A man is known by the company he keeps.
Since my childhood, I have been taught to have a good check on this proverb. Late on, in my life, I found out that there is a similar idea in Bible as well: "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character." - 1 Corinthians 15:33. In both instances, the major idea is to follow the right path. However, I have a different approach toward this. How about I teach them the right way, narccissistic me, rather than following their bad path?
Guess what? I was wrong with my approach. Not because, my ideology has changed; or I have become a villain now. Though, I do defy cultural and traditional norms which I do not like, so maybe I am criminal, a sinner to the world around me. But, my concern is those people who are of my age.
The GenZzz
GenZ, the generation that introduced us to 'skibidi', '6-7', and 'emojis'. Born between 1997 and 2012, they are currectly navigating the transition from teenage to adulthood, shaping trends and public discourse through online platforms. However, despite all their 'rizz' and 'aura farming', the reality is far from giving 'main energy character'. Why? Because, they are sleeping on most of the necessary things. This is why, I said that I was wrong with my approach.
My generation has everything at its fingertips, except the desire to use it. Knowledge has never been this cheap in the history. A few taps can result in enough to learn the basic. Yet, sadly, they choose to listen to a random guy on Tiktok, claiming that 'Elon Musk is an alien' or 'Trump is Dajjal (reference from Islamic culture'. And yes, my friends really believe in this sort of stuff, so I have left no hope for them.
Conspiracy Thinking > Critical Thinking
I think the title says it all. Sometimes, I wonder whether this generation has replaced critical thinking with conspiracy thinking. But I would like to congratulate them, as they have defied the "old myths". At least, they are creative with the new one. Nowadays, the hot topic is that FIFA World Cup is rigged. There might be some truth in this 'rigged debates'. But my logical concern is: this is not a movie, where we can just cut and restart everything. So, we are willing to blame everyone else rather than accepting that the team fumbled.
The New Cool
What exactly is aura today? Being a fat person and saying that it is genetical? Nah, my dear, it is your personal choice. Do not try to hide behind the term - discrimination. I am going to be straightforward (of course for a normal person) about it, you do not like to go for a walk, running, gym or any activity; it is completely okay. Because, after all, clothing brands make every size imaginable. But do not expect everyone, or at least me, else to pretend that neglecting your health is somehow the new aura. Because, there was a time when a person's aura came from genuine qualities i.e., strength, courage, wisdom and the ability to survive when life became difficult.
And what is with this vaping and nicotine culture? According to a report by WHO, $7 billion worth of nicotine packs were sold in a single year. Being an ex-smoker, I possess all the rights to criticize. The most concerning part is you guys are promoting as something being a new cool. Though, it does not make you look mature, mysterious or fearless; it simply makes you dependent on a substance that profits from your inability to quit. One of the finest invention by this capitalist system. And if you choose not to smoke, congrats you are boring, uncool or out of touch. Somewhere along the way, we reached a point where refusing addiction became stranger than embracing it.
Soft as Dry Leaves
The other day, I was scrolling, and came across a woman whose claim was "my trauma is as bad as yours". Her first competitor was a WAR VETERAN. That moment, I knew she never stood a chance. She had suffered from kidney stones, quite painful experience, I do agree. Plus, her boyfriend dumped her after three-years of relationship. Yes, the existence of heart is indeed painful. But, the other part of the story is beyond pain. "One of our trucks hit a mine" claims the veteran. One minute they were cracking jokes, and next, half of them were "hanging on the trees". And, then there is one man screaming "with no lungs".
It was not about pain anymore. It was about witnessing death in a form most us will close eyes or cry watching over the cinema screen. Imagine sharing a laugh with someone, only to spend the next few seconds trying to process the fact that they no longer exisst. There are wounds that heal with time, pain that is curable - and then, there are memories that become permanent residents of the mind.
(Note: It was a skit, but a reality)
The lesson here is not that one person's suffering is more "valid or genuine" than another's. Pain is never a competition. But perspective do matters. In an age where every inconvenience is easily labelled as trauma or tragedy, we forget that there are people carrying burdens so heavy that they can never heal them or cure them.
Perhaps the proverb was never just about the good or bad. Perhaps, I am at fault. Perhaps, every generation has its way of doing things.
After all, the older generation probably looked at us and thought we were doomed too. Maybe every age believes that the next one is softer, lazier or more distracted. I might be guilty of the very thing I criticize.
Yet, I cannot shake this feeling.
We have become experts at reacting before understanding. We consume thousands of opinions every day, but rarely build one of our own. I know, it is easier to quote an influencer than to read a book. Easier to repost a conspiracy than to verify the rules. Easier to blame the system only than to ask ourselves.
Maybe that is why I have failed with my philosophy. I believed I could change people. Right now, I am being pessimistic about change. Still, I believe change is inevitable. I might need to change my ways of doing thing. I really need to learn: the ways this generation accepts.
And yes, once again, I could be wrong. Maybe five years from now I will read this and laugh at how childish and dramatic I sounded. I genuinely hope I do. Because being proven wrong means I have to continue with my search for meaning ideology.
For now, though, I will keep believing that character is still built by discipline rather than trends, by curiosity rather than trends and by critical thinking rather than already accepted narratives. The world does not need another person with perfect aura; it needs people who can think, question, admit when they are wrong and still have the courage to change.
Till then, let the world enjoy the Games of Hormuz.
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Peace 🕊️
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Here is the video of Jimmy Fallon talking about Messi, Yamal and number 19 conspiracy. Even Christopher Nolan would have not thought about it. He literally nailed it. LOL!
