Everything we hear is an opinion

Welcome to a much-needed reflection: we are watching the erosion of human reasoning.
To think is not merely an intellectual luxury nowadays; it is a vital human defence system. This silent dialogue between a person and her inner self has become increasingly absent from our lives.
People are losing their ability to think critically, analyse, and evaluate information effectively. Instead, they follow orders, focus on targets, and obey protocols. This is a new captivity in which performance and persecution are aligned.
Bureaucrats focus on their progress. They aren't directly killing people; they aren't imprisoning people who argue or question; they don’t harbour hatred for anyone; they follow orders.
War, genocide, starvation, and dishonesty consequently become commonplace and excusable. These are the results of creating needs and providing solutions. To quote John Lennon, ‘Our society is run by insane people with insane objectives.’ Because of apathy, horrific cases are unfolding daily, and crimes against humanity are being normalised.
Targeting vital infrastructure for bombing, singling out civilians for attacks, murdering innocent people, engineering famine, and blocking food and medical aid are all elements of logistics.
Monsters are ordinary men. They existed during the Holocaust and continue to exist today. And of these, some of the worst atrocities are happening in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and several other countries. Perhaps in the future, an open-minded independent thinker will question why nothing has been done to stop the horrors that are currently happening.
Extreme crimes don’t need people to be geniuses. They just need someone who will stop thinking and blindly obey rules without ever questioning the work or the principles.
We have seen this happening with the killings of children, women, medical staff, and journalists. People are not stupid, but they are discouraged from engaging in thoughtful reflection. Critics are reality checks. Without them, there is no accountability, no subtext.
The ability to contemplate has also been lost due to constant Internet stimulation, making it harder to enjoy offline moments.
We are becoming blind. While global medical blindness has decreased statistically over the decades, metaphorical 'social blindness' is accelerating rapidly. We often prioritise comfort over reality.
When atrocities become routine, they give way to state interests and point to a dangerous age of impunity. We are disrespecting the increasing number of victims worldwide. And so, we find ourselves caged, jeopardising our ability to raise issues.
Passive and conformist citizens are less likely to enquire and more susceptible to simple narratives.
We acknowledge the ordinary individual who pursues deeply destructive ambitions. Yet, we are cautious of the monsters we do not know, and these are likely the ones concealed behind insincere smiles and friendly handshakes. Politicians play the jigsaw with people.
In a world marked by high anxiety levels, an overwhelming influx of information, and relentless performance pressure, taking time to nurture our thoughts is a precious exercise.
We need time to appreciate silence, to reflect on life; instead, we see sad people, tired individuals, and empty souls. A pervasive sickness, fuelled by apathy and the perception that impunity is rewarding, affects both the young and the old.
Fortunately, where there is darkness, there is also solidarity. Cruelty exploits; solidarity helps. The same blindness that brings out the worst in some people can awaken the best in others.
There are aspects of our lives that remain untouchable by others. Although we cannot control the events that happen around us, we still have (hopefully) the power to choose our responses.
Tapping into one of the most empowering truths of the human experience, between stimulus and response there is a space in which lies the freedom to choose our attitude. The mind is our ultimate sanctuary. To quote Shakespeare, thought is free.