THE intensity of the discussion over the social media post was intriguing.A large group of youngsters was completely enthralled by the mesmerising ‘Afreen Afreen’ nazm rendered by Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The distinguished singer was being showered with all encomiums created by Gen Z in its own style. It was being labelled as the best rendition of all time as the new-found fans were swooning over lilt of the melody. A sudden silence enveloped the timeline when a peeved admirer barged in with a reminder that it was Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s illustrious uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who was the original singer of the timeless ghazal. O FC OURSE, Of course, one incident cannot be taken as a parameter of the larger reluctance to know more about a subject. Yet, it represents a microcosm of the big bubble housing a massive section that can easily resonate with singer-activist Bono’s warning “The less you know, the more you believe”.

 

Curiosity, which once killed the cat, itself seems to be falling victim to the bug of indifference. There’s a tsunami of information (rather misinformation) venturing out of the little cell-phone, killing the urge to know more. It is a bug that is decaying the grey cells. THE RESULT: An impatient willingness to believe in any stuff handed out by various narrativemakers, forming a ready opinion shorn of logic, and jumping on the trend wagon for a fleeting moment of fame (read likes!). The age of information was supposed to ignite inquisitiveness in the society. Given the penetration of technology deeper till the last layer, the somber expectation was of rekindling an urge to know more and come out wiser. On the contrary, the thumb-twiddlers are basking in the first glimpse of halfbaked knowledge without caring much about the consequences, without knowing history, without thinking about perspectives. This is nothing but dumbing down the masses.

 

The agenda-makers are making hay while the social media is shining brightly with a frightening dose of large, unmitigated, unverified content. The situation has led to digging up past ghosts for no purpose. Whether these are being used as diversionary tactics by the powers-that-be is a matter of intense debate but the sudden fetish to live in the past has given traction to irrelevant thinking, a sense of victimhood and a narrow view of looking at things only through the binaries. There is only a divide now to look at, no bigger picture. And alarmingly, there is no willingness to know more about the weapon of hatred covertly handed over to masses under the garb of reclaiming or protecting legacies. The strong foundation of the country which is presently opening up new frontiers is not being used as a launchpad for a giant leap. Rather there seems a growing penchant to dig out skeletons that have long turned into dust without leaving a trace. One thing needs to be made clear.

 

All the figures or monuments in history will continue to own their place, posited by historians with their own inferences. They will remain an integral part of nations, societies, and humanity. They will stay as symbols of varied thinking and mindsets. They might work as a crown to look up to with pride or a deep scar to learn lessons from. The fact is, they cannot be denied. They will remain. But whether they should be allowed to stay relevant in the present when the focus should be on the future is a dilemma that societies will have to redress urgently. It can be achieved only with rational thinking and taking a dive into a knowledge bank presented right at the finger-tips by technology. It is, indeed, a good time for the world to go back to Aristotle’s philosophical acceptance that “the more you know, the more you know you don’t know.” What is palpable in the present times is the growing tendency of using half-baked knowledge as a weapon to beget confidence.

 

There is also a tendency to believe in what is served as authentic information without the need to verify the source or content. It is giving rise to false confidence as the ignorant are using the same content to prove one’s worth on a topic in discussion, further raising the danger of a multiplication of misinformation. This is the first step to drag oneself into a world where validation is sought from people with similar levels of ignorance found on various communication platforms. Its multiplier effect is a mob frenzy shorn of any logic or decency. The saner voices are drowned in this ignorant cacophony with unbridled use of abusive language and innuendos.

 

What is left on the surface is a scum full of hatred, sharpening the divide further. Instead of joining the herd, there is a better option of deep search readily available through reams of content in books (even digital formats) and authentic historical accounts. All it needs is a careful sifting through the content and judging it rationally in the present context; Whether the graves of the past are still useful for society? Whether vilification or glorification of controversial figures have any relevance in this progressive age? And whether the society needs to follow the agenda set by a few elements suited to their own priorities? It is not about a particular religion or a political party or a social outfit. It is about finding truth in the ideas put forth by them on particular subjects. And this truth can only be ascertained if the mind is open to know more. The whole exercise entails a simple acknowledgment that additional knowledge will only enhance a person’s character. And it will help in making the wise distinction between a train on the right track and a trend wagon pushed by the overzealous.