Perils of indifference

There is a collection of speeches that changed the world. One of those speeches was made by Elie Wiesel, holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate in 1986 who made the speech in 1999. But reading it now, it is clearly still so relevant in today’s world. Here are excerpts from that speech:

“What is indifference? Etymologically the word means ‘ no difference’. A strange and unnatural state in which the lines blur between light and darkness, dusk and dawn, crime and punishment, cruelty and compassion, good and evil. What are its course and inescapable consequences? Is it a PHILOSOPHY? Is there a philosophy of indifference conceivable? Can one possibly view indifference as a virtue? Is it necessary at times to practice simply to keep one’s sanity, live normally, enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine as the world around us experiences harrowing upheavals?

Of course, indifference can be tempting – more than THAT, SEDUCTIVE. It is so much easier to look away from victims. It is so much easier to avoid such rude interruptions to our work, our dreams, OUR HOPES. It is after all awkward, troublesome to be involved in another person’s pain and despair. Yet, for the person who is indifferent, his or her neighbors are of no consequence. And, therefore, their lives are meaningless. Their hidden or even visible anguish is of no interest. Indifference reduces the other to an abstraction.

... In a way, to be indifferent to that suffering is what makes the human being inhuman. Indifference, after all, is more dangerous than anger or hatred. Anger can at times be creative. One writes a great poem, a great symphony. One does something special for the sake of humanity because one is angry at the injustice that one witnesses. But indifference is never creative. Even hatred at times may elicit a response. You fight it. You denounce it. You disarm it.

Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor – never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten. The political prisoner in his cell, the hungry children, the homeless refugees – not to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human memory. And in denying their humanity, we betray our own. 

Indifference, then is not only a sin, it is a punishment.”

Whenever I read about the dominance of social media by trolls and purveyors of fake news, I feel that this is because of the indifference of the majority of the public. The one thing that trolls and bloggers share is that they are motivated by anger, hatred or some passion. Those who complain, on the other hand, are really indifferent and, therefore, do not respond. Because of this indifference, public opinion is shaped and influenced by the few who are able to make it appear that the majority of social media participants reflect majority opinion.

Big Bad Wolf

It is literally a festival of books – the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale. There are two million brand new books for sale at a 60 percent to 80 percent discount. It is being held at the World Trade Center from Feb. 16 to midnight of Feb. 23. It is open all day and all night. Yes, it is open 24 hours a day for seven days. Browsing is encouraged.

There are books for all ages in many different types of genres – from children’s books to history, to fiction to biographies. If you go, bring a suitcase because you will never experience such book bargains since Big Bad Wolf comes only once a year.

Here are the titles of the books that I bought for myself: What Would Drucker Do Now? Solutions to Today’s Toughest challenges from the Father of Modern Management by Rick Wartzman published by McGraw Hill 2012; SPEECHES That Changed the World edited by Simon Sebag Montefiore published by Quercus 2010; The Last Lecture: lessons in living by Randy Pausch published by Two Roads 2008; A History of the World in 12 Maps by Jerry Brotton published by Penguin 2012; NELSON MANDELA : In His OWN Words From Freedom To the Future: Tribute and speeches edited by Kader Asmal, David Chidester, Wilmot James published by Abacus 2004; A History of the 20th Century in 100 Maps Time Bryars and Tom Harper published by The British Library 2014.

My daughter Aina purchased the following books: Mobile Marketing Fundamentals and Strategy by Kaan Varnali, Aysegul, Toker, Cengiz Yilmaz published by McGraw Hill 2011; 10 Principles of Good INTERIOR DESIGN by Vinny Lee published by Vivays Publishing 2011; domino Your Guide to a Stylish Home: discovering your personal style and creating a space you love by Jessica Romm Perez aand Shani Silver published by Simon and Schuster 2016; DECORATE for a PARTY : Stylish and Simple Ideas for Meaningful Gatherings by Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring published by Jacqui Small 2016; Pretty Prudent Home: Your ultimate Guide to creating a Beautiful Family Home by Jacinda Boneau and Jaime Morrison Curtis published by ABRAMS 2015.

My wife bought the following books and intends to go back again for more book shopping: In the House of the Interpreter: A Memoir by Ngugi Wa Thiong’O published by Pantheon 2012; Reinventing Yourself: Overcome your anxiety and fear when faced with life’s problems and challenges published by Marshall Cavendish 2010; Red Azalea by Anchee Min published by Random House 2006.

On its first day, at around 9 p.m., Big Bad Wolf had already attracted more than 27,000 customers. As an advocate of reading, I encourage everyone – including those who have never bought a book – to visit the Big Bad Wolf. 

Creative writing classesfor kids/teens and adults

Young Writers’ Hangout on February 24, March 3 & 17, April 7, 14, 21 & 28 (1:30 pm-3pm; independent, stand-alone sessions); Fiction Writing for Adults with Sarge Lacuesta on March 10 (1:30 pm-4:30 pm) at Fully Booked BGC. For details and registration contact 0945-2273216 or [email protected].

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Email: [email protected]