Smoke and Mirrors

2021

Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. - Bertrand Russell

The world as we knew it has transformed over the course of the last two years, perhaps irreversibly. We have been forced to keep away from others – often being unable to make sense of the ongoing events and the narrative that is built around them – while also being overloaded by an outpour of contradictory and confounding signals that provide little solace. This heavy sense of alienation and uncertainty about the future have resulted, in many cases, in extreme anxiety and polarization.

The inability to move around, being cut off from our closest ones, and not being able to go to work or even see friends have all contributed to worsening our wellbeing. As one of its side effects, the pandemic seems to have mobilised and metastasized a lot of existing cultural divisions and social fear turning reality into something rather more menacing.

The ensuing fear, frustration, and helplessness triggered by the constant state of fight or flight may sometimes lead to rushed decisions, leaving little room for contemplation and examination. Then, action ends up turning into reaction, reaction being less deliberate than the former.

So, after two years of living in collective fear, who is telling the truth? What is the truth? How much agency do we really have? Is our personal autonomy being promoted or restricted? How much of this is about control and coercion? Is there any freedom in coercion? Where do we seek hope? What gives us hope?