The Fading Art of Respect
I was watching a popular television game show recently, and an incident left me deeply unsettled. A young contestant, brimming with confidence, interacted with the host, the venerable Amitabh Bachchan, with a level of bumptiousness that bordered on disrespect. It wasn't youthful energy; it was a glaring lack of reverence for a man who has graced our screens and earned our respect for decades. Mr. Bachchan, with his characteristic grace, handled the situation with poise, but the interaction lingered in my mind.
Is this an isolated case of youthful overconfidence, or is it a symptom of a deeper societal malaise? I fear it is the latter. We are living in an era where humility is often mistaken for weakness and loudness for strength. The constant performance on social media, the chase for viral moments, and the commodification of personality have eroded the quiet dignity that once defined our interactions.
The Digital Roots of Disrespect
This isn't a sudden shift. It's a gradual erosion, and I've been reflecting on its origins for some time. Years ago, I wrote about the monetization of personal data and the need to regulate our digital spaces. In my blog post, "Data Protection - Privacy - Ownership - Monetization", I explored the economic model that drives social media, an ecosystem that rewards outrage and audacity over quiet contemplation.
The core idea I wanted to convey is this — I had brought up this thought years ago. When we turn every individual into a "content creator" fighting for attention, we inadvertently devalue genuine connection and respect. I had predicted that this ecosystem would have profound social consequences, and I had even proposed solutions around data ownership. Seeing this play out on national television, with a figure like Amitabh Bachchan at the receiving end, is a striking validation of those earlier concerns. It gives me a renewed urgency to revisit those ideas, because the very fabric of our social decorum is at stake.
When every interaction is a potential broadcast and every person a potential brand, the incentive is to be memorable, not respectful. The bumptious young contestant wasn't just answering questions; he was performing for an audience, embodying a culture where being noticed is more important than being polite.
We must ask ourselves what values we are championing. Are we building a society that celebrates spectacle over substance, and audacity over grace? Mr. Bachchan’s dignified response was a powerful reminder of a fading ideal, but it shouldn't be an exception. It should be the norm we strive to reclaim.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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