Fighting the "corona demon"

Since privilege is very strongly hinged to entitlement it seeks worst reference in every opportune moment. The country is in lockdown. Millions of marginalized exploited poverty stricken people are in serious crisis. The society lacks egalitarian context while the foundation of state was consolidated by dubious feudals hence common people face mounting miseries. Mediocre effete elite meanwhile are busy consolidating the narration of benign trustees while some are positioning as kindred souls normalizing worst references.

People are trapped in their congested homes with limited amenities and untold stress meanwhile children face bleak future since they lack modern gadgets to connect and learn as also their parents aren’t literate enough to guide them (not that people with all the modern amenities are faring better. Habituated to nonsense they teach garbage. They also sit together to watch gaudy religious serials desperately searching for any hint of morals in divine actions of ego driven gods appearing as humans in the violence driven appalling myths and cringeworthy stories. This then also becomes a reference for humans who have decided themselves to be god. The blessed. This template that is being drilled into people is the main source for degradation of this beleaguered society). Only essential services are being allowed one of them is media. The media is expected to synergize with the government and agencies to fight the virus. They are to find out the lacunas in public distribution of essential goods and services. They have to speak for the marginalized and desperate people while disseminating correct information and updating the latest. Media person are given this responsibility that is why they are allowed to move around while people are locked up at home as millions of daily wage earners face serious crisis. 

Mediocre as they are brought up in worst dehumanizing references these incorrigibles will showcase their limited attributes. Exaggerating and inflating minor matter to gain mileage as also creating narration of binary where they spread thin as saviors of different warring sections (these fictitious divisions are persistently nurtured as desperate humans are assumed to be herds) and then argue and counter argue till they start frothing. Then there are investigative types. As I was channel surfing one inanities after another, intercepted by crude actors desperately enticing to buy as they effortlessly amass money, I came across this fellow “reporter” who found a cave full of hundreds and thousands of bats, who probably were living there for ages, these were introduced to the viewers as corona demons “corona rakshas” occasionally even as “Chinese demon” highlighted through tone deaf loud ominous music with people in hazmat moving in slow motion to nowhere. Hapless semiliterate villagers were informed and interviewed about “corona demon” who, till recently were least concerned about these bats, said they are now afraid.  Even if they are literate and able to use internet they will very likely end up visiting conspiracy theories and worst self-consuming sites. It is as if these are programed to gyrate to the degradation. Ideally the license of this channel must be cancelled and the reporter shouldn’t be allowed to report but when standards are so low where do one start? While on another channel another "essential" program during lockdown was in progress wherein a fellow in fancy dress (attributed to squatters in sh*thole north indian villages) was predicting future of callers during “corona kaal” as also dispensing advice to viewers in general on all matters as humbly as he could quite aware of the heavy burden he carried as arbitrator of unknown indeed unknowable knowledge. How did this charlatan reach the studio? On what basis are these scoundrels allowed to move during lockdown? Why are these even part of news channels? While some religious nutcase need communitarian solutions others expertise in social distancing to degrade people.

Post script: Semantics are important. It has a significant use in controlling the narration. In a primitive society where control of narration is the only competence you need to be careful. These charlatans are devious and have inbred capacity to not only influence reality but change it altogether. The commonly used words today, in this pandemic time, is sanitizing, disinfecting. Now in Hindi (same root in Malayalam) the word being used is “shudhikaran” which in English means purifying. Purifying is not same as sanitizing or disinfecting. It is not surprising considering that the devious society that is obsessed with purity doesn’t even have words for disinfecting or sanitizing (and even if they don't have they could use these English words but being shudhta minded they prefer using pure language instead of being right. Typical). What to say when they don’t understand basic hygiene but are high on cleanliness. Whatever maybe the case the use of squatter ensconced disgusting words that has strong connection with putrid pit is problematic. You cannot assume too much intelligence to market driven media slaves, who are superficial people here to entertain without any context. It is important to raise objection. Sinister people are always on a look out to push their agenda even in worst of times. Use of semantics to control narration must be resisted.                       

It’s a violation of humanity

As the crisis unfolds it is noted that apart from cash rich Christian nutcases in USA Islam is finding itself wanting in theocratic states (like Iran, as also Pakistan while feudals strictly control Saudi hence pass writ undermining religion) and in poorer democracies like India where theocracy has a limited control over common people the impact is still felt. It has to do with communitarian nature of Islam (in that sense in comparison to viciously segregatory values of hinduism it fares better but again fails when it comes to women) however single source as revelation –which is strictly codified, as also lack of renaissance like reformation finds itself majorly primitive in dealing with contemporary crisis. This is not to say that reformation helps. We have well passed reforming religions as a solution. Challenges of 21^st century can be handled effectively by deconstructing religions and working on reality based community association which cares, and is secure, in synergizing with individual liberty and expressions. Fantastical fictions of religions are becoming a serious threat and wasting precious time and energy. Also, people with religious mindset are inherently unsuited to be part any solution least wherein path breaking innovations are needed. World has changed quite drastically in a century, particularly so in the last few decades. Reality therefore cannot be understood or defined from the point of view of impressions of last century. Hence these debates of science vs religion is quite obsolete. Rational values, logical thinking, inquisitive mind, empathy based value system, seeking spiritual connections is all expressions of evolving mind. Science is a necessary extension of these expressions. Therefore primitive systems that stratifies mind, segregates human and seek to assert codified insights of past as the only truth (indeed miracle) doesn’t really measure up to even common sense. It can be source of entertainment but cannot be taken seriously nor given any importance (even if lots of people are hallucinated), and surely the attempts to express these as defining identity of human being must be strongly resisted. It is a violation of not only human right but is an assault on humanity.  

Market media in India is hinging on divisions to work out a beneficial narration. It is also scheming and predating on the fear that has enveloped common people. A compelling story works when villains are identified. Predicaments of some muslims are in focus. These are undoubtedly responsible for spread of the disease. Data points to about 30%cases spread across the country (it is responsible for spread in Pakistan too where clerics have become a serious nuisance). This need to be taken seriously. But more than any conspiracy, which may be investigated –religious nutcases can go to any extend, it seems to be case of plain stupidity that only religion can inspire among its followers. Unlike hindus gathering such muslim gatherings in the capital attracts foreigners (this also true about buddhist gatherings I happen to notice in Gaya many years back) this therefore went out of hand, ofcourse buffoonish religion driven justification of omnipotence of god by the leader of the gathering helped the matter. The leader (mullah saad) was working on narration of religion that focuses of communitarian gathering (ofcourse women not allowed, and are to be kept packed in houses) as an expression of consolidating faith. Unfortunately (or rather stupidly) for the gathering the way this disease spreads went against them. While some went into quarantine there were many who still carried the omnipotence narration as also habituated by medieval mindset and hatred against non-muslims they created ruckus. Some sinisterly went hiding creating fear and revulsion among common people. They created much nuisance. The narration of blaming these muslims has some truth but the media went overboard. In the meanwhile attacks on medicos added to the narration as also videos of misguided youths nurtured in omnipotence of religion blurting out nonsense added to the problem. You cannot always blame fear of state as argument. One need to consider why some people are susceptible to rumors (anti-vaccines movement among materially comfortable literate christians in West, anti-polio attacks by poor semiliterate in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hindu nutcases are different category, it starts from the foundation itself unlike miracle books it’s the sanctum fictions…). In the meanwhile apart from regular dose of astrology (a “science” that only nutcases understand) they didn’t question the PM on goodness of lighting of lamp for 9 minutes (?) at 9oclock. He could have said “before going to sleep lets light lamp for them at 9oclock”. I too didn’t consider until when I started getting messages about the “significance”. Morons quoted from mysterious world of numerology (that blessed are handed as entitled knowledge which the world is yet to know) to planet alignment (even NASA has confirmed it…this acknowledgement from NASA even if spurious is high on the list of buffoons to consolidate “scientific intelligence of ancient civilization” narration). Recently I came across news on religious superstition driven handling of virus techniques – including conducting ‘havan’ in ayush ministry (taxpayers money misused obviously by squatter officials revealing community garb) for purifying the air. In this primitive conception of dimwits smoke is purifying hence improves immunity, indeed “scientific”. There may be some trace elements in the smoke that may have some properties but majorly smoke is CO and CO2 that is indeed quite bad for health particularly for those conducting it. Same is the case of repulsive nutcases take on cow urine). The primitive society based on religions will always finds it expression that will baffle. While virus need to be fought by coming together and sharing religious humans are getting divided by hallucinations of superiority over each other based on fantasies and uniting in its stupidities at the expense of life.  These pathetic squabbling during these serious crisis boils down to how much religions have degraded humanity and difficult situation it has created for common people who are trapped and exploited for their insecurities. It is quite clear that medieval frameworks are incapable to handle the realities we live in, infact it doesn’t even inform anything at all. It takes us away from reality into some hallucinatory response thus becoming threat to others.  

Enter people like Arundhati Roy who are very strongly ensconced in western narrations of fattened fluffs. Ofcourse there are benefits of aligning with these influential sections who control the dominant narration and pose as guardian angels. You get to travel, as you are now “representing”. Then there are strong interest groups that give and share awards. I wasn’t aware of these in the beginning but having observed some devious people I am quite certain that some people work on established narration to accrue benefits from the entrenched and therefore position themselves. Indeed these influential groups have a strong hold over narration and like to keep it as such so as to showcase themselves as benign guardians generally at the expense of common people wherever they are located. They may not follow religions but would strongly identify with religions and seek to perpetuate these under the garb of minority-majority narration. They position as savior while using common people as fodder. They insist on sticking on to the established narration without scrutinizing at the expense of people. They patronize segregatory and demeaning religions in the garb of human rights least bothered that religion itself is the source of human rights violations. They degrade humans by fixing their identity on religion. They undermine humanity by nurturing deviant values and traditions emerging from religions as culture. Finally they insult decency of common people by being superficial and showing least concern as they continue with clique agreed intellectual narrations. As they push humans into religions (which by its very definition is anachronistic patriarchal feudals vicious intrusion into reality) they also create competitions among other religions. They climb high moral grounds as savior and show themselves as evolved. Meanwhile the viciousness of the majority as a reactionary forces gains credibility among common people. In the process hard earned egalitarian value systems are undermined as jingoist revivalist take center stage. Urgent issues and existential matters are sidelined. Worst kind people, charlatans, capitalize the scene. The rise of xenophobia and worst kind of leaders across the world has this as a major factor. Systems that seeks to capitalize on herd look for easy outing hence corporate and market media will authenticate. 

     

To face the emerging challenges of 21^st century medieval value system based on religious fictions is going to be a major impediment. These are an affront on humanity and always seek to undermine individuals.  To start with you will have to deny religions and all the birth based value systems and identities (including hilarious thick skinned royals as also feudal patriarchy that is carefully nurtured under the garb of faith).You will have to deconstruct systems, closely scrutinize it, remove and reject them if it doesn’t pass the basic test of egalitarian values that is necessarily hinged on individual freedom and liberty. As Walt Whitman put it so succinctly "dismiss whatever insults your soul". Authoritarian values are consolidated when there is ignorance, when reality is denied, by submitting to authority and by the lack of intellectual capacity and fearlessness to ask pertinent uncomfortable questions and insist on answer. Therefore by its very nature religion works to authenticate authoritarianism and degrades basic foundations of democracy. Hence apart from denying immense possibilities as individuals religion also converts humans into unthinking entities (what can be worse than this violation) who could easily be manipulated.           

Fantasy is making it difficult

When your dealing with life is based on fantasy, exaggeration and omnipotence then it is going to be problematic to deal with the emerging reality. The kind of nonsense the world is facing from Asia to US to Brazil to Europe has undercurrent of religions that is working to undermine the threat humanity faces. Christianity is working very closely with capitalism to undermine humanity specifically in countries like US and Brazil. Anti-vaccination campaign is part of this balderdash, that is also making fighting with COVID difficult. Conspiracy theory easily find place in such people’s mindset when they are overwhelmed with fantastical narration of religion. Islam is working to help create and fuel narrations of conspiracy at the expense of common people who are being manipulated. Previously polio medical volunteers were attacked in Afghanistan and Pakistan, now medical staffs are attacked in India. There is also overplay of 'religion will protect us'. Hindus, quite used to ideas of social distancing (indeed the hindu priests in Kerala holds PhD in social distancing), are using this opportunity to showcase themselves as sane, and indeed scientifically minded (the irony of it). Meanwhile I am told there are astrologers who are able to predict future of corona, and the religious zombies lacking common sense and nurtured in nonsense eagerly await these. There are other religion too like Buddhism, Sikhism, Jews...i am not getting into these not because of any respect. Once it falls into framework of religion -that is working on specifically written knowledge and rituals/miracles of the past as guidance to create followers instead of possibilities of knowledge that is yet to be acquired, when it actively works against inquisitiveness, open minded pursuits, individual expressions of creations, then it is working against humanity, it is indeed working against life itself, therefore nothing much is expected. It's a dreary dangerous place that religions create.  

Religious herds are fighting with each other viciously in virtual world. The kind of views and counter views, abuse so on based on prejudices, fancy notions is shocking (I too participate sometime to provoke, and get into thought process. Making sure to target all religions and not any particular religion). Most of these people are youngsters. It’s a failure of education. It's outcome of primitive elders who haven’t been able to provide sane humanist value system. Religions are itself problematic so the solution cannot be found by placing oneself within it. Religions segregate and are based on fantasy hence finding egalitarian narrations from different religious contexts so as to connect with humanity doesn’t really work. Some people valiantly try these but these are futile. Accommodating religions is pushing humanity to lowest commonest denominator of dealing. It is so 20^th century solution. It’s foolhardy, and is wasting lots of precious time. All that is wrong with humanity can be traced to religions. Fantasy is helping to create fake narration and superficial humans who are reduced to herds that persistently works against individuality. These herds are valued by politicians as voters, market as consumers, entertainers as audience and fattened elitist savior fluffs as victims. These therefore will constantly work against humanity and individuals as they will keep feeding religions as special identity for nefarious reasons therefore undermining humans. The reason why religions are becoming emboldened in their nuisance value in recent times as the world comes closer is a serious issue that has grievous ramifications. The challenge of 21^st century cannot be faced by tolerating religions. Tolerating religions is tolerating nonsense. Religion has become an affront on humanity. It is a threat to all the things beautiful. It is a challenge to sanity. It is undermining humanity, the knowledge and wisdom we have acquired all these centuries.                    

Doctors are not needed

Not really sorry for the provocative heading, it may even sound ridiculous in the times of catastrophic health crisis. But when one is located in primitive society one can only be aghast by the way things are handled. It’s a hierarchy driven society hence will always find its crude references. It is being drilled in that doctors are in higher status compared to nurses. Naturally when someone is put at higher status it automatically makes others lower status. And lower status means inhuman dealing that characterizes this society. The rising cases of nurses getting infected with virus reflects this lackadaisical ways. Many Kerala nurses have related dangerous life threatening condition under which they are being forced to work, specifically, in places like Mumbai.  Most have complained that they are not getting even basic amenities and are being exploited. Many nurses (mostly from Kerala) in big cities are paid pittance as they stay together in small rooms in appalling conditions while they work in super specialty hospitals catering to richest people. Disgracefully some see them as nothing more than house helps. There are cases where nurses have threatened to suicide if their salary is not increased (i recall few years back when few of them climbed highrise to suicide). These crucial jobs are being taken for granted. Not at all surprising considering the nature of society. Now that we are in midst of crisis it should give insight as to what is to be valued. There are no menial jobs. There are crucial jobs and there are BS jobs. Its difficult to get these into the minds of primitives wherein success is epitomized through IIT-IIM-and then sniffing for big money in a well entrenched BS network of professionalism. That these wastrels are elevated as standards of intelligence and success is a study on this society.           

Most doctors have spent a ransom to achieve this status. And in a status driven society they seek to multiply these by working to extend these into lucrative career hence strive to specialize in latest fad so as to be in high paying super specialty hospitals. Hospitals are profitable business and many moneybags are salivating to multiple their investment. The way things are dealt in this society doctors are also seen as marker of intelligence. Ideally anyone who is interested to have a career in any field must be encouraged and the society is expected to provide facilities. To be a doctor is no big deal anyone who is literate and interested can become a doctor if he or she is ready to invest time and energy so as to pass the MBBS. Though India has acute shortage of doctors these career are restricted (this is nothing short of sadistic value system that defines the policy makers –not surprising considering most were casteist feudals with minimum intelligence but surfeit blessing). There are entrance exams wherein they are tested in fields like physics, chemistry so on within a set time to pursue a career as medical doctor! They are asked to solve questions in fields of science in shortest time that in itself is an affront on science and an insult on the whole idea of education. Short cut based utilitarian valuation of education is a reflection of sick society that is infected with memorization and recitation as standard of achievement. Those who qualify these inanities are seen as epitomizing intelligence thus tarnishing these youngsters (both who qualify and those who don’t qualify) for life. Another achievement of this primitive society which is not evolved to value humans.   

The job of doctor is to diagnose, as also show empathy and concern to patient. To expect empathy and concern is asking for bit too much when they are here to get back the investment. Patients are exploitable commodity in most hospitals. With rare exceptions most doctors are money sucking leeches who run a racket with hospitals and pharmaceutical conglomerates. While poor die for want of basic amenities. Public health centers lack staff. So primarily a doctor’s job is to diagnose based on the evidence. These can be easily be automated. Robots (like IBM Watson) are able to do much better and precise diagnoses as compared to doctors. It is able to compare millions of cases, and with deep learning able to even predict, to higher level of success and doesn’t show any emotional fatigue. It is not shocking that what was classified as “intelligent” people by this society don’t pass the scrutiny. The profile that really matters (not surprisingly undermined by this society) is that of a nurse. Not only do they have knowledge of medicines but are expected to carry qualities of caring since they spent more time with patients unlike doctors who diagnoses, prescribes and checks feedback. A good nurse should be necessarily be having qualities of empathy and compassion. Attributes that cannot be automated. Attributes that defines a human. Doctor’s job therefore should be redundant and routinized into some technical application.

So when I see these doctors pouting their opinions in market media it makes me sick. What exactly is their role here? They haven’t done any research on this virus (indeed most doctors cannot they are practitioners) so how do they know about it to give opinion? Further, the diagnosis, prescriptions and care are already streamlined in epidemics as also pandemic by high end research and protocol. Doctors therefore becomes an overpaid presence without much use. I dare say they maybe just crowding the place. Doctors therefore are more suited to run clinics in small town. The job of nurses therefore becomes much crucial in health crisis. What differentiate nurses and doctors is mostly class factors (in casteist society this is source of much degradation) that is sought to be consolidated as blessed intelligence hence competence. The reality is ofcourse different. Society is making wrong investments. Nurses are qualified and competent to make preliminary diagnoses before referring to a robot (at the moment occupied by doctor) who refers back patients to them for treatment and care after accurate diagnosis and necessary prescriptions. It needs to be noted that Scandinavian countries value nurses and they are paid in par with doctors. It’s about time that world realizes and recognizes the crucial role nurses play. They cannot and shouldn’t be subservient to anyone least the doctors (who are mostly going to be obsolete). Their job profile is to be valued by humanity. Their role should be augmented so that they can head health centers. This is crucial considering health crisis that are set to rise in future with climate change and increased possibilities of epidemics, also consider doctors don't like to work at grassroot level while health centers prescribes the need for doctors while these could be handled by trained nurses who are also connected to grassroot reality. Instead of wasteful colonial jobs like IAS that cater to feudal values system and sucks away too much resources we need Indian Health Services (with nursing as qualification) that is adapted to changing reality (apart from ofcourse Indian Education Service). Health service professionals must play a crucial active role in local administration unlike generalists colonial administrators who are ego driven dead weights. Casteist feudal policy makers who ruled this beleaguered nation for 70odd years were intellectually incapable and morally deficient to understand the needs of this society hence replicated what was handed over to them by colonial masters –with whom they have embryonic relations. The way hindutva is moving nothing much is expected as it is increasingly getting clear that they are trapped in castetva fold degradation. The castetva narration is too entrenched in zombie populace. That can only be exploited while feeding fictions of greatness.

The reason why Kerala was able to handle the pandemic (despite first case reported on Jan30, and substantial viral infected expatriate population returning from Dubai, Italy, China so on) is because of investment in primary health that created grassroot level infrastructure and trained health workers. As also investment in primary education that created threshold for qualified health professionals as also a population that is able to understand the gravity of the situation and take informed precautionary actions. Ofcourse literacy to education takes effort which is a big deal that Indians are incapable of. These reflected in amazingly trivial crude ways in which they entertain themselves, indeed in the last two decades, with influx of market, kerala is digging into its primitive self. So despite having health standards comparable to Scandinavian countries (quite an achievement considering low per capita income) it remains intellectually and morally challenged hence settles in cruder expressions. It doesn’t show any indications of coming out of its pit in near future, and considering the wasted potential of literacy this seems like impossible. 

Last but not the least the catholic christianity that values care and nurture of sick and lonely hence became an inspiration for youngsters (particularly girls in Kerala) must be appreciated. This has therefore helped other sections of society to seek these as career all across the world without any inhibitions. Kerala lady nurses are working all across the world. Considering how patriarchal and deviant the society is this is quite remarkable (there is also claim of matriarchy by casteist feudals, its laughable nonsense spread by mediocre sociologists without any context). Apart from nurses kerala also exports school teachers to different parts of the world. This ofcourse is not an endorsement for religions which I maintain is an anachronistic nonsense based on fantastical fiction that degrades reality. But we need to appreciate where it is due.                                          

Celestial snapshots

Celestial snapshots

Life is honored in the periphery

Where the light dims

Gust of air eddies into itself

Words halt in jagged fractals

You look at the streaming feathers of peregrine

Very much aware of the beetle dancing on the dung

Seeking guidance from the heaven