Just to think of the mess, the suffering, created as a result of that supremely daft, supremely nasty video about the Prophet (peace be upon him) posted on the net is deeply depressing. When Noi asked me about it over the weekend I just about managed to snarl out something to the effect that the video is stupid and Muslims reacting to its posting by blaming America for it and resorting to violent protest are allowing themselves to become part of the stupidity - sort of snarling because I didn't want to think about the mess too much. But, of course, it's all a lot more complex and nuanced than that (though neither of those terms applies to the actual video.) And we're in a world that requires us to think things through as intelligently as we can if we're to balance the fundamental tendency of our species to stupidity.
Fortunately it is possible to find intelligent material - even on the net - that allow insights into the foolishness. There's a fine piece by one Esam Al-Amin (don't know who is, but he's no fool) at the very punchy Counterpunch with which I'm not in complete agreement but which I found greatly illuminating in terms of its searching analysis over the whole business of First Amendment rights.
For now, though, I lack the energy to debate the issues, fascinating as they are. But I do have a recommendation for something that anyone can do to enhance their appreciation of the wonders of the world. One of the great discoveries of my adult life was the story of the Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him.) Told well and intelligently it's life altering. It transcends all the pettiness. It points the way.
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