WARNING: For those of you who were unlucky enough not to have watched the movie, I seriously recommend you don't read this blog any further, and just watch it as soon as it's out on DVD.
Batman Begins is an excellent movie.
Like The Godfather, Othello and Star Wars (amongst many) it shows the epic battle between good and evil. However, the writers went one step further and were courageous enough to ask for a definition of good and evil by introducing the character of Ra's Al Ghul. This man and the League of Shadows had decided that as Gotham City was no longer living up to THEIR expectations that it had to be destroyed. But that meant that the League of Shadows had an established definition of good and evil, which conflicted with Batman’s definition. They claimed that there was a line that Gotham had crossed and was too evil to come back from and should therefore have been destroyed, without mercy.
So, how does a civilisation know when they've crossed a line from good to evil? Or more importantly, how does an INDIVIDUAL know when they've crossed that line? What is good and what is evil, and who decides it?
In The Godfather the line was made very distinct for the viewers as Michael actively decided to adopt his father’s role, and kill to save the family’s honour. Similarly in Star Wars the audience is made to believe that Anakin has turned evil when he starts to take on the teachings of his "Master." However, on both occasions without realising it the audience is manipulated into believing what Michael and Anakin are doing is wrong. But how can we be so sure?
Our conscience: An innate sense of right and wrong. But who programs the conscience? Is it our environment or is it a power beyond humanity?
In Batman it was the League of Shadows, or the environment which moulded the peoples' conscience through a legal system. It was man who decided what was right and wrong. However, this concept is severely flawed in that each individual has a slightly different idea of what is right and wrong, which Batman also demonstrates. While Ra’s Al-Ghul thought it was just to execute a criminal without a trial, Batman believed that everyone is firstly entitled to a fair trial.
The movie illustrated to me, whether it meant to or not, that man-made legal rulings aren't good enough. Instead, man requires a universal law, and an ultimate judge or provider of justice.
Yesterday my friend and I were recruiting people for our University's ISOC. Each member who joined had their own ideas of how the society should be run, each believing that they were right. Perhaps no one realised, but I was in awe of how each individual and their concept of right and wrong was unique. Masha'Allah (praise be to Allah,) what diversity! At the same time I also started to feel very sorry for those in charge, whose job it is to cater for each individual... being a leader isn't easy. But with an established, universal sense of right and wrong, which everyone must agree on, the job is made easier in my opinion.
Finally for me maybe one of the best traits of the movie was also the fact that Batman refused to give up no matter how bad Gotham had become. He would fight for justice regardless of the number of people he would have to contend with. Such a movie promotes a positive attitude on life, which we are in dire need of in today’s world.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
We're doomed... Or are we?
While having a discussion with my housemate the other day I experienced what can only be described as the veil being lifted from my eyes. For only the smallest amount of time the world had clicked into place. I felt like I could see something perhaps only a few have had a chance to see.
Our world is falling apart. It REALLY is. And if humanity doesn't start to have a long hard look at itself, this time there will be no coming back.
Of course, each empire has experienced its own downfalls, but this time is different. The whole world is experiencing a complete collapse in every aspect possible. Socially, politically, religiously and economically. Even TV has gone downhill! (Except Lost and Desperate Housewives- what would I have done after Friends had finished if it wasn't for these shows?)
So, what got me thinking like this? Well, we were discussing the way in which our world leaders deal with the problems that arise in their countries. For example, here in England the way in which Blair has decided to combat the ever increasing problem of alcoholism and any crime committed under the influence of alcohol is by allowing 24 hour pubs. And how do we deal with any problems that this may cause? Increase police patrols. Increase taxes so that we can pay for more policing. And make those who don't drink, like Muslims, feel even more isolated within society. Well done Mr Blair, you've done it again.
Throughout the holidays I got to work with a law firm. And what did I learn? Most crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol. The number of cases I saw where the only defence the alleged perpetrators had was, "I was drunk. I didn't mean to" was ridiculous. FACT: You CHOSE to be drunk. You CHOSE to lose control. And therefore you CHOSE to commit the crime.
Economically the world's a joke. The rich-poor divide has reached an all time low, where reports of famines etc have reached an embarrassing high. The worst thing is that when there is a humanitarian crisis such as that of Niger the media chose to approach it in the most carpe diem way possible. For about 1 week minimum we have an influx of photographs, videos etc appealing to us to give as much money as we can afford. A few weeks later, we forget. Humans are very good at forgetting and living for the moment. Nowadays the situation's got even worse. I worked for a little while in Oxfam, and one of my fellow colleagues turned around to me a said, "there are so many appeals nowadays, it's hard to keep track of which one to give money to." She was right. How many people can the general public possibly help? Eventually we'll get so used to the appeals, we may even unintentionally stop giving anymore. My opinion: It's not all our responsibility. It's the world leaders' responsibility, and they should start living up to it.
And this is how we get onto the next topic: Politics. One word: Bush. The most powerful man in the world is Bush. The man who said that the name of the President of Pakistan is "General" we have allowed to become the President of the most powerful country in the world. You do the maths.
Religiously? Well let's just say that the words Jihad, suicide and bomb have been completely struck from my vocabulary. The world isn't ready yet for me to discuss how it's deteriorating religiously, so let's leave that topic for a rainy day.
I've tried pretty hard to show you what I saw in my brief revelation. However, there are many issues I haven't discussed. The most important being my solution to all the world's problems:
I should be President. :-)
Our world is falling apart. It REALLY is. And if humanity doesn't start to have a long hard look at itself, this time there will be no coming back.
Of course, each empire has experienced its own downfalls, but this time is different. The whole world is experiencing a complete collapse in every aspect possible. Socially, politically, religiously and economically. Even TV has gone downhill! (Except Lost and Desperate Housewives- what would I have done after Friends had finished if it wasn't for these shows?)
So, what got me thinking like this? Well, we were discussing the way in which our world leaders deal with the problems that arise in their countries. For example, here in England the way in which Blair has decided to combat the ever increasing problem of alcoholism and any crime committed under the influence of alcohol is by allowing 24 hour pubs. And how do we deal with any problems that this may cause? Increase police patrols. Increase taxes so that we can pay for more policing. And make those who don't drink, like Muslims, feel even more isolated within society. Well done Mr Blair, you've done it again.
Throughout the holidays I got to work with a law firm. And what did I learn? Most crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol. The number of cases I saw where the only defence the alleged perpetrators had was, "I was drunk. I didn't mean to" was ridiculous. FACT: You CHOSE to be drunk. You CHOSE to lose control. And therefore you CHOSE to commit the crime.
Economically the world's a joke. The rich-poor divide has reached an all time low, where reports of famines etc have reached an embarrassing high. The worst thing is that when there is a humanitarian crisis such as that of Niger the media chose to approach it in the most carpe diem way possible. For about 1 week minimum we have an influx of photographs, videos etc appealing to us to give as much money as we can afford. A few weeks later, we forget. Humans are very good at forgetting and living for the moment. Nowadays the situation's got even worse. I worked for a little while in Oxfam, and one of my fellow colleagues turned around to me a said, "there are so many appeals nowadays, it's hard to keep track of which one to give money to." She was right. How many people can the general public possibly help? Eventually we'll get so used to the appeals, we may even unintentionally stop giving anymore. My opinion: It's not all our responsibility. It's the world leaders' responsibility, and they should start living up to it.
And this is how we get onto the next topic: Politics. One word: Bush. The most powerful man in the world is Bush. The man who said that the name of the President of Pakistan is "General" we have allowed to become the President of the most powerful country in the world. You do the maths.
Religiously? Well let's just say that the words Jihad, suicide and bomb have been completely struck from my vocabulary. The world isn't ready yet for me to discuss how it's deteriorating religiously, so let's leave that topic for a rainy day.
I've tried pretty hard to show you what I saw in my brief revelation. However, there are many issues I haven't discussed. The most important being my solution to all the world's problems:
I should be President. :-)
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