Of Opinions, Debates and Conversations

 It's another Friday, and once again, we have a treat on Richie Online. I'm still trying to maintain the groove of writing every week, and so far, it seems to be working. I never thought I still had it.

It's a somber moment for the country as we mourn the passing of Thomas Chenkhumba Chibade, a musician who was once the best-selling artist when he released his Zatukusira album. This comes just two weeks after we lost another brilliant musician named Ahtoti Manje.

The deaths of these artists stirred up discussions, leading to various opinions on the causes of their demise. When Ahtoti Manje passed, it was revealed that he had been dealing with lung issues for some time. Some speculated whether reducing his performances might have extended his life, especially since he died right after a performance. Others questioned whether he should have stopped performing upon being diagnosed with a lung problem. There were also those who linked his death to an upcoming event and criticized the event organizers using harsh language.

Unavoidably, the death of Thomas Chibade has had similar effects on social media conversations. The dominant topic has been whether something could have been done to prevent such an early demise. Regrettably, some have abandoned sensitivity, hurling insults at the deceased, his colleagues, his family, and musicians in general.

As the Chichewa adage goes, "mvula ikagwa kuchuluka zoliralira," meaning people talk a lot when significant events occur. In Malawi, it doesn't need to be a major event; a celebrity breakup or someone going live on social media can capture the entire nation's attention for days. Sadly, the quality of conversations about these issues disappoints me.

Last week, I was scrolling through my Twitter feed when I saw someone express an unsolicited but bold opinion. This young guy, also a musician, suggested that a veteran rapper in the country should leave the rap game and invest the resources in supporting upcoming artists. He decided to tell someone what to do with their time and money without any provocation, based solely on his feelings about the music. While this might seem unique, many of us have poked our noses into matters that don't concern us, offering unnecessary and unsought opinions. Perhaps there should be lessons on minding one's business in the Life Skills curriculum, as such behavior can be toxic. We all need to consider the necessity of our spoken words.

I have also sadly noted that many of us engage in arguments about topics we are not knowledgeable about. Currently, there are numerous opinions and dizzying takes on the conflict in Gaza, similar to the early days of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. When asked why they support one side or the other, the responses often leave much to be desired. I believe it would be beneficial for us to educate ourselves and understand these issues before engaging in debates.

One essential skill for engaging in conversations on current events is emotional intelligence. We need to manage our emotions while respecting the emotions of those with contrary views. Unfortunately, some people disregard the feelings of others, resorting to name-calling, personal attacks, and even physical confrontation during debates. While we all get emotional, letting emotions control us can have detrimental consequences. It's disheartening to hear about people spending nights in jail due to social media disputes with individuals they have never met in person.

As adults, it's crucial to form our own opinions. We are constantly bombarded with information from mainstream and social media, much of which is misinformation. It's our responsibility to separate facts from opinions and form our own judgments. The way international media have covered events like pandemics and wars over the years shows that the information we receive is influenced by various factors, including media allegiances. Politicians, media houses, academics, activists, and businesspeople provide us with information according to their interests and agendas. Sifting facts from opinions is vital to avoid regurgitating someone else's thoughts mindlessly.

Let's end with Socrates' triple filter test. The ancient Greek scholar, Socrates, had a visitor eager to share some news. Before the visitor could speak, Socrates subjected him to three questions:

1. 1. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to say is true?
2. 2. Is what you want to say something good or kind?
3. 3. Is this information useful or necessary to me?

Employing this test before engaging in conversations and debates could save us from discussing baseless rumors that damage others' reputations, without benefiting us or anyone else. It's essential to be sensitive, particularly for the sake of the deceased's families. It's crucial to consider context and the bigger picture and avoid cherry-picking when discussing issues. By the way, anyone claiming they can summarize complex topics like the Russo-Ukrainian or Gaza conflict in a 5-minute video or explain a Bible verse in a sentence is likely oversimplifying these intricate matters.

Have a wonderful weekend.