the government...."these are sensitive issues and should only be discussed behind closed doors! It is not our culture to debate these things openly!"
People need to Think.
Thus my thinking leads me to the conclusion that keeping things under wrap encourages a culture of secrecy, conspiracy, corruption and just plain dumbs the masses down! By doing so, Malaysians get stupider and more narrow minded by the day.
Must people force their own views on others especially when holding such views do not really affect them?
Are we ready for first-world status? Are we qualified? What must we strive to correct in our country in order to qualify?
Go re-read the quote above...
One thing's for sure: A fearful nation is not an advanced or civilized nation.
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