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.

1 comment:

Nams said...

makes a lot of sense.. these are thoughts that go on in one's mind but its hardly that one puts it down in black n white..