Dig deeper, think clearer, speak better
“For it is hard to speak properly upon a subject where it is even difficult to convince your hearers that you are speaking the truth”
(Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, Book 2, 2.35)
In a plural and interconnected world, the inflow of information we are embedded in is getting more and more quick, loud and confusing. The voices that stand out are often not the ones worth listening to. On digital platforms and social networks, we are influenced to mistake groundless opinion for reasoned statements. While some are fed up with experts and would like to ditch them together with data-based research, Go Think Initiative aims to defend the values of intellectual honesty, cultural openness and scientific inquiry upon which modern European and Western civilization is founded.
Never in recent times has our society been so close to the brink of reversing to a world of closed, hard borders, nationalism and cultural isolationism that we had long thought was far behind us. We suddenly realized such discourses had not disappeared, but instead gained unprecedented strength through the channels of modern communication. The political language changed accordingly, leading to an impoverished public debate where superficiality and illusory promises stubbornly stand at the forefront. However, for as feeble and shadowed as they may seem, opposing voices are still making themselves heard and believe change for the better is possible.
The political language changed, leading to an impoverished public debate where superficiality and illusory promises stubbornly stand at the forefront
With its projects and its publications, Go Think Initiative wishes to contribute to the common effort for better journalism, better citizens and better politics. We will tackle relevant issues affecting the public debate and political discourse in the Czech Republic, the Visegrad countries, in Europe and worldwide, with the goal of questioning the mainstream rhetoric, unveiling tacit biases, and debunking fake news. We are firmly persuaded that knowing how mass media, political communication and cultural processes are created, developed and reinforced will enable citizens and decision-makers to debate from a more conscious perspective.
Starting this month, the Go Think Initiative blog, under the new name of Roundtable, will resume its publications, trying to make them as frequent, stimulating and on the spot as possible. I have been asked to take care of the editorial management of the blog and I have accepted gladly, knowing I will be accompanied by a team of brilliant and motivated colleagues whose expertise and enthusiasm will be precious assets. While developing our contents, we will engage with practitioners and experts for commentaries and analysis, because we are persuaded intelligence does not mean knowing everything, but rather knowing who to turn to for advice.
Go Think Initiative wishes to contribute to the common effort, questioning the mainstream rhetoric, unveiling tacit biases, and debunking fake news
Go Think Initiative believes it is high time now for participation, involvement and action. We think knowledge, resources and the know-how to turn them into practical solutions do not belong only to university classrooms, research centers, and governmental authorities, but also to the sensible wisdom of the man on the street. Contrary to those who try to put these two worlds against the other, Go Think Initiative wants to rebuild a connection between them, facilitate their mutual understanding, and make each one aware of the necessity of the other’s involvement for the general well-being. We at Go Think Initiative believe this is the key for a better future, and we are sure not to be the only ones.
Fabio Parola, Roundtable editor-in-chief, Go Think Initiative
