The recent furor over the Jakarta Q! Film Festival have caused the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and information (Menkominfo) to release a statement regarding the legality of the event. While the issue over the legality or the appropriateness of the event is undoubtedly heatedly debated by the involved parties my concern lies in the actual press release that was published on the 28th of September 2010.
I noticed that the press release itself has been altered since its initial release by removing section 4b which emphasized the minister's personal opinion regarding the event. While the removal of the initial section 4b itself may raise a few eyebrows I believe the bigger concern lies in its inclusion.
The second problem I have with the press release is the actual necessity of the press release proper. In section 2c of the press release it is clearly stated that it is not within the capacity of Menkominfo to allow or deny the such events and clearly states that it is within the realm of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
So the question is why would Menkominfo meddle in affairs that is not their own?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
(American) Individualist culture
I placed the brackets in "American" because it's a trait most commonly associated with the citizens of the United States of America. A trait born out of distrust of Big Governments and amplified during the anti-communist propaganda during the cold war and the "can-do" attitude seemingly inherent in Americans and not forgetting the harsh reality of big cities.
This individualist culture has been criticized by many as lacking in social cohesiveness that homologous societies have and that those who subscribe to this life style are seen as self absorbed, egocentric, inconsiderate and uncaring. While anyone who has walked through the streets of New York City or find themselves "lucky" enough to be in a Taxi in Los Angeles may find it difficult to contradict such claims the same people can attest to finding a different kind of tolerance, that in their self absorption they do not care where you're from, what you do for a living nor what your belief is simply because it is not of their concern, an unspoken rule that as long as you leave them alone so will they. The opposite is often found in homologous societies where unfamiliar behavior are often questioned, considered dubious and if necessary "exorcised" in order to persevere social harmony.
More often tolerance is less likely found in homologous societies due to its overprotection of "local values" and are often feel threatened by "foreign influence" and is more likely to grow naturally in a laissez-faire society, one that cares less about implementing one form of "social values" instead allowing the society to form its own values through a compound of different values.
This individualist culture has been criticized by many as lacking in social cohesiveness that homologous societies have and that those who subscribe to this life style are seen as self absorbed, egocentric, inconsiderate and uncaring. While anyone who has walked through the streets of New York City or find themselves "lucky" enough to be in a Taxi in Los Angeles may find it difficult to contradict such claims the same people can attest to finding a different kind of tolerance, that in their self absorption they do not care where you're from, what you do for a living nor what your belief is simply because it is not of their concern, an unspoken rule that as long as you leave them alone so will they. The opposite is often found in homologous societies where unfamiliar behavior are often questioned, considered dubious and if necessary "exorcised" in order to persevere social harmony.
More often tolerance is less likely found in homologous societies due to its overprotection of "local values" and are often feel threatened by "foreign influence" and is more likely to grow naturally in a laissez-faire society, one that cares less about implementing one form of "social values" instead allowing the society to form its own values through a compound of different values.
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