The sickness

 

This collage of pictures is in one km radius. I took these on my evening walk, and this could be any random place. This deranged obsession for white is reflection of a deeper sickness. It is also connected to infection of purity. It has created land of ‘fair and lovely’ where bunch of few hundred white people from faraway land could easily colonize and exploit for more than a century while the nincompoops supplicated and try to match colonizers to appear civilized. They aspired and identified with colonizers than with common people or any ethical value system. To assume that white skin has nothing to do with it is a big mistake. This sick society saw them as natural rulers while obsequiously arranging themselves around it and valorously compete for attention. It was quite easy for colonizers to feed the ego and help create narration of valor. History, myths, reality…everything was manipulated to control the herd, there really was nothing else that occupied the minds of inbred mediocres. With no sense of history or facts they try to fill in myths of grandeur, as moral arbitrators to the world and intelligence that is yet to be understood. Such is the sense of entitlement that unfortunately doesn’t match the sparse miserable reality hence this full-time occupation to fill in the gaps by weaving grand stories and selective valuation of present. It is a society where the least of talent or any redeeming human quality strut around as god's gift. 

White people in West have taken the burden of racism -which they brutally perpetuated, but much of the world is racist in varying degrees of brutality. South Asians when they are in West -essentially gained from feudal system, whine about racism against browns but nowhere I have seen shops referred to as brown hotels or brown homes, nor black homes or black lodge. Ofcourse, english language has embedded racism hence dark is valuated as sinister while white as fair but that doesn’t and cannot exonerate local racism and value systems that nurture these. Forget humans even animals are not spared. We are aware of white cows in north India, in here, elephant that are kept as props for degrading rituals are evaluated on whiteness! Imagine the sickness. They have worked features of magnificence and white being important marker in an essentially dark-skinned region -indeed the same had much sympathy towards white people hence evaluated higher hierarchy. The dark magnificent creature is not only exploited but has been assigned hierarchy on the level of whiteness! It’s a deeply flawed society.

Worst of these are noted in Tamil Nadu –a region that had much potential and was attuned to face realities of medieval times and thrived into east Asia, and how sinister forces worked to undermine egalitarian movements and reduced it into caste cesspool. Tamil movies had a major role in this degradation. Meanwhile Hema Commission has opened pandora's box in Malayalam film industry- they make relatively better movies but overall amazing level of mediocrity while pandering to social morass, regressive ways, feudal references nurtured as valued identity while patriarchy morph into modern as sexist fun. What is seriously problematic is the story and intention, incapacitated to face pathetic reality it hinges on mythical grandeur and crude expressions, ofcourse in recent times there is marginal shift -as people access better entertainment options, but still is overwhelmingly degraded. The idea of entertainment as complex and elevating is rarely understood and appreciated in primitive society. It always falls back on lowest commonest denominator and in Indian case it really is a pit. It is a sexist world no doubt, there are exploitations but allegations cannot be taken on face value. In the overwhelming attention seeking value system, where everything is seen as opportunity for branding, an actress making allegations cannot be put on high pedestal, also the social context of exceptionalism and entitlement that is nurtured cannot be negated. Assault is a legal matter and must be dealt accordingly and not in the realm of wild speculations as entertainment. Two factors become paramount; one is whether there is pattern of allegations -that is multiple instances blaming a person, is a serious matter. Hence one-off incident, maybe serious, must be understood in the context -chance of fictitious cannot be ruled out. Also, in a profession where physical involvement is common everything is subjective, and in Indian context situation is complex. The idea that women cannot be perpetrators doesn't stand the scrutiny of cannibalistic society. Also, there are lots of low talent manipulators trying to gain attention in high stake money churning glamour world. Attention is branding. Director Ranjit (who is extremely talented and widely respected) being treated like this is deeply disconcerting and doesn’t augur well. Voyeurs and hooters are having field day, tarnishing lives and muddling issue is not how you deal. Secondly, serious allegations of rape and child molestation must be dealt strictly (the actor against whom grave allegation of orchestrating assault is still able to act in movies while process of justice languishes is a sick joke on society). How are some able to control the system in their favour must be scrutinized. Is the film industry under the control of exploitative cartel? Hopefully these are unraveled and guilty punished. WCC has done remarkable work.

The pertinent questions also are: What are the kinds of movies that get made, what are the value system they are espousing and authenticating, on what basis people are chosen to be artists? Who are these people who decide these? Who or what are they representing? In most cases lacking basic training anyone can become an actor (not all but in most cases) what are the parameters on which they are given the role? What is the caliber an outside artist -who cannot even understand the language, bringing that is not found in this region? What is the process and markers of casting for a role? Is it not perpetuating prejudices and primitive ways in a degraded society? Are these movies aiming progressive ways or nurturing and authenticating primitive values? 

PK Rosy was the first Malayalam actress and instead of celebrating her they threatened her with assault and lynching. She had to flee the state and live in anonymity and poverty. Such is the foundation of this degraded entertainment industry. What makes it grievous is that she is completely forgotten and no attempts made to reinstate her memory and rectify grave intrusion on a human being least an artist. Though some actions are seen in recent times but nothing short of public apology by state and assigning best actress state award in her name will suffice. 

Hoopoe’s fanfare coda 

Every day, every hour, every moment 

the biophonic orchestra of life

Retreats

Symphony loses its players

in great rapidity

some vacate, some exit, some ponder

Songbird lower the flute

Crickets die out too early for choir

Elephant trumpet misses the cue

Frogs drop their brass call

Stag beetle bongo drums out of tune

Gorilla beat is now a plea

Walrus trombone a lament

Spix macaw exit

so does the Western Black Rhinoceros

and Golden Toad

and Pinta giant Tortoise…

others are queueing in a hurry

Cacophony of anthropophonic invade the liminal space

Amputated forest, uprooted trees

Unanswered bereft palindrome of wild calls

My eyes disappear into flowing river

I search for lost Hoopoe’s fanfare

In my childhood memory    

  

Lackadaisical system, scyophantic theatrics and britishery

Watch this 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86LjZ0Gak2U

This is what I commented on the above video in the site. This in the aftermath of brutal rape murder in Kolkata. So, after brutal crime facilitated by horrible social values, insensitive police -there were cases against him on brutalities committed, appalling lack that led to his recruitment in sensitive role, apathy of hospital administration, worst of possibilities facilitated by system that led to heinous crime, and then in the aftermath criminal 'conspiracy' and worst of people, political posturing, hooligans unleashed to scuttle the matter, media drama ...and now the sterling performance at the Court. Quite tired of these incorrigible buffoons while common people are exploited. 

"it's an absolute travesty on people of this country that apart from lackadaisical systems that they endure on daily basis now we see judges referred to as lordship, reeks of obsequious drawl. These ridiculous theatrics of british value system (britishery) further burdens what essentially is feudal primitive society (also note little details like difference in size of chairs -these crude nuances are passed on to common people/sycophants as reference of power display and hierarchy details cringe). Be professional and cut the nonsense. Refer to him as Mr. Chandrachud or a curt Sir or Mr. or Shri or something neutral without regressive context. They are not f*cking lords, they are appointed to arbitrate justice by carefully studying and evaluating facts (and yes we are also not interested in their unsolicited regressive views on matters which they are least competent). Also, look at the 'celebrity' lawyers who are paid ransom -that in itself is criminal, creating ruckus instead of working to get to the truth of the matter (also, unethically using his/her position to barter for position like RS member/minister). Disgraceful"

Iridium story

We can if we want to

Knit rainbows into pattern

Arrange it across the garden

And wait for asteroids

To bring amino acids and water

And some iridium

To shape life

With iridium head and iridium legs

And tell iridium stories of faraway galaxies

Prosaic is now sacred

 

Life expresses. Every life is an expression of wonders and experiences of millions of years of evolution. Life incessantly adapts to its existential reality and relentlessly strives to survive. Survival calls for peak commitment and acute awareness of reality and all the nuances it exhibits; it cannot be substandard or lackadaisical involvement. Substantial part of specie's survival gets imprinted onto DNA and is shared for better say in life while epigenetics gives the maneuvering space for emerging reality. In this struggle for survival, we see finest expressions of life eminently amenable to its ecosystem whether it is the splendid colours of flowers, supreme skills of bats or exquisite baya weaver nests. Life rarely indulges in futilities of competition or extremes of actions but invests in mutualism and sharing to optimize resources and effectively deal with the complexities present. The improbable life syncs with forces of nature to survive and thrive in the midst of cataclysmic chaos. It is a miracle.   

It is humans (the post-agriculture Homo sapiens) who have created a paradigm shift of life as indulgence and not mere survival. These spiraled into amazing artistic expressions and astonishing understanding of science through laws of nature. The benefits accrued led to luxuries and opportunities to invest time to investigate and understand better. The flip side here is -that is becoming dangerously apparent, very few humans carry this burden of existence that are indeed instrumental in human progress and amazing expressions while most become parasites wallowing in excess and laziness while some detach into postmodern (excellent theoretical inquiry -deconstructing power, but leaves chaos of relativism that instrument neoliberal grab landing into alternative truth -overwhelming simulated reality of virtual) nihilism. These majority increasingly lack connection with reality and use of critical thinking faculties (herd) create  delusions and low standards of arbitration taking humanity further down the sinkhole. Ideals of liberty and freedom becomes captive to degraded expressions and juvenile assertion, they infect democratic institutions. Hence, we have this dichotomy of amazing progress and some brilliant people juxtaposed and normalized with majority of indulgent self-assured unthinking entitled wastrels.

It seems sky is the limit if you have intention, and that intention is only thing that matters! And we have all the means and wherewithal to express that intention. Lethargic system has normalized indulgences to basic, it is porn of existence -you show what you have and we watch. It is a primal arrangement to keep everybody happy in what they are without any encouragement or questioning. Audience, consumers, voters, followers, are cheerleaders of collective minimum, the crude mass. It is a framework that pretends you to be esteemed part hence thrive in crass. They survive on lowest denominator of exchange and reduce everything to its level. Genuine grievances and discriminations are now barter to tolerate mediocrities (we witnessed realtime deconstruction and appropriation of valued 'woke' to mob) while vandalism is valued as self-expression. Ridiculous and appalling have significant space in expanding scale of tolerance that scars sensibilities into submission to the mediocre and irresponsible. Prosaic is now sacred in all its perversity. You are what you are is a great foundational value but a joke if it is kept at that (I am here see me what I do today). What is missing in this crucial gap between intention and expression is skills -that needs years of dedications as also recognizing one’s potential, and crucially, limitations. Each specie has mastered its habitat to survive and thrive, it needs absolute awareness of habitat, as also, which of its sense to skill to increase probability of survival and mutually benefit the specie -to increase the diversity so as to contribute to the resilience of the system. That is how nature works and what is forgotten is humans are very much part of nature. Though human life is no longer confined to survival the template of expression remains the same.

Education is important to understand, to be aware, of all the possibilities of existence. It makes us discerning ethical individuals. The reason why varied subjects of study and expressions makes a vibrant human and a resilient society. Quality education and nurturing society leads to awareness of one’s indelible presence hence exploring possibilities and likely skills to express or indeed not express. An evolved society makes these accessible to young and to everyone. Internet has broadened the idea of society and reduced what is global hence multifold the possibilities. So, can I be a Simone Biles or a Dirac or a Chekhov? It is a wrong question. You can be what you want to be and what you don’t want to be, and indeed not to fall in this limited binary of mainstream expression of toxic success and failure. There are things valued that is not expressed and need to be expressed, and yes there maybe things we don’t even know about and could be significant expression in future (we really don’t know whether what is expressed is the only way to define or not define meaning of life). What cannot be denied and need to be understood is that the dedication to acquire skills, and having acquired the basic skills, whether you have the wherewithal to chisel it to brilliance, to make your indelible presence and stretch the human experience. And for that you have to diligently study the masters in their areas of competence and acquire necessary skills and expertise, explore and excel in your reality and add your unique presence. It also a collective effort and responsibility to retrieve humanity from hallucination -hyperreality, that create worst of possibilities, the overwhelming morass of hedonist opulent slush submerging any reality of redeeming value.                                        

Volatile situation and merchants of death and chaos

 

Bangladesh situation is still quite volatile, hopefully it is normalized and democratic institutions are consolidated. There are different versions of what is happening in Bangladesh, there is a narration for public consumption that is drumbeated by bidders and then there are sinister forces orchestrating from faraway places for strategic gains, opportunism to consolidate power, personal gains from war and mayhem or indeed sadistic pleasure -nothing really can be ruled out we live in a nasty world. These sinister forces have no value for democracy nor human life (indeed life of common people in many parts of the world have no real value in narration of strategy). There are clear evidences that Sheikh Hasina had acquired authoritarian tendencies and undermined democratic institutions, her unbecoming was playing narrow partisan politics leading to shooting of hundreds of protestors -that indicated inevitable end of her authority. That doesn’t however justify violent eviction unless there are larger forces at work. As mentioned earlier there are bigger forces at play, for them every part of the world is scheme for control. Sheikh Hasina blames US -a sinister plan to set up base, while many experts on these matter point to China and ofcourse Pakistan (from which Bangladesh bifurcated) and network of Islamists -who have found safe havens in west and are constant source of degradation all across the world. We will never know the truth, we really don’t know what are credible sources since all are compromised and working on opportunism while stampeding to control the narration for bidders meanwhile social media is filled with conspiracy, sarcasm and personal abuse. Meanwhile common people caught on the wrong side brutalized, democratic institutions undermined while charlatans pose as saviors meanwhile hoping the situation to deteriorate -a well-trodden template.

What cannot be tolerated is inflammatory assertions by socalled leaders in India. Having lost power many are smarting in the sidelines to get relevance and claw back positions which they firmly believe as entitlement. Castetva forces promoted these wastrels as leaders as they were least threatening, and hence, valued for sycophancy (a template that easily infects Indians -from personal god to leader as personal deity), lacking charisma or any redeemable connection with Indian reality they expertise in manipulation, and as trained infighting crabs, to get attention from powerful for survival. They see every event as an occasion for oneupmanship to impress, unhinged by lack of power they are crossing line and entering into anarchism that pose threat to democratic institutions and integrity of nation. Any grievance can be dealt through institutional mechanisms -if they are tardy or compromised then you are equally responsible -we common people are facing these for decades (millions of public money was spent on commissions to functionally upgrade institutions, reports languish in dusty corridors of chaltha hai/paklaam chicanery). Wasted sidelined low intellect “leaders” can rant while sensation seeking market media can work narration of doom to hook herd. These can be ignored for theatrics but any statement by person holding responsible positions that actively pushes anarchy must be severely dealt under the rule of law.

Cloudburst 

Wisps of dark clouds

Chart across the blue sky for all to read

Relentless ocean wail and whisper

Alphabets of wound to caution great calamity

They congregate on the hills

And scream all night   

Must face rule of law

 

Hopefully Bangladesh is able to sort out from the spiraling crisis and stabilize. There are hopeful signs. There is also need for transparency on how outside forces are trying to manipulate the crisis. Hopefully situation returns back to normal. Meanwhile Sheikh Hasina must face rule of law, a fair trial arbitrated by international agency (if need be, for transparency and fairness). India must stand with people of Bangladesh in its efforts for consolidation of democracy and justice, hence should extend full cooperation and shouldn’t be seen as negative influence in this crucial juncture. The longer she stays in India more it is a liability, as an immediate neighbor with high stakes sharing a long sensitive border and much of history India shouldn’t be seen as interfering. She could choose a neutral faraway country until situation cools down and normalcy restored.     

Bangladesh at the brink

 

India has serious problems, but one will consider oneself to be fortunate to be born in this relatively peaceful part of the world, enjoying much freedom, considering how tumultuous neighborhood of India is; with dangerous expansionist authoritarian China, Army controlled islamist nurturing fragile democracy in Pakistan, Islamist barbarian Taliban ruled Afghanistan (though doesn’t share immediate border but quite close for comfort), brutal military junta of Myanmar, perpetually politically unstable Nepal, relatively stable Srilanka with hoary recent past…Bangladesh was a peaceful nation with functioning democracy. One common factor in this densely populated region of Indian subcontinent is complacent entitled ruling class characterized by feudal ways. Disparities are institutionalized, they pit people against each other to distract and manipulate to extend their rule and influence meanwhile institutions are degraded for status quo benefits. Most of the problems can be traced to this value system that prevents percolation of democracy. Freedom becomes pernicious idea as aware people are seen as threat. Slowly desperate people consolidate to revolt against the system that is making democracy meaningless and doesn’t add much value to their life. It is generally the protesting youth who are able to channelize their genuine grievances, and very soon it is taken over by sinister opportunist forces, and if democracy is fragile then the Army stakes it claim -as they are powerful and organized to easily fill the vacuum, or else if the herd are controlled by sinister religions (more organized worst are possibilities) then you can expect further degradation. We have seen the textbook case in Egypt. Popular egalitarian movement against dictator was hijacked by religion which in turn was quashed by Army -as agent of progressive but essentially blackmailing the society. Pakistan and Myanmar are examples of army and religion sharing and consolidating their power, this consolidated power is easy to control by sinister outside forces who really don’t give much damn about common people except maybe by activating some NGOs to bleat and make necessary noise. As in the case of Balkans where bigger forces like US and Russia are playing proxy war by fueling regional conflicts Indian subcontinent is fast becoming an arena of increasingly dangerous expansionist authoritarian China and sidelined US. Weakening US is a danger to world since democracies are fragile and needs support. China lacks value system that favors humanitarian concern. US too has its selfish concerns but atleast there is semblance of democracy and is relatively free and open hence can be challenged on human rights and ethics and is indeed responsive unlike authoritarian China. US has vibrant civil society who are genuinely concerned and enjoy all freedom and rights unlike sinister ways of China. World should be concerned about growth of China. Should China be allowed access to latest technologies that could be misused and carry serious ramifications for humanity? Democracy is not a choice it is essential for every human on this planet. The value of human being is cherished by freedom. Expansionist China has no pretension of democracy nor any concern for human rights. This in many ways seems similar to colonial forces and US involvements across the world during much of 20^th century. But there is a qualitative difference with China as there are no pretentions whatsoever (as also closed authoritarian regime that severely restricts and abuses its own citizens), and that is a significant degradation and a scary prospect for the world.

Complacent entitled leaders in Bangladesh tried to divide youngsters by favoring few to consolidate their ideology. They were incapacitated to perceive the desperation of common people particularly the young as they unleashed brutal crackdown. Reserving seats is expression of feudal value system, and to expand it arbitrarily for political gain is amazingly short sighted. Quota is against open access to opportunity. Instead of easy measures to divide and gain a mature system would focus to ameliorate root cause and assuage people by taking logical compassion driven measures (it is quite possible that India could see widespread outburst against reservations -that is also seen as increasingly corrupted and made meaningless by lack of target and misused by consolidations, that is being used by sinister forces for divide and gain at the expense of people. Castetva forces are evil, and have cannibalised Indian society for decades. Beware). When PM Sheikh Hasina cut short her visit from China few days back there were clear indications that something was seriously amiss and that the sinister forces have used student's protests to gain control, very likely with outside agencies working to capitalize and control. This poverty ridden nation with large population and high density severely threatened by climate change is in increasing consolidation of Islamist network. This doesn’t augur well for the stability of the region at all. What remains to be seen is whether Army consolidates progressive forces and arbitrates to consolidate democracy or is it going to degrade democratic institutions by nurturing islamists and controlling power. Bangladeshis are much vibrant people and carry passion of revolutionary Bengalis, and so will they be controlled by regressive forces or will they fight to gain control needs to watched. Considering endemic poverty and desperation the system is loaded against them.                    

Bob Beamon declares it open

 

So, the exciting field events have started. It’s about running fast, jumping high, throw farther…there is no complication here you have to run fast, jump high, throw farther…that anyone anywhere in the world with an intact human body is capable of, and that is what makes it so riveting. It is what we are. Athletics is closest to what it means to be human being, the remarkable capacity of physical body. All sports are expression of human body but athletics is accessible to all. There is a primal connection with each viewer, it is a link that reminds of our resilience and thousands of years of journey of survival overcoming brutal forces of nature. Progress of sapiens is very much about intricate brain that freed mind from body to think, but feats of human body cannot be undermined, quite appropriately Bob Beamon led the scene.

It is amazing to watch the best of people express possibilities of body.  At the pinnacle of sport, the binary of winning and losing doesn’t make any sense and really doesn’t matter. The difference between the top few is quite insignificant. If you have done your best, you have done well. This doesn’t mean it is not about participation. You have to perform to your best. Which means best has to be good enough and an expression of collective possibility of human body through strive and excellence in chosen field. People finishing too far from the best are in the wrong place. Watching those in the zone pushing the boundary of possibility is a pleasure to watch. It is amazingly beautiful. I was watching Simone Miles. There was a glitch in the uneven bar, bend knees -just shows human frailty despite amazing capacity, and she slipped in ranking but covered with astounding floor routine (it was anything but routine). Though Andrade and Lee, and few more, were equally good, Miles stood out -she I believe like Beaman, Phelps, Bolt…is once in a lifetime talent. Pushing possibilities, a notch up, for humanity to catch, making the impossible normal, same when a precocious human took a bipedal step, sowed first wild seed to grow food, bold enough to look up at the stars to see a pattern and try to use his/her critical faculties to access speck of vast reality, to see rising water vapor and wonder the possibilities of energy that could drive tons of weight, with searing power of imagination and delicate choice of words “A moment -we uncertain step For the newness of night -Then fit our Vision to the Dark…” shifted the world a little. There are few people who stretch human imagination. Essentially these are not few they are many who work to create framework for this possibility, it's incremental mostly but once in a while, like a mutation, a leap is taken into the unknown for the world to cling to new possibility. So, to class it into binary of winning and losing is futile. It is a celebration of possibilities.

Researchers and epidemiologists have pointed to certain regions in the world for new type of viruses and bacteria to evolve and cross over to human to trigger pandemic. There are some defining characteristic to the region, significant being presence of high diversity and intense channels of exchange of microorganisms. These lead to new possibilities of microorganism to evolve and spread fast, sometimes leading to such evolution that completely break human immune system. These regions are vibrant with possibilities of new. I vaguely recall while reading Pearl Buck (I picked from pavement sale) there was mention on regions in the world with possibilities of new ideas and talent. A region with diversity, essential openness to thoughts and ideas, and bizarre, these are essential to abstract pathbreaking novel. Diversity is important ingredient, not the degrading insipid diversity of religion nor status quo stale traditions (or the cesspool diversity normalized by word defecating vermins) but vibrancy of thoughts from different races, regions, of world carrying fresh experiences, new vitality of culture and understanding, and assimilating and creating new possibilities. Such regions are treasured places for humanity. From ancient times (whether Egypt or Greece, buddhist centers from India to China to East Asia) to medieval times (in Europe like Vienna or later Paris) to modern (earlier London to later NewYork), to point few centers that created such spaces. Libraries did reduce the distance and time, but it is internet that made space and time meaningless, it has consolidated collective human mind. The reason why humanity is living in high possibility of new that was never possible. Novel ideas, original thoughts, unique creative expressions, travels and ricochets across the world instantly entering more number of minds than ever before. This with AI -like Alphafold, makes it accessible to anyone anywhere across the world to take it up. Truly amazing.  

**some Indians too have done exceedingly well particularly in shooting, archery and badminton, they may not have converted into medals but are in the zone of excellence, they gave their best and did well, that is what matters. Some faltered not in talent but psychological pressure -which unlike other region of the world carries aspiration of more than billion beleaguered people, so the competitors from China or Korea or US or Australia (to whom they generally lose) have no such mental pressure whatsoever. In this context the performance Manu Bhaker is stupendous, this youngster won two bronze and narrowly missed third. To put it in perspective only two decades back India could manage only one bronze in the entire game! Also note, most Indian participants come from extremely humble background so the expectation from these youngsters must be extraordinarily. Even after performing well, take for instance VijayKumar (silver medal at London Olympics), they are swiftly sidelined by mediocrity thriving careless system. The despicables in cash fattened Indian army found him wanting. Ideally Neeraj Chopra should show middle finger to Indian Army and quit. He may not realize that he has done more to Indian army than they can ever possibly redeem, it is well past emotional gratitude trap (Also, NDRF must have complete control of disaster management and rescue, and is upgraded into separate force, Army is meant to protect border and not to play savior during floods/landslide). 

Also note that this is an overwhelmingly mediocrity thriving society -that is kept in the stranglehold of absolute wastrels as moral arbitrators and nurturers of value system. As sports and awareness percolates and stranglehold loosens talent will find ways to showcase. But the sinister control finds its expression under the garb of media (arguable one the worst and most irresponsible media in the world, lacking talent, sensibility or vigor. Worst are found in other parts of the world too but they also have essential pool of talent. In India best is always rare and exception, and a threat to mediocres and will be squashed at the earliest occasion). Take this news of Simone Miles winning gold in Olympics (more than winning gold, it is the valuable moment in history of a special talent). This is the heading (pic herein). The necklace made of 546 diamonds -with picture, winning gold medal is secondary, ofcourse even Simone Miles is peripheral to diamonds! Imagine these people. The degraded minds at work. They channelize it for the herd to percolate the value system. These mediocres were controlling the narration for decades, now thankfully increasingly weakened by social media. They though do have some influence over herd manipulating career politicians and cheap attention seekers. They seek special privileges as fourth pillar of democracy!         

Trees kill people!

 

This is the conclusion of pretentious mediocre legacy media in the aftermath of major landslide that killed around 200-the fatalities keep rising as many are missing, injured hundreds and left thousands bereaved and cataclysmically changed their life. To make such appalling statements in the midst of human tragedy adds to ridicule gravity of crisis and meant to mock people by entitled insular primitives posing as media. To be fair the intention was to ridicule MadhavGadgil report -as they have persistently done for last many years, it was preemptive attempt as the report gains credence among people facing the fury of nature. A well-fed neoliberal lobby is working to feed the greed, as also tighten their sinister influence over self-serving insidious narration. This christian controlled media is quite influential in Kerala as it runs many milch outlets and has a significant control over narration -which ofcourse is weakening with rise of social media. They have major role in degradation of Kerala into cesspool of pathetic, and its incapacity to capitalize literacy into education, meanwhile also effectively using ‘minority’ status to play liberal-secular savior with easy mix of wanton consumerism that pitiable people are addicted to. Also recall that Church was very much against MadhavGadgil report and were central to orchestrated protests. It is but natural that primal connection with media will be displayed.

Subjectfying reality is the first assault on fact, in the aftermath of tragedy, the chaos, desperation, the reality is fluid, when raw emotions is seeking reasons and assuredness. This is the right occasion to murky the scene before the narration gets consolidated, rest is easy since herd lacks critical thinking. They very conveniently use nutcases in social media to create suitable narration. With wide spectrum of nutcases, bizarre and ridiculous thriving in social media you can easily select and connect few to patch up narration you prefer and create news for herd to consume. It is a compelling con work (visit to read https://www.manoramaonline.com/environment/environment-news/2024/07/31/madhav-gadgil-predictions-wayanad-tragedy.html). Under ‘Environment news’ -meaning not that important a subsection of main news, even after major disaster they have admirably kept the silos intact, so the deaths are environmental deaths(!), that would keep sacred silos like economy, politics, neoliberal capitalisms, development etc. pristine pure. The article is under clickbait quote of Madhav Gadgil, so the readers may think Gadgil was right and would go for the details, it’s a trap, the article is a hit job to ridicule Gadgil using shoulder of nutcases in social media (it’s recurrent pattern these days to create bizarre ‘news’ to keep herd occupied in muck). Dismissing Gadgil it says “global temperature rise leading to climate change is the reason for landslide and it has nothing to do with destruction of Western ghats”, an amazing argument that is being validated as news by influential regrettable legacy media. The argument runs parallel to fossil fuel guzzling horrible people from US to Arabia -entitled with disease of exceptionalism, who dismiss climate change and position these as subjective argument, debatable, and were indeed quite successful in feeding influential media outlets across the world till recently, even undermining compelling scientific studies and overwhelming consensus by scientists across the world. The increasing vehemence of indigenous and vociferous voices of youth, as also increasing climate disasters, shifted the ‘debate’, and has nothing to do with media ethics. So now the cunning is shifting the narration: what can we do “these are international problems” -the blame is shifted somewhere else to support exploitation of the region by the powerful through compliant corrupt system. The argument is extended meticulously in scientific tone (which I translate from original Malayalam, while I wonder whether these are random nutcase from social media, isn't there a deeper force working?) “as the temperature of Arabian sea increases, rate of cloud formation increases, and these move to Kerala and are prevented by Western ghats and hence lead to deluge and cloudbursts. Earth cannot absorb such surge of rainwater hence it is released as flood hence landslide”. There is a condescending tone, ‘this is not a new understanding, it is something we have learned in school”, so we don’t fancy experts, it is akin to brahmand level ‘native intelligence’ that some diseased dimwits flout to showcase special entitlements. They also ridicule that those who are ‘pasting posters claiming destruction of western ghats as the reason for disasters must be referred to psychiatrists’, such is the self-assuredness of their claim that is provided platform by legacy media, and in the same breath they pontificate that the “reason for such high fatalities is large number of uprooted trees crushing people!”. These are the people who want others to be referred to psychiatrists! The audacity despite lack of intellect or basic intelligence is characteristic feature of entitled, they also expertise in playact humility. You will find such nutcases around you all the time and to keep oneself immune to these in an overwhelmingly mediocrity thriving society is an onerous task made difficult when legacy media elevates them. They satiate their attention seeking desires at serious expense to society. And then to top it all instead of sincerely focusing on comprehensive understanding on Gadgil report including issue of demarcation of sensitive zones, forest fragmentation, converting to tea estates/resorts, constructing activities (infact apart from wanton construction there are unauthorized construction and illegal encroachments of fragile ecosystem, the region of impact didn’t have much of quarrying hence nutcases are being activated and platformed. Mining, rock quarrying and sand mining continues with policy makers diluting the law and even allowing illegal industry to thrive), conservation of endemic species, biodiversity conservation so on, so that people understand importance of Western Ghats and fragile ecosystem and why we have a collective responsibility, the media list these minor points (in the context of issue discussed thus an attempt to undermine, construct ridiculous in the template of school children homework) as recommended by Gadgil report (this while elaborating in detail on climate change and how we cannot be held responsible): don’t allow GM crops in Western ghats, stop use of plastic bags, don’t allow public property into private, stop new encroachment (emphasis here is earlier forest-converted-land can continue wantonly), river water pollution must be stopped, shift from chemical to organic fertilizers, people with more than two cattle must be helped to have biogas plants, promote solar energy, ban use of explosives to catch fish, don’t allow new mining license (implication is old can continue in sensitive zones)…so on. This is how they have diluted the report in the favour of those wantonly exploiting western ghats. It is DIY, easy to understand, without wasting your time template. Become a good citizen, and leave bigger matter to us. 

So what can we do except praying and upgrade fate, hence construct more churches, temples and mosques etc. Keep the herd distracted and isolated from reality with fun and frolic as news and entertainment, and when tragedy strikes bring out riveting stories of suffering with intrusive videos and pictures, and emphasis divine role of fate. Afterall what can we do when climate change is beyond us? We are trained to salivate at blessedness when crude amazingly mediocre attention seeking sundry buy latest fossil fuel guzzler luxury vehicle and is a news.                        

 

**When I was a kid one of the quiz related questions was about largest selling newspaper in India, it actually shocked everybody that this Malayalam newspaper from little state in south India topped the list. And then teacher would ask ‘anyone from Kerala in the class?”, and for a kid it was moment of pride, now increasingly clear misplaced, regrettable and sickening. It’s good that the readership and stranglehold of these sinister legacy media is dropping and mostly confined to elder generation. Like Kasturi&Sons they too can start investing in local kirana store rather than playing high moral saviors. Except herd seeking career politicians and attention seeking parasites nobody takes them seriously. Indeed, this degraded society has many media outlets oozing out of putrid pits as diversity pus that infects readers into self-assured literate incorrigible primitives.         

Killer landslides

 

Madhav Gadgil is an ecologist, an expert in his field, he did meticulous study of Western Ghats, spent years travelling the region and came out with a timely report. The report (with other experts as members) is a bench mark on conservation of Western ghats. So, what did the government do? They appointed former ISRO head (to call these people scientist is an insult, don’t think these pitiable ritualists understand significance of being a scientist), the fellow used space map/technology to mark out ‘green area’ and worked his presentable report. Basically, it was a hit job for the government without understanding of ground reality or any inclination what he was doing nor implication of his con act. It shows ethical values of former ISRO employee (and so the present govt even found him suitable, over competent educationists active in the field, to prepare policy report on education, such is the influence our man has built up over the years!). Not at all surprising since these people are nurtured by government, politicians, deep state agencies hence they are all ready for the job in lieu of power and influence (that also puts in context to his out of turn promotions throughout his career). Today’s landslide that killed more than 100 people in Wayanad (Kerala) is very much result of wanton exploitation of Western Ghat that likes of KasturiRangan facilitated with his shoddy deeply unethical involvement. He is very much responsible for criminal negligence and should indeed be arrested. A high-level committee must be setup to find out what are the factors that led to dilution of MadhavGadgil report and who all were involved in this criminal conspiracy.

If you read the excerpt of the MadhavGadgil report herein it mentions in no uncertain terms the areas that were affected by today’s landslide. It is not providence but years of dedicated work of an ecologist, a scientist and indeed a humanist (he meticulously traces different vulnerable tribes, emphasis tribal rights, native trees etc. The criticism of interest group on livelihood loss is now clear in the aftermath of recurrent disasters, meaning, ‘rigidity’ on conservation issues was well intended). I am really quite shocked that he is not heading some international agencies and contributing his valuable expertise. Or maybe they scuttled his chance, and may even promote likes of Kasturirangan (famous Indian crabs, ready for highest bidder). MadhavGadgil report is an important document that must be read by each and everyone particularly those living in and around Western Ghats. and shouldn’t be deceived by vested interests and ‘development’ psychopaths. It is important to understand that we are living in extremely fragile ecosystem that is severely threatened by climate change. Listen to the experts in the field, don’t get influenced by charlatans and attention seekers, keep yourself abreast with deleterious changes around us. It is not fate it is a human orchestrated disaster of greed and apathy. A responsible government would have taken necessary action on the recommendation of report.    

*As for me I understood the significance of MadhavGadgil report, and attempts to undermine it, so cycled from Kochi to Goa discussing importance of report to school and college students. It was more than a decade back.                                                                                                                                   

(a disclosure: even if there were no reports I would have still cycled, and found some other cause to get sponsor! Who doesn’t want to cycle in monsoon rain! -ofcourse now rain is dreaded, how things have changed in a decade, and how it could change in a decade to come).

When death is murder

 

Weapon of murder is callousness, apathy, a characteristic disregard for human life. These deaths are not accident or fate but murder by well-nourished system orchestrating against vulnerable. Time and place keep shifting but the template of gross violation on life continues. The play of blessedness and fate is iterated as eternal and a lesson. A cyclical nature beyond our control, so it is cleverly posited as nothing to do with corruption, greed or criminal negligence, even with evidence they are brushed aside or undermined with alacrity, the sinister system is too seeped into soul that it is incapacitated to be reformed. It is cunningly appropriated as fate and an occasion to drivel into people their precarious existence. The only option presented with much fanfare and testimonial from sideshow celebrities and attention seeking dopamine is to better your fate. Here too are charlatans ready with ritual of solutions to fleece. Since fate is death and misery while blessedness is money and power so this stampede to acquire, capture, grab, by whatever means. In this skewed degraded system, that conceives every occasion as an opportunity to make money and increase power and influence, majority are fated to be crushed while few emerge as winners to be emulated as lessons on inspiration. There is rarely any moment of self-reflection since critical foundation of society (religion/tradition/market/culture/relations/elders) is compromised and streamlined to serve these aspirations of success. Thus, the richest beggars and most powerful beggars are compelling role models for aspiring beggars. They provide meaning by compulsive exhibitionism of their shallow vacuous lives to enthusiasts incapacitated of any discerning skills or nuanced understanding whatsoever. This self-consuming loop is fed by institution under the garb of freedom and choice. These infect every aspect of life whether education, entertainment, art, spiritual or leisure. Nature, environment, humans, animals, are transactional in this worldview and its value to be assigned in the matrix of benefit. Every possibility of better human being is reduced and aggregated to means of intense social mobility of gathering power, money and influence. This journey, the desperation and final accomplishment of goals, is what makes life story simple and easy to understand. Complexities and vibrancy of living is rarely attempted, if ever, as minor sideshow, detour, character fault, to main story -established life pattern. The mind is cherished in juvenile, intellect celebrated in adolescent glories. What possibility do you see of such a society?

Three youngsters drowned (few days back one was electrocuted) and died horrible deaths trapped in shops tailormade to lowest evaluation of education. They were milch end of horrible operators including greedy authorities, irresponsible administrators, fleecing property dealers and hawkers of short cut knowledge. Almost three decades back I was in the same situation. I stayed about 100m away from the scene of tragedy, I know the place very well, the horrible value system and transactional objectified deals of greed, abject neglect, an overwhelming sense of insecurity at every turn (carefree youthfulness probably helped). Water clogging and drowning the area is not uncommon in this place (I recall a neighborhood boy washed away in the drainage few feet away from where I resided -an intensely polluted, noisy and congested locality, it affected me deeply and I really couldn’t sleep for few days until they found the body -essentially skeleton about a week later, had a sense of closure), so the claim that those who constructed new posh glittery building, as a façade to churn money by trapping the hapless, were not aware of recurring flooding in the area and so conveniently allowed basement into paid libraries of death trap are deceitful awful people an essential abstraction of characteristic values that define these cesspool of humanity -not that all are nasty I knew some wonderful people too but these were almost always exceptions.

I too was an extremely vulnerable youngster very much enmeshed in the degraded system, a simple pawn with no inkling of sinister forces at play. Not much reading, brought up in simple worldview, good thing for me was unlike other youngsters I really had no much aspiration (it wasn’t really thought driven but since I was messed up and would get things wrong hence the idea of trying within the defined didn’t work, and what I liked didn’t matter), when people were planning future of going abroad and corporate jobs I took the decision of moving to Chennai (then madras) ostensibly for ‘career’ but really I was tired of sunset at beach and wanted to see sunrise every day and that is precisely what I did! Those were my motivation. Very soon I realized “preparing for competitive exam” was an excellent strategy to immune oneself from surrounding, so from ‘preparing for MBA’ I stumbled upon ‘preparing for civil services’ quite accidently and found that it was long drawn out hence perfectly suiting my singular struggle to be left alone. I was quite a slow reader but what I read I found extremely interesting. Frankly I wasn’t into any matrix of power aspirational career or ambition to prove ‘intelligence’ that motivates these kind of career but somehow along the way reading became a motivation (lot of time in the name of ‘preparation for exams’ suited me immensely which slowly but deliberately led to serious reading, quite surprising shift since my recent obsessions were war comics), very soon I forgot about these exams and was reading beyond, and so shifted to compelling world of fiction, and soon realized I had lot to read meanwhile searched for reading related jobs and then finally to part time jobs that didn’t consume me (now that itself is another parallel struggle of skilling in public speaking, play act so on). Concentration was not a problem but shifting it from making spitbubbles, and let it land on page and rounding the random word, to reading was a challenge! Soon reading became central to my being, and for about three years I was just reading and reading the better and best. I used to shock people by saying “man you can murder someone if you want but don’t forget to read good book a week, and when you read good books you realize murder is futile, a waste of time!”, everybody is in existential mess. Realizing appalling limitedness of Indian writers, I was into best of the world, soon became a discerning reader. It is about this time I got the urge to write. I never really got a sentence right in my life, and I messed up everytime and so very soon gave up the idea of writing as too farfetched unachievable framework (framework are nuanced understanding and works on increasing probables unlike binary crass ideas of target or goal), but the urge to write was strong (it is not to be mistaken for motivation and fall into regrettable self-help industry cliché), very much fueled by overwhelming self-assuredness of mediocre Indian writing, and so I wrote a paragraph every day and compared with master writers so on. So, from reading, to writing, to public speaking, as also interacting with strangers was a struggle, I somehow worked it fairly well. I took up jobs that gave steady income for daily expense without consuming time, and gave me lot of free time to explore as also gave impetus to pursue jobs that were entirely new and interesting. I even tried HR related nonsense called personality development. I took it for fun and soon realized they pay huge amount but found it stale, superficial and against my value system. I stumbled into Civil service interview only a decade back, and found it immensely interesting as it needed depth of knowledge (as also suited my middle age increasingly bored mistaken for stern demeanor). This helped me to channelize the latest innovation, expand my understanding and finetune my reading. I also realized that like ‘preparing for exams’, after certain age, people voluntarily leave you alone! It is extremely gratifying in an intrusive crude society, ofcourse the context shift is from hopeful to hopeless that never really bothered me. 

The intention of writing these is to show that apathy by responsible makes life miserable for vulnerable, it leads to death and misery. Vulnerability leads to anxiety hence the system must not only be responsible but empathetic. A primitive society degrades and restricts choices for youngsters, it straight jackets life into narrow degraded deal. It makes it immensely difficult, therefore takes enormous effort, to find oneself. Most are not able to and gobbled up by insouciant negligence, many are oppressed in the weight of the struggle and taper off into vacant life. In rare instances the oppressive system can create positives. I never ever thought I will take up writing (and people around me still don’t know I do write), and I am able to express myself the way I want to is immensely satisfying meanwhile tighten some screws and hit some nuts to work the complacent.    

Longue vie à la France!

 

Olympic opening ceremony was one of the best in the living memory. Contemporary, elevating freedom and fun, fierce individual assertion in a classic French way that makes it endearing and will be remembered for a long time to come. No staid choreography -that is reflection of authoritarian order, but lively chaos of life on river and monuments. Idea of France is a defining idea of humanity, and to assert that in such energetic carefree way is what defines human life. This is also what sports is all about. Liberty and freedom are indelible hope for future that stand against limiting feudal world and restrictive religions. Pièce de resistance was ofcourse spectacular scene of beheaded Marie Antoinette, shocking and hilarious –a constant reminder of sinister presence of feudal values that degrade our ideas of just world and threaten our hard-won ideals on which humanity is hinged. French people condemned monarchy to the dustbin of history, flourished in new energy of freedom and with it breached sacred narration of feudals as status quo settled space for social progress (what it created was cesspool of ascriptive exceptionalism and exploitative value system). Emulation of last supper was counter narration that very much reflected contemporary assertion of individual choices and a firm statement on diversity against authority cultivated by sacred mainstream icons. It also reminds us that how liberty and freedom is being restricted and really cannot be counter narration but celebration. We can imagine a world without religion and border. We can imagine diversity of lively choices that defines what it is to be human. Longue vie à la France! May they assert their values and define humanity for better deal and a beacon for hopeful future. My only concern was that they could have included valuable indigenous voices from French speaking regions.

Meanwhile usual social media outrage and rage loop of lowest denominator attention seeking industry was alive with ridiculous and wasted. Some calling it satanic, lucifer, pagan, garbage, and what not, ofcourse with detail analysis in well exploited template of conspiracy theory for herd to munch on. Worst of the people were triggered. Mediocre castetva media in India too showed its tentacles (sample herein) linking nutcases to create narration that align with their ‘pure’ worldview. They have also found ‘pure’ allies in feudal Britain to fight hindutva! They are charmers and movers of degraded sinister world. Beware.     

let the game begin!

 

Dangers of divine rights and coronation

 

US is a flawed nation. But despite its horrible flaws it continues to be one of the few spaces on earth which values democracy, liberty and equality -how much of it is practiced can be debated but structure is intact and intend is valued. Much of best human endeavor originates in US hence to a large extent path of humanity’s progress and hope. US remains a significant nation and indeed a positive presence despite the horrors. It is for no reason that much of the world wants to, and continues to, migrate to US as it provides opportunities and freedom. It provides the best of the world, and ofcourse the worst of what a liberal progressive society can bring. Open societies expects responsibility and awareness to sustain, and this is where it is collapsing. Neoliberal hedonism can give impression of liberty and freedom but it is severely limited and sets the rot. Rule of law is collective will that comes with awareness of duties of citizens, or else we get violence and police overreach, there is general lack of trust on individuals and institutions which gives way to authoritarian rule. Neoliberal hedonist values breed pernicious nihilism that is mistaken for individualism. It leads to alienation and regressive collective consolidation. Lulled into alternate reality, consumerism sedated reasoning faculties, fantastical grandeur that opulence presents creates vision of chosen people, abstracting worst template from religion for atavistic consolidation. In a very riveting way, you could trace Huxleyian indulgence consolidating into Orwellian nightmare. Lack of awareness and irresponsible ways also means they are incapacitated to fathom the loss, the irretrievable nature of collapse. It happens when all the breathtaking human progress, unique context of evolution, is lost in daily inanities and bickering. Degradation of democracy is a loss to humanity. This becomes critical considering that much of world is deeply enmeshed in primitive swath -the evertightening grip of uncouths that is also actively nurtured by opportunist manipulators in liberal world. Democratic institutions, defining values of human progress like freedom, equality and liberty, are constantly being threatened, weakened and compromised, not only by fascist forces but also by dangerous liberal posing debauch persistently undermining ideas of diversity by encouraging regressive as collective identity. Semantics of primitive horrible past is being carelessly used to forever freeze narration and condemn humanity into recurring hell. Trapped in a fantastical alternate reality they are incapacitated to glimpse the profound progress all around nor are equipped to realize spectacular opportunities to evolve and understand. Exciting possibilities and hopes of future are lost in limiting intellect and instead constructed past becomes dreamland of perfection. Insatiable neoliberal wanton greed and omnipotence of opulence gives way to visions of mythical grandeur of past devoid of any context or care. From this putrid cesspool the calls of revivalist con artists gains credence.

The foundation of US is consolidation of republic that defeated monarchy, the british monarchy -theatre of absurd is still kept intact as a tribute and sustenance to feudal values across the world. US, despite problems, stands as beacon of democracy and liberty. Recent ruling by SCOTUS giving immunity to charlatan Trump invokes medieval concept of divine right -an exception not meant for common people, this british value system is a severe assault on progressive ideas, liberty and equality, it is an affront to modern world we live in. Now, anointing Kamala Harris as successor without due process is another blot on democracy. Democracy is not about coronation with cabal of nodding elite, blessing media and hooting plebs. Democratic party is in increasing danger of becoming like Republicans in their pursuit of power.

When evil is beyond Kafkaesque

The conception of evil arose from alternate reality of religion, the intention was ofcourse betterment of individual hence society, simultaneous evolved awareness with degradation of hedonist world makes conceptions of alternate reality -conceived in medieval times, inadequate and meaningless to deal with complexities and urgent emergent realities of contemporary world. Evil was created as neat binary of good (which extended to juvenile conception of heaven and hell) for ease of convenience, a simplistic premise of moral for people to latch on to. In the uncertainties of medieval times, it worked to create workable ethical standards and synergy of dealing. You can deal with evil, or atleast equip yourself with an understanding, if he or she is a human. A human despite flaws suffers from human condition. Despite the megalomaniacal sickness and grandeur infected from alternate realities of religion and market they will have to face existential doubts and weaknesses that are too human. Now imagine an evil beyond human conception, an evil which is no longer human, an evil that is not contained in the binary of good or evil but carries complexities of good and evil. An evil that is beyond Kafkaesque -a suffering of modern times that mix existential and human condition into neglect, a bizarre and illogical world of total alienation and utter horror. An evil so logical that it questions our hold on reason. This has never happened before in human history, it is unprecedented. This is what is unravelling.

In the recently concluded G7 meet in Italy Pope Francis addressed the group on dangers of AI. This is significant, now I do have strong reservation on religion as also its pernicious presence in contemporary world but I do find Mr. Francis interesting and indeed a valuable and influential presence. So, whenever he speaks about anything other than religion, I give it due importance to probe further. The risk of autonomous weaponized AI is real. AI weapons that are trained and authorized to select their own targets and attack without further human authorization. It an evil that cannot be adjudicated with human reason nor contained by human condition. It augments ‘conventional, nuclear and cyber capabilities in ways that makes security relationships among rivals more challenging to predict and maintain and conflicts more difficult to limit’. AI is set to become indispensable part of defense system as it provides invaluable strategic advantage and insights that humans have no access to. It has capacity to identify patterns beyond human conception that even adversary did not plan, and then, recommend most optimal dynamic strategy to counteract in realtime. The simultaneous transfer of information to top decision makers in crisis situation is matter of concern since these become black box decisions -not accessible to human logic or reason, indecipherable to humans -that may leave them unsettled, but nevertheless certain of its strategic advantage. AI is superior to human reasoning with access to deepest pattern of reality in a way that is beyond human capacity, indeed range of human thought. There are two immediate issues here when non-human logic is introduced into military strategy; firstly, the strategic advantage created cannot be halted since enemy will be perceived to have formidable advantage, and secondly, since these capabilities are undecipherable accountability cannot be fixed hence severely impinging democratic discourse space and diplomactic negotiation imperatives. AI already has an upperhand over humanity. The race for strategic AI advantaged formidable defence system has already begun, and most likely is being used by IDF. There is a need for international moratorium on destabilizing AI capabilities that has exceptional destructive capacities. It is an arduous task since AI’s separate logic system by its very nature is incalculable hence generates autonomy and is adaptable to extremely volatile reality. Human oversight is essential before it spirals into most optimal strategic advantage bypassing humanity. AI cannot be autonomous. Transformative AI capabilities needs verifiable restraints and authorization for irretrievable actions where human lives are at stake. This new emergent reality needs entirely new vocabulary to deal.                          

Alternate reality is weaponized

There were always attempts by sinister forces to create alternate reality so as to trap humans for control and gain. Religion and neoliberal market are compelling source of alternate reality. The seeds for religions were spiritual yearning for better understanding of reality that weren’t apparent to immediate experience of senses. It also attempted to understand egalitarian values and spread morals which had significant impact on consolidation of humanistic ideas and ethics. Alternate reality in this context was idealized version, evolved reality, that were sought to be inspiration for compassionate humans and a better society. It was also an attempt to understand human condition hence also opening philosophies of inquiry. As religion consolidated and moved away from benign intents systems of alternate reality became source of control. Instead of empathizing with human condition and reality of their existence it proceeded to systematically strengthen alternate reality with specific aim to trap and control people in the garb of faith. Sacredness and holiness were judiciously used to create systems of control in the alternate reality. Capitalism infected market with its own alternate reality of exaggeration and manipulation for immediate monetary profit, in many cases working closely with religion. Emotions were once valued, now it is commodity for exploitation. Human relations that were meant to consolidate society into better self is now occasion for manipulation. So what we have is herd fixated on gains from alternate reality (manifested through blessedness, good fortune, closely working with opportunism and crude values) while losing track of their reality, alarmingly in many cases use of mental faculties and basic sense. 

Rapid proliferation of social media in the last decade has created virtual reality that further consolidate alternate reality away from individual reality and context of living and life. Virtual reality easily exploits the template of religion and mechanism of neoliberal market to create an addiction to alternate world. Unlike the basic intention of alternate reality that religion created -to ameliorate human condition and vision of better world, virtual reality created by social media was never an attempt with egalitarian intent or humanistic concern. It was opportunistic venture within the neoliberal capitalistic framework to amass profit from new technology. Better possibilities through social media were effort of few essentially against overwhelming odds, indeed in the attention seeking cesspool such synergic association for voice were exceptions. It surely cannot be denied that internet has done much good and made life easier by making world accessible and transparent but mostly it has had a devastating impact on human life and society. It continues to spiral down into attention seeking economy pulling majority into lowest commonest denominator of reckoning. The brutes and primitives create rage and outrage loop for audience to gawk. Technology cannot really be blamed, it has help consolidate the existing framework of alternate reality and efficiently streamlined for benefit of few. Virtual reality has augmented alternate reality and made it more vibrant and immediate, and indeed very plausible alternate reality for many. In this milieu misinformation and disinformation find easy takers while conspiracy theories not only rival mainstream media discourse but is seen as participant -also a reflection on how much media is compromised that it has effectively lost trust and is no longer seen as credible source but representing agenda in an increasingly polarized world loosing faculties of critical thinking and with it connection with reality. Sincerity is no longer a survival attribute of Darwinian (wrongly attributed and wrongly understood) economy. Trust is lost. Fact becomes subjective. With it the edifice of discourse collapses.  

Enter AI. AI brings exciting possibilities of exploring reality in a way that is beyond human capacity indeed not available to human consciousness, it is redefining reality as we know -as mentioned earlier AlphaZero and Halicin are marvelous example in the limited context that shows immense possibilities of AI. It has potential to make deeper reality accessible to us beyond human capacity. Meanwhile, in a not entirely unexpected turn of events, it is being used to weaponize alternate reality. It has increased potency for misinformation and disinformation and provided ammunition to conspiracy theories. Fake is now compelling and fast replacing real, and with it devious people normalized into everyday life in a new urgency. Unless AI apps are stringently regulated and responsibility assigned this is downhill with devastating consequence. It is important that AI apps (as also oversight on foundational models) is aligned to liberal values and factual probabilities without restricting its creative possibilities. What is being played out in US is a lesson to the world. In 24/7 social media glare each happening has conspiracy mongers scooping in with alarming alacrity and amazing efficiency, and with latest intrusive technology they consolidate compelling alternate reality to polarize and control the narration. As it is AI chatbots have increased efficiency to manipulate emotions in a way that is unthinkable and scary. With its superior reasoning that is beyond human conception it is unhinging our critical thinking faculties; it has sown doubts on our abilities as human. At this critical juncture we need to firmly hold on to our deepest held ideas and consolidate humanist liberal values that define modern society and possibilities of better future. AI must be unraveled and put in context by the deeper meaning of what it is to be a human. 

Tourist destination

Lake turns blue and add a perfect shade of green

Hyacinth’s waxy leaves adds to invasive allure

Palm trees line up and freeze against the setting sun

Cormorant emerge with fresh catch and a photogenic glee

Stork billed kingfisher pose expertly for top destination

Clam collectors wave their sinew body for better angle against the sun

Women stop their daily chores to arrange the exotic

Girls expectedly giggle, boys carelessly laugh

Polyglot tongue deep fried in desperation prowl for better deal

Shorebirds mud stamped hieroglyphs deciphered by the drowned

You will see miracles

When languages collide in mind

Thoughts cross boundaries

It’s like a river breaking into ocean

Fresh and saline water breach barrier

Words settle in nutrient rich unfamiliar estuaries

Subconscious sediments extracted from strange ages

Create diverse marshland of unruly thoughts vying for expression

Like an occasional mangrove propagule breathing an entire island

As if it is the only home  

Cumulonimbus is moving in

 

A decade back south west monsoon used to be languorous incessant rain, sometimes intense, but mostly dreamy stretch of cirrus stratus clouds and lively scenes. Rainy season stalled action, people shifted to special diet, lazy intonation of prayers and ayurvedic treatment for yearly rejuvenation. Intensity, and frequency of these intense rains, have increased dramatically in the last few years. Rain is now dreaded. It has become an omen for sinister natural forces in abidance. Kerala, a strip of fragile land locked between mountain and ocean, is extremely vulnerable. In my understanding Ockhi cyclone in 2017 was the trigger point indication of irreversible climate flip. Ockhi was a rare cyclone that crossed from east coast to west coast -taking people in the region by complete surprise, and travelled almost 2000km. After Ockhi there are clear indications that weather is detaching from fixed pattern into increasingly troubling unknown, things are not going to be the same again.  

Ocean temperature is steadily increasing and warming of Arabian sea is estimated to be 1.5 times higher than other oceans around the world. This creates dire situation. One of the significant outcome is change in pattern of cloud formation. Sea surface temperature rise creates atmospheric instability and intense low pressure, as also warming atmosphere increases the capacity of air to hold moisture, leading to formation of cumulonimbus clouds. Cumulonimbus clouds are vertical clouds unlike what you generally see during monsoon; the cirrus stratus spread out. Cumulonimbus clouds rise like a plume, born through convective current as warm air rises and cools, they rise higher and higher, thick and motionless stretching to wide area hence giving rise to static charge. They carry enormous amount of water leading to extreme rainfall and lightening and many a times cloud burst, and what makes it particularly worrisome is that it is difficult to predict. If you observed rain, SW monsoon is generally quieter unlike NE monsoon that happens during November-December -you could see cumulonimbus cloud building up during day time followed by intense rains and lightening in the night (as a youngster I even hid under the bed to escape the high decibel lightening noise of NE monsoon!, also recall, in the aftermath going to public library in Kochi to find about lightening). Things have taken a definite turn in the last few years. SW monsoon is now about cumulonimbus, intense windy rain and lightning, immediately followed by sunny and blue sky. Few weeks back I was caught up in this sort of rain, it was so intense that within matter of few minutes I was wading in one feet of water, lightening also killed two people. Such dramatic intense rain is increasing in frequency, and can easily turn catastrophic in fragile ecosystem. Be very concerned, something sinister is looming in the horizon. Be prepared people.