A few recent events make me wonder...
In the late 70s, we could not verify when a rumour emerged that Michael Jackson had died. Many rumours came about certain leaders which never could be proved but when a rumour was told again and again, it automatically gained authenticity!
Fast forward to the iphone age... Literally at our fingertips, information is just a few swipes away. And yet the uncertainty of certain information still lingers.
First they would flash a sensational news, something so ridiculous that it is simply impossible to be true. Then more lay people will vouch for it in the social media with 'documented proof'. It would followed by hue and cries asking for first blood. Only then, people in authority and some kind of stature to know the situation would break the ice (awake from slumber?) to say something akin to 'harsh action would be taken. No stone would be left unturned. We will investigate!' And they would recoil into their snoozing position again.
By then some other soul would say that the sensational news was no new news but had been going on for eons under the noses of the higher authorities. Then the social mob would whine that the standards have gone to the dogs. Along the way, racial remarks would be hurled.
In the meantime, the spokesperson would appear to say that he was misquoted. In spite of all the advances in recording and audio equipment and presence of journalists who can speak more than one tongue, and the ability to retrieve old recording, misquotation is quite a rampant phenomena. By then the excitement of the news would wane. People would slowly accept the fact the country had indeed gone to the dogs. They would talk about emigration but they would not as they cannot fathom the idea of not able to eat their much craved 3am roti telur at the Mamaks' in Adelaide!
And there will roll in yet another more ridiculous story that would sweep the former under the carpet. And life goes on...
Isn't it ironic? After all these years, uncertainty still prevails. Maybe it is meant to be that way. Man become agitated and uncomfortable with uncertainty. All his primitive bad responses like suspicion and jealousy would surface. This would make it easier for the leaders to control, play with their emotions and have some kind of horizon to work to even though they know that the horizon is just a mirage that never ends.
Fast forward to the iphone age... Literally at our fingertips, information is just a few swipes away. And yet the uncertainty of certain information still lingers.
First they would flash a sensational news, something so ridiculous that it is simply impossible to be true. Then more lay people will vouch for it in the social media with 'documented proof'. It would followed by hue and cries asking for first blood. Only then, people in authority and some kind of stature to know the situation would break the ice (awake from slumber?) to say something akin to 'harsh action would be taken. No stone would be left unturned. We will investigate!' And they would recoil into their snoozing position again.
In the meantime, the spokesperson would appear to say that he was misquoted. In spite of all the advances in recording and audio equipment and presence of journalists who can speak more than one tongue, and the ability to retrieve old recording, misquotation is quite a rampant phenomena. By then the excitement of the news would wane. People would slowly accept the fact the country had indeed gone to the dogs. They would talk about emigration but they would not as they cannot fathom the idea of not able to eat their much craved 3am roti telur at the Mamaks' in Adelaide!
And there will roll in yet another more ridiculous story that would sweep the former under the carpet. And life goes on...
Isn't it ironic? After all these years, uncertainty still prevails. Maybe it is meant to be that way. Man become agitated and uncomfortable with uncertainty. All his primitive bad responses like suspicion and jealousy would surface. This would make it easier for the leaders to control, play with their emotions and have some kind of horizon to work to even though they know that the horizon is just a mirage that never ends.
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