The Interdiction Society
Public opinions and moods are defeating changes and the mode of life - like the fashion. Is a cigarette a sign of culture or stupidity? (I quit 15 years ago!) Is the institution church pro or contra pacifism? (I think I am still a good Christian, even I don’t go to mass regular!) Is learning by heart in school good or bad? (I was a bad pupil regarding this!).
Nowadays, also here in the Philippines, we experience a time of coming up fears and neurotic ill feelings, SARS, bird flu, mad cow disease, fine dust, demographical catastrophes, global effects, and terrorism. Moreover, so to speak: to fears we react with a desire for clearness, clarity, law and order.
The rigorousism returns. In example the environmental debate. Nowadays all sides voice out that only a state of emergency decree guarantees our survival chances on earth. Driving suspensions in town centers, refrain from long distance flights (trips), no hot showers… - how do I explain it to my grandchilds?
However, let’s think positive: at last, ecological processes of reasoning receive attention. Since how many decades blue eyed and naive people have ignored environmental conservation? Now after all at last: insight, understanding, and reason? Probably panic!
If fears gnaw and stirs things up, we wish “leadership” - the state and the society, law and order will fix it and everything. Really? If you take a closer look, it’s just activism. Light bulb ban, tempo limit on motorways. That’s possible, but does that matter? Check it and watch the real results. Climate debate means a lot of hot air for many of us. The media and high politics are taking their moral hammers and hit to that - no matter how.
Nevertheless, being of great importance are other spheres, i.e. the major CO2-emits are coming from nuclear power stations. A change needs money. Everything needs money and a great change readiness and affluence-reduction and limitation. In addition, how about the so-called countries “being on the threshold of a great discovery” such as China, India or Brasilia? Who wants ecology NOW, needs to attend with a lo of money.
Don’t let your electric units remain in standby modus. It’s not saving the world, but many a mickle makes a muckle. The one who loves cudgel and war screaming will remain lonely. Hour’s precept is a “cool brain”, even the heart is burning.
Interdiction, law and order have absolutely meanings. Many times, they are not doing without. Sometimes their advantages, profit, or usefulness remain questionable. Can we force people towards their luck i.e. through an anti smoking campaign? Sure, smoking is dangerous to our health, but those who want to smoke should do so.
Man has been thrwon into liberty. This freedom scares many of us. What a large field (with many depths to sick into!). Where are the bridges and the crash barriers? The precipice is near. Everywhere we are thrown into liberty and freedom - also if we live in the Philippines. That’s why every single person is responsible for his or her own behavior. This is a part of dignity but also part of many burdens. It should be main attention of politics, media, and society. Taking and promoting insights, giving incentives, being a model - these should be our new efforts. Not a new interdiction.
*****You’re telling me!*****
… moreover, I like to say thanks a lot for your comments regarding my first write up (My Mindanao? My Mindanao!), especially to Jul, Angie S., Ken, Luz, Charlene, Bob and John.
Regarding “Idiotic TV” thanks to Paul: it’s a brilliant idea, if you mention radio. Having been a DJ for almost four years in Davao CIty, I remember how my listeners (Filipinos and foreigners) appreciated my classical music show every Sunday and Wednesday night. I mostly played music from my own old collection…
Thanks to American Lola and Rick: yes, DVD”s or a good book. - Thanks to Jul: there are really nicer things becoming our lullaby then TV. - You’re right, Zois in Athens/Greece: I also didn’t take out my TV yet. Even. - Thanks also to Jim from the UK: of course, there are other things you can do while staying in the Philippines then watching TV. And, surely, broadcasting is a business, but it most not be a hinderness creating and searching quality and excellence in programming. - Thanks to Angie: you hit the nail on the head - theater! Unfortunately, I don’t have the time always to travel to Manila to “satisfy my desire”…! Thanks to Jae: actually you voiced out, what many Filipinos told me before. Anyway, luckily we all know where to find the switch off button!
Hi Klaus,
I may have misunderstood you. Did you mean to say that nuclear power plants are a large CO2 emitter? If so I’m not sure how this can be. As far as I know, nuclear power stations use heat produced by controlled nuclear fission to superheat water in a closed loop. The water in the closed loop passes through a heat exchanger and heats water in another loop until it becomes steam that drives the turbines that generate the electricity. I don’t see where the CO2 comes from.
Jon
Hi Klaus I no smoke sigarette never my life. Now I paint my house
in athens with ecological painds.I am thinking about this union Green Peas it’s true or not I don’t know.Yes I agree with you Klaus.
I agree with you, Klaus. Smoking is dangerous to one’s health but people should be free to choose to smoke even if it is detrimental to their own health. That’s why we have free will.
On the other hand, if I were a smoker (which I am not), I will be mindful also of others’ rights. So if I notice that there are non-smokers in my immediate vicinity, I will not light up until I find a place where I can do so w/o violating somebody else’s right.
Incidentally I remember an article about Mother Teresa where she was quoted as saying… “I was once asked why I don’t participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I’ll be there….” –Mother Teresa
Hi Klaus -
Thank you for you most kind acknowledgement of my suggestion. Yes, radio offers a form of entertainment in which the listener must participate so to enjoy it. That participation is the listener’s exercising his/her imagination.
Imagination affects daily life, too. The imagination of a child can turn an old box into an airplane, automobile, boat or spaceship. The imagination of an alarmist can assign super powers to mankind (providing dominion over the rest of the universe equal to or greater that God’s) to affect the global condition.
Oh to be children, again.
Klaus
Better be careful Jon seems to know what he is talking about, much too technical for me……….:smile:
Hi to all of you:
#1 Jon, you are right. That’s why I usually don’t write about technical things in detail or hope that quotations I do, are really correct. Anyway THANKS!
#2 Zois, we need millions of people like you. I wish you and your family are okay. I really got very sad feelings knowing the wildfires in your place Greece. Take care.
#3 Angie, as always, your comments are completing my write ups. Thanks.
#4 Paul, that’s what I oberserved, when I was “on air” almost four years here in Davao. I liked the listener’s feedback, means to say: their participation.
#5 Rick: I am now!!! Thanks