There are tests of different kind.

There is a test on erudition to identify whether The Red and the Black is the novel by Stendhal, or the colors of caviar.

There is a psychological test which helps psychotherapist find out why you sometimes think you are Stendhal.

There is alcohol test – a device with a strange tubule with which the patrol police officer can find out whether the car is being driven by a normal person or someone declaring love for Stendhal.

There is pregnancy test to find whether the humanity is going to face danger of the birth of another Stendhal. 

There is professionalism test, or pro-test.

The last one (let it be the last for foe) I would call it ‘dignity test’ since professionalism without dignity is normally characteristic to machines not humans.

On January 18 Wikipedia passed this test.

For those who are not aware: Wikipedia showed protest against proposed legislation in the United States, namely SOPA and PIPA whose adoption is going to cause serious problems to Wikipedia and similar websites and their users.

SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) will oblige providers and patrons of other internet activities to break up with any website found guilty of piracy.

PIPA (Protect IP Act) is going to limit access to the websites publishing unlicensed materials which automatically means the blockage of Wiki sites whose content is subject to editing by any member any time.

To protest the given bills English Wikipedia blacked out globally on January 18 for 24 hours.

Any user opening Wikipedia on the day was able to show support to Wikipedia project and learn further info on the bills, nothing else. 

Therefore I think this protest was pro-test or the test for professionalism and dignity.

When your professional activity is being affected by whoever that might be: authorities, religious organization, police, intelligence service, or anyone else – you have to show protest in way to cause someone discomfort. Only in that case the protest will be worthwhile.

As regards the form of showing protest it depends on inner freedom, creativity and IQ.

I do not want to insult anyone but I feel sorry none of our editions, if ever dares to show protest, can go no further than posting crossed-out logos on Facebook.  

The recent steps taken by the authorities is enough to cite an example – alienation of the newspaper kiosk-occupied lots would have caused a wave of protest in any country.

Protest was expressed in Georgia too but in a peaceful way, none of the magazines or newspapers suspended publishing, on the contrary, some even liked this fact. Afterwards a press distribution organization was launched and went on living in a normal way.

‘Let’s recollect photo reporters’ case – the T-shirts displaying digital cameras crossed out were handed out, printed on the front pages, and wearing iron shoes, and holding iron sticks they reached even Vano Merabishvili but with no much result. They even failed to make the case public.

I know, I understand everyone shows protest the way one can but when seeing all of the protests shown likewise in the last 30 years with no result (and half of Georgia remains unaware of the protest) you have to suss and make your conservative head think that it’s time for changes!

See you!