“Whose side are you on, Iran or Israel?” “Who are you backing, Trump or Harris?” I often get asked such questions, and not infrequently, people push me to give a definitive answer. It’s normal for people to have their preferences, but the sad reality is that global events, especially over the last decade, have increasingly made people’s judgments, language, and ultimately, their thinking, more primitive. This simplification reduces everything to a binary system—either “0” or “1.”
These binaries manifest in various divisions, often in symmetrical ways. For instance, Russian propaganda promotes the idea of “patriotic forces” striving to restore the country’s former glory, while accusing the “Western 5th column” of seeking to destroy it. Meanwhile, in Armenia, where pro-Western voices dominate, the narrative suggests there are defenders of Armenia’s sovereignty versus a Russian “5th column” attempting to overthrow Pashinyan.
Even in domestic debates, we see a similar split: one side believes salvation will come from the West (“If we collect 50,000 signatures, we’ll join the EU”), while the danger lies with Russia. The other side insists salvation comes from Russia, while the West, particularly through Turkey, is the main threat. This binary mode of thinking is not confined to politicians and public figures; even ordinary citizens who aren’t publicly active are caught up in this two-dimensional way of seeing the world.
Now, try convincing someone who thinks in this binary way that the world is far more complex—that there are shades of gray and facts beyond these simplistic schemes—and the response is predictable: “You say you’re neither X nor Y, but you’re actually a hidden X or Y.” The problem is, people’s imagination cannot stretch beyond this binary framework.
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My suggestion, as always, is “idealistic” and “detached from reality.” Those with knowledge—political scientists, analysts, journalists, intellectuals—should make efforts to explain the world’s richness, complexity, and diversity. I’ll admit right away, these efforts may be futile. But as the famous line from the movie goes, “At least I tried.”
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
