Mental Eclipse: The Shadows Over Turkey

In Chișinău, time seems to slow down despite the brevity of the days, creating a laid-back atmosphere that allows me to embrace my most relaxed self. Surrounded by icy pavements, I embrace my Mediterranean inclination towards laziness. Watching leaves tearing down from trees, evolving into lifelessness, and hearkening to their silent screams brings a sense of clarity to my mind. All the rest is placid: bare woods, strollers, pleasant aromas wafting from cafés. I wade through lives that will end where they began, in the same way they began. The serene stillness in the air softly envelops me, albeit suddenly.

Amidst this calm, however, I find myself weighed down by unconscious tendencies—such as the stress of being behind, the urge to remain busy, and the emptiness that arises from not planning. These are ingrained patterns that feel unavoidable in our century, where societal expectations dictate our paths, where escape feels out of reach. We are conditioned to believe that accumulating possessions and achievements will bring fulfilment, which leads to an endless chase for more. This phenomenon can be seen as the affliction of possession. In these ongoing states of trance, the self disconnects from the body, allowing malevolence to comfortably settle within a selfless form. This, ultimately, is a form of annihilation.

During my upbringing, I witnessed how malevolence seeps into Turkish society, influencing behaviours and social interactions. This pervasive influence, even among those closest to me, has fostered a belief that the world itself is enshrouded in darkness, a thought that weighs heavily on my heart. It's a cycle where evil is normalised, becoming a societal standard that gradually molds people to reflect its presence. Put plainly, this is a realm where everyone, to some degree, becomes entangled in moral compromise.

In Istanbul, a bustling metropolis, I have witnessed how secular and educated youth are lulled into complacency by state-backed drug trafficking. Erdogan's regime enforces strict anti-drug policies to appease his fanatics, while simultaneously poisoning his opponents through his loyalist drug barons. Similarly, his hypocritical migrant policies exploit refugees for financial gain on the global stage, yet fuel xenophobia within domestic politics. Refugees, on the other hand, are also manipulated into supporting his authoritarian agenda, often forced into modern slavery, serving as both cheap labour and sex workers to benefit, again, his loyalist Islamic-looking elite.

Reflecting on societal norms, I observe disparities: parental leave heavily favours mothers (five months) over fathers (five days), while authentic individuals face marginalisation. Tax rates are high, and female participation in the workforce continues to decline, amid rising rates of anxiety and addiction. Engagement in intellectual or sports activities is limited, further contributing to a stifling environment. In this society, religious teachings are delivered in an unfamiliar language (Arabic), reinforcing superstitions that linger in collective memory. Such social atmosphere prevents people from living authentically, often making existence unbearable for others. Masculine institutions perpetuate harmful behaviors such as alcoholism, gambling, infidelity, brothels, and cruelty to animals, reinforcing a culture that normalises vice. These realities highlight a society where deep inequalities endure, and dissent is silenced through harsh repression, including the imprisonment of journalists, academics, and activists.

The societal fabric reinforces animosities that are passed down from one generation to the next. From a young age, children are pressured to choose sides between parents, conditioned to envy their siblings, drawn into competitive dynamics with cousins, and encouraged to carry these behaviors into their relationships with peers. This environment breeds cycles of violence, deeply shaping childhood experiences and perpetuating societal dysfunction. Children often bear the brunt of this hostility, mistakenly believing that these harmful actions will be forgotten as they grow older. Even in schools —where children first encounter socialisation outside the family— those with behavioral disorders are frequently excluded and mistreated by teachers and administrators. A lack of care, neglect, and brutality in these environments lead many children to develop addiction issues as early as middle school, and sometimes even in primary school, particularly in certain neighborhoods. In such a system, dropping out of school may seem like the only escape for some.

Workplaces across global corporations, civil society, and universities mirror this widespread mental eclipse. They seem hollowed out, with only fragile remnants left, much like a ticking time bomb ready to explode. In this context, core moral values such as equality, justice, honesty, kindness, patience, respect, helpfulness, cooperation, forgiveness, and transparency appear to be increasingly sidelined. Rather than nurturing these essential values, what is being instilled from childhood onward?

Despite these challenges, I hope to always retain the capacity to feel disappointment anew with each scandal that erupts in Turkey incessantly.

May all beings live in peace and harmony.