“Educated insanity” happens when the institution messes with your common sense and disarms your self-preservation. It’s that moment when book smarts clash with life’s harsh realities, leaving you caught between theory and survival.
As Monaky rightly says in “Cerebral,” “Sometimes na empty head deny access.” The bitter truth is it’s not just ignorance that blocks opportunities; even the so-called educated mind, when rigid and uncritical, can lock doors that common sense would open with ease.
We often become victims of the very institutions we trusted to guide us, not realizing that human vanities shaped the ideals they instilled in us. Systems are not inherently designed for good; they are just frameworks waiting to be exploited, whether for good or evil.
Fela Kuti’s “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense” echoes this sentiment. He questioned the systems that enforce blind conformity, disconnecting people from their realities. Similarly, in “Follow Follow," Fela warns against uncritical allegiance to systems, leaders, and ideologies. These warnings remind us of the dangers of educated naivety—when you let institutions dictate your truth without questioning their motives.
As Bob Marley lamented in “Babylon System,” the system is a vampire, sucking the life and dreams out of people, particularly the young and vulnerable. His plea, “Tell the children the truth,” remains a piercing call to expose the flaws of these systems and prepare future generations for a more authentic reality.
The Risk of Innocent Naivety
At the heart of these reflections lies an uncomfortable truth: sometimes, our good intentions make us vulnerable. Adulthood strips away innocence, revealing the brutal realities of systems that prioritize profit, power, or self-preservation over human dignity.
Monaky’s poignant line, “As you put cloth for body, make you still get intellectual property,” is a timely reminder. Survival in this world is not just about physical appearances or academic accolades—it’s about equipping your mind with tools for critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. Intellectual property here isn’t just about patents or copyrights; it’s about owning your thoughts and your power in a system that would rather exploit than empower.
Fire doesn’t discriminate. Whether it’s your fire or someone else’s, it will burn if you stand too close. Dem no dey tell norma person to comot for sun. Survival requires awareness and action, not blind faith.
The Balance Between Survival and Morality
While survival is essential, it must be tempered by faith, ethics, and a commitment to humanity. Systems may strip us of idealism, but they don’t have to strip us of compassion. As much as adulthood reveals the selfishness of systems, it also calls us to create better frameworks—not through naive innocence, but with wisdom and intentionality.
Fela and Marley’s messages weren’t just about fighting oppressive systems—they were also about preserving the sanctity of human life. Marley’s cry for truth and Fela’s defiance both carried a moral undertone: survival should not come at the expense of human dignity.
Final Takeaway
The essence of survival is not just about staying alive; it’s about living in a way that honors your humanity and that of others. Yes, systems can be brutal. Yes, the fire burns. But wisdom, tempered by a moral code, can help us rise above the chaos.
So, my final question to you is this: are you still moving like you’re innocent, or have you learned how to navigate the educated insanity around you with clarity, courage, and compassion?
Dem no dey tell who never craze to comot for sun. Life is grim. Be noble.
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