Our Responsibility to Change the World!

  Texts of General Interest (link)

Dr. James Manos (MD)  

February 10, 2023

"I do care!" Our responsibility to change the world

Five Simple ways to Act on changing the Status Quo 

Image (free to use): The world on Winkel tripel projection. 15° graticule. Imagery is a derivative of NASA's Blue Marble summer month composite with oceans lightened to enhance legibility and contrast. Image created with the Geocart map projection software. (August 15, 2011). Author: Strebe. Uploaded by the user: Strebe. Source: Wikipedia. Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Winkel_triple_projection_SW.jpg

"Remember, each one of us has the power to change the world" (Yoko Ono)

Contemporary youth is doomed unless it replaces the obsession with collecting gadgets and 'likes' on social media with an eagerness to fight for a better world! 

Can we change our destiny? 

The generation of the 1960s protested against the insane Vietnam War in the USA. But eventually, the protests were stifled in the oblivion of LSD and hash! On the contrary, it is pathetic that the current computer game new generation worldwide is entirely Americanized, unwilling to protest about essential issues such as climate change and the countries that defy accords to tackle it. They are also not keen to protest about the US imperialism that since 9/11 has started the 'War on Terror,' an endless pursuit of terrorists that destabilized the Middle East. 

At large, people do not protest against oppression and unjustness. Hopefully, concerning the degeneration of the new generation from the system, not all are apathetic about our world. For instance, in September 2019, at the UN climate summit, Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old activist from Sweden, pled the world's leaders to tackle the environmental catastrophe immediately. For her emotional appeal, See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpaw-l1Q3_E and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWEpTok6AJo 

An example showing that massive protests can change the status quo was the 'yellow vest' movement in France that, in December 2018, caused chaos with several protests about fuel price hikes. The middle class and the province citizens were the core of the protests as they experienced their pension (that tends to become a benefit) or wage shrinking, whereas their expenses increased. In France, four million people are homeless or live in deplorable housing conditions, a disgrace to modern civilization. Similarly, the high homeless percentage, unbearable taxes, expensive accommodation, low pensions, and an extravagant cost of living are prevalent in most so-called affluent Western countries. 

In France, the riot police treated the protesters violently as the system always wanted to keep things for the benefit of the wealthy and the financial Trusts. However, this movement forced the French President to revoke the increase in fuel prices and announce a monthly minimum wage rise. Consequently, the protests were not in vain. It should be noted that the French President who handled the protests was previously an employee and an investment banker at the Rothschild & Cie Banque. Interestingly, the Rothschild and Rockefeller Trusts dominate the global financial market.

A recent example of people changing their destiny was in March 2022 in Sri Lanka, with mass protests about the prolonged economic crisis. The demonstrators occupied the President's house and eventually toppled him. Another example was the massive demonstrations in China in December 2022 against the COVID-19 restrictive measures. These were prolonged curfews, apprehension of coronavirus-positive cases, and their confinement in isolation camps. These protests finally caused the loosening of these fascistic restrictions. 

A third example was the mass protests in Iran in September 2022 as a reaction to the death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini. The morality police allegedly were responsible for her death during her arrest for violating Iran's mandatory hijab law by wearing her hijab improperly while visiting Tehran. The protests' death toll rose to three hundred people and eventually, in December 2022, forced the despotic government to abolish moral police.

Is it our duty to change the world?

Notably, apart from protesting, the most potent way people can change things is by casting (prudently) their vote! We should remember that in a democracy, everything is done with the majority's consent. For instance, the US government has always taken into consideration public opinion. Since the middle 1930s, they have used polls, such as 'Gallup,' to view Americans' beliefs clearly. All military operations of American imperialism had the consent of most American citizens. Every military intervention, from the US participation in WWII after Pearl Harbor to the 9/11 'War on Terror' in 2001 following the 9/11 attack, was launched with the consent of the US citizens.  The quote of US President George W. Bush after 9/11 was, 'You're either with us or against us!'

Thus, it is Americans' responsibility who vote imprudently in the national elections, even with the non-democratic system of voting electors. American people are also responsible for the previous US governments that brought chaos in the Middle East from the endless US military interventions with an incentive to manipulate the oil and natural gas reserves and the region's pipelines. 

As American citizens, we are all responsible for the President or prime minister for whom we place our ballot in the ballot box. We are also accountable if we abstain from voting in general elections, which means we do not care who will rule our lives or, in the case of the USA, the globe. In ancient Greece, those indifferent to politics were called 'idiots,' meaning not the 'stupid,' but those concerning only private matters, being apolitical individuals, something prevalent today. Abstention from elections is high, and it reaches 50 percent in many countries. That means a government may represent a minority of the population, and this minority decides who will bring them to power and how their country will be led. So, we are all responsible for our votes and turnout.  

Some claim that referendums are a way of direct democracy. However, referendums in Europe have been used unwisely. Two examples are Brexit's referendum on leaving the EU and when some EU member states with referendums denied a common European constitution. Undoubtedly, referendums are a way for the public to express its opinion. But the decisions in a referendum may not be correct. 

Democracy in ancient Athens was based on the high educational level of the Athenians. On the contrary, today, the intellectual level is lower than in the fifth century BC of the Athenian Golden Age, as now people have many degrees but need more common sense! That means their decisions in general elections or referendums may be imprudent, even irrational. Abstention from a referendum means that the government's decisions do not represent the population. Thus, when the turnout does not exceed 50 percent of the voters, the minority may decide at the majority's expense. 

Along with our vote, we are all responsible for not complaining about what happens. Protests give a government a clear message to change its path when it does something wrong or unwise. During the Vietnam War, myriads of people protested against the insane war. Although the protests were stifled in the oblivion of LSD and 'weed,' it is significant that they occurred. But when a government sees its interests jeopardized, it may react violently. For instance, on May 4, 1970, at Kent State University in Ohio, during a mass protest against the bombing of Cambodia by US military forces, members of the Ohio National Guard killed four innocent (and unarmed) college students! That means people who protest should take risks, as the system rarely changes bloodlessly.

Nowadays, another issue of concern is that in many Western countries, unemployment rates have increased. Working time is 'flexible' with a continuous assessment that encourages rivalry. There is a tendency for employers to fire employees quickly. Additionally, wages often need to be higher or more satisfactory. Employees may work without a contract or insurance, work overtime unpaid for the extra burden, work without breaks, and work flexible hours. That means that sometimes they may work a few hours weekly while other times they may work excessively. So, the workload may be unbearable, and employees may be frustrated because they are underpaid. Commonly, companies use interns as cheap personnel, often underpaid. 

All this flexibility at work causes uncertainty. An example is in the UK, where medical posts in the NHS may last four months, while 'bank' posts (in which medics work 'when, where, and if needed,' like locums) may be without a contract. Moreover, more than one hundred applicants may apply for a single NHS vacancy. Similarly, all jobs have an enormous rivalry. Often overqualified applicants are preferred for junior posts in which previous experience is asked. Today, many people have impressive resumes with postgraduate studies, but many find a job outside their field! Others have a career in which working conditions are unpleasant.  

Regarding labor rights, recently, things deteriorated further. On July 18, 2018, in Austria, the parliament decided to legalize a 12-hour work date, despite the protests. These changes are soon expected to be adopted by all Western countries. That means working conditions will return to the Middle Ages, as the bloody protests, including the Haymarket massacre in Chicago on May 4, 1886, were in vain! It is unacceptable that most people do not join labor unions to protest about their labor rights violations, although trade unions are undermined.  But if employees do not complain, they accept these conditions.

Our rights are violated every second when, for instance, by using our smartphone with cookies, the system knows our preferences, and the GPS knows our every move. Another more subtle way is economic despotism, as currently with Germany, which has conquered Europe financially. Even in this case, the USA let Germany develop into a fourth Reich and now rule Europe, although it has no military! 

About American imperialism 

After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Europe and the USA overreacted by imposing unprecedented sanctions against Russia. But it is still a question of why Europe did not act the same after the numerous military interventions of the USA that were also characterized by crimes against humanity. It seems that Russian imperialism counts more than American! The USA has funded with colossal amounts and supplied costly weapons to Ukraine against Russia without charge. Additionally, it has recently decided to intimidate China by financing and selling arms to Taiwan! 

Regarding the crimes against humanity, the USA, from the very beginning, started to interfere globally, causing wars, instigating uprisings, and intervening military whenever and wherever it wished. It is responsible for overthrowing regimes and establishing US-friendly governments, with the Latin America of the second half of the last century being the most striking example. 

The American people are the ones who need to be blamed as they elect their President or neglect to elect a peacemaker. However, their electoral college system is not so democratic as it excludes directly voting for the President. It is also the responsibility of every citizen of this planet who keep the same status quo of Pax Americana (American 'peace') by not protesting against American imperialism while nourishing the American economy by preferring American products. For instance, most people enjoy watching American movies and series of low quality instead of international independent productions, not aiming only to profit. The USA is capitalism's hub, meaning money is the only value. Utilitarianism is often transformed into cynicism. 

The USA has conquered the planet, imposed its culture of meager quality, and has also dominated it financially. Many of our devices, especially information technology, are purchased from American companies. China has already ousted the US from its financial leadership, especially in technology, as today, most of our domestic appliances and gadgets are Chinese. That is why the USA recently started a trade war with China and Europe. Hopefully, the US's despotism has ended as Russia and China are military-powerful to overwhelm the USA with their supersonic intercontinental ballistic missiles. 

The American Imperial has not reached the crimes against humanity of the British Empire, although the US has always kept an ancestry and solidarity with Britain. Ironically, the first settlers in America were from various countries, while the American Revolution was against Britain that burned even the capitol! Notwithstanding, there is a nemesis, as Britain, because of Brexit, is soon expected to collapse financially. It is already isolated from Europe. A similar doomed future is expected for the USA, where the government debt is high, with China holding most of it! The USA will not print money this time, as this will increase inflation.

All empires' fate was doomed in human history as they were replaced by a new empire that continued bloodshed. US imperialism used more converted methods, such as inciting upheavals and military interventions with the excuse of terrorism. With the justification of terrorism, military interventions have the population's approval. For the same reason, human rights are violated as everyone is a potential suspect. The pursuit of terrorism in the past has excused abductions from intelligence worldwide. 

Oil and natural gas reserves and pipelines remain the leading causes of wars. Conflicts are expected to continue unless the US uses greener, more renewable forms of energy. It should be mentioned that the US recently withdrew from human rights agreements and surveillance of the UN. That means it will violate human rights, such as the abduction of suspects everywhere on the planet and interrogation with torture, being accountable to nobody!  

About Americanization 

Today, everything in the global market is controlled, monopolized, and manipulated mainly through American enterprises. American companies, including Amazon, Google (that also owns YouTube), and Facebook (that also owns Instagram), exploit the web, from internet browsers, e-shops, and social media to video games. Even the 'Nerf guns' that most kids play war with worldwide are manufactured by an American company, while American companies monopolize computer games. Notably, Microsoft exclusively monopolizes computer markets with its Windows and Office™. Similarly, Google dominates search engines, while Apple monopolizes iOS devices, especially its costly smartphones. 

Importantly, as most Trusts that monopolize the web are American, they take advantage of European trade laws' leniency, especially in tax havens such as Ireland. American companies have often used unfair means, which has led to numerous fines by the European Union for unscrupulous tactics. Recently, the US prohibited all American companies from collaborating with the Chinese technology company Huawei. Consequently, Google excluded Huawei's smartphones from accessing its services, including the Google Play Store (TM).  Additionally, the US exercised political pressure on many countries, including those in Europe, not to collaborate with Huawei to develop the fifth generation of mobile broadband (5G) but instead assign 5G development to other companies, such as the Finnish company Nokia. Their excuse was security concerns. 

The question is if we would still be happy if the security threats were from the American side. That cannot be excluded today. As mentioned above, they know our every move via our cell phones. In 2018 it was revealed that Facebook misused its users' data, which I discuss in my text The Real Story of Facebook's Data Misuse The $5 billion fine from the US authorities for the data breach was an embarrassing joke.  

TV and streaming media have already been commercialized by American multinational companies like Netflix. Documentaries are monopolized by four American global networks: the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, National Geographic, and Animal Planet. The History Channel and Netflix have productions with gory realistic battle scenes played by stunts, making them unsuitable for minors. 

The internet has been totally Americanized and commercialized, such as YouTube. It is pathetic that many non-Americans feel obligated to post American-related videos, for instance, related to Halloween or American Independence Day. Speaking of Halloween, it is now a global celebration! Additionally, all 'action movies' have the same SWAT scenario or special forces team, always American, infiltrating a base and fighting terrorists that stereotypically are Islamists.  Similarly, computer games refer to the US army or American warriors who fight villains or terrorists. 

There is enormous propaganda from the US film industry that overtones America's and Britain's role in liberating Europe in World War II when, in fact, Russia's army and the resistance in the occupied countries were also or even more significant. The WW2 movies exaggerate American heroism while omitting the Russians' triumph. Even the US newsreels in movie theaters were manipulated during the Second World War. For instance, the director John Ford was hired to show natural combat scenes of the US army in theatres during WW2, but he omitted views of dead Americans, as he aimed to show American bravery, real or not! Even the famous photo of the US Marines raising the American flag in Iwo Jima was not the original shot after the battle but was taken later. They used a large navy flag because the original was small. So, the photo was staged! 

Regarding American movies, most are of low quality and aim only to profit. The US movie industry considers viewers as 8-year-old kids! They use marketing to make a film successful or a 'box office flop.' In many American movies, US jingoism and chauvinism are evident, such as in the heroic Rambo-style films or Vietnam' feats,' as well as the modern SWAT and American commando action movies in which the American heroes 'eliminate' the villains. 

It should be noted that the US movie industry has always been censored. Even today, not a single film refers to the crimes against humanity from the US military campaigns. Contrary, many action movies show the 'valiant' Americans saving the world from terrorists, usually fanatic Islamists. Thus, they created the stereotype of a Muslim as a potential villain. However, the real story is that the USA has destabilized the Islamic countries feeding terrorism. In many cases, as with the Kurds in the recent Syrian civil war, it has equipped military opposing groups and guerillas.

Concerning the film industry monopolized by the USA, people worldwide encourage this. If American movies were less viewed, the US film industry would make better quality movies rather than pursue action movies with green scenes and animation effects. Movies will soon be wholly animated with graphic design, not even using human models for the graphics.

To oppose the low-quality film industry, I recommend watching international productions rather than exclusively American action movies that use excessive computer graphics but have no message to give other than the violence of shoot 'em up', to which even kids get addicted. There are movie theaters that play international films that are considerable and with plenty of profound messages. Productions from Europe, Latin America, and Asia (Bollywood excluded) are often of excellent quality, as they do not focus on profits at the expense of quality as the US movie industry. Although it may sound unbelievable, many Iranian films are remarkable, often conveying a tint of melancholy because of the oppression by the authoritarian Islamic regime.

Are we keen to change the world?

I do not think so, at least for the majority! Disappointingly, most people tolerate the violation of their rights or others' rights, including labor rights. By not protesting, they consent to this violation. They do not even complain about American, Russian, or Chinese imperialism. They also do not mind racism, discrimination, homophobia, bullying, verbal attack (prevalent among web comments and chats), and other negative aspects of our modern culture. 

Contemporary society is unassimilated, consisting of an amalgam of disparate communities of different ethnic backgrounds that are ghettoized and have nothing else in common but the need to make money. Characteristically, the USA consists of many communities that do not fight together for their shared interests but protest separately, such as about blacks' rights. This Western multicultural population means it cannot join a joint fight against injustice. People are not unified enough to fight for their rights.  

In contemporary multicultural societies, additional worrying issues emerged, such as Islamization (especially in Europe) that treats women and gays discriminatively (to say it in a politically correct way). The leading cause of uncontrolled migration in Europe was that Germany needed new labor and technicians, as the European population is aging! Because of uncontrolled immigration, contemporary European countries consist of unassimilated communities with a few things to share and more to divide. For instance, racism in Europe has increased, and far-right political parties have gained popularity. Religion, culture, and politics divide people who are not united to fight and create a European federation as a counterweight to US imperialism. 

It seems that most people, especially the young, mind for more tangible things such as playing with their expensive smartphones, collecting gadgets, playing computer games, watching Netflix endlessly on their smart TV, playing with their smartphones, surfing aimlessly on the web, doing stupid stunts (including parkour), etc. Many young people are attention seekers trying to show off. For instance, they upload a video to catch 'likes' and make money from their viewability, post a quote they found elsewhere to impress, blog and vlog all the time, expose their private life, etc. But it is difficult for an attention-seeking new generation to fight for the common interest, such as people's rights, the planet, democracy, American imperialism, etc.

Today's new generation is self-centered and introverted, minding their personal and homeland interests. For instance, the American youth does not protest the endless military interventions of their country that have destabilized the Middle East. They also do not oppose the violation of human rights, such as in the Guantanamo prison in Cuba, the global spay system (Echelon), etc.

Of course, the system is contented when citizens are peaceful, avoiding conflict, and not even protesting. But an 'attention-seeking' youth that minds only their profile on their social media is so introverted that they do not mind 'revolting' as the youth in Paris did during May of 1968 or as the youth protested in the US against the Vietnam War. 

A protest has not only the meaning of a public demonstration on the street, but it can occur in many other ways, such as a letter or email to a public or private authority or filling in a report. For instance, how many YouTube or social media users mind reporting unacceptable posts or videos? Tolerating injustice and abuse means that we accept it with our silence. Contemporary youth is doomed unless it replaces the obsession with collecting gadgets and 'likes' on social media with an eagerness to fight for a better world.

Five simple ways to change the world!

1. A straightforward way to change the world is with donations to charities and organizations offering support and alleviating poor people and those with physical or mental disabilities. If you cannot afford it, you may spend a small amount, such as five dollars, on a non-governmental and non-profit organization with humanitarian aid and those who care for the planet.  You may also support web initiatives such as the Ecosia search engine focusing on reforestation. 

But be aware of NGOs with dubious activities, such as the white helmet rescuers in Syria accused of propaganda or those that transfer illegal migrants to Europe, receiving subsidies for treating them at refugee camps. Although subsidized by European and United Nations (UN) funds, they are not accountable for any penny they spend.

There are many ways that you can help. Hospitals should schedule volunteering programs for citizens who can help in several ways. Volunteering in the hospital as orderlies will lessen the burden on the hospital staff. Another way is volunteering on special occasions such as disasters or becoming an aid worker. 2. You should be willing to volunteer, but your incentive should be to help others and not just add it to your resume or advertise this on your social media, as this shows vanity.

A helpful suggestion is to become a Red Cross/Red Crescent volunteer offering first aid in significant disasters. An example of volunteering with a substantial impact is a city in Italy in which volunteers carry an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). In a cardiac arrest, they arrive at the scene by car and perform immediate defibrillation that may be lifesaving. Other forms of volunteering are international programs for young people who can offer social work, participate in infrastructure in the province, or remove waste from the environment (forest, coast, sea). The European Union (EU) should encourage programs with social offers rather than the 'Erasmus' program of exchanging students between EU countries, which is an occasion for holidays paid with public EU money.

3. It is essential to cast your vote in general elections and referendums. You should realize that when the turnout is low, then it is the minority of the adult population that decides on critical things! 

4. It would be best to be vigilant that the government treats everyone equally and that human rights are not violated. That should include the private sector, as the violation of labor laws, such as 'flexible' working conditions, is evident worldwide. Protests are essential when rights are violated. However, political parties or other groups mustn't manipulate them. For instance, anarchist troublemakers often give the police the excuse to dissolve a demonstration. It should be mentioned that often police officers are disguised as protesters.

If the state or a group abuses human rights, you must protest and participate in protests, strikes, and demonstrations. Otherwise, your silence means consent. So, it is our responsibility to not tolerate the violation of international laws, such as when the US intervenes in the military whenever and wherever it wishes without any resolution from the United Nations (UN). The same is true for other superpowers such as China, Russia, and Germany. Unless we protest, things will deteriorate, and we need to blame ourselves for not reacting to the upcoming violation. 

5. Finally, we should fight imperialism; for instance, along with US imperialism, we should also oppose the Russian and Chinese aggression that is already evident. By not opposing their interventions, we come to agree with them. 

Epilogue

Everything considered, in the 1960s, the new generation protested against the war in Vietnam, although these protests were 'quelled' with the oblivion of LSD and hash! Today fewer people protest, as materialism has replaced all virtues. The new generation has degenerated, and this decadence makes the system happy as the youth are keener to acquire fictitious needs, including costly smartphones, and less keen to 'heal' the world. It is difficult for an attention-seeking new generation to expect them to fight for common interests, such as human rights, democracy, the sustainability of our planet, China's and Russia's aggression, and American imperialism.

Thanks for reading!