Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2009 and Beyond

Usually at this time of the year, I tend to take a step backwards to gaze upon life in all its glory and craziness.

I once read that not a shred of evidence exists in favour of the idea that life is serious. A tenet that, after much thought, compelled me to re-think my priorities and concerns. And given all the pessimism permeating our air-waves, printed media and the populace in general, a tenet that has helped me develop an optimistic view of life, but an optimism that remains grounded in reality and hard-learnt life experiences – whether one sees a half-full glass or a half-empty glass, one still only gets a half glass of whatever.

Overall, 2008 was a year of note. It was a year where many opportunities came-a-knocking, where many initiatives were completed to their logical conclusions and where many disappointments were contended with. It was also a year where many lessons were learnt, where problems were faced, where frustrations were tempered and where challenges were defeated.

When all is said and done, here I stand, knowing that irrespective of what was thrown my way by the machinations of life, I surmounted all obstacles standing tall…and with a smile on my face.

As for 2009, who knows, but given my record at surmounting impossible odds, I am confident that the future will find me at the helm of my life, pedal to the metal.

Here’s to a kick-ass 2009 and beyond.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Avarice and the Human Psyche

Avarice, the one defining human trait that continues to defy reason and understanding. It is, above all other frailties, the single most destructive force ever conjured by creatures of intellect. And it never fails to deliver.

But avarice does not work alone. It shares the same haunts as covetousness and patriotism. It sleeps with propaganda and altruism. It gives power to greed, war-mongering and bigotry. It is a beast of burden that serves unconditionally and omni-potently. It is omnipresent and resolute. It lives cosily encased in contrived rationale and statistical ambiguities. Winning at all costs, its endearing mantra.

In the Technocratic world, avarice regulates human governance with an iron fist - By subtly playing to one’s guilt about being selfish and or being self-absorbed i.e. perceived peer pressure, technocrats maintain their much sought after mass control. Control of the environment will also ensure that freedom-of-choice is controllably managed.

Generals, in much the same way as Technocrats, achieve similar end-results from the available troop-mass. The only difference are the methods employed: army life existing in a more restrictive atmosphere means that mind-washing techniques are used with subtle impunity i.e. for the good of national security.

At work, in the hands of clever manipulators, it works wonders at keeping the paid-for throngs under control. Implied fear being the most commonly used tool in work circumstances i.e. you’re not a team player, others are happy with the situation, not pulling your weight, possible downsizing in the offing, etc.

Capitalism is its great advocator. Capitalism survives on greed and in ‘keeping up with the Jones’s.’ And greed begets greed begets greed begets greed. An unending voracious cycle that does not care for individuals, masses, religious backgrounds, upbringings or caste. A true vice.

Over the years, many ‘ocracies’ and ‘isms’ have being devised, all with noble intentions and doable goals, only to be deposed soon after its birth - nothing laced with avarice is noble or just, for it serves its own purposes, its own agendas, its own meritocracy.

So, where to from here? Is there an Achilles heel to all this, or is the light at the end of the tunnel that of an oncoming train? In reality, it’s the latter that bears fruit: while the human psyche exists, so too will its propensity for avarice. Irrespective of how it is rationalised, the human spirit will always be self-serving and self-justifying.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Why Can't Life be Simple

Why can’t life be simple? It just seems that the harder one tries to simplify things, the more complicated life becomes. And believe you me, I’ve tried and tried only to meet with disastrous consequences, that bear no relationship to what has gone before.

Being a proponent of ‘what is’ denotes that I should have a deeper understanding of the inner working of life, the universe and everything else (apologies to Douglas Adams,) but invariably, it turns out that I do not.

Being worse than a cat when it comes to the pursuit of comfort, I spend much time in evaluating what is non-sense and inconsequential. I also spend effort in searching for ways to do tasks simpler and with the least amount of effort. And in creating an environment where I reign supreme. But like they say in the classics: bah humbug!

Everyday I wake up to a new sunrise full of expectations that all will run according to plan, only to find that its all for nought – an eventuality will interfere, direct and command what was a peaceful existence - it appears that personal ideals are not deserving and should be disrupted and thrown out of tilt.

Now the above may sound far fetched and out of synch with what the rest of the world are busy with, but considering that death is the ultimate judge, does it not stand to reason that living life is more important than just living, and that all else is just conversation?

Have people forgotten what it is like to be human?

Have we become so caught up in the pursuit of opinions and in the pursuit of being right, that life has lost all meaning. Do we really believe that something or someone ethereal will save us from the undeniable fact that death lurks and that eventually, it will consume all corporeal existence.

We have devised belief systems that provide well rationalised answers to questions of mystery, to questions of wonderment and to inquiries of bafflement, yet, in-between all the brouhaha of information, we remain frail pathetic humans. The only difference is that we suffer from dementia of ‘there must be more to life’ rather than looking at ourselves and realising that power is within each one of us and that collectively, we can achieve whatever we set out minds to.

Our relationships have become tainted with postulated dreams of romance, have become tainted with conjured visions of a what a soul mate is and have become tainted with viewpoints that subvert what it means to be human. We like to be told that we are exceptional, we like to be told that we are good looking and we like that others see us for what we are. Yet we run around blaspheming the good names of others, we run around gossiping about the doings of others and we run around passing judgment on what others deem to be normal

Life is not personal, it is aloof, unemotional and damn frustrating. It is not an anomaly that purports to support life in all its guises. It is what it is. It is an ever changing condition that has allowed species to develop and then to die off without any rational reason. It is a condition that allowed a species to develop congealed grey matter into monstrous complex creatures that kill, maim and destroys one another for the sake of an opinion, territory and just for just.

Life also does not care for the individual, it is not so devised and it does not operate in that way. The death or life of an individual does not life make. Yet, it is all we crave: the will to be ourselves, the vehemence to be different to others, the glorification of self.
But knowing that life will be life is not enough. Humans need more. They need acceptance, they need the human touch and they need the assertion that a life has not been in vain. They also need diplomacy for anything else is deemed as abhorrent.

And then there are emotions: a bunch of irrational deep down unexplainable feelings that are bundled together in a flesh-and-bone upright walking-talking Homo Sapiens. They mean nothing at the best of times and at the worst of times, they get in the way of what should be a clear logical explanation to existence. Yet, one can hate them or love them, the fact remains that they are a reality of life and will continue to be so long after the surcease of breath.

The expectations behind the veil of life are cumbersome at best. They are mostly construed, connived and full of rationalized good will and intentions. Yet they pale into insignificance when confronted by vanity, emotions and simplicity.

In the end, maybe its all about denial. A condition that transcends all cultural barriers, gender backgrounds and social standings. A condition that affects all and spares none. The great aunt to vanity, and the main culprit behind bigotry, elitism and the human suffering.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Out of the Mouth of Babes

"All kids are born: self-centred, solipsistic little sewage machines who would happily snatch the last sliver of your will to live for half a teaspoon of prune puree.

Children are not born pure and good and then become tainted by their environment, as victims of sentiment will have you believe. Actually, they’re born malicious little douche bags, who’s parents must then teach to become respectable members of society" - Chris McEvoy

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Of Angels and Demons: A Da Vincian free-for-all

In view of all the paranoia, commotion and sensationalism surrounding a certain modern-day conspirational work-of-fiction, the tomes of retorts that have followed, and the movie that it spawned, I say let the people have what they want. I say lets wipe the slate clean, lets abolish all known religious ethos and holy tenets, and go back to a time when humanity ruled, when nature was the supreme educator, when the genders knew their rightful places and the infatuation with a God like entity was but a faint glimmer in a far away imagination.

Yet I cannot but ask a few Da Vincian type questions pertaining to the whole can of worms: If it is widely accepted that a God like entity exists, why the obsession on changing what is? If all holy writings are inspired of God, when did the message change? When did God become democratic? Is God real? The whole illogicality reminds me of a certain statement by Voltaire: "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world." This was of course said before certain Eastern Religions became the headlined scourge of mankind.

The interesting issue at this juncture lies in the fact that, as much as people want to do away with prescriptive religion, as much as they need to worship something. Wendy Kaminer in her work Sleeping with Extra-Terrestrials wrote, “Ours is an evangelical culture. So many people convinced that they’ve been saved by Jesus, cured by homeopathy or the laying on of hands, abducted by aliens or protected by angels seek public acknowledgement that their convictions are true. Imbued with messianic fervour, or simply seeking ‘validation,’ they are not content to hoard the truth; they are compelled to share it and convert the unenlightened, relying on the force of their own intense emotions. Generally, the only proof offered for a fantastic belief is the passion it inspires.”

Given the above, I feel that something is amiss for Religion has never been about the rights of the people (It is not democratic.) Religion does not have the keys to salvation (God is the supreme Judge.) Religion also does not have the answers to mankind’s woes (It can only comfort and support - All are born sinners thus must suffer the woes of their actions): did not Karl Marx assert that Religion is the opiate of the people?

Personally, I find the whole obsession interesting and laughable, for here is a work-of-fiction being hailed as the best thing since sliced bread. The interesting portion stems from the fact that it is people with set believe-structures that are the ardent pursuers of said literary work - Is the disappointment in structured religion that evident, or are the religious followers easily sidetracked by plausible assertions and postulations? The fun thing is that Atheists, Agnostics, Secularists and Enlightened-thinkers are having a good giggle at the whole gum-shoot (not to mention the Author who is coining a pretty penny.)

What irks me no end, are the actions by religious leaders who will voice their opinions elatedly and arrogantly in the face of popular acceptance. Shouldn’t they rather be looking inwards and investigating why the people are so easily diverted from a supposedly path to salvation? Surely something is amiss with their teachings, dogmas and assertions? The down side the aforementioned conjecture is that, in life, human beings are generally known to be fickle, therefore in need of guidance and support when making decisions on matters of faith.

It is a well known fact that humans have a propensity towards conspiracies, cover-ups and obscure cults. Robert Anton Wilson in Everything is Under Control, asserts that “ We live in an age in which humans distrust other humans more than ever before.” He further states that “ Men and Women indeed become strange when seeking gods…they become even stranger when seeking devils.”
Thus, it is fair to state that people do not believe in conspiracies for logical or scientific reasons, but for emotional reasons; it’s the not knowing what comes next that drives the whole caboose. The one question that answers all questions must surely be: Do you trust your Government? The ensuing answer will undoubtedly provide a likewise rationale reason to the paranoia that surrounds The Da Vinci Code.

In asserting that Dan Brown did a brilliant job in researching the material for his Novel is stating the obvious. Its even more obvious that he was aware that conspiracies are gobbled up vigorously by the masses at large; especially where it concerns secular religion. For that he deserve an applause and a congratulations on a job well done.

In the meanwhile, I will find solace in a chalice of well-aged Cabernet Sauvignon and leave all Grail quests to the sacred feminine.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

The Power of the Written Word

I finally sat down to watch a ‘Ronge’ critiqued movie by the title of Freedom Writers. A frank story about a young idealistic teacher, played by Hilary Swank, who started off her teaching career at an experimental volunteer-integration high school situated in a much racially maligned area of America (Long Beach.)

The story is not new and it does end in true American tradition of happy-endings. But the refreshing part is that it highlights what the world is about and what can be achieved if people learn to accept responsibility for their own actions.

The story mostly tries to disentangle some of the intricacies of racial tensions, of abject bigotry by those who should know better and the awkwardness of the establishment in dealing with matters of race, quality of life and what is – Bureaucracy, veiled objections riding the skirts of good-intentions, divorce, self-worth and of doing what has been done before because it is comfortable to do so.

The story also attempts to unravel the age old paradox of ‘worshiping two gods,’ choice and the causality of both actions.

Personally I felt moved by the movie for its frankness of subject. It never tries to be what it is not. It rather focuses on the trials and tribulations of young teenage kids who, through no choice of their own, have to live in areas where open warfare is common, where racial wars are fought for no rhyme or reason other than skin colour, and where the consequences of living in a world where nationalism (family) is used as a tool of subterfuge.

The kick for me came at the conclusion where I realised that the movie was based on a true story of a teacher (Erin Gruwell) who pushed her students past their perceived abilities, never judged them for whom they were, and used her intellect to push past red-tape, negative experiences and personal hardships.

The slight negative was when the Holocaust was used as a simile to what was happening to the kids: the Anne Frank Diaries was one of the books that the kids had to read.

In the end, the movie was all about Democracy, its effects and perceived entitlements e.g. freedom without responsibility does not work. The movie also showed up that westernised Pollyanna euphemisms mean nothing to other national groups.

As a reminder to the insanity of life, the movie worked wonders. As a reminder to the power of the human spirit; frailties and all, the movie worked wonders. As a reminder to the fact that the paternalistic axiom of ‘for the good of all’ is a polished emblem of mumbo-jumbo, the movie worked wonders. And as a reminder that to overcome our present destructive situation we, the people, need to stand together, the movie worked wonders.

The high point of the movie was the big picture inference to the power of the written word, for it is a medium that remains as a testimony to existence long after the candle of life has been blown out.

*The ‘Freedom Writers Diaries’ was published in 1999*

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Atheism does not Negate Spiritual Belief

Is it not amusing how all debates, blogs and or discussions on religion (whether new age, esoteric or traditional) all revolve around circular reasonings!? And the more an explanation to a given position is proffered, the more extensively monologous the whole debacle becomes.

The one interesting supposition that struck a chord with me of late, is the use of the term atheism as meaning non-believer. I mean, in philosophical terms and by their very nature, they are two miles-apart ideologies.

The dictionary defines atheism as: disbelief in the existence of a god or gods (Oxford).

The word ‘disbelief,’ as used in the definition, does not imply non-belief but rather a choice not to believe in something due to some or other reason – inability or refusal to accept something is true or real (Oxford.) This precept is not to be confused with agnosticism: a person who believes that it is not possible to know whether or not God exists (Oxford.) One relates to choice, the other to lack of ‘empirical’ proof or substantiation.

Enter on stage, the non-believer. Here is a sentiate that does not believe in anything esoteric, new age, religious or even remotely spiritual. A being that accepts as true the power of the human animal, with all its imperfections, grand-narratives and mysteries. A being that understands and pursues secular cognitive reason as its primary source of wisdom and understanding.

The commonality to any non-believer lies in the deduction that everything humans do, they do out of their own volition and not because of some unexplainable pretext that requires faith (to believe without reason) to make it all plausible – why must unexplainable phenomena be attributed to something ethereal just because it is, given present understandings or knowledge, …unexplainable.

As can be deduced, atheism is a rather different approach to the world of the non-believer – even Richard Dawkins believes in something, just not in the concept of a god: “Religion is about turning untested belief into unshakeable truth through the power of institutions and the passage of time.”

Experience tells me that, irrespective of what anyone says or relates concerning religious tenets and dogmas, the debate will continue ad infinitum. To a non-believer, given all the trouble, toil and strife saturating planet earth, all ponderings on where-we-come-from, life-out-there, god and spirituality, is a senseless waste of time.

Maybe we just came to be, to create the one thing that nature could not: Plastic!