Threshold of biomass

 

Of all the teeming biomass that atoms conceive through mindboggling journeys of miracle of life on earth humans have evolved its intelligence into conscious that synchronizes life’s system into astounding possibilities. Human life provides matter sentience, an opportune outcome of perilous odds. Humans sense the truth of the reality as they consolidate and evolve to survive and thrive. So the systems that nurture humans must provide all the freedom as also the latest means and understandings for the conscious to sense the reality. In most cases ideas, thoughts, understandings or discoveries happen in an incremental process but many a times path breaking, or disjointed to any narration as if a new stream of sensibility, has presented itself. Einstein’s theory of relativity or stories of Kafka are such examples. It superimposes into the known reality a new matrix. I was watching discussion between Foucault and Chomsky on this matter. Both are equally right while there are path breaking ideas and discoveries that produce cataclysmic shifts, as Foucault posits, there are also constant incremental additions. Indeed cataclysmic shifts are carried out using the semantics and tools of the accrued –standing on the shoulders of giants, as Chomsky the linguist argues.                  

There are reasons why paradigm shifting and path breaking discoveries and inventions happen in certain societies or regions. It has to do with how much a society has evolved. The threshold of biomass of humans to sense the reality and express is very much determined by socio-cultural factors which in turn impacts the systems that thrive and how much these provides independence for minds to explore and souls to dance. Sensing the threads that runs through the universe needs acceptance of silence and systems that nurtures and values contemplative space. It must value varied thoughts, free exchange of views that are built on logic of mind and illogic of soul. It must encourage inquisitiveness and consolidation of knowledge through understanding. Such society creates space for excellence which then percolates into every aspect of human expressions. Individuals too are not confined to narrow fields of inquiry as they seamlessly cross in search for understanding. As they reach the threshold of inquiry it starts to synchronize with expanding reality. Many regions across the world have experienced this. In modern times cities like Vienna, Paris or New York have seen spurt of expressions that significantly sensed the reality and helped in consolidating understanding for humanity. Even during restrictive ancient world Greece, Egypt or China etc. had provided such spaces that help consolidate human civilization by exchanging these into collective knowledge. Think of intellectual vibrancy during the period of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle or during the early period of Buddhism in Indian subcontinent – that saw many universities and libraries being set which latter shifted to East Asia, you will realize how much these matters and how much these have contributed to put foundations of evolved societies. As Foucault asserts it’s not about individuals but systems that nurtures these evolved ideas to be expressed, discoveries to happen and inventions to be carried out. Societies that lack these evolved attributes (essentially primitive) focus on individuals –who are elevated as heroes (or even god/incarnation). They wait for miracles, and work to build stories around these to assure its worth and myths of grandeur. There is a constant need for inane records to compensate quality. Lacking any framework that nurtures free minds and attributes that contribute to excellence –essentially expressions of heightened beauty, they seek to downgrade these.        

In the last few years something remarkable has happened. Internet has created virtual world. Real has shifted to virtual and with it distance has vanished. Though real world cities and centers of learning still hold sway virtual is consolidating and is set to make real immaterial in knowledge dissemination, exposure to liberal values, liberty and freedom, and experience of excellence of all of humanity presented through a click. There are also restrictive system like religion and market that have consolidated, and is attracting unthinking minds and herds, which have started to have detrimental impact. As has been the case through human history these have degraded societies, caused immense misery while wasting human lives into drudgery. It restricted humanity, isolated minds into dead habits and drained souls. It created barren lands of thriving primitives who have no contribution to humanity and seek to trap in dark ages, capitalizing on fear and insecurities. If humanity has to face the emerging challenges and evolve to new realities then it will have to keep its threshold for free minds much above herd reach. It must be aware of this ever present threat. It will have to therefore make every effort to restrain degrading systems. Diversity is crucial but it cannot be representation of regressive values and restrictive systems. These can only degrade and increase potentialities of problems. Diversity means diversity of knowledge, experience from diverse regions and challenges of different social realities, and not the least, diversities of ideas and approaches, these add to vibrant understanding and creates synergy for evolving into better world.