Here’s a thoughtful article by Tzvetan Todorov on “Concern for Truth” and how democracy can not be sustained without it. Translated by truthout.org.

This abandonment of the duty of truth among opinion makers does not reflect some nefarious intention, but rather the fear that seized the country’s population following the September 11, 2001, attacks. The need to protect one’s own life, to assure the security of one’s loved ones, to eliminate threats judged to be imminent, made everyone forget habitual precautions. Verifying and evaluating the news, arguing and reasoning were perceived as signs of a lack of courage and sense of responsibility. Meanwhile, fear is a poor counselor, and we must be afraid of those who live in fear.

A good reminder for me that even when the world seems upside down, I need to think things through, paying no heed to the voice of fear.