The upside of the recent unrest in Iran is that it has shown a more dynamic and complex image of Iran than the West is used to. Unbeknownst to many Americans, the Iranian population is one of the most educated and progressive in the Middle East, and though they endure countless strictures from their theocratic government, daily life for Iranians is much more nuanced than many outsiders understand. People in the Islamic republic actually enjoy more freedom than people in neighboring countries, and though the government may attempt to control information, Iranians are exceedingly informed and technologically savvy. Indeed, Iran even has access to pop culture — much to the mullahs’ chagrin — and though Iranian death metal bands such as Arthimoth face challenges unknown to their counterparts in other countries, they exist and have at least enough freedom to record and distribute their music.

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