I wish I could send this to the world. Truly, indecision is a decision. Not choosing is a choice. Not acting is an action. There is no hiding from how we all play a role in the world.
News is desensitizing and sensational on purpose, to overwhelm us to the point of silence and disregard. Education is key but even that is fading or becoming manipulated in disappointing ways.
The world needs more people like you saying what needs to be said!
the level of unapologetic this piece is —— is absolutely everything matthias. I was nodding vigorously the whole way through as I read this. Because yessss; inaction, neutrality, one that lasts is a vote. Uncomfortable as that may be. I would rather have someone with a strong opinion, even one I may not necessarily agree with, than someone who says they’re neutral all the time. Stand for something or be nothing.
Love this reminder, Matthias to use our voices for what we believe in. I totally agree that "I'm undecided" or "I'm neutral", especially when continuously said, IS a decision.
Thank you for this thought provoking piece Matthias! It's a very interesting point you raise about neutrality. In my experience, I've learned that silence can also be an answer sometimes.
The border between choosing to stay away from something because it is painful to you, and avoiding a situation because you can, can become be blurry at times.
But I agree with you that in a democratic system, citizens have a responsibility to stand up for what matters, for what is unacceptable and to fight for certain principles. Having an opinion doesn't mean looking down on people who have different opinions. I think that's how we create healthy debates, and debates usually generate progress.
Otherwise, we just drift apart from each other and end up being even more isolated than we already are.
Thank you again for providing some food for thought :)
What i love so much about your blog is that you encourage me to feel. That it’s not wasted energy to feel love, grief, anger, empathy. And to speak about it. It’s what makes us human. Or what should. I’m confronted with this daily. Politically, journalistic and personally. Today I’m writing a story about the cold case of the girl found in the river Main in Germany in 2001. She was abused for most of her life. I’ve been fighting tears in the office for the majority of the day. When I reached out to a coworker (and friend) to confide in, she told me I had to turn off my emotions to write well. I consider this well-meant advice cowardice.
Hannah!! What a topic you have opened up with this comment. I guess some people would say “reporting on news should be neutral, it should not carry opinion”, and I guess there may be instances in which that is true, but even then I personally struggle - yes, publicly finances news institutions should be neutral, but if there are forces that are trying to sabotage or abolish these outlets to attack democracy, can we then still be neutral?
For me personally, I would always prefer a writer or a journalist that carries emotion and opinion through the things that they report on. Yes, it may not be fully “neutral” then, but if you don’t care enough about the topic you report on to add an emotional layer, why should I? And should being a journalist mean that you have to turn into an emotionless robot, to detach you from all you report on? That is how we lose the humanity in things, eventually casualties are just numbers and no longer people with lives, love and dreams.
I digress, but I would say, keep the emotion, stay empathetic, I hope you can in your profession!! that is what makes us human after all.
This is so good. Great job explaining the importance of this so well.
“When harm is happening, neutrality doesn’t stay neutral. Over time, it starts to function as permission. It becomes silence that protects the loudest force in the room and inaction that benefits the side already causing damage”
There’s so much damage that is allowed because many just “stay neutral” and we can’t afford that as a society, because silence is compliance in today’s political climate and society. And like you said, it’s about being present and making conscious choices rather than avoiding discomfort. GREAT piece.
you picked up on an important part I think many people don’t realize: When you don’t intervene, not only do you become a guilty bystander, but you also indirectly communicate that this kind of behavior is acceptable - in general and to you as a person. While you may think inaction means inaction, the reality is you are sending a lot of signals, few of them good.
thank you for this thoughtful addition Grecia and for reading, I appreciate it :)
You’re SO right, Matthias! Neutrality is rarely what it presents itself to be. More often than not, it’s fear of saying what you truly think and worry that you might lose someone in the process. As you state, it can only ever work for so long because after a while it stops looking like neutrality and becomes neglect, ignorance or even intentionality.
thank you Karin, appreciate you reading and this thoughtful addition. The fear of losing something - people are aware of the cost, hide because of it, but it does not make them reflect as to why their opinion may hold this cost. Am I hurting someone with the things I believe in? The things I do, the actions I support?
A magnificent, uncompromising call to action that refuses to let permanent neutrality hide behind the excuse of overwhelm. This piece masterfully untangles the difference between a purposeful pause and a lifestyle of avoidance, proving that when harm is occurring, silence inevitably has a direction. It challenges us to reclaim our voices, pick our battles with intention, and accept that perfection is not a prerequisite for presence.
thissss thank you for putting this into words
thank you so much for taking the time to read Celia, I appreciate it :)
I wish I could send this to the world. Truly, indecision is a decision. Not choosing is a choice. Not acting is an action. There is no hiding from how we all play a role in the world.
News is desensitizing and sensational on purpose, to overwhelm us to the point of silence and disregard. Education is key but even that is fading or becoming manipulated in disappointing ways.
The world needs more people like you saying what needs to be said!
Uff yeah June, don’t get me started on the news. Thank you for reading!! :)
ha feel that!
the level of unapologetic this piece is —— is absolutely everything matthias. I was nodding vigorously the whole way through as I read this. Because yessss; inaction, neutrality, one that lasts is a vote. Uncomfortable as that may be. I would rather have someone with a strong opinion, even one I may not necessarily agree with, than someone who says they’re neutral all the time. Stand for something or be nothing.
may be my most opinionated piece to date lol, and I am 100% with you, can’t stand when people stand for nothing!!
Love this reminder, Matthias to use our voices for what we believe in. I totally agree that "I'm undecided" or "I'm neutral", especially when continuously said, IS a decision.
it really is and eventually says a lot more about the person than they may think. thank you for reading :)
Thank you for this thought provoking piece Matthias! It's a very interesting point you raise about neutrality. In my experience, I've learned that silence can also be an answer sometimes.
The border between choosing to stay away from something because it is painful to you, and avoiding a situation because you can, can become be blurry at times.
But I agree with you that in a democratic system, citizens have a responsibility to stand up for what matters, for what is unacceptable and to fight for certain principles. Having an opinion doesn't mean looking down on people who have different opinions. I think that's how we create healthy debates, and debates usually generate progress.
Otherwise, we just drift apart from each other and end up being even more isolated than we already are.
Thank you again for providing some food for thought :)
hi Annabelle, thank you for reading and chiming in!! Always appreciate your point of view :)
Fully agreed, silence is an answer, sometimes not a good one.
I wonder, to what point can one protect their piece and when does it become neglectful - to groups of people, society, maybe to themselves even?
I fear when we finally realize that we have protected ourselves into a situation much worse than before, it may be too late to course correct.
Oh wow, what a coincidence, this is so relevant to the piece I wrote today. Couldn't agree more with the statement: use your voice while you have it.
i thought the same when reading your piece today!! great minds think alike lol, thank you for chiming in over here as well :)
What i love so much about your blog is that you encourage me to feel. That it’s not wasted energy to feel love, grief, anger, empathy. And to speak about it. It’s what makes us human. Or what should. I’m confronted with this daily. Politically, journalistic and personally. Today I’m writing a story about the cold case of the girl found in the river Main in Germany in 2001. She was abused for most of her life. I’ve been fighting tears in the office for the majority of the day. When I reached out to a coworker (and friend) to confide in, she told me I had to turn off my emotions to write well. I consider this well-meant advice cowardice.
Hannah!! What a topic you have opened up with this comment. I guess some people would say “reporting on news should be neutral, it should not carry opinion”, and I guess there may be instances in which that is true, but even then I personally struggle - yes, publicly finances news institutions should be neutral, but if there are forces that are trying to sabotage or abolish these outlets to attack democracy, can we then still be neutral?
For me personally, I would always prefer a writer or a journalist that carries emotion and opinion through the things that they report on. Yes, it may not be fully “neutral” then, but if you don’t care enough about the topic you report on to add an emotional layer, why should I? And should being a journalist mean that you have to turn into an emotionless robot, to detach you from all you report on? That is how we lose the humanity in things, eventually casualties are just numbers and no longer people with lives, love and dreams.
I digress, but I would say, keep the emotion, stay empathetic, I hope you can in your profession!! that is what makes us human after all.
sorry for this mini essay!! lol
thanks for your lovely response! It seems there is a lot more to say on the topic!
This was a great perspective and thoughtful reflection!
thank you Aaliya, appreciate you giving this a read :)
Neutrality is a form of escape, avoiding consequences
exactly! That is the point I was trying to make. Thank you for reading Adneen :)
This is so good. Great job explaining the importance of this so well.
“When harm is happening, neutrality doesn’t stay neutral. Over time, it starts to function as permission. It becomes silence that protects the loudest force in the room and inaction that benefits the side already causing damage”
There’s so much damage that is allowed because many just “stay neutral” and we can’t afford that as a society, because silence is compliance in today’s political climate and society. And like you said, it’s about being present and making conscious choices rather than avoiding discomfort. GREAT piece.
you picked up on an important part I think many people don’t realize: When you don’t intervene, not only do you become a guilty bystander, but you also indirectly communicate that this kind of behavior is acceptable - in general and to you as a person. While you may think inaction means inaction, the reality is you are sending a lot of signals, few of them good.
thank you for this thoughtful addition Grecia and for reading, I appreciate it :)
You’re SO right, Matthias! Neutrality is rarely what it presents itself to be. More often than not, it’s fear of saying what you truly think and worry that you might lose someone in the process. As you state, it can only ever work for so long because after a while it stops looking like neutrality and becomes neglect, ignorance or even intentionality.
Brilliant piece, love your writing style!
thank you Karin, appreciate you reading and this thoughtful addition. The fear of losing something - people are aware of the cost, hide because of it, but it does not make them reflect as to why their opinion may hold this cost. Am I hurting someone with the things I believe in? The things I do, the actions I support?
There is a whole other corner to be explored..
A magnificent, uncompromising call to action that refuses to let permanent neutrality hide behind the excuse of overwhelm. This piece masterfully untangles the difference between a purposeful pause and a lifestyle of avoidance, proving that when harm is occurring, silence inevitably has a direction. It challenges us to reclaim our voices, pick our battles with intention, and accept that perfection is not a prerequisite for presence.