The Cuban Matrix
In an essay about blogging vs. old media, Henry Gomez quotes a recent post by Yoani Sanchez “about being denied an “exit visa” to leave Cuba and accept a journalism award in Spain:”
They forget that in cyberspace my voice can travel without limits, leaving and returning without asking for permission… It does not matter if they have kept my passport. Since one year ago I have another, on which, in the section for nationality, appears a short word: “blogger”.
Cuba is a reverse Matrix. Freedom exists in, not outside, the Matrix. Yoani Sanchez sneaks blog postings into the blogosphere, but is not allowed to travel to receive a prestigious award for her work. In political prisons, men and women express themselves freely, but pay for it with physical bondage. Outside are the prisoners, inside the free. Set them free.