Opportunity...

What an appealing, what a tempting word, isn't it?

When said on its own, it sounds innocent: “A time, situation, or condition that is favorable and suitable for something to be done.”

But the nuance changes depending on where and how you use the word. For example;

This word is also used for people who seem harmless but are known to do evil when the opportunity arises: "If they find the opportunity, they will do it."

And then there is opportunity as the magic word of marketing.

‘Last chance for a big discount!’,

‘This price won't come again!’,

‘Unmissable opportunities!’

But when it turns into "opportunism," the taste of the matter sours.

There, you have unfair gain. You have greed. It begins in that gray area where moral boundaries are stretched, ethics are pushed aside, and 'interest-driven' behaviors are legitimized.

Look, for instance, at how the TDK (Turkish Language Association) defines opportunism:

“A conscious policy or practice aimed at taking advantage of conditions or prioritizing personal interests over other interests when an opportunity exists.”

Here is a concrete example for you…

Once again, one of the government's favorite companies is on stage: Limak.

This time the stage is Bodrum.

Kızılağaç Village, Gerenkuyu Locality...

A public beach where the people have been swimming for years, where children and families have been catching their breath…

Limak wants to erect a giant 5-star, 214-room hotel there.

Moreover, the status of the land is "forest land allocated from the treasury."

In other words, it is the people's property... In other words, it is public property…

But who cares!

To avoid problems during the construction process, an "EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) report is not required" decision is obtained at jet speed from the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

In other words, they are saying: "We looked, there is no problem, and there is no need to ask the public."

Villagers and environmentalists are revolting, and a lawsuit has been filed.

Do you know what Kızılağaç Headman Mehmet Karaca said at yesterday's hearing?

“There is an area here that should be set back 50 meters from the coast. It is unacceptable to build a project in this area and to do so by saying ‘EIA is not required’ without asking the public. We filed a lawsuit. The court panel and experts made their assessment. The beaches belong to all of us.”

But the public is rightfully suspicious:

Because Limak has never missed an opportunity to date!

And it seems they will not miss this opportunity either.

But they are not alone in terms of seizing opportunities, of course.

Another 'entrepreneurial spirit' is: The Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs…

From religious books, prayer beads, and luxury prayer rugs, they have now moved to the next level:

The electronics market!

Everything is available in their newly opened online store:

Smartwatches, Bluetooth headphones, microphones, power banks...

The advertising language is also quite familiar:

“Great technology opportunities”,

“Unmissable prices!”

The foundation is officially moving up a class in trade by saying, "Now is the time!"

What can we say...

Good business, high profits!

But let us not forget:

Some opportunities may actually just be a test.