Everyone seems to be brandishing their opinion like a treasured sword – sharp and unrelenting. Facebook and Twitter have become battlegrounds for wars that the actual subjects seem to be unaware of – starting from the ISIS to film stars, many probably do not even know that there are people in the virtual sphere fighting over them and giving out their opinion on how it should or should not be. Are we really naive enough to think that we can influence the United Nations with our opinions? Are we undermining the citizen voice and prompting governments to take our needs with a pinch of salt? If the rapidly changing views and interests of the virtual world are anything to go by, then this may well be true.
It is not the actual thought that matters anymore – it is the speed with which we get over one thing and move on to the next with a few characters that we call a tweet or a status update. And for those with a need for even more speed, there is always a hashtag and a few emojis. After all, if we are obsessed with body shaming one day and sending India into war the next – who is going to take us seriously? Are we actually on point, or are we just a distracted generation? What is going on in our minds and who is using our mind?
What exactly goes on in the minds of those crusading against something – or the other?
What goes on in the minds of film makers who are busy panning up and down the item girl’s leg in an attempt to distract the hapless audience from a non existent story line?
What goes on in the minds of the audience paying for that PVR ticket to watch 2 and half hours of trash, only to come outside and watch for expressions before delivering the verdict?
What goes on in the mind of that girl, walking out after the movie screening, with visions of the latest fashion trends in her mind, and a quick trip to the latest street fashion shopping destination (Janpath for Delhi, fill in the blanks similarly for your city or town of choice)?
What goes on in the mind of the group of boys, watching that group of girls – and wondering who will first make eye contact, or who will first giggle?
What goes on in the mind of that young Sherpa serving a cup of hot tea to an Aunty who is sitting on a makeshift bed, at the esrtwhile epicentre of the Nepal Earthquake?
What goes on in the mind of the Aunty, who willingly takes the steaming beverage even as she talks about how she is not being looked after in this country, during this crisis and that the Government is not doing enough?
Are we thinking? Or are we not?
Let’s give thinking a shot. Before we do. Or say. (Fill in the blanks for action of your choice).
