Those whose names must not be spoken.

Eustache Dauger is a forgotten man. Simply because at a certain point in time he was labeled as someone whose name must not be spoken. And so, quite simply, no one spoke his name. Back then, three centuries ago, this was punishment for Dauger being an inconvenient person for those in power. Even today, it would be an interesting way to punish certain public figures. Such a measure would particularly affect those for whom publicity is the elixir of life and the fuel that drives their ambitions. And punishment for what? For example, for flooding the media space with activities that have no added value, or for initiatives that lead to general dumbing down, for manipulation through lies, for the use of unverified, often purposefully created pseudo-facts. These are "crimes" for which the law is usually powerless, but which are all the more dangerous and devastating for that. The number of politicians whose names should never be uttered by anyone is growing day by day. Every minute, we hear opinions on everything, disagreements with everything that has been done before, and distractions from serious, difficult issues toward trivial ones. We read sensational articles with shocking headlines that keep the person in question in the public eye and reassure readers that he or she is still active and involved. We are dazzled by carefully selected photographs that provoke curiosity, followed by fluff with a short, emphatic recommendation on how to understand the whole thing. This is a mix which, together with the striking intention to be mentioned and not disappear from the spotlight, inadvertently confirms that the priority is impression, form, and evoked emotion, while facts and content are a nuisance. The product is subordinate to marketing. It is not so much a matter of a current of opinion, a specific political party, or individuality, because the avalanche of stimuli is immeasurable and cannot be responsibly accepted, rationally understood, and subsequently used. The result is a clear tendency toward superficiality, speed, and instant condemnation or adoration. An objective inability to sort and judge results in the subconscious delegation of this need to other people or algorithms. The exploitation of this increasingly apparent tendency is only a logical consequence of the resulting loss of attention. Analytics, together with subsequent synthesis, thus functions more as a purchased service. It is difficult but necessary to resist this trend. If someone presents obvious untruths and does so in a way that visibly underestimates the recipients of their message, it is necessary to respond. And if there is no insight or correction, the logical continuation could be to include them in the list of those whose names must not be spoken. And to carry out the punishment without exception.