I may be stupid but…

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?

(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.

We the people

What makes a nation? shared history, shared culture, shared language, shared values, if these are the elements that makes a country there are many that no longer fits the definition. If there is one factor that is true in all citizens of any country is that each one of us hope for a better life. Many move away from the country of their origins to another for better security, better treatment, better jobs, better life but in the end that is what we all want.

We do share one value, we value a good life and the ability to live as we see fit, yet here we are segmented, separated by our fears, hatred and pettiness. We carve out borders to exclude others, we huddle with our own kind out of hatred and we reject foreign values out of fear.

Humanity is one but diverse, yet its diversity is what separates us.

So I ask again, what makes a nation? I say it is fear.

It's kids stuff

Ok today I went to youtube to watch one of those caramelldansen clips (yes ok I'm rather retarded that way) and enka videos only to find it inaccessible, thinking it was down for a bit I tried again a few hours later only to hear that it was blocked over some video the Indonesian Government found offensive. This may sound odd to those who know me but I'm going to try and be neutral here.

I think they're missing the big picture here, they spend enough time talking about and deciding to ban some website and ignoring the real issue the country's facing, like lack of widespread education or the widespread malnutrition for example. This youtube thing is a non issue and it should stay as a non issue, any call to pull the video down just shows the inability to take crass, offhanded criticism like an adult.

I just hope this is just a knee-jerk reaction like all those other times otherwise they can continue the ban and stop calling themselves a democratic country at least that way they'd be honest.

for those with simpler minds: If you don't like it, don't buy it!

"...duh...."

This guy sounds like some guy I know back in junior high when asked about his homework, what did he say you ask? well I don't recall, I remembered he said it but I don't recall what it was.