I have had a lot of attitude problems with many people. So, I write this article as a guideline for myself and if it helps anyone, its certainly cool. Generally we deal differently with different people depending on how other people behave with us. Its like tit for tat, I am going to look into how good is "tit for tat" and more importantly how easy it is to implement it. I am particularly interested in how it is relevant in our daily life.
I dont know for sure how good is it? but I am pretty sure that it is not easy to implement it. And even if you do it, it can have serious affect on your personality. The reason that it is difficult to implement is that you meet so many people and if you moderate your attitude for each of them, then it is really a cumbersome task to do it. Its like updating a table in your brain which remember rules how do you behave. for instance: If situation A -> do something, so on and so forth. This table be exponentially big, hence it is not a good idea to have it. Wont it be great if there is only small set of rules, which describe your behavior. And there should not be any additions to it. Because right and wrong are clearly defined, there is nothing called grey, either it is black or white. All these things have been discussed in length in different religions. I dont want to discuss it here because I will be deviating then. So, if we do some study, it is not hard to have such rules. And they are really simple and I suppose they make life really blissful.
Second big disadvantage of this policy is that it harms your individuality seriously. Its because whatever you are is as a result of how other people have treated you, its like each and everyone person you have met, has dented you and as a result your self has become so disfigured that it is really hard to imagine its real shape. And it is really disgracing to me sometimes why "I" should be the person "they" want me to be, it is a call to be rebillious and not a slave. It is a call to identify your self and stand by it, rather than decieving it. It is never late, but earlier it is better it is.
History gives example of this hypothesis, that some of the people who have influenced the world were the people of strong conviction, which means belief in your ideas which demands strong individuality. First name which comes to my mind is: Gandhi. He was strictly against "Tit for Tat", he said "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind". It is very easy to disregard his policy of non-violence as a policy of cowards, but ironically it requires great strength to follow it.
Much said, I have to conclude now, because I have tonnes of other work. And I believe in working rather than preaching, but keep checking I will write more because bad habits die hard. It is alright if this article sounds like impractical because it is since it is difficult to be strong.
Have fun
Monday, November 28, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
Are Humans supposed to be perfect ?
This is a question, which is puzzling ever since I have landed here. I dont know whether humans and perfection is an all together on the diagonally opposite ends. To clear the clouds, let me say what I mean by perfection.
By perfection, I mean that whatever you are being asked to do, do it in the exact same manner. No, matter what happens, the activity you are performing has to be done the way it is being told. This is how people in america are. They are amazingly perfect, and hence awfull not-humans. I dont have a term for it, but yes robotic is a term nearest to what I mean. What I mean is if inplace of them, we place the programmed robots, in all situations nothing will change.
It seems that there is a factoryline production where all americans are being produced. I mean no offece, but an honest opinion. I have couple of instances to illustrate my point. Last month, I was a part of the HALLOWEEN PARADE in NYC. It was cold and as a result, there was mounting pressure on me to find a rest room where I can get lighter. So, I went out of the parade to the side street in search of the unsearchable. After a while frustrated of not being able to find a mens room or a lone street, I thought of joining my buddies in the parade. But, from where I exited there was no entrance. Police didnt let me in, I pleaded that I am with a bunch of people who are in parade and since I am new in the city I will get lost if they didnt let me in. But, to my misfortune they were programmed, no exceptions unless there is a bug. But they are very well programmed, programmer perfectly, almost no chance of error or unexpected behavior. This was it, I finally managed to find Penn Station with the help of desis roaming there.
Another incident, last night I was coming back to my apartment by university bus. Owing to thanksgiving evening, this was the last bus and it was just 11 PM. I got down at last stop. I was with some friends outside and we were chatting since we knew there is nothing to do if go into our rooms. We saw couple of women coming and they ran when they saw the same bus which brought us here. Since this was the last stop, the bus was out of service now. These women had to go somewhere so they requested the driver to take them. I told my friend that even though this is the last bus and it is 11 in night, I am pretty sure this driver wont give the ladies the favour and the reason is he is not told to give it. And the same thing happened. I was not surprised.
And I can bet that no matter what happens, an american will not break rules. Because, rules are above all humans. Americans are not humans but follower or protectors of rules. There is no denying to the fact that adherance to rules has its own benefits and they are pretty much tangible, we can see an organised society in US.
Anyways, the question remains unanswered. So, what I mean is there is a distinct difference between humans and machines. Machines are supposed to be perfect not humans. Humans are supposed to be humans. I mean human values should not sacrificed in order to achieve perfection. Humans make things which are perfect so they are superior and this is their role and let the role of being perfect leave it to machines. Osho has said, "Be the power which drives computer and not computer." I think this is the essence of whole article.
By perfection, I mean that whatever you are being asked to do, do it in the exact same manner. No, matter what happens, the activity you are performing has to be done the way it is being told. This is how people in america are. They are amazingly perfect, and hence awfull not-humans. I dont have a term for it, but yes robotic is a term nearest to what I mean. What I mean is if inplace of them, we place the programmed robots, in all situations nothing will change.
It seems that there is a factoryline production where all americans are being produced. I mean no offece, but an honest opinion. I have couple of instances to illustrate my point. Last month, I was a part of the HALLOWEEN PARADE in NYC. It was cold and as a result, there was mounting pressure on me to find a rest room where I can get lighter. So, I went out of the parade to the side street in search of the unsearchable. After a while frustrated of not being able to find a mens room or a lone street, I thought of joining my buddies in the parade. But, from where I exited there was no entrance. Police didnt let me in, I pleaded that I am with a bunch of people who are in parade and since I am new in the city I will get lost if they didnt let me in. But, to my misfortune they were programmed, no exceptions unless there is a bug. But they are very well programmed, programmer perfectly, almost no chance of error or unexpected behavior. This was it, I finally managed to find Penn Station with the help of desis roaming there.
Another incident, last night I was coming back to my apartment by university bus. Owing to thanksgiving evening, this was the last bus and it was just 11 PM. I got down at last stop. I was with some friends outside and we were chatting since we knew there is nothing to do if go into our rooms. We saw couple of women coming and they ran when they saw the same bus which brought us here. Since this was the last stop, the bus was out of service now. These women had to go somewhere so they requested the driver to take them. I told my friend that even though this is the last bus and it is 11 in night, I am pretty sure this driver wont give the ladies the favour and the reason is he is not told to give it. And the same thing happened. I was not surprised.
And I can bet that no matter what happens, an american will not break rules. Because, rules are above all humans. Americans are not humans but follower or protectors of rules. There is no denying to the fact that adherance to rules has its own benefits and they are pretty much tangible, we can see an organised society in US.
Anyways, the question remains unanswered. So, what I mean is there is a distinct difference between humans and machines. Machines are supposed to be perfect not humans. Humans are supposed to be humans. I mean human values should not sacrificed in order to achieve perfection. Humans make things which are perfect so they are superior and this is their role and let the role of being perfect leave it to machines. Osho has said, "Be the power which drives computer and not computer." I think this is the essence of whole article.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
American Experience
"Land of Freedom" thats what they call it, yes it is from a perspective. You have freedom, you feel it in the sense that you can really drive your life wherever you want. This is the reason so many smart people from across the world come here to change their destiny. And thats why I am here.
So, as a student I feel free to take whatever courses I want to take. It doesnt matters I have come as a Computer Science major, I can pass out as a greek history major. The professors I have come across are really masters of universe. The classes are interesting and after them I feel completely taken over by the subject. This is the joy of learning, unfortunately I did not get it back in India, even though I did my undergrad from a reputed college. There are options here, I can study whatever I want but back home it was they who decided what I should study. Even though many students feel lot of options make you even more confused but this is not a sufficient reason to not have options.
Even in professional world here, things are very flexible you can take up the task what you find interesting. This is what makes "America" the land of freedom. If you are ambitious about your life, you want to make a change, you feel strangled in your country, then it is a place to be in. Plus, you would find lot of people like you from across the world and this makes the life pretty interesting. Also, there many skilled professors who can guide you in many ways. So, all in all it is a perfect place to achieve your professional goals, which are very important for many individuals.
The reason that america is powerful is it lays extreme importance on individuality so that each american can be a very strong individual. But since individuality has its own shortcomings, american society also cant get rid of them. People are lonely here, the feeling of belonging to a society is not there. Its like every individual is a society in itself and it ends here. The thing which americans treasure most is their own "space". This is the last thing they will sacrifice. I think this is the reason that lot of people in america prefer to be single and hence, lonely. Being from a society where social values are given great importance, I have always viewed life as mixture of professional and personal part. And each part has a strong influence on the other so in order to have a good or satisfying life, one has to make efforts to do well at both fronts. Its not about just performing, its about feeling joy when performing, no matter how well you do.
Joy, is something I value very high. I am pretty sure if I ask a marathon runner, what he likes most, he would say running and running. The joy of running is much higher than winning because the prior is the one you feel it and the latter is the one others make you feel it. And I leave it to the readers descretion that which one is better but I am pretty clear in my judgement. Similarly, my dear friend, life is like a marathon and it really doesnt matters what frontiers you cross while racing but what is important are you having fun or not ? Always remember, whatever material you achieve or can achieve is not worth yourself.
Coming back to american society, I wish it was little more cosy, warm. I have talked to people in america and they are friendly but I cant mistake to call them my friends because the "space" always exists. I dont know it is good or bad, they are best to decide it, but I see a lot of void in their life which I think can be filled with love and warmth. But then they may not remain that efficient because they will be hung up on relations and that would affect work. But as another of my article says, humans should remain humans and not try to become as "efficient" as machines.
I see that life has lot of sorrows which come naturally, so since we cannot avoid them we can atleast try to fill our life with different colours of emotions. But, being human is not being american so i think I am questioning the basics on which this society stands and it is your individual achievements, power and grandeur.
So, as a student I feel free to take whatever courses I want to take. It doesnt matters I have come as a Computer Science major, I can pass out as a greek history major. The professors I have come across are really masters of universe. The classes are interesting and after them I feel completely taken over by the subject. This is the joy of learning, unfortunately I did not get it back in India, even though I did my undergrad from a reputed college. There are options here, I can study whatever I want but back home it was they who decided what I should study. Even though many students feel lot of options make you even more confused but this is not a sufficient reason to not have options.
Even in professional world here, things are very flexible you can take up the task what you find interesting. This is what makes "America" the land of freedom. If you are ambitious about your life, you want to make a change, you feel strangled in your country, then it is a place to be in. Plus, you would find lot of people like you from across the world and this makes the life pretty interesting. Also, there many skilled professors who can guide you in many ways. So, all in all it is a perfect place to achieve your professional goals, which are very important for many individuals.
The reason that america is powerful is it lays extreme importance on individuality so that each american can be a very strong individual. But since individuality has its own shortcomings, american society also cant get rid of them. People are lonely here, the feeling of belonging to a society is not there. Its like every individual is a society in itself and it ends here. The thing which americans treasure most is their own "space". This is the last thing they will sacrifice. I think this is the reason that lot of people in america prefer to be single and hence, lonely. Being from a society where social values are given great importance, I have always viewed life as mixture of professional and personal part. And each part has a strong influence on the other so in order to have a good or satisfying life, one has to make efforts to do well at both fronts. Its not about just performing, its about feeling joy when performing, no matter how well you do.
Joy, is something I value very high. I am pretty sure if I ask a marathon runner, what he likes most, he would say running and running. The joy of running is much higher than winning because the prior is the one you feel it and the latter is the one others make you feel it. And I leave it to the readers descretion that which one is better but I am pretty clear in my judgement. Similarly, my dear friend, life is like a marathon and it really doesnt matters what frontiers you cross while racing but what is important are you having fun or not ? Always remember, whatever material you achieve or can achieve is not worth yourself.
Coming back to american society, I wish it was little more cosy, warm. I have talked to people in america and they are friendly but I cant mistake to call them my friends because the "space" always exists. I dont know it is good or bad, they are best to decide it, but I see a lot of void in their life which I think can be filled with love and warmth. But then they may not remain that efficient because they will be hung up on relations and that would affect work. But as another of my article says, humans should remain humans and not try to become as "efficient" as machines.
I see that life has lot of sorrows which come naturally, so since we cannot avoid them we can atleast try to fill our life with different colours of emotions. But, being human is not being american so i think I am questioning the basics on which this society stands and it is your individual achievements, power and grandeur.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Introdution
Hi,
Welcome, to the freeZone, I would post my thoughts here. My research area these days is individualism Vs groupism, rationality, destiny, happiness Vs success. I am interested in philosophy, it can be in various forms: music, spirituality, litrature. No, I am not a philosophy major, believe it or not am a Computer Science graduate student but the philosopher inside is more active sometimes. Graduate Students are usually busy so am I, but I will definitely write more. Any Comments are welcome !!
Another thing which fascinates me is the struggle of Art Vs Science. While the prior enlightens your soul, the latter is responsible for all the tangible progress humans have made. But which is superior, I dont know about this but yes Art is more fundamental and pristine, but then there have been people like Da Vinci, who were extraordinary artists, philosophers and their work have a strong scientific flavour. So, I would like to take my earlier statement back and for the time being leave this issue as it is.
cheers
anupam
Welcome, to the freeZone, I would post my thoughts here. My research area these days is individualism Vs groupism, rationality, destiny, happiness Vs success. I am interested in philosophy, it can be in various forms: music, spirituality, litrature. No, I am not a philosophy major, believe it or not am a Computer Science graduate student but the philosopher inside is more active sometimes. Graduate Students are usually busy so am I, but I will definitely write more. Any Comments are welcome !!
Another thing which fascinates me is the struggle of Art Vs Science. While the prior enlightens your soul, the latter is responsible for all the tangible progress humans have made. But which is superior, I dont know about this but yes Art is more fundamental and pristine, but then there have been people like Da Vinci, who were extraordinary artists, philosophers and their work have a strong scientific flavour. So, I would like to take my earlier statement back and for the time being leave this issue as it is.
cheers
anupam
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
