A few days ago an authoritarian militia in Somalia banned the playing of video games citing that, “…they destroy our social traditions.” The insurgent group, Hezb al-Islam, is in a fight for power with the government and is winning in some cases. Previously Somalia garnered international attention due to seafaring pirates seizing ships and ransoming their crews and goods. The local government, just as is the case now, was unable to put up much of a contest causing the problem to swell. Poverty is largely to be blamed as a growing proportion of the disillusioned citizenry is reverting to old ways.

The militia, recently off of banning DVDs, dancing, and sports, is implementing a strict version of Sharia law (religious law). This regression is an attempt by some people to take power back from those who currently have it and go back to the old methods that sustained them in the past. In the short-term, youth will have fewer options to spend their free time on and may get into trouble. But in the long-term, there are several social issues that are surely to suffer by indiscriminately lopping off freedoms.

Part of the problem with militia organized rule is that they function very much like an aristocracy as power is controlled by a few. Those higher up in the pyramid make the decisions and have those below them implement policy on the population. The kind of thought and sober decision making needed in a modern decision making body is often skipped over as the select few harnessing power may interpret the writings rightly, wrongly, or even just according to their personal preference. So it may seem somewhat trivial that video games have been banned in parts of a country but it could also be a sign of worse things to come from an already hostile and desperate country that could spill over into other countries.

It is hard to believe that gaming has now become an underground activity in parts of Somalia. The punishment for not adhering with the law begins with the seizure of the equipment by the authorities. Further, it is asinine that a militant group that uses real weapons against people is targeting children for playing in a pixilated playground where they never hurt anyone. The image of a shady man wearing a long jacket with sun-bleached Nintendo 64 cartridges lining its interior comes to mind. Attempts to block media and culture usually fail, as demonstrated in former Soviet satellite states, and often end up being celebrated annually after the ban is ended. To do things for the sake of culture is fine to a degree, but interpreting religious writings to draw such conclusions borders on insanity.

The citizens of western countries often too feel disillusioned with how their country is operated. But a major difference is that they are not being held from pursuing their daily activities. In the 1990s, games like Mortal Kombat and Doom created a hell storm which eventually led to the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and that has worked out relatively well whereas they may have been banned in other countries. Being able to vote in a new group every few years, depending on the country, is very democratizing as the power is in the hands of everyone if they choose to use it. So instead of being under the boot of a regime for a lifetime, after a short stint they may be voted out. Most people appreciate democracy even if it is not their ideal choice. Churchill’s overused summary of democracy still holds true, “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

When leaders begin to complain about the decadence of Pac-Man, the corruptive characteristics of Mario, or any other type of entertainment media, we should seriously contemplate the competency of those individuals and be thankful for everything we have.

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