22/05/2025

THURSDAY | MAY 22, 2025

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Overcoming the Ostrich Effect T HERE’S a quiet game many of us play with ourselves. A notification from the bank goes unchecked. A difficult conversation is postponed. A could have been addressed early often returns in a more difficult form. Avoidance may soothe in the short-term but it rarely brings peace. Instead, it focused minutes of attention. Begin the message, skim the report, glance at the paperwork. Often, the act of starting dissolves the fear that preceded it.

What can be termed the Meerkat Effect is a mindset of routine attention and mindful responsiveness. Rather than retreating from discomfort, it encourages regular engagement with what matters – financial health, emotional well being, professional feedback or social concerns. It promotes presence over panic and curiosity over fear. Incorporating this mindset means making reflection a habit, not a reaction. Asking oneself regularly, “What needs my attention?” or “What have I been avoiding?” invites a shift in orientation, from reactive to proactive. Over time, this will cultivate emotional resilience and grounded decision-making and confrontation will no longer feel catastrophic but natural. Looking away may offer temporary shelter but it does not lead to freedom. What we resist will ultimately resurface, whether in the form of consequences, conflicts or emotional weight. Facing what has been avoided is not an act of bravery reserved for the few. It is a quiet discipline anyone can learn. Avoidance may keep the surface calm but only awareness can create lasting peace. Looking up gently, deliberately and with readiness can transform not only how we face the world but how we live in it. DrPraveena Rajendra is a certified mental health and awareness practitioner specialising in narcissistic abuse recovery. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com In response to these shifts, regional blocs like Asean, the GCC and China have distanced themselves from what is seen as self-destructive US behaviour. These organisations are not formal alliances but rather pragmatic collaborations aimed at increasing leverage against larger powers. The combined population of Asean, GCC and China of over two billion people forms a massive consumer market. Additionally, the energy and commodity reserves within these regions, coupled with China’s manufacturing power and technological advances, particularly in renewables and electric vehicles, create a formidable economic force. While Asean members may seek tariff relief on a bilateral basis, the bloc’s commitment to regional coordination remains strong and this alignment is appealing to GCC members. The GCC, with its energy resources and growing interest in economic diversification, stands to benefit from closer cooperation with China, especially in the energy and technology sectors. The recent actions by the US have not only eroded trust among its allies but also shaken confidence in the US dollar. A growing share of global trade is now being conducted in alternative currencies and US treasuries and bonds are losing appeal, with foreign assets at risk of seizure. These developments have raised concerns among Asian powers about the reliability of Western partners. The future of a multipolar world remains uncertain but the trends are clear. Regional and intergovernmental organisations will continue to emerge as new power centres, seeking to defend their interests and fortify themselves against external pressures. In the short term, such cooperation will help mitigate trade and supply chain disruptions, offering hope for greater stability and economic cooperation. DrJulia Roknifard is a senior lecturer at the School of Law and Governance at Taylor’s University, specialising in Middle Eastern studies and international security. She is also involved in Taylor’s University’s newly launched Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Honours) programme. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

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medical concern is quietly filed under “maybe later”. The logic is simple: if it isn’t acknowledged, perhaps it won’t become real. In this space between discomfort and denial, avoidance finds fertile ground. Psychologists refer to this pattern as the Ostrich Effect, a term introduced in 2006 by researchers Galai and Sade in the context of behavioural finance. It describes the tendency to avoid negative or threatening information, particularly during periods of uncertainty or stress. Though the name is drawn from the long standing myth that ostriches bury their heads in the sand to avoid danger, the term endures as a metaphor, not for the bird’s behaviour but for the human inclination to turn away from discomfort in the hope that ignorance will insulate us from consequences. Avoidance is not rooted in laziness but in fear – fear of what the truth may demand, fear of not being ready. Whether it is a financial shortfall, a strained relationship or a delayed decision, the thought of confronting it head-on can feel overwhelming. And so, the issue is buried, not resolved, just hidden from view. However, reality does not dissolve when ignored. It waits. It gathers momentum. What M I N D T B Y D R P R A V THE US’s persistent efforts to maintain its fading unipolar dominance – through tariffs, sanctions, military presence and dollar hegemony – have sparked a global pushback, prompting nations to seek refuge in multilateral alliances. Among the most notable is the BRICS organisation, which has grown in prominence. However, this is just one of many such organisations, all of which share the common theme of nations outside the traditional Western sphere banding together to insulate themselves from Washington’s overreach. This shift is driven not by ideology but by necessity. One recent example of this trend is the imposition of tariffs on the photovoltaic sector of several Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members. These new duties follow previous tariffs placed late last year, under the pretext that Asean is merely a transshipment hub for Chinese-manufactured goods. These measures have fuelled dissatisfaction among Asean members, especially given the historical trade dynamics in the region. Originally formed during the Cold War to address tensions between non-communist Southeast Asian nations, Asean has since evolved into a diverse bloc. It now includes republican democracies, constitutional monarchies and socialist states, all united in the pursuit of regional integration and socioeconomic development. The timing of Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean in 2025 is fortuitous. Under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia is pushing for a neutral, trade-focused course, seeking economic cooperation with multiple nations while avoiding confrontation. Though there are exceptions, the overarching policy remains intact. Similarly, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), established in 1981 amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, has evolved from a regional security pact into a significant player in global energy markets. With vast reserves of hydrocarbons, the GCC now seeks greater economic diversification and long-term fiscal COMMENT by Dr Julia Roknifard

compounds anxiety and undermines self-trust. Suppressing a concern does not eliminate but merely allows it to grow unchecked. Research shows that even difficult news, once confronted, often can reduce stress. The anticipation and the imagined worst-case scenarios tend to be more distressing than the reality itself. Awareness, however uncomfortable, offers clarity, and clarity opens the door to action. Addressing avoidance begins with small, intentional steps. If reviewing finances feels intimidating, start with just one category, perhaps the most recent transaction or a specific bill. If a personal conversation has been looming, it may be enough to send a brief message to open the line of communication. The goal is not to resolve everything at once but to soften the resistance that keeps the issue untouched. Setting aside regular time for self-reflection can make a significant difference. A few quiet minutes each week to ask what has been ignored or postponed can gently bring the hidden back into view. Simply naming what is being avoided can reduce its emotional grip. A helpful technique in moments of high resistance is the three minute rule: give the task or issue three M I N D R A J E N D R A

Avoidance thrives in isolation. Speaking openly with someone trustworthy, whether a friend, coach or therapist, can help break the cycle. Naming avoidance aloud removes shame and invites accountability. It is a reminder that this behaviour is common, human and changeable. Beyond the personal realm, avoidance is also systemic. In organisations, institutions and governments, difficult conversations are often shelved to maintain stability or protect reputations. In these settings, avoidance is not just a psychological bias, it becomes a form of self preservation for systems resistant to change. But avoidance on a collective level, too, comes with a cost: stagnation, eroded trust and missed opportunities for growth. If the Ostrich Effect reflects reactive disengagement, its antidote lies in conscious and steady awareness. A contrasting metaphor can be found in the behaviour of meerkats, small mammals known for their alertness and communal vigilance. Unlike the passive ostrich, meerkats remain above ground, scanning their environment regularly, taking turns to keep watch and responding to signs of change or danger before a crisis strikes. This pattern of awareness and preparedness offers a useful parallel for human behaviour.

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Asean-GCC-China ties signal growing demand for multilateralism

Regional and intergovernmental organisations will continue to emerge as new power centres, seeking to defend their interests and fortify themselves against external pressures. – PIC BY FREEPIK

Shaping a new balance Asean and the GCC are not seeking to replace one dominant power with another. Instead, they are focused on creating a new balance, where cooperation among regional powers reduces dependence on any single nation. China, aware of the risks of foreign entanglements, has intentionally avoided the aggressive tactics seen in other parts of the world, including economic coercion or military interventions. These approaches have often been ineffective, as demonstrated by situations like nuclear proliferation and ongoing control conflicts. Moreover, actions by certain global powers have inadvertently strengthened rival nations, such as Russia, and may lead to a more nuclear-armed Middle East, underscoring the unpredictability of current global relations. These developments further destabilise the international order and contribute to the fragmentation of global trade systems.

sustainability in light of the rise of new energy industries. During the early 1990s, the US sought to integrate these blocs into its sphere of influence, positioning itself as the uncontested global hegemon. However, over the past three decades, China has emerged as a major rival, challenging traditional powers not only in military and economic terms but also in technology. Unlike certain Western powers, China does not carry the same history of foreign interventions. This makes it an appealing partner for many nations, offering an alternative model of engagement that contrasts sharply with approaches seen in the past. As global power dynamics shift, countries are increasingly noticing the contrast – a declining Western power that alienates its allies such as the European Union, Japan and South Korea versus a rising China that promotes globalisation and economic cooperation.