written as a follow up to a discussion with a beautiful exiting person on the shores of Bizerte...
It seems that in every age, there exists a persuasion
that the world is on the verge of a great change. This “global felling” is so
recurrent through history that it might well be the most persistent constant in
human thought. It might be that the sheer make up of human physiognomy, in
other words nature, and the way we perceive and acquire knowledge, is the
reason why we tend to have an overpowering impulse for self-gratification in
that manner.
In the following inquiry, I will not go astray from
that natural line of thought. I shall also announce early on that I believe we
are witnessing the dawn of a new mode of civilization. The intense geopolitical
changes that are triggered or enhanced by the Arab spring have led to the
re-entry of millions to the circle of history making. These millions of Muslims
and Arabs have been for centuries “outcasts” and their resuming of influencing
events and the world around them, is bent to have a deep impact. But my quest
in this piece of thought isn’t about that “new dawn” that I have made a trial
at explaining in my previous article. I am rather concerned with explaining the
seeming downfall of the present model of civilization. For the changes caused
by this prophesied transition are to be felt for decades and maybe centuries to
come: Western civilization and its intriguing relationship with the
“information”.
I have come to realize that what constituted the
“rise” of modern western powers is for a great part its ways of dealing with
the information. The computer, an information processor, is of course found at
the heart of daily life for us moderns. Let us consider the symbolic and real
implication of that fact: The computer is a machine that can process, arrange
and even transform overwhelming amounts of data in incredibly short time spans.
This basic function showcases the tendency of, us modern human beings and our obsession
with the quest for unlimited data even though our own brains are incapable of
dealing with that data. Let alone reacting to data. The sheer amount of
information that we have “under control” prevents us from the natural basic
tendency to react.
The impotency to react is the essential glue that
links the incompatible parts of our civilization. It is that inability that
makes Human rights conventions coexist with arms deals and knowledge about the
earth, and the pollution affecting, it with rising oil demands. Isn’t actually
incredible that we have evolved so that our knowledge actually has nothing to
do with our behavior? A majority of
developed world habitants, per say, are well aware of the imminent danger posed
by global warming: yet no drastic action has been taken to prevent it. But how
are we to blame these inactive masses for what is in fact a survival tool?
Our early exposure to chocking imagery and then to
large chunks of information bundled together with an artificial social
convention rather than personal will or strife is to blame. One is almost
compelled to that exposure to popular media and there is no real choice when it
comes to the educational path that most modern follow. There exists in front of
our eyes far too much information than we can naturally deal with. Our lives are meant to be reduced to a
prolonged museum walk: We can identify the different pieces and some bright
people can even make sophisticated and intelligent remarks about them. But just
like in a museum, when you see an anger soliciting painting you do not punch the wall right away as a way
of reaction: you aren’t meant to react to the data, no matter how shocking,
that you are exposed to in your life.
There is a blockade on Gaza[1],
ethnic cleansing in Myanmar[2]
and thousands are dying in Syria[3]
are not statement that are meant to give you an incentive to choose sides and
act upon them. It does not actually matter that they are happening as you read.
Rather, and just like the popular expression wisely puts it; it is just so
you know that popular media even tells us about these events.
But one need not get concerned, for maybe we are
living the last moments of the “know all do nothing” era. I place my hopes on
the Arab spring being able to put forth a more humane and emphatic alternative
to the world. If history is on our side, maybe we will have a chance at
reintegrating the values of help, compassion and above all justice that are at
the core of Islamic thought. This eventuality can only be suffocated by the
dulling effect that the democratic process can have on the spirit and energy of
nations due to the illusion of perfection it procures. Maybe the masses and the
energy that managed to depose Arab dictators in bulk will make it through to
offer that so awaited new mode of civilization.
Maybe.
4 comments:
Luca Sacher on fb:https://www.facebook.com/luca.sacher/posts/251920494925044?ref=notif¬if_t=share_comment
it's well written. i especially liked the beginning, of course then it's hard to conclude such articles. but i'm proud of you, man! =) keep writing and i'll read your stuff. for further comments i can only write you a letter =P
That intro has been edited since I read it previously;)
But I seriously like what's been produced here, I especially sympathize with the part on the action/reaction dynamics of information. Moremoremore!
I Liked what you wrote , good job.
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