I am prone to dramatize situations. Today in my Computers and Cultures Class, the question was asked: "should information be freely available?" My answer was yes. The lecturer wanted to know why the class answered yes or no. I didn't hesitate to raise my hand, unlike most of my calm classmates.
I straightened my shoulders, and my voice became deep and authoritative. "I think information should be free because no one should own information. The moment they own information they can control that information and use it to their advantage."
Flashes of Hitler's propaganda campaign came to my mind. I envisioned impoverished African children who had no access to Internet or education. I predicted government conspiracies and foresaw media biases. I thought of a good essay thesis: if information has a price tag, if it becomes a commodity, our society's ability to learn, create,and understand will be hindered by our pocketbooks!
Yes, I was impassioned. Until I looked around the classroom and realized the faces around me were somewhat shocked by my answer. I could read the expressions: "she needs to take a breath" or "isn't she overreacting." I bit my lip and slumped in my chair. Maybe I overacted.
Another male student agreed that information should be free. His explanation followed my answer. He explained his answer with a hint of humor.
"Information should be free because I don't like paying for things." This comment was followed by classmate laughter.
My response made the class tense and I know I saw a few eyes role. The class clown's comment resonated with most of the room. I felt awkward and singled out. I should have clamped my mouth shut.
I left the classroom frustrated with my fire. Why do I get impassioned about issues that most can chuckle about? Why do I get emotional about wrongs in the world, when most can ignore them? I have a sensitive conscience and I always make people uncomfortable.
This interview with Derek Webb resonated with me. I'm not out to change anyone! It doesn't bother me that people are more apathetic or comfortable. I don't speak because I want to rally everyone to a cause. I simply react because God has stirred my heart and I struggle to keep silent.
Maybe I should start charging for this blog. What do you think?
I straightened my shoulders, and my voice became deep and authoritative. "I think information should be free because no one should own information. The moment they own information they can control that information and use it to their advantage."
Flashes of Hitler's propaganda campaign came to my mind. I envisioned impoverished African children who had no access to Internet or education. I predicted government conspiracies and foresaw media biases. I thought of a good essay thesis: if information has a price tag, if it becomes a commodity, our society's ability to learn, create,and understand will be hindered by our pocketbooks!
Yes, I was impassioned. Until I looked around the classroom and realized the faces around me were somewhat shocked by my answer. I could read the expressions: "she needs to take a breath" or "isn't she overreacting." I bit my lip and slumped in my chair. Maybe I overacted.
Another male student agreed that information should be free. His explanation followed my answer. He explained his answer with a hint of humor.
"Information should be free because I don't like paying for things." This comment was followed by classmate laughter.
My response made the class tense and I know I saw a few eyes role. The class clown's comment resonated with most of the room. I felt awkward and singled out. I should have clamped my mouth shut.
I left the classroom frustrated with my fire. Why do I get impassioned about issues that most can chuckle about? Why do I get emotional about wrongs in the world, when most can ignore them? I have a sensitive conscience and I always make people uncomfortable.
This interview with Derek Webb resonated with me. I'm not out to change anyone! It doesn't bother me that people are more apathetic or comfortable. I don't speak because I want to rally everyone to a cause. I simply react because God has stirred my heart and I struggle to keep silent.
Maybe I should start charging for this blog. What do you think?
4 comments:
the Gospel should definitely be free, in my mind, anyway. :o)
and your blog? well... your blog is awesome and very much full of the Gospel so I think it should be free, too. but your blog also says BREASTS really big at the top, which I think is just amazing and funny at the same time... and tells me a LOT about the Song of Solomon... and I think it should still be free to read your blog even though it says BREASTS really big at the top. :o)
I have thought about censoring that part. However, I am also fully aware that I feel no need to censor scripture. I think it is pretty funny that preachers can't say that word. They rarely accurately quote chapter 7 out of Song of Songs. Sex isn't evil and neither are breasts. The wisest man knew this. :)
The above word cloud wasn't formatted by me. I created it through a data structuring website. This website restructures manuscripts according to word usage. The more a word is used within a passage the larger the font for that word. Therefore, it is rather accurate to the chapter.
NO... don't censor it! It's insightful. Seriously. :o)
I've seen those word clouds before. Kunle likes to use them to illustrate to his students what his classes/textbooks are all about. I think they're very useful, too!
Tamara's blog has big breasts? Hm....
Anyway....I like...no LOVE your passion! No censoring! No charging!
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