Curio Thoughts

Why do we need God?

2012-01-30T11:41:00.000-08:00

Image Credit: flickr.com/photos/danferb

Being a human beingis not easy! We have got the most complex hierarchy of needs that any specieson earth would have. And for every successive step towards a happier life, wegenerally believe in fulfilling those needs. While there are many needs that relateto essentials (aka survival, further extended to comfortable survival), thefact is many don’t and they are created. One such need is God, one of the mostdesirable needs of human being on the earth. But why do we need God?

Lookingback in our primitive times will make some sense here. Most of the world todayis managed by government run institutions. However in the early ages ofcivilization, governments didn’t exist or were too incapable of taking chargeof masses. At such times, fear of God reinforced some rule and order. God wasthe only supreme power that could see everyone, everywhere and every time. Weneeded God because it enabled an ordinary person to behave acceptably.Moreover, the very belief that God knows everything and is fair in all itsdecisions has helped us seek God as one of the most powerful catalysts ofjustice and retribution, for it rewards virtues and penalizes vices. Perhaps,without God, things would have been (and will be) much difficult for those whorun the show.

NotSurprisingly God is the ultimate hero and epitomizes our idea of perfection tomany of us. God also represents the highest order of wisdom to us. Thisconviction gives us strength and motivation to keep chasing our better selves,irrespective of our current situation or capability. And the best part is thatthis hero is someone we can call as our own and treat him (or her) in our ownunique ways. We can speak to him anytime, seek solutions to our problems andhave him accompany us to any place. Such is the charisma of God that it canseemingly help us overcome any mammoth problem; and if facing reality is stilldifficult, we seek his shelter, considering it a divine design. The very reasonthat God is beyond definition and omnipotent helps us utilize him for anythingand everything, from conveniently explaining the inexplicable to righteouslyattributing matters of chance to him as destiny. On the contrary, this isperhaps a compelling reason why we see most of the atheists as very headstrongpeople since they don’t need a God for guidance and their emotional well being.

Avery interesting observation is that with our development, our need of God hasundergone vast shift. While the earliest religions preached worshiping naturalforces like sun, the most modern ones preach some kind of ideology on how tolive. Definitely the earlier Gods were needed to help us survive, but themodern ones are needed for sophisticated needs like enlightenment and peace ofmind.

Humanbeing has always been dependent upon something, something that it can alwayslook up to and adore, something that is much grander, powerful and beyond itscomprehension, something that can eternally inspire it. Simply put, Godfulfills that ‘One Need’. And in coming decades, as we progress naturally,religions will evolve; older ones will get weakened, newer ones will arise, newforms of God will be conceptualized, the focus will shift from deity tophilosophy and from religion to spirituality, all because our needs from God willalso evolve.

What if we mated seasonally!

2011-04-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

I think I am no more different from those animals. I had taken a pledge to regularly pen down my stupid, random thoughts and figure out what I really think; however, I just didn’t and so no pattern of thoughts emerged! But, I did realize that I am one of them. And the characteristic I share with them is also quite an important one. I am talking about Periodic Reproduction Habits. Now is the season when my mind starts to think and then just like a polar beer, it goes to sleep in the winters. I don’t know whether my mind saves some energy during winters but now, in summers, it has strength & vigor to go hunt fresh ideas. It needs a partner… it wants to mate… it wants to write. Here is the long cherished teenage dream – my mind wants to lose its virginity yet again.

I wonder what would happen if we humans had a clock ticking on our intimate desires. What if we couldn’t defy God’s (or maybe our DNA’s) willingness on when we mate and when we don’t? What if we were just like animals, mating in a particular season of the year? Things would be different.

The first change would be our date of birth. We would no more have specific date of birth. We would have batch. Oh look at Dhoni, he is also from 81’batch like you; yet, what did you bring for the country... leave apart country, you couldn’t even find a girl for yourself, you old fellaw!!!

The second change would be more of news for all the brothers, who wouldn’t have to crib anymore about that additional form of leaves – maternity leaves – that women get. Rejoice brothers, you will get breeding leaves from now onwards. But, please don’t complain that women get yet another category of leaves, because you ‘normally’ would need a woman to mate (as long as you think you do)! So let them enjoy their breeding leaves with you.

The third major change would be on institution of marriage. People may not want to get married in off-season. And in-season, there will be special reproduction suites, not honeymoon suites, because now it will be clearer that honeymoon isn’t about talking and knowing each other. Horoscope matching may become a dud in absence of sun signs. Also, lot more marriages will actually become happier, because for those of you, who believe that under the sheets activity is important to run the marriage, though you don’t feel like indulging in it every alternate day (not just weekends), you can take the shield of season; and eventually, your wives will have lesser reasons to nag. And, somebody has rightly pointed out that lower the expectations, better the being!

The fourth change would be in statistics. The cases of rape will go down because the rapist will likely not have an urge to do something off-the-season and in-the-season, he will likely meet someone equally aroused; of course, nature would maintain its own equilibrium. On the other hand, unemployment rates may go up because our astrologer brothers will have no business in predicting for a batch! How beautiful – I never liked those over-generalized, overhyped compatibility issues of sun sign X to sun sign Y!

Those, who have lack of drive, relax… seasonal change will bring no mood fluctuation. And for the rest, pray that if this was to happen at all, then it be only winters!

Which is more difficult – truth or false?

2010-04-25T05:41:00.000-07:00

Before anyone reads this article, I would like to clarify that I am writing this article not to undermine the importance of truth in any manner whatsoever, but to argue the commonly held belief that ‘the path of truth is not easy’. I would here like to present my alternate views on being truthful.

There were times when people used to have various notions; notions which were considered facts and which perhaps also spelt the common order of the day. Certainly, breaking away those poorly conceived notions needed time and efforts so that people could change their established viewpoints and adjust their lives to something new. It seems many of the problems were of implementing a change, eventually making the path of truth a tough and sacrificing one.

But now, having seen how being truthful helps, I am left to wonder why people believe that it is a harder thing to do. It is the easiest response in any situation. You don’t have to think and do much to speak whatever is true – you don’t have to manipulate your mind, words and body expressions to add conviction to whatever you say.

On the other hand, the alternate, and the devious path of false requires many efforts. It is like a heavy risk and reward game. The more risk one can take, the better he could earn, but while putting a lot more on stake. Of course, if there were no higher (expected) rewards, then why would people go against the tide to practice false? It requires tremendous efforts to justify false claims, especially if the claims are to be upheld for longer. Perhaps, the professions wherein people are sometimes required to twist the facts bestow higher rewards on their incumbents.

To keep things in perspective, the point I have made from the above discussion is that path of truth is rather an easier one. But what I really find interesting is that people who speak truth aren’t necessarily the ones who want to speak truth, but are likely to be the ones who couldn’t speak otherwise. They simply don’t have the guts to put their hands into the dirt and complexities of false and counter the repercussions. Actually majority of the people are still the holy cows, better at understanding things in a simpler way; they prefer truth, simply because they aren’t good at false. Therefore, despite the high rewards that falseness can bring in short run or long run, it is just not in high demand.

I understand many of us would argue that there are plenty of situations wherein being true is difficult and painful, and is thus an act of courage. But which are those situations? I believe such situations mostly arise either when people have screwed up something and they are uneasy to admit their faults or when they are already living in screwed up circumstances, wherein mere upholding the fact would only aggravate the pain and after-effects of one’s circumstances and may even cause a backlash. Out of these two situations, the first one shouldn’t be considered an act of courage; it is just squaring off. However, the second one could be a courageous act, if only it is in the larger benefit of all. So, if a husband acknowledges to his wife that she is not beautiful, then he might be a stupid – not a hero – for hurting his marriage, even though he wanted to have a happy marriage; therefore, to deny the truth in the better interest of both the partners, he might be doing a bit more, and is therefore acting courageously.

Before I conclude, I must make it clear that I don’t propagate that truth is subject to a situation, anticipated benefits and / or tolerance of its audience. I just want to say that truth is rather an easier way, and false could be equally or perhaps more demanding. Also, those who speak truth are not necessarily courageous; they may be simply acting of out of their own limitations, within their capabilities.

How are you?

2009-12-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

I am doing great! Very cool! Yeh, I am ok! Fundoo! I am happy! I am good! Enjoying my life! I am fine… blah blah blah. These all are some of the most common phrases we speak in response to the most common conversation starter. Many people might feel good that the other person is concerned about their wellbeing. However, I am generally not comfortable in answering this question because of many reasons [and even if there were none, my education has been so constructive that I can at least try to prove all my opinions as generally acceptable facts:)].

Firstly, how many of us answer this question correctly (remember ‘how are you’ seeks information about your present state of existence)? I guess very few, unless we are talking to someone very near & dear to us! Do you ever tell the other person that are you feeling uncomfortable about the body odor of the person sitting next to you? Do you tell the other person that you are feeling some strange movements in your stomach and that you don’t want to embarrass yourself by farting again!

Secondly, this question expects me to know how exactly I am feeling at a point of time. Am I supposed to be tracking each and every moment of my existence, my state of mind, or my mood, for anyone might ask “How am I”? Oh, so here is a business opportunity for those no-brainer TV Sky shop products – they should make one product that can help one answer this question accurately, at a point of time!

Lastly, I see this question as an attempt to know what is going on inside me. Hey Mr. Socrates, let us first finish up the stuff on table.

By the way, just imagine how different our conversations would be, if we started answering this question factually. No, the world would not be a different place; it would just be little surprising for those getting to know what is cooking inside other person’s mind. I am sure our state of mind at a point of time reflects both – our thoughts and our body; an answer to ‘how are you’ should rationally shed light on all. So the next time you ask me “How are you”, don’t feel surprised to know that I am feeling somewhat turned on for the girl sitting behind you.

The difference between 9 and 10

2009-01-24T12:24:00.000-08:00

No… you can’t afford it. Simply because it’s expensive now… earlier it was 9 and now it’s 10. Sound stupid nah! Yes that’s how we sometimes behave. You might not decide in favor of buying nice sexy footwear simply because it has now become expensive, by only one rupee! If this weren’t true, then why did Bata Pricing come into being? Marketing studies indeed prove that we find ourselves comfortable in buying the stuff that’s priced at a digit ending in 9, since 9 ending stuff looks cheaper to us. Hold on… there could be more reasons.

Size makes a difference! Actually 10 is occupying double as much as space as 9. So are our eyes compelling our minds to think more diligently than otherwise? Well this could also be pure mathematics if you look at other figures like 999 and 1000. The former is still in hundreds and the later, in thousands! Nah, I am not interested in buying a T-shirt that costs me in thousands!!! Still not convinced? Let me reason…. ok, I give up then. So what could be the real reason?

Actually there is nothing real about it. It’s all perceptive; we human beings experience some kind of emotional trigger out of each major phenomenon. And that’s one of the reasons we either like or avoid the bigger phenomenon. We are usually very cautious about making bigger decisions, but not so about minor ones. In fact bigger decisions hardly affect you or me, since they are too visionary to be taken easily. But the matter of fact is that it is the small things that make the biggest impact on our lives. Every small decision that you would have once taken has changed your lives in the ways that you may have never thought of. The same also applies to every little initiative that you dared to take in yesteryears and one fine day you realize that you have created a big difference to who you are and what you want to be.

When our civilization got a wheel, we didn’t know that the same wheel will also make us fly one day. But we did, and so the saga has continued with every small step any of us has taken so far. The difference between 9 and 10 is big enough to be bridged easily in a day; but if you have come to 9 today then why not 10 tomorrow! In any case human being didn’t always want to travel in bullock cart! Nonetheless, I am now feeling bore to write all this… I need a punch… I got to buy a dark chocolate that is delicious as well as affordable, as long as I am not paying more than Rupees 9.99 for it!

Survival Theory - Another Perspective!

2008-12-21T23:13:00.000-08:00

With the constant evolution in everything over last hundreds and thousands of years, the pattern of choices has changed dramatically. Today the dilemma of our decisions is mostly related to the incremental aspect. What matters to you and me is what would make our lives better and happier, in our own ways and for our own reasons. But have you ever imagined what choices did our ancestors have? During thousands of years of uncertainly, they played this game everyday and perhaps every moment. There were no statistical models or probability tools, yet all they wanted to do was be more confident in handling this question – will I survive?

Contrary to its literal meaning, survival theory (mostly known as Survival of the Fittest) actually means that people or systems who are even ‘Fit enough’ will also survive. In order to survive in long run, the living being has to genetically evolve for adapting as per the environment and learn to apply newer skills and knowledge for dealing with any unfavorable circumstance.

The matter of fact is that there is a race for survival at every stage of life or evolution. Only those who can come closer to the finishing line are eligible to participate in the next bigger race. The evolution of human being and societies also reflects this pattern very well. There are plenty of examples that prove this point such as – education system, job and responsibilities, companies and their market share, relationships and their depth, and politics; all of these are progressive in nature and each of them presents a unique survival challenge at every successive higher level. Thus if one can not prove his fitness – in any manner whatsoever – to successfully survive at the existing level, he wouldn’t be considered for next level, next challenge.

We invite trouble when we start to become complacent about our existence and forget the principles of survival. The scenarios change quickly and one fine day we find ourselves exposed to the vagaries of external stimuli. No matter we still live in a world that is considered civilized, yet the fundamentals of jungle rule still apply in one or the other form. Being bigger, powerful and successful today is no guarantee that one will exist tomorrow. The history is replete with many examples of great people, companies or nations going bust during tough times that possibly resulted from wrong choices – that went against the very survival tactics – made by them during their glorious times.

Be it about managing day to day affairs, dealing with crisis or enhancing the welfare, the principles of survival can be appropriately applied to any situation or place. We must remember that survival is not just a goal but also a conscious choice that we make everyday. No matter what we do, the most important principle of survival is that all our choices should be consistent with it.

The Love of the Departed

2008-04-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

The love of the departed is about the love of two people, who are no more together. It is about many phases of love, say – from the eternally beautiful feelings of true love to the pains of being alone, from the times spent together to the timelessness of the memories, from the hope of doing everything together to the desperation of doing everything alone, from the sense of being the one to the sense of being the departed.

The definition of love may differ from people to people; but one thing is certain that true love is like experiencing ecstasy. The decisions made for the sake of love may sometimes far outweigh any rational decision.

It is needless to mention that true love is one of the strongest emotions in this world. It is like an ocean in itself, mostly overflowing in the form of other emotions. It may be hard to realize the true value of love, till one is into a relationship; because along with all other things, love is also governed by matters of – expectations, intimacy, individual preferences, insecurity, ego, and the impulse to be together. The realization takes its own time, when one can view everything in a linear world, and that linear view usually comes after being departed.

Immediately after the breakup we may feel hatred; but hatred for what – What we got or what we didn’t? Although love does come with its own set of lifelong experiences, however it is the departure, which brings lifelong wisdom. Such is the power of true love that it may motivate one to challenge the reasons of his existence. And for some people, once love is over, the relentless pursuit of happiness marks the pursuit of happiness lost!

The love of the departed is sometimes much pure than any other form of love. It has forgiveness and respect, which reflect true signs of love. The love of departed doesn’t have any expectations from anybody, and it is irrespective of the people being together. It transcends all the physical, mental and emotional barriers.

No doubt that the love of the departed comes at its own costs and agony, but it does bring the wisdom, patience and willpower. If the love of the departed is the pain, then it is the healing as well. It shouldn’t be propagated that the love of the departed is the truest or the best form of love, however, certainly people who experience it, do understand much deeper meanings of love than others.

A lot of people experience the energy that love possesses. This energy could perhaps be diverted towards any creative or constructive purpose. For quite many of us, the beginning of the love of the departed can embark the beginning of a new beginning, where there is an urge to excel, in anything or everything.

And last but not least, the love of the departed is about the evolution of a person from being the departed to being the creator of a new destiny, for there is always something more to do.

Promoting benign Selfishness!

2008-01-27T11:21:00.000-08:00

A young boy is traveling in a metro-train and an old lady is intensely looking at this guy, as if she wants to ask for something. Before this lady could utter any word, the boy notices the unease on her face and stands up to offer his seat. The old lady impliedly accepts the offer by sitting. It seemed as if she wanted to say ‘Thank you’, but her eyes have already expressed the gratitude to him.

People might term the act of this gentleman as a selfless act, inspired by moral duties; however this act is no different than any other act, except the perceptual differences!

Why do people fulfill moral or ethical obligations? What motivates them to do so? How could any act be really selfless? So many questions, but let’s look at them in the context of one of the most natural laws of all time, the Law of Equilibrium. This law also dictates the terms of barter, and hence the sacrifices – either short term or long term – are traded for any benefit, either real or perceptual. Though perfect equilibrium may be usually unattainable, but the participants do try to achieve at least some sort of balance. In the case at hand, the gentleman must have achieved some sort of self-satisfaction, which is a good barter for offering a seat!

Now, there are two most important arguments – firstly every human action originates out of selfishness, and secondly selfishness should be promoted than condemned. Let’s verify both of them one by one.

As already stated by the example of the gentleman offering seat, there is always an equation of sacrifice and self-satisfaction behind every (so-called) selfless act. Self satisfaction in-principal is nothing but the mirror image of inner happiness. It is the quest for inner happiness, which guides people to chase any goal, either personal or collective. Moreover, it would not be wrong to assert that inner happiness is one of the most intense fuels behind every human activity, once the human being has secured at least his existence.

Eventually every act – either (so-called) selfless or selfish – aims to achieve the same thing i.e. inner happiness. Also, terming an act as selfish and another as not is a misleading notion, since apparently there is no difference between the two. Otherwise, one interesting observation is that one’s selflessness is actually another’s self interest; so while promoting the ethical principles and selflessness, the society at large is acting as selfish!

In any case, if there always is some kind of exchange, then it would be sensible to say that every act is selfish.

From a general perspective, selfishness is considered undesirable, and sometimes even detrimental. This viewpoint is further confirmed upon referring to any thesaurus. However the prevailing viewpoint is specious since selfishness has been more constructive than destructive.

Can you imagine that the educational systems are teaching the values of selfishness to their pupils? There are innumerous examples that prove beyond doubt that selfishness in its benign form has been equally beneficial to others.

To appreciate the benign form of selfishness, one needs to respect others’ well-being. Unless the actions, reaction and behavior of anybody are negatively affecting the physical, spiritual and mental interests of another person(s), others’ well-being isn’t compromised. Further, the larger benefits should always be preferred to smaller benefits. For example, by choosing one deserving candidate for a responsible job and rejecting rest others, the society may be acting for larger benefit, though rest other candidates may have to sacrifice the potential benefits. Thus, anything beyond the above-mentioned concepts can be suitably termed as malign selfishness, which undeniably is objectionable.

The question is why we should think of promoting selfishness. To understand this, let’s take the example of a ship wandering in an ocean, with no port to go. The ship is doing what it can best do, but no objective is being served! Similarly, a person without selfishness has no clear directions, no goals, since he doesn’t know what to expect from himself. Selfishness makes people aware of their self-interest and gives them the ability to judge good or bad for them. In addition, selfishness teaches one of the biggest principles of life i.e. exchange. The world is full of examples that highlight the importance of exchange. Out of the topics such as – Negotiation, World Politics, Aid & Loan Diplomacies, Friendships & Relationships, and Business & Commerce – one will find that they are all related to the principles of selfishness, in one or the other way.

An interesting observation comes out once we view the patterns of development across the world. The cultures, which have encouraged selfishness, such as American culture, have been more developed than others. Moreover, we can find resemblances in the capitalism and selfishness. So we now find evidence suggesting that selfish people may be good for economy too!

Over longer run, a selfish person learns to take most favorable decisions for himself. Selfishness may also assist in the transition of a person from being independent to being interdependent, the superior form of independency. This transition takes place because of the value of beneficial exchanges that people realize. Further, who he knows what is in his best interest can also decide the good for others! This might even suggest us that we need the politicians who are truly selfish for the larger interest of the India, the upcoming India.

Have you ever thought that the God is also selfish, since we are expected to behave as per certain rules & codes; otherwise we wouldn’t enjoy the maximum bliss of the God! It seems as if God also realizes the importance of exchange!

To conclude, whenever somebody tells you that are selfish, then you need not defend yourself by saying that you are a Jelly-Fish! Go ahead and target your selfish energies to overall good.

‘Green Notice’ happens only in India!

2008-01-27T10:56:00.000-08:00

The world is going green – green buildings, green energy, green vegetables, and many more. In fact there is one not-so-new group of green proponent, which may not be even aware of this green concept after all!

The spiraling traffic jams caused by vehicles getting broken down on busy roads of Delhi aren’t something unusual, but there surely is something bizarre about the way of communicating a vehicle’s unfitness. Ever wondered to find such a vehicle with green notice? This noble way of communicating is not so new after all. The vehicle’s owner or vehicle’s driver, upon finding that his vehicle is unfit to move any further, parks it there and then only (no wonder how busy the road may be), and modestly uses some parts of a tree, such as leaves or branches, and attaches them to his sick vehicle so that the such green objects are prominently visible to any vehicle from a near distance.

Perhaps somebody might even want to thank this so called group of green proponents for their gracious act of at least informing the public, but then there is one curious person, who is intrigued to know more about this green way of communicating. Drilling in the depths, there are numerous explanations haunting his mind, perhaps some highly logical and some equally weird.

May be these people want to show that the vehicle is now lifeless in the similar way as is the green object hanging on to it. What was a few minutes before full of life, is now static, be it vehicle or be it the cut-apart tree.

May be these people use green to signify the inability to move! One might wonder why only green, when green means moving! But do we have red colored tress? Of course not! Hence our fraternity of these drivers might not only be justified but also appreciated for using easily available natural resource i.e. green trees, green leaves and green branches.

May be these people are protesting against “Global Warming”! Unplanned development and lack of foresightedness are resulting more in sustainable global warming than sustainable development and environment. So may be they want to confess and empathize with environment by using green on the same vehicles, which emit harmful gases. What a green way of protesting!

May be our drivers’ community is so impressed by art of war and guerrilla tactics that it is using the same green color that our armed forces use in the war fields to show the oneness with the nature. It is likely that they are so innocent that they believe that using green is going to disguise their vehicles and hence protect such vehicles against collisions!

Whatever may be the origin of this green notice, and how intelligent this green way of communicating may be, but it can never be smarter than an Indian, who can easily decipher such cryptic codes of communication. Further, no less interesting is the way India is, since unique things such as ‘Green Notice’ happen only in India.