Skip to main content

Atavism

A beautiful facet of Indian mythology is its very nature of the presentation. Most of the stories are merely answers to intriguing questions, drawing attention to the basis of societal design and functioning. The narration merely presents a scenario to questionee. Quite different from other forms which build upon a higher than a human figure of the hero and dehumanise the villain. So, when mythology is retold, it must be open to new perceptions and interpretations. This by no means should be judgmental, rather a more encompassing exercise.
But, the picture of modern society speaks a sorry tale. A place where, a constant and deliberate attempt is made to match between the protagonist of myths, to ensure just a mental pleasure or some other gains. This, however, comes at a cost, the cost of reason since most choose to accept the majoritarian opinion as for the truth. The shift, from dialogue to an authocratic discourses is at the heart of the atavism, I intend to speak of.
Looking back at one's ancient culture and seeking pride from it is no stranger to any nation, but being protective about the image of the characters and the presented structure of life is a newer phenomenon. To an extent where facts and phrases in science textbooks are quoted from works of mythology, may deter the real purpose of scientific education, the ability to reason with. Though, there have been some interesting descriptions in our literature, that have as of yet, no scientific explanation. Claiming them to be beyond science is as false as stating them untrue.
Therefore as an endnote, I must add, that doubt is a powerful evolutionary instinct. The human nature to be specific has single-handedly let us discover hidden truths and still keep looking for what more could be hidden within. In this regard claiming something as absolute truth and condemning the questioning of its claim, seems no more than an idiosyncratic atavism.

Popular posts from this blog

Politics of Perpetuity

There are obvious downsides to democracy. When we look at the distribution of opinion on a particular issue, it generally follows a normal distribution. This implies that to achieve the majority, it's theoretically advised to stick to the centre. And this love for mediocrity makes democracy allergic to politically solid decisions.  Along with it, democracies tend to be the rooster for sweet talkers. And that is an outcome rather than a voluntary trait. Primarily because most voters need to be equipped to deal with the complexities of the field. For example, it could be more practical for an electrical engineer to comprehend medical patterns and the pandemic's effect on production. Thus, democratic institutions need people managers who have two keywords to watch out for - sweet talking and status quo. However, democracies have been hugely popular. And people have reported being happier. Whether this is induced, indoctrinated or influenced is another question. But history has cho...

What if "Maggus" don't have a choice ?

There are two possible reasons for stopping by this post; you happened to be among those hard-working study-serious college-goer who lament not being perceived as fun by his/her peers. Or you have a soft spot for these people, striving to pay off the debt from when he single-handedly completed your group project. There could be a hundred other reasons, so let's jump into the matter. Let's construct a scenario with simplified assumptions. Suppose there are 5 students in your project team. Each of you has decided whether you want to work or not. If you decide to work, you must put in an effort of value "e". The project will be possible if at least 3 of the students participate. A successful project rewards everyone in the team "r", which is greater in value than "e". So what do you think will happen. Let's assume that each of you is rational (which secretly implies you will maximise your personal gain whenever possible). Will all five contribute ...

Changing face of Entertainment

The entertainment industry in India is waiting for yet another disruptive innovation, with millions of young users equipped with gigabytes of data every day, there is a new untapped customer base. Not particularly untapped since it makes do with pirated movies and free web series. But, there is an apparent lack of entertainment streamed towards them. Also, the shift from television sets to mobile devices, sets the stage clear for a change in content. the spikes in porn consumption and adult web series do speak of this unattended guest. The popularity of two platforms, mostly youtube and TikTok, have also helped in developing a new class of actors. To name a few Sumeet Vyas, Jitendra, Bhuvan Bam and much more. It has become apparent that the arduous task of going from one to another production house seeking a side role in a daily soap or movie, is on a decline. Not that, people won't get their debut at soaps and movies, but it seems easier to get a web series and keep working tha...