In today’s age, I can’t help but observe the profound impact that our educational system, corporate mass media, and social networks have had on shaping our societal values. Through my experiences and observations, I’ve come to believe that these former pillars of modern civilization have contributed to a rise in apathy, narcissism, and a sense of detachment from the pressing issues around us.

True education should do more than just fill our minds with facts — it should instill values, a sense of empathy, and a commitment to society. However, I’ve witnessed educational environments focusing more on rote learning to create conformists than on fostering a sense of inquiry and understanding. Such systems, in my view, produce graduates who lack the passion or tools to engage with the world critically.

Every day, I see corporate media outlets focusing on ratings, often at the expense of substantive content. Rather than facilitating informed discussions, many media platforms perpetuate sensationalism, leading me to feel increasingly desensitized to the real challenges our civilization faces. They also stay within government and corporate-approved boundaries and avoid essential but controversial or unsettling information.

While I appreciate the connectivity social media platforms offer, I also recognize their pitfalls. My self-worth, and that of many others, has been tied to online validation metrics like “likes” and “followers.” We often find ourselves trapped in echo chambers, rarely exposed to diverse perspectives, leading us to sometimes magnify our differences rather than embrace our shared human experience.

Navigating this modern landscape, I often feel surrounded by individuals who are detached from the realities and challenges of our times. The celebration of our diverse backgrounds, which should be our strength, is being used to divide rather than unite us.

For me, the way forward involves a reimagining of our values — embracing an education that nurtures critical thinking, seeking media that delves deeper into truth, and using social platforms that genuinely connect and inform us rather than just showing us what we are most likely to click on. I yearn for a world where we prioritize empathy, knowledge, and genuine human connection.