For thousands of years, humans have named celestial bodies, constellations, plants, and species after significant figures and discoveries. But there has been a decline in our appreciation for deeper, more meaningful values, and a growing obsession with material possessions and superficiality. The individuals we honor reflect our values. If we only prioritize celebrating influencers over scientists, it reveals a society that undervalues intellectual and scientific pursuits.
From idolizing individuals like political leaders like Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Abdul Sattar who added something to our society, the Pakistani youth has faced a drastic fall in the category of intellectual awareness ultimately affecting the country as a whole.
Social media platforms are saturated with low-quality content and fleeting trends that contribute significantly to this intellectual digression. Research shows that there is an endless bombardment of short-form videos, viral challenges, and sensationalized news that distracts the audience from engaging in meaningful conversations about the issues. In his seminal work, “Amusing Ourselves to Death,” Neil Postman also warned of this very phenomenon, likening the decline in intellectual discourse to a form of “brain rot. In our daily life, we don’t realize the impact of this consumption and we find ourselves caught in the depths of this trap.
Social media presents a distorted view of success as well, showcasing extravagant lifestyles that can make individuals feel inadequate and insecure. Celebrities often resort to controversy to gain attention, normalizing aggressive and disrespectful behavior. This constant influx of content has eroded critical thinking, both in its creation and consumption.
Our society increasingly idolizes influencers who gain fame through means like stunts and material possessions on social media platforms, while neglecting the contributions of scientists and intellectuals. This also brings our attention to a decline in our intellectual values. While a scientist pursuing a PhD in metaphysics may struggle with unemployment and lack of recognition, those who flaunt their wealth and possessions on social media are celebrated as celebrities.
Student activists and women’s rights lawyers, who fight for important causes, are often met with opposition and even harassment. Conversely, individuals who spread hate and division through social media platforms are often invited to speak at seminars, highlighting another disturbing shift in societal values.