The Age of Emotion: A Society on the Brink of Reason

The Age of Emotion: A Society on the Brink of Reason

Something has happened to us. Something profound, unsettling, and, perhaps, irreversible. We are living in an era of unprecedented information access—a time when knowledge is at our fingertips, waiting to be explored, questioned, and understood. And yet, instead of embracing reason, many are choosing something else: an emotional state of existence where facts no longer matter, and anger reigns supreme.

It is as if we have collectively agreed that being mad is more important than being informed. That feeling something—no matter how irrational—carries more weight than understanding something. We see this in our conversations, our politics, and even our daily interactions. The rise of social media, the 24-hour news cycle, and algorithm-driven content have created an ecosystem that thrives on outrage. And we, knowingly or unknowingly, have become its willing participants.

Why Are We So Angry and Hateful?

1. Identity Over Truth – Many people now define themselves not by what they stand for, but by what they stand against. Anger has become a badge of identity, a way of signaling loyalty to a group or ideology.

2. The Business of Outrage – Media and social platforms profit from our anger. The more engaged we are, the more ads they sell. Outrage keeps us clicking, scrolling, and reacting.

3. The Exhaustion of Complexity – In a world overloaded with information, it is easier to default to emotion than to engage in the hard work of critical thinking. Oversimplified narratives provide relief from the burden of nuance.

4. Powerlessness Breeds Rage – Many feel disempowered in their personal lives, workplaces, and communities. Anger provides a false sense of agency, a way to feel in control—even when it's just shouting into the void.

Where Do We Go from Here?

The way out of this emotional spiral is not easy, but it is possible. It starts with a choice. A choice to prioritize wisdom over reaction. To seek truth, even when it challenges our beliefs. To pause before responding. To reject the easy lure of outrage and embrace the harder, nobler path of understanding.

And so, I make this plea:

A Plea for Our Humanity

To my fellow humans, my countrymen and women: we must wake up.

We are losing ourselves to anger, drowning in a sea of manipulated emotions. We are allowing ourselves to be pulled into battles that serve no one but those who profit from our division.

Let us remember what it means to be human—to think, to question, to listen, to understand. Let us reject the impulse to hate and choose the courage to see each other as we are: flawed, complex, and worthy of grace.

We cannot afford to live in a world where emotion alone dictates our choices. If we continue down this path, reason will become an artifact of the past, and with it, our ability to build a better future.

But we can change course. If we want to.

Do we?