First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.

This somber poem is attributed to Martin Niemöeller, a German pastor and theologian from the early 20^th century.

The direst issue is that of the human being, unveiled in poetic lines, exposed by the thinker who invites us here to think about indifference.

The individualistic life, prioritizing the me, myself over the other, is currently one of the most serious aspects of human life.

Selfishness, greed and fear turn most people into isolated automaton.

Yes, automaton, because they avoid thinking, considering, pondering in the name of a false lack of time.

Automaton that plug themselves every morning and unplug at night without actually being there along their days, along their own lives.

Isolated as well, because they cut themselves off from people, from human contact.

No one can be trusted anymore, no one can be relied upon. Everybody is a suspect... some of them use to say.

Isolated, they use the technologies of the modern world, meant only to aid people in their tasks, to keep the world safely at bay.

And virtual seems safer, easier than real... We fool ourselves in the name of supposed safety.

So we no longer care about the others, living constantly running for our lives, as if desperation was some great asset.

And the further we go, the harder it is to come back.

Many men and women nowadays lack friendships they did not cultivate during their childhood and youth and end up prey to psychological disturbs such as depression.

Strong family bounds, comprising care and complicity, will be missing in the future, for when we feel the need to let it all out, we will realize we will not have no anyone close enough for that.

We must act. While there is still time for it.

Is it so hard to pay attention, to care for those around us?

Is it so hard to break the walls of indifference and ask How are you? - being really concerned desiring to know how the other is doing?

The World is not all about me, but about the others. The World is us.

We are all exposed to the same experiences, the same trials, the same lessons.

We must act. We must care more.

*   *   *

Break the ice of indifference and you shall realize that the waters shed will ease your most secret thirst.

Wake up today, and you shall realize that the sun shine is safer than the darkness of closed eyelids.

Spiritist Moment Team, based on a poem
 by Martin Niemöller (1892-1984).
November 30.2009.