June 23rd, 2021: Wisdom in the Age of New Tribalism
It
is hard to know what is true and what is not when we are surfing the
internet. It is even more challenging to discern what we see and hear
from the news. The availability of 'information' might have misinformed
many of us. We have either become indifferent or distrust towards what
we can access online.
We
have created a new form of tribalism in recent years. It is 'Social
Media Tribalism'. Our views of what is going in the world have become
narrower every day. We are being monitored by algorithms of various
social media platforms. We only receive news and information that fit
our viewpoints. In this new tribalism, we are divided by our own
perceptions of one another via the internet.
The
nature of tribalism is the existence of divisions and divisiveness.
Tribes would kill one another in the past to gain power and domination.
We can see that today as well. We don't need to use weapons to destroy
others these days. Social media has become the most destructive weapon
of our time. Some political leaders will embrace that as a way to
control the population. We have not seen any leaders who are
instrumental in bringing our nations together. They might talk about it,
but it serves them a no good purpose to do so. Our people have drifted
further into alienation and mistrust. People start using lingoes that
have become confusing to many others. We don't listen to one another,
and therefore, wisdom is missing. The internet has become a melee of
accusations and attacks.
Have
you ever asked the question why the mainstream media has not talked
much about the abuse of power of Mr. Gate and his extramarital affairs
with his employees? They certainly have gone after the past Presidents
of the US and any other political figures who have done similar things. I
know that I am cynical, but it appears as if something is holding them
back. There is always protection within the leading tribe.
More than ever before, we need to pray for wisdom and discernment more earnestly.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths."
