It's more necessary than ever before to ensure that discernment
It's more necessary than ever before to ensure that discernment and the development of a critical mind guide our take on the world and inform our relationship to the media and information.
When Najat Vallaud-Belkacem declares, “It’s more necessary than ever before to ensure that discernment and the development of a critical mind guide our take on the world and inform our relationship to the media and information,” she speaks as a guardian of wisdom in an age overwhelmed by voices. Her words remind us that truth is fragile when drowned in noise, and that only with the armor of discernment can one walk uncorrupted through the flood of messages that seek to shape thought and action.
The origin of this wisdom lies in the tumult of modern times, where the rise of technology has made information abundant, yet often polluted. Vallaud-Belkacem, speaking from her experience in public life and education, saw how swiftly falsehood can spread when media is unchallenged and minds are untrained. Thus she called upon the people to cultivate the critical mind, for without it, even the wisest may be led astray.
To uphold discernment is to revive an ancient virtue. In every age, the sages warned against blindly believing, urging seekers to test words against truth, reason, and conscience. But now, as the rivers of information multiply, this need grows urgent. The relationship between humanity and the media must not be one of passive consumption, but of active questioning — weighing, reflecting, and rejecting that which corrupts.
Her words also call for responsibility. Each soul who engages with the world through information bears the duty to think, to question, and to choose wisely. To surrender this duty is to become a servant of deception, but to embrace it is to become free, shaping one’s life not by manipulation but by truth.
Let the generations remember: the gift of the critical mind is a shield, and discernment a lamp upon the path. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem’s words endure as a warning and a guide — that in an age of endless voices, salvation lies not in silence but in wise listening, and in a vigilant relationship with the powers of media and information.
SBSuaa Be
I completely agree with the emphasis on critical thinking in this quote. But I also wonder—how do we ensure that our critical thinking doesn’t become clouded by our personal biases? In a world where everyone seems to have an opinion, how do we train ourselves to evaluate information objectively? Can we ever truly separate our beliefs from the media we consume, or is that an impossible task?
HADo Hien Anh
I think Najat Vallaud-Belkacem’s point about discernment in our relationship with media is so relevant today. But does the increase in media and information actually make it harder for us to practice discernment? With so many sources, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or confused. How do we filter out noise and focus on information that genuinely adds value to our understanding of the world?
DLdang le
This quote brings up an interesting challenge: in an age of information overload, how do we ensure our perspectives are not shaped by sensationalism or bias? I feel like developing a critical mind should go hand in hand with learning how to ask the right questions. How do we train ourselves to engage with media in a way that promotes deeper understanding and not just surface-level reactions?
QKNguyen Quang Khai
I agree with Najat Vallaud-Belkacem that it’s crucial to develop a critical mind, but I wonder—what does this development actually look like in practice? In a world full of biased narratives, how can we learn to approach information with skepticism without becoming overly cynical or paranoid? Is there a balance between being open-minded and cautious in evaluating the media we consume?
HQNGUYEN HONG QUYEN
This quote makes me think about how important it is to cultivate discernment, especially in an era where misinformation spreads rapidly. But how do we differentiate between genuine information and misleading narratives, especially when both are packaged to seem credible? Does the responsibility fall more on individuals to develop critical thinking skills, or is there a bigger role for media platforms to ensure accuracy and integrity?