Political immaturity. Social stagnation. Intellectual decadence. Economic degradation. Educational traditionalism.  Bureaucratic quagmire.

These are all are words that can be easily applied to the Maltese reality, whatever the partisan media of your choice attempts to otherwise inform. We, as students, as Maltese citizens, are born, raised, and introducedinto the reality that our antecedents have (so lovingly) created for us. We cannot help but be a product of our society.

If anyone has an issue with that, they might want to look into the worldthat created us. On newspapers we see daily events being manipulated, asif the truth was a mere plaything that could be taught to perform tricksand acrobatics. Public opinion is as fickle as a flame, caring not a whit for anything or anyone, as long as it serves to further fuel its fires. Accountability and responsibility are absent in the public sphere, fromthe very top to the very bottom. Everyone does as little as possible, and when things go wrong it is everyone’s fault but mine. The topmost concern within the population is “How will this affect me, my pocket, and my day-to-day life?” How would anyone expect a product of such a society tobe any different?

Are students apathetic and disinterested in the Maltese political and social reality? Perhaps it is because we are tired of the same playground mentality that we can see all around us. Do most students do only what is necessary and never try to excel? Perhaps it is because that is what we were taught to do since the primary educational level.

Instead of decrying and attacking university students and younger generations as a whole for their apathy or lack of concern, try creating a socio-political setting in which that we might actually find it rewarding to participate in and be part of. Defining the younger (and theoretically more enlightened) generation as ‘frivolous’ and ‘immature’ only ultimately belittles the society that creates them, and only serves to hinder thegenerations that follow.

Cure the illness, instead of ignoring the symptoms.

Nestor Laiveira is a 23 year old University student in 4th year of readingfor his Bachelor of Communications Degree. He is the new sub-editor ofinsite the student media organisation.