Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Personality
My Smart phone is much smarter than me
it gives me information, almost for free
I can study, I can listen and do my research.
It matters not who I am, or my country of birth.
It connects me to an information highway,
So I'm not left in the dark, down some byway.
I can read all the papers to gather the news,
then reflect and formulate my views,
I can get both sides of an argument.
listening to the debate in the parliament,
I can read news on the left or the right.
And decide just who has created my plight.
It allows me to reach out and keep in touch.
With those that I love, not costing too much.
There was a time a minute, would cost me a pound.
To use the landline, but I had to call around,
To find the people that I thought were at home.
At that time, no one had a mobile phone.
Well, that's not what you call free speech.
It sucked my money like a thirsty leech.
I can send pictures now of children born.
Across the miles from dusk 'til dawn
Christmas, birthdays, celebrations, we can snap and share.
There may be miles between us, but it's like being there.
McLuhan spoke about living in a global village.
But I'm sure the smartphone, he did not envisage.
I can check the calendar, the weather and time,
New Year, I can hear the bells of Big Ben when they chime.
I can send money to family and friends.
Look at the websites at all the new trends,
Trek through "Amazon" and not get lost.
See all the goodies and how much they cost,
Even in the shops I can pay with my phone.
forgetful, I always leave my cards at home.
In an instant I receive the breaking news
English, German, French, the language I can choose.
We have benefitted from the new protocols.
Of freedom of expression, speech, and polls.
We are free to speak and choose.
Protected by laws, we have nothing to lose.
When we look at how far nations have come
To give us the rule of law and freedom,
We are no longer slaves and serfs.
Tied to a plough, our master's to curse.
We can now travel freely upon the land,
But we must have that passport in hand.
We are now citizens of a brave new world,
With rights and privileges now unfurled
I can speak freely what's on my mind.
As long as I don't slander or libel, I must be kind.
If I speak my mind and get off track
No need to worry that someone will give me a "SLAPP",
now that the law is defined, it protects me,
So, now I can go on a writing spree.
I can now speak truth to power.
Write freely, no longer do I need to cower.
Because the media is the Fourth Estate
Protected by laws, no need to worry about my fate.
If I see injustice, abuse or bias.
I can speak out from my smartphone dais.
for the people of the world, I can be a voice
provide them with information, so they can make a choice.
I have the power right here in my hand.
A device so powerful that I can influence the land.
With a touch of a button or swipe of a page
I can make people laugh or incite into rage.
So that means there's power in these fingertips.
To make people cry or put a smile on their lips.
Of course, I could complain about this phone.
There is no escape, even if I roam.
Just when you least expect it,
Driving or in a movie, you are selected.
To receive a call to disturb peace of mind.
to remind you of your daily grind
To make a living, you must be on the ball.
awake and available, whenever they call.
there are upsides and downsides for having this toy,
A bearer of sadness, but often of joy
But now it seems, no peace can I find.
I've got to carry this gizmo with me all the time.
To be always at everyone's beck and call.
My life out in the open, I can't hide behind a wall.
I may be always under their surveillance.
But the European and UN Declarations give me a chance
Of protection from the use of my data
A Constitutional shield, a Magna Carta
But I'm the man in control of this thing!
I can choose to answer or not, when it doth ring.
This Smartphone is now the centre of my world,
I carry it with me, like a flag unfurled.
with it my domain, I could enlarge it
Oh, shit the batteries dead! I forgot to charge it!