This ability to read people and listen to instinct often clashes not only with ‘evidence’ but also with trends—doing what everyone else is doing, going with the flow
Monalisa Changkija
One of the least lauded people in the movie industry, including television serials—however sought after they may be—are casting directors. It is admirable how they can select the most suitable actors for each part, though they do get things wrong sometimes. The ability to choose the right actor for each role must not only require enormous experience and a thorough comprehension of the script, but also an inborn gift for reading people. This is an ability most people are not generally blessed with; however, one can develop it through life’s experiences and a great deal of trial and error. There are also people who have studied human behavior and teach others how to recognise aberrant behaviour. Then there are parents and elders who advise youngsters to stay away from certain characters. Above all, there is instinct—the sixth sense. Unfortunately, most people either ignore it, fail to recognise it, or consider it an old wives’ tale that does not tally with often-generated ‘evidence’.
This ability to read people and listen to instinct often clashes not only with ‘evidence’ but also with trends—doing what everyone else is doing, going with the flow. These trends are often not a natural course of life but are consciously and deliberately created. Depending on factors such as biases and prejudices, upbringing, and the level and quality of education, people generally believe what they want to believe, no matter how illogical. If this is bad enough in the field of fashion, it is much worse in politics. We have seen this in every era and across all geographical locations. It is evident even in the much-claimed and acclaimed ‘greatest’, ‘richest’, and ‘most advanced’ countries, including superpowers. We need not look further than the US-Israel attack on Iran and its global consequences. Every action has a reaction, and we cannot be exempt from being part of the problem, for it is the people who decide on the leaders and governments of their countries.
Especially after his first tenure in the White House, people everywhere struggle to understand why Americans voted for Donald Trump again. But that is a question that needs to be asked of many other countries too, including ours. These days, elections are extremely complex affairs that go beyond simple calculations of money. Besides money and muscle power—and ubiquitous factors such as caste, religion, tribe, and affinities—technology has increasingly been used over the past couple of decades to numb and distance the human mind. While not all of us may fully understand the intricacies of power politics, this has significantly eroded our ability to be guided by instinct and to read people. We tend to listen to the loudest and most persistent voices, shutting our minds to reason, logic, and even the feasibility and necessity of promises. In states like Nagaland, issues such as ‘solution’ and development have been repeated for nearly two decades. That same record will be replayed again soon.
A very reliable indicator of a person’s character is revealed when they speak—their words, tone, and tenor. It does not matter how many degrees they have or how many achievements they claim. When they rave and rant in abusive and indecorous language, they clearly lack decency and decorum. This becomes especially problematic when such individuals occupy constitutional positions, as they are then effectively abusing power to disparage others. Do such people deserve to be voted into power and to lead? Due to the declining quality and standards of life, people often identify with the rage and perceived righteousness of those seeking or holding power, believing they represent the angst of the common man. Look at the quality of public debate today, especially during election campaigns. So much fire and brimstone is unleashed, and unfortunately, many people accept it without questioning whether such rhetoric will actually improve their lives.
These days, we do not give much importance to the wisdom of old sayings and adages, yet nothing has disproved the idea that “empty vessels make the most noise.” Donald Trump is often cited as an example, particularly by critics who argue that his actions have negatively impacted his country’s economy and global standing. Now consider this: how much damage can beef consumption actually cause to a state or the country? Has any credible study or research shown that beef consumption—whether at home or elsewhere—has harmed the economy, national security, or development? Why, then, has beef consumption in Assam become such a central electoral issue, occupying so much of the attention, time, energy, and resources of key political contenders? Everyone knows that the issue is not beef consumption per se, as beef-eaters have lived in this country for centuries. Rather, it is about targeting those who consume beef—which includes large sections of the Northeastern population. The underlying issue is therefore one of racism and religious bias, though we often choose not to recognise it as such. In doing so, our ability to think critically is obstructed, and our instincts and capacity to read people become collateral damage.
Literature, performing and visual arts, and oral traditions are powerful educational tools with much to teach us. Yet we have reduced them to mere entertainment—experiences to enjoy briefly before moving on. Our education system does not adequately teach us to understand, critically analyse, and absorb the deeper purpose of literature and the arts; in that sense, it has failed us. At best, these fields are seen as avenues for fame and fortune. We have learnt to take offence, but not to recognise when we ourselves are offensive. This is perhaps a result of the deliberate numbing of natural human emotions such as sympathy, empathy, compassion, tolerance, and sensitivity. Consequently, our ability to listen to our instincts and read people has also become collateral damage. We continue to repeat mistakes and succumb to the loudest and most persistent voices—often devoid of reason and logic, and driven by hate, division, and the pursuit of power, control, and dominance—never mind who gets hurt, never mind the consequences, and never mind the price future generations will pay.
Sometimes, it is vital to go back, retrace our steps, and start again. Now is one such time.
(The Columnist is a Dimapur-based veteran journalist, poet and former Editor of Nagaland Page. Published in the April 12, 2026 issue of North East Now)
