Recently there was a rather... interesting reaction to the removal of an art instillation at Second Life's 7th birthday party. It seemed this work of art featured some doll like nudity and there is no nudity allowed at this function. Some seemed to feel this was censorship, and protested.
I found out about the protest because it was mentioned on the Second Life forum, and for the record I'm not here to defend or attack the work of art. What I really want to talk about is the reactions from the forum monkeys. The broke rather neatly into two camps. One defending the work of art, and the other mumbling something to the effect of, “It's Linden Lab's party they can do what they want”.
The “Defense” camp is wrong because art does not need defense.
But the utterly clueless camp would be the “Do what they want camp”.
The whole point of protest is simply because “the powers that be”, do what they want anyway. You don't have to be happy about it and you can protest. Some call it bitching, but that is a poor choice of words. If you just sit there and take it... then you are “The Man's” bitch.
Protesting, while mostly pointless is if nothing else somewhat satisfying... unless you actually expect it to change things.
The grand design of nature is such that you are intended to protest, or decent. Want proof? Well hold your hands out in front of you. On each hand, between the ring finger and the index finger is a handy digit that's sole reason for existence is to protest, and out of all the fingers you have at your disposal, that finger, and only that finger is referred to as “THE Finger”.
Those suggesting it's pointless to protest should hang their heads in shame. What they are actually saying is what upsets other people is really stupid and they should grow up and accept whatever indignities those in power choose to lay upon their shoulders.
Those in power are always right... until they do something that upsets those whom suggest those in power are always right. At that point the most staunch supporter becomes... protester-ish.
Those protesting the WTO got attacked by police and stripped of their civil liberties.
Those protesting an oppressive regime in china stood before tanks.
Buddhist Monks immolated themselves to protest the Vietnam war.
I don't think any of those protesting expected things to change. But they most certainly did make a point.
While all these things are more relevant than anything going on in Second Life, it does not diminish people right to be upset. Those of you not particularly upset should just quietly smirk to yourself.
I found out about the protest because it was mentioned on the Second Life forum, and for the record I'm not here to defend or attack the work of art. What I really want to talk about is the reactions from the forum monkeys. The broke rather neatly into two camps. One defending the work of art, and the other mumbling something to the effect of, “It's Linden Lab's party they can do what they want”.
The “Defense” camp is wrong because art does not need defense.
But the utterly clueless camp would be the “Do what they want camp”.
The whole point of protest is simply because “the powers that be”, do what they want anyway. You don't have to be happy about it and you can protest. Some call it bitching, but that is a poor choice of words. If you just sit there and take it... then you are “The Man's” bitch.
Protesting, while mostly pointless is if nothing else somewhat satisfying... unless you actually expect it to change things.
The grand design of nature is such that you are intended to protest, or decent. Want proof? Well hold your hands out in front of you. On each hand, between the ring finger and the index finger is a handy digit that's sole reason for existence is to protest, and out of all the fingers you have at your disposal, that finger, and only that finger is referred to as “THE Finger”.
Those suggesting it's pointless to protest should hang their heads in shame. What they are actually saying is what upsets other people is really stupid and they should grow up and accept whatever indignities those in power choose to lay upon their shoulders.
Those in power are always right... until they do something that upsets those whom suggest those in power are always right. At that point the most staunch supporter becomes... protester-ish.
Those protesting the WTO got attacked by police and stripped of their civil liberties.
Those protesting an oppressive regime in china stood before tanks.
Buddhist Monks immolated themselves to protest the Vietnam war.
I don't think any of those protesting expected things to change. But they most certainly did make a point.
While all these things are more relevant than anything going on in Second Life, it does not diminish people right to be upset. Those of you not particularly upset should just quietly smirk to yourself.
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