How do we build trust in an insecure world?
BY VÄINÖ MEHTOLA
”Barometers gathered from around the world indicate that the general outlook on the
future of our planet has turned grimmer and grimmer over time. These statistics unveil a
most profound issue of the contemporary world – distrust. Just talking a brief look at your
daily news feed on global stories can leave you rather uncomfortable. ”23 people confirmed
dead after the collision of protesters and antiprotesters in…” ”Strong political polarisation
has led to the forming of new radicalized…” Sigh… What a dark world we live in. Since
when has anything positive happened? One could think to themselves.
Bad, even despicable things occur on a daily basis undisputedly. To deny this you’d
have to be unimaginably ignorant. Contrary to the aforementioned constantly shouting
out xx immensely negative news stories isn’t too good for the people around you, not even
for you. The key here is to find a balance between these two – digesting the negativity radiated
from all around while realizing a couple of things.
We tend to form our worldview by peering through a distorted lens that is social media.
Studies have shown thatfot 10 negative news articles there’s only one positive article. We
have a natural tendency built in our brains that makes it so that we give far more attention
to things we could classify as negative. One could argue this s a benefitual trait of ours but
when exploited by social media it in fact makes us filled with more anxiousness than is necessary.
A lot of problems as well as a log of great things exist in this world simultaneously!
To get rid of this hostility-owered distrust we also need nderstanding of one another.
This can solely be achieved through civil discussion and the exchange of ideas. How many
times have you been in a heated argument? How many times has the ordeal resulted in
one of you changing their mind? Raising your head above the clouds of polarisation does
sonders sometimes.
Thirdly, and most importantly, you do not silence the worldviews or opinions that
might differ from your own. I find it very curious whenever I encounter anyone with the
mindet of silencing someone for their beliefs. Of course the one conducting the right thing
when burying the ”oh-so negative prospects” with their borderline censorhip. What they
don’t seem to realize is that they’re only strengthening the walls of their echo chambers
and creating resentment in those who they’ve silenced. Obviously sometimes silencing
a very loud and radical voice is for the good of all but the principle remains crucial.
In conclusion there are no simple answers to this puzzling question. I believe in plain human
decancy and its power to change the world. In other words change doesn’t start from
any government regulation or ruling but from you.”
1. palkinto
Icelandairin lennot
Yhdysvaltoihin:
Väinö Mehtola,
Töölön yhteiskoulun lukio
Yhdysvaltain suurlähetystön
kirjapalkinnot:
Einar Eidsto,
Lahden yhteiskoulun lukio
Niko Haarahiltunen,
Schildtin lukio
Jarno Himanen,
Etelä-Tapiolan lukio
Jasper Illi,
Helsingin uusi yhteiskoulu
Oskari Kaappa,
ankaanpään yhteislukio
Eveliina Kuusisto,
Tornion yhteislyseon lukio
Elina Matala-aho,
Turun klassillinen lukio
Jonatan Niskanen,
Gymnasiet Lärkan
Milan Shilov,
Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu
The English Teacher of the Year
Anne Kaustio,
Töölön yhteiskoulun lukio
Kiitämme yhteistyöstä:
Niko Haarahiltunen (vas.), Eveliina Kuusisto, Milan Shilov, Oskari Kaappa, Jonatan Niskanen ja
Väino Mehtola palkittiin matka- ja kirjapalkinnon menetyksestään 39. järjestetyssä lukiolaisten
kirjoituskilpailussa.
SAM MAGAZINE 3/19 | 23