A few years ago, John D’Silva staged a tiatr titled ‘Bovall’. The production highlighted the societal repercussions of a woman (a character in a tiatr) creating a commotion, ultimately tarnishing her own image. This production, sparking discussions beyond its stage, has become a symbol of societal reflection. Today, I shift the lens to a unique commotion unfolding in our country—a commotion distinct from the activism or social justice rallies, instead, the bustling clamour of everyday life.
In our contemporary landscape, a prevailing belief asserts a direct correlation between success and making noise.
This widely held conviction, that vocalizing grievances leads to triumph, often results in success dissolving into mere cacophony. Accepting this truth becomes a challenge as individuals pursuing these fleeting victories inadvertently become slaves to temporary happiness. This prompts the question: must we resign ourselves to a life dictated by transient joy?
An examination of the act of making noise becomes imperative. In a world fixated on immediacy, the demand for swift answers fuels impatience, prompting the vociferous expression of concerns in the hope of obtaining rapid responses. This inclination towards instant gratification leaves no room for the virtue of patience.
Living in today’s peculiar world, where the press of a button is anticipated to instantaneously illuminate a room, our society hungers for everything ‘fast.’ Patience, in such a milieu, seems to be an antiquated virtue with no room in our lives. The relentless clamour for swift answers manifests as incessant shouting, reflecting a society that is not inclined to endure the discomfort of waiting for resolutions.
In the contemporary landscape, the scarcity of time for silence is precipitating a decline in our capacity for profound contemplation. The relentless pace of life, with its myriad distractions and constant demands, leaves little room for the invaluable practice of thoughtful introspection. While we may possess the strength to cheer collectively, the reliance on the collective shouting that characterizes our society inadvertently diminishes our individual power of thinking. This reduction in cognitive autonomy perpetuates a cycle where noise becomes the default mode of expression, overshadowing the richness of independent thought and fostering a society unwittingly enslaved to the relentless noise that permeates every facet of existence.
A widespread belief in our society is that ideas amplified by noise inherently hold truth. The prevailing ‘majority wins’ mentality places unwarranted importance on noise, even when lacking substance or accuracy. Prioritizing the loudest voices, rather than the thoughtful or informed ones, distorts the perception of truth and muddles the intellectual landscape. Prioritizing noise-driven ideas extensively shapes shallow narratives, contributing to a skewed societal understanding of various issues.
In our reality, when faced with challenging information, there’s a tendency to create noise by delving into others’ histories when our behaviour is questioned. This defensive noise, instead of fostering dialogue, aims to deflect scrutiny, hindering communication and personal growth.
Advocating for a change in approach, I do not propose turning a blind eye to injustice or feigning kindness in the face of mistreatment. Instead, I champion the fostering of a heightened power of thinking. Let us address issues with a rational and logical mindset, avoiding unnecessary commotion. Prioritizing thoughtful solutions over noisy reactions can contribute to a more nuanced and constructive discourse in our lives and society at large.
