The many ways of killing and dying

12/04/2025 Nilson Lattari

Wars are the most devastating means of exterminating people, cultures and civilizations. However, social inequalities can have the same effect, though for different reasons. The ways of killing and dying are many.
An individual may die of natural causes or not. At the same time, one may kill in self-defence or attack someone without provocation. Violence breeds violence, and some people use it to impose their will on the weak.
When we fail to respect and instead destroy the environment, we force people to live in uninhabitable places. Additionally, low wages lead to precarious housing, creating a chain reaction towards economic and social disasters.
Some individuals and nations actively develop new methods of killing, yet they still call themselves human beings. The question is: are we all equal until the moment when some must decide who will die for the benefit of a few?
Different countries have different lifestyles from others. The development of rich nations, over decades and centuries, has been built on the exploration of distant nations. As a result, the progress of some societies and nations not only kills people, either directly or by neglect but also erases cultures, histories and civilizations.
On the other hand, social inequalities exist in most societies shaped by a capitalistic perspective. In such societies, people live in precarious social and economic conditions. If they feel hungry, cold, or thirsty, they may find a way to feed themselves, seek shelter for self-protection, or find a place to drink water.
Young people with familial and financial support have the means to pursue their goals, making anything seem possible. Meanwhile, others who do not live in such social and economic situations, wake up every day wondering how they will get through the day. The difference between them is that some have ten years or more to plan their future, while others have a single day.
The many ways of killing and dying directly impact those who live without any social protection. Their question is: What do I need to do to transform my life? At times, there is no clear answer.
Thus, the cruellest way of killing and dying is the lack of perspective on the future. Physical needs can sometimes be met, at least partially. However, in my opinion, the lack of perspective is the worst. Physical survival is crucial, but what about the future?
A lack of perspective may lead not only to the death of an individual but also to the destruction of societies. When we discuss the power of some nations over others, we reveal that it is possible to eliminate individuals or entire communities by preventing them from developing their nations freely.
Truth is the first victim in the struggle for power, but restoring justice and humanity is essential. Lies are the primary weapons of those who decide who lives or dies.