Press. Free Press. Free Media. It is a constitutional, protected right. Absence of government interference in media operations and the freedom to report on matters of public interest without fear of reprisal. No censorship. Independent journalism. Open information exchange. For democracy, accountability, and informed citizenship. Dangers include media monopoly/oligopoly control, and ownership.
Human right: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, speech, and articulation. This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers. Laws such as the Official Secrets Act could be used to limit press/media freedom. However, technological advances are offering more avenues to extend, expand freedom. These include: satellite television; internet-based blogs, social media; anonymity software, cryptography; voice over internet protocol et al. Hope this right remains inalienable, to all of us, beings – human beings, everywhere, every time. No matter what.
The Higgs-Boson particle, famously referred to as the God’s particle, identifier Peter Higgs said 11 years ago: I would not be productive enough for today’s academic system. Not a prolific, serial publisher; internet user, blogger; not after TV. Is it possible to be Higgs today?
Laughter. A pleasant physical reaction and emotion consisting usually of rhythmical, usually audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system. In response to certain external or internal stimuli. Could be caused by: tickling; humorous stories, imagery, videos, or thoughts. Maybe from nitrous oxide. An auditory expression of a number of positive emotional states, such as excitement, joy, happiness, relief, etc. It may also be caused by contrary emotional states such as embarrassment, surprise, or confusion. Nervous laughter, courtesy laugh.
Laughter is a mechanism everyone has; laughter is part of universal human vocabulary. Laughter is primitive, an unconscious vocalization. Maybe genetic too. There are thousands of languages, hundreds of thousands of dialects, but everyone speaks laughter in pretty much the same way. Babies have the ability to laugh before they ever speak. Children who are born blind and deaf still retain the ability to laugh.
Laughter is beneficial. For health, biochemical effects. Reduces stress hormones. Could relieve some physical pain. Laughter may moisten eyes, as a reflex from the tear glands. Boosts antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T-cells, leading to a stronger immune system. Laughter could be therapeutic. Ten minutes of genuine belly laughter could have an anaesthetic effect and would give at least two hours of pain-free sleep. Laughter could be used as a coping mechanism when one is upset, angry, or sad. We seem to laugh some 0 to 100 times a day, averaging some 20 times a day. Smile and laugh are associated. May occur together. Smile – expresses feelings of satisfaction, good will; Laugh – a surprise, incongruity. Smiles and laughs are fakeable. Smile could be personal, laugh could be public.
Can we smile-laugh, happily laugh, innocently laugh, day-in day-out? Can we make others smile-laugh? Can we learn smile-laugh? As early in life as possible. Can we practice?
Yes, we can. If we coexist, flowing. Free smile, laugh. In N? haasayoga for 7L.