Essay Paper 2024 - Section B - Simple Explanation

                                           

                                                          Section B

5. Social media is triggering ‘Fear of Missing Out’ amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness.

6.  Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.

7. All ideas having large consequences are always simple.

8. The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.

 

Social media is triggering ‘Fear of Missing Out’ amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness.

This statement means that social media makes young people feel like they are missing out on fun, success, or happiness that others seem to have. This feeling can lead to sadness, anxiety, and loneliness.

• People post only the best moments of their lives on social media—vacations, parties, achievements, and happy moments.
• When others see these posts, they may feel like their own life is boring or unsuccessful in comparison.
• This creates "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO)—a feeling that everyone else is enjoying life while they are left behind.
• Constant comparison can lead to stress, low self-esteem, and even depression.

Examples:

1. A Student Watching Friends’ Posts:
• A student sees classmates posting pictures of a party they were not invited to.
• They feel left out and start thinking they have no real friends.
2. Career Pressure from Social Media:
• A young professional sees others posting about new jobs, promotions, and success.
• They feel like a failure, even if they are doing well in their own career.
3. Influencer Lifestyle vs. Reality:
• Many influencers post pictures of luxury vacations and perfect lives.
• Viewers compare their own normal lives to this unrealistic image and feel dissatisfied.

Social media often shows only the highlights of people’s lives, not their struggles. Comparing ourselves to this illusion can lead to loneliness and depression. Instead, focusing on real-life connections and self-growth can bring true happiness.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.

This statement means that facing difficulties (adversity) is tough, but the real test of a person’s character comes when they gain power.

• Many people stay humble and kind when they have nothing.
• But when they get power—such as wealth, authority, or influence—their true nature is revealed.
• A good person will use power responsibly, while a selfish or corrupt person may misuse it for personal gain.

Examples:

1. A Honest Leader vs. A Corrupt Leader:
• A politician may promise to serve the people before coming to power.
• Once in power, if he starts taking bribes and ignoring public needs, it shows his true character.
2. A Boss in a Workplace:
• A person may be friendly with colleagues, but after becoming a manager, they may become arrogant and rude.
• If they remain fair and kind despite having authority, it shows good character.
3. Historical Figures:
• Mahatma Gandhi had influence but remained humble and dedicated to serving people.
• Hitler, after gaining power, became a dictator and caused destruction.

True character is not revealed in struggle but in how a person handles power. A great person remains humble, fair, and responsible even when they have authority.

 

All ideas having large consequences are always simple.

This statement means that the most powerful and impactful ideas are often simple and easy to understand.

• Great ideas do not have to be complicated.
• Simple ideas, when applied correctly, can bring massive changes.
• The best solutions to big problems are often straightforward and practical.

Examples:

1. The Wheel:
• A simple circular object led to the invention of vehicles, machines, and modern transportation.
2. Zero in Mathematics:
• The concept of ‘zero’ (invented in India) may seem simple but revolutionized mathematics and science.
3. Gandhi’s Non-Violence (Ahimsa):
• The idea of fighting injustice without violence was simple but helped India gain independence and inspired civil rights movements worldwide.
4. The Internet:
• The idea of connecting computers to share information started as a simple concept but has changed the world.

Big changes do not always come from complex ideas. The most powerful ideas are often the simplest ones.

 

 

The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.

This statement means that making mistakes is not as bad as being afraid to take action. If you do nothing, you lose opportunities and never make progress.

• If you try something and fail, you at least learn from your mistake and can improve.
• But if you do nothing out of fear of failure, you gain nothing and may miss out on success.
• Taking action, even with the risk of being wrong, is better than staying stuck.

Examples:

1. Starting a Business:
• If an entrepreneur launches a startup and fails, they learn valuable lessons for the next attempt.
• But if they never start out of fear, they will never know if they could have succeeded.
2. A Student Answering in Class:
• A student who tries to answer, even if they are wrong, learns and improves.
• A student who stays silent out of fear never grows in confidence or knowledge.
3. Wright Brothers and Flight:
• They made multiple failed attempts before successfully inventing the airplane.
• If they had feared failure and done nothing, modern air travel wouldn’t exist.

Failure is part of learning, but inaction leads to nothing. It’s better to try, make mistakes, and improve than to do nothing and regret missed opportunities.