Beneath the mask I am forced to wear, a grin is spreading. Could it be I, El Guiri am mistaken about the apathetic nature of the docile human populations spread across what we call the civilised world. I was certain we were only using the word civilised to try to convince ourselves that we are not self centred, short sighted brutal opportunist animals, ready to fuck the next man over for the next gen Iphone. But right now, live on my global monitoring device I see people, not just a handful but tens of thousands, perhaps a million, perhaps more - Old men in suits, pretty young women, grizzled farmers and weedy looking office workers...all of them gathered, united in one purpose and more shocking than all of that – PEACEFULLY demanding change.
The people of Egypt, in a magnificent display are showing the rest of the world what democracy really is, the awesome power of the people. Sit up and pay attention because this is what YOU are capable of, not you alone but you, with him and her and them over there, yes even the ones wearing the Primark trainers, they are your brothers too, embrace them.
Someone once said “beware the fury of a patient man” and here it is, live on your goggle box, just like Big Brother but less worrying.
But... here in the cosy confines of the Argos superstore, Online shopping, ‘don’t look at them darling and they might go away’ western world, CNN report trouble in Egypt may cause oil prices to rise, BBC reports how shivering ex-pats are terrified of having their carefully placed shrubberies trampled and Fox news just shouts propaganda loops at you, it’s journalistic head firmly rammed up its own self interested, sanitised aresehole. Why isn’t all programming on all channels stopped in celebration of the epic wonder that is unfolding in the ancient land of the Pharaohs? Why, again, are we forced to seek out alternative channels or the internet for the real story? Why does domestic journalism steadfastly plod on with reporting Jordan’s marriage break-up, Tim Henman’s new lucky haircut? I’ll tell you why...because it might give you cause for thought, or maybe, Gods forbid...INSPIRATION!
The day is yet to unfold fully..the protests have been ongoing for days now, and have revealed some ugly scenes, and things may well get ugly, or worse still, all this display of solidarity and strength may be for nought. Dictatorships may well win out yet. But as it stands so far, this is a model for the world to witness with wonder.
Regardless of the outcome, this is history, this is the chance for a turning point in mankinds slippery decline into consumer apathy. Get off your Pret a Manger stuffed, Latte soaked, comfy chairbound arses and become a part of this, if not for the Egyptians then for you and yours. The time is coming for you to prove yourself as a member of the human race...can you stand the challenge? Or will you flick the TV to Graham Norton, crack a bottle of red and turn up the volume so you can’t hear the whimpering of your own free will dying over there in the corner, behind the Ikea shelving unit.
VIVA LA EVOLUTION!
