At a roadside coffee shop, Marlon, Riri, and Pak Herman were sitting, enjoying black coffee and warm tea. They had just finished reading a book discussing the injustice within the modern education system.
Marlon: "I just read a part of the book, and its conclusion is that modern education is becoming increasingly unfair for people from ordinary families, especially those from poor families. According to it, not everyone is meant to be educated. If everyone succeeds in education, who will do the other jobs? For lower-middle-class people, the more they know, the more painful life becomes."
Riri: "So, he argues it's better not to know anything? Because that way, life becomes simpler and maybe happier?"
Pak Herman: (chuckling softly) "It's like the old saying, 'Ignorance is bliss.' But on the other hand, this reminds me of the slavery era in America. Slave owners often said to their slaves, 'Why are you poor? Why are you hungry? It's because you're not working hard enough.' They would show a successful slave as an example, then blame others for not achieving the same."
Marlon: "This is similar to the current narrative, right? If you're poor, it means you didn't try hard enough. If you can't go to school, it means you're not smart enough or not diligent enough. But there are many other factors, like access to education, social environment, and economic policies."
Riri: "Exactly, when you think about it, this society is split into two worlds. The upper class lives in the real system, while the lower class lives in some kind of 'simulation.' The upper class can think for themselves, while the lower class often accepts the truths presented by the media without questioning them. If the media spreads lies, and those lies are repeated, eventually, those lies become accepted as truth."
Pak Herman: "So, do you think education actually makes the lower class suffer more? Because the more they know about the injustices, the more frustrated they become?"
Marlon: "For the most part, yes. They start realizing that the system is unfair, but they don't have the power to change it. Imagine a laborer understanding how global economic policies keep them poor, but they still have to work 12 hours a day just to survive. Meanwhile, the rich can sit back and watch the money keep coming in."
Riri: (slowly stirring her tea) "But is the solution to keep them ignorant? Doesn't that just trap them more in the system?"
Pak Herman: (sighing) "Ah, here's the dilemma. Education can be an instrument of liberation, but it can also be a tool of control. If the poor learn more and start questioning the system, they could resist. But if education just teaches them to be obedient workers, they stay trapped."
Marlon: (chuckling softly) "So, what kind of education would really set them free? Maybe we need a special school for rebellion."
Riri: (laughing) "Ha, a rebel school? It might be shut down by the government the next day."
Pak Herman: (smiling) "Education that doesn't just teach skills but also teaches critical thinking. Education that encourages someone to ask questions, not just accept things. The problem is, will the system allow that to happen?"
Marlon: (sipping his coffee) "Life is complicated, huh? We want people to wake up, but that awareness can also be a burden."
Riri: "Maybe that's why so many people choose to ignore it. Busy working, busy making money, so they don't have time to think about heavy stuff."
Pak Herman: "And that's what keeps this system running as it is."
They all sat in silence for a moment, reflecting on their conversation. While sipping their coffee, they realized that the world isn't as simple as black and white, and the struggle to understand and change it is a great challenge that must be faced together.
Marlon: "Riri, have you ever wondered why in some countries, poverty seems to be just left alone? The government should be able to handle it, right?"
Riri: "Of course I've wondered. But what do you mean? Is the government deliberately letting its people stay poor?"
Marlon: "Well, I read a theory that some countries actually use poverty as a tool for control. They purposely keep people hungry, so they're too busy looking for food instead of protesting for jobs and other rights."
Pak Herman: (laughing while sipping his coffee) "Hahaha! That's an old classic strategy, kid. It's like when you have chickens. You feed them when they're really hungry, so they don't have time to wonder why they're in the coop."
Riri: (shocked) "Pak Herman, that analogy is a bit cruel!"
Pak Herman: (still laughing) "But it's true, isn't it? A smart government isn't one that makes its people too satisfied. If the people are too full, they start thinking about other things, including demanding change."
Marlon: "So this is a strategy to keep the poor busy looking for food instead of fighting for justice?"
Pak Herman: "Exactly! If the people are starving, they'll be thinking about their rice bundle, not revolution."
Riri: (sighing) "So... when someone says poverty is the enemy of the state, maybe it's more accurate to say poverty is actually the tool of the state?"
Marlon: "That's what makes me uncomfortable! How can poverty be used as a tool? Shouldn't the government be focused on the welfare of its people?"
Pak Herman: (smiling sadly) "Marlon, this is the real world. A government that's too kind is like a restaurant that gives too many discounts. Eventually, it goes bankrupt."
Riri: (laughing softly) "So if the people aren't starving, the government gets stressed? This is some economic theory they didn't teach us in school, Pak!"
Pak Herman: "Well, I used to be a businessman, so I get a little bit of how they think. If everyone's full, they start thinking of ideas that make the officials nervous!"
Marlon: (sighing and staring at his coffee cup) "Wow, this world is messed up. At least we can still eat well today."
Riri: (laughing) "So, if we start having trouble eating, we should start worrying?"
Pak Herman: (laughing loudly) "If you can't eat, then I can't either! So let's eat first before we overthink things. Come on, let's go find some Bakso!"