Daily Times

In a world marked by human misery, natural and man-made, there exists a perpetual phenomenon of human efforts for mitigation of effects and devastation of the bad. Unnoticed by most, there is another phenomenon that appears to be doing its own heedless drama to encircle the world in a semi-darkness that if not controlled now will soon be that one invisible foe of humanity that everyone would be answerable for, and that everyone would be a victim of: darkness of the virtual.

Once upon a time it was religion, global hegemony, pursuit of infinite money. Now it is mostly about political power. Political fights have become mostly virtual. They are grimy; they are ruthless. Loyalties shift faster than a chameleon changes colours. There are no rules of engagement. The singular agenda is the comprehensive extermination of the other.

It is what appears on television, is published in newspapers, online and print, posted on social media platforms, and is noticeable in the callousness of arguments and sneers of folks everywhere. It is visible on global social platforms like Twitter and Facebook that while connecting the world brought into proximity not just those who already knew one another but also formed bonds between perfect strangers from every corner of the earth. Once that happened, the rot started to spread. How did that happen, so quickly, and apparently, so irreversibly?

It happened. Many who talk and act normally off-social media apps, become so malicious to one another on virtual podia that inflicting an injury appears to be the highlight of their day. The virtual has so much dark power that what is released is the hidden side of apparently normal folks, and it is, invariably, their cruellest, their crudest side.

False news, unsubstantiated information, rumours, innuendos and allegations are presented under the cover of freedom of expression as impartial reporting and uncensored journalism. There is use of lewd language against political leaders, celebrities, anyone there is a dislike for, families of those there are political disagreements with, or those who are simply different. Downright abusive language-be it pointing to the prime minister of the country, a leader of an out-of-power party, or an actress who is considered unworthy of a government award-has become mainstream under the cloak of freedom of speech.

Once upon a time attacking someone’s character for any reason was a big no for all who were good and decent. Now character assassination of any and everyone with a contrarian point of view has been reduced to a quick 280-character post that needs no self-reflection, and produces no remorse. Followers-count, re-tweets and favourites have become the gauge of people’s self-validation, making people unrecognisable shadows of their earlier selves, one malicious tweet, one cruel post at a time.

How did humanity become disposable simply to put forth a point about those you do not like? For any reason? *