DPM Wong warns of radical ideas being spread through internet
In the article, DPM alluded to self-radicalising groups that acquire their ideas/theology/ideology from various sources from the Internet.
While I can see the possiblity of this happening, I do not think that the internet is the one to shouldar the blame.
The internet is a tool that provides information, regardless of its source or nature, I agree. And this has led to contentious material becoming readily available to the public; Information on how to make explosive devices, or discriminatory information can be found easily.
But I believe that a person who becomes severely affected by this sort of information to move beyond just reading and into action, suggests that there is something wrong with the person, and not the tool. It's not fair to say that the internet is to blame, when it is the person who choses to accept or reject whatever material they come across.
This is akin to blaming a hammer, because it could potentially be used to cause bodily harm.
So where do we go from here? Inevitably, there will be persons who are susceptible to radical ideas, regardless of its source. As such, it really falls onto the people around that person to detect warning signs, and to initiate early intervention. Look at the people around you, your families, friends and communities. Are there people that could potentially cause worry? While I'm not saying you should "rat out" a friend, it really takes effort on the part of each person to help ensure that one does not fall into the wrong crowd, or become an easy target to radicalism. This is something that any consientious person can do, as part of the larger community.
In the article, DPM alluded to self-radicalising groups that acquire their ideas/theology/ideology from various sources from the Internet.
While I can see the possiblity of this happening, I do not think that the internet is the one to shouldar the blame.
The internet is a tool that provides information, regardless of its source or nature, I agree. And this has led to contentious material becoming readily available to the public; Information on how to make explosive devices, or discriminatory information can be found easily.
But I believe that a person who becomes severely affected by this sort of information to move beyond just reading and into action, suggests that there is something wrong with the person, and not the tool. It's not fair to say that the internet is to blame, when it is the person who choses to accept or reject whatever material they come across.
This is akin to blaming a hammer, because it could potentially be used to cause bodily harm.
So where do we go from here? Inevitably, there will be persons who are susceptible to radical ideas, regardless of its source. As such, it really falls onto the people around that person to detect warning signs, and to initiate early intervention. Look at the people around you, your families, friends and communities. Are there people that could potentially cause worry? While I'm not saying you should "rat out" a friend, it really takes effort on the part of each person to help ensure that one does not fall into the wrong crowd, or become an easy target to radicalism. This is something that any consientious person can do, as part of the larger community.
2 comments:
Hmm... maybe I'm being a radical here, but my opinion is that the biggest cause of radicalism is the government moving away from what is acceptable to the people. People become disgruntled and are attracted to opposing points of view. Next thing you know, wham!, the government's out of power and the radicals have won. You'd better not hang out with me any more Ken :-).
You are right, that when a government moves away from what is normally acceptable to the people that voted it in, it will breed dis-satisfaction, or outright anger.
My point wasn't about governance per se, but rather about personal responsibility towards maintaining a peaceful, liveable community.
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