Guest User 19/05/20 Guest User 19/05/20

Dia Daryanani Writes on Social Media in the Lockdown

In a campaign for Apple, global icon and renowned television superstar Oprah Winfrey said, "A pandemic has the possibility of bringing us together in ways none of us would have been able to predict or expect". Having brought the world to a standstill, the Covid-19 pandemic has single-handedly stunted the international economy and public systems. Claiming over a million lives, this silent-killer transformed the simple act of touching into something potentially life-threatening. Governments world over have imposed lockdowns to limit public interaction and slow the intensity at which this illness has been spreading. India, a country of 1.3 billion, is currently undergoing its second month in complete lockdown. Being homebound for over eight weeks, the only tiny sliver of hope is the thought of life post-pandemic (which has been keeping most of us afloat).

However, every time I hear "social isolation" across news channels, I can not help but feel a sense of discontent with the term. Merriam Webster defines isolation as "being alone: solitary". Living in the digital age, absolute isolation seems nearly impossible. Arguably, our lives revolve around the internet: every click and every search becomes part of who we are. Especially in harrowing times like these, social media is both a boon and a bane in disguise. On one hand, it can be a major distraction if handled badly; dangerous when used as a method of exploiting one's privacy. On the other hand, connections can be made online and across borders through platforms like Twitter, Facebook and even the increasingly popular TikTok. People can share their lives with the world, simply by having a stable internet connection and smart device.

Poverty, hunger and lack of healthcare aside, a range of issues plague the privileged social strata as well. The infamous "Bois Locker Room" exposé turned heads all over the country. Well educated young individuals were caught sexually harassing and passing inappropriate comments on teenage girls. Following the uproar of the #MeToo movement, feminism has been redefined in the twenty-first century. Despite the attention and importance given to equal respect and rights for women, thousands of Instagram users were appalled at the comments being made about young girls.

With everyone being quarantined, there was no running away from the situation. This case of cyber abuse, like many others, was finally given adequate attention. The perpetrators were called out and faced immense backlash for their actions. While some may argue that the tremendous hate that these people faced was unjustified, the efficacy of publicly calling out such behaviour in sparking a change and serving justice remains debatable. However, one thing is for sure — being under lockdown has given us time and the undivided attention required to address societal challenges that often go unnoticed. The extent to which this situation blew up is far too less as compared to the reality of how often similar instances occur.

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter amongst other budding platforms of social media are much more than a competitive forum for the number of likes or followers one has. They have become a medium of protest: a place for us all to portray strength and unity in battling problems that our society faces. From social and political disagreements, the average person has the power to express themselves. Changemakers can easily post about things they stand for and believe in, exponentially spreading their perspective and gaining support in institutionalising their principles. As every raindrop forms a mighty ocean, every re-share is a step taken towards a large-scale movement — social media has become the ideal method of doing so.

Had this quarantine not taken place, history would repeat itself in burying important issues, such as the aforementioned among many more, under the hustle bustle of our lives. Now? We can take a step back and reevaluate who we are as a people. Every cloud has a silver lining, they say. Perhaps the cloud isn’t a virus, rather the ignorance and lack of willingness towards working on our shortcomings as humankind, that plagues our mind. If only we put in the efforts to cure our thinking as we are for this pandemic. We are yet to broaden that silver lining. Hopefully, with all this time on our hands, we can learn and teach each other what it means to be human again.

Guest User 13/05/20 Guest User 13/05/20

Arundhati Roy finds the Silver Linings in this Pandemic

Even as this pandemic poses great challenges for us to adapt, it also offers an opportunity to re-imagine the form our 'normal' lifestyles can take. Arundhati Roy captures this dichotomous effect of the the novel corona virus by balancing the positive and negative highlights of nations' responses to the situation, especially drawing focus to the lockdown that India implemented for its one billion plus population.

On the one hand, there are detailed account of the grave dangers of this lockdown on migrant and daily wage workers, and economically weaker sections of our society. These dangers bring to the fore deeply rooted problems of social and economic inequalities, discrimination, and selectively beneficial policies that often leave out the poor. Furthermore, there are dangers of the lack of a coordinated international response to the situation.

Yet, on the other handーand this is perhaps the beauty of Roy's writingーis the optimism that she encourages us to find within this bleakness. To regard this 'interruption' of our normal lives as a "portal" and an opportunity that allows us to construct new normalsーones that are more empathetic to humans and the environment, that allow us to slow down or reconstitute systems that can cause significant damage to our social and environmental ecosystems.

Read more here: ft.com/content/10d8f5e8-74eb-11ea-95fe-fcd274e920ca

Guest User 01/05/20 Guest User 01/05/20

Podcasts to Check Out While at Home

Has the lockdown glued you to your couch - or bed? (we won't judge) Are you running around your house doing chores you never have before? Do you need something to fill the silence as you stare out the window wondering when you'll be able to go outside again? There's a simple answer to brighten up these moments: podcasts!

What makes podcasts so incredible is their versatility. Whether you want to pay full attention to a complex narrative or discussion, or only want some background noise that could maybe provide some intermittent humour, you'll find what you're looking for in this comprehensive crowdsourced list of podcasts put together by Phoebe Lett of The New York Times. So maybe step away from the screens and immerse yourself in an audioscape that gets you excited - it might just get you out of that bed (or not, that's cool too).

Check these out here: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/22/arts/podcasts-coronavirus.html?referringSource=articleShare

Guest User 13/04/20 Guest User 13/04/20

Yuval Noah Harari Writes on the Ongoing Crisis

Harari, in this article, delves into a number of extremely important if somewhat overlooked points in the crisis management response of governments and administrations across the world. Looking beyond the implementations of various measures at present, he examines the long lasting impact that these responses could have on us both as individual citizens and as a highly connected, interdependent global collective. Paying attention the collection and use of data in particular, he explores the dangers of how this could create a new way for governments and corporations to know their citizens.

Even as we come to terms with new normals of social distancing, of working, learning, and staying at home, it remains imperative to keep in mind the long term implications of choices we make to manage this crisis.

Check out the article here: https://www.ft.com/content/19d90308-6858-11ea-a3c9-1fe6fedcca75

Dia Daryanani Writes on Social Media in the Lockdown

Arundhati Roy finds the Silver Linings in this Pandemic

More Stuff to Read, Watch, and Listen To

Podcasts to Check Out While at Home

Yuval Noah Harari Writes on the Ongoing Crisis