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The Complex Reality of Society Today |
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It is common to hear criticisms of modern society, citing its promotion of
selfishness and greed. We are bombarded with news of societal degeneration, with
children committing heinous crimes and families falling apart. However, such a
bleak assessment of society cannot be accepted as the whole picture. While there
is some truth to the assertion, it is far from the complete truth.
Undeniably, people today are less likely to extend goodwill and kindness to
others. In Malaysia, urban dwellers are more likely to shut their doors against
their neighbors in times of trouble, and neighborhoods live in fear of covetous
people. In America, even family fast food joints like McDonald's have become
scenes of shootings. However, such behavior cannot be seen solely as
selfishness, but rather as a desperate attempt to safeguard lives in an
increasingly violent society.
Selfishness also exists in learning institutions, with students tearing out
crucial pages from recommended books to prevent others from accessing the same
knowledge. This extreme selfishness can be attributed to the rat race of
competition for better paper qualifications and career head starts. The focus on
practical money-making ideas without a balance of moral values and ethics
creates graduates with few scruples and a sole concern for making more and more
money.
Despite these negative aspects, the world has also seen examples of goodness in
recent years. When a foreign worker was dumped in a drain by his heartless
employer and left to die in Malaysia, many people offered him comfort,
encouragement, and material gifts. Although he was paralyzed as a result, the
Bangladeshi national never stopped expressing his gratitude for the people's
concern and willingness to help a stranger. Such acts of kindness offer hope in
a rapidly callous world.
Therefore, to say that people today are only selfish and greedy is an
oversimplification that cannot be applied to everyone everywhere. The reality of
society today is complex and multifaceted, with both negative and positive
aspects. |
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