There Was A Time

There was a time when most of us believed that the food we ate or consumed was basically wholesome, nutritious, and free from dangerous chemicals. 

There was a time when we thought that advertising was genuine & believable, and that product labels truly described the contents and qualities of what we consumed.

There was a time when most of the world believed in the integrity of our heads of state, lawmakers, political leaders, and high-ranking government officials.

There was a time when we thought our children were getting a solid & sound education in elite public schools and institutions, thereby reassuring ourselves that they did not require second attention. We ignored them and slept peacefully.

There was a time when many of us believed that atomic energy had "peaceful & productive uses" which were perfectly safe and compatible with a happy, prosperous and healthy society.

Yet in recent times our illusions have been shattered. The "bubble" of misplaced optimism has burst on our faces. We were exposed to the stark & bitter reality of the present world of uncertainty.

Repeated exposes of widespread consumer frauds, grand political scandals, nepotism & forgery in public sector units, rampant corruption in corridors of education & learning, and toxic chemical-waste dumps have all destroyed our earlier innocence and misplaced euphoria & optimism.

We also realise now that a veil of fantasy and deception can be created with unprecedented expertise through the mass media or digital media, thereby making it impossible to distinguish between substance & simulation, fact & fiction, and reality & illusion.

It is simply a classic example of arrogant minority controlling or manipulating the ignorant or gullible majority.

Sadly both arrogance and ignorance are evils which can only lead the mankind to the path of anarchy and destruction !