The World Has A Memory Of Only 100 Days
“How Long Is Our Memory? Do We have SMS (Short Memory Syndrome)?”
In Aug 31, 1983, the Russians shot down a Korean Airlines commercial flight that had veered off-course into Soviet airspace. All 269 souls on-board perished. The Russians refused to explain what really happened. When asked why, they replied that the world had a memory of only 100 days. Within 100 days, they said, something else would happen and everyone’s attention would be turned to the latest issue. And they were right! (NECF)
Does this sound familiar? A lot of things have been happening in our nation. Each time an issue strikes, there is strong reaction. Then even in less than 100 days, our attention is shifted to another issue. Take for example, the whole nation was shocked when little Sharline was abducted. There was a big manhunt for the abductor. The media write and televised about it. Photos of her were published everywhere. Bloggers help to publicize in hope that someone would have recognized her. There were loud out-crying from the public, demanding the police to solve the case. And lo and behold, after 100 days, other issues popped out and the cry of Sharline faded away. Honestly, how many of us still think about Sharline? Or whatever had happened to the case? What have the police been doing? Are they still on the case? Or is the case file on KIV? Whatever happened to Sharline? How long is our memory?
And in the midst of so many issues and controversies, where do we begin? Lately, the controversies over the “sodomy allegation against Anwar,” the “Statutory Declaration by RPK against Rosmah and two others,” the controversial “Statutory Declaration by the Balasubramaniam against DPM,” and many others have dominated the news. So which is important and which is not. Where are we heading?
What about the Altantuya Shariibuu murder case? The Lingam video clips RCI? The March 8 GE’s promises? The judicial, police, ACA reforms? The no-confidence motion against the Premier by SAPP? Fuel price hike? And not forgetting all the “corridors?” Etc, etc, etc… Have we forgotten all about those issues? Have our mind been diverted to the more recent issues, or maybe to the “isu panas” of the day? Have we been sidetracked?
I believed the government has been working on this theory; “The world has a memory for only 100 days.” So they will keep creating distractions or diversions to move our minds away from the controversial issues, knowing very well that in 100 days we will forget about it. The question again is, have we?
Horton had not forgotten! Horton hears a Who. Their world may just be a speck but Horton remembers them. His memory doesn’t just last 100 days. He remembers names, places and what they do? And as Horton says, “A person is a person, no matter how small.” And if Horton lives in Malaysia he would say, “An issue is an issue, no matter how small. I still remember it all!”
July 25th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
A really good post even though i must say i have a memory of only 100 days. Hehe
It is so true of what you say. Maybe we need bloggers like you to remind us of all big or small, old or new issues once a while:)
July 26th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I agree on the one hand, that we tend to forget things..our brains are naturally made to function this way. Otherwise we would hv a short circuit. Can you imagine having so many thoughts running in your brain at the same time everyday. We\’d go literally crazy!….Fret not,.. it\’s actually not entirely wiped out. It\’s at the back of our minds…just need articles like this to refresh our memories…it\’s all being archived for future use.
great post by the way! I may not hv the brain of an elephant, but I\’ve not forgotten 