In addition to these challenges, our youth find themselves lost in the labyrinth of the digital world, where the constant flow of information and endless notifications create a unique kind of stress—what I would call “digiweigh.” It’s the silent burden that comes from managing multiple digital tools, platforms, and technologies, all demanding attention and leaving us feeling overwhelmed and drained.

The impact of wars and conflicts also weighs heavily on mental health, not only for those directly affected but also for those who witness these crises from afar, adding to a sense of instability, insecurity, and helplessness. In Turkey, this is further compounded by our own realities—high inflation and the rising cost of living make everyday life a struggle for many young people. Faced with difficult choices, they wonder whether to stay home or seek new opportunities abroad, questioning whether the promises of another country are truly as bright as they seem.

Today, I want to remind them—and all of us—that while life may present many problems, it also invites us to solve them. As Karl Popper once said, “We are all inclined to think that things will continue to go wrong in the way they have gone wrong in the past. But it is precisely in these moments that we can learn to look for new ways to make them go right.”

Hope is not a passive state but an active pursuit. It lies in seeking alternatives, in finding support from those around us, and in realizing that the struggle for a better tomorrow begins with the smallest of steps today. It’s okay to feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or even disheartened by the state of the world and the digital chaos that surrounds us. But let’s remember that with every challenge comes the potential for change, growth, and new beginnings.

Our youth are not alone in this journey. Together, we can build a society where mental health is understood, where empathy guides our actions, and where hope drives us forward, even in the face of adversity.

Let’s continue to listen, to support, and to walk this path of resilience together.

Be Well: It’s Personal

Being well is about taking proactive steps to safeguard your own health and well-being. It’s about recognizing that your ability to contribute meaningfully to your work and community is directly tied to how well you take care of yourself. In a time when discussions around health and safety are more prevalent than ever, this aspect becomes all the more personal and urgent. It’s a reminder that self-care is not an option; it’s a necessity.

Work Well: It’s Collective

On the flip side, working well is about us as a collective. It’s about creating an environment where safety isn’t just a requirement but a shared commitment. It’s about collaboration and innovation, striving for better and safer ways to achieve our goals. But this collective effort is challenged by the double-edged sword of technology. While technology has the potential to make us safer, its unethical use can put us all at risk. 

The Essence of Zero Tolerance

Interestingly, our tolerance for safety varies greatly. We should approach safety with the same level of protectiveness as we do with our families, adopting a stance of zero tolerance towards potential risks. Nothing is worth risking human lives, not timelines, not profits, not convenience.

The Paradox of Progress

Today, we find ourselves in a paradox where the abundance of conversations around safety contrasts sharply with the persistence of risks at every turn. Technology should be a tool for enhancing our safety, but when misused, it jeopardizes the very fabric of our well-being. This contradiction serves as a stark reminder that the journey towards a safer world begins with us, with each individual’s commitment to not turn a blind eye to the dangers that lurk.

For me, this is personal. It’s about starting within ourselves to be responsible individuals, recognizing that each action we take has the potential to either safeguard or endanger. As we commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, let’s embrace the “Be Well + Work Well” ethos, not just as a principle for today but as a lifelong commitment. Let’s work together to create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive in safe and healthy environments.

Despite the rapid digitalization that has characterized the past few decades, analog technology has not only remained relevant but has also maintained its essential significance. From the warmth of vinyl records to the tactile feedback of mechanical watches, analog technologies offer a richness of experience that their digital counterparts attempt to emulate but cannot fully capture. This combination of physicality and functionality speaks to something fundamentally human—an appreciation for the tangible and the authentic. Notably, in the world of music, vinyl records stand out not just for their nostalgic value but also for how they are used by DJs to create innovative musical experiences by blending them with digital technologies. DJs mix the warmth and tactile experience of analog with the flexibility and innovation provided by digital technology, elevating music to a new dimension. This is just one example of how analog and digital technologies can coexist and create a powerful synergy.

My recent exploration of the analog world through Irene Vallejo’s “Papyrus” and Caroline Weaver’s “The Pencil Perfect” has rekindled an appreciation for the enduring legacy of analog devices and technology. These readings not only enriched my understanding but also illuminated the intricate interplay between the analog and digital realms.

“Papyrus” unravels the history of the written word and its profound impact on human civilization, reminding us of the tangible legacy of knowledge and culture. Vallejo’s exploration into the ancient world of scrolls and manuscripts underscores the physicality of communication, an aspect that digitalization tends to overshadow.

In parallel, “The Pencil Perfect” by Caroline Weaver delves into the humble pencil’s journey, a quintessential analog tool, highlighting its unassuming yet pivotal role in creativity and innovation. Weaver’s narrative brings to light how simple analog tools like the pencil continue to shape ideas and seamlessly bridge the gap between the tangible and the digital.

This newfound perspective was a revelation. In recent years, my immersion in digital learning and discourse inadvertently led me to overlook the analog foundation that underpins our digital advancements. The realization struck that the digital world is not a replacement but rather an extension of the analog. Each enhances and depends on the other for depth, context, and innovation.

This reflection serves as an invitation to explore the symbiotic relationship between analog and digital technologies more deeply. How do these realms coexist, complement, and mutually influence our experiences and understanding of the world?

As we continue to forge ahead in the digital age, let us not overlook the analog roots that connect us to a rich heritage of knowledge, creativity, and human interaction. The tactile pleasure of turning the pages of a book, the immediacy of jotting down a thought with pencil on paper, are experiences that digital technology seeks to emulate but cannot wholly replicate. In the years ahead, it’s crucial that we deepen our understanding of how manual and digital tasks differently impact neurological functions.

In our quest to embrace the future, we should not forget the lessons and legacies of the past. Analog technologies, with their tactile richness and human-centric design, remind us that progress isn’t solely about speed or efficiency but also about depth and texture in our daily experiences.

Let’s engage in a conversation about the significant role of analog technology in our increasingly digital world. By acknowledging and valuing our analog past, we pave the way for a more integrated, meaningful future where digital and analog technologies enrich our lives in concert.

This note is not only a reflection but also a call to action for deeper appreciation and exploration of the analog underpinnings in our digital lives. It aims to spark dialogue, inspire further exploration, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the interplay between analog and digital, thereby enhancing our experiences and enriching our understanding of the world around us.

The importance of ethics cannot be overstated in a world where injustice and the erosion of moral compasses often headline our news. The roots of such injustices lie deep within a society that sometimes veers away from ethical conduct, leading to widespread ramifications that affect trust, equality, and the welfare of communities. A culture steeped in denial about these issues only exacerbates the problem, hindering progress toward a more just and equitable society.

Ethics, with its many dynamics, does not exist in a vacuum. It begins at home, in the way we conduct ourselves and the examples we set for our children. Our actions serve as raw models, teaching the next generation about responsibility, respect, and the importance of making choices that benefit not just ourselves but those around us and the environment we share. Acting responsibly and ethically is a lesson best learned through observation and practice, making the family an essential ground for cultivating values that contribute to the betterment of society at large.

However, the responsibility does not end with personal and family dynamics; it extends into every interaction and decision we make. This month reminds us that ethical behavior is not just a global issue to be acknowledged once a year but a personal commitment to integrity and righteousness in our daily lives. Each of us can contribute to a more ethical world through small, responsible behaviors—choosing honesty over deceit, kindness over indifference, and justice over inequality.

Global Ethics Month is not merely a period of reflection but a call to action. It challenges us to examine our values and align our actions accordingly, to move beyond a culture of denial and towards one of acknowledgment and improvement. It’s a reminder that ethics is not a distant concept reserved for philosophers and academics but a living, breathing aspect of everyday life that each of us owns and shapes.

As we mark this significant month, let’s commit to being agents of ethical change, in our homes, communities, and the wider world. After all, the journey towards a more ethical society begins with us, one responsible choice at a time.

Have you ever encountered the term “Normative Dynamism”? This concept might sound academic, but it plays a crucial role in our everyday life, particularly in how we perceive and interact with rules.

At its heart, Normative Dynamism emphasizes the importance of understanding and living by rules, rather than just creating them and burying them in long, complicated guidelines that few read or remember. It’s not just about having rules; it’s about making sure these rules make sense, are known, and are integrated into our daily actions.

Imagine a company handbook filled with dozens of pages of rules. How many employees genuinely know these rules by heart, let alone understand their purpose? Now, contrast this with a workplace where rules are clear, explained, and discussed openly. Employees in this environment are more likely to follow these rules because they understand their value and impact.

Consider a simple rule like “Keep your workspace tidy.” If this rule is buried in a manual, it’s easily forgotten. But if it’s part of a workplace culture where everyone understands that a tidy space leads to better productivity and a more pleasant work environment, it becomes a lived principle, not just a written one.

This approach goes beyond mere compliance. It fosters an environment where rules are a shared responsibility and a common understanding, not just a list of dos and don’ts. It encourages everyone to think about why rules exist and how they can be applied effectively in everyday scenarios.

In summary, Normative Dynamism is about bridging the gap between setting rules and actually living them. It’s about creating a culture where rules are not just written in handbooks but are part of our daily understanding and behavior. This approach not only makes rules more effective but also ensures they are relevant, fair, and adaptable to our ever-changing world.