Google has decided to block Singapore IPs from using Youtube to view a film that Muslims deem to be offensive to their religion. This is well and good, since it is arguably consistent with Singapore laws on religious harmony.
At the same time, I noticed that no liberal Singaporeans has complained of Google's move as being a fetter on the freedom of speech. In stark contrast, when Christians complained to the government about The Da Vinci Code being blasphemous and offensive to them, the same liberals were quick to condemn the complaints as attempts to restrict freedom of speech. So, prima facie, it would appear that these people think that the religious sensitivities of Christians do not deserve to be respected.
A standard argument put forth was that The Da Vinci Code was not really offensive, and that Christians who complained were too sensitive and ought not feel offended. But that's a silly argument, since sensitivities are subjective, and depends on the feelings of those who are at the receiving end of the 'treatment'. Those not at the receiving end have no valid grounds to judge whether anything is offensive or otherwise. After all, it can easily be argued that white European skin-heads would not consider the film about Islam to be offensive and that Muslims have been too sensitive and ought not feel offended as well.
I hope you see my point, which is that if we want to promote free speech, the same standards should apply to all, or if we are in favour of curtailing free speech with an eye towards respecting religious sensitivities, such curtailment should also be applied consistently.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
On that National Conversation
Since the PM's National Day Rally speech, the country has been abuzz with talk about the national conversation. We got all sorts of voices clamouring for attention, and as expected, complaints from certain opposition parties about being excluded.
While I expect many issues to be discussed, I suspect that what I consider the really important issues facing the country will be left undisturbed. Based on the noises so far, all the talk about an inclusive society and so forth centres around the issue of social welfare, with many Singaporeans asking for assistance and handouts of one form or another from the government. While these issues are important, they are secondary, in my view.
What I think ought to be discussed, but won't will include things like the fundamental vulnerabilities facing the country, like the lack of food and energy security, as well as geopolitical issues like the South China Sea disputes. To me, given the current and expected future global environment of the next 10-20 years, there will be a lot of external forces that will serious rock Singapore's 'boat', whether we like it or not. The best thing to do is to have everyone understand these issues and prepare for them. Unfortunately, the exercise will likely turn out to be like a squabble over who gets to eat more of the buffet while the ship is heading into stormy seas.
I am of the view that we need desperately to address the fundamental issues, as they will affect how Singaporeans see our own future prospects, and in turn, our willingness not to commit collective suicide by refusing to reproduce ourselves.
More on these in a future post.
While I expect many issues to be discussed, I suspect that what I consider the really important issues facing the country will be left undisturbed. Based on the noises so far, all the talk about an inclusive society and so forth centres around the issue of social welfare, with many Singaporeans asking for assistance and handouts of one form or another from the government. While these issues are important, they are secondary, in my view.
What I think ought to be discussed, but won't will include things like the fundamental vulnerabilities facing the country, like the lack of food and energy security, as well as geopolitical issues like the South China Sea disputes. To me, given the current and expected future global environment of the next 10-20 years, there will be a lot of external forces that will serious rock Singapore's 'boat', whether we like it or not. The best thing to do is to have everyone understand these issues and prepare for them. Unfortunately, the exercise will likely turn out to be like a squabble over who gets to eat more of the buffet while the ship is heading into stormy seas.
I am of the view that we need desperately to address the fundamental issues, as they will affect how Singaporeans see our own future prospects, and in turn, our willingness not to commit collective suicide by refusing to reproduce ourselves.
More on these in a future post.
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