In early Rome, sales of goods were governed by ‘caveat emptor’: let the buyer beware.
Caveat means ‘a
warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices.’ The word ‘emptor’
refers to buyer or purchaser. Buyers were advised to scrutinize goods before
purchase, as sellers had few obligations.
It is election season in
Goa and a few other states in India. However, it is not just politicians who
are to be viewed with a caveat emptor. The media and social media; the psephologists
and the analysts have usurped roles with little obligations towards their
gullible buyers: the voters.
Previous voting data,
public opinion polls, campaign information and other statistical data are being
twisted in the maze of half-truths and full-on falsehoods. A pre-decided
narrative is defended even with the indefensible. The sellers have decided to employ
the caveat emptor.
The onus is on the voter to
be better informed. We must familiarize ourselves with the candidates and the
issues. If we do not do so, we cannot fault the sellers who make fools of us,
the buyers. We have to beware the guile by being aware of the reality behind
the layers of posturing.
heed the
caveat emptor: beware
before a hurried
buy… be aware!
- Pravin K Sabnis
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