Hedonisme: The Leaves from The Trees

To all UMSians,

This past week, amid the problems concerning the bus services, cafe prices, PTPTN, dogs and a myriad other issues we come also to another issues which have raised many opinions and controversies.

The issue that I mean here is regarding entertainment in te Univesity. More specifically the so-called "hedonisme" type entertainment we hear so much about.

Which begs the question, what is hedonisme? Simply put it is uncontrolled entertainment.

If you watched or read the history of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, you might hear the suggestion that hedonisme was one of the factors leading to its downfall. Granted I am making an assumption based on my own opinions, it is still debatable, but let us give it more thought.

Consider.

Remember the images of the Colloseum, gladiators fighting to the death, slaves fed to wild animals, deadly chariot races? Or images of the famous reclining rich man and politicians being fed grapes by beautiful women slaves? The masses(the people) where fed massive doses of entertainment to make them forget all the problems plaguing them. Politically speaking the Roman leaders were using it to pacify the people to make them forget the weaknesses in their own administrations. Giving sweets to the hungry so to speak. Not very nutritious but it sure taste good. In short decadance.

Why is it so dangerous? Why do we need to ensure decadence due to hedonisme never happens in our country?

Friends, we are fighting COMPLACENCY(kelalaian). Everything must come in balanced doses. Entertainment is not wrong, but if done uncontrollably, as in everything, it invites problems. Who wants the images of alcohol bottles all over the campus after a Tamu Gadanag concert? Big entertainment is not cheap and in the long run too much of it would constitute a wastage. Social problems? Again a concern although granted it is unfair to heap all the blame on entertainment, as it involves other factors as well.

In short entertainment has to be controlled so as to give benefits to us as students. Entertainment has always been given the short end of the stick, constantly stigmatized, fairly or unfairly. But where there is smoke there is fire. Nothing happens out of nothing. Just like watching TV, arranged in a manner acceptable, is good for everyone. Too much of it gives rise to the "couch potato" syndrome, bringin up images of the obese person sitting on his/her couch, munching on snacks, introverted, isolated, static.

It is an issue that cannot be swept under the carpet. Affirmative action has to be taken, for the welfare of the students and to give entertainment a positive connotation in the future. Let us have guideline acceptable to all, taking in all perpectives be they religious, academic or of the arts.

Here are some things that we are trying to do:-

1. Let all groups in UMS, the student leaders(that would be us), administration of HEP, the School of Arts sit down together, all agree to define what is hedonisme and what is acceptable entertainment. Let there be no misunderstandings after this. Most problems arise because of lack of communication and understanding.

2. Make all program not entirely entertainment per se, but also have academic and intelectual values. Again specific defintions and guidelines will have to constructed for what is academic or intelectual programs.

3. Te guidelines given to all students especially student leaders.

4. More forums and discussions about this issue from all sides.

In all things let us be tolerant of one another, always open to discussion, trying to find the best for us all.

Let us never forget it is never an issue concerning race or religion. It is simply an issue of what is best for the student. Is entertainment 'Haram'? Surely not as long as the proper guidelines are met. The real issue is what is the effect? The University is a place of study, that is always the priority, and there is always a time and place for everything.

Never forget the leaves from the trees. Never focus too much on the small issues that we fail to grasp the big picture. It is never just an issue of religion, it is an issue of the welfare of the students and the long term culture of the University.

All ideas and opinions are welcome.

Wallahualam.
Mahasiswa Peneraju Keunggulan Ummah.