Defeaning silence – The Hindu

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, a disturbing trend has taken root: the systematic rationalisation of everything and a growing indifference toward fundamental humanitarian values. Where once outrage against injustice united communities, many now choose quiet acquiescence, shrugging with the fatalistic mantra, “let things happen on their own.” This creeping apathy is not merely personal; it signals a profound societal shift that threatens the very moral fabric of civilisation.

One of the most visible manifestations of this detachment occurs in everyday emergencies. Consider the tragic irony of the modern bystander: when a person is in mortal danger — trapped in a vehicle, drowning, or assaulted — passersby frequently reach for their smartphones rather than for help. Videos of suffering are recorded in high definition, edited for maximum shock value, and uploaded to social media platforms in pursuit of viral fame, ‘likes’, and advertising revenue. This phenomenon is not just pathetic; it represents a deep betrayal of basic human solidarity.

The normalisation of violence follows a similar pattern. Aggression and dominance are increasingly viewed as inevitable aspects of survival in a competitive world. When horrific crimes occur — such as sexual violence — public reaction is rarely unified condemnation. Instead, responses are filtered through lenses of caste, religion, ethnicity, race, or political allegiance. If the victim belongs to “our” group, the outrage is swift and vocal. If the perpetrator does, excuses quickly surface: questions about the victim’s character, clothing, or past behaviour take centre stage, while the crime itself is downplayed or justified. This selective empathy reveals how far society has drifted from universal principles of justice and dignity.

The consequences of this “deafening silence” extend far beyond individual incidents. On the global stage, the post-World War II order — built on the ashes of imperialism and designed to promote cooperation through institutions like the United Nations — appears increasingly fragile. Globalisation, once hailed as an unstoppable force binding humanity together, is now retreating. Nations are erecting higher walls, both literal and figurative: borders are fortified, migration pathways restricted, and mutual suspicion cultivated. Authoritarian tendencies have gained momentum as leaders prioritise consolidating power over fostering dialogue or accountability.

Recent years have witnessed a multipolar world order characterised by fragmentation rather than unity. Conflicts rage with disturbingly muted international response. The protracted war between Russia and Ukraine continues to claim countless lives and displace millions, yet the initial wave of global solidarity has largely faded into routine headlines. In West Asia, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — including repeated military operations in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank — elicits polarised reactions rather than concerted calls for peace and humanitarian protection. Meanwhile, political crises in Latin America, such as the ongoing turmoil in Venezuela surrounding Nicolás Maduro, unfold with calculated international restraint. This selective silence is not neutrality; it is complicity by omission.

Technology, intended as a tool for connection, has ironically deepened isolation. Smartphones, social media algorithms, and artificial intelligence curate echo chambers that reinforce existing biases, while severing real human bonds. Families sit together yet remain apart, each member immersed in separate digital worlds. Studies consistently link excessive screen time and algorithm-driven content to rising rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and diminished empathy. What was meant to bring people closer has, in many ways, made us strangers to one another.

The span of this silence is shrinking in scope but expanding in intensity. Selective outrage — loud within narrow ideological or communal boundaries, silent beyond them — fuels polarisation and erodes trust. When cries for help, whether from an individual in distress or entire populations under siege, go unanswered, society loses something irreplaceable: the conviction that every human life matters.

This moment demands reflection and action. The expansion of indifference, from personal encounters to geopolitical crises, serves as a stark wake-up call. Humanity cannot afford to remain passive spectators in its own story. Breaking the silence requires courage: to intervene when others suffer, to condemn injustice regardless of tribal affiliations, to demand accountability from leaders, and to rebuild connections in an increasingly fragmented world.

Only by rediscovering shared empathy — transcending borders, identities, and self-interest — can we reverse this dangerous trajectory. The alternative is a future where silence becomes the default response to suffering, and the principles that define our common humanity are quietly extinguished.

vijayanand.bansode@avc.ac.in