Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Homo sapiens population crosses 8billion
Thursday, November 10, 2022
The beating heart
Sunday, November 06, 2022
Book suggestion: Drawdown
Saturday, November 05, 2022
COP27
Thursday, November 03, 2022
Wednesday, November 02, 2022
Dangers of both sideism, and binary narration
Sunday, October 30, 2022
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.
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Podcast on contemporary non fiction books
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
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Brownwashing is not progressive
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?
Sunday, October 23, 2022
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.
Friday, October 21, 2022
Podcast on contemporary non fiction books
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.
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Saturday, October 15, 2022
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.
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Unnecessary provocation
Monday, October 10, 2022
Dangerous escalation
What a mess we are in. This is escalating dangerously. We people all across the world are seriously concerned. An urgent intervention by UN and responsible leaders of Western nations is needed here. We common people across the world are always fodder in bigger game of powerful people. We really don’t know what is happening. We see horrible sights of bombs exploding and people getting killed, and now threats of nuclear war. What can we do except watch with growing concern.
Let’s get the basics. Respect sovereignty of nation. Respect borders of
nations. Russia, under dictator Putin, has attacked another country and massacred
people. These are facts. What is also true is presence of anachronistic cold
war relic NATO -that Russia see as a threat. Russia at this point is ruled not
by reason but by survival instinct of an egomaniac. He has access to nuclear arsenals
that can create havoc at a scale that would make Hiroshima look minor event and collapse life system on earth. Steps towards de-escalation could include roll back of NATO and eventual disbanding while Russia evacuate Ukraine territory. The
world doesn’t really need military organizations that is ossified in the realities
of 20th century. If there is no Warsaw pact then why is NATO needed?
What is the threat that NATO is protecting? World has evolved and is nowhere
connected to realities of 1940s or 50s, there is nothing in common -it only exists
in the minds of older leaders and their egos. West must recognize this by not
pushing the world into fracture lines of the past. West must show magnanimity
and confidence in its capabilities. Nobody is giving into the blackmail of a
dictator. It’s logical thing to do, as also good for the world to strengthen UN. Deploy UNPKF at Russia-Ukraine border. Encourage democratic forces in Russia. If world leaders are not able to take decision, then feed all these facts to Artificial
Intelligence (AI), and I am quite sure this is the optimal solution an AI would also suggest. This
need not be a zero-sum game, it’s a loss for humanity and for life on earth. It
can still be salvaged.
Sunday, October 09, 2022
The gluttonous sponsors of existential crisis
Imagine how they conceived
the idea of ‘sponsoring’ a climate summit, quite clearly an attempt to normalize
consumerism and work it within the ambit of ‘problem solvers’. And who is better
to help us solve problems than Coca-Cola! They teach it as marketing strategy
to younger herd as they are coopted into system as ‘success stories’ of money
and intelligence. In primitive societies these are referred to as case of untold
blessing as they easily move around pirouetting skills, charming people, influencing
decisions, and generally agreed upon as refreshing ‘positive energy’ (there is
a word in malayalam which was constantly used, and pushed on to ambivalent failures, ‘nokipadikada #@&#’ meaning ‘see
and learn #@&#’). For marketeers this is -in their success churning lingo, a
marketing coup. Most ‘leaders’ in flawed democracies across the world are
presented to herd through these miracles of market. The ‘leaders’ are then
elected to sustain corporate needs through euphemism of growth and development.
Coca-Cola has this to say on its latest transgression on humanity “Coca-Cola’s
firm belief that working together through meaningful partnerships will create
shared opportunities for communities and people around the world and in Egypt.”
When words are assigned narrow meanings devoid of contexts or evolving
realities then it is an attempt at controlling narration.
There is no need to keep elaborating worst of corporates like Coca-Cola or Pepsi. Apart from largest polluters on planet it has played havoc on health, particularly of younger generation, all across the world by increasing obesity, diabetes so on at an alarming rate. Taking the specific case of Egypt which has the highest obesity rate in the African continent. ‘Between 2015 and 2019, the carbonated soft drinks market in Egypt grew by 27%, and from 2020, has been increasing annually by 19. By 2025, the market is estimated to be worth $4.08 billion’. There are other significant issues, that is also undermined by mainstream market media, of groundwater exploitation -natural resource depletion, and prioritizing electricity and resources to these exploitative corporates over needs of local population. This blogger had covered it in India almost two decades back https://depalan.blogspot.com/2011/03/anecdotal-study-on-nature-of-mncs.html. Not that it has changed anything but I can only do what is within my limit, as each one of us as conscientious objectors. We do our do. There are powerful forces who sideline, undermine and eventually block or tarnish, meanwhile they will ofcourse pose as benevolent force, as helping saviors, through opportunist celebrities and pliable influencers. Just that they will usurp all the power and money, and then ‘trickle down’ to keep the exploitative feudal system stable. It is how market spreads positive energy crap of ‘development and growth’. Unfortunately, they have reached a dead end. Neoliberal growth cannot work on limited and precious planet resources. Nice advertisement and meaningless words cannot stop climate calamities. West is facing the other end of neoliberalism what poorer societies have been facing all along. There is reason why west is suddenly facing ‘third world problems’. As they say, chicken is coming home to roost. Earth’s system cannot sustain unending demands of neoliberal gluttony. Quite clearly COP27 is turning out to be jamboree for leaders of flawed democracies, dictators, sponsors of greed, polluters and their lobbyists
Friday, October 07, 2022
Tuesday, October 04, 2022
Superficially black
Hindutva hooligans at the fore
What to expect from a primitive society?
The mainstream nonsense is becoming unbearable. With castetva forces degrading
the society and institutionalizing regressive values, expectedly lacking
personal probity (nepotistic corrupt sycophantic charlatans working on eloquence
and hedonistic ways as liberal) in the last many decades, it was but expected. Entertainment
in this part of the world was always substandard (with very rare exceptions -necessarily against the norm. As mentioned earlier music and colors -mainly through folk
art, are two aspects of expression that worked for me from this depressingly degraded
part of the world), an excruciating experience. With modern technology it can
only go to worst of details. To expect something enlightening from regressive foundation
is foolishness, hence we have to tolerate, this therefore becomes defining
moment for freedom of expression and arbitration of possibilities that democracy
and modern technologies provides.
These cacophonies of absurd surrounding
the ‘discussion’ (within the mythical vad-samvad traditions of putrid
society) gets excruciating by the day. For literacy to become education is a big
deal, it is saddening that modern technologies and spectacular access these
provides has made it immensely possible but what we get is pursuit of crass and
crude. It is easy to blame castetva cannibals for consolidation of
hindutva hooligans, though this is largely true, but we are seeing trends
across the world (latest in Brazil) where the worst of the people are getting acceptance
in large scale. It is about time to understand this dangerous shifting -wise
and better equipped minds should explore this. Most importantly these clever
binaries that were assiduously created, and now collapse with remarkable ease in common
people’s estimation, is stark. Manipulating feudal structures and hedonism into
liberal and freedom while carefully feeding regressive religions as symbolic sacred.
These constructed binaries are meant to polarize for easy manipulation and consolidation
of sinister forces. These degradation of egalitarian into words with ominous intents
has reached a dead end, it is being thoroughly breached into desperations of common
people. We need to reclaim words that defines egalitarian values and human
progress that hinges the shared aspirations of humanity. These cannot be kept ossified
into 20th century contexts and value system through narrative control of few. Modern world and its continuously
emerging challenges need forceful semantics. Words holds meaning. Meanings are
vibrant and constantly evolving.
Sunday, October 02, 2022
Interesting premise for a book
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
A finite life
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Friday, September 23, 2022
Urgent collective action
Nature thrives in collective
action. World is sustained by collective actions of different forces. Symbiosis
and mutualism are norm. Predation and competing, though for specific limited purpose, these too are synergic part of the system that sustains life. Humans cannot
survive on their own. They are dependent on biodiversity services of nature. Nor
individuals can survive without society. That really doesn’t mean humans are
social insects. Humans are sentient, and have free will, aspirations and
different conceptions of ambitions and ideas of life. The instinct of life is
byproduct of billions of years. Evolution is gradual consolidation of these
instincts. Nature optimizes and not maximize; it sets it limit through synergic
association with surrounding. Understanding nature’s instinct will therefore add
significantly to awareness. Inquisitive minds and wise people have sought to
understand these and consolidate into subjects of inquiry and knowledge. In
this critical juncture of existential threat instincts of collective actions
needs a way.
As mentioned earlier systems that
dehumanizes and isolates from humanity are constant threat. Significantly it
prevents collective actions. A thriving collective action needs aware
knowledgeable individuals otherwise collective becomes a danger of herd that
has potential to be misled into mob. It is from these dehumanizing frames another
regressive value system emerges that propose some as especially capable, some
blessed individuals uniquely endowed to solve humanity’s concerns. Popular
medium and entertainment has driveled these into mass psyche as hero
worshipping -god is only a carefully constructed expressions of these. These
seemingly proposing humbleness to bigger forces tend to undermine capacity of human. Individual
assertions are classified as arrogance while individuality is seen as a threat.
When someone escapes the tentacles of these regressive systems and is able to contain his/her unique human identity to contribute to humanity and if checks system's conception of success i.e. money, power,
fame so on, then they are sought to be appropriated as blessed, as specially
endowed, with divine grace as supernatural, as heroes, as avatars. Such is the degradation that money,
power, fame -the paraphernalia of greed, sick minds, are presented by market as defining attributes to emulate
to be successful. Since system rarely produce space for uniqueness hence we are
presented with cheaper versions of entertainers with much fanfare. Comic
versions are now serious mega buck heroes and influencers carrying the burden
of humanity for quick and easiest fixes consolidating the subconscious
narration of religion, of providence, of miracles. They create caricature of possibilities
into implausible that needs superheroes, divine presences and blessed saviors.
Life in itself is a providence.
Each and every expression of nature is a miracle. It is only when humans are
dehumanized that they fail to see these miracles. An evolved society will make
it natural for humans to be part of the miracle. With knowledge, awareness and
presence, they effortlessly connect and become perceptive to the vibrant universe surrounding
us. Depending on their attitude, passion, they gain skills to explore. Thus, whether
in art or science or both -since nature doesn’t work in silos nor mind, they sense
the essence for humanity. Thus increasing our awareness and understanding hence
evolving collective mind of humanity into a better world. It doesn’t need any specially
endowed human or specific blessings since every life is part of the miracle and
hence capable to replicate that miracle. In primitive societies such presences
are impossible so binaries are created to appropriate the exceptions as a
lesson for herd on implausible divine, impossible superheroes, so as to keep
them in leash while awestruck to the miracle of the system and otherworldly providences
that can be converted into goodies if they obey and follow. In evolved society or aware minds miracles are common place without loosing any
of its wonder.
Monday, September 19, 2022
History is no reference
What happened a century or
centuries back is no reference for events now. Contemporary world is quite a different
place and is significantly evolved with immense awareness hence has nothing really
in common with medieval times. The present cannot be judged from the prism of
past. Past can only be understood. The only context when primitive references of
history matters is when some present systems trace its values from history or
seeks legitimacy through history or primacy of traditions or tries to replicate it through
institutions that intends to suppress and discriminate group of people or individuals.
This is true for white supremacist (fascist, nazis etc.), exceptionalism of anachronistic religions (through caste cannibals, monster mullahs, white racists, herd fantasy, so on) or feudal institutions like monarchy that nurtures deviant values and norms that is anti-thesis and a persistent threat to democratic institutions and
egalitarian values. No country or society in the world valued equality, liberty
and primacy of law in its true sense even a century back. World was a nasty
place. The world as of now, despite its lacunas and serious flaws, is the best
of humanity’s possibilities. Democratic values in its true sense nurtures egalitarian
systems and humanistic concerns. It fosters each individual to their potential.
Serious concern is not reparation
or loot but the system that is being sustained. The feudal values that is
nurtured through monarchy, as also how much it associates with colonial ways
and racist mindsets. Most significantly, how much have these british medieval theatre
of absurd influenced and degraded nascent emerging democracies of Asia and
Africa in last many decades since independence? In many ways flawed society’s path towards democracy and egalitarian values, hence aspirations of common people, were actively undermined by elite sections who sought extra constitutional authority
by emulating monarchy. Feudal values negated democratic institutions into pomp
theatric ‘traditions’ while nurturing exceptionalism, nepotism and crony capitalism. Those who
value liberty, equality and ideals of democracy must fiercely resist feudal forces even
in its benign proposedly stabilizing form. It’s a dangerous and persistent threat
to humanity. Democratic values through individual right and rule of law assure
liberty and equality hence hope to common people. Hope brings stability.