If I'm correct, your eyes spotted the word 'variant detected' in the title, you clicked on the link, and you are here and now curious to know what I mean by yet another variant detected.  This is how social media, news agencies, or communication services find their audience, grab attention and connect. 

In the age of loaded and easy-to-access information, restless minds and fear of missing out are the new side-products, and scanning is our new strategy/habit to cope. In no time, we detect the keywords in a link, in less than a second, we decide, and then we find ourselves clicking or, even worse, ignoring the link, assuming it’s clickbait when it’s not and worth checking. Or we click on clickbait, checking the information only to find ourselves feeling annoyed or disappointed. Yes, there is a high chance that we trust our quick but not very accurate judgements. 

As members of society, when we are alerted by an issue, it rightfully captures our attention. The more shocking the issue is, the quicker our responses are. Although it is heartening to see the public and philanthropists quickly respond to such urges, immediate responses don’t solve problems overnight or for good. They rise and cease with waves while problems are chronic and require consistent attention, solutions, and action. And let’s not forget that in many cases, preventive measures are way better and much less-demanding than reactive solutions.

The ever-presence of long-lasting issues and hearing about them repeatedly exhaust our senses to the point that we become desensitised to their existence due to human nature. They only exist to us if we feel their direct effects. Scientists had warned us about future pandemics, were we concerned, or did we see the day? No, we didn’t. But now, even after hearing about Covid-19 for over two years, we are still sensitive to its existence as we see it’s constantly affecting our choices and habits. The pandemic matters now, and it’s hard not to see it. 

 Climate change, global forced migration, poverty, expanding inequality, modern slavery, and  animal rights are among the current, urgent issues. They may require radical and bold actions, but no overnight responses can solve them. 

How often do you hear about them? How personal are they? How concerned are you? Are you getting desensitised, or do you see them?

The ability to selectively pay attention and see real matters in our world prevents distraction and enables us to deal with the most pressing current challenges. As for Kinder, we are here to maintain selective attention to such issues without exhausting your senses, to help you see and respond to them even when the wave is gone. Join Kinder, and act on the problems through our United Actions. Let’s unite and take lasting action.