Just Blogging

Safe behind the keyboard

Posted on February 9, 2010 with No Comments

Anonymity- we can all use the safety cushion that technology and the internet provides us with if we so choose. Ample opportunities abound on many fora to simply register some meaningless email address, sign-up with a bogus identity, load bullets of text onto an open platform as a troll, and then watch your enemies fire warning shots across your bow or score direct hits on target.

My personal opinion about this practice is one predominantly of cowardice by the anonymous user.

Of course there are exceptions in extreme cases, where freedom of speech invokes a fatwa, or daring to express one’s opinions leads to disciplinary action from one’s employer, but in the western culture (with the exception of inciting racial hatred or contravening the UK Terrorism Act 2006 by disseminating terrorist publications) generally the freedom to express one’s views and opinions in public, whether that be written or spoken, is a human right and forms part of standard daily discourse.

This however does not remove the ‘fear factor’ when dealing with subject matter that is known to be opposed by colleagues, evoking argument with those that hold opposing views. Conflict is never easy to manage or engage with in any circumstance, but imagine this situation: the stage is yours, the podium is your battleground and you have an audience that have attended specifically to hear your speech. But, on the stage alongside you are the representatives of the very organisations you are about to criticise. Then, add into the mix the subject matter you are about to discuss is the Catholic faith itself, globally the second largest religious practice.

Homophobia, contraception, child abuse. The content is sensitive material. The approach is one entirely of attack and criticism, born from issues that directly oppose the speakers views, simply because they affect the very essence of his daily life. The motion under consideration is “The Catholic Church is a force for good in the world”

The presentation style is helped greatly by the fact that the speaker is a respected celebrity, an educated man, an eloquent speaker. The words spoken use passion as a weapon, and personal experience as a shield.

Cue (unedited) Mr Stephen Fry:

The Intelligence² Debate – Stephen Fry (Unedited)
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