Literary Escapade

2008-10-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

IGNORE THIS POSTTTTT~

In modern democratic societies, there is no value in censorship. Do you agree?
Censorship is no new concept today. Dating back to the 16th century, Spanish censors placed constraints on various publications such as books and music. Strict laws were implemented, and those who published works with heretical intent would ultimately end up in the hangman’s scaffold. Though such restrictions may have been essential in preserving peace and prosperity in the past, one questions its value in modern day democracies, where freedom is advocated and the population is generally literate. Censorship, it seems, has no other purpose than to curtail the intellectual development of society and impede its appreciation of the Arts. While we cannot deny the validity of these arguments, it is essential that we also consider the importance of censorship in modern day societies, even as conflicting ideas exist between the two.
For starters, censorship goes against the very fundamentals of a democracy – freedom. Via censorship, authoritative bodies screen out written and other forms of information that it deems unsuitable for the general public. In this way, censorship compromises on the rights people in a democracy are entitled to, needless to say of those living in modern democracies, where the idea of freedom should already be deeply entrenched. The society in modern democracies should have the right to use their own discretion and choose what kind of information they wish to expose themselves to. By censoring the media, publications, and other forms of expression, censorship is but a slap to the face of democracy and its ideals of freedom of expression and press.
Moreover, the population in modern, democratic societies tends to be more educated than their counterparts in other countries. This is because modern democracies generally have a sound education system, as shown by countries such as Finland, which topped the primary education and higher education sections in the ‘Global Competiveness report 2007-2008.’ Hence, the population is likely to be more discerning in its viewing. They are able to disseminate information and know what is right and wrong. For example, they are unlikely to imitate scenes from violent movies such as ‘Sweeney Todd’ or ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ because they are able differentiate fact from fiction, and weigh the consequences of their actions. They are also able to choose types of media to avoid, such as films which have the intention to titillate the audience. Thus, they are able to practice self-censorship and the value of censorship in modern democracies is once again questioned.
As mentioned, the above arguments resonate across many modern democracies around the world. However, we must not simply send censorship to the noose, for it still plays a vital role in many modern democracies in the world due to the evolution of multi-cultural societies, globalization, and modern technological advances.
In a country’s metamorphosis into a modern, democratic nation, it is likely to face a number of societal changes. In a nation brimming with opportunities, it is not unusual for many foreigners seeking a better life to flock to these countries. These foreigners hope to establish themselves in a land with which offers them more opportunities for success. With the influx of foreign workers and their descendants, society tends to become more multi-racial and multi-cultural. There is now a greater need for censorship in such countries. This is because any racial or religious remarks may incite unrest or violence. Hence, certain laws of censorship must be abided by to ensure stability and prosperity. Some countries such as Singapore and Malaysia take a step further and introduced the Internal Security Act, which allows detainment of individuals who threaten the stability of society without trial. The recent arrest of bloggers in Singapore who posted negative racial remarks on this weblog further accentuates the importance which modern democratic countries place on censorship.
Modern democratic societies tend to have few shortcomings on their communications infrastructure. This, coupled with the highly connected nature of the world today, has made censorship all the more important in modern, democratic countries. This is because the types of freedom generally accepted in such countries may not be acceptable in other countries due to a difference in ideology or maturity of the different societies. People in modern democracies may feel that they are simply expressing their opinion on an issue because they have the right to do so, but they are often apathetic to the concerns of others. Thus, hurtful, damning, and vicious remarks can be viewed by many outside of these countries from which they were originally posted, possibly inciting a regional uproar. The recent Danish cartoons featuring the Prophet Muhammad sparked a global response condemning the cartoon as it grossly misinterprets the prophet’s nature. Not only did the Danish press suffer heavy damage, the Danish economy also slid as those in the Islamic world boycotted Danish goods. With the power of globalization looming over these countries, censorship is of value in modern democratic societies. It not only maintains internal stability of the nation as mentioned above, it also aids in improving relations with other countries.
The term ‘modern’ suggests that the democratic societies under consideration should have a substantial level of technology. The advent of the internet has opened countless dimensions. Information can now be obtained through the click of a mouse. Thus, many people, including impressionable youths and children, are exposed to violent and pornographic content. These youths are more likely to be influenced by such ideas as they lack the maturity to fully comprehend the nature of such images. Censorship is implemented in such cases to restrict the availability of certain content to specific age groups. Singapore has various levels of censorship, with the most prominent being the censorship of films. Homegrown director Royston Tan’s film ‘15’, a film on members of a Singapore street gang, had to be cut 27 times. Hence censorship is vital in protecting our youths from the clutches of these demonic hues. How can we then say that censorship has no value in modern democratic societies?
In conclusion, it is too simplistic to state that there is no value in censorship in modern democracies when in fact; censorship may have more value and purpose than ever before. Although we must consider the stunning anomalies that exist in a democratic nation which embraces censorship, it seems that as a nation develops and grows, it can never obliterate censorship totally if it wants to maintain a peaceful society.

2008-09-19T06:32:00.001-07:00

As the lukewarm sunrise envelops me,
I gaze at your picture;
so intriging, so surreal.

Those cheekbones, my oh my,
the curves;
so beautiful when you smile.

I care not,
those blemishes that beseige you,
cause thats exactly the person
whom I have fallen for

Hoshi No Koe After the battle

2008-03-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

New Fanfic! xD

Note:
81 is the actual area code for Japan.
I added the 3 at the front for Earth, since the Earth is the 3rd planet from the Sun. Just so that it would seem more surreal.
All characters are the properties of their respective copyright holders.

After the Battle
A “Voices of a Distant Star” (Hoshi no Koe) Fanfic
Chapter 1: After the Battle

“Enter Destination”
‘Earth, 3-81-80778203’
“Estimated time: 8 years, 3 months, 9 days, 23 hours, 45 minutes”
Message: When will we meet again?
-Sending message-

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Mikako sighed as the email drifted off into space. Sophisticated though technology was, her message would not break the silence between her and Noboru for at least 8 years. She could only hope that the email got through successfully.

She looked around at the debris left by the battle. The Tarsians had fled by the dozens when the human fleet tore through their ranks, though at a huge cost: more than three quarters of the United Nations Space Army’s first space force had been blown away. The remaining ‘Lysithea’ carrier survived with minor scratches to its warp engine, but that was sufficient to put the warp engines out for at least 3 months.

Suddenly, she burst into tears. She missed him badly, and wondered how he was, whether news of the victory had reached the Earth.

He would have been so proud.

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“Today, our defences have faltered. Four of our six carriers stationed near Jupiter faced an encountered heavy Tarsian fire and were forced to retreat 8 light years away. The current defences stand at 2 heavy carriers, 180 fully functioning Mechs, as well as 20 Magnetic Rotating Canons (MRCs).”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I have to remind you that we must be resilient against the likes of this foul alien race. We need to stand together, and drive these things out of existence!”

The Chairman pounded the table with his closed, round fist, and the press room erupted in cheers.

“One question, Chairman: Will the fleet ever return?”

“Well, we can’t be too sure, but we are pinning our hopes on a swift return by the force. I have to admit that any news sent by the fleet will take at least eight years to reach us with the technology on the carrier. However, there is no need to be too worried. We think that the Tarsians will not act rashly after we compounded them on Mars. They would most likely waltz around Jupiter before making their move. Again, please-“

Noboru flicked the remote aside, casting a glance at his cell phone.

Still nothing.

Her last email was 8 months ago, when she was training on Mars. Had she warped out as well?
Only time would give him the answer he badly needed.

He went back to his books, and feverishly studied the chapter on Superposition. Should he fail the final test, he would not be able to apply for a UN Space Army Scholarship.

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“Mika!”

Mikako turned her head so fast she could have swore she heard the bone crack.

“Nobo- Oh its you, Kiko-chan.”

Only Noboru had called her Mika before.

“What’s the matter, Miko-chan? Feeling unwell?”

“I’m alright Kiko, thanks. I’m just feeling a little peaky from that last battle”

“THAT was one HELL OF A BATTLE! YOU WERE GREAT!”

“Don’t say that, Kiko! It will just make me cockier than I already am!”

“You! You couldn’t brag to save your life! Anyway, they are having some curry down by the mess hall. Some private smuggled it pass Space Command. Want to have some? It’s better than the synthetic proteins we eat every day.”

“Okay. I’ll join you in a moment,”

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“Enter Destination”
‘Earth, 3-81-80778203’
“Estimated time: 8 years, 3 months, 6 days, 12 hours, 34 minutes”
Message: Noboru-kun! I miss you! From the 15 year old Mikako
-Sending Message-

And He held HEr Hands

2008-03-31T08:50:00.000-07:00

AND HE HELD HER HANDS
CHAPTER 4

Palms

“Left, right, right, over and twirl” was all he could remember from the dance he learnt yesterday. He knew there was more to this dance, but her very being already filled his entire mind. He watched as she tossed her hair and stepped onto the grass, leading him in the dance.

He bent down and picked a perfect blade of grass, still immersed in the fresh morning dew.
“For you” He smiled.

A wide and playful grin spread across her face.

Together, they skipped all the way into the parade square.

The usual preaching preceded, and as the topic strayed to relationships, he felt the teacher’s eye bear down on him. Quickly, he made to look at the ground, finding his feet much more interesting than the situation being presented to him at the moment.

He heaved a sigh of relief as the dull discourse ended, and embraced her hands with his, the blade of grass snugly sitting within their palms.

And He held Her Hands 3

2008-03-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

sidenote: this was on fictionpress several days ago. Was too lazy to upload here

AND HE HELD HER HANDS
CHAPTER 3

Blade of Grass

The couple waltzed to the morning music, completely oblivious to the obvious mass of people surging in the same direction. Stares bore down on them and they broke ranks, flushing in embarrassment and delight.

Gradually, they bounded to the assembly area, hand in hand, letting go only when the discipline master reared his ugly head.

She looked across to where he stood and relished at the sight of his hair, brown in the morning sun. Somehow, she liked it better when his hair was slightly brown; it gave him an ethereal feel, adding a dash of attractiveness.

The disciplinarian began his usual morning sermon, usually concentrating on the issue of wayward students. This morning, however, he shared a boring and mind-numbing lecture on relationships. As he spoke, she twirled her hair playfully with her fingers, gazing at the rising sun. She glanced over once more, but he was no longer standing upright. Instead, his back was hunched and he was staring intently at his feet.

Finally, as the “colourless” individual left the podium, the students started moving off to class. She scooted over and grasped his hand, the blade of grass in between their hands.

2008-03-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

And He Held Her Hands Chapter 2

2007-10-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

Chapter 2 (6/10/07) [Not as good as the first chapter]

The chill air filled his lungs as he stepped out. As usual, he picked up the purple lunchbox, situated beside the green one every morning. Without looking, he propped the note onto the green lunchbox. Whatever task the house keeper had set him was always dealt with in this swift, fluid movement.

For a moment, he was caught in a reverie; nothing but her silky, waist length hair and her gentle, friendly face swirled infinitely in his mind. He could almost smell the scent, that very special scent. Somehow, he could smell it all day, as if she was right beside him all the time.

The alarm clock was ringing.

Hurriedly, he made a beeline for his bag, and folded up his sleeves like he always did. Rushing out, he made sure that he closed the door as gently as possible. The lock clicked shut.

Just as a lock flew open.

He took a few seconds to bathe in the cool, morning air. The sun was still in hiding, and the miniscule rays of light were outshone by the numerous street lamps which light up most of the suburban areas, giving night-dwellers a sense of security and warmth. The withering plants look at him sourly.

She would be waiting.

He stood at the bottom of the stairs, deliberately looking the other way. He knew she would jump on him. It would hurt, but he loved it when she did that. The feeling of her soft skin on his very canvas left him tingling with anticipation.

Love erases hurt.

As expected, she bounded down the stairs. He heard her footsteps. “Three, two, one…”

He stumbled forward, intentionally tripping himself. He turned around, and there she was, as bubbly as ever. He could not help but smile at the sight of his one love. He gazed into her eyes and for an instant, frozen in time, was their gaze.

Eye to eye.

Heart to heart.

He took her hands.

Firmly.

And He Held Her Hands

2007-10-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

Written on: 5/10/07

The first glimpse of light always makes her eyes sore, as she muttered to no one in particular in a monotonous voice. The alarm clock responded by doing a routine gig, which it gave without fail every weekday morning, much to her dismay. She sat on her bed for a few moments, sprouting numerous profanities and decrying the education system – not a very feminine mannerism – yet there was no one around who could hear her.

She dragged herself out of her bed, and carelessly threw ‘Wawa’, her one-eyed teddy bear back onto the warmth of her blankets. The bear seemed to look at her resentfully for a second out of its black, gem-like eye. She did not care, however. She had more things to worry about; as if a resentful teddy bear could be more important than keeping her hair straight.

And whether he would come.

She bathed silently, with the cold water rushing down her face. Yet as the tap roared its finale, she shuddered in the cold air, which was stiff with emptiness and longing. As she slipped into her uniform – the distasteful piece of fabric which she was required to wear – her thoughts dwelled upon the homework she had not done, the project she has yet to research upon. However, all these were quickly dismissed and she thought of Melissa’s smiling face, that sweet smile that never failed to bring a smile to her face as well.

That smile, that smile.

Her hands flew down the buttons, and she was done in no time. Grabbing her bag, she took one last, long look in the mirror; her hair was straight and hung up to her waist, and her tie was the usual – loose and slanted – and she opened the door.

The lock flew open with a click that resounded around the house. Clearly, no one was home, even at such an unearthly hour. A note was propped up beside a lime-green lunch box. ‘Water the plants’ it read. She carefully placed the lunchbox in her bag and heaved the main door open.

The cool morning wind greeted her in a rare gesture of kindness. She stepped out and locked the door, checking it twice to make sure no one else could open it unless in possession of a key. Hastily, she rushed down the stairs, paying no attention to the withering plants which badly needed watering. ‘It would probably rain anyway’ she thought as she began her slow descend at the top of the stairs.

And there he was.

She bounded down the stairs, her feet moving in quick succession. With a final leap, she knocked into his frame, almost knocking him over with the surprise gesture. He turned around and smiled that warm, gentle smile that only he owned. He was not a heart-stopper, but his appearance was no doubt attractive.

Few people could pull off a fashion stunt in a school uniform – he was one of them. The sleeves were folded slightly, and the tie hung at chest level, giving it a free, carefree guise. The shoes were black leather, a material which few students of his age seemed to be interested in. Carelessly, he shook his eye-length hair out of his face.

And he took her hands.

Firmly.

Plague of My Heart (28/10/06)

2007-10-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

This was my first story on fictionpress.net

Written on: 28/10/06

I looked across the room. There she was, the everlasting pillar of energy. I studied her every feature. Her large, mystifying eyes were the highlight. They could break down the shallow, weak-minded defense of any man and reach into his heart.

And there was the nose. In contrast to her eyes, her nose was small, but contemplated well with the upper regions of her face.

If that alone weren't enough, i spotted her mouth. Like thin slices of peach, they shone even in the darkest of days. One would want to kiss her lips, and never let go.

In my eyes, she was perfect. Lively and bubbly, she was that star. The star that never failed to brighten my day, even if the things she did had nothing to do with me. She was my angel. Just looking at her could make me smile.

And i laughed at myself. She hardly sees me as part of her life. Mixed feelings of anguish and love constantly plague my heart, each wanting to eliminate each other. I could just hate her, erase her from my world. But anguish, was always vanquished when she turned and looked. Even for a split second, it would seem to me as an eternity.

“Kaisan Minadowa!” the evil, frogged faced beast called from the white board. “Stop dreaming and name me the first five American Presidents... without looking at your book”.

Like a volcano arising from its sleep, i could feel the anger rising. What a dirty trick! I wanted to lift my book and throw it at the beast.

Then, she looked over.

I was stunned momentarily. The class was suddenly empty except for the both of us. Now, she was getting closer, even though neither of us were moving. Closer and closer, until her lips stroked my cheek. I turned and look into her eyes. Those eyes. I leaned forward...

“Kaisan! Stop smooching your book! You are full of nonsense! I want you to rewrite the whole history textbook... 5 times”. Everyone turned, and for a moment, I was the dunce.

And then i saw her smile.