Censorship, we have decided, is the predator of ideas. However, following the lead of biologist E. O. Wilson, we acknowledge that predators increase diversity. Predators keep the competitors somewhat equal; without them, a few competitors rise and suppress their peers.
A typical example of censorship as predator, increasing diversity, is pornography.
The porn industry was an unsightly, but small blemish on our national landscape until 1972 when the government decided to take action against a movie called "Deep Throat." Millions of Americans felt compelled to see their first X-rated film (in order to have an informed opinion of the matter, of course). The next thing you know, the porn industry makes more movies and money than Hollywood!
To prove our point, it must be noted that while the subject matter of pornographic films is now incredibly diverse, their plot lines have become non-existent. ("Deep Throat" at least had a plot line.) The raw appeal of competing sexual images crowded out the erotic appeal of a good story.
One might joke that a censorship board to kill off plot lines could not have done such a good job, but the truth is that the existence of such a board -- a predator -- would actually have enhanced the story lines of sex films and may well have spawned a real art form. Alas, we have porno.
The question is, can we use Conscious Ritualing to invite predators into an ecosystem of ideas a community to enrich its diversity? Of course we can.
The United States of America, before its very inception, grew diverse because of censorship. The colonists fled to the New World to escape religious persecution. The colonists revolted from the King of England because of economic restrictions. The very nature of the American character is a response to the tyranny of manners and customs that told us we had to act refined and cultured like our "betters." We are a diverse people because we will always take "the road less traveled," especially when we are told not to.
Conscious Ritualing allows us to take the unknown path with confidence. The controlled spontaneity of ritual lets us step beyond convention, to defy the rules and act out without getting hurt by using knowledge and common sense.
Think of it like crossing a busy street. The censors want us to use the crosswalk and wait for the green light, but we are in the middle of the block. We, however, have enough knowledge of cars and drivers to act out to wait for the right moment, to step into the break of cars, to stare down a timid driver, to pause halfway and scan the other direction, and to run! All very controlled, all very spontaneous, all definitely dangerous but not so much so when we are conscious and aware.
Crossing a street is definitely a conscious ritual, and you better hope no cop is around to give you a jay-walking ticket. But what of the poor plot lines of the porno industry? How do we cross over to get to a stimulating story? What of lower-priced, local produce? Can we have that? Electric cars? Peace on Earth? Who are the censorship police who tell us we can't have these things?
We need to let them explain themselves. Like crosswalks, the system has to be totally clear to us -- "transparent" in the modern political lingo -- so that we can defy it!
The censor is dead. Long live the censor.
Be Qualiadelic. Be Conscious. Change the routine.
Tony Brussat has a Master's degree in
Rhetoric and Communication, and he is currently a Registered Nurse in
the field of Behavioral Health. Visit qualiadelic.com or purchase BE
QUALIADELIC for $9.95 at Amazon.com to learn more about Conscious
Ritualing.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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