< Más Articulos : When Right and Wrong Stop Making Sense (Times of Israel - 14 Jan 2026)
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When Right and Wrong Stop Making Sense (Times of Israel - 14 Jan 2026)
Every day, it becomes harder to distinguish facts from the layers of narrative wrapped around them, layers that quietly tell us what to believe. Thousands of voices, each driven by its own interests, flood news outlets and social media with interpretations that claim to explain what just happened and predict what we should expect next. In this constant stream of commentary, information is no longer simply reported; it is framed, shaped, and often steered.
The real problem begins when facts are rarely presented in full. Instead of being shown the whole picture, we are offered carefully selected fragments that serve the narrator’s agenda, making it easier for us to accept a particular version of events without questioning what has been left out. What further aggravates the situation is when journalism turns into political activism. At that point, explanations stop being efforts to clarify reality and become tools to promote a cause. Facts fade into the background, and narratives take center stage.
Yet narratives themselves are not inherently harmful. Context, when offered honestly, can deepen understanding. When an artist explains their work, we gain insight into intention and meaning that we might otherwise miss. In the same way, complex social, political, or historical events are often better understood when someone helps us see the broader context that surrounds them. Theories, ideas, and plans rarely stand on their own; they make far more sense when accompanied by thoughtful explanation.
The challenge, then, is not to reject interpretation altogether, but to learn to recognize the difference between explanation and manipulation. We need context that illuminates, not narratives that replace reality. In an age overwhelmed by opinion, the ability to separate facts from the stories built around them may be one of the most essential skills we can develop.
Unfortunately, today’s world has become deeply polarized. On one side, we see conservative ideologies; on the other, liberal ones. And yet, these are far from the only forces shaping the global conversation. In recent years, Islamist ideology has also expanded its influence across many cultures. Fueled by the immense wealth generated by oil, certain actors have been able to exert power in politics, business, academia, traditional media, and social platforms. In doing so, they have captured the attention of large numbers of young people, often by aligning themselves with left-leaning narratives that appear progressive on the surface, while ultimately serving far more rigid and far-reaching ambitions.
At the same time, right-wing extremism has also gained ground. While it may lack the financial backing and broad appeal that Islamist or far-left movements sometimes enjoy among younger generations, it still contributes to the same dangerous dynamic: the distortion of reality through radicalized narratives. Whether from the far left or the far right, extremism thrives on simplification, fear, and emotional manipulation. In every case, nuance disappears, and truth becomes collateral damage.
In this climate, objectivity and common sense have become rare and precious, almost like jewels we must consciously protect. They are essential tools for navigating today’s overwhelming information landscape. More than ever, we need to look beneath the surface, question what we are told, and examine what truly serves our well-being, our families, our communities, and the society we live in.
This responsibility does not end with personal reflection. It also calls for action: standing firm in our values, engaging others thoughtfully, and influencing the spaces we inhabit, at home, at work, and in public life, to pursue what is genuinely constructive. Be grounded. Be discerning. And above all, be willing to defend clarity and truth in a world increasingly comfortable with confusion.
We are all, in one way or another, responsible for the well-being of humanity and the future of civilization. Each choice we make, each idea we defend, and each narrative we choose to amplify contributes, quietly but powerfully, to the kind of world we are building for those who come after us.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/when-right-and-wrong-stop-making-sense/
( Por: Yehudi Sabbagh , 14/01/2026 )
