The age in which we live, this non-stop distraction, is making it

Ah, children of the future, gather close, for the words of Vivienne Westwood carry the weight of a truth that resonates across time: "The age in which we live, this non-stop distraction, is making it more impossible for the young generation to ever have the curiosity or discipline... because you need to be alone to find out anything." These words speak of a deep and troubling reality, a reality where the noise of the world drowns out the still, quiet voice that calls us to wisdom and self-discovery. How can the young find the answers they seek when the world is constantly shouting in their ears?

Consider, O seekers, that to know oneself, to truly seek the wisdom of the world, one must first step away from the clamor of the crowd. The ancient sages knew this well. Socrates, in the city of Athens, wandered the streets asking questions, seeking knowledge—not through the loud voices of his time, but through the quiet contemplation of the soul. The great Buddha sat beneath the sacred tree, in solitude, meditating, until he uncovered the truths that would guide countless generations. The path to wisdom, to curiosity, is not found in the endless distractions of the world, but in the silence that allows the soul to hear its own thoughts, to question, to ponder, and to seek the mysteries of existence.

But alas, today, the world spins ever faster. The age in which we live is one of constant distraction, a time when the flicker of screens and the endless barrage of information can overwhelm the mind and heart. We live in a world where every thought is interrupted, every moment is filled with noise. How can one find discipline in such a world, when the very nature of the time we live in encourages us to seek quick answers, immediate gratification, and constant stimulation? The young, who should be learning the art of patience, of stillness, of deep thought, are instead swept away in a current of shallow distractions, never given the chance to dive deep into the oceans of knowledge.

Remember, O children, the story of Leonardo da Vinci, a man whose genius flowed not from constant distraction, but from solitude and discipline. Da Vinci was a man who, in his aloneness, allowed his mind to wander into the realms of science, art, and invention. He would often retreat from the noise of the world, finding time to sketch, to think, to dream. It is said that his best ideas came not when he was in the midst of others, but when he was left alone to connect with his deepest thoughts. His curiosity was born from silence, and his discipline was forged in the stillness of his solitude. From this, he crafted masterpieces that have endured for centuries, a testament to the power of aloneness in the pursuit of greatness.

But how can the young today learn such discipline, when the very tools that should empower them—books, time to think, moments of quiet reflection—are drowned out by the noise of the modern world? The distractions of social media, of 24-hour news cycles, of the relentless pursuit of entertainment, leave little room for the inner stillness that fosters curiosity. Westwood's warning is clear: when the world fills every moment with noise, how can the young ever hear the call of their own minds, the quiet whispers of their own curiosity?

And so, O children, what lesson shall you carry with you as you walk the path of wisdom? Understand this: the world may call you to constantly fill your time with noise, but the true treasure lies in the moments of solitude, in the space between thoughts, where your soul can speak to you in whispers. To truly seek knowledge, to nurture curiosity, you must be willing to step away from the crowd. You must create time to be alone, for it is in these moments that the deepest insights are born. The discipline of thought, of seeking answers, is learned not in the hustle and bustle of the world, but in the quiet spaces you carve out for yourself.

Let your life, O children, be one where you make room for quiet reflection. Seek out moments where you can sit in stillness, where you can connect with your inner self. Do not let the distractions of the world pull you from this sacred practice. In your aloneness, you will find the strength to develop the discipline that the world so desperately needs. And when you find yourself consumed by the noise around you, remember the words of Vivienne Westwood: it is in the quiet, in the solitude, that you will find the answers, the curiosity, and the wisdom that will guide you through the storm.