All The Access To Information Has Made Us Less Informed

Doesn't it ever happen to you that you have an idea, pick up your phone to look it up, and then—while you're doing a quick search—something stops you? An ad, a short video, or even something funny? Perhaps the whole point of having access to all this information is that we never actually get around to reading it, because we’re constantly bombarded with things we’re supposed to buy, see, and watch.

Naturally, in my case and for the sake of my beloved vocation, I must fight to obtain specific information, only to then translate it into an article capable of sparking questions in the mind of my dear reader.

A journalist’s life is filled with a multitude of things crowding the mind. You are constantly researching, reading, and staying informed. Sometimes I feel like a sort of vampire, hunting for fresh news to feed my ideas. I am certainly always busy trying to make sense of everything happening around me.

There are journalists who seem to read my mind, and others whose reasoning I don't really share—though I suppose that’s just part of being human: the constant urge to agree with others as a form of acceptance within one’s own circle or society. Whether I actually *agree* with it all is another matter entirely.
But when it comes to voting, I’m immovable. I stand my ground and am not willing to compromise.

I cannot accept the fact that there are people who don't vote; to me, it’s like accepting a stranger living in my own home—someone I don't even know. Fair enough, I accept political marketing and campaigning—after all, aren't we all quick to show our best side when we want something? I suppose the same applies to a candidate. Mind you, many are undoubtedly far worse than what we see or know; scandals have happened and always will—corruption and filth are everywhere, and as my father used to say, "Where light is scarce, filth makes its home."
But that is a vast topic to explore, and there is another issue I wanted to address. When did we stop believing that our vote actually mattered? Sadly, there are many countries where a vote counts for very little; yet, if we don't stand united and take action to change things, nothing will ever change. Of course, those with power and influence might easily consider eliminating their enemies to rule forever—Machiavelli-style: just wipe out the opposition. And yet, despite all the information available—all the opportunities to learn, read, travel, and gain knowledge—we are becoming increasingly blind. We simply refuse to accept our own small responsibilities. If something makes us sad, or we disagree with it, we ignore it and retreat into the world of a device that studies us daily, telling us what makes us happy, prompting us to buy things, and showing us exactly what we want to see. We live our lives distracted and lost.

Sadly, people are suffering for the sake of others' interests—simply for having been born in places rich in resources that other nations covet—while a massacre unfolds right before our eyes without anyone commenting, monitoring, or saying a word. What is happening to us? We are under a form of control that isn't even political, but commercial; do politicians have to strike deals just to govern? How can we change things we believe are wrong? Is our vote truly so useless? We have become so indifferent that laws change—such as the requirement for candidates to gather vastly more signatures (double or triple the previous amount) just to get on the ballot—ensuring that those who remain are the most famous and powerful; they can more easily engage in corruption and cling to power. This ties into a larger issue: price. We are all willing to sell our judgment, our dignity, and our virtues because we all have a price—and it certainly goes beyond a mere vote. Ultimately, it is not the masses who decide, but those with the money; under the guise of economics and politics, they use corruption to do whatever they please. Meanwhile, we become increasingly submerged in the glow of screens that do nothing but sell us things, distancing us further and further from the real world—a world where people die on the ground from hunger and other hardships.

Unfortunately, at this stage of the race, we cannot start over from scratch. However, let us at least try to escape the distractions that steer us away from a genuine search for the truth. Let’s read a daily paper, give a newspaper a chance, and go back to reading—if only for a little while. At the very least, read the articles on this blog.