BRIBED
I’m not one to start my articles with a grand opening, but let me share something with you that you’ve probably never considered. I still remember the first time I learned how to cry. My mom tried to stop me by covering my mouth with her hand, but I just couldn’t stop. So, she made me an offer: if I stopped crying, she would buy me a special meal. But, as you know, baby food all tastes the same. I threw it out and, with a pout, said to her, “How could you give me the same food every day and just change the name?” My mom, clearly taken aback, replied, “How can a baby talk like that?” But then I realized – it was just a dream. How could I possibly remember something from my babyhood? How could I even think to tell you this story? I know it sounds silly, but there’s a point here: everyone can be bribed. In Indonesia, we call it suap . Bribery is the core of manipulation, built on four toxic elements: crime, cruelty, deceit, and a sense of innocence. You can only pull it off if you’re li...