Trust? Yes, We Must.

Trust is like the air we breathe. When it's present, nobody really notices. But when it's absent, everybody notices. - Warren Buffett

There is no news like good news. - Elliot Carver (In the movie Tomorrow Never Dies)

Though he was an antagonist, Elliot Carver (played by Jonathan Pryce) was highlighting the common trend to journalism today. This is that negative stories are often given more prominence in the media because they are more compelling or sensational, which drive higher engagement from audiences. Tune in to any radio station (especially radio stations) during morning or evening shows, the journalistic and societal approach is usually to focus on the negative aspects of events, people, or situations. Even trivialities like mis-pronunciation of a certain word would take the entire show just being discussed.

In a world where negative news and stories of mistrust dominate the headlines, it’s easy to overlook that social interactions are the fundamental component that makes humanity. Our human existence is buttressed on trust. It’s the chain that holds our relationships and communities together and its ubiquitous influence is everywhere. This is despite the ills that plague our world today

The truth is, the few bad apples and unfortunate events tend to receive more attention, getting amplified and perpetuated through media and social platforms. Meanwhile, the countless acts of trust that happen daily go unnoticed. And if there are talked about, it is usually in a sotto voice. It’s helpful and healthy to shift our focus and acknowledge the inherent goodness of humanity. Society usually find itself in dire straits not because of bad things, but also because good people who do nothing.

As social beings, we rely on trust to navigate everyday life and most of these interactions are mundane. But they demonstrate the depth of our trust in one another. Taka a child, for instance? S/he will be all smiling when being thrown in the air (commonly called baby tossing) because they know that you will catch them when gravity starts pulling. They are only going to develop fear of that if someone drops them. A lot of us have helped or given a lift to total strangers even at night until someone tried to take advantage of us. Mistrust is like hate, they are both taught emotions. People's natural disposition are trust and love, until we break them. 

Consider these examples:

• When we board a bus, train, or plane, we entrust our lives to the driver or pilot, despite being strangers. This is why many of us feel comfortable enough to sleep once our rides are in motion. We are quick to join in the hum of conversation or ask someone to hold your things during the gentle sway as the vehicle moves
• At the dentist’s office, we willingly allow them to put us under anesthesia, trusting them to be professional and not make mistakes that could harm us.
• In our communities, we trust local businesses to provide quality goods and services.
• The coronavirus pandemic exposed how much interdependent society really is. We learnt that the many essential workers, who are crucial to the normal functioning of society, are actually the usually lowly paid among us. The grocery workers, police officers, nurses, and even the lady selling vegetables on the corner. These people kept things moving while the privileged stayed home. Trust in their dedication allowed us to weather the storm.

These instances illustrate the intricate web of trust that underlies human society. That’s not being naïve, but just being human. Like any normal distribution curve, there are outliers. But bad should be allowed to prevail. We must recognize and appreciate trust which ultimately fosters a more compassionate and cooperative world. It’s a self-reinforcing process. Warren Buffett's wisdom encapsulates it perfectly: trust is the silent force that underpins our lives. We often take it for granted, but its absence reverberates loudly through fractured relationships and broken bonds.

As I conclude dear reader, know that trust is the unsung hero of humanity. It’s the foundation upon which we build our relationships, communities, and societies. Let us be bolds and actively cultivate trust whether by expressing gratitude, volunteering, or simply being more open to trusting others. By acknowledging and nurturing this trust, we can create a world where cooperation, mutual support, and social interaction thrive.