Close Menu
    Trending
    Subscribe
    Sunday, March 29
    Demo

    In a world of endless scrolling, are we becoming insensitive to pain and suffering? | Lucknow News

    curratoBy Lucknow No Comments4 Mins Read

    Sunil MisraThere was a time when news of distant conflict stirred something deep within us — a pause, a prayer, a sense of shared humanity. Today, that response feels increasingly rare. In a world of constant updates and endless scrolling, one uncomfortable question demands attention: Are we becoming insensitive to pain and suffering?Recent wars have brought this concern into sharper focus. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the devastation in Gaza amid the Israel–Hamas war, have resulted in immense civilian suffering. Images of destroyed homes, displaced families, and grieving survivors circulate daily. Yet, for many observers far removed from these zones, such scenes have begun to feel routine — absorbed quickly, then replaced by the next update. The scale of tragedy risks becoming just another data point.Beyond numbers and headlines lies a quieter, deeper truth: Every war reshapes lives irreversibly. It makes someone a widow, someone an orphan. It leaves behind parents who outlive their children and children who grow up without ever knowing theirs. These are not abstractions but enduring human voids — absences that no statistic can adequately convey.And yet, increasingly, statistics dominate our understanding. Data has become the primary language through which suffering is communicated — casualty counts, displacement figures, economic losses. While necessary, this quantification risks delinking emotion from reality. Numbers inform, but they rarely move. In an age driven by analytics, technology and even science are sometimes wielded less to illuminate human experience and more to “win” arguments or justify positions. In this process, the human being at the centre disappears.Language plays a subtle but powerful role in this desensitisation. Modern discourse frequently replaces stark realities with sanitised expressions. Weapons are described as “platforms,” civilian deaths as “collateral damage,” and killings as “neutralisations.” Such terminology distances us from the human cost, making violence easier to process — and easier to overlook.Equally concerning is the evolving nature of the rule of law. Ideally, it serves as a neutral framework protecting all, especially the vulnerable. Increasingly, however, it appears influenced by the will of the powerful. When accountability seems selective, public faith in justice weakens, and with it, the urgency to respond to suffering.The representation of war in media further deepens this detachment. Advances in technology have turned real conflict into visuals that can resemble animation or simulation. Precision strikes appear as clean, distant flashes on a screen, devoid of the chaos and anguish on the ground. The human story — fear, loss, displacement — is often lost behind graphics and strategic maps. War risks being perceived less as tragedy and more as spectacle.Compounding all this is the relentless speed of the news cycle. Information moves so rapidly that there is little time to process one crisis before another emerges. The result is information overload and emotional fatigue. Faced with constant exposure, many people unconsciously disengage as a form of self-preservation.It is here that Art and artists assume a profound responsibility. Unlike fleeting headlines, art has the power to arrest attention and compel reflection. Pablo Picasso’s Guernica turned the horrors of war into an unforgettable visual cry. Paritosh Sen’s Refugee brought the pain of displacement into focus. Writers like Wilfred Owen and Saadat Hasan Manto forced readers to confront the brutality behind political decisions, while George Orwell used satire to challenge power. Such works restore what data often erases—they make us feel.If desensitisation is a growing risk, what can be done?Teachers and Students can begin by cultivating awareness and empathy early. Engaging with literature, history, and art that humanise conflict, participating in discussions, and questioning narratives can build emotional intelligence. Even small acts—writing, creating, volunteering, or simply listening—can nurture sensitivity.Ordinary citizens can resist passive consumption. Slowing down the news cycle in their own lives — pausing to reflect rather than scroll — makes a difference. Supporting credible journalism, engaging in community service, and amplifying humane voices over divisive ones can gradually reshape public discourse.Society at large — including institutions, media, and policymakers — must prioritise ethical responsibility. Media can foreground human stories alongside data. Educational systems can integrate empathy-building through arts and civic learning. Technology platforms can be designed to encourage depth over distraction. Public conversations must reaffirm that progress without compassion is incomplete.In the end, a society’s true strength lies not merely in its economic resilience or technological advancement, but in its capacity for compassion. If we begin to accept suffering as routine, we risk eroding the very foundation of our shared humanity. The challenge before us is not only to stay informed, but to remain human—to ensure that behind every headline, we still see a face, a story, and a life that matters.(Writer is founder, Lucknow Connection Worldwide)

    Source link

    Keep Reading

    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply

    1000456232

    News

    Company

    Services

    © 2026 Currato a xorance company