Think For Yourselves
by Liam Robichaud, News Editor
Hey everyone. I just wanted to say
a few words since this is the last issue
of Vol. 41, and my last issue as
News Editor here at the Nav. I’ve
enjoyed writing for the news and
I hope you’ve all enjoyed reading,
and I urge you to continue reading
in the years to come. This is a great
medium for news that affects students,
and you don’t find that often
these days.
This brings me to the point of
this editorial: it’s important to stay
informed. We live in an era that
has been referred to as the “age of
information,” yet we remain misinformed
about much of the world
around us. Politics, science, social
justice, and current events are all
lost in the shuffle of modern life,
but it doesn’t have to be that way.
We can learn about what’s going
on in the world around us in just a
few clicks. Over coffee, at the bus
stop, or in the bathroom, we can
read the paper or read an RSS feed
on our phone or iPod. The information
is there, if you want it. The
question is, do you want it?
I think the answer is yes. Most
people I talk to are eager to see
positive change in the world, but
remain fearful that it may never
come. They are fighting the eternal
struggle against pessimism.
The only way around this pessimism
is to be a part of the change.
In life, like in Alcoholics Anonymous,
the first step is admitting
you have a problem. The problem
here is mediaphobia. The solution
is simple. When we stop shutting
out the world around us, we can
begin to make peace with it.
Develop your passion for information.
Read about, research, and
bare witness to the many things
going on in this world and become
excited about them. If you learn
something good, share it with others
to put them in a good mood.
If you learn about something bad,
think about if and how you can
help the situation, and share it with
others so that they are informed.
And most importantly: don’t
trust everything you’re told. Always
allow for elaboration on things
you’ve heard. Don’t go entirely on
what you read in the newspaper,
hear on TV, or read in someone’s
blog. People can say just about
anything and get away with it, so if
you read something and it interests
you, find some other sources and
investigate. Dig deeper.
When you start to find multiple
sources of information you begin to
get clarity. Biases slip away and the
real meat of the information comes
out. It’s like reaching nirvana, but
easier to attain. You can be there at
enlightenment while still here on
Earth, sitting in a café with a cup of
coffee in one hand and a newspaper
in the other.
Until next time, Nav. Readers.
Peace.