For too long we’ve treated silence as a virtue, believing that if we stay quiet, we’ll somehow avert conflict. But history tells a different story: when peaceful voices retreat, aggressive actors move in to fill the void. Those in pursuit of power—whether through knowledge, brute force, money, charisma or formal authority—never rest. They seize every opening we leave behind.

Today’s technology keeps us endlessly scrolling yet profoundly alone. Domestic terrorism lurks in shadows, eroding trust between neighbors. The pandemic shut down our streets and our routines, teaching us that solitude can feel safer than solidarity. But safety in separation is an illusion, both fragile and fleeting.

Pacifism can feel like a moral high ground, or maybe just an escape from the harshness of reality, but it’s a luxury borne of comfort. If nothing forces you out of your bubble, you’ll gladly stay there. Yet comfort comes at a price: unchecked agendas grow bolder, chipping away at democracy, critical thinking and community bonds. When public discourse collapses under mockery of expertise or dismissal of evidence, the foundations of collective well-being crumble.

Power flows from five distinct wells. Expert power emerges when deep wisdom and intelligence shapes policy and opinion. Coercive power is the threat of force or punishment, often through strength. Reward power springs from control over resources and financing. Referent power—what Gen Alpha calls “rizz”—is the magnetic pull of personal appeal. And legitimate power springs from recognized roles, titles and institutions.

When power goes unchecked, its five faces can quickly turn predatory: money becomes a bribe, strength becomes a threat of bodily harm, and charisma becomes coercion. Experts have been known to distort data to advance hidden agendas. Legitimate holders of formal authority may invoke their titles and rules to enforce crackdowns, silencing anyone who dares to question them.

I’m not mad at anyone for wanting peace, for craving the familiar and the secure. Those desires make us human. But in the quiet comfort of our homes, we risk forgetting the truth that generations before us understood: our greatest strength lies in lifting each other up. It’s time to break the silence and reclaim the power of community.

Rebuilding begins when we choose to share our expertise instead of hoarding it, to mentor rather than judge, to host virtual gatherings that spark real connection. It grows when we hold institutions accountable and refuse to let coercion dictate our lives. It strengthens through stories that celebrate our shared humanity and inspire collective action.

So, reach out to someone you’ve lost touch with. Offer your skills to a cause that matters. Use your voice, your passion and your “rizz” to rebuild the bonds we let slip away. Because together, we become more than survivors: we become architects of a future where comfort and courage coexist.