"Why?" My poor mum, having to listen to this incessant question from a 5 year old, British-tinged voice, again and again and…again.

Sure, she tried to cherish the inquisition, but I could tell - in the subtle roll of her eyes - it was getting a little vexing.

Nevertheless, the 'whys’ were unrelenting. At least, that's what I thought.

The other day, I opened Instagram the way I always do: absentmindedly, eager to soften the noise of a busy day. An adorable dog video, a gorgeous sunset, a dazzling fashionista guide. Of course, a few opinion shorts were sprinkled in, bizarrely original hooks begging for my like. Eventually, I decided to watch one.

It was a complete slander of the reality drama 'Love Island', claiming it was perpetuating shallow relationships and dismantling genuine connections. The poster even deemed it an 'unholy disgrace.'

“Wow, shows like Love Island are really tearing society apart.”

That's the first thought that entered my mind.

I didn't ask why, didn't stop and think that people have the agency and tastes to watch whatever they want, didn't stop to recall that I've never even watched nor cared for the show.

I'd borrowed the opinion of an assertive nano-influencer.

Many, actually. I adored the Japanese cheesecake trend (though it was likely a poorly disguised marketing tactic for Lotus); the Biscoff-biscuits-in-yoghurt delicacy became my protein treat on the daily. Then, through the exquisite frames of chef-level cooking, a food influencer had labelled it "performative health" and "unhealthier" than real cheesecake." Subconsciously, I'd begun to wean myself off it.

I've always been unwavering in equal rights and politics, but it was these little nuances of me that I was moulding around people I barely knew. In fact, after relentless nagging from my fyp, I'd finally landed at the Turbo AI log in.

Funnily enough, my phone buzzed at that exact time.

Your friend sent a reel.

A carousel lamenting natural destruction. Dried oceans. Animals, wide-eyed in loss. Mahogany grass, charred to ash.

A minimalistic caption: 'AI is destroying our environment.'

In the blink of an eye, I'd shut down that log in page. It was then, I finally asked myself:

"Why?"

Did you know AI data centres consume up to 764 billion litres of water in a single year? That the Japanese cheesecake trend can have more than 10x the protein than a traditional slice?

So, I've come to realise the vitality of asking "why?"

Sure, it gets annoying. But maybe, just maybe, that's the secret to seeing the world beyond pre-packaged words.

So, now, if someone else ever tries to tell me what to believe, I'll let a small, British tinged voice ask me,

"Why?"