Wow what a movie!

 

The world created through Avatar movie is enchanting and precious. The second part is equally compelling. I am in love with this virtual world they so meticulously lovingly created. Though I must add the story was bit jarring -the usual Hollywood cliché so on nevertheless the intent and compassion was well placed, but my god the colorful wonderful world they conceptualized. Some of the scenes are quaintly sublime in its aesthetics. Please watch and feel alive in this captivating quaint world. Well done. As for James Cameron, ‘Terminator’ was one of my earliest English movies (most likely second English movie after James Bond), and just the right movie for my fertile early teen mind. I was blown away.

Footnote: meanwhile primitive Indians with big money are persistent to gate crash into Oscars. Crude despicable movie is being patronized by usual suspects as exotic and yes ‘representing’, the same old strategy to lower standards for mediocre to sneak in. Last I heard the third-rate crass movie is being shortlisted for song! An unintended gay moment. It would do well in LGBTQ festivals, nothing wrong just that it was unintended! And if they intended, they would mess it up. It’s a unique caliber. Please dump this appalling ‘work of art’ at the earliest. It’s an assault on sensibilities, an embarrassment. I as an Indian (unfortunately placed in same geographical entity) apologize for these mediocres and their lack of self-awareness. Or maybe give them a plastic replica of Oscars so that they can create PR narration back home for the herds to feel special brahmand blessing of unique talent that the world is incapable to comprehend. Nauseating.    

Unfolding the protein universe

 

As the year comes to an end the most significant event, if you really want to capsulate into timescale of a year and year end shenanigans, has to be DeepMind releasing structures of 200million proteins -all catalogued protein known to science. To put it into perspective before DeepMind only 17% of protein 3D structures were known that too after long and costly process. The decision to opensource AlphaFold is a momentous occasion. It will be Cambrian explosion of insights and innovations in multiple fields in the coming years and decades. Protein plays an important role in nearly every important activity that happens inside every living organism on earth. So, the possibility through this new awareness of three-dimensional structures of protein folds, hence its functions, is mindboggling and is set to profoundly impact understanding in fields ranging from fighting diseases to origin of life. AlphaFold is as significant as CRISPRcas9 in its broad span of impact.    

Meanwhile after ChatGPT -that has initiated some amusing online reactions, GPT-4 -OpenAI’s powerful language generative model, is to be released very soon. I read that it is going to make astonishing leaps in performance of memory -retain and refer back, and summarizing -distill essentialities in a text. The issue is Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPTs are running out of training data. There are lots of data generated online but very less is within acceptable quality threshold. They are moving towards transcription of spoken content of formal meetings. I find GPT progress exceedingly interesting. These started in 2017 with iterative machine learning transformers through neural network architecture. I find them very real in the way they acquire language. I got my frame on writing, and ofcourse keep updating, by iterative addition through constant reading. Better writers and incisive writings mean better frame to consolidate. Unlike GPT human brain takes years to work, particularly when there was no frame to begin with. Though I began choosing randomly very soon conscious part of the brain kicked in to evaluate and found the writings wanting in quality, nuance and span of idea. Indian writing -with rare exceptions, lacked the verve and vigor, mostly cosmetic and planted with word play. As also English classics like Austen were too boring and out of my reality or any reality I could fathom. Russian and Latin American writings were where things were happening. I was looking for contemporary writings -and that is how I bumped into Nobel prize writers which seems a definitive reference in a chaos filled world of writing. Ofcourse now I have moved out of fiction -it has become a luxury, into nonfiction -there is so much to catch up in the fast changing world. Without awareness of grammar (not that I didn’t try, I really couldn’t understand at all, as also it starts to intrude into writing and thinking hence I let it go) iterative consolidation is the only way out. I identify myself with GPT a lot. Like GPT I sometimes write fascinating stuff but also make silly embarrassing mistakes since I get into my own loop and brain gets tripped. But unlike GPT human mind has limitations but fascinating possibilities. You are not working on words from models of contexts and references alone but also through experiences and thinking. GPT at this stage is emulating third rate Indian writers who use superficial play of words to impress the system to make easy money and influence. Intermittently impressive but mostly mediocre. GPT can easily be better than most Indian writers (who can be safely taken as benchmark of mediocrity!).  

There is also research going on to augment data through visual language or multimodal access afterall much of human speech is complemented by visual cues and representations. When I see something, I am acquiring data that is converting the experience through emotions which are then imprinted into memory. Many a times I find it difficult to convert into words, and even if I do, it doesn’t really carry the whole feeling of experience. It seems to be lacking and futile. Even in best of writers it is very much hinged to partial emotions it excites in readers. Ofcourse consensus is high on great writers (is there primal quantum entangling in human brains that aligns emotions? Crazy thought!), but it is never complete, and many a times it could even be readers limitations. It does create diversity of experience but doesn’t address the limitation of language. So, is the language lacking since it is in a linear time frame whereas experience encompass linearity and has input from past and future -oscillating in time, to add to the richness of memory. AlphaZero has exhibited this ability to look deep into time and backforth for possible outcomes. It has accessed reality that human emotions are able to sense but brain is incapable to articulate. GPT is open ended, subjective frame, while AlphaZero is close ended system, clear objective, but the way AlphaZero experience time in limited frame holds lots of potential.                     

The Blessed Lords are on Holiday!!

 Such a fine tradition. Such fine legacy. Such nice people. You may even mistake India to be paradise of justice, and justice system.  

Epic !

Sports at its best

 

Aesthetics will save us

 

Aesthetics of deeper connection with nature and understanding of overwhelming presence in the miracle of life gives insight. Inquisitiveness is being alive to life force. The more we know more it matters, and more it doesn’t. It adds to richer valuation of unfolding meanings. As the body evolves to the chaos of life, mind valuates the patterns into connections and it grows to find more to share and integrate into tapestry of life. Aesthetics of life is aesthetics of matter. It makes us appreciate beautiful, the subtle and discern the valuable. It is in every sense an expression of our being. It will guide us. It will save us.

It is aesthetics that make us sense values and ideals that helps life to express itself. It finds expressions in freedom, goals in equality and meanings in liberty. It is these that nurture democratic institutions and liberal ways. It is these that equips us to face reality and prepare us for challenges. Science advances in this pursuit. Technology helps us to extend our senses into further connections into matter. It helps us refine our life, as also our aesthetics. Whatever prevents this nurturing of life is a threat to humanity and life itself. We must protest, react, respond and ridicule with all our being to any assault on aesthetics or valued space that nurtures. We must beware of systems that dehumanizes and blunt our sensibilities. Ugliness is presented as an assault. We are asked to tolerate ugliness so as to lull us into routine and sap our energy.  It will eventually bleed us of our humanity into isolated exploited miserable life. We will be controlled into fancies of crass. We must be therefore vigilant to devious psychopaths scheming for power, money, prestige and ego as they entrap humans into herds through semantics of concern and meaningless word jugglery. They get brazen in desperation.

There is sanctity of life. There is sanctity of space we live in. There is a sanctity in every action and inaction of us. Sanctity has aesthetics that is connected and expressed through matter. As a human being we are part of that expression. If we lose our aesthetic sensibilities, we lose ourself.  We lose all that we cherish.                    

3rd book on podcast

 https://depalan.podbean.com/

Book discussed is Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment authored by Daniel Kahneman Cass R. Sunstein, and Olivier Sibony

Some questions need answers

 

We live in a world that is quite brutal but infinitely better than what it was even a century back. Socially and individually we are in a better place. Technology has immensely helped to spread egalitarian ideas. More number of people now enjoy freedom and liberty than anytime in the history of humanity. More number of people can aspire to express their will. More and more number of people are walking into the path of equality and freedom. It was only a few decades back that some were deemed less than equal. Such a situation still exists in many parts of the world where fellow humans even now struggle to be recognized as humans with free will and aspirations. The difference now is that we know subjugating and denying other human being equal right and liberty is wrong. The systems, individuals and circumstances which perpetuates subjugation of fellow human being are criticized and severely dealt in international forums by conscientious voices and on streets by ordinary people. We recognize what is wrong. We share ideas of right. Each human is aware that they are as equal as anyone else despite the circumstances and location. Most societies have codified these ideals into rule of law, and those that haven’t face relentless wrath of people. Education and constant interaction with the world through latest gadgets have awakened people across the world. They demand equality, liberty and freedom that they know is indelible part of being a human. They demand nothing less.

Despite severely dented by social media the mainstream media and powerful people still control most of the narrations and institutions. Though there was a vehemence in granting equal rights and liberty to people, and were safeguarded through democratic institutions, the same seems to be lacking in confronting feudal structures. Structures that nurture some as more equal than others. Structures that value ascriptive status. Exceptionalism of few as more equal than others. These narrations of exceptionalism carry the primitiveness of feudal ways, deceit of religion and meaninglessness of traditions. This exceptionalism is not so subtle hint at supremacism, at racism, of some born as special than others. It carries all that is appalling of human dealing frozen in time. It contradicts all that is cherished, all the ideas and thoughts gained through progressive involvement with society by best of human beings. What makes it sinister is the display of aplomb without any signs of regret or embarrassment.     

The Nobel prize week is underway it also coincides with Human Rights Day that commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1948. ‘Human Rights Day focuses on the fundamental rights and liberties to which all people worldwide are entitled to simply by virtue of their humanity’. Scientists are not expected to have social historical sensibilities. They spent their whole life in narrow frame. Admirable as it is the lack of context can be dangerous as was proved by Nazis so on. Economists work to serve certain purpose within framework of the system. So, the question is for Nobel Peace prize and Literature prize laureates -who are expected to be sensitive to tribulation of humanity and matters of society, how do they evaluate presence of monarchy with human rights? What does these structures of exceptionalism symbolize? When they bow to these is it just to be seen as matter of courtesy or that something much valuable is being compromised? What do us common people have to learn that we don’t yet understand? Is there something lacking in us that we are incapable to understand?

Each of the Nobel Prize laureate present and alive is being asked this question. Ofcourse, you do have the free will to ignore. Ignoring doesn’t make questions vanish.                 

Eliminate Ascriptive Status and Institutions

As soon as UN was created in 20th century it called for abolition of slavery and elimination of all forms of discrimination. Discrimination continues in 21^st century despite best efforts by egalitarian contexts and humanitarian concerns. There are many sources of discriminations and all have been securitized and brought under law-and-order machinery in civilized part of the world. Anachronistic religions constantly haggle for exceptions hence presents persistent threat to humanity as it nurtures primitive contexts and degrading values undermining progress made over centuries. Religion must be therefore urgently scrutinized, ridiculed and negated at every available opportunity by sane people and be aware of devious few manipulating to gain through herd savior status for power as also cleverly usurping humanitarian concerns like liberal values. There is also huge money and influence working to convert humans into herds for the ease of manipulation. 

Something, not entirely dissimilar, presents threat to humanity and all the progressive values accrued through centuries of immense effort and sacrifices by amazing people across the world. The issue is of ascriptive status and institutions that nurtures these. In many ways religion too claim humans through birth and seek to control them. Progressive benign societies, and families, must necessarily protect children from these sinister holds and bring them up as free-thinking human beings. Fate of humanity is hinged on it. Ascriptive status are nurtured through birth-based rights, through monarchy, feudal values, ideas of exceptionalism etc. These create unjust and unfair systems. It asks for exceptionalism for uncouth representations and provides space for ugly supremacism. It undermines democratic institutions and egalitarian values. Why are sane people silent on these matters while democratic values are being degraded and are not allowed to be institutionalized into the minds and attitudes of people? Democracy strengthens with grassroot involvement, it’s a bottom-up growth that assimilates in close contact with its surrounding. It cannot be imposed. It must start from families, and most importantly it must become an attitude and way of living. Education plays an important role. Ascriptive status and institutions that nurtures these works against democratic thinking and values. It prevents egalitarian ways and ideas to seep into society and acts to ensnare human being into primitive contexts and traps them in demeaning degrading traditions of absurdities. Such acts also necessarily carry deviance and primitive ways like racism, patriarchy, colonialism, feudal values, spurious entitlements so on, of the past. It also makes progressive efforts in poorer exploited discriminated societies difficult.                

Institutions no matter how efficient and well-arranged must be reformed or abolished if they are unjust, wrote John Rawl (who also happens to be one of my favorite philosopher. I have written about him five years back https://depalan.blogspot.com/2017/12/why-justice-as-consensual-social.html). Instead of writing it again I will just copy from my earlier blog:                                                                                          Unfairness perpetuated by systems is not taken seriously because of the vested interest who stand to gain from unjust. As Rawls points out “Rags to rich stories are rare and exaggerated” and “these stories were a deceit perpetuated by powerful forces from the necessary task of reforming society, and to take urgent steps to make it equitable”. But as the last few decades have shown inequity has accentuated drastically, and in countries like India these are severe, and with traditional deviant frameworks it is nothing but inhuman. Exploitation of people and nature goes on with same alacrity all across the world.  To understand the situation better Rawl comes out with a thought experiment. Imagine if you were not you. Rawl asks us to be in a ‘conscious intelligent’ state before birth but without any knowledge into the circumstance we are going to be born into. Our future is shrouded in ‘veil of ignorance’. We are hovering high above the planet earth (needs to add he was fascinated by Apollo mission). We do not know what kind of society we will be born into, to what sort of parents? What kind neighbourhood? What kind of schools, police, judiciary..? How is the world going to treat us? So on. And here he asks a significant question that forms the crux of his argument. If we knew nothing about where we would end up what sort of a society would it feel safe to enter? ‘Veil of ignorance’ will focus us to think about the appalling level of risks in entering a society. If the society is poverty ridden, unjust, corrupt, nepotistic, apathy driven will any sane birth lottery player really want to take the gamble of ending up in such a society? Ofcourse not. So, what will they do? They will fervently insist that the rule of the game be changed otherwise it’s too risky! And you very well know what need to be fixed, and urgently so. You will want an equitable society with good schools, excellent hospitals, fair justice system, decent housing so on to everyone, a society that gives you safety and assuredness to explore your potential as a human to the fullest without any fear. Our focus therefore would be what needed to be done to be adequately positioned in worst case scenario. Rawl concludes that we know we finally made our societies fair if we don’t mind being born under any circumstance in any place. The fact that we cannot take such a challenge is a measure of how deeply unfair society is. A society, ultimately, will have to be hinged on liberty and equality. Basic liberties and rights for all. Distributive justice on resources and privileges.   

An international effort is needed to remove these institutions of discriminations controlled by powerful entities and vested interests. UN must seek to Eliminate all forms of Ascriptive Status and Institutions that nurtures these. It’s an urgent call to abolish monarchy, and set standards for democratic institutions to thrive. Birth based claims, and institutions that thrive on these, have no place in civilized society, it shouldn’t be existing in 21^st century.    

The Blue Sky

 

When you look up the blue sky 

Do you see blue or the sky?

Do you see colors or the flower?

Do you see the thoughts or the human?

Or is it just the blue and the sky

Colors and the flower, thoughts and the human?

There are fractals that reach

Breaths that connect

Senses that jiggle

And embrace all that

Lady Hussey Tho Phassey!

 

Not really this is not the title of some third rate bollywood movie (or dubbed tollywood, or pollywood or whatever despicable wood) that is meant to titillate the herd to part with some money while the mediocres scramble in to pose as artists, the gateway to play for the market, it is a stampede into whatever goes in whatever matters except that they are only limited by their own limitations which ofcourse they are not aware of – a severe case of Dunning Kruger effect that is so spectacularly embodied by likes of Rajamoulis emerging from putrefying pit as a redemption for mediocre society and its delusionary claims of highest possible acclaim!  They could therefore be now actors, directors, singers, dancers, influencers, repository of culture, psychologists for all occasions, experts on all matters that herd joyously seek and what not. They exude positivest purest whitest energy while carrying crass as a precious legacy into wherever blessed fate take them in the perilous journey of entitlements. In these churning grandiosities, with them at the very center, they survey the world and also wonder on nature of universe while an inexplicable itch works into pus filled laceration that can only be remedied as moral overseers to the world. The -mahatma- to humanity. Incidentally this is how caste cannibals refer to gandhi in western media these days, creating an aura of purity through - -. They also migrate to West to appropriate and to play victim, as also to represent us with desultory ease among patronizing whites, monarchists and angst gatherers.   

So, when the godmother (seriously, wtf is that?) of british monarchy turns out to be racist to the core there is masturbatory consternation among the audience -the ever charming witnesses to medieval theatre of absurdities. White men and women hanging onto grandiosities of entitlements as kings and princes while being indulged by decent intelligent adult human beings as if they are in some elaborate trance as they perform their part. Come on Mr. Charles stop this nonsense. Abdicate and abolish monarchy and ask them to elect a titular leader as they do it in India, ofcourse with less feudal pomp. Probably because you are surrounded with sycophants and knuckleheads that you don’t realize how embarrassing this whole charade is. Continuation of monarchy is detrimental to progressive egalitarian effort all across the world, it’s a glaring anachronism that acts to undermine democratic institutions. It’s a compromise that degrades as also allows leeway for other degrading systems to enter without scrutiny.

So, when an African origin (or black person) anywhere in West is asked pointedly about “where you come from” it’s an attempt at purposefully ignoring the horrible history of slavery and inhuman exploitations that brought them to West. It’s an attempt to establish proprietorial right as also to put ‘them’ in their place by reminding of their lowly status despite they having encroached into proposedly civilized space, now all these words are as understood from the point of racist West and perpetuated through narrative control. What is also implied in this racist scrutiny is the psychopathic sly. From your skin color we know where you came from. We know that despite your attempt to be like us you were (indeed, are) brainless slaves who were tied and bundled to West for our service. Don’t you ever forget that. You can claim to be british citizen but you will still be from somewhere in jungles of Africa. This is exactly what it is to be effortlessly racist, and it comes quite easy for someone nurtured in theatrics of monarchy. It will be shocking if it doesn’t.

This also brings into question the clever appropriation of black narration by Asians, specifically south Asians in West. These gross attempts to obfuscate black experience -intrinsically connected to the horrendous history that is not even a century old, must be stringently dealt. Most Asians are racist, it is part of most cultures, so primitive they don’t even realize. Even when they realize they don’t acknowledge. In case of caste cannibals, they deal it with inbred dexterity of myths and meaningless collections of words devoid of its original meaning and contexts that some in west are susceptible to and find compelling. Caste cannibals carry it in their name hence the question ‘where you from’ becomes meaningless, as everything is settled in order in the satisfying waft of putrefying pit (and yes if the stench is not as expected then sniffing mami will be activated into the scene!). In desperation to establish pecking order that satisfy primal urge of primitives they ask “where are you from” in uncouth big cities to classify your economic class so as to immediately estimate the worth (so if you are located in congested shitholes you will be dropped halfway through the conversation, as it is name depalan burned a deep hole in their pus filled soul).  Therefore these attempts to bracket black with ‘color’ people must be closely scrutinized. To put it in perspective most south Asian in West (particularly in UK) are byproduct of feudal values, caste cannibalism and yes corruption, greed and nepotism. They weren’t exploited at all, indeed during colonialism most of them were conduit to exploitation even those posturing as freedom fighters. They identified much with racist exploiters and strived to match with them, and were appalled to be equated with Africans. Hierarchical minded primitives sought pecking order from racist colonial masters, indeed that truly was their struggle. If you look at grainy videos of colonial atrocities against Indians it was mostly done by Indians. Britishers wouldn’t have controlled such vast land with large population without active support of Indians. The embryonic ties of racist colonizers with caste cannibals, and how it degraded society, as also how feudal values perpetuated by monarchy indelibly infected the foundation of fledgling democracy and sidelined egalitarian native values across the world is understandably not studied much. History is only used to control narration.

Importantly, monarchy degraded democracy, Christianity infected secularism, and feudal entrenched parliament, of Britain doesn’t really inspire much confidence on its deals with egalitarian intends and progressive paths to challenges of future. It is in this same context that juvenile debating club patronized ideas of religions as race finds traction hence must be resisted. Religion is not race, and can never be. Race cannot be ridiculed. Religion can be, and must be, ridiculed. Black African is a negroid race that faced centuries of brutal atrocities and discrimination that is difficult to even imagine, and cannot be compared or even attempted to be equated with anything else. Western monarchy actively captured Africa and committed heinous crimes (indeed the phrase 'crimes against humanity' originates from Belgium king Leopold II massacre of millions of people in Congo). This is recent history. Therefore these attempts at presenting monarchy as benign benevolent presence is a cruel joke on humanity.        

  

How the international community failed Iranians

Last many weeks the world is witnessing amazing acts of bravery from protesting people of Iran, particularly youngsters, against religion and its oppressive value system -in this case monster mullahs -the Ayatollahs, who have been constant threat to humanity (including hounding writers and artists -not to forget brazen attack on Rushdie after decades of threat to his life). Yesterday’s action against protesting women in Qatar is an extension of value system that stamps down protests. FIFA (capitalizing on popularity of football to amass money hence controlled by Machiavellian greedy psychopaths) has disgraced itself by choosing Qatar as a venue. The way they sided with Qatar to undermine evolved value systems like LGBTQ rights, women’s presence, labor rights (by extension racism, feudal slave mindset) …it’s quite clear that money doesn’t bring enlightened understanding nor compassion towards fellow humans, evidently it only works to fuel crass consumerism and clever showcasing as god’s blessing. As a football enthusiast I demand an apology. 

Ossifying humans into systems and fantastical notions that existed many centuries ago is a constant and persistent threat. That these are incapable, and incapacitated by devious people, to factor in contemporary reality and understanding makes it sinister. Garb of faith is a fig leaf that is unable to cover the monstrous forces that it unleashes to create untold miseries, particularly to common people. Religion based nations, society or organizations and even individuals are trapped in schizophrenic relation with reality. The more they try to consolidate more they loose touch with self. A simple test for Qatar would be whether it will allow Women’s Football world cup (this is a minor matter compared to basic right for some humans to live the way they want to and love the way they want to). That should be a test for each and every men’s team participating in such international events. If they don’t allow the same due to gender then it is discrimination, a gross violation, and such societies/nations have no right to host or be represented at international forum. It’s undermining all the egalitarian values that defines humanity and a threat to progress. Any idea, culture, tradition or value system that discriminates on the basis of race, gender or one’s presence is a grave threat to humanity. What is applicable to me should be applied to all and vice versa.  

West, particularly Britain -that has provided space for worst of religions to thrive and export misery across the world, have expectedly failed to understand existential urges and passion for life. Posing saviors and miming elevated values while ensconced in medieval monarchy theatrics and feudal ways in the luxury of colonial excesses and comforts does blunt sense and doesn’t prepare one to chaos of uncertainties that millions face. Debating club winning points is no substitute for involvement or concern. It makes one good speaker while attracting attention seeking overconfident psychopathic stone age pleasants. Attempts by British posers to take on France on face veil, in effect, deviously patting themselves for depraved ways must be ticked off. Ofcourse everyone has right to wear what they want. The problem starts when what one chooses represents devious system that nurtures patriarchy and feudal ways in the garb of faith (ofcourse this could be said of market driven ways too), understanding the context and enjoying freedom to choose is liberty of each individual. So, when medieval or any attire is preferred over all the options that life provides, one hopes they understand the context and enlighten themselves away from these anachronistic fantasies and use freedom and opportunities available to learn and enlighten oneself to be a better human. Ofcourse that means when society feels appropriate that such attire needn’t be allowed as it violates uniform or rules of organization then to assert choice is not freedom but being an instrument of system that makes you wear it. Choice is for humans not herds. Also, full veil cannot be allowed in any civilized society. It is negating the presence, acutely that too of woman, as also working against basic decency that is expected from anyone in a progressive society. Such attires are blot on humanity and has detrimental effect on society. Britain’s gangrene cannot be celebrated. Indeed, freedom for religions nor their expression is anything to be celebrated but tolerated -while fervently hoping that education will help to enlighten and move out of these oppressive anachronistic systems to find oneself as inquisitive lively humans alive to unfolding realities and miracles, since these necessarily undermine humanity and pose a threat to its progress.  

Understanding the context of protest in Iran why are women in West, who enjoy all the freedom, not coming out in full strength against the horrible atrocities being committed in Iran? (It’s only in Kerala I have seen muslim women protest by burning hijab in support of Iranian women). Why has West failed Iran has more to do with how Islam has been institutionalized under the garb of democracy as powerful devious forces haggle to benefit while simultaneously showcasing as protectors of freedom of beleaguered other. Posing cost nothing and if you pose well it has only benefits, some have made successful career out of these. The reason why fattened fluffs in West who feed caste cannibals, monster mullahs and all the regressive forces they could find to patronize and then classify themselves as benevolent overseers cannot fathom the passion of Iranians or anyone anywhere in the world who understand values of liberty and knows what it means to be free. To be a free human being is the biggest deal. For fattened fluffs it’s a debating point while for most people across the world it is life or death choice. And when you face daily deaths, misery, atrocities, poverty, isolation and uncertainties you very well know what it is to be free, what does freedom mean, precisely the way idealist people proposed and ask us to safeguard. Monarchist Britain and narrative zeal of its raconteurs doesn’t really measure up.   

Podcast: Second Book (part 1/2)

 https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-mq9gu-1318af5

Homo sapiens population crosses 8billion

Planet Earth today crossed the burden of carrying 8billion people. Next year India will overtake China as world’s most populous country. Millions of people exist in appalling conditions with dwindling resources. Some may have seen the pictures of hellholes in major cities across the world, but staying in these hellholes in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata etc. is different matter and calling it home is where desperation begins. The scene gets bleaker by the day. Meanwhile population increase is seen by politicians as voters, religion as followers, while market see only consumers and liberal posers see controversy -they are stuck in extreme narration of 21^st century that sought to eliminate vulnerable sections in the garb of population control. We have well passed all these, ofcourse that doesn’t mean past narration of authoritative control and elimination is being supported but those contexts and dynamics have changed in last century. It is therefore mischievous to use semantics of irrelevant (but learning lessons) contexts of last century to define and control contemporary realities and challenges. It is also an attempt to control narration by devious few to play benign arbitrators at the expense of millions of people, vanishing species and dwindling resources. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, identifies global population growth as one of the two biggest drivers of growing CO₂ emissions, “globally, GDP per capita and population growth remained the strongest drivers of CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the last decade”. It also warned that if population continues to grow, “it will be much harder to limit warming to 1.5C”.  Billions of years ago population explosion of Cyanobacteria caused major extinction event that wiped out all the CO2 thriving lifeforms -ofcourse it gave lifegiving O2. Now once again one specie -that is human being, is responsible for unfolding extinction event.

Population AND per capita consumption both are equally problematic. India faces both, on the one side we have irresponsible elite section wantonly consuming -that equals the worst carbon footprint in the world, while on the other we have population bursting at seams. I only see more and more crowd wherever I go. People fight for water, food, air, land, seats and what not. For instance, though India has 16% of world’s population it has only 4% of water resources, and these too are controlled by few, contaminated, and now faces uncertainties of climate crisis. Water incidentally is also connected to primitive values of purity and segregation, while millions have very limited access to even dirty water, hundreds and thousands die due to water borne diseases. While politicians, religions, market forces and devious liberal pretenders can be silent on elephant in the room since it suits their narrative control and existential needs, the least we can do is to weaken this control and present the grim reality since these will impact the most vulnerable, whether humans or other species. This celebration of population as demographic dividend is a market sham fed to politicians, a compromise, a myopic vision of future. The debate of ageing population as dire consequence too is mischievous. As  societies progresses and evolves -strictly not as economic entities or consumers but as human beings, they will find futility in consumption driven value systems and will naturally reduce want and seek to contribute in meaningful way. With technological progress humans will be replaced by robots/automation to perform menial repeatable dehumanizing jobs. There will therefore be more space and time for other species and nature to regenerate and thrive. Evolved aging societies shouldn’t allow population influx from overpopulated regions/families unless it serves limited need as also are highly specialized. There shouldn’t be any incentives for breeders. Many societies are facing this mismatch of primitive value systems intruding and asserting into egalitarian intend. Societies shouldn’t pay for mistakes or arrogance of others. Children are not god’s gift they are planned by consenting partners. More than two progenies per couple/per person is indeed a crime, an insolent middle finger to humanity and other species. It intends to rob others of their space, air, water, food and all the precious. Meanwhile semantics of 21^st century shouldn’t be allowed to define contemporary problems.                

The beating heart

The beating heart 

They came with words 

Then they came with sentences

Then they made fantastical stories of god and miracles

Then they segregate and unleashed hate.

They waited for stories to come alive

Sentences to unravel

Words to wound

And beseech for blood.

They gave them weapons

First stones, then knives, guns and bombs

They wrench out the beating heart

To weigh it against all the miracles.

Book suggestion: Drawdown

 

COP27 meeting starts at Sharm El Sheikh Egypt with low expectations and irresponsible ways. Meanwhile as they discuss and haggle this book is strongly recommended. Drawdown edited by Paul Hawken is something everyone should read and share. We are heading for some serious problems, and the impact is being taken by poor societies -who ironically have very low carbon footprint. Also, species numbers are getting reduced at an alarming rate while many are becoming extinct in an unprecedented scale. We are dying with them.       

COP27

COP27 starts tomorrow. Expectations are quite low. Nevertheless we will have to keep an eye open for these significant meetings. Think of threat to humanity. Think of millions of wonderful species, and how they are vanishing at an alarming rate. Also, FREE ALAA.    

 

The Chief Twit

 

Dangers of both sideism, and binary narration

 

There is no way this can ignored, it has reached a saturation point, and is having grievous consequences. It is fueling worst kind of people and ridiculous ideas to center. Social media, and access it provides to everyone to express into public space, has made the situation much bleak. It is easy for issues to fall into ossified fractures that is maintained and nurtured by manipulative forces and carried as a burden into present without any thought or concern. Diversity of opinion cannot be and shouldn’t be straitjacketed into binary narration for the easy of control of the few. It seeds authoritarianism and has complete disregard of nuances that define life. It is the same devious people who instigate both sideism into absurd valuation of situation for majority of hapless people. They mainstream dangerous nonsense as counter view and present themselves as benign liberal arbitrators. I think we also have had enough of this liberal posturing. The word liberal itself needs to be questioned. Liberal is now equated to lazy patronizing for benefits by well placed. If liberalism has to have any value, then it will have to fall in the ambit of progressive. Progressive has no confusion. It’s easy to understand and doesn’t really fall into semantic jugglery. Responsible people must use their intellect -logical thinking and knowledge, and compassion -maturity and awareness, to understand issues that plagues humanity and is cascading quite rapidly. They must encourage diversity of opinion but when it comes to verifiable truth, researched facts, peer reviewed findings, choices of compassion, they must assert. There isn’t any both sideism. There are no binary narrations that need to be debated and ossified into two sides of political bickering and then deviously into binary political party system. Binary politics is created by devious elite to play ping pong with common people’s tribulations as they neatly partition their turf and effectively divide people into this trap. Market media exaggerations and dehumanizing religions degrade it further. Both sideism is the most dangerous contemporary problem that is causing severe setbacks in dealing with emerging reality.          

Despicables at BBC

 

When the adipose of colonial excesses clog and accumulate it takes human form and assume grander view of the world. They also think themselves as exceptional beings while people wanting in their valuation or expectation are usable or disposable. Clearly, this valuation is not based on empathy, intellect or what defines a human. Nothing explains complete lack of application of mind or empathy for tribulations of common people across the world who are facing the cascading effects of climate change. Market media across the world are seen lacking in their response to the looming climate crisis despite the fact that millions face bleak future. They seem to have abdicated whatever little responsibility they have. Although they claim to represent fourth estate of democracy -a watchdog, they are mostly controlled by powerful interests. Few billionaires control influential outlets and they overwhelm the space, hence it’s difficult for concerned committed outlet to emerge -it also is dependent on nature of society too -a primitive society where herds can easily be controlled and kept excited through superficialities of politics, fantasies of religions, mediocre movies, wastrel’s games, it really becomes difficult to be responsible citizens. Herd has to be always kept distracted, otherwise lacking basic sense they turn into mob.

BBC has produced some excellent iconic documentaries on nature and environment over the years, and with David Attenborough it was nothing short of miracle. But these attempts by BBC News to play both sideism on the issue of climate crisis even in the year 2022 is telling. It also shows how much they are complicit in obfuscating the critical issue for the last many decades. It shows how much they value matter that will impact the fate of life on earth, all those amazing species. This is an existential crisis. It is NOT that ‘environmentalists are upset’ over UK PM not attending COP27 or that Sweden has removed Environment ministry (imagine a Scandinavian country has slipped into such a mess, it’s really unbelievable) any sane person will be, and should be, upset.

*western british media like BBC have serious impact on erstwhile colonies since the elite sections frame much of their worldview through these -ofcourse in the recent times democratization has happened through profusion of digital and social media. But many of these News channels carry reputation -not necessarily deservingly as BBC is persistently proving. When I was in my early teens I was asked to listen to BBC since it was supposed to carry authentic news, as also it would help me learn 'good English'. I first listened to BBC when Indira Gandhi got assassinated and there were reports of riots, there was no source of authentic news. Quite coincidently I had recently got a portable Japanese radio set, and would listen BBC with much keenness although I really couldn’t understand much of what they said and the accent made it worse. Fortunately for me they repeated the news every half an hour or so, and I would listen again and again. Slowly I could catch the words and search the meanings in the dictionary, thirteen-year-old me would be exhilarated. I even thought Punjab was actually Poonjab! Now as I look back, I feel violated that BBC is reduced to such crap, or maybe they were always manipulative and that I am no longer naïve.           

Podcast on contemporary non fiction books

 https://depalan.podbean.com/

Listen to the Second Podcast, we continue from where we left. There has been some changes since the earlier platform was not free. Even this one has limited space hence I will be making small capsules so as to not extend the MB limit. Anyway, I am grateful to these platforms for giving this opportunity  

Brownwashing is not progressive

 

So, an Indian origin fellow -the link is tenuous as much as his link to Britain and the tribulations of common people nevertheless it should keep the herd riveted since he is a exhibiting Hindu and all the ridiculousness of religion that comes with it, is now ‘ruling’ (well that’s what the mob here in India wants to believe) Britain. Excelling in manipulation among the opportunist sociopaths in Conservative cabal he scratched and scrambled through, not elected by people nor liked by them. His amazing level of incompetence was on display in the previous government. His lack of concern or empathy was showcased during pandemic. The fellow was busy ticking boxes to please the power that be, to be in their good books, while he upstages the incumbent sociopath (who also displayed psychopathic tendencies). His appalling attempts at influencing Tory sociopaths with ridiculous hackneyed cringeworthy ads didn’t work. That he was defeated by another sociopath (trickle down dimwit) who couldn’t outlast a lettuce is telling.  

There is a stampede among castetva and hindutva -in equal ferocious measure, here in India to claim him hence by implication the untold ‘intelligance’ and ofcourse merit that the world is yet to understand. One fellow -inbred in this ecosystem of exceptionalism, in social media claimed in the melee that NASA scientists have learned sanskrit to understand the hidden knowledge of nature of universe. Given half a chance primitive Indian society has the template to take it to the next level of ridiculous. While Rishi Sunak was ticking all the boxes of amassing wealth and influence, and working the nepotistic hold through circle of influence and neo-liberal clique, seasoned Indians here in India easily valued these as signs of blessing, indeed they would be aiming for the same goals given half the chance! What the person is doing or has done (even a cursory glance at this erstwhile hedge fund manager’s performance during pandemic is enough to tick him off -and should never be allowed anywhere near influential positions), what is the values he hold, is not at all a concern as long as wealth and influence is working. Precisely what squatters at Tirupati recommends. Let the money talk. Let us keep them mesmerized with our wealth and power. They will bow. They will want blessing to improve their fate. They will want the share of power and wealth. Everything is justified with power and wealth. Imagine the minds that think like this, and then work to create sacredness around it. And yes, very soon Sunak will be paying a visit (unless ofcourse common people in Britain revolt and general elections are called). This is how ordained soul meet beholder of special power and conjurer of mysterious forces in universe. The more you understand these people absurd it gets. Also, unlike patronizing fattened fluffs who have taken the cudgel to protect religion, these absurdities must be eviscerated and ridiculed. An intriguing discussion in social media was about counting number of Indian origin leaders who have trigger on nuclear bomb. Ofcourse ridiculing Pakistan is a constant endeavor (not that this nation needs any help, corrupt feudal, exploited people, and yes Islam representing the idea of religions that holds worst of possibilities for humanity -the audacity to declare Islamophobia by UN – I am still seething. Religiophilia is an affliction of controllers. There isn’t anything sacred about religion indeed it’s banal, anachronistic nuisance). The idea that more Indian origins have power to destroy world many times over seems satisfying thought to some, as also the implicit claims of superiority (one pretentious news channel reported few months ago that US VP had nuclear button in her control for hours, I couldn’t understand the significance, now I am getting it). What kind of people are these?       

This picture is doing the round in social media to buttress all ridiculous claim by primitives here in India. This need to be dealt. Consolidation of section of cult into hinduism (hinduism was, and is being, consolidated and defined by the other) saw to it that cows become sacred. For most hindus cows were never really sacred except maybe some small sections in North India. Eating cow meat was quite a common practice, even find mention in scriptures. Many rituals reminisce animal sacrifices even human sacrifices. Buddhism presented frame of compassion though not in the degrading concept of purity. Buddha’s last meal consist of pork is documented and explains the context of compassion that caste cannibals were incapable to fathom.  For some it was bulls that were sacred, for some it was peacock, for others it was dog (readers of this blog will recall Jejuri – and the unforgettable lines by Kolatkar -God is the word I know how to read backwards!). During the socalled freedom struggle caste cannibals were working furiously to control narration as also match with the needs of colonial masters hence many ‘interpretations’ and ‘scholarly’ work on Gita to compare and be par with the single holy book religion -read Bible. Bhagvad Gita is just one of the holy books among hundreds of holy scriptures. How did this book gain prominence like cow? Ofcourse colonial racist christian masters with the help of caste cannibals created jokes on holy cow (something that you will not find in any Indian region or language, clearly, it’s a conception of english).  So, when you get photographed paying obeisance to cow it’s carefully crafted to create exotic value to britishers. The otherness that they have constant urge to patronize for their own redemption and to showcase benign nature that hide colonial excesses. It’s seen that when normal decent people migrate, or even spent some time, in West (specifically Britain or Canada) they come back much insular dogmatic versions of religions, identifying with regressive and revivalists. Quite clearly these are nurtured by white European elite working to segregate and exoticize as also exhibit proprietorial control over common people. Alien regressive values doesn’t add to society, it generally spread misery -not only for common people but also for the majority vulnerable within the exotic. There arises revulsion hence xenophobia which is tapped by cunning opportunists to divide and create binary narrations to share power. Praying holy cow and performatory exhibition of exotic faith ticks all the boxes that pleases the West hence the urge to patronize, this later consolidates into power. Back home these regressive performances are being celebrated as hinduism’s mystical connections to universe and how it bestows blessing on some. Ofcourse I am not against cows. When I was kid, we had a cow in hometown and I would hug the calf -such a gentle adorable creature. Also, cow meat is red meat hence bad for health. Ofcourse one must strive for veganism as a choice but with meat diet once in a while. There is nothing patently sacred about cows nor anything evil about buffaloes or pigs. Every life is sacred. Indeed, every life is a miracle (I was reading about incredible ways by which bats echolocate -it’s amazing. Bats are now topping my list of animals that can be considered sacred!)  This praying to specific animals -since some herds do so, by those whom we assume to be ‘educated’ is dangerous. It is ticking the western cliché. Brownwashing is not progressive. Nevertheless Britain will have to see whether he redeems himself? Most people have doubts.  

                                    *                                     *                                        *

Now check these three pictures here. The common factor here is that they are all women of Indian origin who held/hold powerful positions in West. What is also common is that they are nastiest of the lot. To the extend you can call them embarrassments. But they are seen as representing woman of color, vulnerabilities of migrants, exotic culture so on…but these are all superficialities. They are superficial human being, sociopaths who would do anything for money and power. And yes, there are lots like these in India too, so when we talk of vulnerable women in India just be sure. The worst are always lurking salivating for power and ready with PR agency for image change. It goes without saying that this is equally true for men, just trying to point out that this primitive society is much complicated, and that those who claim to represent are not really representing nor can they represent. Even Gandhi was a shoddy attempt.  

Power doesn’t corrupt -it attracts

 Let us accept that british system is the worst of possibilities, it’s a confluence of benefits from colonial atrocities, racism, Christianity -instead of guiding- exploiting the situation for proselytizing, anachronistic absurdities of monarchy that normalizes feudal values and spurious ascriptive claims, nepotism and cronyism, a flawed parliament that reserves seats for worst of people -and the gall to call them lords, and not the least patronizing customs, traditions, from worst of religions and systems into ‘developed’ societies hence severely degrading enlightening progressive efforts in poorer societies, as also nurturing charlatans claiming to represent beleaguered people from across the world. Britain has done good and bad to the world. Bad is worst, and it stands out. It really is worst of possibilities, and it happens because lack of vigilance -taken in by laziness of arrogance and exceptionalism as guiding light of the world -it may have been true in scientific achievements century back but the world has firmly moved on and looks back in amusement. Neo-liberal capitalism unleashed by Thatcher onto the world, and now reaping the worst possibility by presenting vilest mediocre puppets as leaders. Britain has just gone through a long post-colonial yawn of indulgent excesses and is now startled out of its siesta to find all its claims in shambles.   

Sane people would have called for general election to stop this calamitous fall of British politics. This absurd stampede to be PM by ticking all the right boxes just for overwhelming naked greed for power while the situation turn utterly ridiculous. Politics run by people who are so isolated from reality that they come with new claims of absurdities every day to startle with their appalling lack of presence, their lack of empathy and their utter narcissism. 

Quite coincidently I am reading this book Corruptible -Who Gets Power And How It Changes Us by Brian Klaas. The book mentions about famous Stanford University prison test conducted in 1971 (there is also a movie based on this) wherein the volunteers who were given power become abusive. The experiment claimed that demons are within us and that power lets them come out. Interestingly in 2007 researchers in Western Kentucky University conducted the same experiment, they replaced these words for the ad asking for volunteers “for a psychological study of prison life” with “for a psychological study”. In some town they placed “prison life” ad while in other they placed “psychological study”. So, the idea was to have people volunteering for “prison life” experiment while others for generic “psychological study” experiment, and to see if there is any difference. What they found was extraordinary. Those who responded to the prison experiment advertisement scored significantly high on “aggressiveness, authoritarianism, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and social dominance and significantly lower on dispositional empathy and altruism” by just including the word 'prison' they were able to attract disproportionately sadist volunteers. The study may demonstrate that sadist people seek out power. Power could be magnet for bad people rather than a force that turns good people bad. In this understanding, power doesn’t corrupt -it attracts.                     

Podcast on contemporary non fiction books

https://depalan.podbean.com/

This is a new podcast (you will have to sign in) wherein I will be discussing, mostly elaborating, contemporary nonfiction books. In the recent times things are changing quite rapidly and with new insights adding to available understanding at breakneck speed. These also have significant impact on future whether AI, quantum computing or biotechnology. Meanwhile there are issues related to climate crisis and evolving parameters, challenges to biodiversity, social media and impact on authenticity (not that mainstream had any say on authenticity, just that the muddle has spread), challenges for democracy and liberty by constantly morphing regressive systems, so on. So, I will be discussing books that presents something interesting. Choosing a book is quite an arduous task since the time spent to read is valuable. Be aware of contemporary challenges and then go for books that are incisive or else follow some brilliant people across the world and checkout their reading list. Avoid market, so-called influencers, and nonsense that comes with it, as also challenges and angst of primitive societies and people. You can easily avoid anything in the framework of fantasies of religion as also market and crass entertainments. In short there should be no time for concerns of herds, herd controllers, their tribulations, angst and happiness. Understanding these pitiable contexts and threat they pose is a frame for good book.    

 In this fast-changing world it has also become quite difficult to spent time on fiction -it is indeed a luxury. Ofcourse youngsters must read fiction (the best ones including the valued writers of last centuries) for insights on humanity and human nature so on, and yes don’t waste time on spectacular versions of garbage that is churned out each day in the name of fiction. Anything that titillates and doesn’t make you think or add to your understanding of life is really a waste – a criminal misuse of time as also a degradation.       

I am starting this podcast with the book I happen to read last month An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us. Quite an interesting book with amazing knowledge of the world we live in. It’s a book we should all buy. Also, this book gave quite a significant shift in understanding towards nature. Last many years I was a Naturalist (conducting nature treks) wherein the constant endeavor was to learn about nature and communicate. Then I was a Biomimic (taking sessions on Biomimicry) here it was about what you can learn from nature. And now this book opens up new understanding, indeed an evolution of sort for me, as to look at the world through the eyes of nature -umwelt of different species. It’s a brilliant book.

British embarrassment is no longer international embarrassment. Thank you.

 She couldn't outlast the lettuce. What a disgrace. Who next? 😄

Meanings are deeper

 

Being a human is a much deeper responsibility. It needs constant vigilance, not only of one’s own actions and inactions but also the context one is placed in as it broadens and involves the whole world. It makes us aware of the state of the world and the systems that are used to control and incapacitate. Systems that keep humans in a constant frenzy, a frantic involvement with world, restless activities towards concocted goals – a distraction that gradually isolate oneself from one’s own being. They become ever busy in fulfilling the meanings of the system. Atrophied by their own negation they use remnant faculties of being a human to work for immediate needs of the system. They are incapable to think beyond. They are incapacitated to use their faculties or sensibilities. This lack of a human is what isolate him or her from the nature, from the earth systems that nurtures life. It is a pitiable existence.

They find meaning in being part of these demeaning and degrading systems -conceived by devious working of market, religion and compromised institutions that seek to trap (this extends to state machinery and the concept of nation itself in its negative assimilation of exceptionalism). They get compromised being part of these dehumanizing systems, they now cherish as astute herd members hence seek meanings in these associations. With limited sensibilities and ever restrictive systems it is never going to be good for the humanity. In this delusional existence they approach existential crisis that humanity faces. Lacking basic involvement expected from vibrant human life they find common sensical issues beyond their grasp and easily fall for conspiracy theories and manipulation, indeed being a herd member, they revel in this opportunity to prove their herd credential. They obfuscate facts, create alternate truth and generally vitiate matters that could easily be understood if their minds were not constricted and decrepited by the system. They volunteer to be irresponsible. They volunteer to be not human. They refuse to think. Their lack and obedience is celebrated by collective assertion of systems -market, religions and devious controllers, through entertainment, art and general notions of success. This powerlessness to face the reality, this lack of trust in one’s own sensibilities and incapacity to apply mind, in the overwhelming overbearing presence of systems is what makes people dangerous.      

Two thinkers have become extremely important in these trying times: Hannah Arendt (it was her birth anniversary yesterday, and I was recapping her brilliant philosophies) and Ludwig Wittgenstein. The matter of thinking and meanings we assign. Truth sustains as we search for meaning, this search and deeper involvement in this process is what collapses the fake. Meanings are assigned through words hence the words have to be dynamic to contain the truth -the collective consensus, of the context and time. We find the meaning of the word by looking at the commonalities it is exposed to. Dictionary assigns basic meaning but a milieu of social, historical and contemporary realities through reflection of collective intelligence creates a dynamic meaning. It is therefore important that words are not allowed meanings that is ossified in the realities of past hence triggering the fractures that hold less or no meanings in present. These attempts at controlling words into easy meanings and clichés to polarize discussions, to facilitate comfortable narrative control of few, must be resisted. As we critically analyze the situation, we must think deeply about the words we use. Words must reflect diversity of experience, and shouldn’t be allowed into binary for manipulation. Words that don’t reflect the reality makes the experience superficial as it is made incapable to encapsulate deeper meaning. Without deeper meaning we cannot have deeper understanding hence truth fades and is replaced by banalities.