Problem

While practicing source based questions during lecture, we were given a picture and asked to identify a problem about globalisation from the picture. There was no obvious problem in the picture but the teacher ended up forcing an answer.

Here, I realised something that disturbed me greatly. We have to answer directly to the question, which means whether the picture shows a problem or not does not matter. We have to create a problem ourselves. Creating something out of nothing, a famous war strategy quoted by my friend. That something can be useful. It can also be like creating noise to disturb peace: useless, even harmful. Spotting problems is one thing (though they are prone to be labelled trouble makers), creating problems is another. Questions can manipulate us to think and respond in a certain way; does that happen in real life?

(Note: I’m not blaming the teacher. She is probably teaching us to be exam smart with the best of intentions.)

Speaking of problems, there is a real one right now that might affect us directly. “Only two doors away”, as my (other) teacher mentioned in class today, there is a coup in Thailand. Military rule is scary. Democracy and freedom of rights we often take for granted.

I realised too how presence of authority is more important than holding the authority. An authoritative figure is a symbol, remove the presence of which, there is no meaning, no power. Like how a policeman without his uniform and gun (his symbols of authority) is only a civilian. With Thaksin away, authority within is at its lowest.