Thursday, August 24, 2006
Like the millions
The question is Do I want to be one IN a million OR Do I want to be one AMONG a million.
From the time we achieve a sense of "self" it is our quest to identify ourselves as individuals that blend into the social values we have been brought up in. And then there is an occasional urge to be different which sometimes makes us do somethings rather stupid. And yet the classification of being that different person gives us immense joy.
And then there are those who believe that they are happy being one among the crowd. Ive often wondered if that statement wud really be true from their hearts for then they would be content to be part of a society that might wear a uniform. Everyone wearing the same colors, everyone eating similar food, everyone doing things that every other person does !
Where would all the different flowers go? Who would stand to admire the sunrise or sunset from a mountain peak that was never explored? Who would care to live life then?
From the time we achieve a sense of "self" it is our quest to identify ourselves as individuals that blend into the social values we have been brought up in. And then there is an occasional urge to be different which sometimes makes us do somethings rather stupid. And yet the classification of being that different person gives us immense joy.
And then there are those who believe that they are happy being one among the crowd. Ive often wondered if that statement wud really be true from their hearts for then they would be content to be part of a society that might wear a uniform. Everyone wearing the same colors, everyone eating similar food, everyone doing things that every other person does !
Where would all the different flowers go? Who would stand to admire the sunrise or sunset from a mountain peak that was never explored? Who would care to live life then?
Monday, August 07, 2006
The right questions
Progress has always been about confronting the most difficult circumstances and provoking beliefs to see how fragile the current system was in the first place. I believe that humans were not meant to fly. But does that mean that humans cannot fly? Had the Wright brothers not mustered the courage to face the question head on, we would not have known flying as we know it today. And this is true for most inventions that we have come to take for granted in this age.
Most people know and acknowledge that a scientific society always thrives by asking the right questions and obtaining the most appropriate answer to them. But seldom do people realize that the questions they ask often define the frame in which a solution can be found. And "Life" being a bunch of choices often comes down to answering these so called "Questions" which aid in the human decision making process. I am amazed at how people have the perception of being responsible at making the "right" choices when they often oversee the fact the the questions asked are not meant to challenge their current beliefs in the first place !
Why should I venture out into the unknown when I am perfectly happy with the life that I have right now? Well for one, Columbus would not have discovered America if he had taken fancy to such thinking. But if u really want to answer this question, you again have to ask yourself the "right" question... "Why dont I want to venture out into the unknown?". Maybe the answer is "I am scared of change". But again, isnt "change" the core nature of Life?
Evolution has always been about challenging your beliefs and seeking alternative explainations to lead a fuller life. And I am thankful to everyone who managed to ask the right questions for surely dread to imagine a world that still believes the Earth to be flat and the Sun to revolve round us!
Most people know and acknowledge that a scientific society always thrives by asking the right questions and obtaining the most appropriate answer to them. But seldom do people realize that the questions they ask often define the frame in which a solution can be found. And "Life" being a bunch of choices often comes down to answering these so called "Questions" which aid in the human decision making process. I am amazed at how people have the perception of being responsible at making the "right" choices when they often oversee the fact the the questions asked are not meant to challenge their current beliefs in the first place !
Why should I venture out into the unknown when I am perfectly happy with the life that I have right now? Well for one, Columbus would not have discovered America if he had taken fancy to such thinking. But if u really want to answer this question, you again have to ask yourself the "right" question... "Why dont I want to venture out into the unknown?". Maybe the answer is "I am scared of change". But again, isnt "change" the core nature of Life?
Evolution has always been about challenging your beliefs and seeking alternative explainations to lead a fuller life. And I am thankful to everyone who managed to ask the right questions for surely dread to imagine a world that still believes the Earth to be flat and the Sun to revolve round us!
