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The Societal Impact of Pandemics on Democracy by Valeria del Carmen
“Take courage, my heart: you have been through worse than this. Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this” (Homer).
The Black Death characterized Europe in the Middle Ages as a time of death, squalor, and misery for huge swathes of the population. Nevertheless, it also meant a new beginning for the European continent, opening a path for the start of the Renaissance Era. The Renaissance was an indirect byproduct of the Black Plague, showcasing how darkness can trigger a chain of interrelated events that lead to a positive outcome. If people were better informed about the devastation of The Bubonic Plague, perhaps they would have taken higher stances to curb the growth of the coronavirus. As of January 19, 2022, Latin America and the Caribbean reached the tragic milestone of almost 1.57 million deaths due to Covid-19 (Sullivan and Mekyer). The pandemic undoubtedly brought irreversible damage to people’s lives and changed the course of history. The virus challenged people’s ability to adapt to extreme situations and overcome adversities. Despite the lack of governmental action to minimize the spread of the virus in Nicaragua, citizens took it upon themselves to prioritize the health and security of others above their own personal comfort. Grueling times can create an improvement in the way that people perceive the world around them and reconstruct human morality. The Renaissance and Black Plague brought a new wave of challenges to authority and a myriad of opportunities for the survivors of the plague. Some scholars even argue that The Medieval Era in Europe would have continued had it not been for the Bubonic Plague. A historical event stained with blood and sheer desperation can create light out of wretched darkness. Like the Black Plague caused a cultural shift in Europe that resulted in the Renaissance, there is still hope that the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic will produce a beneficial outcome for mankind.
From violations of human rights to fraudulent elections, we have faced one of the darkest periods of authoritarianism in Latin American history. Juan Perón, Anastasio Somoza, Fidel Castro, Nicolás Maduro, and Hugo Chavez were all dictators who demolished democracy and autonomy in the continent. Democracy is exercised by citizens who utilize their power to demand political action and ensure safety and justice for everyone. Latin America has been subjected to corruption and tyranny which have limited the opportunities for citizens’ political participation and social progress. People have felt disconnected from power due to their belief of impotence against governmental authority. The Coronavirus disease highlighted the failure and weakness of governments, but it also shifted the attention from the government to the people. There was a change in the way that people perceived democracy and power. Authority did not come from the government’s mandate, rather, from people’s own morality and sense of civic duty. We often forget that governments serve people, and not vice versa. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “the government is of the people, by the people, for the people,” and until we acknowledge the influence that we have there will be a meaningful change in society. As Latin Americans we must reclaim our dominance over the government and make our voices heard, especially during distressing moments of grief and disaster. Democracy is exercised when people feel the need to stand by what they believe is right and will provide for the common good.
This health crisis allowed for other systemic problems to come to light, such as wealth disparity and inequalities in the healthcare system. The coronavirus opened doors for conversations regarding universal basic income, health insurance, and employment. These issues became more visible as the pandemic progressed, showing the government’s fatal flaws and opening forth a conversation about what can be done to eradicate these problems. We all need to call for a radical change to stop these deeply entrenched inequalities and injustices, and to implement democratic values in our society. Our wounds may not be healed and discussing these events may prompt them to reopen. But dwelling on the “what-ifs” only leads towards a path of self-destruction. If we focus on the positive effects of the health crisis, then we can acknowledge how democracy has evolved in the minds of people as they continue questioning governmental structures and institutions. Quarantine allowed for citizens to reflect on their political alignments, sense of morality, and reestablish their priorities. As a result, people have become more mindful about the importance of voting and being politically active. Power is exerted by the people instead of structures, and the Covid-19 Pandemic has allowed for citizens to reclaim their power and preside over the future of Latin America. Even though the consolidation of democracy in the continent will take an unforeseeable amount of time, the initiation of an egalitarian society has just begun.
Unveiling Freedom: The Struggle of Iranian Women Against Repression by Ida Gadea
Since the Iranian government started to violently force women to wear a hijab amongst imposing other laws prohibiting them from participating in Iran’s society four decades ago, Iranian women have been fighting against the injustices they’ve been encountering and protesting for their freedom. On September 16, 2022, a 22-year-old woman named Mahsa (Jhina) Amini was arrested and subsequently murdered for allegedly wearing a loose hijab. To honor her and as a way of protesting, women took off their hijabs at Mahsa’s funeral. This event led to protests all around the world with women fighting for Iranian rights.
In a transparent effort to suppress individuals who speak out against institutionalized discrimination and repression, Iran's government has increased arbitrary arrests and legal harassment of civil society activists in recent months, particularly campaigners for the women's movement. At the same time, we have seen an upsurge in the brutality committed against women by the so-called "morality" police patrols. A notable instance of these frequently violent interactions is the case of Sepideh Rashno, which occurred in July of this year. Sepideh was detained not long after a video of her verbal altercation with a person enforcing the hijab requirement on a bus went viral. After being forcibly compelled to make a forced broadcast confession, during which it was evident that she had a battered face and other injuries, Sepideh was severely detained for several weeks in solitary confinement before being freed.
Feminist revolution is the term used to describe the recent protests in Iran. Young, daring women are burning their headscarves and removing them in the street, demanding freedom in front of enormous lines of riot police. These demonstrations have now transcended all divisions, and many men are standing with these strong women. Everyone is yelling "Women, Life, Freedom!" even in tiny places where many citizens have more conventional religious views.
As the protests go on, the government has strengthened its extensive repression, leading to the imprisonment of numerous women human rights activists, journalists, students, attorneys, and regular protestors. According to recent claims from human rights organizations, security guards have killed over 100 demonstrators. In an effort to suppress the protests, the government has reportedly enforced a second internet blackout, blocking people's access to social media and messaging services. This follows a similar strategy to the 2019 protests, which cut off social media to prevent people from sharing pictures of the protests and pictures of the brutal and bloody police raids. However, in many nations, the voices of women and feminist organizations are amplified by their sisters and peers. By planning protests and releasing films in support of the revolution in Iran, they have demonstrated their solidarity.
Artificial Intelligence and Ethics: The Possibility of Coexistence in Modern Society by Valeria Del Carmen
The chaos theory, most notably recognized as “the butterfly effect,” is a scientific study and area of mathematics that teaches how spontaneity and uncertainty will always be a constant of life. It says that something as meager as the flush of a butterfly’s wings can result in a typhoon of consequences that can shake the world.
The creation of the first computer, the first telephone, the first printing press, and the first telescope were the flush of the butterfly’s wings. That flush led to an unprecedented succession of revolutionary discoveries that would determine the future of mankind for generations to come. Man has approached technological advances with an unquenching thirst for more. Because we are never content with a simple “yes” or “no”; we need to delve deeper into the issue, familiarize ourselves with its causation, effects, and contradictions. We take an illogical explanation and turn it logical.
In the last few hundred years, technology and scientific innovation has only taken us farther in understanding the universe. They’ve undoubtedly increased the quality of human life. For example, a person with respiratory failure needs a ventilator to bellow air in and out of their lungs. They are dependent on this machine to remain healthy and alive. It’d be a mistake to dismiss the major role that these machines and robots have in handling tasks that are outside of human capabilities. Robots can handle heavy cargo that constricts human physical abilities, toxic substances that are harmful to humans, and perform repetitive tasks more efficiently.
Nevertheless, we will never be satisfied. In humanity’s quest for the exploration of technology and science, we developed an extraordinary invention that could lead us to greatness or ruin—artificial intelligence. As time progresses, people have grown accustomed to its ever-present silhouette. Artificial intelligence has become a staple in our ordinary lives. With its invention, an essential question arises: are these machines being counterproductive by increasing humanity’s codependency on them? Siri, Alexa, Instagram, Tik Tok, Google Translate, are all products of artificial intelligence that most people use every day. They seem rather harmless, as for the most part they help people’s development and education; however, what exactly draws the line of too much “help”?
The infamous software, ChatGPT, has captured the headlines these past few months for assisting students on their assignments with artificial intelligence, aka, cheating. The core issue about using artificial intelligence to complete assignments is not the unfairness of getting a grade you don’t deserve or academic integrity, the issue at stake is that tens of thousands of students rely on these machines to complete assignments which purpose is to make them gain knowledge. The magnitude of this issue may appear meager or inconsequential. If humans continue to wrongfully wield artificial intelligence, on the long run, it will result in the replacement of rational inquiry and critical analysis to a complete dependency on machinery. The youth is conforming to maneuvering out of their education and remaining ignorant since that’s the easiest path to follow.
One of the most important intellectuals of the second half of the 20th century, Giovanni Satori, is renowned as the father of this theory. His findings illustrate that mankind is shifting from homo sapiens (man who thinks) to homo videns (man who sees). To the astonishment of very few, this drift of critical analysis within humans began with the contemporary era and the development of new technologies. Some of these creations have, despite their innovative impact to society, dwarfed intellect and integrity amongst the public.
Perhaps in the perfect timing—as I’m writing this address—I received an email from BBC News. This particular article is titled “Sony World Photography Award 2023: Winner refuses award after revealing AI creation.” The image sparked a conversation about the ethics of using artificial intelligence to gain an unfair advantage over a competitor. The most frightening aspect is that the board of judges never questioned the integrity of the picture, revealing that artificial intelligence could fool the naked eye of experts. Feasibly to those that are not professional photographers, this event may not pose a great threat or concern to them. However, having the ability to replicate someone’s face or voice elicits many dangers. In the legislations of some countries, they permit photographs or voice recordings to be used as evidence in trials. Imagine a criminal having access to a device that can falsify a face or voice. Now imagine this happening to you or someone close to you.
Despite popular belief, safety and growth are not polar opposites. Scientific achievement and peace can coexist in the same environment.
I’m not advocating for the eradication of artificial intelligence. On the contrary, I believe that scientific developments have brought a myriad of benefits to humanity. Yet they’ve also brought a new wave of consequences and hazards that people should beware of. Technology is advancing to a staggeringly rapid level, and, much like the flutter of a butterfly’s wings triggering a hurricane all across the equator, the repercussions of this advancement is unfathomable. As the Chaos Theory dictates, unpredictability and spontaneity are constants in the future of mankind. Uncertainty in our future does not dictate that all is doomed. With awareness, accountability, and a sense of responsibility, technology can be a friend rather than a foe. In the words of Albert Einstein, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning.”