Skip to main content

Critiques and think tanks

 how historical narratives shape our perception, media's role in framing public understanding, and how empathy and awareness can counteract bias—are central to the works of scholars and activists like Noam Chomsky, Deepa Kumar, Arundhati Roy, and Jonathan Lyons in Lost History. Here’s a summary of how these writers address these ideas:


1. Jonathan Lyons - Lost History: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers, and Artists

Lost History reexamines the contributions of Islamic civilization to science, medicine, and the arts, especially during the medieval period. Lyons argues that Western histories have long minimized or ignored these achievements, fostering a biased view of Islamic civilization. By reclaiming this “lost history,” Lyons challenges readers to confront the selective nature of historical narratives that shape Western perspectives on Islam and the Muslim world. Lyons’ work highlights that a more balanced understanding of history can counteract misconceptions and inspire a more nuanced global perspective.



2. Deepa Kumar - Critique of Media Narratives on Islam

Deepa Kumar, in her work on Islamophobia, argues that Western media often perpetuate a “clash of civilizations” narrative, framing Islam as inherently opposed to Western values. Her analysis shows that, by repeatedly associating Islamic groups with terrorism, media organizations skew public perception, often overlooking the diversity within the Muslim world and the historical roots of such narratives. Kumar’s critique encourages readers to recognize the power of media to shape and reinforce biases and suggests that a more accurate portrayal could foster greater empathy and understanding.



3. Noam Chomsky - Media Critique and Propaganda Model

Chomsky, particularly in works like Manufacturing Consent, examines how mainstream media serve the interests of elite groups, often sidelining voices that challenge dominant narratives. According to Chomsky’s “propaganda model,” corporate and political interests heavily influence what the public sees and understands. This model shows how narratives about social organizations, foreign policy, or elections can be framed to maintain the status quo, often at the expense of a more empathetic, socially conscious viewpoint. Chomsky’s work invites readers to critically question media narratives, seek alternative sources, and think independently.



4. Arundhati Roy - Critique of Political and Economic Power Structures

Arundhati Roy’s writings often emphasize the intersection of economic power, colonial legacies, and cultural narratives. In The God of Small Things and her essays, she critiques how powerful countries and corporations shape public discourse and policy, leading to the marginalization of dissenting voices and reinforcing economic inequality. Roy argues that by ignoring empathy and social responsibility, global powers deepen divisions and foster environments ripe for prejudice. Her work calls for a broader perspective that values human rights and equality over profit-driven agendas.


Dr. Gabor Maté, renowned for his work on trauma and addiction, offers a critical perspective on the impact of societal structures on mental and physical health. His research emphasizes how unresolved trauma, often overlooked in conventional healthcare and societal discourse, underlies various physical illnesses and mental health issues. Maté argues that modern societies tend to prioritize productivity, competition, and profit over well-being, neglecting the human need for connection, empathy, and genuine community support.


One of Maté’s key ideas is that trauma is not only about adverse events but also about the lasting impact on an individual’s inner world, shaping lifelong patterns of behavior, stress, and illness. This trauma often leads to coping mechanisms, including addiction, as individuals attempt to numb or escape unresolved pain. According to Maté, these coping strategies are frequently misunderstood, with addiction framed as a choice or moral failure rather than a symptom of deeper suffering. He calls for compassionate approaches that address root causes rather than solely treating symptoms.


Maté’s insights complement the critiques of other thinkers—Jonathan Lyons, Deepa Kumar, Noam Chomsky, and Arundhati Roy—by highlighting how societal narratives can ignore or even perpetuate trauma. His work aligns with the need for empathy and understanding in examining human behaviors, much as these other writers critique how biased narratives affect global perspectives on culture, history, and politics. Together, they urge a shift toward compassionate systems that value holistic health, ethical awareness, and respect for shared humanity over divisive or profit-driven motives.



Jonathan Lyons in Lost History, Deepa Kumar, Noam Chomsky, and Arundhati Roy each address the role of biased narratives in shaping public perception. Lyons highlights how Western histories often ignore contributions from Islamic civilization, promoting a limited worldview. Kumar examines how Western media, through persistent Islamophobic framing, reinforces stereotypes that obscure the diversity within the Muslim world. Chomsky, through his “propaganda model,” explains how corporate and political interests influence media to maintain certain power structures. Roy critiques how global power dynamics often ignore empathy, marginalizing voices for profit-driven agendas. Together, they emphasize the importance of critical thinking, historical awareness, and empathy to understand global issues accurately.



Together, these authors highlight the necessity of a critical, empathetic approach to understanding world events. They urge readers to recognize how selective narratives shape our view of history, politics, and social issues—and to resist these biases through an informed, inclusive approach that values empathy and ethical awareness over simplified, polarized views.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

ഞാൻ തേടിയ ഒരു യഥാർത്ഥ ഹീറോയെ ഞാൻ കണ്ടെത്തുന്നു

പ്രവാചകൻ മുഹമ്മദ്(ﷺ)എന്നെ ഒരിക്കലും സ്വാധീനിച്ചിരുന്നില്ല.. എനിക്ക് നബിയോട് പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് ഒരു ഇഷ്ടവും ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നില്ല.. എനിക്ക് ചെയ്യാന്‍ മടി ഉള്ള കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ ചെയ്യാന്‍ മാത്രം പഠിപ്പിച്ചു തന്ന ഒരു ആത്മീയ നേതാവ്.. അതിലപ്പുറം നബി എനിക്കാരുമായിരുന്നില്ല.. പക്ഷെ അന്നും പലരും നബിയെ പ്രാണനെ പോലെ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നത് ഞാന്‍ കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്.. പക്ഷെ എന്തിനു എന്ന ചോദ്യത്തിന് ആരും കൃത്യമായി ഒരു ഉത്തരം നല്‍കിയിരുന്നില്ല.. 'നമ്മുടെ നബിയല്ലേ, നമ്മള്‍ സ്നേഹിക്കണ്ടേ' എന്ന തികച്ചും യുക്തിരഹിതമായ ഒരു സ്നേഹം മാത്രം.. . ഞാനെന്ന ആ ഇരുപതുകാരന്‍ അന്ന് വീരനായകന്മാര്‍ക്ക് പിറകിലായിരുന്നു.. ഹീറോസിനെ മനസ്സില്‍ കൊണ്ട് നടക്കാനായിരുന്നു എനിക്കിഷ്ടം. ഭഗത് സിംഗ് മുതല്‍ സച്ചിന്‍ തെണ്ടുല്‍ക്കര്‍ വരെയുള്ളവരും ഷെര്‍ലക് ഹോംസ് മുതല്‍ മംഗലശ്ശേരി നീലകണ്ഠന്‍ വരെയുള്ളവരും അന്നെന്റെ ഹീറോസ് ആയിരുന്നു.. എന്നിട്ടും നബി എനിക്കൊരു ഹീറോ അല്ലായിരുന്നു. കുറെ ആചാരങ്ങള്‍ ചെയ്യാന്‍ പഠിപ്പിച്ച, എനിക്ക് മനപാഠം ആക്കാന്‍ ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുള്ള മന്ത്രോച്ചാരണങ്ങളുടെ രചയിതാവ് മാത്രം.. പള്ളിയുടെ ഒരു മൂലയില്‍ തസ്ബീഹ് മാലയില്‍ മന്ത്രങ്ങള്‍

Finding Rama

The emotional ground making, then social engineering, politics, after all threatening, and murders.  A genocide is ignited. Ramayana serial created the sentiments Then demolition on the ground of fake arguments. Then riots. So constitution? The Supreme Court’s decision to admit – rather than dismiss – petitions challenging the constitutionality of a 1991 law prohibiting the religious conversion of places of worship as they existed on the day of Indian independence is curious on the face of it, as  a larger bench had upheld the law’s relevance as recently as 2019 The Indian Penal Code contains various provisions to address offences relating to religion. Of these, Section 295 states that whoever destroys, damages or defiles any places of worship or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the aim of insulting the religion of any class of person or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction, damage or defilement as an insult to their rel

Fractured Echoes: The Dissonance of Democracy

 Trying to explain the social damage of India. When the government is trying to serve the rich alone, support crimes against minorities, not stopping media and movie propagandas, it's crucial to stabilize the social security and harmony. ----- let's understand... In the bustling streets of New Delhi, where the cacophony of car horns and market vendors intertwines with the whispers of discontent, lies a nation at a crossroads. India, once heralded for its vibrant democracy and diverse cultural tapestry, now finds itself entangled in a web of polarization and division. Amidst the chaos, a group of friends gathers in a dimly lit cafe, their voices a blend of frustration and resignation. Ravi, a young activist with fire in his eyes, gestures passionately as he recounts the injustices plaguing their society. But his words fall on deaf ears, drowned out by the cacophony of misinformation and prejudice that has permeated the public discourse. "I don't understand how people ca