YES or NO
- Madhukar Dama
- Aug 14
- 18 min read
Prologue
We are not short of knowledge today. We are flooded with it.
We have screens that give answers before we even finish the question. We have experts, data, courses, apps, podcasts, reels, and a thousand voices telling us what is right. Yet, somehow, our lives are full of confusion, anxiety, fatigue, and a quiet emptiness that no gadget or achievement can fill.
Our grandparents didn’t have our education, income, technology, or "opportunities". Yet they carried less tension on their faces. They slept deeper, ate simpler, laughed more, and worried less. They didn’t sit with calculators for happiness, they lived it.
So what happened?
Are we truly better off—or are we just better at fooling ourselves?
This book is not going to tell you what to do.
It will simply hold up a mirror with one question at a time.
Each truth here is already visible to you every single day, but you may have trained yourself not to look at it.
For each truth, you only have two choices: Yes or No.
---
1.
If you are earning more money than your father ever did, why are you still in debt, anxious about bills, and afraid of the future? So, definitely money is not the real reason for your peace of mind. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Your father lived without EMIs, credit cards, or weekend mall sales. He had fewer things but more freedom.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We equate “more money” with “more life,” so we avoid asking if money is just a bigger leash.
The Real Answer:
Peace of mind comes from stability, not from income growth.
---
2.
If modern food is richer in variety than what your mother cooked, why are you visiting doctors more often than she ever did? So, definitely variety is not the same as nourishment. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Your mother’s meals were simple, local, and repeated without guilt. No packaged sauces, no plastic-packed snacks, no chemical preservatives.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We tell ourselves food has improved because it has “choices” and “brands,” not because it has more nutrition.
The Real Answer:
Real nourishment comes from clean, fresh, seasonal food — not from variety.
---
3.
If smartphones connect you instantly to anyone, why do you still feel lonely and misunderstood? So, definitely connection is not the same as closeness. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Earlier, one deep conversation with a neighbour or friend was enough to keep your heart full for days. Now you scroll through hundreds of faces and still go to bed empty.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
Admitting it would mean we are spending hours feeding a machine that cannot feed us back.
The Real Answer:
Closeness grows only from trust and shared life, not from screens.
---
4.
If modern medicine is so advanced, why are more people taking daily pills than ever before? So, definitely treatment is not the same as healing. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We have hospitals on every main road, but patients keep multiplying. The system manages sickness; it rarely ends it.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We fear losing access to medicine more than we fear losing our health.
The Real Answer:
Healing requires removing causes, not endlessly managing symptoms.
---
5.
If education makes you smarter, why do you need to “upgrade your skills” every year while an illiterate farmer from your village can survive without such updates? So, definitely education is not the same as wisdom. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Your grandfather’s skills in farming, carpentry, or cooking worked his whole life. Your degrees expire in three years.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We’ve been sold the idea that learning is only valuable if it can be monetised in the market.
The Real Answer:
Wisdom is timeless; marketable skills are temporary.
---
6.
If life is supposed to be easier with machines, why do you have less time for yourself than your grandparents did without them? So, definitely machines do not guarantee rest. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Your grandparents washed clothes by hand, cooked on wood fire, and still had time to sit in the veranda and talk.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We believe the problem is lack of tools, when in fact it’s our addiction to busyness.
The Real Answer:
Time comes from simplicity, not from machines.
---
7.
If cities offer more opportunities, why do so many urban people dream of retiring to a village? So, definitely opportunity is not the same as satisfaction. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
The city gives you jobs, malls, and traffic; the village gives you clean air, slower mornings, and a sky full of stars.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We are afraid of losing status, so we hide our craving for a simpler life.
The Real Answer:
Satisfaction comes from balance and belonging, not from constant opportunity.
---
8.
If news channels are here to inform you, why do you feel more angry and helpless after watching them? So, definitely information is not the same as understanding. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
They are designed to grab attention, not to make you wise. Fear and outrage keep you watching.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We don’t want to admit we are paying to be emotionally drained.
The Real Answer:
Understanding comes from reflection and diverse sources, not from a loud anchor.
---
9.
If more laws make society better, why are crimes rising along with laws? So, definitely laws do not automatically create morality. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
A dishonest person doesn’t fear a law he can bend; an honest person doesn’t need a law to do the right thing.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
Believing “there’s a law for it” lets us outsource our conscience.
The Real Answer:
Morality comes from inner discipline, not from external rules.
---
10.
If religion makes people better humans, why do people still cheat, gossip, and harm others after years of prayer? So, definitely ritual is not the same as transformation. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Religious practice can become habit, just like brushing teeth — routine without heart.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
Admitting this means looking at our own hypocrisy instead of blaming “the world.”
The Real Answer:
Transformation comes from applying values in daily life, not from ritual alone.
---
11.
If social media gives you a platform to speak, why do you still feel unheard in real life? So, definitely visibility is not the same as influence. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Likes and shares vanish in 24 hours. Real change takes years of work and face-to-face trust.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We like the illusion of impact without the effort of responsibility.
The Real Answer:
Influence comes from sustained action, not from viral moments.
---
12.
If modern parenting is more informed, why are children more restless, anxious, and dependent than before? So, definitely information is not the same as upbringing. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Old parenting had fewer books and blogs, but more presence, patience, and boundaries.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
It’s easier to buy gadgets and courses than to change our own behaviour.
The Real Answer:
Upbringing is built on consistent example, not on outsourced advice.
---
13.
If travel is cheaper and easier than ever, why do people come back from vacations more tired than before? So, definitely movement is not the same as rest. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Earlier, one temple trip or a stay with relatives refreshed you. Now, your “holiday” is running from one tourist spot to another with a camera.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We confuse collecting photos with collecting memories.
The Real Answer:
Rest comes from slowing down, not from changing locations.
---
14.
If gender equality is improving, why do both men and women feel more pressured and dissatisfied than before? So, definitely equality is not the same as balance. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We’ve multiplied expectations on both sides without reducing any burdens.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We are afraid to admit that equality without compassion just doubles the workload.
The Real Answer:
Balance comes from shared responsibility, not from competing struggles.
---
15.
If the economy is “growing,” why are so many people struggling to afford a home? So, definitely growth is not the same as security. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
GDP can grow while personal stability collapses.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We want to believe that national numbers will automatically improve personal life.
The Real Answer:
Security comes from affordability and community, not from abstract growth.
---
16.
If entertainment options have exploded, why do people still get bored so easily? So, definitely stimulation is not the same as joy. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We consume content like snacks — quick hits that leave us emptier.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
It’s easier to keep scrolling than to face the possibility that we have forgotten how to sit with ourselves.
The Real Answer:
Joy comes from engagement, not endless distraction.
---
17.
If working from home saves time, why are people more burnt out than before? So, definitely location is not the same as freedom. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
The office just moved into your bedroom, bringing meetings, deadlines, and messages into your personal hours.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We fear that saying “no” will make us replaceable.
The Real Answer:
Freedom comes from boundaries, not from geography.
---
18.
If more products promise “eco-friendly” living, why is the environment still degrading? So, definitely green marketing is not the same as sustainability. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Most eco-products are just new items made to sell more — not to consume less.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We want to feel guilt-free without changing our habits.
The Real Answer:
Sustainability comes from using less, not from buying more with a green label.
---
19.
If mental health awareness is at an all-time high, why are suicide rates and stress levels still rising? So, definitely awareness is not the same as healing. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We talk more about mental health but live in ways that constantly harm it.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We prefer to discuss symptoms rather than dismantle the lifestyles that cause them.
The Real Answer:
Healing mental health requires changing daily life, not just talking about pain.
---
20.
If modern safety features make driving safer, why are road accidents still so common? So, definitely safety devices are not the same as safe behaviour. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
A seatbelt cannot fix speeding, distraction, or arrogance on the road.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
It’s easier to buy a feature than to change a habit.
The Real Answer:
Safety comes from discipline, not from devices.
---
21.
If shopping malls are cleaner, cooler, and safer than street markets, why do you still feel more alive in a crowded local bazaar? So, definitely comfort is not the same as joy. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
The bazaar is messy but full of human voices, smells, and real bargaining. The mall is polished but sterile.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We want to believe that joy can be air-conditioned.
The Real Answer:
Joy comes from human energy, not from controlled spaces.
---
22.
If online education gives you access to the world’s best teachers, why do most students still rely on tuition classes? So, definitely access is not the same as learning. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Information is everywhere, but without discipline and guidance it floats away.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
It’s easier to blame “lack of resources” than to admit lack of effort.
The Real Answer:
Learning comes from practice and focus, not just from access.
---
23.
If gyms are filled with advanced machines, why are people less fit than the farmers who never go to a gym? So, definitely exercise is not the same as movement. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
A farmer bends, lifts, walks, and sweats for survival; a gym-goer moves for an hour and sits all day.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We want to package health into one fixed slot of the day instead of living it.
The Real Answer:
Real fitness comes from an active life, not from occasional exercise.
---
24.
If more relationships start with love, why do so many end in bitterness? So, definitely feelings are not the same as commitment. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Love starts in excitement; commitment survives in routine.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We enjoy the thrill but avoid the discipline of maintaining it.
The Real Answer:
Lasting love is built, not just felt.
---
25.
If modern kitchens have every appliance, why do people still order food from outside several times a week? So, definitely convenience is not the same as use. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We buy gadgets to save time, then waste the saved time scrolling or complaining about no time.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We don’t want to admit that laziness grows with convenience.
The Real Answer:
Use comes from will, not from tools.
---
26.
If we have more freedom of speech, why do so many fear speaking honestly? So, definitely legal freedom is not the same as personal courage. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
A right unused is as good as no right at all.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We prefer safety over truth, even in private conversations.
The Real Answer:
Courage is the real freedom.
---
27.
If your phone can store a lifetime of photos, why do you rarely look at them twice? So, definitely storage is not the same as memory. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Memories need living, not just saving.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We think clicking is the same as keeping.
The Real Answer:
A photo is just proof; the memory lives in you.
---
28.
If government schemes keep increasing, why do the poor still remain poor? So, definitely schemes are not the same as solutions. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Most schemes are built for visibility, not for lasting change.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
Believing in schemes keeps hope alive without questioning the system.
The Real Answer:
Change comes from empowerment, not from handouts.
---
29.
If more brands offer “authentic taste,” why does street food still beat them in flavour? So, definitely marketing is not the same as authenticity. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Street food is made by people who care about taste, not about brand guidelines.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We like the safety of a logo even if the taste is dull.
The Real Answer:
Authenticity comes from the maker, not from the brand.
---
30.
If public celebrations have bigger budgets and decorations, why do they feel less soulful than before? So, definitely scale is not the same as spirit. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Earlier, festivals were made by the people for the people; now they are managed like events.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We confuse spectacle with meaning.
The Real Answer:
Spirit comes from involvement, not from expense.
---
31.
If medicine is better than ever, why are so many young people getting chronic diseases? So, definitely cure is not the same as prevention. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Better drugs don’t cancel worse lifestyles.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We want to live without discipline and buy health later.
The Real Answer:
Prevention is the cheapest and best cure.
---
32.
If more career options are available, why are more young people confused about what to do? So, definitely choice is not the same as clarity. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Too many options without self-knowledge create paralysis.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
Blaming “too many choices” is easier than deciding and committing.
The Real Answer:
Clarity comes from knowing yourself, not from knowing options.
---
33.
If the internet gives you all the facts, why do false rumours spread faster than truth? So, definitely information is not the same as wisdom. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Facts need thinking; lies just need feeling.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We like quick, emotional answers more than slow, logical truths.
The Real Answer:
Wisdom filters facts before reacting.
---
34.
If politics claims to serve people, why are elections treated like war? So, definitely power is not the same as service. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Politics often survives on division, not unity.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We are addicted to choosing sides instead of solving problems.
The Real Answer:
Service heals; power often divides.
---
35.
If people know smoking kills, why do they still smoke? So, definitely knowledge is not the same as action. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We can know the truth and still ignore it if the habit feels good.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
Admitting this means accepting that our own choices harm us.
The Real Answer:
Action is the only proof of belief.
---
36.
If urban homes are bigger and better furnished, why do families spend less time together? So, definitely space is not the same as closeness. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
A shared room in a small house created more conversation than four separate bedrooms.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We like the comfort of space but forget that space also creates distance.
The Real Answer:
Closeness comes from shared time, not from square feet.
---
37.
If “self-care” products are everywhere, why are people more exhausted than before? So, definitely pampering is not the same as rest. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Self-care has been turned into shopping, not into recovery.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
It’s easier to buy a candle than to stop overworking.
The Real Answer:
Rest comes from slowing down, not from buying comfort.
---
38.
If education teaches values, why is cheating in exams and business still common? So, definitely teaching is not the same as learning. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Values stick when lived, not when memorised.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We prefer to believe that school shapes character without needing home or society to change.
The Real Answer:
Character is caught, not taught.
---
39.
If friends are easier to find online, why do true friendships feel rarer? So, definitely contact is not the same as connection. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Friendship grows in shared struggles, not in comment sections.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We want quick friendships without slow trust-building.
The Real Answer:
Connection takes time and effort.
---
40.
If modern jobs promise work-life balance, why are weekends now used to recover from the week? So, definitely promise is not the same as reality. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
The system rewards output, not balance.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We are afraid to demand less because we fear losing our place.
The Real Answer:
Balance is something you take, not something you’re given.
---
41.
If luxury cars make travel more comfortable, why do you still get irritated in traffic? So, definitely comfort is not the same as peace. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
A ₹15 lakh car and a ₹15 crore car both get stuck in the same jam.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We hope buying better things will fix life’s frustrations.
The Real Answer:
Peace comes from patience, not from leather seats.
---
42.
If more apps exist to save time, why do you still complain about having no time? So, definitely efficiency is not the same as freedom. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We fill every saved minute with more tasks instead of more life.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We fear being still, so we keep running.
The Real Answer:
Freedom comes from doing less, not from doing faster.
---
43.
If people live longer now, why do they spend more years in sickness? So, definitely lifespan is not the same as healthspan. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We have added years to life, but not life to years.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We mistake survival for living well.
The Real Answer:
Healthspan matters more than lifespan.
---
44.
If more diet plans exist, why are lifestyle diseases increasing? So, definitely advice is not the same as discipline. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Knowledge is useless without consistency.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
It’s easier to try a new diet than to stick to one habit forever.
The Real Answer:
Discipline beats novelty.
---
45.
If leaders promise development, why do basic problems remain for decades? So, definitely speeches are not the same as change. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Talk is free; work is hard.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We get distracted by words and forget to demand results.
The Real Answer:
Change comes from action, not from promises.
---
46.
If weddings are bigger than ever, why are divorces more common? So, definitely celebration is not the same as commitment. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We spend months planning a day, but rarely plan a life.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We enjoy the show more than the work that follows.
The Real Answer:
Commitment starts after the celebration ends.
---
47.
If more people are “educated,” why is corruption still thriving? So, definitely literacy is not the same as integrity. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
An educated thief can steal more efficiently.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We want to believe education automatically makes people good.
The Real Answer:
Integrity is a choice, not a qualification.
---
48.
If online shopping is easier, why are returns, complaints, and disappointments also more? So, definitely convenience is not the same as satisfaction. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
You can buy faster, but you can’t choose better without thought.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We enjoy the speed and ignore the waste.
The Real Answer:
Satisfaction comes from careful choice, not quick delivery.
---
49.
If life is more “modern,” why are old villages still more self-sufficient? So, definitely modernity is not the same as independence. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Villages can grow food, build homes, and fix tools without imports. Cities can’t last a week without trucks.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We mistake dependence on systems for progress.
The Real Answer:
Independence comes from capability, not from gadgets.
---
50.
If democracy gives everyone a vote, why do most people feel powerless between elections? So, definitely voting is not the same as control. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Democracy can still concentrate power in a few hands.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We treat voting day as the only day to care.
The Real Answer:
Control comes from daily participation, not from one vote.
---
51.
If news is available 24/7, why do most people feel more confused about reality? So, definitely access is not the same as clarity. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Constant updates don’t allow time to understand.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We like feeling “in the loop” even if the loop is chaos.
The Real Answer:
Clarity comes from digestion, not from overload.
---
52.
If religion teaches compassion, why are disputes over religion so violent? So, definitely teaching is not the same as practice. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
People often defend religion more fiercely than they live it.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
Admitting this would mean confronting our own failure to follow what we preach.
The Real Answer:
Compassion is proven in action, not in argument.
---
53.
If the economy depends on consumers, why are most consumers struggling financially? So, definitely dependence is not the same as care. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Systems can need you without protecting you.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We assume mutual benefit where there is only extraction.
The Real Answer:
Care comes from fairness, not from dependence.
---
54.
If technology is meant to reduce errors, why do mistakes still cost more now? So, definitely automation is not the same as perfection. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Technology magnifies both speed and scale — including mistakes.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We expect tools to replace judgment.
The Real Answer:
Perfection requires human attention.
---
55.
If more people are travelling abroad, why do so many return feeling empty? So, definitely travel is not the same as transformation. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
A new place can’t change an old mind.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We want the trip to do the work our own reflection should.
The Real Answer:
Transformation is an inner journey.
---
56.
If entertainment is so accessible, why do people binge-watch without feeling entertained? So, definitely consumption is not the same as enjoyment. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
We watch out of habit, not desire.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
Stopping would mean facing silence.
The Real Answer:
Enjoyment requires attention, not just access.
---
57.
If health insurance is so common, why is medical bankruptcy still rising? So, definitely coverage is not the same as protection. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Insurance often covers treatment, not the full cost of being sick.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We mistake paperwork for safety.
The Real Answer:
Protection comes from prevention and support, not just from policies.
---
58.
If climate change is widely acknowledged, why is action so slow? So, definitely awareness is not the same as urgency. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Knowing doesn’t hurt enough to act for most people.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We hope someone else will fix it.
The Real Answer:
Urgency comes from ownership.
---
59.
If “work smarter, not harder” is common advice, why do people still overwork? So, definitely advice is not the same as change. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Work culture rewards appearance, not efficiency.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
We fear looking lazy more than being tired.
The Real Answer:
Change comes from courage, not slogans.
---
60.
If we claim to value time, why do we waste it so easily? So, definitely saying is not the same as living. Yes or No?
Hard Truth:
Time is the only thing we can’t earn back, yet we treat it as endless.
Why We Pretend Not to See:
Facing this truth forces us to question almost every daily habit.
The Real Answer:
Living your values is the only proof you have them.
---
Epilogue
By now, you’ve noticed something: these are not trick questions.
They are not riddles, theories, or debates. They are the kind of truths that stare you in the face daily but never shout. You already knew the answers before you read the questions.
The danger is not in not knowing. The danger is in knowing and ignoring.
The more often you say "Yes" and keep living as if you said "No", the more you break something inside yourself. And when enough small breaks happen, you can no longer tell the truth—even to yourself.
This collection is not here to make you agree with me.
It is here to make you agree with yourself.
Because if you can answer with a clean "Yes" or a clean "No"—without excuses—you will see more than you have ever seen before.
And once you truly see, you cannot unsee.
Yes or No?
Hello Seeker,
If my words or work have helped you heal, think, or simply slow down for a moment,
I’ll be grateful if you choose to support me.
I live simply and work quietly, offering my time and knowledge freely to those who seek it.
Your contribution—no matter how small or big — helps me keep doing this work without distraction.
Your contributions will be anonymous (secret).
You can pay using any UPI app on my ID - madhukar.dama@ybl
Thank you
