The crisis of mistrust has enveloped almost every individual. In the Post Cold War period balances still have not been established. Terrorism has taken on every hue and disguise and made every society uneasy. Developing over time, mistrust has left rage and aggression in its wake. Looking from such a perspective, it can be understood that we’re facing a new doomsday scenario. But, talking about only the pieces of this scenario prevents us from seeing the whole picture…
The starting point of the new era that was attempted to be formed after the Post Cold War period, but which stumbled at every step was the September 11th attack. After that the world witnessed the Iraq invasion. Promising to “bring democracy,” the invasion failed to bring peace to Iraq or the region. The Middle East is a ticking bomb. Israel has plugged its ears to the outrage of public opinion. The US and Europe aren’t able to treat Israel as they treat other aggressive countries, and they aren’t able to prevent civilian urban centers from being destroyed.
In a single-pole world those who take their place to the east are uneasy, as are those who take their place to the west. One group feels it has been suppressed, insulted and degraded. People, on the other side, worry that they might be the target for terrorist attacks at any moment. And, unfortunately, those in power aren’t aware of this cancer that has affected every society to the same fatal degree. Strides that would lower tensions, establish equity and justice, in short, that would open the way to world peace are not able to be made. In fact, some leaders have tied their reason for existence to being the messiah of these nightmare scenarios. Under these circumstances, God forbid, social madness can even turn into mass murder. In an environment where the masses are incited a little more each day and where the incitement serves the purposes of leaders, the greatest responsibility falls to intellectuals. Because, on the one hand, they can invite the people to social stability and, on the other hand, they can supervise democracy from their observation towers, thus fulfilling the duty of overseeing that becomes them. Unfortunately, the world intellectual pool has not yet been able to show the expected clout or courage. However, there is a clear truth that history has shown: The world has never endured such high tensions; it can’t. This much accumulated and suppressed anger being used for political gain is preparing a foundation for psychological madness. If those who get the wind of this merciless storm behind them and swagger on the harsh slopes of politics don’t find an enlightened resistance in front of them, it means the end of the world is near. Because in a scenario in which perilous adventure will play this great role, there will not be a happy ending.
It’s not just a matter of potential wars, internal chaos and the hopelessness these lead to. Today humanity is experiencing a great spiritual crisis. Just as man has not solved the reason for existence today, neither has he been able to overcome the nothingness syndrome. He is becoming lonelier among the masses. Burying every school of thought that has questioned the reason for existence in the graveyard of philosophy and imprisoning spiritual desires in folkloric celebrations and spaces, and after going from one extreme to another, modernity has chosen a more complex position for itself. As a result of a lack of political discernment and clumsiness, individuals who have long since lost their inner peace now see their safety under threat. In such an environment wrongs can rapidly change place with rights and angry mobs can seek new arenas for themselves and magnificent offerings for sacrifice…
In spite of everything, there’s benefit in remaining hopeful. Because great advances always appear at the end of great crises. Mad cries rising from every front activate common sense existent in every society. The silent searches there must grow like avalanches and put their stamp on this age. Otherwise, it’s not possible for this nightmare to end.
July 25, 2006
