Feb 14 • 12:30 UTC 🇪🇨 Ecuador El Universo (ES)

We Think Too Much and Feel Too Little

The article reflects on Ecuador's societal indifference to violence and crime, emphasizing that while people analyze and discuss these issues, they fail to feel or empathize deeply with the underlying tragedies.

The article draws inspiration from a quote by Charlie Chaplin in 'The Great Dictator,' expressing concern over the emotional detachment that has permeated Ecuadorian society. It highlights a worrying trend where citizens engage in superficial discussions and opinions about social and moral issues yet show little emotional engagement or empathy towards the realities of violence and crime that the country faces. The author argues that this detachment leads to a dangerously normalized perspective on horror and tragedy, as crime becomes trivialized into anecdotes or memes, stripping away the gravity of such issues.

The piece notes a disturbing cultural shift where the grotesque aspects of life, like the rise of crime, are accepted as part of everyday existence. The phrase "narcobabies" is introduced as a stark indicator of the societal calamity impacting Ecuador, with the alarming representation of children born into a world of narcotraffic and violence. The author suggests that rather than merely investigating the crimes, it's essential to understand the emotional numbness that allows such realities to persist without evoking deeper outrage or sorrow among the populace.

Ultimately, the article calls for a reconnection with dignity and empathy as vital components of social consciousness in Ecuador. It highlights the urgent need for society to recognize its own emotional shortcomings, urging people to move beyond apathy and engage with the harsh realities that define contemporary life. This emotional engagement is framed as a necessary step towards reclaiming the humanity and dignity that have been overshadowed by the normalization of violence and crime in the country.

📡 Similar Coverage