Technology has changed the world in such a way that the old concept of national sovereignty is morphing into international block treaty. It’s not new. League of Nations, United Nations, NATO, ASEAN and countless other collective organisations have nudged us in this direction, sometimes with success, often inhibited by the overwhelming vetoes of the major players. The endless tussle between individuality and society is humanity’s permanent feature. Long may it remain so. Armies conquer territories. People conquer hearts.
Much has been talked about bullying. Often said to originate in the school playground it spreads throughout teens into twenties and thereafter through life. The word itself is repulsive and the concept, anti-social. It is, however, a fact of life. Whenever we help someone to be more assertive we are teaching them to bully. Not, of course, in a beastly or demanding way but rather with a smile and soft words. The outcome is still intended to be conquest or sale. We don’t call it bullying, we think of it as persuasion. It’s what all promotion and selling are about.
Spurred by failed appeasement of Hitler in 1938/9, diplomatic dialogue shifted from civil to aggressive on the grounds that ‘might is very much right’. It always has been. The problem is that excess of any kind is anti-social. Excessive clout leads to revolt. Iran is a current example of this. Of course, handled skilfully clout can last a long time. Mr Putin is an example of that. It is expensive and still anti-social but remarkably resilient. That doesn’t make it socially right. But all Genghis Khans are a mixture of brutal and visionary leadership.
Does the vision justify the brutality? Clearly in some people’s minds it does. Maybe they are the people who don’t suffer the brutality so much because they are privileged. And how did they have such privilege? By selling their souls to the ruler.
So what is this ‘soul’ for someone who doesn’t believe in eternity? It is the decision to say ‘I am what I make myself, not in wealth or fame but in the reflection I can see in the mirror’. Not a Dorian Gray, not an Alexander the Great, not even a Mother Teresa, nor a Rasputin but a person I moulded with thousands of others’ help. A distinct identity. A cup of kindness.
Our social behaviour is important in establishing who we are – both to ourselves and to others. Many are depressed or frightened by the present world scenario. I suggest that there are two things we can do about it. First, get our own views and behaviour as clear as we can. Not perfect, just honest. If we have flaws we want to change there are more media than we can shake a stick at to help us do so. If we are uncertain of our own views we can ask a thinking person to enlighten us.
Second, we can take the time to be hopeful. It is something we’ve forgotten how to do. It is not illusory but supportive. A little phrase I put together helps me; it might help you. It says:
“I waited for the dusk and the dawn appeared.”
May our collective dawn appear before too long.
Good morning
John Bittleston
Your views, as always, welcome at [email protected].
16 January 2026
